Are you looking for the latest information concerning your intended importation? Are you trying to determine the position of your cargo on transit? Worry less. ISCOS Shipplinc platform has all the details summarized for you. Download the app here https://bit.ly/3bIIXgA today and get all the information you need.

ISCOS is a preferred point of reference for surface and sea transportation matters affecting the region and continues to be the main interface between the regions’ Shippers (cargo owners) and the greater shipping world.

ISCOS’s main objective is to serve the region and the international community as a one-stop Center of Excellence for regional Maritime matters and total logistics and to ensure that the region is served by adequate and competitive shipping services through coherent and regionally coordinated programs.

The Shipplinc App

Is your cargo being held at the clearing stations for factors beyond your ability? Are you trying to follow up with the concerned agencies without fruits? Are you being charged demurrage wrongfully? Are you being asked to pay some bribes in order for your cargo to be cleared? Worry no more. ISCOS Shipplinc App allows you to report all these incidences at the comfort of your station. Download the app here bit.ly/3bIIXgA today, to report these issues as we help you to follow up at no cost.

ISCOS is a preferred point of reference for surface and sea transportation matters affecting the region and continues to be the main interface between the regions’ Shippers (cargo owners) and the greater shipping world.

10 Most Powerful Trucks In The World

Are you a truck lover? Watch 10 most powerful trucks in the world!

 

Danger at Container Terminal!

The truck gets lifted with the container as the crane operator tries to pick the container from the rail truck. The incidence emanated from failure to unlock the lock securing the container to the trailer on the back-right before the crane starts lifting the container. 

The Shipplinc App

Are you a shipper or a transporter? Are you facing NTBs such as delays, corruption, surcharges, or unfair treatment from various agencies while clearing or moving your cargo? Or are you facing incidences such as breakdowns, attacks/ theft, etc. Look no further, Download Shipplinc App here https://bit.ly/3bIIXgA today, and report these challenges at the comfort of your office. We will help you follow up with the concerned bodies at no cost.

The Shipplinc App

 

Is your cargo being held at the port due to factors beyond your means? Are you being requested to pay a bribe at the highway or weighbridges? Are you being coerced by any officer at cargo clearing stations? Worry no more. You can now report all these incidences at the comfort of your location. Download the Shipplinc App today https://bit.ly/3bIIXgA and get instant assistance. Free of charge.

The ISCOS' Shipplinc App

 

Are you an importer/exporter, a transporter, or a clearing and forwarding agent? Are you facing challenges in clearing or moving your cargo? Are you facing trouble with various agencies in the logistics chain? Look no further. ISCOS' Shipplinc App has an answer for you. Download the App here https://bit.ly/3bIIXgA today to report these agencies to us, free of charge. At the comfort of your office. 

ISCOS Shipplinc App

The Shipplinc Application helps the users reduce some of the risks experienced in the export and import industry by keeping you informed on the latest transit updates. Download the app here https://bit.ly/3bIIXgA to get instant updates

THE PROCESS OF LOADING CONTAINERS ON A CARGO SHIP

 

The Shipplinc App

 

While importing a car or other cargoes, you need a partner who is aware of the freight and logistics rules and regulations of the countries involved in order to reduce risks. The Shipplinc App will assist you to operate your importation operations safely. Download the app here https://bit.ly/3bIIXgA

ISCOS is a preferred point of reference for surface and sea transportation matters affecting the region and continues to be the main interface between the regions’ Shippers (cargo owners) and the greater shipping world.

The Organisation’s Mandate, which accommodates substantial private sector participation seeks to provide a structured dialogue with the Public Sector and other players in the industry, in order to ensure that national Shipping and Maritime policies are in tandem with the regional’s aspirations.

ISCOS’ main objective is to serve the region and the international community as a one-stop Center of Excellence for regional Maritime matters and total logistics, and to ensure that the region is served by adequate and competitive shipping services through coherent and regionally coordinated programs.

Kenya: Hauliers hit with new Mombasa port license

   

East Africa transporters are now faced with a hurdle, this follows the directive by the Kenya Revenue Authority that requires the truck drivers to have a special license ( C40)  to allow them to collect cargo at the port of Mombasa. This was introduced after they won a case against the Kenyan government concerning the directive to have all the containers railed by the standard gauge railway.

This directive requires the regional cargo transporters to apply for the C40 license from the Kenya Revenue Authority at a fee of $200 per truck for the License for Conveyance of Goods under Customs Control in order to access the port.

The order was first issued last August when the Commissioner of Customs and Border Control informed all shippers and logistics stakeholders of its intention to implement the directive but it was suspended for further consultation.

In the notice, all stakeholders were urged to familiarise themselves with the provisions of the said sections and ensure compliance within 14 days from the date of the notice but a protest by transporters led KRA to suspend the order for further consultations.

Transporters term timing of the implementation of the suspended order a government moves to control the number of trucks picking up cargo at the port, thereby ensuring the SGR continues hauling most of the cargo.

“I have 11 trucks meaning I have to pay $2,200 to get a license for my trucks. It is to punish transporters after the government lost the case,” said Musa Haji, a transporter in Mombasa.

Truckers are required to submit a number of documents to KRA Customs and a $200 bank receipt as proof of payment before verification and certification. Other requirements are a duly completed form C39, certified copy of truck’s logbook, copy of valid National Transport and Safety Authority inspection report, PIN and Tax Clearance Certificate.

Traders from Rwanda and Burundi cite non-tariff barriers on the Northern Corridor which made them shift focus to using Dar es Salaam port.

Source; https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/business/hauliers-hit-with-new-mombasa-port-licence-3301150.

 

MSC topples Maersk at the top of the box rankings

For the first time in more than a quarter of a century, Maersk is on track to lose its mantle as the world’s largest container line.

Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC), now run by former Maersk COO, Soren Toft, has been hoovering up secondhand tonnage in a massive way over the last six months. Combined with new orders for 24,000 teu ships, MSC is now set to overhaul its 2M partner, Maersk, at the top of the global rankings, according to updated data from Alphaliner.

In a report from last November Copenhagen-based Sea-Intelligence said that Maersk is pursuing a strategy focused on profitability rather than size.

“But ‘losing’ the #1 ranking spot, which the carrier has had for a quarter of a century, would still likely have some emotional impact in Copenhagen,” the analysts observed.

MSC became the world’s second-largest carrier in 2004, and since then, it and Maersk have continued to top the global ranking table compiled by Alphaliner.

MSC’s latest dive into the secondhand markets see it linked to three ships.

According to Clarksons, MSC has moved to acquire the 2004-built 1,850 teu Acacia Makoto from China’s Qingdao Pengteng for $6.95m, the 2009-built 1,730 teu Voronezh from Fesco for $9m, and the 2006-built 1,732 teu RHL Aurora from Hamburger Lloyd for $6.5m. VesselsValue places a market value of $6.4m, $9.46m, and $7.44m on the three ships.

While MSC is set to overtake Maersk in terms of operating capacity when its order book delivers, in terms of actual owned tonnage in teu terms, the Danish carrier remains very dominant, currently owning more than twice as much of its box fleet compared to its Geneva counterpart.

Source; https://splash247.com/msc-topples-maersk-at-the-top-of-the-box-rankings/

 

EFFECTS OF COVID 19 ON IMPORTATION OF MOTOR-VEHICLE

Data obtained from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), indicates that Imports of new and used motor vehicles declined seven percent to 85,624 units in the year ended December compared to 92,120 units in 2019.

A report by Business Daily indicates that the statistics show auto imports fell sharply in the first half of last year when the Covid-19 pandemic hit the country and stern measures were taken to restraint its spread.

The number of units imported between January to June 2020 dropped 30.2 percent to 34,054 compared to 48,839 in a similar period the year before.

Mr. Charles Munyori, the secretary-general of the Kenya Auto Bazaar Association which represents used car dealers stated that, “The first half was tough because the panic and economic disruption reduced demand for vehicles.”  The second-hand models account for about 88 percent of all vehicles imported into the country.

The government implemented several public health measures including a ban on international travel, night-time curfew, the lockdown of counties such as Nairobi, and closure of schools and bars.

Closure of businesses and loss of more than one million jobs were among the unintended consequences of the restrictions which hurt sales of vehicles and other goods.

When the government, started easing most of the restrictions in July 2020, the auto imports recorded a rebound in the second half of the period under review.

Vehicle imports rose 19.1 percent to 51,570 units in the six months ended December compared to 43,281 units a year earlier. This mitigated the sharp contraction seen in the first half of the year, leaving overall 2020 imports down seven percent.

Besides rising consumer and business confidence, the increase in imports late in the year has also been attributed to market forces.

“Prices of vehicles in the international markets declined significantly because of reduced demand. Big dealers took advantage of this and imported more units expecting a recovery in demand,” Mr. Munyori said.

Dealers in second-hand vehicles fared relatively better compared to their formal peers selling new models.

New vehicle dealers including Toyota Kenya, Isuzu East Africa, and Simba Corporation reported a 16 percent sales slump to 11,086 units last year compared to 13,199 units in 2019.

The KRA data shows that Toyota is the most popular vehicle make in Kenya, accounting for 54 percent of all auto imports.

Source; Business Daily.

 

SHIPPLINC’S BACK OFFICE

• Operated via help desk platform that receives complaints raised by shippers through all the conventional means
•   Supported by back-office Freight Logistics experts who are available to interact and support shippers on an instant and continuous basis
• The platform captures and generates various reports on NTBs and other incidences (detailed reports, Matrix reports, and distribution charts)
• The helpdesk platform also allows the shipper to track his/her consignment while on transit once issued with log inns.

BENEFITS OF THE SHIPPLINC PLATFORM

• The platform captures and interprets data on NTBs and other hindrances to International trade
• Helps in reducing the red tape procedures in reporting the NTBs to the responsible agencies.
• Enables the traders to track their cargoes through the cargo tracking platform in SHIPPLINC mobile application
•  Helps in reducing the cost of reporting, monitoring, and eliminating NTBs
• Guides the assessment of training needs for Shippers, Truckers, Freight forwarders and other players in the Industry.
• Provides clues on the effectiveness and efficiency of service delivery in the logistical chain

 

Effects of COVID -19 in the Global Maritime Industry

UNCTAD Review of Maritime Transport 2020 that was released ON 12^th November 2020 estimates that the Global maritime trade will plunge by 4.1% in 2020 due to the unprecedented disruption caused by COVID-19. The report warns that new waves of the pandemic that further disrupt supply chains and economies might cause a steeper decline. The pandemic has sent shockwaves through supply chains, shipping networks, and ports, leading to plummeting cargo volumes and foiling growth prospects.

The UNCTAD Secretary-General Dr.  Mukhisa Kituyi stated that the global shipping industry will be at the forefront of efforts towards a sustainable recovery, as a vital enabler of the smooth functioning of international supply chains. UNCTAD expects maritime trade growth to return to positive territory and expand by 4.8% in 2021, assuming world economic output recovers. But it highlights the need for the maritime transport industry to brace for change and be well prepared for a transformed post-COVID-19 world.

To cope with pandemic-related disruptions, players in the maritime sector were forced to adjust their operations, finances, sanitary, and safety protocols as well as working practices and procedures. Besides, several governments, through their border agencies, port authorities, and customs administrations, made reforms to keep trade flowing while keeping people safe.

The pandemic may have a long time effect on globalization, it has brought a sharp focus on the topic of supply chain shortening including nearshoring and reshoring with less dependence on just-in-time and lean inventory models. It thus brings back the concept of building strong regional economic blocks.

The COVID-19 has also exposed how unprepared the world seemed to be in the face of such a crisis, the report observes, underscoring the urgent need to invest in risk management and emergency response preparedness in transport and logistics.

UNCTAD’s director of technology and logistics, Shamika N. Sirimanne, said the pandemic should not push to the back burner action to combat climate change in shipping. Therefore, post-COVID-19 recovery policies should support further progress towards green solutions and sustainability.

She further stated that the momentum of current efforts to address carbon emissions from shipping and the ongoing energy transition away from fossil fuels should be maintained.

The pandemic has harnessed the digital transformation and elimination of paperwork in the shipping industry, including in ports, the report observes, reinforcing the need for standards and interoperability in electronic documentation.

Many trade facilitation measures taken during the pandemic require further investments in digitalization and automation. Accepting digital copies instead of paper originals, pre-arrival processing, electronic payments, and customs automation all help speed up international trade. In line with this Intergovernmental Standing Committee on Shipping-ISCOS introduced a mobile-based trade facilitation platform dubbed ISCOS Shipplinc for reporting and monitoring NTBs and other incidences that are likely to be encountered by shippers while moving their cargoes.

The platform came at a time when social distance was becoming a norm, physical offices were turning virtual but cargo movement red tapes were on the rise. It has enabled several shippers to report various agencies causing them delays at the comfort of their locations.