HONG KONG SHIPPERS EXPRESS CONCERN OVER AIR FREIGHT DISRUPTIONS

HONG KONG SHIPPERS EXPRESS CONCERN OVER AIR FREIGHT DISRUPTIONS    Hong Kong shippers are anxious over the upcoming busy shipping periods because of the labor dispute affecting local airline Cathay Pacific.
   The Hong Kong Shippers Council warned that the Cathay Pacific dispute could lead to problems and disruptions during air freight’s busiest periods.
   “The air freight market situation has been quite slow since the beginning of this year, with total imports/exports down by 6.7 percent in the January to May period,” said Jeffrey Lam, vice chairman of the council.
   However, in June, orders have been showing some signs of recovery, and the council sees a buildup to the traditional busy air cargo shipping season in the second half of the year, Lam said.
   “Capacity will be tight and shippers are looking for smooth and efficient operations,” the council said. “Continuing industrial action by CX pilots would only serve to worsen the situation and cause damage to the well-being of Hong Kong’s trade and industry.”
   Lam said more buyers are adopting the just-in-time, zero-inventory approach. They place short orders and demand “quick, seamless delivery of their goods.”
   The Hong Kong Shippers Council urged the Hong Kong Air Crew Officers Association to end its industrial action and appealed to all parties involved in the dispute “to look at the big picture.”