Kuwait Freight Forwarding Services
Air & Sea Freight Between Kuwait and the UK

Kenya the latest to unveil tighter rules for cargo manifests

More countries are streamlining and strengthening their cargo manifest rules to contain misdeclaration of goods and other trade illegalities. The latest push comes from Kenya; since 1 August, the East African nation has a new advance cargo declaration (ACD) platform for containerised imports. Broadly, the new regulatory regime requires shippers to obtain an ACD reference code before cargo is loaded, and that data must be included in the corresponding bill of lading. "Shippers, exporters and freight forwarders are requested to ensure that the necessary arrangements are made to secure the ACD reference code in advance of loading to avoid delays, cargo holds, or other potential compliance-related disruptions," CMA CGM told Indian customers. "Missing or incorrect ACD details at the discharge port may result in delayed customs clearance, additional inspections, non-discharge of cargo, or potential legal consequences at destination, including risk of financial penalties and fines borne by the customer," warned the French carrier. And Maersk added to its customers that the onus of compliance burden cut right across supply chain stakeholders, including shippers, carriers, and various freight intermediaries. Additionally, air cargo players like DHL have emphasised the significance of the evolving regulations. It said: "The ACD is part of a bigger shift. "Alongside the Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS), the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS), and the Kenya TradeNet Single Window, it signals Kenya's drive to modernise customs." Kenya's is the latest example of a wave of stringent trade regulations taking hold through the container supply chain landscape, adding to operational challenges for carriers and cargo owners as the industry navigates the increasingly volatile trade environment. Persian Gulf governments have introduced multiple trade reforms in recent years, including a 'maritime preload cargo information (MPCI)' rule that mandated that shipping manifests for containerised cargo bound for the UAE were to be done 24 hours before the vessel departed its last port of call.

Hacis upgrades e-commerce shipment processing

Hong Kong Air Cargo Industry Services Limited (Hacis) has launched a new storage control system to speed up the processing of e-commerce goods. The Hactl-owned subsidiary invested in its Hacis Storage Control System (HSCS) at its e-commerce fulfilment centre as part of efforts to support the ongoing growth of e-commerce demand. The new system integrates advanced automated storage and retrieval technology with high-speed tote stacker cranes and Automated Guided Vehicles working together to retrieve and deliver inventory to workstations for order processing, creating a seamless "goods-to-person" model. The new system is also integrated with the warehouse management system so it can synchronise real-time data with customers' planning systems and e-commerce platforms to improve visibility and inventory control throughout the fulfilment cycle. The system should reduce manual handling and improve operational efficiency and inventory accuracy. Hacis said that it would double its E-commerce Fulfilment Centre's (HEFC) daily outbound processing capacity as well as improving turnaround times and support "increasingly demanding fulfilment schedules". Ringo Chan, executive director of Hacis, said: "E-commerce supply chains continue to evolve rapidly, with customers demanding greater speed, visibility and reliability. "This new system reinforces our commitment to innovation and enhances our seamless fulfilment‑to‑flight ecosystem, helping customers connect more effectively with global markets." The company has been investing in its HEFC in recent years. In 2023, it added a climate-controlled "one-stop-shop" facility to cater for the growth in cool chain e-commerce shipments at Hong Kong International Airport.

CMA CGM bid for stake in SNCF rail freight unit hits the buffers

CMA CGM has pulled out of the race for a stake (49%) in France's biggest rail freight player, Rail Logistics Europe (RLE), according to a report in the French media. Contacted by The Loadstar, both CMA CGM and RLE parent SNCF declined to comment. The news of the French ocean shipping line withdrawing its shareholding bid for RLE, which groups all the French state rail freight business units, has not come as a complete surprise to industry observers. Chairman and CEO Rodolphe Saadé made it clear from the outset that he was only interested in a small proportion of RLE's activities, most likely, those involved in the transport of maritime containers. Such a position does not correspond with SNCF's strategy, which focuses on finding a partner ready to take a stake in all RLE's activities. "CMA CGM pulling out doesn't surprise me. First of all, there is appears to be a personality clash between the two protagonists; SNCF chairman Jean Castex and Rodolphe Saadé. It seems that they have met on three occasions and that each time things went badly. Two strong egos, no doubt," an industry source told The Loadstar. "I also think SNCF has failed to take into account that even if a multi-hundred million investment is a relatively minor sum for CMA CGM, it nevertheless entitles it to a say in the governance of RLE - guarantees it didn't get, as Mr Castex isn't one to share power." The source noted that Mr Saadé's interest in RLE focused largely on Naviland Cargo (maritime containers), a segment chief rival MSC is quickly building up a presence in, via its subsidiary, Medway. However, Naviland was not the only attraction that led CMA CGM to RLE. The latter also has considerable expertise in finished vehicle transport across Europe, which would have complemented the French group's logistics arm, Ceva, the source added. Earlier this year, CMA CGM completed the acquisition of UK operator Freightliner to boost its intermodal services, taking over 2,000 wagons, 10 terminals, and one of the largest fleets of electric locomotives in the UK. Selling 49% of RLE's capital was one of the conditions in an agreement between the EC and the French state on the break-up of Fret SNCF, which was suspected of receiving billions of euros in illegal aid. CMA CGM's withdrawal, if confirmed, would mean that three candidates remain for the stake in RLE: Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky; German logistics group Rhenus; and an unidentified private equity fund. The source, who had previously considered CMA CGM the "ideal buyer", underlined that the French group pulling out had left SNCF and the French government in something of a quandary, "I can't really see France relinquishing its sovereignty over the transport of military equipment (to a foreign company), as RLE handles at least 80% of the French army's military transport operations." France's biggest rail freight player, RLE, posted revenue for the first half of the year of €948m, a year-on-year increase of 3.9%. EBITDA increased to €118m, versus €110m a year earlier, the margin improving from 12% to 12.5%.