Airlines rejoice as U.S. agrees to Trans-Atlantic travel restart
European trans-Atlantic airlines reacted jubilantly to a U.S. move to allow most vaccinated foreigners to enter the country, ending a ban that’s been in place since March 2020.
Shares of British Airways parent IAG SA, Air France-KLM and Deutsche Lufthansa AG all surged following the Monday announcement, which made clear those without Covid-19 inoculations will still be unwelcome.
The U.S. relaxing of travel rules is “fantastic news for our group,” Air France-KLM Chief Executive Officer Ben Smith said in an interview with Bloomberg TV. “We expect a return of 2019 traffic numbers to move forward very quickly.”
Air Freight News, Bloomberg
Long Beach and Los Angeles ports extend hours of landside operations
The US West Coast ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles are extending the hours during which trucks can pick up and deliver containers.
Mario Cordero, Executive Director of the Port of Long Beach, announced that Long Beach will take the first step towards a 24/7 supply chain by maximising night time operations.
Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said that the port will expand weekend operating gate hours.
They said these measures, brought in after consultation with multiple supply chain stakeholders and the U.S. Department of Transportation, will enhance the ports’ landside operations to help meet the unprecedented growth in cargo volume moving through the San Pedro Bay.
Lloyd´s Loading List
Cathay Pacific ramps up freighter network ahead of strong peak season
Cathay Pacific ramped up its freighter network to peak season levels in August, while two previously announced preighter aircraft have also joined its fleet.
In its latest monthly traffic update, the Hong Kong-hubbed airline said that ahead of what is expected to be a busy peak season – and on the back of a bouyant August – it had ramped up its freighter schedule and introduced two extra B777 preighter aircraft, bringing its fleet of passenger aircraft with seats removed to six.
Chief customer and commercial officer Ronald Lam said: “While August is traditionally a quieter month for cargo due to the summer holiday period in the Northern Hemisphere, this was not the case this year and demand continued to be buoyant both from our home market, Hong Kong, and from across our network.
AirCargo News
Lufthansa to raise $2.5 billion to repay state bailout funds
Deutsche Lufthansa AG plans to raise 2.14 billion euros ($2.5 billion) through a heavily discounted share sale as it strives to repay a German government coronavirus bailout.
The airline group will offer new shares at 3.58 euros apiece, less than half Friday’s closing price of 8.21 euros, and aims to return all of its 9 billion euros in state borrowings by the end of the year, according to a statement Sunday.
The shares rose despite the lowly issue price, which has long been expected by the market. Oil prices declined for a second session, lifting the broader airline industry, while full repayment will free Lufthansa from restrictive conditions attached to the bailout and allow it to avoid punitive interest payments.
AJOT, Bloomberg
Shipping is shifting into green mode with emission mitigation systems
Today’s announcement that Swiss-Italian liner operator MSC is to fit air lubrication systems to its newbuildings is symbolic, because it reveals the shift in position made by the industry and its backing for the IMO targets.
According to manufacturer Silverstream, MSC has made more than 30 orders for the company’s air lubrication system, which effectively creates an air cushion for vessels to sail on, cutting emissions by 5-10% – not enough to meet all the requirements for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) targets, but a very good base to build on.
The Loadstar
Cosco acquires 35% stake in Hamburg container terminal
Hamburger Hafen und Logistik (HHLA) and Hong Kong-listed terminal operator Cosco Shipping Ports Limited (CSPL) have struck a deal that will see CSPL acquire a 35% stake in HHLA Container Terminal Tollerort (CTT).
The transaction should result in CTT becoming a preferred transshipment point for Cosco, and HHLA expects the deal will deliver long-term secured capacity and employment in the Port of Hamburg.
“The first Chinese vessel was processed at Tollerort back in 1982. Since then, the terminal has become a hub for the liner services of what is now Cosco Shipping Lines. Against this background, HHLA and Cosco equally pursue the goal of successfully securing the future of CTT and an even more efficient dovetailing of Chinese logistics flows in Hamburg,” said Angela Titzrath, chairwoman of HHLA’s executive board.
Splash 24/7
Another cyber attack challenges CMA CGM
CMA CGM has suffered another cyber attack in less than one year from the previous security breach, which hit the company's peripheral servers and caused severe challenges in its Information Technology (IT) infrastructures.
The French shipping group has announced that a leak of data on limited customer information (first and last names, employer, position, email address and phone number) has been detected during its surveillance operations on the company's Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).
"Our IT teams have immediately developed and installed security patches," said CMA CGM in its announcement.
Container News
