News & Insights

Now in its 22nd year, the annual TPM conference, in Long Beach California, considers the pressing supply chain and freight challenges affecting shippers globally. TPM attracts the most senior-level audience in the industry, including an executive team from Metro and is considered to be the ‘Dav... Read more

The huge downward push on freight rates did slow in January and the continuing weak demand will put the brakes on any rate increases, with expectations for post-CNY volumes bearish, although some lines have been attempting surcharges on transatlantic, transpacific and ex India routes.  Th... Read more

The planned 2025 split of the 2M alliance, after ten years, by the world’s largest and second-largest container shipping lines - MSC and Maersk - has been looking increasingly likely, as Maersk pursues its integrated strategy and MSC’s expansion has given them the scale to effectively offer a... Read more

Global demand for air freight remained low in early January and with no surge in demand from Asia, that would normally precede Chinese New Year, volumes have been trending downwards since the first half of 2022. The China airfreight market has remained subdued post the Lunar New Year holidays,... Read more

We reported last month how the global shortage of RoRo capacity for finished vehicle shipments had intensified over the last two quarters on 2022, encouraging two of China’s biggest car manufacturers to order their own ships, as sales of their EVs grew in European markets, including Norway... Read more

On the 1st March 2023, the European Union is launching a customs pre-loading and pre-arrival safety and security programme, which will require the pre-advice of mandatory information and failure to provide the correct data in good time may lead to goods being rejected by the airline. The EU’... Read more

Metro has become a member of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, to be closer to the beating heart of the automotive industry and to share best practice in managing supply chains, to optimise manufacturing, assembly and despatch - to accelerate global success. For over 40 years Met... Read more

There was no pre-CNY transpacific rush this year and with China re-opening, factories are expected to open again in the second half of February, which is why carriers have tried to maintain rates. The CNY has given US ports a respite and most are now clear, with hardly any ships waiting outside W... Read more

Ships emit around one billion tonnes of greenhouse gases every year, or 3% of global emissions and despite IMO 2023 aiming to reduce carbon emissions from international shipping by 40% by 2030 and 70% by 2050, the EU is including maritime emissions in its emissions trading scheme (ETS). The EU... Read more

Leading garment manufacturer, Bangladesh, has withheld over USD $200 million of airline funds for repatriation, reportedly using the funds to shore up its depleted treasuries, leading foreign airlines to scale back their services and discouraging new market entrants. The International Air Tran... Read more

Shipping lines have cancelled almost 30% of pre and post Chinese New Year sailings from Asia, with THE Alliance cutting 36% to Europe and diverting backhaul sailings around the Cape of Good Hope, which adds two weeks transit time to China.  In a normal year, the weeks building up to China... Read more

Our focus has always been on building long-term, mutually-rewarding relationships, built on understanding. Gathering regular feedback from you provides us with the insights we need to drive the future decisions that will help us maintain a truly customer orientated business. Satisfied and happ... Read more