Forwarding

News and analysis of freight forwarding, NVOCCs, third-party logistics, and shipper strategies

The latest Forwarding News & Analysis

Shippers eye varied ‘training wheel’ approach to origin management technology

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor |
Getting the most out of global logistics software sometimes involves using a forwarder as a co-pilot until a shipper is ready to run processes like procurement and order management internally.
Logistics Technology NewsContainer Shipping NewsForwardingSupply chain

Roadrunner to enter Canada as K+N, Canada Cartage make cross-border acquisitions

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor |
The expansion of the three companies, all representing different modes across the US-Canadian border, underscores the depth of the relationship between the two economies.
SurfaceForwardingTrucking NewsTruckloadLTL

Forward Air formally moves to terminate Omni Logistics merger

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor |
The expedited less-than-truckload provider has asked a Delaware court to let it kill the controversial deal that has caused its share price to plummet and raised the ire of activist investors.
SurfaceForwardingTrucking NewsLTL

Carrier consolidation, NVO competition weigh on shipper association growth

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor |
Shipper associations that struggled to grow during the COVID-19 pandemic because there was no extra capacity to sell are now trying to convince shippers of the benefits of rate stability.
Container Shipping NewsContainer linesForwarding

Falling backhaul Europe-Asia rates ‘subsidizing’ eastbound freight moves

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe |
With weak demand for European imports in Asia and ample vessel capacity, spot rate levels on the backhaul trade are in freefall.
MaritimeContainer Shipping NewsContainer linesForwardingAsia-Europe

Convoy acquisition meant to serve import customer truckload demand: Flexport CEO

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor |
Ryan Petersen tells the Journal of Commerce that the first order of business after this week’s acquisition of Convoy’s tech stack is getting the Convoy app running again and reaching out to the shuttered company’s customers.
Logistics Technology NewsForwarding

Omni Logistics sues Forward Air to enforce completion of merger deal

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor |
Freight forwarder Omni isn’t giving up on a merger with Forward and is moving to force completion of the deal despite Forward’s cold feet. 
SurfaceForwardingTrucking NewsLTL

Kuehne + Nagel sees no inflection point yet for global freight recovery

Michael Angell, Associate Editor |
The world’s largest ocean forwarder by volume said that despite an uptick in container freight during the third quarter, many customers still have too much inventory on hand from prior years.
ForwardingContainer Shipping NewsTrans-Pacific

DSV signs onto $10 billion JV linked to Saudi-backed NEOM port project

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe |
The announcement was made simultaneously with the forwarder releasing its nine-month financial results that reflected softening air and ocean markets, dragging down profitability from last year’s record performance.
ForwardingMaritimeInternational portsAir Cargo

Lawsuit from former CEO prompts Slync bankruptcy filing

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor |
The company will sell its technology and shut operations, deciding it could not grow its business while paying the legal fees of ousted CEO Chris Kirchner.
Logistics Technology NewsForwarding

Capacity glut, forwarder competition drive Asia-Europe ocean rates lower

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe |
Spot rates are being dragged down by forwarders speculating on an extended period of weak rates on the Asia to Europe trade as capacity is expected to outstrip demand through 2024.
MaritimeContainer Shipping NewsContainer linesForwardingAsia-Europe

DSV CEO Andersen to step down in September 2024; COO Lund will take top job

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe |
In 16 years running DSV, Andersen has presided over the integration of a string of multi-billion-dollar acquisitions and guided the forwarder through significant disruptions to global supply chains.
ForwardingSupply chain

Forwarders facing margin pressure from smaller shipments, shift of air to ocean

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor |
Shipments are getting smaller over time, driven in part by e-commerce growth, but also by a market that is disentangling cargo previously handled through air or ocean consolidation.
Air CargoForwardingAir Cargo Forwarder NewsLogistics Technology News

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

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor |
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 News

Estes expands international forwarding, raises bid for Yellow terminals

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor |
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.
ForwardingTrucking NewsLTL

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

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor |
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 Technology NewsForwardingAir Cargo Forwarder NewsSupply chain

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

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor |
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 Regulation NewsContainer Shipping NewsContainer linesForwarding

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

Michael Angell, Associate Editor |
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 Shipping NewsContainer linesForwarding

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

Peter Tirschwell |
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 News

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

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe |
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.
Rail NewsForwardingInternational rail

Flexport lost touch with customers under brief Clark reign: Petersen

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor |
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

Clark departs Flexport amid differences with founder over strategic shift

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor |
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 Shipping NewsAir CargoAir Cargo Forwarder NewsSupply chainLogistics Technology News

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

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe |
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.
MaritimeForwardingTrucking NewsInternational railAir CargoAir Cargo Forwarder NewsSupply chain

OOCL Logistics joins growing group intrigued by trade finance potential

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor |
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 Technology NewsContainer linesForwardingSupply chain

NVOs chase market share or margin in demand downslope

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor |
Supply overcapacity coupled with mediocre freight demand has the top 25 trans-Pacific non-vessel-operating common carriers deciding whether to chase lower margin business or suffer volume losses.
Container Shipping NewsMaritimeForwardingTrans-Pacific

CEVA expands India footprint with contract logistics takeover

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe |
The CMA CGM subsidiary’s latest acquisition will significantly increase its presence in South Asia that is growing in importance as supply chain routes shift across the region.
Supply chainForwardingIndustrial Real Estate NewsLast Mile NewsCool Cargo News

Shippers reluctant to shoulder high cost of decarbonization: executives

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe |
Getting shippers to commit to premium-priced, low-emissions shipping services is a hard sell for ocean carriers and forwarders as cargo owners enjoy rates that are now mostly below pre-pandemic levels after two years of record highs.
MaritimeContainer Shipping NewsContainer linesForwardingTrans-PacificTrans-AtlanticAsia-Europe

Logistics technology investment slowing post-pandemic: survey

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor |
A study of global logistics professionals around hurdles to technology investment found that respondents were uninterested in linking financial rewards with software adoption.
Logistics Technology NewsForwardingSupply chain

Asia-US container spot rates keep rising amid more blank sailings

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor |
Spot rates in the eastbound trans-Pacific continue to move higher, although a planned general rate increase this week could be the last one for a while, as carriers are scheduled to add a significant amount of new capacity into the global fleet beginning later this year.
Trans-PacificContainer Shipping NewsContainer linesForwardingNorth American ports

Logistics industry tiptoeing toward AI adoption: Freightos research

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor |
Shippers and forwarders recently surveyed by Freightos believe artificial intelligence will reduce headcounts in the logistics industry, even if they have yet to figure out how best to use the still-emerging technology.
Logistics Technology NewsContainer Shipping NewsForwardingAir Cargo Forwarder NewsSupply chain

Maersk’s lagging ‘integrator’ plan now needs to winnow costs: Clerc

Michael Angell, Associate Editor |
Maersk has invested $10.5 billion in its logistics and services business to date, but results are falling behind plan after last year’s volumes evaporated.
Container linesContainer Shipping NewsForwardingSupply chainLast Mile News

Change management key to unlocking AI’s productivity potential for 3PLs

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor |
Forwarders have an opportunity to reduce labor costs and improve margins using artificial intelligence (AI), but managing the transition away from a human workforce could prove difficult.
Logistics Technology NewsForwardingSupply chain

Major forwarders riding out slow return of traditional freight markets

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe |
The CEOs of DSV and Kuehne + Nagel, shrugging off heavily distorted year-over-year comparisons, described their second-quarter results as “solid” and reflective of the evolving normalization of the air and ocean markets.
ForwardingContainer Shipping NewsAir Cargo Forwarder News

Forwarders eager to transition to digital ocean freight booking: study

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor |
Research by ECU Worldwide found that about half of ocean freight bookings are made via email, highlighting the importance of connecting booking platforms to email systems.
Logistics Technology NewsForwarding

Email technology provider Sedna snares funding targeting maritime, forwarding sectors

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor |
Sedna’s approach of allowing companies to retain their email systems while extending their value has won new forwarding and bulk customers and a fresh capital infusion.
Logistics Technology NewsMaritimeContainer Shipping NewsForwardingSupply chain

Logistics technology market grappling with pandemic period overhiring

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor |
A return to normal freight demand is part of the reason for layoffs across the logistics technology sector, but just as important is investor focus on cost controls and a path to profitability.
Logistics Technology NewsMaritimeContainer Shipping NewsContainer linesForwardingSupply chain

CIMC, Singamas issue profit warnings on weak demand for new containers

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent |
The expected declines followed a drop in demand for marine containers due to weakened economic and trade growth this year, both companies said in filings to the Hong Kong stock exchange.
Container Shipping NewsContainer linesForwardingTrans-Pacific

Raft's focus on AI yields fruit as investors re-up in logistics software provider

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor |
A variety of technology providers are aiming to arm forwarders with AI-backed tools that help with areas like customer service and rate quoting, while others are focused on technology enabling internal operational efficiency.
Logistics Technology NewsForwardingSupply chain

Logistics integration partnerships defy freight demand downturn

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor |
Growing partnerships between software vendors and integrators with expertise in their solutions and their customers systems highlight the importance of the technological plumbing that underpins logistics networks.
Logistics Technology NewsForwardingSupply chain

Generative AI likely to be impactful in logistics, just not in a public-facing way

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor |
ChatGPT made so-called generative AI more accessible to the general public, including logistics professionals, and some software vendors believe it will change how humans interact with core transportation systems.
Logistics Technology NewsForwardingSupply chain