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EXCLUSIVE: CEO Moebel to Ceva leaders: 'Clear pain points slow us down' - three key goals

The CEO of Ceva Logistics Patrick Moebel is a wise man who has been guided by common sense since he took over the top management job at the CMA CGM-owned 3PL on 1 July. His reputation preceded him in our marketplace when we exclusively reported he would join Ceva about a month before official disclosure emerged. And his leadership also shows again in remarks to the 3PL's C-suite around the world, which expands and complements the PR (stunt*) released on the same ...

China-Europe volumes show signs of a slight rebound in September

Volumes on services from China to Europe showed signs of a slight rebound in September after taking a hit earlier in the summer due to a drop in e-commerce volumes. The latest figures from data provider WorldACD show that combined air cargo tonnages from China and Hong Kong to Europe fell by 10% year on year in September. However, this is an improvement on the 14% year-on-year drop registered in July and the 15% fall in August. The declines follow the European Union's decision to add a €3 charge for packages with a value below $150 in response to booming e-commerce volumes. Drilling further into the figures, WorldACD said that within that 10% drop in September, tonnages from Hong Kong to Europe were down by 24%, but from mainland China they were down by just 2% year on year compared with -5% in August and -9% in July. "Indeed, mainland China to Europe tonnages in September had also recovered close to their levels in June," WorldACD said. Growth divergence While volumes between China and Europe have been coming under pressure in recent months, tonnages from China to the US have "continued to grow very strongly", including 17% year-on-year growth in September. Rates have also continued to diverge in line with demand trends, WorldACD said. "The difference between China-US and China-Europe air cargo average full-market rates has also widened since 1 July, with rates from China to Europe dropping to $4.26 per kg in August from $5.22 per kg in June, although they recovered somewhat in September, rising to $4.53 per kg. "That's up 9% year on year compared with 30% in June. Meanwhile, average spot rates from China to the US in September stood at $6.05 per kg, a 30% increase compared with their level last September." Meanwhile, worldwide air cargo tonnages "bounced back strongly in September following their August lull", with volumes rising 3% compared with the previous month and growing 9%, year on year. September's strong performance was reflected across all the world's main air cargo origin regions, including 10% year-on-year growth from Asia Pacific and North America origins, 9% from Middle East & South Asia (MESA), 8% year-on-year growth from Europe and Africa origins, and 5% year-on-year increase from Central & South America (CSA), said WorldACD. "[The growth] points to a robust and resilient air cargo market responding to various international geopolitical and economic changes, particularly strong demand from the high-tech sector, and air cargo's crucial role as a delivery vehicle for high-value and time-sensitive products, and for navigating supply chain disruptions and imbalances."

Saudi Arabian airport operations disrupted

Operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia have been suspended following a series of missile attacks targeting airport infrastructure. An unidentified projectile hit King Khalid International Airport on Sunday following several missile attacks earlier in the week that resulted in a dozen deaths and hundreds of injuries. As a result, hundreds of flights have been cancelled. In an update issued this morning, King Khalid International Airport said that it would extend the suspension of operations at the airport. Meanwhile, the General Authority of Civil Aviation said Dammam International Airport was "targeted by an attack" on 11 October. Houthi militia leaders in Yemen have again warned airlines, travellers and shipping companies "against using Saudi airports and airspace", adding that "they are exposed to targeting and a theatre for operations by our forces". "[We urge] everyone to take our warnings seriously, and Saudi Arabia bears responsibility for any failed interceptions," the militia says. It adds that the "direct" Dammam airport attack "led to the disruption of air traffic" and was one of four operations carried out in the last 24h with ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones against airports and energy infrastructure. Previous attacks, attributed to Houthi forces, have been carried out at King Khalid and other sites in Saudi Arabia, with earlier strikes on the King Khalid and Abha airports having resulted in fatalities and aircraft damage. Europe's safety regulator has advised airlines to avoid the airspace around Riyadh and Dammam following the increased military activity.