Too often procurement “activity” at a company is episodic and rarely strategic, and this is particularly true in the transportation category.

Heavily disrupted container shipping markets are forcing ocean shippers into the air cargo markets, with space shortages on vessels, port congestion, and difficulties in sourcing equipment for Asian exports heaping additional pressure on limited air freight capacity.

The Texas legislation being questioned by two Federal Maritime Commissioners stemmed from concerns among non-container port users that the growing volume of containerships calling Houston are disrupting the ability of other vessels to transit in an efficient manner.

Kuehne + Nagel turned around a weak first half of 2020 when the pandemic slashed demand, building back its business with air cargo profitability leading the way.

The group that represents container lines in India says the government’s regulatory move on terminal handling charges amounts to interference with established global shipping practices and would harm trade development.

Old Dominion Freight Line in February handled more and heavier LTL shipments than a year ago as shippers hit hard by winter storms searched for truck capacity.

Since demand will likely exceed capacity this year in the eastbound trans-Pacific, large importers are advised to lock in some cargo at competitive contract rates while ensuring capacity at higher rates for shipments that exceed their MQCs.

Container market woes and a booming bulk market are cutting competition and boosting freight rates for the multipurpose/heavy-lift sector.

ONE CEO Jeremy Nixon said it may take up to four months before container shipping returns to regular schedules in the US after the COVID-19 demand surge.

Global supply chains are remarkably resilient on a day-to-day basis, but where the problem lies is in the ability to handle larger systemic risks brought on by broad, unexpected events.

Backups at US ports will diminish gradually over several months only as COVID-19 vaccines are distributed and infection rates slow, IHS Markit’s chief economist told JOC’s virtual TPM21.

The Port of Virginia will now set a hard date to accept export containers for each vessel, providing relief to BCOs dealing with frequently changing exporter receiving dates due to vessel delays.

There has been no slowdown in demand for Asian cargoes from European importers, and the strong volume is keeping rates at extremely elevated levels.

Virginia’s shippers provide the port with information on their warehousing strategies that the port can use to allocate equipment and other resources, and at least 10 other shippers are slated to tap Virginia’s data feeds

Grimaldi and United European Car Carriers are pursuing lower emissions vessels, and Wallenius Wilhelmsen is taking three more ships out cold layup to serve a rebounding vehicle cargo market

One TPM21 panel speaker said it is rare that he comes across companies with good data quality even though he considers that a basic necessity, particularly when it comes to negotiating with carriers

Online ocean freight quotes became a lifeline for forwarders during COVID-19, yet also highlighted risks of uncertain capacity and volatile rates