The Loadstar

The Loadstar began as a blog about airfreight and was established in 2012 as a comprehensive online news platform for the logistics sector. This award-winning website has gained a reputation among top professionals in logistics and supply chain management for its insightful analysis and commentary. The site prioritizes independent, high-quality journalism aimed at enhancing the knowledge and understanding of its audience. It serves a diverse readership, including shippers, forwarders, logistics providers, carriers, ports, and airports, effectively linking various partners within the supply chain.

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Air rates and volumes still volatile – but carriers stay bullish - The Loadstar

1 day ago | theloadstar.com | Charlotte Goldstone

Air cargo rates and volumes showed volatile ups and downs in April and May, as the shocks from US tariffs and de minimis changes rippled through supply chains – but carriers are bullish for the rest of the year. According to WorldACD, worldwide air cargo ... Email* Password*
Post-tariff US container imports down 13% year-on-year

1 day ago | theloadstar.com | Gavin van Marle

The so-called reciprocal tariffs imposed on 2 April reduced transpacific Far East-North America shipments by 10% in April, according to newly released volume data for the month from Container Trade Statistics (CTS). Volumes on CTS’s Far East-North America were down 13.4% compared to April 2024, at ... Email* Password*
The Loadstar Podcast | Transport Logistic and Air Cargo Europe 2025

2 days ago | theloadstar.com | Charlotte Goldstone

In this episode of The Loadstar Podcast, host and news reporter Charlotte Goldstone compiles snippets of her interview at Transport Logistic and Air Cargo Europe. Hear from executives at Hapag-Lloyd, Lufthansa Cargo, Maersk, and Etihad Cargo – just to name a few – about what is driving supply chains and how major players are adapting. Topics covered include customs compliance, demand predictions, ecommerce, rates and contracting, among many others. So, what are you waiting for?
Forwarders hit out at South Africa's new Merchant Shipping Bill

2 days ago | theloadstar.com | Gavin van Marle

The South African government has been warned that proposals to introduce cabotage regulations to the domestic shipping industry could lead to a 40% decline in container volumes through its ports. Proposals for a new national shipping line were published last week, part of new Merchant Shipping Bill (MSB).
Red Sea crisis has driven most new capacity into extended Asia-Europe trades

3 days ago | theloadstar.com | Gavin van Marle

With container lines – generally – opting to route their Asia-Europe vessels around the Cape of Good Hope, the trade route has absorbed most vessel newbuilding deliveries over the past year. According to new analysis from Alphaliner, the recent short-term capacity injections into the transpacific trade aside, a total of 2.62m teu has been added to the global container fleet since May 2024, taking worldwide capacity up to 32.1m teu, representing an 8.9% increase.
Asia-West Africa ULCV deployment opens new markets for carriers

3 days ago | theloadstar.com | Gavin van Marle

Following a sustained period of investment in port infrastructure and container handling equipment, ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs) have found a new trading area, West Africa. MSC confirmed this week that it had begun to deploy ULCVs of up to 24,000 teu capacity, previously confined to the Asia-Europe trades, on its Asia-West Africa AFL service.
Air cargo players still wary of long-term block space deals – 'a risk on both sides' - The Loadstar

3 days ago | theloadstar.com | Charlotte Goldstone

Airlines have reported increased demand for security in a blocked space agreement, expecting a rate spike later this year. The Loadstar has reported that airfreight forwarders had been sceptical of long-term block space agreements with airlines, amid the on-off tariff-related demand lulls. Brandon Fried, executive director of the Air Forwarders’ Association, had told The Loadstar the 90-day ‘reciprocal tariff’ pause had made long-term airfreight contracts much less desirable.
CMA CGM eyeing multi-billion euro investment programme in Algeria

4 days ago | theloadstar.com | Stuart Todd

CMA CGM is poised to unveil a multi-billion euro investment programme in Algeria, part of strategy to gain access to the promising North African market and trade corridors to sub-Saharan Africa, according to media reports. It follows a 2 June meeting in Algiers between the head of the French ocean shipping line, Rodolphe Saadé, and Algeria’s president, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, focusing on “reviewing opportunities for cooperation in the port and logistics sector”.
Project cargo: oversized and heavy, posing risks outside the norm for ports

4 days ago | theloadstar.com | Gavin van Marle

With project and so-called ‘oversized’ cargo forming an increasing element of handling activities at ports, TT Club outlines some of the risks not normally encountered when dealing with container traffic. Project cargo, particularly offshore wind components, are a growing business opportunity for ports around the world.
New barge services a boost for shippers looking to source in Vietnam

4 days ago | theloadstar.com | Gavin van Marle

The growing appeal of Vietnam as a sourcing location has always been challenged by its limited land infrastructure, especially its road network in the southern Mekong Delta region, around the commercial hub of Ho Chi Minh City. However, challenges can present opportunities, and new coastal shipping and inland waterway services are helping – with another two announced in the past few days alone.