Recent airstrikes on vessels and ports – part of ongoing clashes between rival governments – have resulted in Libya again being classed as a war-zone by shipping insurers, forcing operators already struggling in the face of a drastic drop in imports to Libya to suspend services. “Insurance companies are putting an extra war-risk surcharge, which is quite high and hard to recover from the market,” Loris Trevisan, chief executive of Italian operator Med Cross Lines, told The Loadstar.

It’s business as usual in Ukraine, despite war and economic problems, says Maersk By Tom Westcott 09.10.2014 · Posted in Loadstar posts, Sea, Topics Add to favorites Maersk has promised its services to and from Ukraine remain unchanged

Trucking industry gears up to tackle driver shortage as Christmas peak season looms By Tom Westcott & Gavin van Marle 09.17.2014 · Posted in Land, Loadstar posts Add to favorites The growing problem of UK driver shortages

Cargo imports tumble as Libya struggles to revive economy paralysed by violence By Tom Westcott 09.15.2014 · Posted in Loadstar posts, Sea Add to favorites Cargo imports into Libya have dropped by an estimated 75%

Benghazi’s port remained closed today after violent clashes on Saturday left seven dead and parts of the complex occupied by an armed militia. “The port is not working now, for the safety of the people inside,” Benghazi Port Manager Mustafa Al-Abar told The Loadstar. “But ships at the port and the crew on the ships are all okay, they are safe.”