News | Trucking Services in Ohio

LA-LB rail dwells spike to two-year high amid record imports in September

Laura Robb, Associate Editor and Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Oct 16, 2024, 4:12 PM EDT

Rail container dwell times in the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach surged to a two-year high in September as the largest US port complex handled record one-month volumes of imports from Asia, driven in part by retailers diverting cargo from East and Gulf coast ports ahead of the longshore strike there.

SC Ports’ chief outlines plans for Charleston to hit 10 million TEU mark

Michael Angell, Senior Editor | Oct 16, 2024, 2:55 PM EDT

Three years after it was effectively shuttered upon launch, the now-reopened Hugh K. Leatherman marine terminal is set to kick off a wave of future capacity expansion at the Port of Charleston, with plans for a second berth and further bolstering of Charleston’s strong franchise in short-haul intermodal, according to the port’s chief.

Softening export demand sends ocean rates crashing on India-Europe trade

Bency Matthew, Special Correspondent | Oct 16, 2024, 11:09 AM EDT

India’s export demand downturn seems to have left container lines powerless to stem an ongoing downward shift in cargo booking rates on loads to Europe. Spot rates on the westbound route, India’s largest trade lane by volume, have nearly halved in the last two weeks from end-September levels, according to new data obtained by the Journal of Commerce from freight forwarder sources.

Asia-Europe carriers target pre-Lunar New Year demand with rate hikes, blank sailings

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Oct 15, 2024, 2:02 PM EDT

Forwarders expect freefalling Asia-North Europe ocean spot rates to bottom out in October and then climb through the remainder of the year as carriers increase blank sailings and roll out rate hikes to target early Chinese New Year demand.

India’s project cargo expansion tempered by clearance snags, equipment shortages

Bency Matthew, Special Correspondent | Oct 15, 2024, 1:40 PM EDT

India is on the cusp of a project cargo growth explosion as a sheaf of large-scale infrastructure projects kick off. But heavier cargoes and clearance complications could hold back growth, according to shippers in the region.

Longshore wage deal at East, Gulf ports to add at least $5 billion in labor costs

Michael Angell, Senior Editor | Oct 15, 2024, 10:59 AM EDT

The tentative wage deal agreed to between longshore workers and maritime employers along the US East and Gulf coasts could create as much as $5 billion in new waterfront labor costs over the six-year life of the next contract, according to estimates compiled by the Journal of Commerce. While a high number itself — other estimates put it much higher — marine terminal operators hope the wage deal will spur greater productivity and efficiency that will help pay for the increase costs.

Chicago cargo theft highlights larger challenges for intermodal container moves

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | Oct 14, 2024, 4:06 PM EDT

The theft of cargo from a Union Pacific (UP) train on the west side of Chicago on Friday highlights several challenges combating such crime, including how to handle interchanges between two Class I railroads in a major city.

Port Tampa Bay reopens after power restored following hurricane closure

Laura Robb, Associate Editor | Oct 14, 2024, 3:17 PM EDT

Port Tampa Bay has resumed vessel operations and reopened shipping channels after the gateway was forced to close for several days last week due to a loss of power caused by Hurricane Milton. Vessel movement is restricted for now to one-way travel during daylight hours, the port said in an advisory on its website.

DP World reverses course, unveils expansion of London Gateway terminal

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Oct 14, 2024, 3:00 PM EDT

DP World on Monday confirmed it would move forward with a $1.3 billion expansion of the London Gateway terminal, ending a weekend political dust-up and giving UK ports a much-needed post-Brexit investment.

Stabilizing MPV rates belie geographical imbalances

Carly Fields, Associate Editor, Breakbulk and Project Cargo | Oct 14, 2024, 10:49 AM EDT

Multipurpose vessel (MPV) trades in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East are stabilizing multipurpose freight rates, mitigating weaker performance in the European and American markets, analysts say. While operators of highly sophisticated heavy-lift and project vessels are enjoying healthy demand and a “decent” level of forward bookings, many carriers are facing “a more sluggish market and an imbalance in utilization across the various trade regions,” Toepfer Transport said in an Oct. 10 briefing note.

Hurricanes not seen as truckload pricing catalyst despite relief demand

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Oct 11, 2024, 4:50 PM EDT

The damage caused by hurricanes Helene and Milton will take months to fully repair, but the impact on freight markets and truckload pricing will not be as great as initially believed, logistics experts told the Journal of Commerce.

DP World postpones planned announcement of London Gateway expansion

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Oct 11, 2024, 3:47 PM EDT

Dubai-headquartered port operator DP World has postponed plans to announce a major expansion of its London Gateway container terminal following criticism earlier this week by senior British government officials of a DP World subsidiary, P&O Ferries.

Strike surcharges disappear as spot rates for US West, East coasts near parity

Laura Robb, Associate Editor | Oct 11, 2024, 2:56 PM EDT

Ocean carriers have dropped ad hoc surcharges that were linked to last week’s short-lived longshore strike along the US East and Gulf coasts, adding downward pressure to freight rates that have fallen sharply in recent weeks.

Behind-the-scenes White House arm twisting got ILA wage deal done

Peter Tirschwell | Oct 11, 2024, 1:50 PM EDT

If the Biden administration did indeed force the tentative contract deal ending last week’s longshore strike, how exactly did it happen? In other words, what did the White House chief of staff tell ocean carrier group CEOs on a conference call at 5:30 a.m. Washington time on Oct. 3 that within hours resulted in a substantial increase in the wage offer made to the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), ending the strike after three days?

Port Tampa Bay effectively shut due to power outage in aftermath of Milton

Laura Robb, Associate Editor | Oct 11, 2024, 12:30 PM EDT

Most ports in Florida have returned to normal operations in the wake of Hurricane Milton, although Port Tampa Bay remained effectively shut Friday due to a lack of power. Tampa Bay port officials say the port did not experience widespread flooding but is still being affected by power issues, adding that port tenants will make independent decisions about when to resume their operations. Milton made landfall along the central Gulf Coast of Florida late Wednesday.

Lack of clarity over clean energy supply driving dual-fuel ship orders

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Oct 11, 2024, 11:43 AM EDT

The interim target laid out last year by global maritime regulators calling for a 20% reduction in ship emissions by 2030 has spurred ocean carriers to order 1.2 million TEUs of dual-fuel ship capacity this year capable of burning low- to zero-emission fuels such as methanol or liquified natural gas (LNG), the low-emission fuels with the greatest availability.

Heavy frontloading sets up US-Asia trade for falling rates, imports

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor and Laura Robb, Associate Editor | Oct 10, 2024, 4:58 PM EDT

Asia-to-US freight rates at the tail end of the peak shipping season are falling faster than is typical for this time of year given the heavy frontloading that occurred months earlier that is also expected to result in weaker-than-normal imports from Asia in November, forwarders tell the Journal of Commerce.

Savannah working through anchored vessels in wake of strike, weather disruption

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | Oct 10, 2024, 1:59 PM EDT

It will take the Port of Savannah about three weeks to restore vessel anchorage times to normal as it works through a 10-ship backlog created by last week’s longshore strike and late September’s Hurricane Helene, the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) said Thursday.

India-US carriers keep lowering rates to match capacity as bookings plummet

Bency Matthew, Special Correspondent | Oct 10, 2024, 11:52 AM EDT

Container lines on the India-US East Coast trade are attempting new rate strategies to keep vessel loads as close as possible to their declared capacity levels. Local freight forwarders who spoke with the Journal of Commerce noted that carrier sales executives are willing to strike special rate deals with large-volume customers on a per-sailing or short-term contract basis.

Maersk rules out Suez Canal routings for Gemini launch

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Oct 10, 2024, 10:42 AM EDT

FELIXSTOWE, UK — Cargo owners’ need to plan Asia-Europe shipments for next year was behind Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd discarding the Suez Canal as an option when their new Gemini Cooperation network launches on Feb. 1 next year.

Strong freight rates drive higher Q3 revenue for Taiwan’s ‘Big Three’ carriers

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Oct 9, 2024, 4:01 PM EDT

Taiwan’s Big Three carriers — Evergreen Marine, Yang Ming Marine Transport and Wan Hai Lines — each saw third-quarter revenues more than double from a year ago on stronger freight rates. Rates were driven by an early peak season as shippers consigned cargo ahead of the longshore strike along the US East and Gulf coasts last week and a capacity crunch as vessels continued to divert around southern Africa to avoid militant attacks in the Red Sea.

Brief ILA strike alters once-placid labor landscape on East, Gulf coasts

Peter Tirschwell | Oct 9, 2024, 1:51 PM EDT

Over several months beginning last November when the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) first mentioned the possibility of a strike — an innocuous reference in an unrelated press release — a realization slowly dawned on shippers that a sea change was occurring on the US East and Gulf coasts.

‘Fuel agnostic’ Spliethoff invests in MPV fleet expansion

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Oct 9, 2024, 11:35 AM EDT

Dutch multipurpose vessel operator (MPV) Spliethoff has strengthened its presence in the MPV sector by investing in up to 10 future-fuel-ready vessels and purchasing MPV carrier ForestWave, even as the group remains “fuel agnostic,” Max van den Berg, Spliethoff Group’s fleet performance manager, told the Journal of Commerce.

Decentralized sourcing plays into MSC’s point-to-point plans: CEO

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Oct 9, 2024, 11:31 AM EDT

HAMBURG — Mediterranean Shipping Co. CEO Soren Toft on Tuesday touted the future effectiveness of the standalone point-to-point network the carrier is building in the wake of its pending departure from the 2M Alliance with Maersk.

IAPH-led report tackles thorny data quality issue on port call optimization

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Oct 9, 2024, 10:13 AM EDT

HAMBURG — Groups targeting the improvement of port call data released a report Wednesday with recommendations for ports on how to ramp up data quality to optimize the times ships spend at berth. The report, Port Call Optimization Through Data Quality, was unveiled at the International Association of Ports and Harbors’ (IAPH) World Ports Conference in Hamburg.

US retailers expect modest import bump in October to close out peak season

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Oct 8, 2024, 3:42 PM EDT

US retailers are forecasting a modest year-over-year increase in imports this month to close out the 2024 peak shipping season, with most of the holiday merchandise already having entered the country due to the frontloading of imports from Asia this summer.

Montreal dockworkers to refuse overtime in latest salvo against port employers

Michael Angell, Senior Editor | Oct 8, 2024, 3:40 PM EDT

Dockworkers at the Port of Montreal will reject requests to work overtime beginning Thursday, part of the longshore union’s latest pressure campaign against management during the protracted negotiations for a new contract. The overtime strike will likely add to the ongoing productivity slump at Montreal following last week’s partial strike.

Hub Group boosts cross-border business in JV with Mexican dray carrier

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | Oct 8, 2024, 3:15 PM EDT

Two North American intermodal providers — Hub Group and Transportes Easo (Easo) — announced a joint venture Tuesday to share resources on cross-border intermodal moves, providing major competition to rivals J.B. Hunt Transport Services and Schneider National in Mexico.

Despite tentative wage deal, USMX and ILA have bumpy road ahead on other key issues

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Oct 8, 2024, 1:06 PM EDT

Spot truckload rates are surging in the US Southeast and rising nationwide in the wake of Hurricane Helene and ahead of Hurricane Milton, which is expected to hit the Gulf Coast of Florida Wednesday before moving across the state into the Atlantic Ocean.

Despite tentative wage deal, USMX and ILA have bumpy road ahead on other key issues

Lars Jensen, CEO and Partner, Vespucci Maritime, and Journal of Commerce Analyst | Oct 8, 2024, 10:35 AM EDT

It could be said that global shipping dodged a bullet with the brief, three-day strike on the US East and Gulf coasts. However, it should be noted that the operational ripple effects will be felt until mid-November, and the possibility of a new strike on Jan. 15 could create a market impact from mid-November until the end of the year. And it also raises questions as to whether we should be concerned about the resilience of the supply chain linking the US to the rest of the world.

Despite tentative wage deal, USMX and ILA have bumpy road ahead on other key issues

Peter Tirschwell | Oct 7, 2024, 3:10 PM EDT

The 90-day clock has started for the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and US East and Gulf coast longshore employers, who haven’t been at the contract negotiating table since June, to restart the talks and hash out details on a range of complex issues including automation, royalties, work rules and job jurisdiction. Salary increases — as were agreed to in a tentative deal to end the three-day strike last week — seem pedestrian compared with the scale of challenge facing both sides.

Peak season surge drives up Cosco’s estimated nine-month earnings

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Oct 7, 2024, 11:32 AM EDT

Cosco Shipping expects to report a net profit of $6.17 billion for the first nine months of 2024, a 67% increase year over year, with its performance lifted by strong third-quarter peak season demand on the trans-Pacific and Asia-Europe trade lanes, the China state-owned carrier said Monday.

US port strike, Europe congestion heralds trans-Atlantic capacity crunch

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Oct 7, 2024, 11:17 AM EDT

Ship delays resulting from the three-day strike at ports along the US East and Gulf coasts last week will come on top of port congestion across several European hubs, significantly reducing the available trans-Atlantic capacity this month.

Intermodal underperforming in booming Mexico-US market

Larry Gross, president and founder, Gross Transportation Consulting; and Journal of Commerce analyst | Oct 7, 2024, 9:56 AM EDT

Tracking intermodal rail volumes in the major North American geographies, one thing that catches the eye is the relatively poor performance of intermodal in the US-Mexico cross border market.

US East, Gulf coast ports confident of smooth post-strike reopening

Laura Robb, Associate Editor, Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor, and Michael Angell, Senior Editor | Oct 4, 2024, 4:14 PM EDT

Ports up and down the US East and Gulf coasts expect a generally smooth resumption of cargo flow after reopening early Friday morning thanks to a tentative agreement Thursday that ended a three-day dockworker strike.

LA-LB port significantly cuts emissions, but tougher challenges await

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Oct 4, 2024, 3:40 PM EDT

Reduced vessel arrivals and container volumes, coupled with cleaner cargo-handling equipment from rail to drayage, helped the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach significantly reduce emissions last year, but the environmental challenges are only mounting.

Rail industry split on how to best combat cargo theft

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | Oct 4, 2024, 2:58 PM EDT

Cargo theft is surging along US railways, leaving shippers worried about the safety of high-value goods in transit, and while heavy-duty lock makers claim their products deter theft, industry experts are divided on whether these new security devices make containers safer.

India regulators seek VSA ‘trade-off’ for local carriers and alliances

Bency Matthew, Special Correspondent | Oct 4, 2024, 2:39 PM EDT

Amid an ongoing wave of ocean carrier alliance realignments, Indian shipping regulators are seeking a “tradeoff” approach to continue treating vessel-sharing agreements (VSAs), led by carriers operating foreign-flagged fleets, outside of national competition law provisions.

ILA, USMX agree on new wage offer and contract extension that reopens ports

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor and Michael Angell, Senior Editor | Oct 3, 2024, 7:02 PM EDT

Maritime employers and the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) have reached a tentative deal to reopen container terminals at East and Gulf coast ports after trading new wage offers that would bring dockworker pay up over 60%. Longshore workers will work under a three-month contract extension until a formal deal is reached.

Intermodal rail must improve reliability to capture just-in-time freight: execs

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | Oct 3, 2024, 4:40 PM EDT

CHICAGO — Domestic intermodal service has improved over the past two years, but many shippers remain cautious and unwilling to entrust time-sensitive freight to the rails, according to intermodal executives at the Journal of Commerce Inland Distribution Conference 2024 (Inland24).

ILA strike leaves US reefer importers few options, more risks

Laura Robb, Associate Editor | Oct 3, 2024, 3:10 PM EDT

Refrigerated (reefer) container shippers using US East and Gulf coast ports are worried that if the International Longshoremen’s Association’s (ILA’s) strike continues for another week, they’ll be faced with equipment shortages and spoiling perishables, some of which are in their peak season.

Ro/ro newbuilds push car carrier order book to record high

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Oct 3, 2024, 2:53 PM EDT

Investment in new vehicle carriers and roll-on/roll-off (ro/ro) tonnage has propelled the order book to record highs, even as global light vehicle production shows signs of slowing, according to analysts.

US truckload carriers expect first rate hike in two years in 2025

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Oct 3, 2024, 10:18 AM EDT

CHICAGO — There’s no quick recovery ahead for the US truckload sector, either in terms of pricing or demand, executives from several logistics companies said Tuesday at the Journal of Commerce Inland Distribution Conference 2024 (Inland24).

Ships backing up outside of strike-shut US East, Gulf ports

Michael Angell, Senior Editor | Oct 2, 2024, 6:12 PM EDT

Container ship anchorages are growing outside of US East and Gulf coast ports on the second day of a dockworker strike, with carriers offering limited options to avoid delays and currently planning to divert only a handful of vessels to alternative ports.

Political winds turn against ocean carriers amid ILA strike

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor | Oct 2, 2024, 5:30 PM EDT

The Biden administration’s vocal support of longshore labor in contract negotiations on the first day the US East and Gulf coast strike was reminiscent of its rhetoric against ocean carriers during the height of US port congestion.

Domestic intermodal rate pressure building on stronger truck pricing

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | Oct 2, 2024, 4:10 PM EDT

CHICAGO — Intermodal executives warned domestic rail shippers to anticipate paying more in 2025 contracts. However, rates should only rise by low-single-digit percentages across the US, executives said during the Journal of Commerce Inland Distribution Conference 2024 (Inland24).

Window to divert strike-affected imports to West Coast closing soon

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Oct 2, 2024, 3:56 PM EDT

Retailers and other importers who normally ship through the US East and Gulf coasts to destinations in the eastern half of the country say they have a short window to decide whether to begin rerouting goods through West Coast ports.

Government, board approvals clear way for DSV-DB Schenker merger

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Oct 2, 2024, 12:56 PM EDT

Forwarder DSV’s acquisition of rival DB Schenker to create the world’s largest logistics company took a further step forward Wednesday after receiving the green light from both the German federal government and Deutsche Bahn’s (DB’s) supervisory board.

Carrier order books, alliance changes signal continued reliance on scale

Jeremy Masters, Managing Director, Shipping Masters | Oct 2, 2024, 12:20 PM EDT

Mediterranean Shipping Co. recently reached the milestone of controlling 20% of worldwide operated container vessel capacity through an unprecedented fleet expansion. Meanwhile, several other top 10 carriers have sizeable order books in addition to the ships they are purchasing and leasing in the second-hand and charter markets.

House Republicans, shippers up pressure on Biden to stop US port strike

Laura Robb, Associate Editor | Oct 1, 2024, 5:55 PM EDT

On the first day of the first strike at US East and Gulf coast ports in nearly 50 years, Republican lawmakers and shipper groups urged the Biden administration to get cargo flowing again by overcoming the president’s opposition to invoking the Taft-Hartley Act.

Montreal port users not expecting quick intervention if strikes continue

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor | Oct 1, 2024, 5:19 PM EDT

Union Pacific Railroad (UP) is increasing its fees for low-volume customers that exceed their contractual peak season allotment on outbound lanes from California, as import volumes throughout the US West Coast drive a rare spot of growth nationally.

Slow growth predicted for US economy, freight demand in 2025: Inland24

Cathy Morrow Roberson, Analyst, Air Cargo and Parcel and William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Oct 1, 2024, 4:03 PM EDT

CHICAGO — US economic growth will slow in 2025, and the surface freight market will remain soft after a “soft landing” for the economy, speakers said Tuesday at the Journal of Commerce Inland Distribution Conference 2024 (Inland24).

Hurricane Helene to tighten truckload capacity beyond US Southeast

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Oct 1, 2024, 3:03 PM EDT

CHICAGO — The devastation caused by Hurricane Helene will send ripples throughout US supply chains, tightening truck capacity, as efforts to restore and rebuild severely damaged infrastructure in the affected states will be superseded by rescue operations still under way.

ILA’s Daggett promises dockworkers ‘great contract’ as strike begins

Michael Angell, Senior Editor | Oct 1, 2024, 11:31 AM EDT

ELIZABETH, NJ — The head of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) in the early hours of Tuesday pledged he would secure a “great contract” that he would like to complete by the end of the month, just hours after hundreds of union dockworkers at US East and Gulf coast ports went on strike at midnight.

Truckers pre-pull imports as strike set to close East, Gulf coast ports

Michael Angell, Senior Editor | Sep 30, 2024, 5:41 PM EDT

Port truckers have pulled the last containers they could out of marine terminals ahead of their closure Tuesday due to a strike by the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), filling up storage yards and constraining chassis supply until the ports reopen.

Breakbulk reefer segment hanging on in shrinking market

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Sep 30, 2024, 2:52 PM EDT

After serving as a breakbulk cargo pinch-hitter during the COVID-19 pandemic, the specialized refrigerated (reefer) breakbulk segment is surviving and even finding a few new footholds. “Commentators have been forecasting the end of specialized reefer vessels and operators for the last 10 to 20 years, but they are still here,” Toby Moors, a director with New Zealand-based broker and ship agency Oceanic Navigation, told the Journal of Commerce.

Conflicting post-pandemic worldviews bring ILA, employers to historic strike

Peter Tirschwell | Sep 30, 2024, 2:33 PM EDT

How did nearly 50 years of labor peace on the US East and Gulf coasts, so consistent that it was a key factor in a multiyear erosion of West Coast market share, bring the industry to the eve of a strike?

UP raises surcharges on low-volume shippers in California

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | Sep 30, 2024, 11:02 AM EDT

Port of Montreal to face three-day strike against two terminals next week

Michael Angell, Senior Editor | Sep 27, 2024, 3:35 PM EDT

Almost half of the Port of Montreal’s container capacity will be shuttered through the first half of next week as dockworkers there plan to strike two of its five container terminals, the latest move in a long-simmering standoff between the local longshore union and the port’s maritime employers.

Yellow puts remaining 112 LTL terminals on the block

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Sep 27, 2024, 2:40 PM EDT

The other shoe is dropping in the US less-than-truckload (LTL) real estate market as bankrupt LTL provider Yellow prepares to sell its remaining 112 terminals, including some of its largest sites, in a move that will release pent-up LTL capacity.

Breakbulk sector not expecting much disruption from possible longshore strike

Autumn Cafiero Giusti, Special Correspondent | Sep 27, 2024, 12:32 PM EDT

As ports along the US East and Gulf coasts brace for an expected strike by dockworkers on Oct. 1, breakbulk ports and terminals and other sector stakeholders are assessing the potential for spillover effects.

USMX chief meets with Biden administration officials as port strike deadline looms

Michael Angell, Senior Editor | Sep 27, 2024, 11:59 AM EDT

The head of the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) met with Biden administration officials at the White House Friday, sources said, as the administration reached out to maritime employers along the East and Gulf coasts just days before what would be the first coastwide longshore work stoppage since 1977.

Freight ecosystem suffers pain while intermodal wastes opportunities: analyst

Ted Prince, founder and CEO, Tri-Cities Intermodal LLC | Sep 27, 2024, 10:14 AM EDT

With freight recession pain extending into its third year, I think it’s worth looking at two recent events: The International Intermodal Expo held in Long Beach Sept. 9-11, and two days of hearings held by the Surface Transportation Board (STB) in Washington Sept. 16-17. The former is an annual industry event; the latter was convened to address a lack of rail freight volume growth.

Zim to gain slot rights on MSC’s India network for US loads

Bency Matthew, Special Correspondent | Sep 27, 2024, 7:00 AM EDT

Ocean network alliance changes taking shape across markets seem to have more service realignments in store for Indian shippers, according to local industry sources.

Weeklong ILA strike would tie up about 2% of global shipping capacity: HSBC

Laura Robb, Associate Editor | Sep 26, 2024, 3:57 PM EDT

The increasing likelihood of a dockworker strike next week at container terminals along the US East and Gulf coasts will tie up approximately 1.7% of global shipping capacity if it lasts a week, tightening the supply of equipment and vessels as the Red Sea diversions have, but on smaller scale, HSBC said in a report Thursday.

PNW ports say ready for strike-linked cargo diversions from East, Gulf coasts

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Sep 26, 2024, 1:39 PM EDT

US and Canadian ports in the Pacific Northwest say they are prepared to handle a sustained diversion of discretionary cargo from ports along the East and Gulf coasts should a strike by dockworkers in those regions begin on Tuesday, as expected.

USMX tries to force ILA back to contract talks with NLRB complaint

Michael Angell, Senior Editor | Sep 26, 2024, 1:35 PM EDT

Maritime employers along the US East and Gulf coasts have filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in a late bid to force the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) back to the bargaining table.

Trucking races to prepare as deadline for ILA port strike draws near

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Sep 26, 2024, 10:13 AM EDT

The looming strike by East and Gulf coast port workers is already affecting US trucking networks, pushing more goods into truck lanes earlier than usual as shippers try to move freight ahead of possible work stoppage.

FMC denies petition to delay D&D rules as creating ‘greater confusion’

Michael Angell, Senior Editor | Sep 25, 2024, 5:32 PM EDT

The US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has thwarted a move by ocean carriers to delay new rules on who they can bill for holding onto containers, saying a delay would cause “greater confusion” among shippers and truckers about who pays per diem fees.

Zim becomes first carrier to commit to reopened Leatherman terminal

Michael Angell, Senior Editor | Sep 25, 2024, 5:24 PM EDT

The Port of Charleston’s Hugh K. Leatherman marine terminal is officially reopening to container ships this week with an ad hoc vessel call, while Zim Integrated Shipping has become the first carrier to commit to a weekly trans-Pacific service there.

Ocean carrier alliance shakeup offers varied service choices for shippers

Lars Jensen, CEO and Partner, Vespucci Maritime, and Journal of Commerce Analyst | Sep 25, 2024, 10:22 AM EDT

Two new alliances — Gemini Cooperation and Premier Alliance — will see the light of day in 2025, and both have now published their new networks. Additionally, Mediterranean Shipping Co. has clearly stated it will operate as a standalone carrier, although it does have some slot swaps on Asia-Europe with Premier Alliance and with Zim on the Pacific trade to the US East Coast.

Port Tanjung Pelepas operating model key to ensuring Gemini reliability goals

Peter Tirschwell | Sep 25, 2024, 9:22 AM EDT

Anyone curious as to how Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd will fulfill an ambitious promise of 90%+ schedule reliability once their Gemini Cooperation network is fully rolled out next year should look closely at Port Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) in Malaysia.

More US ports reveal contingency plans as ILA strike deadline inches closer

Laura Robb, Associate Editor | Sep 24, 2024, 4:22 PM EDT

Several US ports along the US East and Gulf coasts are working under contingency plans ahead of a possible strike by dockworkers on Oct. 1, including extending terminal hours and implementing deadlines for operations.

Railroads set deadlines for accepting exports ahead of potential ILA strike

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | Sep 24, 2024, 3:27 PM EDT

CSX Transportation, Canadian National Railway and Norfolk Southern Railway have set deadlines for exporters to drop off containers ahead of a potential strike by the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) on Oct. 1, which would effectively shut ports along the US East and Gulf coasts.

‘Wake-up call’ to shipping as 2030 emissions targets slip away: report

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 24, 2024, 2:00 PM EDT

The decarbonization of global shipping is moving too slowly to meet even the 5% zero-emission fuel target by 2030, a critical benchmark on the road toward 2050 net zero goals, according to a report by maritime industry groups.

DB Schenker customers spooked by DSV takeover welcome at DHL: CEO

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 24, 2024, 8:42 AM EDT

DHL Group CEO Tobias Meyer issued an invitation Tuesday for DB Schenker customers nervous about the imminent takeover by DSV to switch their forwarding business over to the integrator.

Lack of terminal handling charges emerges as a factor in ILA talks

Peter Tirschwell | Sep 24, 2024, 8:41 AM EDT

If there is one issue that reminds carriers of the cost of capitulating to the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) in the showdown over a new contract covering dockworkers on the East and Gulf coasts, it’s the lack of a terminal handling charges (THCs) in the US market.

White House’s executive lever to prevent port strike is politically toxic

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor | Sep 24, 2024, 6:00 AM EDT

It’s hard to exaggerate how politically toxic the invocation of the Taft-Hartley Act by the Biden administration to stop a potential strike by the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) would be to the Harris presidential campaign. That will no doubt temper the White House’s response if the ILA follows through with its Oct. 1 strike threat.

Montreal dockworkers to take strike vote as contract talks continue

Michael Angell, Senior Editor | Sep 23, 2024, 5:03 PM EDT

The union representing Port of Montreal dockworkers is scheduled to hold a strike vote this week just ahead of another round of mediation talks aimed at securing a deal in a nearly year-long standoff between maritime employers and Montreal’s longshoremen.

Asia-US East Coast spot rates plummet amid strike threat cargo diversions

Laura Robb, Associate Editor | Sep 23, 2024, 4:19 PM EDT

Spot container rates from Asia to the US East Coast have plummeted more than 40% over the past three weeks, with sources pointing to cargo diversions ahead of a possible longshore strike along the East and Gulf coasts as peak season momentum begins to fade.

CMA CGM moves to take over top Brazilian terminal operator

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 23, 2024, 11:01 AM EDT

CMA CGM has signed a deal to buy 47.6% of Brazil’s largest terminal operator Santos Brasil for $1.2 billion and plans to acquire the remaining shares “in the coming months,” the carrier said Monday.

Truckload visibility startup lands investment, top broker clients

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Sep 23, 2024, 9:15 AM EDT

Freight visibility provider GenLogs said Monday it has amassed $6 million in funding from a variety of venture investors to accelerate its efforts to arm freight brokers with better truckload visibility to tackle load matching and fraud prevention.

New cross-border trucking platform aims to enable brokers

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Sep 23, 2024, 8:00 AM EDT

A software vendor catering to US freight brokers is publicly launching a cross-border load board aimed at helping brokers access growing truckload trade between the US and Mexico.

Gnosis ‘doubling down’ on importer tech with first outside funds

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Sep 23, 2024, 6:00 AM EDT

International logistics software provider Gnosis Freight said Monday that it has taken investment from private equity group Vista Equity Partners to expand the reach of its product targeted at import logistics teams.

NY-NJ port stakeholders scrambling ahead of strike threat

Michael Angell, Senior Editor | Sep 20, 2024, 3:15 PM EDT

Ocean carriers and marine terminals at the Port of New York and New Jersey are working overtime to move as many containers as possible ahead of a potential dockworker strike that would close all US East and Gulf coast ports on Oct. 1, with inland exporters facing the tightest deadline to move their cargo.

FedEx Freight realigns in rapidly changing US LTL market

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Sep 20, 2024, 2:01 PM EDT

Less-than-truckload (LTL) carrier FedEx Freight is accelerating its plan to shrink its network. The FedEx subsidiary and largest US trucking company by annual revenue closed seven terminals during its fiscal quarter that ended Aug. 31 after shutting down 29 terminals in the previous 12 months.

Midterm emissions plan to take center stage at upcoming IMO meeting

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 20, 2024, 11:25 AM EDT

Binding emissions reduction measures from shipping aimed at putting a price on the continued usage of conventional fuel will top the agenda at the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO’s) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 82) meeting in London later this month.

Terminal operators in Los Angeles and Long Beach are benefiting from fluidity at warehouses, access to near-dock surge yards and greater chassis availability. -- 5730931

Southern California supply chain fluid despite surging import volumes

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Sep 19, 2024, 3:31 PM EDT

Industry stakeholders are pointing to minimal supply chain disruption at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach this peak season despite record import volumes, thanks to warehouses throughout Southern California being able to keep churning freight through their facilities.

A combined DSV-DB Schenker entity will be the world’s largest forwarder. Photo credit: DSV. 5730873

DSV takeover signals end to 150 years of DB Schenker brand

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 19, 2024, 1:54 PM EDT

The DB Schenker brand that two years ago celebrated its 150th anniversary will be absorbed by DSV, which last week acquired the Essen, Germany-based company for €14.3 billion ($15.9 billion).

SEKO said the transaction involving current investors will close in the coming weeks. Photo credit: gopixa / Shutterstock.com. 5730828

SEKO secures fresh financial backing amid prolonged forwarding industry slump

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Sep 19, 2024, 12:04 PM EDT

SEKO Logistics on Thursday confirmed it has reached a definitive agreement with its existing financial partners in a move to reinforce its financial position.

The top four Chinese e-commerce platforms use an estimated 150 freighters per day to move online orders to destination markets. Photo credit: Matheus Obst / Shutterstock.com.5730770

Limited air freight capacity available for US port strike-driven cargo shift

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 19, 2024, 10:53 AM EDT

A strike-driven surge in demand for air cargo capacity if ports along the US East and Gulf coasts are shut down from Oct. 1 would come at the worst possible time for an air freight sector that is preparing for a strong peak season with capacity already severely limited.

LA-LB port stakeholders urge mayors to act against proposed emissions rules

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Sep 18, 2024, 4:55 PM EDT

Shippers, transportation interests and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) are urging the mayors of Los Angeles and Long Beach to lead the effort against the implementation of new regional air emissions rules they say will cap cargo growth at the largest US port complex.

Some US ports extending gate hours ahead of strike deadline

Michael Angell, Senior Editor | Sep 18, 2024, 2:37 PM EDT

This article has been corrected to reflect that Ocean Network Express is still accepting US export bookings and has not embargoed exports due to the potential strike Some ports along the US East and Gulf coasts are going public with their contingency plans ahead of a planned strike by dockworkers on Oct. 1, including staying open for business on weekends.

Stronger US retail sales lifting truckload volumes, but not rates

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Sep 18, 2024, 1:43 PM EDT

US truck and rail freight volumes appear to be increasing slowly, but those gains haven’t fueled an increase in truckload rates, according to new data. The Cass Freight Shipments Index rose 1% sequentially in August after increasing 3% in July, Cass said in its monthly report, released Monday.

Europe’s largest inland container terminal opens in Germany

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 18, 2024, 1:09 PM EDT

Duisburg Gateway Terminal (DGT) in Germany, Europe’s largest inland container facility, opened for business this week with train traffic to and from China already flowing across its busy railheads.

US shippers again ask White House to intervene in longshore contract talks

Michael Angell, Senior Editor | Sep 17, 2024, 5:32 PM EDT

US shippers on Tuesday renewed their call for the Biden administration to directly intervene in stalled contract negotiations between maritime employers and the longshore union representing dockworkers along the East and Gulf coasts.

Railroads say able to handle disruption from possible ILA port strike

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | Sep 17, 2024, 3:37 PM EDT

US railroads are well-prepared if the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) strikes on Oct. 1 at ports along the East and Gulf coasts, according to the CEOs of CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern (NS) Railway.

Divergent data suggests US trucking jobs lower than reported

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Sep 17, 2024, 2:49 PM EDT

The Biden administration on Friday said it would be taking steps to target apparel and textile imports using the so-called “de minimis” exemption and called on Congress to pass legislation that would rein in the volume of duty-free packages entering the US.

Cargo and vessel disruption expected after typhoon closes Shanghai, Ningbo ports

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Sep 17, 2024, 12:18 PM EDT

Shippers and ocean carriers using the major Chinese load ports of Shanghai and Ningbo will face extensive disruption due to terminal closures and vessel bunching caused by Typhoon Bebinca, which made a direct hit on Shanghai Monday.

Maritime employers prep for wind-down of operations as longshore strike looms

Michael Angell, Senior Editor | Sep 16, 2024, 5:13 PM EDT

With talks stalled and more labor demands being put on the table, a dockworkers strike at ports along the US East and Gulf coasts looks increasingly inevitable with just two weeks remaining on the current contract between maritime employers and the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA).

Global MPV indices diverge despite relative market stability

Carly Fields, Associate Editor, Breakbulk and Project Cargo | Sep 16, 2024, 3:54 PM EDT

Multipurpose (MPV) sector indices from Toepfer and Drewry reflect stable market expectations through September despite a slight divergence, analysts told the Journal of Commerce.

Ocean carriers appear willing to roll the dice on possible US port strike

Peter Tirschwell | Sep 16, 2024, 2:01 PM EDT

For decades, a simple philosophy dictated how ocean carriers approached contract negotiations with US dockworkers: Keep the ports open. Even if it meant making major concessions on wages or benefits, carriers were primarily motivated to avoid disruption on the docks and were willing to pay handsomely to achieve that result.

Lure of robust Asian peak season a magnet for air cargo capacity

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 16, 2024, 1:44 PM EDT

Air cargo operators are shifting freighter aircraft from South America, India and Africa to the more lucrative Asian export trades where sustained demand from the US and Europe for both e-commerce and traditional cargo is keeping planes full and rates elevated.

White House takes aim at growing threat of ‘de minimis’ imports

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Sep 13, 2024, 2:52 PM EDT

Some carriers seek to reopen 2024–25 fixed-rate contracts in trans-Pac: NVOs

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Sep 13, 2024, 2:24 PM EDT

Ocean carriers in the eastbound trans-Pacific are increasingly confident that a rate war can be avoided through the Lunar New Year period when many factories in Asia will close for about two weeks beginning in late January.

German Bundestag building with flag of germany

Union, government hurdles ahead in DSV’s $16 billion takeover of DB Schenker

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 13, 2024, 12:24 PM EDT

German transport unions and the country’s parliament are the remaining obstacles to Danish forwarder DSV finalizing its €14.3 billion ($15.9 billion) acquisition of DB Schenker that was announced Friday.

Truck driver detention by US shippers decreasing, but costs rising: study

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Sep 13, 2024, 8:00 AM EDT

Truck driver detention at shipper and consignee docks is decreasing, thanks in part to the soft freight market, but detention is still causing significant supply chain inefficiencies and costing drivers and trucking companies money, according to a new report.

ZPMC ‘pressures’ US ports for remote crane access: House report

Michael Angell, Senior Editor | Sep 12, 2024, 5:33 PM EDT

China’s leading ship-to-shore crane maker — which has strong ties to the country’s military — pressured US port customers to allow remote monitoring of cranes that contained pre-installed cellular modems, according to a new Congressional report.

MSC’s global scale enables standalone network coverage

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 12, 2024, 11:58 AM EDT

Mediterranean Shipping Co.’s ability to roll out a standalone east-west ocean network able to compete with the reshaped alliances, and to offer both Red Sea and Suez Canal service options, indicates the immense scale the carrier has built over the last few years.

Robust e-commerce demand a gift for air cargo carriers: airline executives

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 12, 2024, 11:06 AM EDT

Liege, Belgium — Soaring demand for e-commerce out of Asia this year was a gift to an airline industry under severe financial pressure as it recovered from the pandemic, air cargo executives said at an industry forum here this week.

Norfolk Southern fires CEO Shaw after probe; CFO George elevated to top job

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | Sep 12, 2024, 10:19 AM EDT

Norfolk Southern (NS) has fired CEO Alan Shaw after an internal investigation by the railroad found he violated company policy by engaging in a “consensual relationship” with the company’s chief legal officer.

Tale of woe for ocean container shippers going from bad to worse

Peter Tirschwell | Sep 12, 2024, 8:00 AM EDT

Container lines active on the larger export trade lanes out of India seem to have no choice but to forgo recent robust rate gains in order to keep their vessel space utilization as close as possible to the declared loading allocations.

Rates from India to US, Europe in rapid retreat amid cooling demand

Bency Matthew, Special Correspondent | Sep 11, 2024, 2:31 PM EDT

‘Perfect storm’ pushes market toward Q4 reefer equipment shortages

Laura Robb, Associate Editor | Sep 11, 2024, 1:48 PM EDT

Combined market pressures on refrigerated container equipment could put a strain on perishable Latin American exports in the fourth quarter and into 2025, market sources say.

Anxious White House weighing options as ILA contract deadline nears

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor | Sep 11, 2024, 1:26 PM EDT

US labor secretaries have been key to breaking deadlocks in longshore labor negotiations, including on the West Coast in 2015 and 2023. But this latest impasse, threatening a strike at East and Gulf coast ports, forces the White House to walk particularly precarious line: Don’t upset union voters ahead of a presidential election while protecting the economy and an image of responsible economic stewardship.

‘Brace for impact’ warning as air cargo heads into historic peak season

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 11, 2024, 11:08 AM EDT

Liege, Belgium — The air cargo industry is flying headlong into its strongest ever peak season as booming e-commerce demand will combine with online shopping promotions this fall and rising volume of more traditional air freight, executives told a conference here.

US retailers give big upgrade to September import forecast amid strike threat

Laura Robb, Associate Editor | Sep 10, 2024, 5:12 PM EDT

US retailers have significantly upgraded their forecast for US imports in September as shippers look to frontload cargo ahead of a threatened strike on Oct. 1 by dockworkers along the East and Gulf coasts.

Asian ports at the fore in updated Gemini alliance network schedule

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Sep 10, 2024, 2:21 PM EDT

Ports in Asia are among the winners, regaining direct calls on several services, in the Gemini Cooperation’s updated service network released Tuesday that offers shippers alternative routings via the Cape of Good Hope and the Suez Canal.

FMC won’t block Gemini alliance, but vows tight monitoring

Michael Angell, Senior Editor | Sep 10, 2024, 12:42 PM EDT

The US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has signed off on the Maersk/Hapag-Lloyd vessel-sharing alliance that will start early next year, but the agency’s chief warned the ocean carriers they will be watched for how they treat US shippers.

HMM to spend $17.5 billion on fleet, equipment by 2030

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 10, 2024, 11:52 AM EDT

HMM will spend $17.5 billion over the next five years — more than half of that investment on new container ships and equipment — as the carrier on Tuesday put a price to the massive mid- to long-term strategic plan announced back in April.

Import surge pushing Los Angeles outbound spot truck rates higher

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | Sep 10, 2024, 11:08 AM EDT

As cargo from Southern California ports moves further inland, demand for trucks and intermodal rail capacity is surging in the region, driving up prices across all modes of surface transportation.

East Coast spot rates plunge as peak-season imports shift to West Coast

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Sep 9, 2024, 5:00 PM EDT

A front-loading of shipments ahead of a threatened port strike threat, coupled with intensified rate pressures, is sending Asia container spot rates to the East Coast plunging faster than usual on the trade lane.

Port employers urge ILA to return to contract talks

Michael Angell, Senior Editor | Sep 9, 2024, 4:45 PM EDT

Ocean carriers and marine terminal operators are calling on the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) to reopen contract talks, saying their latest offer aims to avert a strike across East and Gulf Coast ports.

Typhoon Yagi slams Vietnam, southwest China, delaying sailings

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Sep 9, 2024, 4:33 PM EDT

Ocean carriers and shippers are facing several days’ delays to vessel sailing schedules after typhoon Yagi struck southwest China and northern Vietnam over the weekend, closing ports and hitting cargo shipments.

MSC strikes Asia-Europe slot share with former THEA members

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Sep 9, 2024, 2:27 PM EDT

Mediterranean Shipping Co. is teaming up with Ocean Network Express (ONE), HMM and Yang Ming Marine Transportation on the Asia-Europe trades with a slot exchange covering nine services from February 2025 when current alliance arrangements end, the carriers said Monday.

ONE opens new India, Asia services in response to ‘Gemini reality’

Bency Matthew, Special Correspondent | Sep 9, 2024, 1:28 PM EDT

Ocean Network Express (ONE) is rushing to fill the routing and capacity gaps it anticipates from ongoing industry network shakeups linked to the Gemini Cooperation partnership taking shape between A.P. Møller-Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd.

Rails have limited recourse to PNW import surge: analyst

Larry Gross, president and founder, Gross Transportation Consulting; and Journal of Commerce analyst | Sep 9, 2024, 1:04 PM EDT

Spot container rates from Asia to the west coast of Mexico have climbed sharply over the past week amid fresh blank sailings and a cargo rush ahead of China’s Golden Week holiday in early October. The gains come after two months of declining rates brought on by new capacity injected into the trade lane.

Blank sailings, cargo push help reverse rate slide on Asia-Mexico trade

Laura Robb, Associate Editor

First signs of a deal emerge in long-running German port dispute

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 6, 2024, 11:28 AM EDT

Germany’s United Services Union (ver.di) has recommended its members accept the latest offer from port employers in a long-running wage dispute that has regularly disrupted logistics operations across the country’s transport sectors.

Little cause for optimism as clock ticks toward ILA contract expiration

Peter Tirschwell | Sep 6, 2024, 11:02 AM EDT

Less than a month before dockworkers on the US East and Gulf coasts could walk off the job if a new contract is not agreed to by Sept. 30 at midnight, a sense of dread has descended on the industry — and for good reason.

Trans-Atlantic shippers test contingency plans as ILA strike threat grows

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 6, 2024, 9:56 AM EDT

Shippers and forwarders on the trans-Atlantic are testing alternatives to ports along the US East and Gulf coasts ahead of a potential dockworker strike beginning Oct. 1. But there is a resignation that there are few viable options if both seaboards are down.

ILA locals prepping for coordinated strike at US East, Gulf coast ports

Michael Angell, Senior Editor | Sep 5, 2024, 6:11 PM EDT

Teaneck, NJ — The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) on Thursday appointed local vice presidents to head committees that will coordinate labor actions at East and Gulf coast ports if a new contract isn’t reached by the end of the month. Union leadership the day prior warned the ILA and its employers are “very, very far apart” on “economic” terms, namely wages, as well as automation.

Maersk dives deeper into US-Mexico trucking with El Paso facility

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Sep 5, 2024, 3:21 PM EDT

A.P. Møller-Maersk is opening a large logistics facility in El Paso, Texas, drawing the ocean carrier deeper into US-Mexico cross-border trade and trucking.

US spot truckload market starts to tighten but is still soft

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Sep 5, 2024, 1:12 PM EDT

The US truckload spot market is heating up as summer ends, with load volumes increasing as the peak pre-holiday shipping season for trucking gets underway. That’s tightening capacity and load-to-truck ratios in certain inland distribution markets, although not universally.

Flexport vet lands funding to build truckload procurement tool for shippers

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Sep 5, 2024, 1:00 PM EDT

A new truckload freight procurement and management platform started by a veteran of Flexport and Uber has landed a $6.3 million early-stage funding round to target small and midsized shippers lacking such technology.

Green corridors signal maritime fuel options for multipurpose vessels

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor, Breakbulk and Heavy Lift | Sep 5, 2024, 12:44 PM EDT

Eventually, the multipurpose/heavy-lift (MPV/HL) sector will have to build new ships. In addition to growing demand, the global shipping industry must meet sweeping International Maritime Organization (IMO) and European Union goals for reducing and eliminating net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Houston’s new port chief plots terminal fluidity as key to container growth

Michael Angell, Senior Editor | Sep 4, 2024, 1:52 PM EDT

The Port of Houston is testing a new truck appointment system and using AI to manage container cranes as it optimizes capacity at its two existing marine terminals even as it looks down the road at building a third terminal, the port’s new chief says.

Standard Forwarding deal would speed consolidation among small LTL carriers

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Sep 4, 2024, 12:20 PM EDT

After trying twice to buy properties from bankrupt Yellow, Jack Cooper Investments may have finally found a route into the less-than-truckload (LTL) sector.

New ship deployments don’t always improve service: analyst

Jeremey Masters, Managing Director, Shipping Masters | Sep 4, 2024, 10:06 AM EDT

New deployments of ships may be needed, particularly with Red Sea diversions extending sailings, but throwing more ships into service isn’t always a surefire solution for more reliable service.

Severe rainstorms swamp India’s container supply chains

Bency Matthew, Special Correspondent | Sep 4, 2024, 9:18 AM EDT

Extreme monsoon floods have wreaked havoc on container flows and related transport networks across ports in the Indian subcontinent region, including Bangladesh that had already been in a state of flux due to recent political tensions.

Tech vendor aims to help forwarders preserve margins in growing LCL market

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Sep 3, 2024, 3:01 PM EDT

A technology vendor founded by two veterans of the less-than-containerload (LCL) industry is arming forwarders with the ability to preserve profit margin on LCL shipments moved by the large neutral non-vessel-operating common carriers (NVOs) that collectively control a large share of the LCL market.

Demand bump could drive moderate rate boost on intra-Asia trades

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Sep 3, 2024, 2:35 PM EDT

A pre-holiday cargo rush that could start in early September is expected to drive a rebound in intra-Asia ocean rates that had softened a bit in August due to the influx of new capacity and reduced port congestion even as overall demand remained strong.

Falling demand, rates signal early end to Asia-Europe ocean peak season

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 3, 2024, 11:21 AM EDT

The early peak season on the Asia-Europe ocean trade that began in April appears to be drawing to a close as European import demand slows and spot rates fall sharply off peak levels reached in July.

Maersk’s LNG order hedges bet on green fuel technology: CEO

DP World adds Hong Kong forwarder to growing 3PL network

DP World’s move into controlling end-to-end logistics will be further strengthened with the integration of Hong Kong-based supply chain solutions provider Cargo Services Far East into its fast-growing forwarder division.

Cathay’s A350 groundings to upset Hong Kong’s overheated air cargo market

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 3, 2024, 10:37 AM EDT

The temporary grounding of Cathay Pacific’s Airbus A350 fleet of 48 aircraft after an engine fault was found on Monday will disrupt the already overheated Hong Kong air freight export market, industry executives say.

Maersk’s LNG order hedges bet on green fuel technology: CEO

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Aug 8, 2024, 11:13 AM EDT

Maersk’s order for vessels capable of being powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) is a risk-management strategy by the carrier to avoid being locked into one fuel technology, according to CEO Vincent Clerc.

Short-term US industrial real estate market clouded by uncertainty: JLL

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Aug 7, 2024, 1:20 PM EDT

Retailers, manufacturers and logistics providers are seeking more clarity on the direction of the US economy and consumer spending before deciding on their short-term needs for warehouse space, according to industrial real estate firm Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL).

Lag in higher contract rates to drive second-half profitability: Maersk CFO

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Aug 7, 2024, 12:09 PM EDT

The delayed financial benefits of ocean contracts agreed at high rates during the second quarter were apparent in Maersk’s Q2 interim results Wednesday when year-over-year profitability declined sharply despite rising volumes and rates.

Maersk CEO says port strike along US East, Gulf coasts is ‘highly unlikely’

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Aug 7, 2024, 11:11 AM EDT

A strike by dockworkers at marine terminals along the US East and Gulf coasts is “highly unlikely,” Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc said Wednesday.

Bangladesh’s supply chains grind to a halt amid political upheaval

Bency Mathew, Special Correspondent | Aug 6, 2024, 10:15 AM EDT

Carriers and cargo owners in Bangladesh are facing a period of supply chain flux as the Indian subcontinent nation remains gripped by mass civil protests and heightened political unrest, mirroring the turmoil that engulfed trade verticals in Sri Lanka two years ago.

ILA seeking huge wage hike from maritime employers: sources

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, and Peter Tirschwell | Aug 5, 2024, 4:12 PM EDT

The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) is seeking an almost 80% wage increase over the life of its next six-year contract with maritime employers on the East and Gulf coasts, two ocean carrier sources familiar with the negotiations told the Journal of Commerce.

Shifting trans-Pac dynamics push rate spread to almost two-year high

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Aug 5, 2024, 2:17 PM EDT

The differential between spot rates from Asia to the US West and East coasts is at its widest in almost two years amid signs of a significant loosening of capacity to the West Coast and importer worries over the coming expiration of the labor contract covering 45,000 dockworkers on the East and Gulf coasts.

Trans-Atlantic ocean carriers make rare surcharge moves to bolster rates

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Aug 5, 2024, 11:49 AM EDT

Ocean carriers on the trans-Atlantic have announced peak season surcharges (PSSs) for Sept. 1 in a bid to turn around declining westbound rate levels that have fallen steadily for months despite volume on the Europe-US trade lane ticking upward.

Matson’s expedited China business fuels Q2 earnings gains

Michael Angell, Senior Editor | Aug 2, 2024, 3:03 PM EDT

US-flag carrier Matson’s earnings for the second quarter blew past analysts’ consensus estimates, the latest example of the variable fortunes of ocean carriers benefiting as trans-Pacific freight rates surged in recent months.

Overbookings, service changes roil India-US East Coast loads: forwarders

Bency Mathew, Special Correspondent | Aug 2, 2024, 10:31 AM EDT

Indian freight forwarders active on trades to North America are crying foul over carriers denying gate openings to containers planned for loading despite confirmed bookings.

Maersk hikes full-year profit forecast by $2 billion, ups volume outlook

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Aug 1, 2024, 2:07 PM EDT

Maersk added $2 billion to its full-year profitability forecast Thursday as the carrier continues to benefit from robust demand on the main export trade lanes from Asia and an ongoing Red Sea disruption that has held rates at elevated levels since March.

Panama Canal transits rise to almost normal levels as expansion work begins

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Aug 1, 2024, 1:03 PM EDT

The Panama Canal is looking to increase the number of daily vessel transits to 36 as of September as it seeks to resume normal transit levels in the coming months following robust rainfall levels in June and July.

No sign of slowdown in ongoing air cargo ‘peak season’

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Aug 1, 2024, 10:45 AM EDT

Air cargo on the main trade lanes out of Asia continues to be in peak season mode as disrupted ocean shipping and an ongoing e-commerce surge hold spot rates at elevated levels.

Raise fossil fuel price to spur demand, investment in green alternatives: WSC

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Aug 1, 2024, 9:44 AM EDT

Regulations must be implemented to make fossil fuels used by the maritime industry more expensive in order to close the price gap with green alternatives if low-carbon fuels are to become economically viable for ocean carriers, according to the World Shipping Council (WSC).

Nervous US shippers have few options in the face of port strike threat

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor | Aug 1, 2024, 8:00 AM EDT

Have some sympathy for the shipper dependent on ports along the US East and Gulf coasts. They have few options — none of them great — if longshore labor, as threatened, strikes at the end of September if an agreement isn’t reached by then.