Maritime Strategies International (MSI) has forecast a positive short term outlook for dry bulk freight rates, but has cautioned on second half prospects. MSI notes a persistent and positive shift in dry bulk market sentiment in recent weeks, with most Baltic indices at their highest point of the year.

The introduction of physical customs checks following Brexit would be a catastrophe for British ports and shipping and would likely reduce the volume of trade, the head of the sector's UK industry body said.

Now that the U.K. has formally handed in its request to leave the EU, the Port of Dover is concerned that the imposition of customs checks could have a disastrous effect on its business.

For those interested in finding a snapshot of global freight pricing from week to week: Meet FIFI. Online freight marketplace Freightos has launched its Freightos International Freight Index (FIFI), a database of more than 250 million price points updated weekly, covering container pricing, price ranges on key lanes, historical pricing and volatility, and the ability to instantly estimate pricing on specific routes.

DHL eCommerce, a division of Deutsche Post DHL Group, has launched a fulfillment center in Sydney to meet Australian domestic demand for overseas goods ordered by online shoppers, the company says.

Maersk, the world's largest container shipping line, has teamed up with Alibaba to allow customers to reserve space on its vessels through the Chinese company, illustrating growing cooperation between e-commerce and logistics firms.

Shenyang Airport sees promising potential in northeastern China, not far from the border with North Korea. In September, Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Ltd. (Hactl) subsidiary Hactl Development Holdings signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement with Liaoning Airport Management Group, owner of Shenyang Taoxian International Airport, in what both parties described as "a first step in developing the airport as a major regional hub."