An importer that once compared ocean freight offers mainly by base rate and transit time may now open a quotation and find a very different picture: a separate emissions surcharge, references to EU ETS, another line linked to FuelEU Maritime, and contract language that was not there a year or two ago. That shift matters […]

Effective cargo management across multiple ports involves complex operational and legal responsibilities. Forwarders must accurately document cargo movements, identify the point of damage if any occurs, and lodge claims under the appropriate liability regime.   Documenting Multi-Port Movements When cargo passes through multiple ports, forwarders must keep records of various types of transport documents that […]

Climate change increasingly affects sea freight in Europe, with significant impacts on shipping routes and maritime operations. From increased storm frequency and changes in ocean currents to shifts in marine populations, more frequent fog, and rising sea levels, these effects add to the complexity of maritime operations.   Increased Storm Frequency Due to the warming […]

Specialized maritime vessels are equipped to handle various types of heavy and oversized cargo in sea freight in Europe. Heavy lift ships, windfarm installation vessels, and open-top container ships each offer unique features tailored to meet specific operational demands and logistical challenges.   Heavy Lift Vessels Heavy lift ships are used for transporting exceptionally large […]

The US Transport Security Administration has implemented more rigorous security measures for cargo shipped from CIS and European nations. The stricter regulations affect fifty-five countries, including Austria, Belgium, Germany, Portugal, Bulgaria, and Sweden, among others. Starting September 23, cargo on passenger planes bound for or transferring or transiting through the US must be shipped only […]

A vital passage for 30% of global container shipments, the Red Sea is currently experiencing an unparalleled crisis in shipping. The turmoil in the Middle East has resulted in assaults on ships which drastically cut down operations. The flow of vessels through the Bab El-Mandeb Strait and the key Suez Canal has been halved by […]

In the past few years, major shipowners have increasingly taken steps to consolidate the logistics industry. Following the pandemic period of 2020 – 2021, container rates escalated to $12,000, up from $2,000 for a 20-foot container on certain routes. This rise resulted in substantial profits for shipowners and enabled them to expand their business holdings. […]

Small cargo ships improve the efficiency of sea freight in Europe. These vessels navigate alternative routes to avoid traffic and achieve predictable transit times, dock at smaller ports to bypass congestion and speed up cargo handling, and benefit from lower docking and handling fees.   Alternative Routes Small cargo ships can choose alternative routes such […]

Coastal shipping routes face many challenges not encountered by deep-sea routes. The main challenges include weather conditions, frequent port calls, navigational hazards, limited night-time operations, and the constraints of using small-size ships.   Weather Conditions Coastal shipping routes are more directly affected by land weather patterns compared to deep-sea or open ocean routes. Inland geographic […]

Security inspections support the safety and integrity of maritime operations. These checks focus on identifying threats such as tampering, unauthorized access, and stowaways. This ensures breaches are accurately attributed, and ground forwarders are not wrongfully implicated.   Tampering During inspections, security teams inspect for signs of hampering, which can include discrepancies in cargo weights, irregularities […]

Efficient sea freight in Europe is often hindered by severe weather conditions. Two of the most significant challenges are ice formations, which impede vessels, and dense fog, which impairs navigation and slows down port operations.   Ice Formations In the Baltic Sea, winter often results in harsh conditions where portions of the sea are covered […]

European ports lead in adopting sustainable practices, spanning biodiversity conservation, renewable energy, and waste management. These efforts improve environmental health and bring predictability and cost benefits to the logistics sector.   Biodiversity Conservation Today, ports are increasingly acknowledging the significance of biodiversity conservation in their operations. For instance, The Port of Antwerp, in partnership with […]

Implementing robust security measures onboard vessels not only protects cargo from piracy and unauthorized access but also bolsters the confidence of European logistics companies in the safety and reliability of shipping routes. These measures, including deployment of armed guards, installation of physical barriers, use of water cannons, and establishment of citadels, contribute to maintaining safe […]

In the complex world of sea freight in Europe, carriers face constant challenges from disruptions. Embracing strategies like route and fleet diversification and forming strategic alliances enables them to navigate these uncertainties with agility and resilience. This, in turn, allows freight forwarders to maintain operational continuity, adapt to changing conditions, and meet clients’ needs with […]

Handling various types of cargo demands specialized knowledge and precise care in sea freight in Europe. Bulk, breakbulk, and liquid cargoes present unique challenges in preparation, safety measures, and loading techniques essential for safe and efficient sea transport.   Bulk Cargo Bulk cargo, including commodities such as grain, coal, and minerals, requires special attention to […]

Sea freight in Europe, integral to maritime logistics, is important for global trade but also brings risks that impact crew safety. These challenges include navigating harsh weather conditions, managing crew mental health, ensuring medical preparedness, and addressing environmental hazards. Each of these factors not only impacts the safety of crews but also influences the decisions […]

Sea freight forwarding involves transporting a range of cargo types, each presenting unique challenges. Oversized items, perishable goods, and high-value items not only require specific handling but also specialized security approaches to ensure their safe and efficient transportation.   Oversized Cargo One of the most challenging types of sea freight is oversized cargo, such as […]

Europe’s reliance on maritime routes for trade is undeniable, with 40% of the EU’s internal trade and 90% of its external trade going by sea. Disruptions in crucial channels, such as the Somali coast or the Strait of Malacca, can cause delays and increased costs and compromise the safety of crew, vessels, and their cargo. […]

Ports play are essential for sea freight in Europe, a major hub for international imports and exports. But increasing congestion at these ports is becoming a pressing concern. Major contributors include the increasing size of modern vessels, labor disputes, and the complexities of customs and regulatory procedures.   Evolution of Vessel Size and Port Readiness […]

Maritime fraud is common and can occur virtually everywhere, from warehouses and company offices to onboard commercial ships. The trafficking of illicit or unmanifested cargo involves the smuggling of prohibited articles by suppliers, stevedores, agents, surveyors, and even ship superintendents, senior deck officers, and engineers. Such smuggling of cargo exposes carriers to reputational, financial, and […]

Fires on board cargo and passenger’s vessels lead to damages and loss of lives each year. While safety is paid attention to during construction and design, the incidence of fires onboard ships has not improved.   Why Incidents Occur The incidence of fires onboard container ships continues to grow, and the larger a vessel is, […]

Ocean freight accounts for about 90 percent of global shipping, which makes it the main mode of transportation. It is also the preferred mode due to efficiency, cost-competitiveness, and heavy cargo capability. There is also a degree of flexibility in how freight rates are calculated. In some cases, rates cover shipping, stowage, and unloading at […]

There is a significant decline in consumer demand, with logistics CEOs noting a 20 percent decrease in ocean freight orders for the last two months. The pullback is evident across a wide range of products, ranging from some types of apparel to industrial, housing, and machinery. The main reasons for the drop in orders are […]

Green corridors are routes that are exclusively used by ships running on alternative fuels. Recently, their feasibility has been widely debated by industry players. Most agree that green corridors can help de-carbonize the shipping industry but there are still some uncertainties about implementing them. But first comes first – what are green corridors and what […]

Ocean carriers are increasingly offering air cargo services as customers are looking for an intermodal logistics solution to ship freight around the globe. According to experts, it is more than just simplifying logistics but also about making it effective, efficient, and optimized. Some of the largest shipping companies have already added aircraft to their fleet […]

The drive towards sustainability is transforming the shipping industry. Innovative business models, next-generation technology, and changing regulations will have a profound effect on both carriers and forwarders. Business as usual is no longer acceptable because societies and consumers are increasingly aware of the importance of sustainable practices. Today, consumers demand more transparency and new policies […]

Apart from the Suez Canal blockage in March, 2021, many big commercial vessels shipping cargo were stranded outside ports last year, from South Carolina to Europe and Singapore. Why all this happened?     Covid-19 Pandemic When lockdowns and travel restrictions were imposed in 2020, many started ordering gym equipment and office furniture, setting up […]

Shortage of expert workforce, environmental regulations, demand and supply imbalances, and supply chain bottlenecks are some of the main challenges facing the shipping industry. Emerging innovations and trends help reduce the negative impact on carriers and forwarders. Blockchain, robotics and automation, the Internet of Things, big data and analytics, and artificial intelligence are successfully integrated […]

The crew change crisis seem to have stabilized despite a shortage of Ukrainian and Russian mariners and the restrictions imposed in Japan. Figures show that the number of crews stranded onboard ships beyond contract expiry is down to 4.3 percent in June, compared to 4.5 percent in May, 2022. The number of mariners onboard ships […]

Recent Covid-19 outbreaks and the sanctions against Russia are causing crew shortages and pushing wages up. Outbreaks in the Far East have prevented Chinese seafarers from boarding ships while Russian crews are unable to join ships due to travel limitations and visa restrictions. This has resulted in reduced availability on a global scale and a […]

The war in Ukraine has caused a serious supply chain disruption which is likely to exacerbate the crew crisis, port congestion, and supply chain disruption caused by the prolonged pandemic. International freight forwarding has been hard hit, with the burden of sanctions, the disruption of trade with Ukraine and Russia, and the loss of vessels […]

Illicit shipping practices are often used by countries that seek to evade economic sanctions. Such practices include flag hopping and false flags, voyage irregularities, altering vessel identification, manipulating or disabling vessel automatic system identification, and falsifying ship-to-ship transfers and vessel and cargo documents, among others.   Flag Hopping and False Flags A false flag operation […]

The liquid and dry bulk markets will be affected this year due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the supply chain disruptions that are expected to continue through 2022. Experts predict trade growth to be 1 – 2 percent based on type of cargo. While trade growth has lost momentum due to the war, […]

Four UN organizations recently released a joined statement urging carriers, governments, local and national authorities, and other stakeholders to ramp up efforts to deal with the crew change crisis that has affected over 400,000 mariners since the onset of the pandemic. The statement issued by WHO, UNSTAD, IMO, and ILO notes that more efforts are […]

The ongoing health crisis has affected shipping in many ways, from the medical handling of suspect Covid-19 cases and crew repatriation to vessel attendance for statutory purposes and certification and delayed repairs and retrofits.   Handling of Suspect Cases Medical handling of suspect cases can be a challenge due to shortage of equipment and supplies […]

Commercial vessels can be generally divided into wet and dry cargo ships and vary in dimensions /width and length/. Draft or water depth is a limitation that determines the minimum water depth a boat or cargo ship can navigate. Beam or a vessel’s widest point determines the canal locks a commercial ship can fit. Based […]

A year and a half into the pandemic, the global shipping crisis is getting worse, with shortages of goods and rising prices. This year consumers are likely to face fewer choices during the holiday season. Giants such as Hasbro, Crocs, and Adidas already warned of disruptions due to the fact that supply chains are not […]

The 2021 Seafarer Workforce Report released by the International Chamber of Shipping and the Baltic and International Maritime Council on Wednesday warns about a possible shortage of sailors to staff commercial vessels over a five years period. Steps should be taken to increase numbers and ensure the smooth movement of cargo across the globe. The […]

2020 was a difficult year for most sectors, and the shipping industry is not an exception. A year and a half into a global health and economic crisis, freight forwarders face a number of challenges, from marine insurance claims and risk of cargo damage to machinery breakdown and delays of servicing of equipment and vessels. […]

Global vaccinations of crews are not going fast enough to prevent outbreaks onboard vessels, resulting in trade and supply chain disruptions and endangering the life of seafarers. The fact that vaccinations are going too slowly is potentially slowing economic recovery for countries trying to pull out of a deep, pandemic-induced recession. Effect on Supply Chains […]

The slow circulation of containers, together with increased cargo volumes, has led to supply chain disruptions and reduced capacity, resulting in significant delays and rate increases. Box shipping rates have spiked due to strong demand and container shortages and are projected to continue going up. Reasons for Slowdown in Circulation The slow circulation of containers […]

Merchant ships come in two varieties, charter or tramp vessels that transport cargo based on demand and linear vessels that have fixed schedules and operate on fixed routes. Trampers include bulk carriers and tankers operating in charter markets and shipping cargo from any port to any port. Linear vessels such as RoRo and container ships, […]

Tankships, also known as tankers, carry a wide selection of gases and liquids as well as cargo such as wine, molasses, and vegetable oils. They are built to ship commodities in a way that minimizes risks, including fungal and bacterial growth, spoilage of foods, and volatile behavior. Other ships are used to transport livestock, including […]

According to data by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, the number of ships calling at ports to load and unload cargo has increased in Q3 2020. This hints to improved business activity and economic recovery from the global pandemic that struck in the beginning of 2020. Impact of Covid-19 on Maritime Trade […]

It is important that freight forwarders get familiar with fire hazards and safety measures onboard cargo ships so that they are aware of the risks, types of fire, and extinguishing methods that shipping companies use. Classifying Fire Based on fuel  or material type, fire falls in 4 categories – class A, B, C, and D. […]

Distribution centers and rail and port terminals are used for storage, loading and unloading, and transloading activities. There are different types of terminals based on infrastructure, interface, equipment and vehicles used, location, and land access. Rail Terminals There are five types of facilities – satellite and transmodal terminals, load centres, and near-dock and on-dock. They […]

The global supply chain now faces another challenge as many countries begin to restart their economies in the midst of the coronavirus crisis. Some 200,000 ship crews are stranded because of flight reduction and suspension and closure of ports around the world. Crew Changes Before the coronavirus pandemic, about 100,000 crew swaps took place on […]

The EU shipping industry has been hardly hit, and maritime shippers are not an exception. At the same time, measures and policies to mitigate the impact of the pandemic have not been implemented in all Member States. This is a critical moment for forwarders throughout Europe, including ship owners, operators, charterers, and shipping companies, all […]

The maritime shipping industry has been a major polluter for decades and now faces new regulations that will soon come into effect. Maritime Transport and Environmental Pollution Reports by the UN International Maritime Organization show that over 90 percent of cargo is transported by sea. The main reason is that this is the most cost-effective […]

Autonomous technologies are increasingly used in the maritime shipping industry, and advanced systems are currently under development. Manufacturers are in the process of developing super yachts, battery-powered ships, situation awareness systems, drone-assisted systems, and unmanned ships to name a few. Autonomous and Semi-Autonomous Ships Shipbuilding companies are in the process of developing fully autonomous ships […]

Food manufacturers face multiple risks acossiated with transportation and delivery of ingredients and shipping of final products to chain stores and retailers. Major risks for manufacturers include deterioration due to shipping delays, contamination with fungi and bacteria, damages, spills, and breakages, and sub-optimum conditions during shipping. Deterioration Due to Delays Many raw ingredients have a […]

Sea transport was the main vehicle of international commerce for centuries and is still a popular mode of transportation due to factors such as high load capacity, low cost, and reliability in bad weather. Sea freight transport is also a preferred solution for shipments across long distances. Types of Goods Transported by Sea The main […]

Sea transport allows for cheap freight forwarding of cargo to and from a large number of European countries.  It is the preferred form of transport for big volumes of goods as well as for smaller ones in containers when the delivery terms are not urgent.  The customers of freight forwarders Europe have a choice between […]

Water transport has long since established itself as a cheap option for transportation over various distances. It is widely used by the International Forwarding Association to provide shippers of goods with a cheaper option for transportation. Water transport is being promoted within the European Union due to its undoubted advantages: Increased efficiency due to the […]