Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) saw a 4.1% year-on-year increase in cargo volume in January 2025, reaching 394,000 tonnes, with a significant rise in transshipments. The Three-Runway System is now operational, enhancing airport capacity. Despite potential trade policy challenges, HKIA remains committed to achieving its target of 10 million tonnes of annual cargo volume, solidifying its position as an international aviation hub.
The 19th Heads of Asia Pacific WCO Regional Training Centers (RTCs) Meeting explored the role of remote training in customs capacity building during the pandemic. RTCs shared experiences, challenges, and innovative initiatives, emphasizing strengthened cooperation. They highlighted the use of data analytics and VR technologies to promote personalized and practical training. This aims to address the complex international trade environment and enhance regional customs capabilities.
The FTR Trucking Conditions Index (TCI) indicates emerging signs of recovery in the trucking industry, despite ongoing market challenges. Improved capacity utilization is a key driver, with experts forecasting market conditions to turn positive by the end of 2024. Trucking companies should focus on optimizing operations, strengthening cost control, enhancing service quality, and actively embracing technological innovation to prepare for a more favorable operating environment.
The Cass Freight Index indicates a year-over-year decline in both freight volumes and expenditures for December, reflecting weak market demand and excess capacity. Companies should address these challenges through supply chain optimization, lean inventory management, and digital transformation. Despite the current market headwinds, factors such as economic recovery and infrastructure development hold the potential to drive a turnaround in the freight market.
According to the Association of American Railroads, U.S. rail freight traffic experienced a slight increase in the week ending September 10th. Intermodal demand continues to grow, benefiting from rising fuel costs. Freight volume varied across different commodity categories, reflecting economic restructuring. Railroad companies need to increase infrastructure investment, optimize capacity allocation, strengthen talent development, and enhance technological innovation to address challenges, seize opportunities, and achieve sustainable development.
DAT reports indicate that the US truckload freight market is facing challenges due to weak demand and excess capacity. While spot rates have seen some increases, the overall trend remains sluggish. Experts believe seasonal rate hikes will squeeze broker margins, potentially leading to more bankruptcies. Logistics companies are advised to refine operations, diversify services, strengthen risk management, and embrace technological innovation to navigate the market downturn.
The 13th World Customs Law Conference focused on customs law changes and multilateral trade system challenges against the backdrop of nationalism. The World Customs Organization (WCO) emphasized the crucial role of capacity building in addressing trade protectionism and presented its work in e-commerce. The conference also discussed issues such as the participation of Least Developed Countries in international trade, the EU Customs Code, and challenges for customs brokers. The aim was to promote trade facilitation and security, and to maintain the stability of the global trading system.
The Regional Office for Capacity Building Asia Pacific (ROCB A/P), with strong support from regional members like Hong Kong Customs, is dedicated to providing high-quality capacity building support to customs administrations in the Asia-Pacific region. The renewed dispatch of technical experts by Hong Kong Customs demonstrates its long-term commitment to regional capacity building. ROCB A/P will continue to play a vital role in facilitating regional trade development, ensuring trade security, and enhancing customs management capabilities.
The 2010 SADC Customs Capacity Building Conference fostered regional customs reform and modernized management, strengthening regional coordination. Participants shared capacity-building experiences and identified areas for cooperation based on WCO standards. Significant attention was given to the SACU pilot project and the implementation of the WCO Customs Learning Standards, laying the foundation for future regional capacity-building development. The conference highlighted the importance of harmonized procedures and collaborative efforts in enhancing customs efficiency and regional trade facilitation within the SADC region.
High-speed railway express has emerged as a new logistics method since the route from Shenzhen North to Changsha South commenced, transporting 15 tons of goods daily and reducing costs by over 25% compared to air transport. Despite challenges such as limited loading capacity and heavy transportation demands, the potential and prospects for high-speed railway express remain promising, potentially offering new growth opportunities for the express industry in the future.
