With PIFtrack, you gain 24/7 online visibility, allowing you to monitor your shipments whether air, sea or road with ease.

Our advanced route planner makes tracking journeys straightforward and efficient.

PIFtrack is not intended to replace our existing communication methods but rather to complement them, providing an additional layer of support and convenience.

With PIFtrack, you can view invoices, statements, and documentation effortlessly. The system also displays milestone updates, keeping you informed every step of the way.

If you are interested in PIFtrack or would like to find out more please do not hesitate to contact me.

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‘The Premier Alliance’

This new Alliance will see Ocean Network Express, Hyundai and Yang Ming team up once again without Hapag Lloyd which previously made up ‘The Alliance’

The Premier Alliance is to last for 5 years, and will cover Asia-Europe, as well as the transpacific trade. The combined fleet will consist of 321 container ships, with an estimated capacity of 4.5million TEU . In addition to this MSC has also agreed a new vessel sharing agreement with the Premier Alliance and will add additional capacity through a further nine services between Asia and Europe.

MSC

MSC has announced its new stand-alone East-West network from February 2025 after the breakup of the 2M Alliance with Maersk. Interestingly they are publishing a combination of sailings via both the Cape of Good Hope and the Suez Canal as they hope that the Red Sea Crises may end next year.

They also have the partnership with The Premier Alliance as above., which will give them a new  service to Southampton.

Furthermore MSC have signed a deal with ZIM on the Asia – North America Trade as they continue to push to grow market share.

‘The Gemini Cooperation ‘

With the breakup of the 2M Alliance between Maersk and MSC, and Hapag leaving ‘The Alliance’ now to be known as the Premier Alliance from 2025. It perhaps makes sense that these 2 heavyweight carriers would combine and form their own alliance, branded the ‘Gemini Cooperation’.

This is also scheduled to commence from February 2025. The new partnership will reportedly include a fleet of around 290 vessels with a combined capacity of 3.4 million TEU. This will be made up of 60% Maersk and 40% Hapag Lloyd.

‘Ocean Alliance’

So who else does that leave, OOCL/CMA/Coscon and Evergreen will continue as normal in the ‘Ocean Alliance’ agreement.

This Alliance has been extended for a further 5 years to 2032 as it continues to cover a large percentage of the market share. The group offers a capacity of around 4.3 million Teu globally. The Ocean Alliance was previously extended to 2027, however with the partial break up of other alliances they wanted to show strength and ensure a stable and reliable service by extending the agreement further.

Summary

Premier Alliance – ONE, Hyundai, Yangming (9 further services with MSC)

The Gemini Cooperation – MSK, Hapag Lloyd

Ocean Alliance – OOCL/CMA/Coscon and Evergreen

MSC Stand-Alone Service

This then concludes the three major Alliances in addition to the stand alone service by MSC, as all the major carriers continue to jostle to maintain and grow their market share.

2025 certainly sees a bit of a shake up and we all hope that this improves carriers service and reliability which has been heavily disrupted during 2024.

We also hope that 2025 may bring the end to the Red Sea crises.

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We are pleased to inform you that The International Longshoremen’s Association and the U.S. Maritime Alliance reached a tentative six-year agreement on the 9th January.

This agreement protects union jobs and enables the modernization of ports on the East and Gulf coasts with new technologies. These improvements will enhance safety, efficiency, and the strength of our supply chains, ensuring that your orders and shipments continue smoothly without interruption.

Whilst no details of the agreement have been released, the two sides have agreed to continue to operate until the USMX member can ratify the terms of the final contract.

If you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us at enquiry@pif.co.uk

The post US Port Strike Averted appeared first on Pinnacle Freight.

If strikes were to go ahead this would lead to heavy disruption and significant delays in cargo movement.

It is estimated that the East Coast /Gulf ports handle approximately 55.5% of US container import volumes year to date.

Whilst imports from Asia can divert to the West Coast ports, that would put significant strain on the port and landside infrastructure.

European exporters sending cargo to the US would be even more impacted as there are few viable options other than to ship cargo to the East Coast. It is likely that shippers would be stranded as any alternative options are well short to handle any increased capacity.

This will undoubtedly lead to port congestion, substantial delays, container shortages and increased shipping costs for exporters to the US market.

One possibility to avoid a strike is for the US government to invoke the Taft-Hartley Act with a court order for an 80-day cooling off period, which happened in the 2022 in relation to West Coast ports.. However, this action may be delayed as they explore other options, considering the potential political ramifications ahead of the election.

Whatever happens, Pinnacle will closely monitor the situation and keep our customers informed of any developments. Should the strikes occur we will help to try and find alternative solutions wherever possible and minimize the impact on your supply chain.

If you have any questions or would like any more information regarding shipping, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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Summary of Sea-freight market 2024

Red Sea Crises

The biggest and most disruptive event has to be the Red Sea Crises which started back in December 2023. The has resulted in the vast majority of shipping lines diverting vessels around the Cape of Good Hope.

Impacts of the Red Sea Crises

Increased costs – fuel usage has increased by an approximate 40%

Longer Transit times – journeys are taking approximately 14 days longer.

Container and equipment shortages – equipment is tied up on vessels and repositioning is not as effective

Capacity reductions – an estimated loss of 15-20% of capacity due to the longer transit times and deployment of vessels

Other Challenges

Port Strikes in US and Canada

US East Coast and Gulf Port Strikes were averted but have a deadline of the 15th January. So pending strikes could be a factor in Q1 2025

Canada port strikes in Prince Rupert Vancouver and Montreal impacting 40% of the ports capacity

Continued unrest – Middle East, Ukraine War and tensions in the South China Sea.

US Election – importers in the US increased volumes from Q3 with pending Election and tariffs being introduced by Trump.  US rates remained high during 2024.

Overall rates in 2024 were over 50% higher than in 2023.

Expectations in 2025

Trump Effect – applying across the board tariffs of 10% to 20% on most of the $3 trillion worth of annual US imports, and a minimum 60% tariff on all imports from China.

Its anticipated US Imports will spike as shippers rush to bring in more goods before there are any further tariff increases. This was evident back in 2018 when Trump first got into office, both rates and volumes doubled between July and November 2018.

Why would this affect the UK market ?

Repositioning of equipment to the US trade lanes.

Shortage and imbalance of equipment

Port congestion at loading ports.

Anticipated higher freight rates

Other considerations for 2025

Ongoing disruption in the Middle East.

Continued rising overheads and labour costs

New Shipping Alliances from February 2025 made lead to some initial disruption whilst carriers come to terms with it.

Higher Fuel and Oil prices due to IMO and cutting emissions

Scrappage of older fleet.

Potential escalation of tension in the South China Sea over ownership of the Spratly Islands.

Will the Red Sea crises end and vessels transit back through the Suez Canal. Will peace in Gaza put to end the action from Houthi rebels?

Many think that once the Red Sea crises ends, overcapacity in the market will push the rates down, possibly to extreme lows.

However, services would take at least 3 months to get back to normal and if vessels pass through the canal again it could lead to bottlenecks and port congestion in Europe. Also the new alliances will take time to run smoothly after their launch in February, expected demand in growth, slow streaming and the scrapping of older vessels all could impact capacity and keep the rates profitable for carriers.

Summary

2025 remains to be an turbulent year and we anticipate that rates will remain high for 2025. Equipment shortages, port congestion and route diversions will continue to limit capacity and keep the rates higher than pre-pandemic levels.

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Founded in June 1972 in central Leicester by brothers Martyn, Stuart, and Chris Burrell, Pinnacle International Freight Ltd has grown into a globally recognised logistics solutions provider with bases in the UK and USA, along with a long-established network of global partners.

Headquartered in Broughton Astley, Leicestershire, Pinnacle is known for delivering outstanding worldwide logistics solutions across all industries, driven by a commitment to quality, consistency, and efficiency.

Pinnacle has supported the University of Leicester Space Research Centre in transporting components for various exciting projects, showcasing their commitment to the region’s space sector.

Gavin Newman, Operations Director, said: “Pinnacle has been involved in Space tech logistics for many years, supporting the University of Leicester Space Research Centre with global movement of components for lots of exciting projects, including Swift X-Ray telescope, Catsat soft X-Ray Spectrometer, AstroSat India and the hugely complex delivery of MIRI for James Webb Telescope to NASA.

“We are proud of our Leicester heritage and the development of Space City Leicester. Joining Space Park Leicester aligns with our goal to support and encourage international businesses to base their operations alongside this unique and innovative community.”

Vinay Patel, Head of Commercial and Innovation, at Space Park Leicester said: “With over 50 years of international trade experience, the company will provide advice, guidance, and support for international trade and worldwide logistics within the Space City ecosystem.

“Their on-site presence will give Space Park Leicester an ongoing resource for day-to-day advice and operations as a logistics services provider, including customs matters and project management.

“Being part of the Space City ecosystem is a significant milestone for Pinnacle, marking a new chapter in the company’s history.

“Their long-standing relationship with the University of Leicester Space Research Centre and Space Park Leicester demonstrates a deep understanding of the importance of the work carried out here, our role as a customs site operator for East Midlands Freeport and the broader Space Tech industry.”

Gavin added: “This development strengthens our collaboration and demonstrates our commitment to being an integral part of the long-term, global space sector expansion. Our extensive experience ideally places us as a central point of advice and supply chain support, allowing scientists, researchers, and businesses to focus on their objectives.

“We are proud to extend our heritage to being part of the Space City and its global reputation.”

• For more information about Space Park Leicester visit: https://www.space-park.co.uk/
• Find out more about the University of Leicester

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Firstly, we have installed new Solar Panels at our Head Office in Broughton Astley, Leicestershire, East Midlands, which will help to reduce not only our costs but also our energy consumption as a company. We believe that this will help to offset the carbon footprint of our freight and transport operations. We have fitted 380 solar panels which will generate 167.16MWh annually. This will supply us with at least 52% of our total energy, whilst putting any excess energy we are not using back onto the grid, giving cleaner energy to others.  

Below is the site plan, and some pictures during the installation process. 

We are excited to announce that the Solar Panels will reduce our CO2 emissions by an estimated 32.33t, which is the equivalent of 1485 trees being planted!

As part of the solar panel installation project, the roof has also been upgraded by installing thick fibreglass insulation to make our building more energy-efficient and reduce any residual heat loss.  

But that’s not all! Other measures Pinnacle have taken alongside this are installing a brand new boiler system giving us an improvement of 40% efficiency, which is also linked to smart thermostats on each individual radiator. We have also switched all our forklift trucks from gas to electric at all of our sites, which will then mainly be charged with solar power. In conjunction with this, we have also installed several electric car charging points which can also charge our fleet of electric company cars.

In addition to the above, lighting at all our sites has been upgraded to LED lighting replacing approximately 170 lights, giving us a massive saving in energy consumption and improving our overall working environment in both the office and the warehouse. 

Finally, we also operate a recycling programme for all our wood, pallets, cardboard, plastics and shrink-wrap to make sure that we reduce our impact on the environment. 

We at Pinnacle continue to invest in our future, improving our working environment, whilst reducing both our energy consumption and overall carbon footprint, all helping to offset our freight operations. 
If you would like to find out more about Pinnacle please feel free to visit our website www.pinnaclefreight.com or contact us at enquiry@pif.co.uk

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At Pinnacle, we offer freight services across all types of containers and specialist project cargo and can assist in any type of cargo loading.

Internal dimensions for general-purpose containers are below.

For any requirements outside of general-purpose containers please do not hesitate to contact the Pinnacle team at 0845 6216 111 or email us at enquiry@pif.co.uk

Container loading capacity is important and needs to be considered carefully as not only will maximising the load impact the cost per unit and help increase profitability, you need to consider the balance, stability, distribution and safety of the load to make sure that movement and damage during transit of your cargo is reduced. You will also need to make sure that any packaging material complies with the rules set out by the destination country.

Pinnacle can help you plan the load of your shipment and has loading management tools to support with this. Also if you do not have adequate facilities, room or equipment to load your container, we can offer a full container loading service. Our warehouse and packing operatives are well experienced to make sure your container is loaded efficiently, securely and safely.

Best practice when loading a container

Best practice when loading a container

Firstly, upon arrival of your container for loading you need to thoroughly inspect the container for any damage that may make it unworthy of transportation. The container will need to be both air and water-tight, so check the seals are in good order and look for any holes/major rust which would allow water inside the container. 

If you see any damage then take pictures including the container number, clause the collection note with the defects and reject the container. Similarly, the container should be clean and tidy and free of contaminants which could compromise your load. It is much better to stop the load at this point, rather than it getting to your customer resulting in damage and the possibility of a lengthy insurance claim.

When loading the container, we suggest loading from heavy to light (where heavy is loaded first and lighter goods are on top). Next, you load from back to the front of the container, and from bottom to top. Secure your cargo with straps, chains, and cargo nets and fill any gaps with dunnage to help avoid the movement of your goods during transit. 

Again you must make sure that any wooden packaging complies with the rules of the destination country and we would suggest only using wood which is ISPM15 compliant. Also when loading your container you need to consider how your customer will off-load the container when they receive the goods which they have ordered from you. 

Next, take photos during the loading process to illustrate how your container was loaded. Not only does this help to show your customer that the goods are loaded and secured properly, but it also gives you a record to follow when you next load your container and helps build good practice. 

Once the container is fully loaded and the goods are secured take a final picture of the load, along with the container number and then seal it with the container seal provided and take a photo of the seal number. This gives you a full record that the shipment has been loaded and secured properly to send to your customers so that they are confident when buying from you.

Additionally, it also helps in the event of any potential insurance claim if anything unforeseen happens to your cargo during its journey such as theft, damage or loss. Insurance companies will require photos as proof of loading, including the container number and seal number. They will also need the collection/delivery notes to ensure these are signed, dated and checked properly. 

What happens if I haven’t got enough cargo for a Full Container Load (FCL)?

Of course, if you don’t have enough cargo to make up an FCL then there are Less than Container Load (LCL) consolidation services which Pinnacle can offer. However, as this increases the amount your cargo will be handled, please ensure that your cargo is well packed and is strong enough to be handled several times. Your cargo should be suitably packed so it can be loaded into a container along with other goods. Similarly, if time constraints do not allow for sea-freight options we have both premium and economy air freight services which may be of interest. 

Whatever your requirements are, Pinnacle is here to help you. We will recommend the right shipping container for your cargo, help you maximise your load and give you guidance on making sure it is loaded correctly. 
Alongside the freight, we can also offer consolidation and container loading services. Now, feel free to give us a call at 0845 6216 111 or drop us an email at enquiry@pif.co.uk for more information.

The post Tips to Optimise Container Loading Capacity appeared first on Pinnacle Freight.

Understanding Ex-works

Ex-works places minimum responsibility on the seller, who merely has to make the goods available, suitably packaged usually at the seller’s factory or depot.

Why using Ex-works when exporting overseas not always best? 

As the exporter has limited responsibility when arranging the freight using Ex-works, many prefer to use this term and avoid the perceived headache of arranging the freight and instead pass the buck onto their customers. 

However, we at Pinnacle do not always believe that this is the correct approach, and would encourage shippers to be flexible when supplying to their overseas customers and consider using other shipment terms such as CIF/CPT/DAP or even DDP, therefore taking control of the freight. 

When you are spending time and resource in manufacturing your product, why would you then leave your goods reaching your customer to chance? 

So when negotiating terms with your overseas customers, consider negotiating other terms such as FCA/CIF/CPT/DAP or even DDP, rather than just offering EXW.

What are the benefits of considering other shipment terms and keeping control of the freight? 

Being HMRC Compliant

It is a myth that if using EXW terms, the exporter is not responsible for Export Customs Clearance, you are.

As the exporter, HMRC expects you to ensure any licences are obtained and goods are declared correctly, regardless of which party is paying for Customs Clearance. 

Simply switching to FCA terms and taking responsibility for the export customs entry would ensure you control this element. Pinnacle help all of our customers manage this process efficiently and in full compliance with HMRC rules. 

Improving Service and visibility in the supply chain 

Service is crucial. By offering your customer a more comprehensive solution, you can simplify the process for your customer who can take a more hands-off approach.

This can potentially help you secure more business and orders from them. Pinnacle can help manage your shipment for you and monitor your shipments’ progress through every milestone, keeping you and your customer fully updated. 

Consequently, this ensures that your customer gets the best level of service and are adequately prepared to take receipt of the shipment. When you supply Ex-works you are often left with no idea where your shipment is, and you can receive unwanted surprises along the way such as requesting further paperwork for customs clearance, which can result in more stress for both you and your customer, and make them more likely to order from elsewhere in the future. 

Reducing the Risks, 

By controlling the freight you know that the service on which your shipment is booked is adequate to meet the needs of your shipment. You can make sure that the service meets any transit time demands and deadlines, travels on a secure, reliable route and is not handled excessively.

Pinnacle has flexibility across multiple services, ensuring the best options in both transit and price are being offered to you and your customer. 

You also minimise the risk of the unexpected happening, and therefore issues arising between you and your overseas customer.

Finally, Pinnacle can also ensure that your shipment is adequately packed for the method of shipping you are using to export your goods to your customer. This will ensure that your precious shipment arrives to your customer in exactly the same condition as it was collected from your facility. 

We offer a full and extensive export packing service, reducing the chances of damage being sustained during the shipment’s transit. Also, in the event of any damage being sustained, it will not invalidate your insurance as suitably packed for transport.

Profitability and control of the costs 

Unsurprisingly, by offering more than just the incoterm Ex-works to your overseas customer, you have more opportunities to increase your business and potential future orders, as some buyers will prefer the freight is arranged by the supplier/shipper. 

Offering multiple Incoterms based on your customers’ demands, result in you being more flexible and therefore having the potential of securing more business. Some buyers may not consider your product if you cannot arrange the freight, and therefore look to alternative options.

With more freight control, not only can you give your customer a better service, whilst increasing the potential to secure more business, you can also maximise the profitability and revenue of your company. Arranging the freight gives your company another revenue stream, and you have the opportunity to make profit on the freight itself. 

Getting back control of your shipment 

To put it bluntly,  under Ex-works, as the seller you have no control over multiple aspects of your shipment, such as when and who will be collecting it. You also surrender the knowledge of whether it is secure, how it will be transported and where your shipment is and when your customer receives it. 

Therefore, next time you are supplying your overseas customers or negotiating terms, consider using terms such as DAP/DDP rather than just Ex-works. Whichever shipping term you negotiate, be sure to set out the parameters clearly to your customer, to avoid any confusion with them. 
If you need any quotations or advice on shipping and use of Incoterms,  please feel free to contact Pinnacle at enquiry@pif.co.uk or call 0845 6216 111.

The post Why it’s not always the best solution to ship Ex-works when exporting overseas appeared first on Pinnacle Freight.

In this article, we explain the importance of controlling your freight when ordering from overseas.

Understanding Incoterms to avoid unexpected costs

Whilst ordering from your supplier overseas using pre-paid Incoterms such as CIF or CFR (to arrival at the port of discharge) can look attractive at first glance, it often has many pitfalls and can lead to several issues. 

This is why Pinnacle always recommends controlling your own freight by shipping ‘freight collect’ using Incoterms such as Ex-Works or FOB when ordering from overseas. Allowing your overseas supplier to control and pay for the freight can actually lead to higher costs, increased stress levels, a lack of control and additional transit time for your important shipment. 

The supplier is usually only interested in shipping your products to you as cheaply as possible. As with most things, if the price looks too good to be true, it probably is! Therefore, when ordering from your overseas supplier always ask them for an Ex-works or FOB price, rather than just CIF or CFR to arrival port of discharge. 

Advantages of shipping Ex-works / FOB

There are many advantages of shipping Ex-works/FOB. Here are a few of the main ones to be aware of:

Relieve stress and improve service levels 

When tracking your shipment, Pinnacle will monitor it through every milestone of the shipment, keeping you updated on its progress and sending bespoke shipment reports.

Knowing where your shipment constantly is and receiving a Notice of Arrival (NOA) in good time enables you to avoid late payments to your supplier in order to release the B/L and reduce the risk of additional charges such as demurrage.

You’ll also only deal with one freight forwarder for everything. If you buy on a pre-paid basis such as CIF/DAP, you will be dealing with several different companies for each shipment. Pinnacle will assign one point of contact to look after your shipment from start to finish.

It’s also worth noting that providing you have a suitable credit rating, you can pay freight charges on account rather than paying the freight up front to your overseas supplier.

When shipping CIF, the insurance offered may be limited and not cover everything which you would expect, such as General Average for example. Therefore, take control of insurance and either arrange through Pinnacle for a small premium or add marine insurance onto your business policy to ensure you have a fully comprehensive cover in place.

Control of the shipment

Do not get hit with unexpected charges. Although the price to get the shipment to the UK port can look very attractive, higher UK terminal charges and handover fees can actually result in you paying more for your goods than you have budgeted for and make it more expensive overall.

Avoid chances of demurrage/quay rent charges through not knowing where your shipment is or when it’s arriving, and having to rely on other agents to send you a NOA. This may not allow you enough time to obtain the release of the B/L due to late payments to your supplier. Also, you may not receive a NOA at all, so your shipment is clocking up demurrage charges without you even being aware of it  

You can enjoy just one point of contact, so you avoid dealing with several different agents each time which often use multiple points of contact for deliveries, invoicing, customs clearance and the like. Pinnacle will assign one point of contact to look after your shipment every step of the way.

Pinnacle can also chase your overseas supplier through our network of agents for updates on goods-ready dates and proposed shipping dates, making sure that the earliest space is secured with the carriers and that you are fully aware of any delays in production.

Know exactly what you are paying and to whom, avoiding the chance of scam payments and having to pay charges that you were not expecting upfront before you can get delivery of your shipment.

Customs compliance 

Using a trusted agent like Pinnacle who are AEO certified to ensure your shipments are declared to the authorities correctly and the correct Import Duty and VAT are paid. It also ensures the correct method of payments are applied, such as VAT through Postponed VAT Accounting, use of correct deferment accounts etc.

We can also provide a document trail. Pinnacle scan all documents for each shipment, so can easily be provided in the event of an inspection by HMRC. They can also be accessed online. Pinnacle will also pre-lodge your shipment to UK customs to ensure any holds such as paperwork inspections are completed early, reducing dwell time at the port of discharge.

In summary, it is our suggestion that you keep control of your shipment by shipping freight collect with Pinnacle when ordering from overseas to make sure you know exactly what you are paying for and to avoid the many pitfalls as set out above. 

Contact Pinnacle today and speak to one of our global logistics experts for information, pricing and advice for your unique requirements.  

UK: +44 (0)845 6216 111 / enquiry@pif.co.uk

US: US +1 757 306 1211 / inquiry@pinnaclefreight.com 

Next time – why it is not always the easiest solution to ship Ex-works when exporting overseas.

The post The importance of controlling your freight when ordering from overseas appeared first on Pinnacle Freight.