Latest news
Some of the Smaller Stories from Another Virus Tinged Week
UK – Rail freight grew by 2.1% in Q3 of 2020-21, according to official statistics issued on 4 March by Office of Rail and Road (ORR). This was driven by a growth in construction materials moved by train, up 6.1%, intermodal, up 2.3% and steel and metals, which increased by 12.3%. This was partly offset by reductions in movement of petroleum products which remained suppressed by ongoing travel restrictions, and coal reflecting the ongoing trend to renewable generation.
Help! This Vehicle Has Been Stolen!
US – WORLDWIDE – Technology moves quickly these days (just look at the vaccine drive) but nowhere it seems faster than in the world of transportation. The latest headline gadget it seems will be the digital vehicle registration plate.
Mandatory Testing Should Extend to Those Most Likely Infected
AUSTRALIA – While it is a fact that the number of Covid-19 cases in the country remains small when compared to elsewhere, just 29,000 recorded compared to 4.19 million in the UK at the time of writing, the state of Victoria has seen over 70% (25,500) of these and 91% of overall deaths, 820 out of 909 nationwide.
UK Logistics Sector Gives a Variable Reaction to Budget
UK – The logistics sector drew breath this week and then released a torrent of words to comment on the Budget measures, taken as they are in the light of chaos caused by both the Covid pandemic and the exit from Europe.
Winners and Losers in Race for Investment
UK – The Chancellor's final announcement in today's Budget speech was the confirmation of where the country's new tranche of Freeports are to be located.
January Airfreight Analysis Released
WORLDWIDE – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has published its analysis of the global air cargo markets for January 2021 which show demand for air freight returned to the pre-Covid levels of January 2019 for the first time since the onset of the crisis.
Insurance Giant Joins Collective Campaign Group
UK – WORLDWIDE – Corruption is of course the scourge of many businesses but while it is tacitly accepted in many cultures the commercial world generally takes a dim view of corrupt practice.
Struck Off Perhaps but Surely These Cases Demand Prosecution
UK – It seems the good name of logistics continues to be threatened by those who would offer services they have no intention of delivering. While the profession offers a multitude of reliable companies, the bulk of which have professional affiliations, there will always be those who simply look to earn a fast, and illegal, buck.
Promises to Encourage Freight Movement Looked Upon Dubiously
EUROPE – There will be many among the logistics and freight forwarding community in the UK who will have strong reactions to the latest statements from Brussels and beyond with regard to future EU trade policy.
Another Warehouse Facility Under Construction to Accommodate Growth
UK – It seems the benefits of having flexible planning arrangements with the local authority has once again smoothed the path for Britain's newest deep water container port and logistics park on the banks of the River Thames.
