Kiel trade index with a gloomy global outlook 
Faced with the threatening prospect of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, world trade already declined significantly in February. According to the latest data from the Kiel Trade Indicator published by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW), global trade is expected to fall... more
How to become "ammonia prepared"
Two 40,000 cbm LPG carriers, currently under construction for Geogas at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) in South Korea, will be “ammonia prepared”. The classification is supported by Bureau Veritas. Delivery is expected for June 2023. These will be the first ships to receive BV's... more
Rail traffic on Eurasian corridor (still?) goes on
The Group of European Trans-Eurasia Operators and Forwarders (Geto) is concerned that the Ukraine conflict could have a negative impact on the Eurasian transit corridor. This could disrupt critical supply chains and eliminate thousands of jobs. Geto’s main priority is to... more
RCL orders more newbuilds
Backed by a good result in 2021, Thailand-based Regional Carrier Lines (RCL) recently ordered two 7,000 teu units, contracting Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding in China to build the two vessels of this size for an investment of USD 170 million. Deliveries are expected for... more
Record order intake
Stadler Rail has never received more orders than in 2021 - and this despite the fact that two major orders from SBB and ÖBB were blocked by appeals at the end of the year and the order from the VDV consortium could not be booked until the beginning of 2022. Specifically, the... more
Vietnam Airlines selects BFS in Bangkok
Vietnam Airlines has appointed Bangkok Flight Services (BFS), the joint venture subsidiary of Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) in Thailand, as its new cargo handler at Suvarnabhumi Airport. BFS, which was awarded the contract following a tender process initiated by the... more
Car logistics: from the frying pan into the fire?
On top of the already long-lasting semi-conductor shortage, the vehicle industry is now under threat from exploding fuel prices, rising inflation and further parts shortages. While the Association of European Vehicle Logistics (ECG) is raising funds to support those of its... more
A cash injection for U-Ming
The ANZ Bank Taiwan has agreed upon a USD 50 million loan with bulk carrier U-Ming Marine Transport. The money will be invested in U-Ming’s fleet renewal and switch to more sustainable units. In April 2021, U-Ming had already secured its first sustainability-linked loan (SLL) of... more
A long way from and to China
After Seko Logistics’ Hong-Kong-based regional headquarters first announced that Chinese ports were closing and that vessels would be diverted from Shenzen, the situation has rapidly deteriorated. The lockdowns in 19 provinces so far, affecting Shenzhen, Shanghai, Suzhou,... more
JD Logistics covers more ground
JD Logistics, the logistics arm of Chinese online retailer JD.com, was a significant contributor to the company’s successful performance in 2021. For the full year 2021, JD.com reported revenues of RMB 951.6 billion (USD 149.3 billion), 27.6% up from the full year 2020.... more