The U.S. economy is expected to slow in 2024, with real GDP growth projected to fall to 1.3% from 2.6% in 2023. Private forecasters also expect inflation to continue to decline, falling to 2.4% in 2024. Key factors contributing to the slowdown in 2024 include: Slower growth of real private consumption expenditures (PCE): PCE is […]
Read MoreThe long-awaited surge in inactive tonnage, driven by a wave of new large vessels delivered from shipyards, appears to have temporarily subsided. However, this lull may be short-lived as the industry faces a further increase in idle capacity. Despite the influx of larger vessels, box ships with capacities of 12,500 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) and […]
Read MoreChina’s consumer prices remain stagnant and factory-gate prices continue to decline, indicating persistent deflationary pressures in the world’s second-largest economy. The consumer price index (CPI) remained unchanged in September from a year earlier, falling short of the expected 0.2% gain. Core inflation, excluding food and fuel prices, held steady at 0.8%. The producer price […]
Read MoreThe outlook for air cargo demand in 2024 remains uncertain, with industry experts offering a range of projections from flat growth to moderate increases. While there is some optimism that demand could recover from its current slump, ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainties cloud the picture. At the Tiaca Executive Summit event, Rogier Blocq of […]
Read MoreLogistics depots across Europe are struggling to cope with a surge of empty shipping containers as the economic downturn in the Eurozone and falling trade volumes exacerbate the issue. Industry experts at Container xChange claim that the cost of repositioning empty containers now surpasses their asset value, discouraging container lessors from shipping them back […]
Read MoreVenture capital firms are investing less in supply chain technology startups this year, as the freight market weakens, and investors become more cautious. In the first half of 2023, venture firms invested $5.7 billion in logistics companies, down from $22.7 billion in the same period last year, according to PitchBook Data. This pullback has […]
Read MoreOcean carriers are facing the threat of lower contract rates in 2024, as spot market prices remain under pressure. A new analysis by Xeneta shows that its long-term freight rate index declined by 2.6% in October and has fallen by 62.2% in the past 12 months. The firm expects the decline to continue in the […]
Read MoreThe logistics industry is undergoing significant changes, with trade flows shifting and the structure of e-commerce evolving. However, air cargo is still well-positioned to play a vital role. In the US market, Laredo on the US-Mexico border has surpassed the Port of Los Angeles as the biggest gateway for imports for the eighth consecutive […]
Read MoreAir cargo demand hopes for a late-year surge faded in October, with data showing only a slight increase in demand. Xeneta, a data provider, reports that air cargo demand rose 2% in October compared to September, which it describes as “sub-seasonal” compared to the previous five years. General air cargo spot market rates also increased […]
Read MoreA recent report by analyst Maritime Strategies International (MSI) predicts a positive outlook for container carriers operating between Asia and North Europe in 2024. The report cites emerging signs of a demand recovery in the medium term, as inventories are replenished. The Trans-Pacific route is expected to experience healthy growth in the upcoming year, while […]
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