The Crisis
danger or opportunity?

MARITIME

During this last quarter of 2020, we’ve observed a decrease in the availability of equipment and services.
Shortage of containers, cancellation of stop-overs, reduced capacity and an increase in freight rates even when the price of the barrel remains low.
Shipping companies have favored trans-pacific routes to the detriment of Europe and many containers remain stranded in Asia (where they do not hesitate to return empty equipment for reuse without delay).
The cutbacks of services are partly offset by the use of the hub transhipment platform where shipping companies cross two services.
This is how a shipping company has just discontinued its direct services out of the Mediterranean to Canada while maintaining insulting offers.

Containers loaded in Turkey for example will be unloaded in Portugal for reloading on the Canada service arriving from Antwerp. Consequently, this leads to a reduction in capacity on both of these routes

In China, in the Guangdong province, the government plans to implement a 1 month quarantine for the crew of feeder companies. Activity in cities across the province will be suspended from January 13^th to February 15^th.

DUTIES & TAXES: AIRBUS vs BOEING
(WHO HELPS BOEING USA/E.U. HELPS AIRBUS)

On Tuesday, November 10th, 2020, the European Union (E.U.) established “customs duties on 4 billion dollars of American exports” in response to the ongoing dispute between Airbus and Boeing.

The targeted products include all Boeing aircraft models (taxed at 15%) but especially American agricultural products (tobacco, sweet potatoes, wheat, vegetable oils, fruits, juices etc.), agri-food products (alcohols, chocolate, etc.), manufactured goods (tractors, excavators, casino equipment, bicycle parts, etc.) and all polymers.

In France, the federation of wine and spirits exporters ( FEVS) expressed its concern with the announcement of European taxes in which they fear new American regulatory measures.

Remember that for more than a year, the United States has imposed customs duties on European imports such as wine, cheese and olive oil (up to 25%) as well as taxes of 15% on Airbus planes. Washington had been authorized up to 7.5 billion by the WTO.

Our policies will have to find common ground in order to avoid the implementation of reciprocal sanctions which in the long term would create a lose-lose situation.

Hope for a way out?

For the first time in 20 years, both the United States and the European Union have agreed to cut tariffs.

American lobsters will no longer be taxed upon entering the E.U. MEP’s validated this agreement which was reached on August 21^st. In exchange, the U.S. must grant a reduction of 168 million euros in customs duties on European products.

AIR

The recovery seems to be taking place slowly.

In the near future, the demand for air freight is very likely to improve. As the global economy slowly emerges from the crisis, companies should focus on airfreight to quickly replenish stock says IATA.

Vaccines and hopes of ending the global crisis that would result from it, should boost consumption.


Sources market-insights

IN PICTURES: EQUIPMENT DIVERSIFICATION

Our Le Havre warehouse has received its new equipment with a lifting capacity of 35 tons and now offers container guarding.

CAPRICIOUS WEATHER

MARITIME
The weather forecast indicates particularly complicated sailing conditions, especially on the trans-pacific routes. This became evident with the loss experienced by Japanese vessel “ONE Apus” of 1,900 containers just off the coast of Hawaii in November.

ROAD TRANSPORT
In the United States, and like everywhere else, social distancing measures, port congestion and unfavorable weather conditions have reduced transport capacities.

SOCIAL CONFLICT
Social movements are still slowing down Canadian and Australian port and consequently congestion is to be expected.

WINE & SPIRITS

Sadly, we regret to inform you that ProWine in Düsseldorf will not be taking place. We hope to see you soon at another conference!

•TMT is a freight forwarder operating all modes of transports (Sea, Air, Road, Rail) combined, customs and logistics.

•TMT is present in France (headquarter and agencies) and has a subsidiary in Belgium (Antwerpen), In China (Shanghaï) and three locations in the United States (Houston, Miami, Nashua) as well as a network of agents.

Headquarter:
340 N. Sam Houston Parkway East - Suite 277 - HOUSTON TX 77060
Tél +1 (832) 598-2562
vcossard@group-tmtusa.com
www.group-tmtusa.com

Writing & Design :
Agence Neocom : www.agence-neocom.com