Increasing prices for jet fuel (pushing up ticket prices) and a slowdown in major economies are making it harder for the air travel sector to fully recover, according to Airports Council International (ACI World).
LOGISTICS
Transpacific import volumes continue to fall, and though many projections and industry leaders anticipate an H2 rebound, some analysts are not as optimistic, said Freightos.
The Port of Long Beach import container volume declined 28.4% year-on-year in January. The port points to decreasing consumer spending and higher inflation-driven prices as some of the reasons behind the decline, per UPS.
On Asia to Europe routes booking intake is gradually improving but volumes for the next few weeks are still at a low level. Rates are still under pressure due to demand/supply imbalance, said Flexport.
Shenzhen International Airport is constructing eight new logistics facilities that will be designed to handle an increased volume of e-commerce goods in the future, improving efficiency and available tonnage through the airport, per UPS.
In air cargo, some carriers are planning to increase ex-Asia capacity in anticipation of a rebound in demand. In the meantime, demand remains subdued, per Freightos.
MATERIALS SOURCING
Survival of the Fittest
Performance matters, but so does looking good. Gone are the days when functional garments needed only to do the work there were intended to do. Now they also need to look smart while doing it!
Protective shells are becoming lighter yet tougher, as high tenacity fabrics withstand the rigors of use. Versatility is essential. Products need to adapt to all occasions – both to the wearer’s needs and environmental protection on the outside.
High tenancy, waterproof, wind-proof and rip proof are just some of the requested functions.
10 Top Materials Worth Considering. Read more
PODCAST
A New Organizational Model for Speed and Agility
It seems like everything about the way we used to run our companies is changing these days.
It’s not just remote working or employee resignations or digitization – companies are also realising that their entire corporate structure might no longer serve them as well as it used to.
And how can leadership determine which changes might lead their companies to better outcomes?
In this podcast Jay Goldman, CEO of Sensei Labs and New York Times bestselling author of The Decoded Company, talks about what new organisational best practices could look like.
You’ll Learn:
- Why most digital transformations fail.
- How ‘enterprise orchestration’ can help companies align people, processes and technology.
- Why you need to know your own employees better than you know your customers.
SUSTAINABILITY
Epic Group (Hong Kong) GTL4 factory has been awarded the prestigious LEED Platinum certification. With a rating of 104 points, the Group set a new global benchmark for sustainable design and construction. Read more
Crystal International (Hong Kong) is recycling waste fabrics in its factories as part of its move towards the company’s vision of “Zero Landfill”. The Group is working relentlessly to adopt holistic waste management and put circularity into practice. Read more
ENERGY
Europe will face intense competition from China for gas supplies, according to Shell. A fall in Chinese imports helped free up gas supplies for Europe during 2022.
Europe is on course to end the winter with near record volumes of gas in storage, according to data from Gas Infrastructure Europe.
MATERIALS
Continued weak demand is keeping fiber and yarn prices flat.
Month-on-month and year-on-year materials prices are available in our Materials Prices briefing.
Trade Events Calendar
A calendar of international trade events from March 2023 through Q3 2023.
Includes dates, venues and websites.
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