Due to the imbalance in world trade flows, shipping lines have changed their routes and prefer to move empty containers to Asia, a situation that generates shortages and causes increases in freight rates and raw material prices.
In this scenario of new commercial reality, the operating costs of maritime freight have been impacted, since due to the restrictions imposed in several countries around the world, containers have been stranded.
The Uber technological platform, which in Central America is currently transporting people and food, is planning to expand its service offerings to the freight transport business.
Uber and Uber Eats, platforms for transporting people and delivering prepared food, respectively, are already operating in the countries of the region. However, the U.S. company's new bet for Latin America is to use Uber Freight to transport cargo.
An announcement has been made of the opening of a new daily nonstop flight for international freight traveling to and from San Jose International Airport.
From a press release issued by Fedex Express:
MIAMI (Florida) August 28, 2014 - FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and the company of the world's largest express transportation today announced the arrival on 4 August of the first FedEx cargo plane Boeing Express- 757F- to Costa Rica in order to provide a direct service for international shipments. Formerly served by smaller aircraft, the growing Costa Rican market is being leveraged with increased capacity and the best collection schedules in the market, with next day delivery to Miami and the rest of the United States.
Starting from May 15, rates will be raised on goods transported to the Far East, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent and the East Coast of South America.
Beginning May 15, the Danish shipping company Maersk Line said its rates for the Far East (excluding Japan), the Middle East and the Sub Indian continent will see an overall increase of $500 per 20-foot container and $1,000 per container measuring 40 feet, 40 feet HC, and 45 feet of dry cargo.