Shipping companies are likely to see the effects of problems in Spain and Portugal as British companies call on them to take their products further afield in order to sustain growth.

Exports of goods to non-European Union countries jumped 7.6% to £12.6bn in February but sales to the EU dropped 4.4%, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Total sales of goods overseas rose by 1.3% to £25.1billion in February – the most since records began in 1980 – bolstering hopes of an export-led recovery.

Late last year the World Shipping Council (WSC) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) urged the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to create new legislation surrounding the issue. They want all containers to be weighed at the port before being stowed on board a vessel. The move would obviously be a sensible option and would stop collapses which damage the cargo, vessel and perhaps the surrounding natural world.

However, at a time when the shipping industry is facing difficulties brought on by a weak economy and further hindered by recent Middle Eastern unrest and natural disasters, it could prove damning.

In the business of dense loads it is often the case that the container will reach maximum weight capacity before the space inside is actually full. There are significant risks in loading the container beyond its weight; but there are also financial gains to be had from filling the container.

Whilst deliveryquotecompare.com is certainly not condoning the practice of overfilling containers, regulatory bodies need to consider the impact any new regulation might have on the industry.

There are fears that excessive legislation could harm shipping companies business; a recent survey by deliveryquotecompare.com showed that whilst the majority recognised that something needs to be done about overweight shipping containers, they also fear that new regulations would have a negative impact on their business

That is one of the proposals raised at the climate change summit held in Copenhagen last week.

The European Union wants the shipping industry to cut its emissions by around 20 per cent over the next decade, and the aviation industry to cut theirs by 10 per cent. The EU is also pushing for a levy to be placed on the two industries’ emissions in order to help poorer countries tackle climate change.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown is in full support of the idea, according to sources. But a number of countries are trying to block the move, including Japan, Saudi Arabia, and the United States.

European Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said that discussions on the proposal were moving slowly. He said: “Some are saying targets and definitions should be agreed here, others are saying it should be done in the two other bodies.

“These two sectors do not have any reduction targets and are increasing emissions rapidly.”

Daniel Parry of delivery price comparison site Delivery Quote Compare said: “This proposed tax is .”

Delegations from 193 countries met at the United Nations climate summit in the Danish capital of Copenhagen. Their goal was to construct a political agreement on how to curb global emissions of greenhouse gases, as well as providing funds for developing countries to help them adapt to the effects of climate change.

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Groupage providers, who tend to deliver a group of parcels in one load, operate more cheaply and economically than express operators whose primary objective is accelerated delivery.

This reduces costs for large companies who do not necessarily need to rely on courier and express networks for their shipping requirements.

Providing an equally reliable service at a slightly slower transit time, groupage operators have risen to the challenge of competing against express companies by offering comparable options and further driving down prices.

Daniel Parry, Managing Director of deliveryquotecompare.com, a free to use price comparison website for shipping, transportation and courier services, said: “This is great news for the freight market, increasing healthy competition and providing more choice for end-users.

“We have certainly noticed an increase in visitors to the site, hence a trend in shippers looking for the more economical and cost-effective options, which can be expected in times of tough credit conditions.

“The groupage operators themselves have really upped their game in the last few years, and have done a great job of encouraging new business.”

One such groupage operator, Starlight International Shipping Limited, agree that there have been changes in the market.

Managing Director John Papworth said: “Whereas before there were a lot of express operators around, there are now much more groupage providers, and recently we have seen an increase in requirements for groupage services.

“I think this is because the economy has forced people to look much more closely at their costs than before.”

Whats particularly interesting is that there appears to be an equal balance between export shipping requests and import shipping requests.  This suggests that the weak pound is helping exports, whilst at the same time increased consumer confidence is creating a growing demand for imports.

As consumer confidence collapsed freight forwarders were particularly hard hit; hopefully an increased demand in international shipping will ease the pressure.

With over 95 freight forwarding companies already registered we’re confident that wherever you’re shipping to, or shipping from, deliveryquotecompare.com is the ideal place to start.

Getting sea freight quotes was previously a laborious exercise; detailing the same information to numerous different freight forwarders before deciding upon a quote. As of now it couldn’t be simpler! Detail the shipping services you require in one simple to use form, click submit, sit back and await your quotes!

Our aim is to save you time & money….and it’s free to use!