Date: 23.12.2020

2020 has been an interesting year

In the course of 2020, a year which will go down in history as one of the most challenging in decades, we produced close to 300 news articles to keep our customers aware of the news and seismic events impacting their supply chains.

We sent 70 email news bulletins to share the 300 stories, with 131 individual items reporting on global “Coronavirus”, “COVID” and “pandemic” issues.

“Brexit” also featured prominently, with 90 stories highlighting progress – or lack of progress – as we move inexorably to the end of the Brexit transition period.

A total of 67 articles featured “rises” of one sort or another, with freight increases featuring frequently, as did blanked sailings and rollovers. Risk and complacency also featured. Often alongside politicians and the management of Felixstowe port.

“Congestion” – at origin, in the UK, at airports and sea ports and latterly Dover – was another topic that often cropped up, featuring in 54 posts.

Our “team talked” 14 times, in a popular feature, that gave a cross-section of the Metro team an opportunity to provide insights into their various roles.

Regular news updates – and a dedicated Brexit area –  also attracted a new audience of visitors to the Metro web site, increasing the number of interested new users by 110%, reading over 120K pages.

John F Kennedy said. “Like it or not we live in interesting times. They are times of danger and uncertainty; but they are also more open to creative energy.”

The Metro team has been bursting with energy and creativity throughout this most demanding of years. 

Adapting and adjusting to changing work environments, while continuously supporting our customers and handling critical PPE shipments, through the darkest hours of the COVID pandemic.

Over the last four decades we have built a large and loyal client base who’s support and trust, we value and appreciate.

Usually we would be distributing festive cheer in December, but this is an unusual year, and while we may not be able to say Happy Christmas in our usual way, we value the support of our customers, partners and colleagues more than ever.

Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year from all of us at Metro Shipping