Container shipping

News and analysis of ocean containerized cargo movement, logistics, supply chains, technology, and end-to-end connectivity.

The latest Container shipping News & Analysis

New ZIM service takes advantage of Savannah’s expanding cold storage network

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Sep 22, 2023, 12:25 PM EDT

Savannah attracted the new service due to its growing third-party logistics network and proximity to East Coast and Midwest markets, allowing for quicker and fresher imports.
North American portsContainer shippingContainer linesCool Cargoes

Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd put shippers on notice ahead of European ETS surcharges

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 22, 2023, 11:13 AM EDT

The phased implementation of Europe’s emissions trading system on the shipping industry beginning next year will generate significant costs for carriers that will be passed on to customers in the form of new charges.
MaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesTrans-PacificAsia-Europe

Pandemic, shipping reform boost caseload for harried FMC

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Sep 22, 2023, 8:00 AM EDT

Shippers more than tripled their formal complaints in fiscal year 2022, emboldened by the maritime regulator’s sharpened focus on how ocean carriers interact with their customers.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer shippingContainer linesNorth American ports

August volume boost, FAK rate revisions drive India-Europe rates higher

Bency Mathew, Special Correspondent | Sep 21, 2023, 10:28 AM EDT

Signaling some growth expectations, Indian container volumes saw gains in August, hitting 1.9 million TEUs, up 14% from 1.7 million TEUs a year earlier.
Container shippingContainer linesInternational ports

Trans-Atlantic blank sailings to ease despite loss-making rate levels

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 21, 2023, 9:51 AM EDT

Carriers appear reluctant to make the drastic capacity reductions required to match supply with demand on the westbound trade lane, leaving rates far below pre-pandemic levels.
MaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesTrans-Atlantic

More trans-Pac service cuts on tap for October as carriers seek to buoy rates

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Sep 20, 2023, 4:14 PM EDT

The decision to suspend a service outright may represent a new leg down in terms of ship capacity, which is expected to grow sharply this year and next.
Trans-PacificContainer shippingContainer linesNorth American ports

Asia-North Europe blank sailings to soar in October amid capacity overhang

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 20, 2023, 12:56 PM EDT

Ocean carriers on the busy trade lane plan to slash deployed capacity to match falling demand levels that typically follow China’s Golden Week holiday at the start of October.
MaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesAsia-Europe

Panama Canal draft restrictions offer sustained challenge for carriers

Peter Tirschwell | Sep 20, 2023, 10:36 AM EDT

Carrier executives and others say the draft limitations imposed due to a shortage of rainfall are creating a more difficult economic rationale for the so-called all-water route to the East Coast of North America.
Container shippingContainer linesTrans-PacificNorth American portsInternational ports

Dynamics behind Flexport’s leadership change signal digital forwarding’s natural endpoint

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Sep 19, 2023, 4:24 PM EDT

Much criticism has been leveled at the digital forwarding model, but steep declines in topline revenue during a year of weak demand are a sign that digital forwarders have had trouble differentiating themselves from the pack.
ForwardingLogistics technology

Maersk, CMA CGM join forces in drive to accelerate shipping decarbonization

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 19, 2023, 10:04 AM EDT

The two carriers will work together to develop alternative fuel standards, scale up the production of green fuel and ensure its supply at key bunkering ports around the world.
MaritimeContainer shipping

Largest US ports record 20%-plus declines in trans-Pacific imports

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Sep 18, 2023, 6:18 PM EDT

The top four US ports, which accounted for 68.2% of US imports from Asia through August, experienced greater than 20% declines in Asian imports in the first eight months of 2023 whereas imports through Houston, the dominant port on the Gulf Coast, declined only 3.7%.
Container shippingTrans-PacificNorth American ports

Lower demand from China, high prices stunting US ag exports

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Sep 18, 2023, 1:30 PM EDT

West Coast ports are bearing the brunt of a steep decline in US agriculture exports, as are carriers such as CMA CGM that pivoted to serving exporters amid weaker import demand.
Container shippingContainer linesNorth American ports

Green fuel costs could make nuclear ships economically viable: experts

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 18, 2023, 10:46 AM EDT

Small onboard nuclear reactors could ultimately be the lowest-cost method of decarbonization as shipping competes with other thirsty industries for sustainable net-zero fuels, according to energy and investment analysts.
MaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesLogistics technologyTransport, trade and regulation

Ocean carriers will look to ‘chokepoint’ assets for next wave of spending: analyst

Lars Jensen, CEO & Partner, Vespucci Maritime, and JOC Analyst | Sep 18, 2023, 10:00 AM EDT

Owning and operating potential supply chain chokepoints is a competitive advantage, and we should expect to see major carriers — flush with cash post-pandemic — be very active in attempting to secure such assets, writes analyst Lars Jensen.
Supply ChainContainer linesPortsMarine terminalsRail

Possible MSC deal brings ‘respite’ for competition-hit HHLA: Drewry

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 15, 2023, 12:00 PM EDT

The carrier’s commitment to bring an additional 1 million TEUs per year across HHLA’s wharves in Hamburg if it wins a bid for almost half the company will come as an attractive sweetener for the terminal operator.
PortsContainer shippingContainer linesInternational ports

Low rates, poor service to mark trans-Pacific trade amid capacity boom

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Sep 15, 2023, 11:19 AM EDT

Although importers can look forward to paying low freight rates at least into 2024 due to weak volumes and significant overcapacity in the trans-Pacific, aggressive capacity reductions through blank sailings will disrupt service levels, this week’s IANA conference was told.
Trans-PacificContainer shippingContainer linesNorth American portsInternational ports

Ocean carriers on India-US trade cut sailings to keep rates afloat

Bency Mathew, Special Correspondent | Sep 15, 2023, 9:20 AM EDT

The Indamex 2, the weekly loop touted as the fastest connection between western India and the US East Coast, is set to see a 50% capacity reduction for loads out of India this month.
Container shippingContainer linesNorth American portsInternational ports

Estes expands international forwarding, raises bid for Yellow terminals

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Sep 14, 2023, 5:55 PM EDT

Estes Forwarding Worldwide, a subsidiary of the LTL trucking provider, is buying Superior Brokerage Services, a step that increases Estes’ ability to offer end-to-end logistics services as other providers look to do the same.
ForwardingTruckingLTL

Logistics software helping blur lines between forwarder, shipper processes: WiseTech CEO

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Sep 14, 2023, 1:00 PM EDT

Richard White said in an interview with the Journal of Commerce the logistics industry is stuck in a pattern of tackling small problems instead of viewing international trade as a large, connected system.
Logistics technologyForwardingAir cargo forwardingSupply Chain

Forwarders now liable for export control violations as US tightens shipping security

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor | Sep 14, 2023, 10:49 AM EDT

Washington is urging NVOs and forwarders to “know their customer,” a steep challenge for co-loaders who bundle multiple shipments for multiple customers into a single container, writes Journal of Commerce Executive Editor Mark Szakonyi.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer shippingContainer linesForwarding

‘Golden Week’ surge turns to bust as trans-Pacific rates fall, blank sailings rise

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Sep 14, 2023, 8:00 AM EDT

The gains in spot rates for ocean freight are eroding again as US importers see little need to book more space ahead of the holiday shopping season.
Trans-PacificContainer shippingContainer linesForwarding

CMA CGM looks to boost usage of New York terminal with new investment

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Sep 13, 2023, 4:08 PM EDT

The carrier aims to increase capacity by more than half at the Staten Island terminal it took over as part of its acquisition of Global Container Terminals’ US assets.
North American portsContainer shippingContainer lines

MSC makes bid for a half-stake in Hamburg’s main terminal operator

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 13, 2023, 1:14 PM EDT

The carrier has made a cash offer to acquire just under 50% of HHLA in a deal that will significantly expand its terminal and intermodal reach.
PortsContainer shippingMarine terminalsInternational ports

Global shippers launch 600,000-TEU tender to fast-track decarbonization

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 13, 2023, 1:10 PM EDT

The bids would require carriers to quote a negotiated “green premium” that cargo owners would pay to transport the containers on ships powered by zero-carbon fuels.
MaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesLogistics technologyTransport, trade and regulation

Flexport’s bumpy evolution shows, ultimately, people and relationships matter

Peter Tirschwell | Sep 13, 2023, 9:34 AM EDT

As many have observed in disparaging the notion of a “digital” forwarder, of which Flexport was the prototype, forwarding at its core is a business of people solving real-world problems for which there is not — and probably never will be — a technology solution, writes Peter Tirschwell.
ForwardingTrans-PacificLogistics technology

Bed Bath & Beyond files FMC complaint against Yang Ming in capacity dispute

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Sep 12, 2023, 4:15 PM EDT

The new allegation against Yang Ming comes less than a week after the carrier settled a dispute with another US importer, also over allegations it failed to honor vessel capacity commitments.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer shippingContainer lines

Rapid rail transit via sanctions-hit Russia has limited appeal for European shippers

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 12, 2023, 10:57 AM EDT

Sanctions imposed on Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine continue to limit the attractiveness of transport times as low as 12 days offered by forwarders on the China-North Europe rail network.
RailForwardingInternational rail

Flexport lost touch with customers under brief Clark reign: Petersen

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Sep 12, 2023, 6:00 AM EDT

Flexport founder and CEO Ryan Petersen refused to pin the blame for the company’s abrupt change in leadership on waning freight demand, saying the forwarder “has been through worse macro environments.”
ForwardingSupply Chain

SSA aims for US Gulf, Southeast port growth as Ceres deal closes: CEO

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Sep 11, 2023, 8:00 AM EDT

The head of terminal operator SSA Marine says ports along the US Gulf and Southeast have a strong cost advantage over the West Coast that is fueling their growth, with that gap only expected to widen.
Marine terminalsContainer shippingNorth American ports

CORRECTION: ITS Long Beach to remain open amid search for new carriers

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Sep 7, 2023, 6:15 PM EDT

Although the ITS terminal in Long Beach lost two major services in less than a year, the facility will remain open while it attempts to find customers to make up for the volume shortfall in the ongoing down market.
Container shippingContainer linesMarine terminalsNorth American ports

Zim, MSC ink cooperation deal on services linking Asia, Europe and Med

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Sep 7, 2023, 2:11 PM EDT

Facing an operating loss of up to $500 million for 2023, Zim hopes the sharing arrangement with its larger competitor will help drive efficiencies “amidst continued near-term headwinds.”
Container linesContainer shippingTrans-PacificAsia-Europe

Maersk, Amazon ink 20,000-FEU green fuel transport deal

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 7, 2023, 11:14 AM EDT

The agreement involves the latest in a series of alternative fuel products being rolled out by major ocean carriers and global forwarders as regulators tighten emissions controls.
MaritimeContainer shippingContainer lines

Clark departs Flexport amid differences with founder over strategic shift

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Sep 6, 2023, 5:00 PM EDT

A difference of opinion over Flexport’s strategic shift toward fulfillment aimed at small businesses has prompted CEO Dave Clark to depart the company only a year after he came aboard.
ForwardingContainer shippingAir CargoAir cargo forwardingSupply ChainLogistics technology

Hapag-Lloyd miss on HMM highlights shipping’s lack of level playing field: analyst

Lars Jensen, CEO & Partner, Vespucci Maritime, and JOC Analyst | Sep 6, 2023, 12:18 PM EDT

There is nothing fundamentally wrong with countries protecting their shipping interests, but there are always ripple effects on the commercial side that benefit some stakeholders and disadvantage others, writes analyst Lars Jensen.
Container shippingContainer linesTransport, trade and regulation

Market interest ‘should be very high’ in DB Schenker sale: CEO

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 6, 2023, 9:24 AM EDT

The German-based forwarder remains the largest and most attractive takeover target in a cash-rich industry where the main players are all looking for opportunities to consolidate.
MaritimeForwardingTruckingInternational railAir CargoAir cargo forwardingSupply Chain

LA-LB port interests spar with agency over emissions rule under development

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Sep 5, 2023, 4:12 PM EDT

The regional air quality board is pushing back against what it says is “grossly inaccurate rhetoric” from transport interests who say a cap on Southern California cargo volumes may be on the horizon.
North American portsContainer shippingMarine terminalsTransport, trade and regulation

OOCL Logistics joins growing group intrigued by trade finance potential

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Sep 5, 2023, 1:56 PM EDT

Development of trade finance tools for small and medium-sized shippers continues to grow, evidenced by OOCL Logistics launching a trade finance platform with fintech provider Stenn.
Logistics technologyContainer linesForwardingSupply Chain

String of Asia storms cause port closures, cargo delays

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Sep 5, 2023, 11:31 AM EDT

Sailing schedules showed delays of up to five days on some services due to the typhoons, including one that hit the coast of southern China Tuesday after sweeping across Taiwan at the weekend.
Container shippingContainer linesMarine terminalsInternational ports

No bottom in sight for free-falling trans-Atlantic rates

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 5, 2023, 10:54 AM EDT

The spot market from North Europe to the US East Coast continues to weaken and lackluster attempts by carriers to withdraw capacity are having little effect on balancing supply and demand.
MaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesTrans-Atlantic

Key supply chain stakeholders commit to electronic bills of lading

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 4, 2023, 10:00 PM EDT

Digitalizing the most important document in global trade is a vital step toward a more efficient and secure paperless container shipping industry.
MaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesLogistics technology