Air Freight Rates Rise Amid Red Sea Crisis

An employee checks freight at a ramp of Frankfurt airport, Germany, November 27, 2020. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights
An employee checks freight at a ramp of Frankfurt airport, Germany, November 27, 2020. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights
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Air Freight Rates Rise Amid Red Sea Crisis

An employee checks freight at a ramp of Frankfurt airport, Germany, November 27, 2020. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights
An employee checks freight at a ramp of Frankfurt airport, Germany, November 27, 2020. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights

Global air freight rates have climbed for the first time in seven weeks as attacks on Red Sea shipping prompt companies to secure costlier air cargo space.

The Baltic Air Freight Index, which shows general cargo weekly transactional rates across a number of routes, rose 6.4% in the week to Monday, price reporting agency TAC Index said, reversing declines since a mid-December seasonal peak.

Attacks by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi group on vessels in the Red Sea, launched to express solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, have forced shippers to take longer routes that can add weeks to delivery times, Reuters reported.

"The increase is in line with expectations that rates may spike following disruption to ocean shipping in the Red Sea, though sources also point out that rates often rise in the run-up to Chinese New Year," TAC Index said.

Many factories in China close for the 8-day holiday which begins this year on Feb. 10 and companies push to get stock out to customers ahead of this.

Air freight rates out of Shanghai rose 8.8% week on week on Monday, led by big increases to Europe. Rates out of Hong Kong gained 5.9% and rates out of Southeast Asia jumped 10%.

The Red Sea, which leads to the Suez canal, lies on the key east-west trade route from Asia's manufacturing hubs to Europe and then on to the east coast of the Americas.

In recent weeks freight companies have been securing more air cargo space and some customers have begun shipping goods wholly or partially by air to avoid delays.

However air freight prices had remained relatively stable as the shipping crisis coincided with a post-Christmas lull in demand.



Saudi Arabia and Italy Boast Trade Volume of Around $10.9 Billion

Saudi and Italian officials meet during Meloni's visit to the Kingdom on Sunday. (SPA)
Saudi and Italian officials meet during Meloni's visit to the Kingdom on Sunday. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia and Italy Boast Trade Volume of Around $10.9 Billion

Saudi and Italian officials meet during Meloni's visit to the Kingdom on Sunday. (SPA)
Saudi and Italian officials meet during Meloni's visit to the Kingdom on Sunday. (SPA)

Economic affairs were the key focus of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s visit to Saudi Arabia, which began on Saturday and continues until Monday. During her first official trip to the Kingdom, Meloni aims to strengthen bilateral relations and boost trade ties before heading to Bahrain.

As members of the G20, Saudi Arabia and Italy share mutual economic interests. The establishment of the Saudi-Italian Joint Committee has played a pivotal role in advancing economic, trade, and investment relations between the two countries. It has also created effective governance frameworks to foster collaboration and elevate their relationship to the level of a strategic partnership.

Strategic partnerships

Saudi Arabia is Italy’s second-largest trading partner in the region. In 2023, the trade volume between the two countries reached around $10.8 billion. Saudi imports from Italy were valued at $5.875 billion, while exports to Italy amounted to $4.921 billion, including $737 million in non-oil exports. Globally, Italy ranks as the 10th largest exporter to the Kingdom.

Both nations are working to strengthen economic and investment ties by regularly convening the Saudi-Italian Joint Business Council, increasing official and trade delegation visits, encouraging joint ventures, and organizing trade and investment events.

Currently, more than 150 Italian companies operate in Saudi Arabia, with Italy’s foreign direct investment (FDI) stock in the Kingdom exceeding $4.6 billion.

Renewable energy cooperation

Saudi Arabia and Italy are collaborating in the renewable energy sector as the Kingdom focuses on its transition to carbon neutrality. Italy, with its extensive experience in renewable energy technologies, is seeking to establish a long-term partnership with the Kingdom, a potential future leader in green hydrogen production.

In September 2023, the Saudi-Italian Investment Forum, hosted in Milan by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Investment in partnership with Italy’s Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, resulted in the signing of 21 agreements and memorandums of understanding. They covered sectors such as traditional and clean energy, healthcare, real estate, waste management, and more.

According to the Italian government, Italy views Saudi Arabia as a key partner, especially regarding investment opportunities tied to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. The transformative reform plan aims to diversify the Saudi economy, shifting its reliance from oil to a service-based model. It emphasizes tourism, startups, and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in high-value-added sectors.

Saudi Arabia ranks sixth globally in terms of the number of visas issued by Italy, underscoring Italy’s position as a leading destination for Saudi tourists.

Italy is also among the top 20 countries investing in Saudi Arabia, with over 150 Italian companies holding foreign investment licenses in the Kingdom. The Saudi-Italian Investment Forum in 2023 further solidified economic ties, with the signing of 21 agreements spanning a wide range of sectors.