Ocean freight rates

Container shipping sees strongest peak season since the pandemic

From July to the end of September, the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) averaged 147 per cent above its level in the same period last year. Market observers expect only a moderate correction in the fourth quarter.

Management

Raben appoints new COO and Swiss country manager

Rafal Krajewski joins from Ceva, where he led operations in Central and Eastern Europe and the DACH region. In Switzerland, Sasa Pavlovic succeeds Richard Sabo after holding business development and sales roles at DHL, Kühne + Nagel and DPD…

Quarterly figures

OOCL opens third-quarter reporting season with strong results

Higher freight rates and rising cargo volumes lifted OOCL’s third-quarter revenue by 45.1 per cent year on year to around 3.3 billion US dollars. Trans-Pacific services recorded by far the strongest revenue growth, at 71.8 per cent.

EU-China trade

EU and China reach compromise on hybrid car imports

Brussels wants to significantly curb imports of Chinese hybrid cars. The agreement reached in China puts the implications for German carmakers in focus.

New forecasts

AI boom keeps global trade on track despite crises

The WTO has significantly raised its forecast. The DHL Globalisation Tracker also provides a positive outlook: global trade in goods is set to grow faster by 2029 than it did over the past decade. Experts cite the expansion of AI infrastructure as…

Hedging

Transport insurers finalise merger

The TT Club and the UK P&I Club will in future operate jointly under the umbrella of the new United Transport Mutual Group (UTM). The merger, scheduled for 20 February 2027, is expected to deliver significant savings and a lower claims ratio.

Takeover

German government blocks Zippel’s sale to Cosco

The German government has blocked the sale of Hamburg-based logistics company Zippel to Chinese state-owned container shipping line Cosco. Security and dependency fears were the main reasons.

Regulation

EU could ease CO₂ limits for van fleets

French President Emmanuel Macron appears willing to back the German government’s push to soften the “ban on combustion-engine cars and vans”. In return, he expects concessions from Berlin on other issues.

EU–China commerce

EU seeks new approach to trade with China

EU member states are weighing stronger measures to protect their economies from unfair Chinese competition. EU leaders will revisit the issue at their summit on 15–16 October, while the European Parliament is due to vote on a resolution outlining its…

Restructuring

Ceva reshapes operational management

Ceva will structure its global operations around two business divisions and five regions. Henri Le Gouis will lead Freight Management, while Chris Walton will head Contract Logistics.

Shipping costs

Container freight rates appear to have peaked

After a sustained rise, the Shanghai freight index for Far East routes has recorded its first decline since early July. Market observers expect any further fall in rates to be limited.

North American logistics

C.H. Robinson plans to buy RXO in multibillion-dollar deal

The boards of both logistics companies have unanimously approved the merger agreement for the 5.8-billion-dollar deal. The takeover remains subject to approval from RXO’s shareholders and the relevant authorities before it can be completed.

Diesel supply

G7 leaders agree to release 100 million barrels from reserves

During a video conference on Friday, the group's leaders pledged to tap their emergency oil reserves over the next four months, with a significant share of diesel reaching the market within 20 days. The move follows intense pressure from the US…

Low water

Danube countries set 2030 deadline to secure river's navigability

Transport ministers from across the Danube basin have signed a joint declaration committing to keep the river navigable, through measures ranging from narrower low-water channels to better-maintained locks. The pledge follows a year in which parts of…

FDI screening

Berlin set to block Cosco-Zippel deal

A confidential document reported by Handelsblatt states that the German government has "significant security concerns" and sees a "risk of strategic dependencies" in Cosco's planned takeover of Hamburg freight forwarder Konrad Zippel.