Shipping

Nine ocean carriers recently committed to 100% adoption of an electronic bill of lading (eBL) by 2030, with a waypoint goal of 50% adoption within five years. It is a significant step along the road to digitalisation, one that heralds a future for container trade processes that are simpler, more sustainable and more resilient.

On the 9th February, Swiss-based commodities trader Trafigura alleged that it had been exposed to “systemic fraud” to the value of $577 million of nickel, in relation to UAE-based businessman Prateek Gupta’s London trading company TMT Metals Holdings Ltd, and companies connected to him.

Your Monday morning coffee briefing from TFG: RELEASED – Trade Finance Talks – Sailing into 2023: Navigating the new year To agriculture and beyond: a look at how IoT technology… read more →

The latest issue of TFG’s Trade Finance Talks, ‘Sailing into 2023: Navigating the new year’, is out now!

‘Permacrisis’ was crowned word of the year by the editors of the Collins English Dictionary at the end of 2022, defined as “an extended period of instability and insecurity”. It seems an appropriate term to describe the state of global trade, finance, and supply chains as we enter 2023.

As 2023 unfolds, shippers are experiencing signs of relief from the supply chain upheaval over the past few years. U.S. container imports in December continued to close in on 2019 volumes, port delays continued to improve, the maritime capacity crunch has eased, and ocean shipping rates have approached pre-pandemic levels. 

Over the past five years, the logistics industry experienced an explosion of new market entrants. This expansion started before COVID-19 and then accelerated dramatically over the last three years. Who are these new carriers, what distinguishes them from traditional carriers, and are they right for you?

There is no question that the turbulent global economy and the unending impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have wreaked havoc on China’s supply chain. The country’s economy is taking a hit with factories being forced to shut down, resulting in a significant disruption in international commerce.

Certainty has been in short supply in the world of shipping in recent years. Shippers, manufacturers, and carriers have all had to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances, from the lingering impacts of COVID to geopolitical conflicts, from stocking trends to industrial action. 

I remember reading a quote which has stuck in my mind ever since – “Sharing among an entire ecosystem of innovative partners is a crucial step for modernisation.” 

Your Monday morning coffee briefing from TFG: VIDEO | Think data, not documents: advancing MLETR in 2023

Trade sanctions are among the many tactics resorted to by the international community in order to compel a state to comply with its human rights obligation. 

Your Monday morning coffee briefing from TFG: Shifting the mindset towards innovation in ports

Cargo transportation is enjoying rapid growth due to increased globalisation and online ordering. The shipping industry accounts for a vast percentage of global trade, so finding ways to make it more sustainable is crucial. 

Change is part of the modern world and innovation is one of the key drivers for change. The prevailing question is: are the ports in the right mindset towards innovation?