Fashion
WSC launches industry-first Cargo Safety Programme to prevent fires
The programme combines artificial intelligence (AI)-powered cargo screening and common inspection standards to identify misdeclared and undeclared high-risk shipments before they are loaded.
The World Shipping Council has launched its Cargo Safety Programme, an initiative to detect misdeclared and undeclared dangerous goods to prevent ship fires and protect vessels and the marine environment.
The programme combines AI-powered cargo screening and common inspection standards.
At launch, carriers representing more than 70 per cent of global TEU capacity have joined the programme.
Misdeclared dangerous goods are a leading cause of ship fires, reported as responsible for more than a quarter of all cargo-related incidents.
“The WSC Cargo Safety Program strengthens the industry’s safety net by combining shared screening technology, common inspection standards, and real-world feedback to reduce risk,” said Joe Kramek, president and chief executive officer of the council, in a release.
At the heart of the programme is a digital cargo screening tool powered by the National Cargo Bureau’s (NCB) technology. It scans millions of bookings in real time using keyword searches, trade pattern recognition and AI-driven algorithms to identify potential risks. Alerts are reviewed by carriers and, when needed, verified through targeted physical inspections.
The programme also establishes common inspection standards for verifying shipments and an incident feedback loop to ensure lessons from real-world cases strengthen prevention. At launch, carriers representing more than 70 per cent of global TEU capacity have joined the programme.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Published
December 19, 2025
Lululemon announced on Thursday plans to expand its international footprint in 2026 with six new market entries, marking the largest number of new country launches the brand has undertaken in a single year.
The expansion will be carried out through Lululemon’s new franchise partnership model and will include entries into Greece, Austria, Poland, Hungary and Romania, alongside a previously announced move into India.
The European launches will be executed in partnership with Arion Retail Group, while Lululemon’s entry into India will be supported by a partnership with Tata CLiQ.
Consumers in Greece, Austria, Poland, Hungary and Romania will be able to shop Lululemon’s full assortment online, while customers in India will have digital access through Tata CLiQ Luxury and Tata CLiQ Fashion. Physical retail plans, including store locations and opening timelines, will be announced in the new year.
Community engagement will remain central to Lululemon’s expansion strategy, with the brand planning to extend its ambassador network and host local events focused on movement and wellbeing as it enters new regions.
“As we continue to see strong demand for the Lululemon brand around the world, we’re thrilled to grow our presence and communities across Europe and Asia Pacific with entry into six new markets in 2026,” said Sarah Clark, senior vice president, EMEA, Lululemon.
“Each of these markets offer exciting potential for our brand, and we look forward to working with our franchise partners to introduce our innovative products and engaging guest experiences to more consumers in these regions.”
The upcoming launches represent the latest step in Lululemon’s international growth strategy. The company currently operates in more than 30 markets globally, spanning North America, EMEA, Asia Pacific and mainland China. The new entries follow Lululemon’s expansion into Italy earlier this year, as well as recent franchise-led openings in Denmark, Turkey and Belgium.
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Shipments to major markets including Mexico, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Canada, the United Kingdom, and China contracted, with declines of up to **.** per cent. Exports to Mexico fell *.** per cent to $*,***.*** million, signalling slower manufacturing activity in its export-oriented apparel sector, which relies heavily on US yarns and fabrics. Weakness in Honduras and the Dominican Republic similarly mirrors subdued orders from US brands, weighing on regional supply chains linked through CAFTA-DR as brands rebalance inventories and sourcing volumes.
By contrast, exports to the Netherlands, Japan, and Belgium rose by as much as **.** per cent. These gains were supported by steadier demand for technical textiles and niche fabrics, as well as sourcing adjustments by European manufacturers seeking to diversify material suppliers and reduce overdependence on a limited number of Asian inputs.
By
DPA
Published
December 18, 2025
Sportswear business Puma has secured additional financing of more than €600 million. It comprises a €500 million facility and a further €108 million in committed credit lines, according to a statement on Thursday. The aim is to reduce utilisation of the existing €1.2 billion revolving credit facility while increasing the company’s financial flexibility.
The new €500 million facility is fully guaranteed by Santander Corporate & Investment Banking (Santander CIB). Both new financing instruments have maturities of up to two years.
Markus Neubrand, CFO of Puma SE, said: “While our existing syndicated credit facility and promissory notes remain available, today’s announcement will enhance our financial flexibility as we work to finalise our long-term financing structure. The fact that our banking partners have further expanded their commitment and business relationship underlines the confidence in our future business model and strategic direction. This will enable us to realise our strategic priorities and our goal of establishing Puma as a top-three sports brand worldwide.”
FashionNetwork.com with dpa
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