International Forwarding Association Blog » Sea freight in Europe
Sea freight in Europe
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 of the Earth’s atmosphere, more water evaporates, and this increased moisture in the air fuels more powerful and frequent storms and hurricanes. This can increase the risk of maritime accidents such as collisions, groundings, and capsizing. Changes in Ocean Currents Near the poles, surface… Read more
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 items such as industrial machinery, oversized vehicles, and construction components that exceed the capabilities of standard shipping methods. These ships are designed with cranes that have a lifting capacity of up to 3,000 tons. This capability allows them to lift extremely heavy loads that standard… Read more
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 by those shippers that have an established business relationship with a forwarder. Heightened Security Protocolled Follow Incendiary Parcel Incidents This updated protocol comes in the wake of incidents where two incendiary devices were ignited in packages within Europe’s parcel delivery networks. In July, a… Read more
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 March 2024. Impact on Routes, Rates, and Port Activities Significant interruptions in Red Sea navigation have pushed carriers to reroute their ships around Africa’s southern cape. This detour has led to increases in travel distances for tankers and cargo by more than 50%. As… Read more
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. Industry Consolidation and Expansion Today, carriers are actively investing in cargo airlines, establishing their own fleets of cargo planes, and acquiring stakes in port management entities. Additionally, these carriers have expanded into railway transport and are purchasing e-commerce and automotive logistics businesses. While sea… Read more
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 as smaller channels, rivers, and shallow coastal waters. In Europe, such routes include navigating through the narrow canals of the Netherlands, along the Elbe and Rhine rivers in Germany, and the coastal waters along the Adriatic and Aegean Seas. Since navigation is restricted for larger… Read more
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 features impact weather in coastal waters, with valleys causing winds to accelerate and change direction rapidly and mountains forcing moist air to rise and condense, leading to increased rainfall. These geographical influences result in more frequent and intense weather events such as sudden storms, heavy… Read more
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 in packaging, and inconsistent stocking patterns. Other indicators might be broken seals, unauthorized modifications to container structures, and the presence of unusual odors or residues that suggest hidden or prohibited items. These rigorous inspections ultimately benefit ground forwarders, whether the issue is minor or a… Read more
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 by thick ice packs that immobilize vessels. To combat these challenges, ports in Finland and Sweden deploy fleets of icebreakers – ships with reinforced hulls that break ice into pieces. These icebreakers help maintain clear paths along commonly used shipping routes such as the Gulf… Read more
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 the environmental organization Natuurpunt, is undertaking efforts to safeguard its biodiverse ecosystem, which hosts several rare species. Through the initiative ‘Port of Antwerp more natural,’ the port is implementing conservation strategies such as setting up nesting locations for sand martins, building areas for fish to… Read more
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 reliability. Route and Port Diversification One effective strategy for mitigating the impact of disruptions is to diversify shipping routes and ports of call. By avoiding over-reliance on a single route or port, companies can reduce risks when a specific area is affected. The drought… Read more
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 safety. For agricultural products like grain, this includes ensuring dryness to prevent spoilage and the potential for hazardous gas build-up during transit. When handling chemical powders, the focus shifts to secure packaging and containment to prevent leakage and reactions with other substances. The next step… Read more
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 and operations of ground forwarders. Navigating Harsh Weather Conditions One of the main challenges to crew safety is dealing with unpredictable and harsh weather conditions. Crew members on sea voyages, particularly in regions like the North or Baltic Sea, often face risks from severe… Read more
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 machinery, industrial parts, and vehicles. These items often demand specific handling equipment due to their size and weight, including gantry cranes for their high load capacity and reach stackers for their manoeuvrability. Additionally, modular trailers, which can be adjusted to accommodate various sizes and shapes… Read more
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. Addressing maritime threats like piracy, hijackings, cargo theft, and maritime terrorism is essential for European logistics companies to ensure safety and maintain efficient operations. As a response, there is a growing emphasis on adopting solutions like real-time ship tracking, predictive analytics, enhanced digital communication, and… Read more
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 As the economics of shipping evolve, the industry has witnessed a shift towards larger vessels. These behemoths reduce operational costs but pose a fresh set of challenges for ports. To accommodate these mammoth ships, ports need deeper drafts, broader berths, and more powerful cranes. Rotterdam’s… Read more
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 legal risks and is a serious problem both, at land and on sea. Types of Illegal Cargo Vessels may carry cargo that fraudsters want to keep undetected. Such items include products that are adulterated, counterfeited, or falsified, including construction materials, electronics, alcohol, and pharmaceuticals…. Read more
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, the higher the risk of fire. Reports show that over the last 5 years, more than 70 fire incidents occurred onboard container vessels. Fires in the cargo area of Ro-Ro/car and container ships have been a major topic of debate. Lines shipping battery-powered electric vehicles… Read more
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 the port of arrival but not loading and stowage at the port of origin. In other cases, carriers are not responsible for trimming, stowage, unloading, and loading. Other factors that affect rates include season, distance to destination, type and amount of cargo, fuel costs, and… Read more
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 lack of clarity on demand, combined with excessive inventory. CEOs share the opinion that the number of waiting cargo ships is expected to drop. Outbound tender rejections are also signaling a decline in orders. Inventory Issues Demand for expensive items is still strong,… Read more
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