export & import International Global trade news Compiled by J Newton Japan and world trade Japan – While certain Japanese import and export markets are reporting downturns as the country’s nuclear power problems impact manufacturing and consumer buying patterns and international airlines avoid the country’s capital city, imports of fresh fish to Japan from countries as far afield as Australia and Norway are likely to increase. Australian exports of coking coal and iron ore may though be negatively affected in the short term because many Japanese steels mills have been damaged and rolling power cuts already have forced manufacturers to cut production of two of Japan’s export staples – electrical goods and motor vehicles. Also, spare parts for many of the country’s export industries face aircraft space restrictions as international carriers cut back on schedules. In terms of exports, some buyer companies are turning to South Korean and other Asian firms for alternative supplies, leading to concerns that Japanese exporters’ supply deals could be threatened in the long term. Source: Aircargo Retraining Kenya’s drivers Kenya – In an effort to reduce carnage on Kenya’s road network, the country’s Transport Licensing Board has called for a complete overall of the driver training curriculum and testing criteria. Kenyan officials say fake road licences, driving licences, TLB certificates, insurance certificates and even good conduct certificates are in abundance. Fifty per cent of Kenyan drivers are said to be unqualified. The country has one of the highest road accident rates in the world. Oz beef exports set to gain Australia – The country’s cattle prices are expected to increase a further 5% in <strong>2011</strong>, due to low herd numbers and rising export demand. Following weaker demand in 2010, Australian beef exports are set to improve with new export markets emerging and competitors facing production constraints. In the past, around 85% of beef exports went to our major trading partners of Japan, Korea and the US. The country is now seeing new export growth for Australian beef, in particular, from Russia, South East Asia and the Middle East. 6 Source: Farm & Land New maritime centre opens in India Kakinada, India – Shipping line Safmarine celebrated the double opening of the Kakinada Maritime Community Centre and the ITF Seafarer Centre (pictured above) in the port of Kakinada in India recently. The centres aim to equip the local seafaring community with the necessary resources needed in the maritime industry. The main supporters of this project are ITF Seafarers’ Trust, Sailors’ Society, Safmarine and Safmarine customer, Cargill. These centres will be managed by UCSWA, the local partner of the Sailors’ Society, who will be responsible for providing ongoing support for seafarers who call there requiring information for their career development at sea. The centre will also support qualified and experienced seafarers by offering courses in order to enhance their areas of expertise. Airline adds to fleet Germany – Lufthansa has ordered 35 new aircraft. Thirty of the aircraft are for the Passenger Business; the other five orders are for Boeing 777 freighters for the business segment Logistics. The new 777 freighters are set to join the fleet from 2013. They will be utilised to seize growth opportunities fuelled by rising demand. Aside from their high fuel efficiency, the noise footprint of the new freighters is smaller than that of the existing fleet. The orders in total are valued at list price at close to $4 billion. Highs and lows of container volumes Europe – Moderate growth in container volumes across Europe is predicted for this year said a report by Hackett Associates and the Bremen Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics. The latest Global Port Tracker: North Europe Trade Outlook has backtracked on a prediction last month that the growth in container volumes in Europe last year will not be repeated this year. It is now forecasting a strong recovery in March. Growth will not though be as good as in 2010, with imports showing an 8,6% increase, to reach a total of slightly more than 23 million teu, and exports just under 7%, to total 16,63 million teu. Source: IFW EXPORT & IMPORT SA // APRIL <strong>2011</strong>
Port of the whales: Walvis Bay EXPORT & IMPORT SA // APRIL <strong>2011</strong> Port of the Month 18794 Export 04/<strong>2011</strong> 7
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