Nato members helping each other 
Following an agreement between the UK and Turkey, 250,000 items of PPE equipment to the UK, including 50,000 N-95 face masks, 100,000 surgical masks and 100,000 protective suits, arrived at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire last Friday. The supplies will be taken to a regional... more
Peak of blank sailings reached?
Copenhagen (Denmark)-based maritime analyst Sea-Intelligence reports that, as of 11 April, the number of blank sailings due to the pandemic now amounts to 384. Over the last week, the carriers announced an additional 83 blank sailings on various deep-sea trades. The count of... more
ICS guidance for Covid-19 compliance at sea
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has issued further information and advice to ensure that essential goods and commodities such as energy, food and medical supplies can be transported on the seas during the pandemic. The "coronavirus (Covid-19) ship and... more
Big Gulf carriers connecting the planet
Emirates Skycargo has scaled up its cargo services to connect an increasing number of global destinations. The Dubai-based cargo carrier currently operates flights to 51 destinations globally, out of which 19 cities are served by B777F offering up to 100 t of capacity per flight... more
Deployment of scrubbers on the rise worldwide
The number of ships with installed or on-demand scrubbers is currently at almost 4,050 units, according to the latest data from DNV GL's 'alternative fuels observatory'. Although new orders for this technology slowed down as the sector approached 2020, the latest data still... more
El Al uses B787 and transforms B777
El Al Israel Airlines is stepping up the use of PAX widebody aircraft as freight-only aircraft. Its Dreamliner fleet consisting of three B787-8 and twelve B787-9 (photo) has a bellyhold cargo capacity of 20 to 50 t per flight. In order to increase its cargo capacity, EL AL... more
MPV/HL's situation to improve - long term
London (UK)-based maritime analyst Drewry said in its latest forecast for multipurpose and heavylift (MPV/HL) shipping that if the measures against the coronavirus (COVID-19) cease by 4Q/2020, the demand growth for breakbulk and project cargo will continue, but remain weak or... more
The Alliance announces more cancellations
Following the pandemic, the members of The Alliance have revised schedules for May and June. The details of the blank sailings are announced in response to lower market demand, as the shipping companies add in a press release. In detail, the services Asia and North Europe... more
Treasure comes home
US customs and border protection's (CBP) Baltimore field office recently repatriated seven ancient coins, dating from the Roman Empire, from several periods (81 BC through 217 AD). CBP initially encountered them in April 2009 during an inspection of air cargo that arrived from... more
B737 P2F conversions receive certifications
The Federal Aviation Administration of the United States and the Civil Aviation Authority of Israel have certified the conversion of B737-800 aircraft from passenger to cargo configuration performed by IAI Aviation Group. The Israeli defence and aerospace company becomes the... more