Islamabad: Pakistan’s exports to European countries grew 9.41 per cent in the first eight months of the current fiscal year from a year ago, mainly due to higher shipments to western and southern states.
In absolute terms, Pakistan’s exports to the European Union (EU) reached $5.921 billion in July- February FY25 from $5.412bn last year, according to data compiled by the State Bank of Pakistan. The export resurgence was due to a slight increase in demand for Pakistani goods in western, eastern and northern Europe. The revival of export proceeds to these countries shows a rising trend for Pakistani textile and clothing products.
In FY24, Pakistan’s exports to the EU dipped 3.12pc to $ 8.240bn despite its GSP+ status, which allows duty-free entry into most European markets.
Despite Pakistan’s reportedly lack of strict adherence to these conventions, Islamabad has so far avoided stern criticism from the EU, largely due to the bloc’s preoccupation with the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Western Europe, which includes countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, France, Italy, and Belgium, accounts for the largest portion of Pakistan’s exports to the EU. The exports to this region increased by 11.67pc to $2.918bn in 8MFY25, up from $2.613bn in 8MFY24.
There is also a slight increase in exports to eastern and northern Europe. The exports to the north of Europe saw a rise of 17.73 pc to $4.98.61m in 8MFY25, up from $423.51m in the corresponding months last year.
Exports to southern Europe saw a paltry growth of 2.69pc to $2.02.1bn in 8MFY25 from $1.968bn in the corresponding period last year
Exports to southern Europe saw a paltry growth of 2.69pc to $2.021bn in 8MFY25 from $1.968bn in the corresponding period last year.
In this region, exports to Spain record a paltry growth of 0.87pc to $973.57m in 8MFY25 from $965.12m in the preceding year.
Exports to Italy increased 1.83pc to $747.03m in 8MFY25 compared to $733.64m in the same compared to $733.64m in the same period last year. Exports to Greece recorded a marginal increase of 9.53pc to $92.02m during the year under review against $84.01m over the previous year.
Wan Hai christens eleventh 13,100 TEU containership
TAIWAN’S Wan Hai Lines has held a ship naming ceremony for the Wan Hai A18 alongside a charity event at Samsung Heavy Industries’ Geoje shipyard.
President of Mega International Commercial Bank, Yung- Chen Huang led the christening wishing the vessel good fortune and safe travels.
Since 2021, Wan Hai Lines has contracted Samsung Heavy Industries for thirteen 13,100 TEU containerships.
The Wan Hai A18, the eleventh vessel in its series, is set for delivery in early April, reports London’s Port Technology.
Once delivered, it will join Wan Hai Lines’ Asia to West Coast of South America (ASA) service.
This series features 335-metre- long, 51-metre-wide containerships with new engines and eco-friendly, energy-saving designs
Notably, Wan Hai A18 is the first to be equipped with a wind- shield and a shaft generator.
The windshield, installed at the bow, reduces wind resistance and enhances fuel efficiency.
In August 2024, Wan Hai Lines hosted a ship naming ceremony for the Wan Hai A17 at the Samsung Heavy Industries Geoje shipyard.
Container Volume Rebounds in Black Sea, Driven By Ukrainian Ports
The Black Sea container terminals of Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine handled 1,313,392 TEU in 2024, including empty containers and transshipment.
This review examines the laden container volumes of these countries imported and exported by sea only, since waterborne container traffic in Ukraine is about 30% of the total. The total increase achieved by these three countries for the period was 12% compared to the same period last year and comprised 1,015,563 TEU
Black Sea region turnover, 2024 vs 2023, laden containers (TEU) The laden container turnover increase was in all these countries. In 2024 the highest percentage growth was achieved by Ukraine -78%.
Laden container turnover by country, TEU
During this period, 54% of full containers handled were imported, with 46% of the volume being exported. It is estimated that laden
containers share was 77% and empty containers share was 23%. Import volumes to the aforementioned countries increased by 21% compared to 2023. The highest import volume increase was shown by Ukraine – 154%. In Romania there was an increase of 22%, while in Bulgaria there was an increase of 4%.
Exports from these countries increased by 3%, mainly because of Ukrainian and Bulgarian export volume growth of 47% and 5% (respectively). There was a slight decrease of laden export volume in Romania-3%.
Thus, the percentage of laden volume handled by each country in 2024 distributed as follows: Ro- mania-67%, Bulgaria-23%, and Ukraine-10%. The top three container terminals in these countries. were DPW (Constanta, Romania), VARNA (Bulgaria) and BURGAS (Bulgaria).
The remarkable rebound in Ukraine’s container traffic was a key factor in the broader recovery of maritime trade within the Black Sea region. Notably, Ukraine’s growth rate significantly outpaced its neighbors, demonstrating its crucial role in driving this regional recovery. This strong performance underscores Ukraine’s strategic importance as a trading hub in the Black Sea and highlights the significance of supporting its maritime infrastructure for the benefit of the entire region’s trade network.
The initial groundwork laid by local forwarding company, followed by the significant commitment from global shipping giants like MSC and Maersk, showcases the resilience and inherent potential of Ukraine’s maritime sector. While the challenges posed by the ongoing conflict undoubtedly persist, the tangible evidence of this robust trade recovery offers a strong indication of progress and underscores Ukraine’s unwavering determination to rebuild its economy and actively re-engage with the global marketplace.
Slow air cargo demand growth for Asia Pacific airlines in February
PRELIMINARY February 2025 traffic figures released by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) showed growth in air cargo demand slowed down as export activity decelerated, writes London’s Air Cargo News.
International air cargo demand, as measured in freight tonne kilometers (FTK), grew by 2.8 per cent year on year in February, as export activity slowed across the major manufacturing hubs, notably China, during the festive celebrations, said the AAPA.
Offered freight capacity increased by 6 per cent, outpacing the growth in demand to result in a 1.7 percentage point decline in the average international freight load factor to 56.5 per cent for the month.
Preliminary January 2025 figures released by AAPA showed a 4.7 per cent year-on-year increase in international air cargo demand but the overall results for 2025 so far have been positive
Commenting on the results for the first two months of the year, Subhas Menon, AAPA director general, said that “international air demand increased by 4 per cent year on year, supported by higher demand for consumer and intermediate goods”.
However, looking ahead, he highlighted rising costs and protectionism as challenges for the
region’s airlines.
Mr Menon said: “Overall, air- lines are expected to continue to benefit from sustained travel demand and growth in air shipments. as a result of ongoing expansion in e-commerce activity.
“However, the region’s carriers are facing headwinds, particularly as rising costs, driven in part by fleet capacity constraints, continue to exert pressure on revenue.
Savannah port achieves busiest February on record
IN its busiest February on record, the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) moved 479,850 TEU through Savannah, a six per cent increase over the same month last year.
“This strong performance is a testament to the trust our customers place in the Port of Savannah as their gateway to the US South- east,” said GPA president and CEO Griff Lynch.
GPA’s intermodal team set a new record for rail moves completed in a 24-hour period, with 2,246 rail lifts on February 28.
The Port of Savannah’s Mason Mega Rail Terminal handles six trains per day, or 42 per week. Dwell time at GPA between an import box offloading from a vessel and de- parting on rail is an industry-leading 19-24 hours.
Despite the high volumes, the container field remained fluid, with yard and gate teams coordinating to keep trucks moving.
Garden City Terminal also set a new record for weekly truck gate moves, handling 78,950 transactions in the last week of February
“We were able to accommodate the increased trade while maintaining excellent service for our motor carriers and customers,” said GPA operations chief Ed McCarthy. “Single container moves averaged only 35 minutes for truckers on terminal, while dual container moves averaged just 54 minutes.”