Sometimes all it takes is a shift in strategy from a single carrier to make an impact on airport freight traffic. Qatar Airways Cargo, for instance, has been ramping up its airfreight routes for the last couple of years, seeking more high-value cargo, such as pharmaceuticals, and forming joint ventures with other airlines, such as IAG. Qatar achieved such growth via "fleet and network expansion, innovation in our technology, creative interline agreements and by deploying capacity on expanding or untapped markets," said Ulrich Ogiermann, the carrier's chief cargo officer.

CaroTrans, a global non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC) and ocean freight consolidator, has announced a new Northern Europe service connection with the addition of a direct Atlanta-Gothenburg LCL service. The service has a 21-day transit time, and a Gothenburg-to-Atlanta service will soon follow.

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has unveiled a new recognition program for clean operators that will help them to get ahead of the pack for transit bookings. The ACP calls the new system "environmental premium ranking."

An in-depth analysis of Q3 container shipping costs revealed positive trends for the container carrier segment, according to Xeneta, a market intelligence company for containerized ocean freight. However, the market remains unpredictable, with the 'Hanjin Effect' ebbing away, Xeneta says.

In hopes of offering shippers a more comprehensive service on Asia-Australia trade, Evergreen Line has announced a new joint North East Asia-Australia Express (NEAX) service. The Taiwanese container transportation and shipping company is teaming up with Orient Overseas Container Line, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, "K" Line and YangMing Marine Transport Corp.

A new deepwater port is planned for Arkhangelsk in the north of European Russia, according to Northern Shipping Company Arkhangelsk, a Russian shipping company. The new deepwater hub will be suitable for year-round handling of large capacity vessels and will be situated 55 kilometers (34 miles) north from Arkhangelsk near Mudyug Island, in the northern part of the Sukhoye Morje Bay, says NSC Arkhangelsk.

An agreement this month to remove limits on the number of cargo flights between the United Kingdom and China is an encouraging signal that post-Brexit policy makers are serious about exploring, or expanding, trade routes outside of the Euro zone, said the U.K.'s Transport Minister Chris Grayling. In addition to unlimited cargo flights, the number of permitted passenger flights under the agreement will be raised from 40 to 100 per week.