Industry Update - November 2024
Welcome to our November industry update:
General:
Canada – Lets start with some positive news (but not too much). Due to the impact of the port strikes on the Canadian economy the government instructed the Industrial Relations Board to step in to end strike action at the east and west coast ports (in case you blinked and missed it, this was the good news bit).
Operations have now resumed but mid-November there were 5000 TEU’s on the ground and 22 vessels on route, resulting in the ports battling against a huge backlog, this means detention and demurrage charges may be incurred.
Related articles:
USA – There is uncertainty around what the “changes” mentioned throughout the presidential campaign means for the global freight industry, but key international trade areas will face significant changes over the next 4 years.
Related articles:
Pakistan – Due to political and civil unrest causing protests in Islamabad, the capital went into complete lockdown for several days. Internet usage was blocked to limit media coverage, but also impacted on the private and business sectors. The lockdown has been lifted but the situation may still be volatile.
India – In our August update we advised that strike action across 12 major ports had been cancelled. Unfortunately, it now appears that due to a breakdown between the government and dockworkers it seems that a staged strike will take place from the 17th December.
Related Articles:
Sustainability: Going forward we will share news articles on sustainability efforts within the moving & freight industry: HMM to install carbon capture systems on box ships too young to scrap - The Loadstar
Partner updates:
- thank you to our partner network for sharing information from their locations
Brazil – port strikes started on the 26th November for an indefinite period. The strike will impact public services and the customs clearance process for import and export at all Brazilian ports and airports. It is thought that, based on previous strike action, it is very likely that the ports will operate at a reduced capacity on specific days, allowing clearances to proceed, there will be delays and additional costs. Our colleagues at One Moving will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates.
News from our Voerman and affiliated company locations:
Netherlands – Following the announcement of new EU regulations for HHE shipping requirements which changes the OBL description for Household effects we would like to provide updated consigning instructions:
Description of goods on BL and/or AWB: "Personal property belonging to natural persons transferring their normal place of residence". HS code 99050000. Please also include a description of 5 - 10 of the shipped items, for example: furniture, clothes, kitchenware, etc’’
FCL SHIPMENT: For all future shipments consigned to Voerman International in The Hague please issue a direct master bill of lading only as this will reduce the number of parties involved and will support an efficient clearance process.
POE: Rotterdam Consignee:
Voerman International B.V.
Reflectiestraat 2
2631 RV Nootdorp
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 70 3011328
Email: customs@voerman.com
EORI# NL850629457
Notify: Shippers name (as per passport)
C/o Voerman International
Reflectiestraat 2
2631 RV Nootdorp
The Netherlands
Email: customs@voerman.com
Tel: +31 70 3011328
Our team will provide this information on all new bookings.
Thank you to the FIDI association for updating their members of the changes via this article in the FIDI Focus.
Czechia – You may already be aware from our LinkedIn posts, but good news should always be repeated. We are pleased to announce that our Prague office has now joined the elite group of IAM Trusted Moving Companies, and they are the first and only company in the Czech Republic to have this accreditation.
Eurohome Relocation Services - Prague has been identified as one of 23 emerging markets, which is very positive news, but this has obviously had an impact on the property market. Rental prices have increased and are now at similar levels to Brussels, Frankfurt and Barcelona (article below). Our team at Eurohome are available to support you locally on all DSP services including property searches.
Related articles:
Africa Mobility Services - Coup Wave - Military coups are on the rise in Africa, with recent recent takeovers in Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Sudan, and Guinea. These regimes suppress dissent and the media, often justifying their actions as necessary for public safety.” Southern African leaders have agreed to extend the deployment of regional troops in conflict-ridden eastern Congo for another year while pledging to work towards a peaceful resolution in Mozambique.
This related article provides some insight into the situation, as any conflict can impact infrastructure with a knock on effect to service levels it is important to have local knowledge to manage our clients and the assignees expectations and the team at Africa Mobility are there to provide support.
Our commitment: Our global move management teams are here to support our clients and to provide excellent services, to achieve this we continue to:
• Listen to our clients and communicate proactively
• Manage expectations and offer flexible “out of the box thinking” solutions
• Monitor potential cost increases such as freight, port charges etc
• Reviewing global challenges which could impact service levels
Your commitment: We continue to ask our clients and partners to support us by providing us with new initiations as early as possible. This will allow us to understand and meet the needs of the transferee and their requirements, also to set realistic expectations at the beginning of the relocation journey. Our account managers and customer services contact are available at all our locations (noted below):
We will continue to keep you updated, please feel free to reach out with any questions.
Pauline Collins – Supply Chain Manager
Director | Antares Mudanças & Transportes | International Removal Company | Global Mobility | Specialist in the International Transport of Unaccompanied Removals from Brazil to Abroad and from Abroad to Brazil.
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