Results published by the Canadian General Freight Index (CGFI) indicate that the four-month moving average total cost of ground transportation for Canadian shippers decreased by 0.85 percent in July when compared with June results.

For the first time ever, a bulk carrier is using the Northwest Passage as a transit trade lane, when transporting coal from Vancouver in Canada to Finland. The historic transit is shorter than traditional shipping routes and will not only save time, fuel and CO2, but also increase the load of cargo with 25 percent compared to the Panama Canal. Nordic Bulk Carriers A/S, the Danish pioneer, is once again behind the new business adventure.

Worldwide perishable reefer trade increased by 52.1 million tonnes between 2002 and 2012, which represents a combined annual growth rate of 3.6 percent, according to Drewry's latest Reefer Shipping Market Annual Review and Forecast. Seaborne perishable reefer cargo has increased by a CAGR of 3.3 percent (25.6 million tonnes) from 66.8 million tonnes in 2002 to 92.4 million tonnes in 2012.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) revised its 2013 global industry outlook downwards to $11.7bn on revenues of $708bn. Airline performance continued to improve in the second quarter, but at a slower pace than was expected with the previous projection (in June) of $12.7bn. This reflects the impact on demand of the oil price spike associated with the Syrian crisis and disappointing growth in several key emerging markets.

Retailers' annual surge of holiday hiring will be more muted this year, according to a new forecast.