The need to know
The need to know for the week ending 8th January 2020
The need to know from Reuters’ global network of journalists
'Hardships' coming for traders at Northern Ireland's post-Brexit borders, lobby groups say
Traders selling goods between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom will face “real hardships” in the coming weeks after the post-Brexit regulatory border shattered normal operations, lobby groups said on Wednesday.
M&S branch in France says post-Brexit rules disrupt ready-meal supplies
A Paris branch of British retailer Marks & Spencer said fresh ready-made pasta dishes were unavailable on Monday because post-Brexit trade rules had disrupted deliveries across the Channel.
'Please mine more nickel,' Musk urges as Tesla boosts production
Tesla Inc boss Elon Musk urged miners to produce more nickel, a key ingredient in the batteries that power the company’s electric cars, warning the current cost of batteries remained a big hurdle to the company’s growth.
German manufacturing picks up steam despite lockdown disruptions - PMI
German factories churned out more goods in December despite a stricter lockdown to head off a spike in coronavirus deaths in Europe’s largest economy, a survey showed on Monday.
U.S. factory activity approaches 2-1/2-year high; COVID-19 hitting supply chains
U.S. factory activity accelerated to its highest level in nearly 2-1/2 years in December as the coronavirus pandemic continues to pull demand away from services towards goods, though spiralling new infections are causing bottlenecks in supply chains.
Hong Kong business activity falls sharply, hurt by transport delays - PMI
Hong Kong’s business activity swung into steep decline in December, as tightened coronavirus curbs and supply chain bottlenecks hit firms’ international and domestic operations, a private sector survey showed on Wednesday.
Canadian manufacturing activity increases at a record pace in December
Canadian factory activity expanded at its fastest pace on record in December as new orders and production climbed, while manufacturers grew more optimistic that output would continue to rise in 2021, data showed on Monday.
Airbus to meet top suppliers amid jet output concerns- sources
Airbus is planning a summit meeting with major suppliers in coming days, amid mounting speculation that it may have to delay planned jet output increases as Europe faces a resurgent coronavirus crisis, industry sources said on Friday.
India approves AstraZeneca and local COVID vaccines, roll out seen soon
India’s drugs regulator on Sunday approved for emergency use two coronavirus vaccines, one developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University and the other by local company Bharat Biotech and a state-run institute.
Moderna vaccine to criss-cross continent before Europeans get shots
Moderna Inc’s COVID-19 vaccine, fresh off European approval on Wednesday, must make a long, continent-crossing journey from the Swiss Alps to Spain, France and Belgium before final delivery to the EU’s 27 countries.
Maersk says European lockdowns have not dented demand for shipping
High shipping rates are set to continue for at least several weeks, despite new coronavirus lockdowns in Europe, boosted by demand for furniture, exercise equipment and home improvement goods, shipping group Maersk said on Wednesday.
In Canada, shippers race to move cancer treatments as COVID-19 grounds flights
Medical companies and shippers in Canada are racing to transport time-sensitive radiochemical materials used to treat cancer, as a pandemic-induced drop in passenger flights has narrowed transportation options and created cargo delays.
Dubai Airports and GMR Hyderabad agree deal to aid vaccine distribution
Dubai Airports and the operator of Hyderabad airport, GMR Hyderabad, have agreed a logistics deal for COVID-19 vaccine distribution to handle up to 300 tonnes of vaccines per day, the companies said on Monday.
South Korea’s exports expanded at their fastest pace in 26 months in December, on robust chip demand and improved global demand, providing additional signals that the recovery is on track despite resurgences in the novel coronavirus.
Indian rice shipping delays come at bad time as consumer demand spikes
The global rice market is grappling with logistical disruptions at major supply ports caused by a lack of shipping containers at the same time a worldwide rush to stockpile food is spurring demand for the staple grain.
From elsewhere around the web
How COVID-19 is changing packaging(Supply Chain Dive)
Container shortages the biggest disrupter: where are all the empty boxes? [The Loadstar]
All areas of the supply chain must work together in post-pandemic world(Port Technology)
Shipping just got a taster of the disruption yet to come(Lloyd’s List)
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