Stark reminder for all execs talking up SME exposure
The smaller, the more exposed to China
© Vbaleha
By Alex Lennane
Airfreight rates for medical supplies have hit more than $13 per kg, causing some forwarders to claim that freighter airlines are “profiteering” from the Covid-19 crisis.
But however, many medical supplies are no longer getting through to end-users, following new Chinese regulations.
On 31 March, the Chinese government responded to complaints from the EU that many of the medical supplies arriving were sub-standard and said all medical suppliers in China had to be certified so poor products were not exported.
Now, Chinese shippers ...
Comment on this article
Arthur Brown
April 03, 2020 at 4:06 pmThe quote from the unnamed forwarder is incorrect or he would name the carriers practicing price gouging. Name them or keep quiet.
Alex Lennane
April 03, 2020 at 5:34 pmTo be fair to him – and the other forwarders who reported this – he did name them. It was The Loadstar’s decision not to publish the names, but there were a lot…
JOSEPH ALBA
April 03, 2020 at 6:35 pmWere the forwarder comments across the geography or primarily UK?
Alex Lennane
April 06, 2020 at 11:54 amWe are getting reports of this from all over the place…
Steve Manser
April 04, 2020 at 11:44 amIf the forwarders/shippers hadn’t been f**king airlines over for so many years, they would all still have viable freighter fleets, instead they insisted that airlines co-rated belly and main deck rates and then wondered why everyone got rid of their freighters, as they couldn’t make them pay ….. now those that have managed to survive are giving them a piece of their own medicine – long may the shafting continue – maybe then the supply chain community will understand the need for freighters and for there to be a premium….
Absolute no sympathy for shippers/forwarders at this time – they created this shortage…..
The rates reflect what it costs to operate freights plus a very very healthy profit margin……
Sorry off my soap box now….
Steve