BDP Trendwatch: FMC proposes 6 changes to automated carrier fees; Air France-KLM and CMA CGM join forces and sign a major long-term strategic partnership in global air cargo; Long Beach sets record but East, Gulf Coast ports’ gains bigger

California ports say threat of penalty keeps cargo moving

Southern California port officials say the threat of a penalty fee, which has never been imposed, is a major reason cargo has been moving quickly and an enormous backup of container ships offshore has receded. 

The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have pushed back what they call a container dwell fee each week since it was announced on Oct. 25, when officials said the growing stacks of containers sitting for days or weeks at a time were impeding the flow of goods through the busiest port complex in the U.S. 

The Wall Street Journal

FMC proposes 6 changes to automated carrier fees 

The Federal Maritime Commission is seeking comments on a new notice of proposed rulemaking that aims to increase transparency of shipping transactions. 

The proposed rule would make six major changes to how carrier automated tariffs are governed. The shifts include removing carriers’ ability to charge a fee to access their tariffs, and altering the definition of co-loading to apply to less-than-container loads. 

Supply Chain Dive

Air France-KLM and CMA CGM join forces and sign a major long-term strategic partnership in global air cargo 

Air France-KLM Group and the CMA CGM Group today announced that they have signed a long-term strategic partnership in the air cargo market1. This exclusive partnership will see both parties combine their complementary cargo networks, full freighter capacity and dedicated services in order to build an even more competitive offer thanks to the unrivalled know-how and global footprint of Air France-KLM and CMA CGM. 

CMA CGM and Air France-KLM share a strong ambition to invest and grow sustainably in the air freight business. 

AJOT

Cargo capacity cuts continue to impact Hong Kong Airport in April 

Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) reported a year-on-year drop in cargo throughput for April as a result of reduced capacity. 

Cargo throughput and flight movements recorded 375,000 tonnes and 10,320, respectively, representing decreases of 2.8% and 0.6% compared to the same month in 2021. 

The decline in cargo throughput was mainly attributed to 6% year-on-year decreases in both imports and exports, due to insufficient cargo capacity. The overall cargo to and from Europe experienced the most significant decreases during the month. 

Air Cargo News

Long Beach sets record but East, Gulf Coast ports’ gains bigger 

“Cargo continues to move at a record-setting pace and may not slow down anytime soon,” according to Mario Cordero, executive director of the Port of Long Beach.  

The port on California’s San Pedro Bay recorded its busiest April ever. Its neighbor, the Port of Los Angeles, had the second-busiest April in its history even though it posted a year-over-year cargo volume decrease. But the strongest performances in April took place at ports on the Gulf and East coasts. 

Freight Waves

Panama Canal vessel queue reflects shipping-bottleneck uptick 

The global shipping bottlenecks rattling industries and consumers in the pandemic era were plain to see for the politicians, economists and investors gathering for a Latin American economic forum in Panama on Wednesday. 

There were 101 vessels waiting their turn to make the 40-mile journey across the Panama Canal Wednesday, six more than the average so far this year, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. 

AJOT