[230320.EN.BIZ] Backhaul US, Europe Box Shipping Rates Go Up, Headhaul Rates Hold Constant

A CAPACITY shortage is looming over cargo shipments due to the outbreak of the coronavirus that triggered the cancellation of a stack of fronthaul containership sailings from China to the US and Europe. As forewarned, this is causing a capacity crunch for cargo heading in the opposite direction. And, as a result, rates are predictably starting to soar.

Copenhagen-based Sea-Intelligence calculates that a total of 77 containership sailings have been blanked due to the coronavirus, including 48 transpacific and 29 Asia-Europe sailings.

According to Freightos chief marketing officer Eytan Buchman: "The record cancellation of sailings has backhaul rates on many routes already starting to climb. These blankings also mean that whenever production [in China] does pick up, capacity will likely be tight, not only because there will be fewer ships but also because many empty containers have been stranded outside of China."

Between February 28 and March 4, rates on the North Europe-China route rose by 46 per cent; rates on the Mediterranean-China route were up 22 per cent; rates on the North America east coast-China route increased by seven per cent; and rates from North America's west coast to China expanded by four per cent, New York's FreightWaves reported.

The takeaway from this index data is that backhaul rates are rising across the board, but much more so from Europe than from the US, at least so far.

On the other hand, the recent rate trend in the fronthaul markets is totally different. Between February 28 and March 4, rates on the China-North Europe route fell by 4.3 per cent; China-Mediterranean pricing was down 0.5 per cent; China-North America east coast pricing remained flat; while China-North America west coast pricing rose by 2.7 per cent.

This means that the headhaul rates haven't changed that much, likely because coronavirus is limiting outbound cargo volumes, so there's nothing pricing can do to impact volume one way or the other.

But even as headhaul pricing remains relatively constant, the fallout for US importers is rising.

According to Mr Buchman: "A sample of surveyed Freightos.com marketplace users shows that for many US SMB [small- to medium-size business] importers from China, the shutdown has already had a negative impact on inventory (78 per cent answered in the affirmative) and bottom lines (66 per cent). How disruptive and expensive the comeback will be for US importers will depend on how quickly production and ports clear the backlog."

The good news, he explained, is that "Chinese manufacturing took definite steps towards normal this week as quarantine periods in many areas came to an end and travel restrictions were eased.

"The vast majority of factories are back online, with many operating at as much as 80 per cent capacity. Inter-province trucking, which last week was a major pain point, has also benefitted from these developments and is now operating at about 80 per cent capacity as well. Nearly all major ports are likewise coming to life."

Source : HKSG.

[230320.ID.BIZ] Pertumbuhan Ekonomi Indonesia Anjlok, Ekonom: Skenarionya Bisa 4,3 Persen

Bisnis.com, JAKARTA-Ekonom Institut Kajian Strategis Universitas Kebangsaan Eric Sugandi mengatakan pertumbuhan ekonomi Indonesia diprediksi hanya mencapai 4,3 persen hingga akhir 2020 akibat masifnya penyebaran virus Corona (Covid-19).

Angka tersebut merupakan skenario paling optimistis, dengan catatan nilai tukar rupiah di bawah Rp15.000 per dolar AS.

"Kami melakukan simulasi berkait dengan dampak Covid-19, jatuhnya harga minyak, dan melemahnya rupiah. Kami memprakirakan pertumbuhan ekonomi Indonesia akan tumbuh pada kisaran 2,5 persen - 4,3 persen pada 2020," ujarnya seperti dikutip dalam riset, Senin (23/3/2020).

Dia menuturkan pertumbuhan ekonomi 4,3 persen mengacu pada skenario dasar (base scenario) dengan asumsi pandemik Covid-19 akan berakhir paling lambat di akhir triwulan II/2020.

Selain itu, Eric juga memasukkan indikator rata-rata tahunan harga minyak di US$40 per barel, nilai tukar rata-rata tahunan Rupiah di 14,300 per dolar.

Berdasarkan data Bloomberg, pada penutupan perdagangan Jumat (20/3/2020), rupiah ditutup melemah 0,30 persen ke level Rp15.960. Rupiah sempat menembus level terendah Rp16.225 pada pukul 15.00 WIB hingga akhirnya mereda.

Sementara itu, harga minyak mentah terus turun menuju level terendah sejak 2003 seiring dengan memudarnya prospek kesepakatan antara OPEC dan Texas untuk membatasi produksi.

Berdasarkan data Bloomberg, harga minyak West Texas Intermediate (WTI) kontrak Mei 2020 turun 0,5 persen ke level US$22,31 per barel di New York Mercantile Exchange setelah sempat merosot hingga ke level US$20,80.

Pada Jumat (20/3/2020), Menteri Keuangan Sri Mulyani memprediksi pertumbuhan ekonomi Indonesia di 2020 bisa melambat ke 0 persen pada skenario terburuk. Sementara pada skenario moderat, perekonomian Indonesia masih bisa tumbuh di atas 4 persen.

Sumber : Bisnis, 23.03.2020.

[220320.EN.SEA] Taiwan's Kaohsiung To Be Transformed To House Smart Mega-ship Terminal

TAIWAN has finished the land reclamation project at the Port of Kaohsiung to facilitate the building of the new mega ship Intercontinental Container Terminal (ICT).

The project, known as ICT phase two, is the largest infrastructure project in Taiwan's history, according to the Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC).

The land reclamation was completed in December 2019, as the country looks to build "a new large container transshipment terminal," reported London's Port Technology.

The TIPC said the new hub will be "ideally suited to the long-term needs of global shipping," meaning larger ships will be able to call at Kaohsiung in the future.

It is also hoped the land reclamation will streamline current container terminal operations.

In total, 422.5 hectares of land will be reclaimed and this will include space for 19 deep-water wharves and adjacent yard land.

These will include 2,415 metres of quay length to accommodate five 18-metre deep-water berths able to service the latest fleet of mega ships.

It will also create new space for related investment and activity and new opportunities for what the TIPC called "port-city cooperation."

To further solidify its position as a key shipping hub in the western Pacific, TIPC has signed long-term contracts with container shipping companies and built out its modern containership handling and logistics capabilities.

More broadly, it will create what the TIPC calls an "engine for economic growth" in southern Taiwan and facilitate the port of Kaoshiung's transformation into a smart port.

Source : HKSG.

[220320.ID.BIZ] Mulai Besok, Ada Penyesuaian Jam Operasional KRL Commuter Line

Bisnis.com, JAKARTA - PT Kereta Commuter Indonesia (KCI) bakal menyesuaikan operasional KRL Commuter Line sejak Senin (23/3/2020) sebagai langkah lanjutan dalam upaya mencegah penyebaran virus corona atau Covid - 19.

Dalam keterangan resmi yang diterima Bisnis, KCI akan menyesuaikan jam operasional seluruh lintas/rute KRL yakni menjadi pukul 06:00 – 20:00 WIB dengan mengoperasikan 713 perjalanan KRL.

Dengan penyesuaian itu, maka jarak antar kereta/headway juga diatur lebih rinci, antara lain lintas Bogor/Depok – Jakarta Kota PP Headway pada pagi dan sore hari 10-15 menit, sedangkan Lintas Bogor/Depok/Nambo – Angke/Jatinegara PP Headway pada pagi dan sore hari 10-15 menit.

Sementara itu, untuk lintas lain yaitu, Bekasi – Jakarta Kota PP; Maja/Parungpanjang/Serpong - Tanah Abang PP; Tangerang - Duri PP dan; Tanjungpriok - Jakarta Kota PP, Headway pada pagi dan sore hari 15-30 menit.

Adapun, untuk relasi Rangkasbitung - Tanahabang dan Cikarang - Jakarta Kota sesuai jadwal eksisting dengan jam operasional 06:00 - 20:00 WIB.

VP Corporate Communications PT KCI Anne Purba menjelaskan pihaknya telah melakukan berbagai upaya untuk mencegah penyebaran virus corona pada transportasi publik, khususnya KRL Commuter Line.

Upaya tersebut termasuk pembersihan kereta secara intensif dengan disinfektan, pengukuran suhu tubuh pengguna, penyediaan hand sanitizer, hingga penerapan jarak sosial di stasiun dan kereta.

"Mulai Senin 23 Maret 2020, upaya ini akan diperkuat dengan penyesuaian operasional KRL Commuter Line," ujarnya dalam keterangan resmi.

Dalam penyesuaian operasional KRL ini, KCI tetap melayani dengan sebagian besar rangkaian kereta formasi 12 (sf 12) ataupun formasi 10 (sf 10), agar tetap dapat mengupayakan social distancing saat menggunakan transportasi publik.

Penyesuaian ini sebagai bentuk dukungan atas kebijakan pemerintah pusat dan daerah yang mengajak masyarakat agar bekerja, belajar, dan beribadah di rumah untuk menghambat penyebaran virus corona.

Selain itu, kebijakan ini merupakan bentuk sinkronisasi dengan berbagai moda transportasi publik lainnya di jakarta yang mulai Senin 23 Maret 2020 juga melakukan penyesuaian operasional.

Penyesuaian pola operasi ini berlaku hingga dua pekan mendatang namun juga menyesuaikan dengan perkembangan terkini di Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, Bekasi dan sekitarnya.

"Penyesuaian maupun perubahan jadwal KRL Commuter Line selanjutnya akan disampaikan melalui aplikasi KRL Access, Twitter @CommuterLine, Instagram @commuterlilne, dan Facebook Commuter Line. Layanan pelanggan 24 jam juga dapat diakses melalui contact center (021) 121."

Sumber : Bisnis, 22.03.2020.

[210320.EN.SEA] CMA CGM Liftings Up In 2019, But Ends Up With a Net Deficit of US$229m

FRENCH shipping giant CMA CGM Group has posted a net loss of US$229 million for 2019, compared with a profit of $34 million in 2018.

The French transport group's result was dragged down by the $329 million negative impact of new accounting rules on vessel time charters and a $140 million loss by Ceva Logistics.

However, the world's fourth-largest container shipping firm remains bullish about its liner trade outlook and its ability to turn around the loss-making logistics arm, despite the adverse effect of the coronavirus outbreak on Chinese exports, reports The Loadstar, UK.

Turnover at the group soared 29 per cent on the previous year, to $30.3 billion, boosted by $7.1 billion in revenue from Ceva.

Container liftings on its fleet of 502 vessels increased by an above-industry par of 4.1 per cent, to 21.6 million TEU, which CMA CGM attributed to growth in its shortsea business, "strong growth" in intra-Asia and "organic growth" in the African and Latin American trades.

"After an extremely robust January, the early part of the year has been marked by the Covid-19 crisis," it said, and added: "There has been an upturn in volumes, and a major catch-up effect is expected once the health situation stabilises, as western countries will be seeking to rebuild their inventories".

CMA CGM said it expected to return to "normal capacity as of mid-March" out of China, as it reactivates its network following the crisis.

Chairman and chief executive Rodolphe Saade tweeted: "I observe an upturn of the economic activity in China; 80 per cent of the manufacturing units are again operational. And every day, more open. We are anticipating a rebound in volumes related to restocking."

Indeed, the Ocean Alliance has reinstated some blanked sailings this month, after an earlier-than-expected recovery in manufacturing and trucking. A carrier source told The Loadstar last week it had been "pleasantly surprised" by the firm booking forecasts for the coming weeks.

"Cargo is coming back onstream much earlier than we had expected in China, so we will be rehashing the number of loaders for the second half of March," he said.

Meanwhile, CMA CGM is persevering with its goal of turning the Ceva acquisition from a negative asset to a positive for the group.

In its "second-phase turnaround plan" for the logistics business, it said it was "pursuing its strategic transformation plan, aimed at delivering strong revenue growth combined with a significant improvement in its profitability".

Source : HKSG.

..[210320.ID.BIZ] KAI Akan Beri Refund 100% Pembatalan Tiket Jarak Jauh, Apa Syaratnya?

KONTAN.CO.ID - JAKARTA. PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) akan memberlakukan kebijakan pengembalian bea pemesanan tiket 100%. Kebijakan ini berlaku untuk bagi calon penumpang kereta api (KA) yang melakukan pembatalan perjalanan mulai tanggal 23 Maret 2020 untuk keberangkatan sampai dengan 29 Mei 2020.

“Kebijakan ini merupakan salah satu dari beragam upaya yang telah dilakukan PT KAI Daop 1 untuk mencegah penyebaran virus corona di lingkungan transportasi,” ujar Senior Manager Humas Daop 1 Jakarta, Eva Chairunisa melalui rilis resmi PT KAI yang diterima Kompas.com, Sabtu (21/3).

Kebijakan pengembalian bea pemesanan tiket 100% ini berlaku bagi perorangan maupun rombongan dengan melampirkan identitas dan bukti pembelian tiket melalui proses di stasiun.

Sementara itu, bagi calon penumpang yang melakukan transaksi tiket melalui aplikasi KAI Access maka bisa melakukan proses pembatalan melalui aplikasi tersebut.

Untuk pembatalan tiket rombongan dalam jumlah banyak ada beberapa persyaratan yang wajib dilampirkan seperti:

Surat permohonan pembatalan yang dilengkapi nomor rekening pemohon untuk pengembalian uang muka.

Melampirkan berita acara kesepakatan yang ditanda tangani pemohon angkutan rombongan dan pihak KAI.

Pemohon angkutan rombongan menyerahkan bukti setor uang muka yang sudah dibayarkan.

Khusus rombongan tiket yang belum tercetak dan akan melakukan ubah jadwal diberikan kesempatan satu kali dalam rentang waktu 90 hari dari perjalanan yang dibatalkan, selama tempat duduk masih tersedia.

“Sebelumnya, kami juga telah menetapkan pengembalian bea 100% pada penumpang yang harus membatalkan perjalanannya karena kedapatan memiliki suhu badan di atas 38 derajat celsius saat pemeriksaan suhu dilakukan di area boarding,” jelas Eva.

Sebelumnya, Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB) telah menetapkan perpanjangan status keadaan tertentu darurat bencana wabah penyakit akibat virus corona di Indonesia selama 91 hari. Mulai dari 29 Februari hingga 29 Mei 2020 mendatang.

Dengan perpanjangan masa darurat bencana ini, pemerintah berharap masyarakat untuk mengurangi aktivitas di luar rumah dan tidak meninggalkan daerah tempat tinggalnya untuk mempersempit ruang gerak penyebaran virus corona.

Sumber : Kontan, 21.03.2020.

[200320.EN.SEA] Maersk Sets Up Inland Container Depot in Madurai 93 Miles From Tuticorin

MAERSK has established the Inland Container Depot (ICD) Madurai in Tamil Nadu as a new acceptance point 93 miles from the Port of Tuticorin, to get closer to customers in southern India.

Tamil Nadu has been an agricultural state and is a leading producer of agricultural produce in India. It is also a leader in textiles and auto parts.

The depot covers an area of about 70 acres and is one of the largest in the country. It is anticipated to serve as a major infrastructural hub for South India, reports Fort Lauderdale's Maritime Executive.

Before importers shipped cargo to Tuticorin Port where it was cleared by customs, de-stuffed and kept at a warehouse. The cargo was then being moved by truck from Tuticorin to its final delivery point in and around Madurai. Exporters had to pick up empty containers at Tuticorin.

With operations at the new ICD, Maersk has cut around 150 kilometres to and from Tuticorin Port. The company says it has effectively brought down the cost of inland logistics for its customers by up to 30 per cent.

The infrastructure offerings at ICD Madurai include 24x7 operations, ample storage including bonded warehousing facilities, faster claim rate of duty drawback & GST refund, and capability to handle air cargo connecting Chennai and Bangalore.

Maersk said it will offer faster cargo clearance in Madurai than Tuticorin, with same day clearance and gate-in at the terminal.

Source : HKSG.