JOC.com | Container shipping and trade news and analysis

Protest traps Mexican imports at West Coast ports

The closure of rail lines at the two biggest ports on Mexico's Gulf Coast is shutting down supplies to manufacturers.

Memphis chassis shortage worsens

The gridlock is another example of how a small piece of equipment can cause havoc to the supply chain.

Value-added services in shipping take shape

Shippers are starting to see the beginning of the pipeline of value-added services, but the rollout won’t make a splash like the deployment of a mega-ship.

Infographic: Trans-Pacific shippers' 2019 outlook

The annual survey of shipper views on the most important issues in the trans-Pacific trade.

Venture capital focuses on tech for big BCOs

The hefty capital injection for NEXT, announced Wednesday, places it among the biggest individual raisers of capital in the most recent wave of logistics technology startups.

A truck travels in California, United States.

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Essential Reads

Volatility frames cautious trans-Pacific contract talks

When imports increased strongly last summer, due in part to front-loading of shipments to get ahead of the Trump administration’s tariffs on China, spot rates soared by more than $1,000 to each coast.

Bumpy year ahead for container shippers

If there was ever a year when the outlook for reliability in the system was more clouded, 2019 and into 2020 would take the prize.

Tough road ahead for freight data standardization

Fissures have appeared, ranging from member frustration in standards-setting organizations to deeper concerns about the viability of the technology in the container shipping space.

Shippers, not just US truckers, own driver shortage

The solution to the US truck driver problem will require a proactive, engaged performance by shippers.

JOC Shipping & Logistics Pricing Hub

The pricing data found here allows shippers and transport providers to more accurately benchmark and forecast for their supply chains. The various spot prices and indices are collected from third-party sources and updated weekly, monthly and quarterly, depending on the data set.

Container | Industrial Real Estate | US Surface Transport

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News by Sector

Maritime News

Cascade of capacity cuts to mark Asia-Europe trade

The 2M Alliance of Maersk and MSC and the Ocean Alliance are almost neck and neck with capacity on trhe Asia-Europe trade. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com.

Asia-Europe carriers are expected to deploy a host of strategies to absorb the mega-ship capacity coming online this year.

Concor enters Indian coastal shipping

Coastal shipping in India has gained considerable ground following the May 21 cabotage relaxation.

Post-Brexit supply chain turmoil fears build

With little over two months to go, there is still no sign of a deal between the United Kingdom and European Union.

Infographic: Who will supply polyethylene demand?

A global survey of polyethylene production, for 2018 to 2023.

Trucking News

Trucking Logistics

Long tail of US chassis shortage snaps shippers

An unpredictable influx of tariff-related freight has constricted chassis supply, emphasizing the need for new solutions.

E-commerce pushing US trucking to up its game

The US trucking industry is evolving faster than ever.

US regulators weigh truck HOS changes

The 2019 regulatory schedule isn’t clear, but what is clear is that there will be many more hours of debate over truck driver hours of service.

Infographic: New US chassis model emerges

There are two popular operating models for running a chassis pool, but truckers want to create a third version they believe will improve cargo deliveries.

Port News

Big ships, competition challenge West Coast ports

Competitors demonstrate that West Coast ports need to efficiently transfer containers to trucks and trains, as well ship-to-port, to retain shipper business.

South China targets rival hub's LCL cargo

The Shenzhen port of Shekou has opened a consolidation center that will ease customs restrictions on China's growing LCL cargo imports.

Exports offer Brazil container outlook hope

Maersk containers, vessel at port of Paranagua.

After a damaging truck strike, holiday trade gains are expected to be sub-par — although it is historically a time of demand growth.

India transshipment growth slows

Despite the lower growth, India's logistics reform measures have increased competition across transport modes — something cargo owners and logistics providers welcome.

Technology News

Technology

Infographic: Is blockchain for shipping necessary?

Shippers have largely struggled to understand the benefits blockchain technology brings to their supply chain and at what cost.

Software offers fast route to digitized freight data

New software is emerging that can sift through multiple formats, offering an accelerant to adoption by shipper and forwarders.

Consumer goods shippers need new sales channels

An Amazon fulfillment center in the United States.

The business model goals of online marketplaces such as Amazon and Walmart involve more than showcasing retailers’ products online.

Shippers too reliant on container lines for tracking

Shippers' conundrum: if carriers are poor at arriving on time, why do shippers believe those carriers will be better at providing data in a timely manner, much less a predictive one?

Breakbulk News

Breakbulk

Index signals weak MPV/HL demand

Toepfer’s index consists of an average of six-month to 12-month time charter rates per day for 12,500 deadweight-ton multipurpose and heavy-lift F-type vessels.

Investor Oaktree makes project cargo pivot to Watco

Oaktree, primary shareholder of now-insolvent Hansa Heavy Lift, in January became a key partner with Kansas-based transportation provider Watco Companies.

MPV/HL outlook dims on slowing demand growth