<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">Those volumes began moving inland from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach just as back-to-back storms in late October and early November caused major flooding and disrupted operations along BNSF’s Southern Transcon network in New Mexico. </div>

Those volumes began moving inland from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach just as back-to-back storms in late October and early November caused major flooding and disrupted operations along BNSF’s Southern Transcon network in New Mexico.

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Rail News

North-American rail

Intermodal providers

Surface

Record Asia imports, BNSF woes worsen Southern California rail dwells

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">Longshore workers at the Canadian port rejected a recent contract proposal and authorized a strike if the current round of negotiations does not result in an agreement. </div>

Longshore workers at the Canadian port rejected a recent contract proposal and authorized a strike if the current round of negotiations does not result in an agreement.

North American ports

Longshore labor

Maritime

Port Saint John dockworkers, employers look to head off January strike

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">Markets in the Midwest, in particular, saw industrial real estate vacancy rates drop in the third quarter, with reports indicating a stronger flow of goods through warehouses. </div>

Markets in the Midwest, in particular, saw industrial real estate vacancy rates drop in the third quarter, with reports indicating a stronger flow of goods through warehouses.

Trucking News

Supply chain

Warehousing demand intensifying in major US logistics markets

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">The carrier’s third-quarter performance continued the trend of strong financials reported by the world’s top ocean carriers, with its net profit of $2.3 billion more than tripling from a year earlier.</div>

The carrier’s third-quarter performance continued the trend of strong financials reported by the world’s top ocean carriers, with its net profit of $2.3 billion more than tripling from a year earlier.

Container lines

Container Shipping News

CMA CGM sees uncertain months ahead despite firm cargo demand

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">Project cargo operators are exposing themselves to unnecessary risks through unsuitable contracts, inadequate insurance arrangements and poor claims management as supply chains become more complex, speakers at a recent conference said. </div>

Project cargo operators are exposing themselves to unnecessary risks through unsuitable contracts, inadequate insurance arrangements and poor claims management as supply chains become more complex, speakers at a recent conference said.

Project cargo

Breakbulk News

Project forwarders urged to tighten contract strategy as risks mount

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">Two of Taiwan’s largest ocean carriers also announced they are spending a combined $600 million on orders for new shipping containers. </div>

Two of Taiwan’s largest ocean carriers also announced they are spending a combined $600 million on orders for new shipping containers.

Evergreen, Wan Hai see Q3 profits more than double first-half results

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">A new industrial trade cycle has dawned, one driven less by consumer demand and more by investment in the infrastructure underpinning electrification and the AI boom, writes a top Maersk executive. </div>

A new industrial trade cycle has dawned, one driven less by consumer demand and more by investment in the infrastructure underpinning electrification and the AI boom, writes a top Maersk executive.

‘New generation’ of cargo reshaping global trade as supply chains adjust

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">Singapore reclaiming its port dominance requires shifting from a passive facilitator of ships to an active orchestrator of global supply chains — a transformation that cannot be led from ministerial corridors alone, writes Dr. Raymon Krishnan. </div>

Singapore reclaiming its port dominance requires shifting from a passive facilitator of ships to an active orchestrator of global supply chains — a transformation that cannot be led from ministerial corridors alone, writes Dr. Raymon Krishnan.

International ports

Rethinking Singapore’s maritime strategy amid supply chain orchestration

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The Journal of Commerce Intermodal Savings Indices (ISIs) measure the average differential between rates for US domestic intermodal rail and truckload service — both spot and contract — across 120 lanes by sending estimates to third-party logistics providers (3PLs) and shippers to review. The estimates include margins and fuel but exclude accessorial charges such as detention, demurrage (storage fees), excessive per diem, lumper fees and other fees. ISI data partners include DAT Freight & Analytics, the International Association of North America (IANA), InTek Freight and Logistics, Loadsmart, and Sunset Transport.

US domestic intermodal spot savings index (JOC)

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<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">Traditional contracts based on fixed rates for an entire year no longer adequately reflected the volatility of the container market, says Rolf Habben Jansen. </div>

Traditional contracts based on fixed rates for an entire year no longer adequately reflected the volatility of the container market, says Rolf Habben Jansen.

Asia-Europe

Hapag-Lloyd CEO calls for new approach to shipping contracts

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">Elevated pricing in the fourth quarter comes as shippers on the westbound trade lane prepare for annual long-term rate negotiations with carriers. </div>

Elevated pricing in the fourth quarter comes as shippers on the westbound trade lane prepare for annual long-term rate negotiations with carriers.

Asia-Europe demand, congestion support rates ahead of ocean contract talks

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">Opinions remain divided over whether the excess tonnage will drive a market downturn or be absorbed by widespread network disruption and capacity management strategies.</div>

Opinions remain divided over whether the excess tonnage will drive a market downturn or be absorbed by widespread network disruption and capacity management strategies.

Fast-growing order book looms over container shipping industry

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Samsung SDS combines integrated shipment data, predictive technology and logistics execution to help shippers respond to disruption and manage costs. A container delayed at sea can disrupt a much larger plan on land. Truck appointments may need to move, warehouse labor may be scheduled against the wrong arrival date, and inventory expected for a customer order may remain out of reach. The cost of disruption builds as each downstream decision falls out of step. For ocean shippers, that uncertainty remains substantial. Sea-Intelligence reported global vessel schedule reliability of 49.9% in August 2026, with late vessel arrivals averaging 6.81 days behind schedule. Managing this environment requires reliable information and a clear way to act on it. An alert has operational value when teams can establish which cargo is affected, what the delay means for the business, and which alternatives are feasible. Samsung SDS brings these requirements together through data-driven global control tower operations supported by its logistics technology and execution capabilities. Its Global Control Center monitors shipments around the clock, with control tower teams responding to disruptions across a service offering that spans international transportation, inland movements, warehousing and final delivery. Building a reliable view of the shipment Shipment information can sit across carrier portals, transport systems, warehouse records and email. Reconciling those updates takes time, especially when a shipment moves between providers or modes. A useful end-to-end view needs to connect those milestones and keep the information current enough to support the next decision. Data quality matters as much as coverage. Teams need to understand whether a milestone is confirmed, whether an estimate has changed and how recently a record was updated. Without that foundation, staff can spend valuable response time reconciling conflicting updates before they can decide what to do. Samsung SDS’s Cello Square platform uses AI to calculate estimated times of arrival (ETAs) from vessel transit times, port dwell times and congestion data. Predictive estimates give operators an additional basis for planning as conditions change. The company has also developed capabilities to detect potential transshipment and unloading issues. Samsung SDS reports ETA prediction accuracy of approximately 95%. For shippers, the practical value of a more dependable forecast is the opportunity to adjust receiving and transportation plans earlier. Port skip detection can flag when a vessel is likely to omit a scheduled call, giving teams time to reassess the shipment’s route and delivery plan. Connecting risk detection with an operational response A global control tower needs to connect a developing event with the cargo it could affect. Samsung SDS uses AI to assess logistics risks, identify exposed shipments and notify the relevant customers and operators. Logistics specialists then assess the consequences and coordinate a response. That process brings commercial priorities into the decision. Consider a potential port omission: teams may need to weigh the cost and timing of unloading elsewhere against accepting a longer transit. They must also consider inland transport availability, warehouse receiving capacity and the customer’s delivery requirements. The recommended route has to work beyond the ocean leg. Prioritization matters, too. A delay affecting a replenishment order with inventory on hand may call for a different response from one affecting a component needed for production. Linking shipment status to the shipper’s operating requirements helps teams concentrate effort where a delay would have the greatest impact. A case described by Samsung SDS shows what that can mean in practice. After detecting a potential skipped call at Genoa, the company arranged unloading at La Spezia and connected the cargo with inland transportation. Samsung SDS says the response avoided transportation delays for the customer. The value is in the coordination. Changing the discharge port only solves part of the problem if the onward truck, receiving slot and delivery commitment remain tied to the original plan. An integrated operating model allows those decisions to be considered together. Giving operators more time to manage exceptions The capacity to respond also depends on how logistics teams spend their time. Samsung SDS is applying AI and automation to routine processes, including order creation and proof-of-delivery handling. Its published workflows describe automatically registering bookings from emailed shipping documents and flagging discrepancies for staff review. For proof of delivery, the company has applied optical character recognition to reduce manual processing. These tools help keep operational records current while reducing the effort needed to collect and enter information. That gives operators more room to investigate a loading constraint, coordinate an alternative route or resolve a delivery exception. It also supports the control tower by reducing administrative work around the decisions that require human judgment. Over time, reviewing recurring exceptions can also reveal where a route, loading process or delivery handoff needs improvement. Those findings give operators a basis for changing the underlying process and reducing repeated interventions. For shippers, useful measures include the time from an alert to an agreed response, manual processing effort and the cost of exceptions. Tracking those outcomes helps establish whether investment in visibility and automation is improving daily operations. Samsung SDS’s approach connects that investment with the people and processes responsible for moving the freight. By combining integrated data, predictive technology and global logistics execution, the company helps shippers carry a decision through to delivery, with the operational follow-through needed to protect service commitments and control costs.

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Turning logistics visibility into action with global control towers

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<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">The fresh extension came after the two sides negotiated late into Friday night ahead of the latest deadline of midnight PT.</div>

The fresh extension came after the two sides negotiated late into Friday night ahead of the latest deadline of midnight PT.

Port News

Marine terminals

PMA, ILWU Local 26 extend contract to Nov. 20 as talks continue

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">The National Retail Federation said US ports in September ended up handling 2.37 million TEUs, making it the busiest month of 2026 and the third-busiest in the history of its Global Port Tracker. </div>

The National Retail Federation said US ports in September ended up handling 2.37 million TEUs, making it the busiest month of 2026 and the third-busiest in the history of its Global Port Tracker.

US retailers upgrade Q4 import forecast even as extended peak winds down

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">Supply chains, particularly in Asia, are only just recovering from delays and port congestion caused in large part by severe storms in Asia between July and September. </div>

Supply chains, particularly in Asia, are only just recovering from delays and port congestion caused in large part by severe storms in Asia between July and September.

Pre-Lunar New Year cargo surge could bring congestion, delays: Yang Ming

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">Freight delays unwind on different clocks, and the gaps between those clocks decide who profits, writes Paul Tonsager.</div>

Freight delays unwind on different clocks, and the gaps between those clocks decide who profits, writes Paul Tonsager.

Record Asia imports, BNSF woes worsen Southern California rail dwells

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Essential Reads

Hapag-Lloyd CEO calls for new approach to shipping contracts

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Fast-growing order book looms over container shipping industry

Recent Commentary

‘New generation’ of cargo reshaping global trade as supply chains adjust

Rethinking Singapore’s maritime strategy amid supply chain orchestration

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