News

2012-02-28

US CUSTOMS and Border Protection (CBP) has proposed a rule change on imported merchandise which allows cargo to move without duties being paid to another US port before re-export under bond.

CBP requests for comments from trade to be submitted by April 23.

In-bond movements allow freight to move under a bond that provides for liquidated damages if the conditions of the bond are not met but the system has been exploited through smuggling of restricted or high duty items.

To tighten the system, the CBP rule would compel agents to file electronic in-bond applications instead of paper documents, reports American Shipper, adding that it would also require information on the safety and security of the goods and its six-digit Harmonised Tariff Schedule number.

Any diversion of merchandise from intended destination port to another would need permission from CBP and be within a 30-day maximum to transport under bond between US ports. Arrival and location of merchandise would need to be filed within 24 hours of arrival at the destination port, it said.

Source Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News

2012-02-28

THE European recession is expected to depress air freight volumes of the members of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA), which fell 13.7 per cent in January year on year.

International cargo load factors fell to an average of 59.6 per cent, a drop of 5.7 percentage points despite a 5.3 per cent reduction in capacity, according to the AAPA.

"With Europe sliding into recession, we expect this to be another challenging year, but remain optimistic given signs of recovery in the US and continuing positive momentum in Asia," said AAPA director general Andrew Herdman.

Mr Herdman also said the continuing decline was a reflection of the early timing of Chinese New Year in January, when Asian factory production slows down, as well as the uncertain state of the global economy.

Source Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News

2012-02-28

AIR FRANCE-KLM and Martinair will return to Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta with a twice-weekly freighter service effective March 27 after a three-year absence operating a freighter service from Paris to Atlanta over a 12-year period.

The service will be operated by Air France Cargo with Air France-KLM Cargo and Martinair Cargo providing sales and customer service that will run alongside current passenger flights.

"I am pleased that Air France is choosing to grow its cargo business in Atlanta," said Mayor Kasim Reed, adding that he expected it to generate US$8 million to $12 million a year.

"Air France's decision to begin all-cargo service into Atlanta furthers our position as one of the world's premier logistics hubs. Air cargo is important to Atlanta and the south eastern United States, and it is critical to our continued growth and success as a city and a region," he added.

Said Air France-KLM sales vice president US Alain Pages: "These new flights are made possible through our close working relationship with Delta Cargo and will offer our customers in the southeast US greater access to our global array of products and services."

Air France-KLM passenger flights, Delta Air Lines' transatlantic flights and Alitalia's flights from the US operate in close coordination as part of the North Atlantic Joint Venture (NAJV).

Between 2010 and 2011, total international air cargo flights at Hartsfield-Jackson increased 40 per cent. Nine of the top 10 global cargo airlines provide service to and from Atlanta.

Source Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News

2012-02-28

LUFTHANSA Cargo company, time:matters GmbH, a German provider of express logistics services, is continuing to expand its "same day" air network by adding Scotland's Aberdeen airport as a new station for transporting urgent and complex shipments.

The development brings the number of same-day air network stations to 104, a company statement said.

"With Aberdeen, we are incorporating the focus area for the oil industry in the North Sea region into our network. The new station is therefore interesting for customers from the oil and gas, ship spares and maritime industries.

"Their time-critical shipments benefit from several daily direct flights to the international hub Frankfurt (FRA) and subsequently from the fastest possible access to our entire same day air network. This translates into shorter transport times and increased flexibility for our customers and their highly urgent shipments," said CEO Franz-Joseph Miller.

Source Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News