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Ethiopian Airlines Cargo begins China-Ethiopia freighter service

Ethiopian Airlines Cargo has started a new freighter service between Chengdu, China and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to support trade between Asia and Africa. The service began on 28 August and operates between Chengdu Tianfu International Airport and Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. "A new connection takes flight today! Ethiopian Airlines launched a new freighter service from Chengdu China, opening a new direct cargo link between Southwest China and Africa," said Ethiopian Airlines in a LinkedIn post today. "The new air link will provide a strong boost to the trade and economic exchanges between western China and Africa." According to China's Xinhua News Agency, the service will operate twice weekly initially using a Boeing 777 freighter. The 777F has 5,000 nmi of range with a 107-tonne payload. The frequency of the service may also increase to four flights per week in future. Tang Ruibo, general manager of Ethiopian Airlines China, said the service will help strengthen supply chains between China and Africa and support the distribution of Chengdu's outbound cargo to key cities in 54 African countries, including Lagos, Accra, Dakar, Entebbe, and Lubumbashi. Data from Planespotters shows that Ethiopian Airlines has 12 777Fs, four converted 737-800Fs; one converted 767-300F; and two 767-300Fs. Ethiopian Airlines serves 70 dedicated cargo and 140+ passenger destinations in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Ethiopian Cargo handles general and special cargo, including horticulture, pharmaceuticals, valuables, live animals and e-commerce.

MSC blanks transpac sailings as Golden Week puts brake on demand

MSC is blanking two sailings on its Asia-US west coast network as the carrier anticipates weaker demand around and after China's Golden Week holiday. The Geneva-headquartered carrier announced yesterday: "Due to the anticipated slowdown in demand during and after the Golden Week holiday, MSC is planning to adjust capacity on its Asia to USA west coast network." The affected sailings are the Week 40 Orient service and Week 41 Pearl service, but MSC said customers could continue to place bookings, adding: "We are arranging contingency plans with alternative services." The Orient service links Qingdao, Ningbo, Shanghai, Busan, and Long Beach, while the Pearl service operates between Yantian, Xiamen, and Long Beach. As freight markets enter the traditional pre-Golden Week peak, forward indicators suggest US import demand could weaken from October. Judah Levine, head of research at Freightos, told The Loadstar Podcast the National Retail Federation was forecasting US ocean import volumes to remain broadly flat in September, before declining in October. "Usually, there's a kind of increased demand just before Golden Week, the first week in October, and then some catching up for some just after," he said. However, Mr Levine warned that tariff-related front-loading could alter the normal seasonal pattern, with importers potentially having already built inventories, anticipating more tariff uncertainty. This week, MSC also announced blanked sailings, on its Asia-Europe network, with affected voyages being Jade in Week 39, Swan and Britannia in Week 40, and the Lion in Week 41. China's National Golden Week this year will run from 1-7 October, with 'make-up working days' on 20 September and 10 October.

Warning to shippers after theft of hi-tech cargo in Q2 passes $300m

The theft of high-value technology being shipped in the US is increasingly being driven by diversified transnational criminal enterprises using the same illicit logistics networks that move narcotics, weapons, and people. According to supply chain intelligence company Overhaul, thefts involving data centre equipment, computing components, and chips have increased by 38% since 2024, while the total value of goods stolen has risen by more than 110%. Individual losses regularly exceed $30m, with one theft surpassing $100m and Overhaul warned that crime on this scale was now occurring weekly. Its data show deception was involved in 92% of affected shipments, criminals using fraudulent carrier identities, double-brokering, spoof communications, and falsified paperwork. Industry-wide cargo theft losses were more than $304m in Q2 this year - more than double last year - despite the number of incidents falling 26%. In the US, theft activity seems concentrated in California, with numerous incidents also reported in Texas, Mississippi, Florida, and Illinois. Internationally, events tend to cluster around established narcotics corridors, particularly in the Netherlands and Guadalajara. Overhaul estimated that 60% to 70% of loads stolen in the US leave the country, components moving to China, Russia, and Iran. Export controls have created scarcity and see computer components trading on the black market at roughly twice their domestic price. Its report also warned that criminals were still increasingly prepared to use violence. Two recent California highway incidents involved thieves deliberately colliding with security vehicles escorting high-value tech shipments. In both cases, the escort was halted while the shipment continued, resulting in the loss of the load. Neither truck has been recovered. Overhaul said each attack required a fraudulent carrier identity, a driver prepared to flee, a chase vehicle positioned along the route, and synchronised timing, suggesting increasingly sophisticated and coordinated operations as average load values rise. The company recommended shippers handling high-demand or high-value products rigorously vet brokers and carriers, and document every driver, tractor, and trailer arriving for collection. These measures should include photographing identifying markings, including the vehicle's VIN, as well as the driver and CDL, and check details against information supplied before arrival.