Category: Trade News

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Wading in French Waters

It is official: Temasek Holdings is selling off Neptune Orient Lines (NOL) to French ocean carrier CMA CGM Group, a French shipping line that has been in operation since 1855, for US$2.4bn in cash.

According to Alphaliner, a research consultancy company, CMA CGM will have a combined fleet that takes 11.5 per cent of the global container shipping market. Combining the world’s third and 12th largest container lines would lead to a total of 563 vessels, with a capacity for 2.4 million twenty-foot equivalent containers and US$22bn in revenue, the companies said in a joint statement.

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Why Investing in Cold Chain Makes Sense

Kuehne + Nagel unveiled its Singapore Logistics Hub (SLH) early this year, a 50,000 sqm built-to-suit facility located in west of Singapore. The company said this is its largest investment outside of Europe as part of its regional expansion plans to support its fast growing supply chain clientele operating within Singapore and the ASEAN countries.

But with high investment comes great expectations. With more than 40 per cent of the new logistics hub furnished with chilled storage, redressing and postponement facilities for cold chain, Kuehne + Nagel’s latest facility is specifically designed for pharmaceuticals and healthcare companies operating in Asia.

But what is the company’s strategy behind its strong focus on pharmaceuticals? And why does Singapore play such an important role in expanding its operations in the region?

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Rakuten’s Shutdown: A Domino Effect in the Making?

Unless you have been living under a rock, you must have read about Rakuten’s exit from Southeast Asia. At the end of March 2016, the Japanese-based e-commerce platform has closed its marketplaces in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. Rakuten is also in the process of selling off its Thailand-based platform Tarad.

In tandem with the official Rakuten Vision 2020 announcement, the company revealed that the exit is due to changes in its e-commerce model.

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The Lion City’s Ultimate Project

Singapore’s logistics industry is preparing a revitalisation as the government unveiled its Industry Transformation Map (ITM) late last year.

Under the S$4.5bn programme, roadmaps will be developed for 23 industries to address issues within each industry and deepen partnerships between Government, firms, industries, trade associations and chambers. As one of the shortlisted industries to receive the coveted makeover, the Government aims for the logistics industry to become operationally excellent, innovative, and supported by a strong core of Singaporean talent and firms, be leaders in innovation, and build up a strong core of local logistics talent and firms.

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Finalising Brexit

After nine tumultuous months of debates and discussions following Britons’ votes to leave the European Union (EU), the official Brexit process is finally under way. On 29th March, Prime Minister Theresa May dispatched a letter to the EU to invoke Article 50 of the EU treaty, marking the point at which Britain’s withdrawal from the union became all but inevitable.

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