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Liner rate hikes give spot rates on the transpacific a boost

Transpacific rates have rebounded with the major box lines succeeding in implementing rate hikes. Friday's Shanghai Containerised Freight Index showed both the Shanghai-US West Coast and Shanghai-US East Coast rates were up just over 12% from 24 July, to $6,229 and $9,054 per 40ft, respectively, bucking the trend seen on Asia-Europe routes where freight rates remain under downward pressure. Typhoons in China - Bavi and Noul in late July - caused persistent congestion in ports around the Yangtze and Pearl river deltas, which resulted in a shortage of containers and shipping slots. Linerlytica said: "Cargo demand remains strong out of Asia, and persistent port congestion in China has created space and equipment shortages that have kept freight rates at elevated levels, giving carriers sufficient confidence to upgrade their earnings forecasts for the third quarter." It noted that the SCFI did not reflect the real-time situation, as Asia-USEC and Asia-USEC rates had gone up to $7,000 and $9,500 per 40ft, respectively. The consultancy added: "The rate rally comes as somewhat of a surprise, given the SCFI and SCFIS's (container futures) recent correction, but transpacific cargo volumes remain firm into August, while capacity out of China remains constrained due to port congestion at both Central and South China ports." Drewry suggested that following softening demand and the slowdown in front-loading activity, carriers were actively managing transpacific capacity through blanked sailings - this week, eight voyages will be blanked, following seven last week. For example, yesterday, ONE announced the scheduled call at Singapore on its Vietnam Shuttle Express service, which offers a shortened connection between Vietnam and the USWC on 11 August, would be blanked.

BIFA appoints Amanda Francis as PR and media manager

UK forwarder association BIFA has appointed Amanda Francis as PR and media manager. With 15 years' experience of leading strategic communications across public and private sectors, Francis will develop and execute a national, regional and trade PR strategy for BIFA. She will work closely with senior stakeholders to support policy communications, raise BIFA's profile and present BIFA TV to members. Francis' career experience includes developing thought leadership campaigns, managing high-profile reputational issues and delivering integrated PR and communications strategies. As Francis steps up, Ian Matheson will move towards semi-retirement after 20 years as BIFA's PR Consultant. BIFA thanked Matheson for his longstanding contribution in raising the organisation's profile and supporting its communications activity over two decades. In the role, Francis will be responsible for output across all communications activity, working closely with cross-functional teams across PR, digital and creative to deliver integrated and impactful campaigns. Steve Parker, director general of BIFA, said: "Amanda's work building strategic storytelling across notable brands makes her a great fit for BIFA. We look forward to her presenting BIFA TV and leading a PR strategy to elevate our story to members and media." Dawn White, events and communications director at BIFA, commented: "Amanda's appointment marks an exciting step in strengthening how we communicate BIFA's work and the value we deliver for members. Her experience will help us tell more of the stories that matter, raise BIFA's profile and engage members and stakeholders through compelling communications." Francis added: "I'm proud to be joining BIFA at such an important time for the freight and logistics sector. Freight forwarding sits at the heart of international trade, and I'm looking forward to working with members and the media to showcase BIFA's expertise and the vital role the industry plays in keeping global commerce moving."

Cathay Cargo reports double-digit revenue improvement in first half

Cathay Cargo saw volumes and revenues increase in the first half of the year as figures were boosted by rising demand for the data centre and AI boom. The cargo airline saw first-half tonnage increase by 8.5% year on year to 869,000 tonnes, while revenues were up 23.9% to HK$13.8bn. Revenues grew ahead of volumes as the cargo yield improved by 18.1% against last - boosted by higher rates due to rising demand and higher fuel charges - and the cargo load factor improved by 0.6 percentage points to 59.2%. Cathay Pacific chair Guy Bradley said the "strong" performance reflected sustained demand for cargo capacity, especially across key lanes. "Results were boosted by the carriage of high value technology products to support the data centre industry and AI boom," he said. "We delivered both tonnage and revenue growth by leveraging our network strength, working closely with key customers and applying disciplined inventory management." Looking ahead, Bradley said the company was "cautiously optimistic" about the upcoming cargo peak season. He added that Cathay Cargo plans to add freighter services on trunk routes in line with the expected demand surge, while expanding freighter capacity through additional services operated by Air Hong Kong, after it agreed a deal to operate an Airbus A330 freighter on behalf of the cargo business. During the six month period, the carrier expanded freighter frequencies on transpacific - one of the fastest growing trades this year - in March ahead of quarter-end peak demand. Cathay Cargo also launched a weekly freighter service to Bangkok in May, marking the return of dedicated freighter flights to the city following its last regular freighter operation 10 years ago. Elsewhere, out of Southeast Asia, the company reported strong export momentum to the Americas, led by high-tech electronics and growth in its Cathay Priority solution as customers sought assured capacity and speed. Cathay added that export activity from the Chinese Mainland remained resilient, particularly on Europe- and intra-Asia-bound routes, driven by general cargo and high-tech electronics. For Europe, the company saw solid flows of consolidation cargo into Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, partially supported by changes in market capacity dynamics. From South Asia, the Middle East and Africa, demand into Southeast Asia remained steady, supported by general cargo and pharmaceutical shipments, although the airline has temporarily suspended freighter flights serving Dubai and Riyadh since March 2026 due to the situation in the Middle East.