<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">Hyundai affiliate CUT is closing its terminal in Los Angeles. Could it be followed by other terminal shake-ups resulting from restructuring of carrier alliances?</div>

Hyundai affiliate CUT is closing its terminal in Los Angeles. Could it be followed by other terminal shake-ups resulting from restructuring of carrier alliances?

<div><div><img></div>HMM's decision to close its Los Angeles terminal comes just days after CMA CGM sold its majority stake in a neighboring facility.Hyundai Merchant Marine’s (HMM's) plans to shut down its operations at its Port of Los Angeles terminal because of a loss of business through the new alliances could be a precursor of more US West Coast terminal shake-ups.The April 1 restructuring of the global vessel-sharing alliances is beginning to have a long-term impact on US terminal operators, as some terminals are gaining business while others are losing volume.In Southern California, California United Terminals (CUT), the operating sister company of...

HMM's decision to close its Los Angeles terminal comes just days after CMA CGM sold its majority stake in a neighboring facility. Hyundai Merchant Marine’s (HMM's) plans to shut down its operations at its Port of Los Angeles terminal because of a loss of business through the new alliances could be a precursor of more US West Coast terminal shake-ups. The April 1 restructuring of the global vessel-sharing alliances is beginning to have a long-term impact on US terminal operators, as some terminals are gaining business while others are losing volume. In Southern California, California United Terminals (CUT), the operating sister company of HMM, plans to shut down its operations at the Port of Los Angeles effective Aug. 31. HMM also has a facility in Tacoma, Washington United Terminals, but there has been no announcement of the fate of that terminal, and the Northwest Seaport Alliance Wednesday had no comment on any possible developments. In a June 30 letter to its employees, CUT stated that “in an extremely competitive market,” CUT made the decision to shut down its terminal operations. CUT operates a 91-acre facility at Pier 400, the APMT facility in Los Angeles. The 440-acre APM terminal is home to Maersk Line and handles some of the vessel strings operated by the 2M alliance of Maersk and Mediterranean Shipping. This development, which was also reportedly covered in the South Korean media, could be a precursor of similar developments at other gateways where the shuffling of vessel strings among terminals that took place after April 1 is just now beginning to be felt. As monthly container volumes are reported, and the subsequent revenue impact on ports and terminal operators is being felt, some terminals are gaining weekly container volume while other terminals in the same port complex are losing business. Also, this development shows that the trend toward consolidation in the liner industry, which has been under way for the past two years, could be followed by a similar trend among carrier affiliates, such as terminal operators, as carriers under the new alliance arrangements seek to optimize their service networks and assets. When a terminal operator signs a lease arrangement with a port, it usually commits to move a certain volume of containers through the facility each year. If the terminal fails to meet its minimum annual guarantee, such as because of the alliance restructuring, the terminal must still pay the port the full amount specified in the minimum guarantee. It is not certain if CUT’s minimum guarantee is directly with the Port of Los Angeles or with APM Terminals, which has been subleasing the 91 acres to CUT. The port and APM could not be reached for comment on Wednesday. Hyundai has two weekly trans-Pacific services to Southern California. HMM participates in the PS2 service operated by the 2M Alliance, although Hyundai is not a member of the 2M alliance. That service calls at the CUT facility located on Pier 400 in Los Angeles. Hyundai has its own PS1 service that calls at Pier T in Long Beach. Hyundai earlier this year agreed to take a 20 percent equity stake in the Pier T terminal. The minimum annual guarantees that are in effect at various ports pre-date the alliance restructuring that became effective on April 1. When the carriers realigned from four alliances to three, they worked matters out internally so that each of the terminals that are affiliated with carriers handle one or more vessel string each week. However, in the process, some terminals ultimately increase their business and other terminals lose some volume. This has been the case in Los Angeles-Long Beach, which has 13 container terminals in the two ports, and the Northwest Seaport Alliance of Seattle and Tacoma, which has nine terminals scattered over North and South harbors. Despite having 13 container terminals, Los Angeles-Long Beach has been untouched by terminal consolidation such as occurred in Oakland three years ago and is forecast to happen in Seattle-Tacoma. However, changes are occurring in Southern California. CMA CGM, which acquired APL earlier this year, announced this week that it is selling a 90 percent stake in the Global Gateway South in Los Angeles to two Swedish infrastructure funds for $817 million . Another terminal consolidation is possible next year when a merger of the three Japanese shipping companies — NYK Line, MOL, and “K” Line — is scheduled to take place. Each of those carriers has its own terminal in Southern California. Contact Bill Mongelluzzo at bill.mongelluzzo@ihsmarkit.com and follow him on Twitter: @billmongelluzzo .

Maritime

Container lines

Marine terminals

HMM exit from LA terminal could herald more shake-ups

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">The National Motor Freight Traffic Association will oversee development of a truckload scheduling initiative among the Scheduling Standards Consortium’s 17 existing members.</div>

The National Motor Freight Traffic Association will oversee development of a truckload scheduling initiative among the Scheduling Standards Consortium’s 17 existing members.

Feature image

<div class="phx-topic">The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) has taken over management of a consortium of freight brokers and technology providers developing standards for truckload appointment scheduling. NMFTA, which is most known for developing rate classification standards for the less-than-truckload (LTL) industry, also operates a Digital Standards Development Council for the trucking industry. Within the full truckload portion of that that initiative it will assume management of the Scheduling Standards Consortium (SSC), a group started in 2022 by J.B. Hunt, Uber Freight and the now-defunct freight broker Convoy to build a <a href="https://www.joc.com/article/major-us-freight-brokers-unveil-appointment-scheduling-standards-5217739">common appointment scheduling protocol</a> for truckload freight. “This new development will support NMFTA's efforts to create standards that improve communication between carriers, shippers, technology providers and third-party logistics providers (3PLs) by creating and sharing application programming interfaces (APIs) for a fully digital logistics process,” the group said in a statement Tuesday. SSC was attempting to create a uniform appointment system for carriers and receiving facilities as opposed to each broker having a different process, with the idea that no broker was able to sell its differentiation in the market. <a href="https://www.joc.com/article/truckload-appointment-standards-group-adds-heavyweights-to-drive-adoption-5192857">Membership grew in 2023</a> when the consortium added three brokers and four transportation management system (TMS) providers. Visibility software vendor FourKites then <a href="https://www.joc.com/article/fourkites-integrates-with-truckload-scheduling-standards-initiative-5219328">adopted the SSC standards in mid-2024</a>. The group now has 17 members –11 brokers and six technology providers. “The current SSC members are enthusiastic about this strategy and champions of our effort to ensure digital standards are developed,” Debbie Sparks, NMFTA’s executive director, said in the statement. <h3>Tech options grow </h3>Outside of the issue of scheduling standards, a number of individual SSC members have undergone substantial changes. Founding member <a href="https://www.joc.com/article/convoy-says-will-shut-operations-sell-off-technology-amid-market-downturn-5215523">Convoy went out of business</a> in the fall of 2023. Broker Coyote Logistics, which joined in mid-2023, was <a href="https://www.joc.com/article/rxo-purchase-of-coyote-logistics-highlights-us-brokerage-market-pressures-5192296">sold by UPS to RXO</a> in June 2024. E2open, which also joined in mid-2023, was <a href="https://www.joc.com/article/wisetech-notches-biggest-acquisition-with-21-billion-deal-for-e2open-6011581">acquired in May by WiseTech Global</a>. And while the SSC has been trying to drive adoption of scheduling standards among members while recruiting new ones, the category of truckload scheduling software has expanded. Companies like Qued and Bigger Picture have built tools specific to appointment scheduling, while others, like Vooma, HappyRobot and Drumkit provide automation geared toward scheduling, among other workflows. “Given NMFTA’s expertise and history in standards development, it was an easy choice to seamlessly transition,” Stuart Scott, chairman of the Digital FTL Council and executive vice president and chief information officer for J.B. Hunt, said in the statement. “J.B. Hunt and several other SSC council members are joining the Digital FTL Council to further our partnership and bring more digital standards to the logistics industry.” Contact Eric Johnson at <a href="mailto:eric.johnson@spglobal.com">eric.johnson@spglobal.com</a>. </div>

The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) has taken over management of a consortium of freight brokers and technology providers developing standards for truckload appointment scheduling. NMFTA, which is most known for developing rate classification standards for the less-than-truckload (LTL) industry, also operates a Digital Standards Development Council for the trucking industry. Within the full truckload portion of that that initiative it will assume management of the Scheduling Standards Consortium (SSC), a group started in 2022 by J.B. Hunt, Uber Freight and the now-defunct freight broker Convoy to build a common appointment scheduling protocol for truckload freight. “This new development will support NMFTA's efforts to create standards that improve communication between carriers, shippers, technology providers and third-party logistics providers (3PLs) by creating and sharing application programming interfaces (APIs) for a fully digital logistics process,” the group said in a statement Tuesday. SSC was attempting to create a uniform appointment system for carriers and receiving facilities as opposed to each broker having a different process, with the idea that no broker was able to sell its differentiation in the market. Membership grew in 2023 when the consortium added three brokers and four transportation management system (TMS) providers. Visibility software vendor FourKites then adopted the SSC standards in mid-2024 . The group now has 17 members –11 brokers and six technology providers. “The current SSC members are enthusiastic about this strategy and champions of our effort to ensure digital standards are developed,” Debbie Sparks, NMFTA’s executive director, said in the statement. Tech options grow Outside of the issue of scheduling standards, a number of individual SSC members have undergone substantial changes. Founding member Convoy went out of business in the fall of 2023. Broker Coyote Logistics, which joined in mid-2023, was sold by UPS to RXO in June 2024. E2open, which also joined in mid-2023, was acquired in May by WiseTech Global . And while the SSC has been trying to drive adoption of scheduling standards among members while recruiting new ones, the category of truckload scheduling software has expanded. Companies like Qued and Bigger Picture have built tools specific to appointment scheduling, while others, like Vooma, HappyRobot and Drumkit provide automation geared toward scheduling, among other workflows. “Given NMFTA’s expertise and history in standards development, it was an easy choice to seamlessly transition,” Stuart Scott, chairman of the Digital FTL Council and executive vice president and chief information officer for J.B. Hunt, said in the statement. “J.B. Hunt and several other SSC council members are joining the Digital FTL Council to further our partnership and bring more digital standards to the logistics industry.” Contact Eric Johnson at eric.johnson@spglobal.com .

Surface

Truckload

Logistics Technology News

Trucking standards group takes control of truckload scheduling consortium

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">Forwarders said space for bookings, especially to the more-demanding West Mediterranean market, has become acutely tight due to multiple blank calls in recent weeks.</div>

Forwarders said space for bookings, especially to the more-demanding West Mediterranean market, has become acutely tight due to multiple blank calls in recent weeks.

<div class="phx-topic">Indian shippers moving cargo to the Mediterranean are dealing with a persistent capacity strain from vessel schedule disruptions, sparking a doubling of container freight rates over the past month, freight forwarders say. Forwarders said space for bookings, especially to the more-demanding West Mediterranean market, has become acutely tight due to multiple blank calls in recent weeks. Short-term contract rates out of the ports of Nhava Sheva and Mundra to Genoa have climbed to between $1,900 to $2,000 per FEU from the $1,000 to $1,100 range seen in the first half of June, data obtained by the Journal of Commerce showed. Crimped ocean capacity has sent spot rates on the trade lane even higher. Sources put spot booking prices for Nhava Sheva-Genoa loads on sailings through August at between $3,000 to $3,100 per TEU and $2,600 to 2,800 per FEU, varying slightly from carrier to carrier. Additionally, certain carriers have tactically opened spot window bookings for early-September sailings at about $3,400 per TEU, sources said. “Most available vessels for the West Mediterranean in August are already booked full,” a sales executive at a Mumbai-based forwarding company who didn’t want to be identified told the Journal of Commerce. “With the space crunch expected to linger for some time, rates could strengthen further.” Forwarders have already reported two blankings on the trade lane in August, including one upcoming skip from CMA CGM. Space availability is said to be relatively better off for the India-East Mediterranean trade, a market that has been a target of opportunistic regional/feeder lines offering direct Red Sea sailings. Indian containerized exports to the Mediterranean are mainly led by agricultural products and various machinery freight, with volumes in the first half of 2025 estimated at 332,500 TEUs. Contact Bency Mathew at <a href="mailto:bencyvmathew@gmail.com">bencyvmathew@gmail.com</a>. </div>

Indian shippers moving cargo to the Mediterranean are dealing with a persistent capacity strain from vessel schedule disruptions, sparking a doubling of container freight rates over the past month, freight forwarders say. Forwarders said space for bookings, especially to the more-demanding West Mediterranean market, has become acutely tight due to multiple blank calls in recent weeks. Short-term contract rates out of the ports of Nhava Sheva and Mundra to Genoa have climbed to between $1,900 to $2,000 per FEU from the $1,000 to $1,100 range seen in the first half of June, data obtained by the Journal of Commerce showed. Crimped ocean capacity has sent spot rates on the trade lane even higher. Sources put spot booking prices for Nhava Sheva-Genoa loads on sailings through August at between $3,000 to $3,100 per TEU and $2,600 to 2,800 per FEU, varying slightly from carrier to carrier. Additionally, certain carriers have tactically opened spot window bookings for early-September sailings at about $3,400 per TEU, sources said. “Most available vessels for the West Mediterranean in August are already booked full,” a sales executive at a Mumbai-based forwarding company who didn’t want to be identified told the Journal of Commerce. “With the space crunch expected to linger for some time, rates could strengthen further.” Forwarders have already reported two blankings on the trade lane in August, including one upcoming skip from CMA CGM. Space availability is said to be relatively better off for the India-East Mediterranean trade, a market that has been a target of opportunistic regional/feeder lines offering direct Red Sea sailings. Indian containerized exports to the Mediterranean are mainly led by agricultural products and various machinery freight, with volumes in the first half of 2025 estimated at 332,500 TEUs. Contact Bency Mathew at bencyvmathew@gmail.com .

Container Shipping News

Forwarding

Asia-Europe

India-Med rates race higher as blank sailings continue to tighten capacity

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">Vietnam’s largest conglomerate said the complex will be developed in three phases between 2026 and 2040 and include a container terminal with at least six berths. </div>

Vietnam’s largest conglomerate said the complex will be developed in three phases between 2026 and 2040 and include a container terminal with at least six berths.

<div class="phx-topic">Vingroup, Vietnam's largest conglomerate, will start work next year on a $14 billion port and logistics center in Haiphong that will form the core of a new development area in the country’s northern port gateway, the group said. The Nam Do Son harbor and commercial facility will cover around 11,000 acres in Haiphong’s new southern coastal economic zone, plans for which were unveiled by the city government last year. Vingroup said its port and industrial complex will be developed in three phases between 2026 and 2040. It will include a container terminal with at least six berths, according to digital renderings of the project. Vingroup, whose interests include electric vehicle manufacturing, real estate development and healthcare, said phase one of the project, to be developed between 2026 and 2030, will cost $1.1 billion. Phase two between 2031-2035 will cost $7.9 billion, while the final phase from 2036 to 2040 will cost $5.3 billion. Details were disclosed in a brief two-page statement Vingroup filed to the Ho Chi Minh stock exchange and the state securities commission this week. Vingroup executives did not respond to requests for further comment. Vingroup said it would finance 15% of the total cost of the project from its own resources, with the remaining 85% coming from other sources, including financial institutions and other investors. Analysts said the port is likely to be built as part of the project’s first phase, providing shipment capacity for Vingroup’s trade activities that include the manufacturing of its VinFast Auto electric vehicles in Haiphong. VinFast also operates a fleet of car carriers to ship vehicles to Southeast Asian markets. Analysts said the port would also provide additional container terminal capacity for Haiphong, which handled almost 6 million TEUs last year. Vingroup’s project comes as Haiphong’s port administration is further developing its Lach Huyen container port. In May, CMA CGM signed a $600 million deal with Saigon Newport Corporation (SNP) to develop terminals 7 and 8 at Lach Huyen, which will have a combined capacity of 1.9 million TEUs when operational in 2028. And Hai Phong Port TIL International Terminal Company, an affiliate of Mediterranean Shipping Co., in April inaugurated terminals 3 and 4 at Lach Huyen, with a capacity of around 2 million TEUs. Contact Keith Wallis at <a href="mailto:keithwallis@hotmail.com">keithwallis@hotmail.com</a>. </div>

Vingroup, Vietnam's largest conglomerate, will start work next year on a $14 billion port and logistics center in Haiphong that will form the core of a new development area in the country’s northern port gateway, the group said. The Nam Do Son harbor and commercial facility will cover around 11,000 acres in Haiphong’s new southern coastal economic zone, plans for which were unveiled by the city government last year. Vingroup said its port and industrial complex will be developed in three phases between 2026 and 2040. It will include a container terminal with at least six berths, according to digital renderings of the project. Vingroup, whose interests include electric vehicle manufacturing, real estate development and healthcare, said phase one of the project, to be developed between 2026 and 2030, will cost $1.1 billion. Phase two between 2031-2035 will cost $7.9 billion, while the final phase from 2036 to 2040 will cost $5.3 billion. Details were disclosed in a brief two-page statement Vingroup filed to the Ho Chi Minh stock exchange and the state securities commission this week. Vingroup executives did not respond to requests for further comment. Vingroup said it would finance 15% of the total cost of the project from its own resources, with the remaining 85% coming from other sources, including financial institutions and other investors. Analysts said the port is likely to be built as part of the project’s first phase, providing shipment capacity for Vingroup’s trade activities that include the manufacturing of its VinFast Auto electric vehicles in Haiphong. VinFast also operates a fleet of car carriers to ship vehicles to Southeast Asian markets. Analysts said the port would also provide additional container terminal capacity for Haiphong, which handled almost 6 million TEUs last year. Vingroup’s project comes as Haiphong’s port administration is further developing its Lach Huyen container port. In May, CMA CGM signed a $600 million deal with Saigon Newport Corporation (SNP) to develop terminals 7 and 8 at Lach Huyen, which will have a combined capacity of 1.9 million TEUs when operational in 2028. And Hai Phong Port TIL International Terminal Company, an affiliate of Mediterranean Shipping Co., in April inaugurated terminals 3 and 4 at Lach Huyen, with a capacity of around 2 million TEUs. Contact Keith Wallis at keithwallis@hotmail.com .

Port News

International ports

Vingroup to start building $14 billion Haiphong port, logistics hub next year

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">A steady increase in non-seasonally adjusted trucking employment shows there’s more life in trucking than one might expect following lackluster carrier earnings reports. </div>

A steady increase in non-seasonally adjusted trucking employment shows there’s more life in trucking than one might expect following lackluster carrier earnings reports.

<div class="phx-topic">For-hire trucking employment is growing despite weak overall US hiring, imports and industrial production, with for-hire carriers adding 7,700 jobs in July before seasonal adjustments, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The Journal of Commerce For-Hire Trucking Employment Index climbed from 100.5 in June to 101 in July and is up from 98 in February. That indicates non-seasonally adjusted trucking employment is up 1% from its average in the fourth quarter of 2018. A steady increase in non-seasonally adjusted trucking employment shows there’s more life in trucking than one might expect following lackluster carrier earnings reports. <div class="wrapper-narrow"><dynamic-object type="jocchartid" resource-id="c317f6b6-3ad4-4ee8-9782-428d25a2050a"></dynamic-object></div>The number of real, unadjusted trucking jobs has risen every month since February, climbing higher by 45,500 employees over that six-month period, according to non-seasonally adjusted BLS data released Friday. On an annualized basis, for-hire trucking employment was up 0.4% at approximately 1.54 million jobs in July from the same month a year ago, before adjustment. The non-seasonally adjusted BLS numbers have been positive year over year since May. Even seasonally adjusted trucking job numbers rose in July, rising by 3,600, indicating stronger-than-expected growth in what’s usually a quieter month for trucking. <h3>Recovering from revision </h3>The latest data shows a continuing recovery in employment numbers after a revision by BLS found <a href="https://www.joc.com/article/revised-us-payroll-numbers-underscore-truckload-market-shift-5965577">trucking employment had been over-reported</a> in the period from 2022 through 2024, with the number of trucking employees inflated by as much as 2% to 4%. That revision pulled trucking employment numbers down to their lowest point since May 2021 at about 1.49 million employees, lower than in the pre-pandemic year of 2019. The latest revision to the BLS employment data showed hiring was slower in May and June than previously reported, and gains in July were weaker than expected. But the revision did not affect the trucking employment data. The data for the first seven months of 2025 shows a normal seasonal progression and tracks very closely with data for the same period in 2024. On a sequential monthly basis, trucking employment increased 0.6% on average since February. For-hire trucking employment is still 2.5% below its peak in August 2022, when trucking companies employed more than 1.6 million workers. Large, publicly owned truckload carriers have been more focused on cutting costs and improving vehicle utilization than adding employees to their payrolls, but they did increase their truck counts slightly in the last quarter. Schneider National, one of the largest US truckload providers, saw a net increase of 200 drivers in the second quarter, according to CEO Mark B. Rourke. Driver recruiting saw “pockets of strength” in the second quarter, Rourke told Wall Street analysts last week, as drivers working for small companies sought jobs with larger, more financially stable fleets. Nearly 9,900 motor carriers left the market between December 2024 and July, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The number of newly registered carriers peaked in 2024 at 55,853 companies, according to FMCSA data. Contact William B. Cassidy at <a href="mailto:bill.cassidy@spglobal.com">bill.cassidy@spglobal.com</a>. </div>

For-hire trucking employment is growing despite weak overall US hiring, imports and industrial production, with for-hire carriers adding 7,700 jobs in July before seasonal adjustments, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The Journal of Commerce For-Hire Trucking Employment Index climbed from 100.5 in June to 101 in July and is up from 98 in February. That indicates non-seasonally adjusted trucking employment is up 1% from its average in the fourth quarter of 2018. A steady increase in non-seasonally adjusted trucking employment shows there’s more life in trucking than one might expect following lackluster carrier earnings reports. The number of real, unadjusted trucking jobs has risen every month since February, climbing higher by 45,500 employees over that six-month period, according to non-seasonally adjusted BLS data released Friday. On an annualized basis, for-hire trucking employment was up 0.4% at approximately 1.54 million jobs in July from the same month a year ago, before adjustment. The non-seasonally adjusted BLS numbers have been positive year over year since May. Even seasonally adjusted trucking job numbers rose in July, rising by 3,600, indicating stronger-than-expected growth in what’s usually a quieter month for trucking. Recovering from revision The latest data shows a continuing recovery in employment numbers after a revision by BLS found trucking employment had been over-reported in the period from 2022 through 2024, with the number of trucking employees inflated by as much as 2% to 4%. That revision pulled trucking employment numbers down to their lowest point since May 2021 at about 1.49 million employees, lower than in the pre-pandemic year of 2019. The latest revision to the BLS employment data showed hiring was slower in May and June than previously reported, and gains in July were weaker than expected. But the revision did not affect the trucking employment data. The data for the first seven months of 2025 shows a normal seasonal progression and tracks very closely with data for the same period in 2024. On a sequential monthly basis, trucking employment increased 0.6% on average since February. For-hire trucking employment is still 2.5% below its peak in August 2022, when trucking companies employed more than 1.6 million workers. Large, publicly owned truckload carriers have been more focused on cutting costs and improving vehicle utilization than adding employees to their payrolls, but they did increase their truck counts slightly in the last quarter. Schneider National, one of the largest US truckload providers, saw a net increase of 200 drivers in the second quarter, according to CEO Mark B. Rourke. Driver recruiting saw “pockets of strength” in the second quarter, Rourke told Wall Street analysts last week, as drivers working for small companies sought jobs with larger, more financially stable fleets. Nearly 9,900 motor carriers left the market between December 2024 and July, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The number of newly registered carriers peaked in 2024 at 55,853 companies, according to FMCSA data. Contact William B. Cassidy at bill.cassidy@spglobal.com .

Trucking News

Trucking labor

US trucking employment rising steadily despite soft freight market

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">Robert Loya takes the helm of HTA as the drayage industry struggles with stagnant pricing power, increased operating costs and strong competition from new entrants, including AI-enabled platforms. </div>

Robert Loya takes the helm of HTA as the drayage industry struggles with stagnant pricing power, increased operating costs and strong competition from new entrants, including AI-enabled platforms.

<div class="phx-topic">The COO of drayage and logistics provider TGS Logistics has been appointed the next CEO of the Harbor Trucking Association (HTA), which represents drayage operators in Los Angeles-Long Beach and Oakland, the group announced Tuesday. Robert Loya, who has more than 30 years of experience in trucking and maritime logistics, will work alongside current HTA chief Matt Schrap until Aug. 22, at which time Schrap will leave the group for employment elsewhere. HTA <a href="https://www.joc.com/article/hta-seeks-new-ceo-amid-multiple-challenges-for-west-coast-drayage-operators-6009322">announced in May</a> that Schrap, its CEO since 2021, would be leaving the organization in August. Loya takes the helm of HTA as the drayage industry nationwide struggles with <a href="https://www.joc.com/article/drayage-stakeholders-say-industry-under-threat-from-falling-rates-increased-costs-6045985">stagnant pricing power, increased operating costs and strong competition</a> from new entrants, including AI-enabled platforms. Over the past month, two California drayage operators have ceased operations, citing both the national issues and efforts to comply with state regulations to phase in newer clean-diesel trucks. Also, <a href="https://www.joc.com/article/second-california-drayage-operator-shuts-business-cites-electric-truck-costs-6056822">beginning in 2035</a>, truck manufacturers will only be allowed to sell new zero-emission trucks in California. Loya has served as board president of the California Trucking Association and on the board of directors of the American Trucking Associations’ Intermodal Carriers Conference. He also served on the Intermodal Interchange Executive Committee for the Intermodal Association of North America. Loya served on the Federal Maritime Commission’s supply chain innovation teams in 2016, 2019 and 2020, contributing to notices of proposed rulemaking and industry advocacy efforts to advance the drayage sector. He remains involved with various working groups at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. HTA said in a statement its executive committee “is confident in (Loya’s) leadership and excited for the vision and direction he will bring to the Harbor Trucking Association as we move forward.” Contact Bill Mongelluzzo at <a href="mailto:bill.mongelluzzo@spglobal.com">bill.mongelluzzo@spglobal.com</a>. </div>

The COO of drayage and logistics provider TGS Logistics has been appointed the next CEO of the Harbor Trucking Association (HTA), which represents drayage operators in Los Angeles-Long Beach and Oakland, the group announced Tuesday. Robert Loya, who has more than 30 years of experience in trucking and maritime logistics, will work alongside current HTA chief Matt Schrap until Aug. 22, at which time Schrap will leave the group for employment elsewhere. HTA announced in May that Schrap, its CEO since 2021, would be leaving the organization in August. Loya takes the helm of HTA as the drayage industry nationwide struggles with stagnant pricing power, increased operating costs and strong competition from new entrants, including AI-enabled platforms. Over the past month, two California drayage operators have ceased operations, citing both the national issues and efforts to comply with state regulations to phase in newer clean-diesel trucks. Also, beginning in 2035 , truck manufacturers will only be allowed to sell new zero-emission trucks in California. Loya has served as board president of the California Trucking Association and on the board of directors of the American Trucking Associations’ Intermodal Carriers Conference. He also served on the Intermodal Interchange Executive Committee for the Intermodal Association of North America. Loya served on the Federal Maritime Commission’s supply chain innovation teams in 2016, 2019 and 2020, contributing to notices of proposed rulemaking and industry advocacy efforts to advance the drayage sector. He remains involved with various working groups at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. HTA said in a statement its executive committee “is confident in (Loya’s) leadership and excited for the vision and direction he will bring to the Harbor Trucking Association as we move forward.” Contact Bill Mongelluzzo at bill.mongelluzzo@spglobal.com .

Drayage

Industry veteran tapped as new CEO of Harbor Trucking Association

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At SSA Marine Mexico, we firmly believe that business development must go hand in hand with social and environmental well-being. Our vision is not solely focused on operating efficiently, but also on creating a meaningful and positive impact in the communities where we are present. Since 1995, we have reaffirmed this commitment through tangible actions that reflect our core values of responsibility, solidarity, and sustainability. <span class="joc_admin__inline-image joc_admin__inline-image-aspect-ratio-3_2 joc_admin__inline-image-position-left joc_admin__inline-image-size-medium" data-figure-size="medium" data-figure-position="left" data-figure-aspect-ratio="3:2"><img src="/content-assets/1752584535914_Photo%201.jpg" alt="" class="joc_admin__inline-image-inherit"> A Year of Major Achievements Over the past year, we allocated more than $107,000 USD to the implementation of 60 social and environmental projects, positively impacting over 7,800 people across various regions of Mexico. Each initiative was designed with a holistic approach, addressing key areas that contribute to long-term community development. Education: Laying the Foundation for the Future Education is one of the most powerful tools to promote social mobility and equitable development. At SSA Marine Mexico, we support academic initiatives that inspire and empower the next generation of leaders. One of our most impactful partnerships was with the University of Colima, where we sponsored the “Reto Camp” program. This initiative encourages university students to develop innovative solutions in the fields of sustainability, logistics, and port operations, offering them mentorship, tools, and real-world challenges to solve. In addition, we donated microscopes, school supplies, and educational materials to institutions in underserved communities, helping to improve the learning environment and provide students with the resources they need to succeed. Health and Sports: Promoting Wellness We believe that healthy communities are strong communities. We have supported several local sporting events and provided direct assistance to talented athletes, enabling them to pursue their passions and represent their regions with pride. Beyond sports, we also strengthened our collaboration with critical emergency response organizations such as the Mexican Red Cross and Civil Protection. Our contributions helped enhance their readiness and capabilities in times of crisis, ensuring better outcomes for those affected by emergencies. Supporting Vulnerable Groups: Reaching Those Who Need It Most A core part of our social responsibility efforts is directed toward supporting vulnerable populations. We have contributed to a range of initiatives focused on children, migrants, and at-risk families. These efforts included donations to orphanages and shelters, as well as support for the National Institute of Migration and grassroots organizations dedicated to protecting and empowering people facing adversity. By standing with those in need, we reinforce our commitment to inclusion and social justice, values that are central to our identity as a responsible company. <span class="joc_admin__inline-image joc_admin__inline-image-aspect-ratio-3_2 joc_admin__inline-image-position-left joc_admin__inline-image-size-medium" data-figure-size="medium" data-figure-position="left" data-figure-aspect-ratio="3:2"><img src="/content-assets/1752584944645_Photo%202.png" alt="" class="joc_admin__inline-image-inherit">Culture: Strengthening Community Identity Cultural identity is a key element in building resilient and united communities. At SSA Marine Mexico, we actively participate in the organization and sponsorship of cultural events that celebrate local traditions and foster civic pride. Working alongside port authorities and municipal governments, we helped bring music, art, and heritage to the forefront, creating spaces for community engagement and intercultural dialogue. Environment: Investing in the Planet Our commitment to sustainability goes beyond operations—it’s a philosophy that drives every decision we make. We have partnered with environmental institutions to carry out reforestation campaigns, beach cleanups, and conservation efforts. In collaboration with the Institute for the Environment, we supported initiatives aimed at decarbonization, biodiversity protection, and environmental education. By involving our employees and local volunteers in these actions, we also foster a culture of environmental stewardship throughout our organization and our surrounding communities. Innovation for a Sustainable Future Sustainability is not just about doing good—it’s also about doing things better. In 2024, we invested $22 million USD in the acquisition of 11 state-of-the-art E-RTG cranes. These electric rubber-tired gantry cranes represent a significant technological advancement in port equipment. Seven of them are already operating on clean electric energy, resulting in a reduction of nearly 4,000 tons of CO₂ emissions and improving operational efficiency by 7%. The remaining four cranes are fully compatible with future electrification, underscoring our long-term strategy to modernize our operations in an environmentally responsible way. This investment is part of a broader innovation roadmap that includes digitalization, automation, and cleaner energy sources—all designed to ensure that our ports continue to grow without compromising the health of our planet. Building a Better Tomorrow, Together At SSA Marine Mexico, we understand that sustainability is a shared and ongoing responsibility. True impact requires collaboration across sectors, long-term vision, and unwavering commitment. That is why we continue to work hand-in-hand with local authorities, non-profit organizations, universities, and our own employees to create solutions that are both scalable and sustainable. Our journey is far from over. In the years ahead, we will continue to deepen our community engagement, explore cleaner technologies, and strengthen the social fabric of the regions where we operate. Each initiative, no matter the size, is a step toward building a future where business success goes hand-in-hand with human and environmental prosperity. We are proud of what we have achieved in 2024, but we are even more excited about what lies ahead. SSA Marine Mexico — Moving the World, Caring for People and Planet. LINK: https://www.ssamarine.mx/

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SSA Marine Mexico: True Commitment to Sustainability

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