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

Demand decline shrinks MSC’s lead atop US import carrier rankings

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Aug 14, 2023, 11:42 AM EDT

No carrier was untouched by a 22.4% drop in containerized US imports through May, with 36 of the 40 largest lines registering year-over-year volume declines, according to the Journal of Commerce’s Top 40 Container Carriers by US Imports and Exports.
Container shipping

Panama Canal delays raise risks for shippers, but not yet biting

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Aug 11, 2023, 5:05 PM EDT

The Panama Canal’s limits on vessel drafts and transits have yet to make big impact on container shipping, but at least one forwarder is warning shippers not to be complacent.
Container shippingContainer linesNorth American ports

Yang Ming, Wan Hai end profitable runs with Q2 loss

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Aug 11, 2023, 12:03 PM EDT

The rapid normalization of container shipping markets claimed its first victims as tumbling rate levels dragged Yang Ming and compatriot carrier Wan Hai into the red in the second quarter.
MaritimeContainer shippingContainer lines

ILA flexes to fight on multiple beachheads

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Aug 11, 2023, 11:04 AM EDT

Sources say USMX has made the ILA an offer on par with the increases the ILWU secured in its latest contract. However, the ILA also wants stronger protections for work jurisdiction and automation.
Longshore laborContainer shippingContainer linesNorth American ports

Logistics industry tiptoeing toward AI adoption: Freightos research

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Aug 10, 2023, 1:23 PM EDT

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 technologyContainer shippingForwardingAir cargo forwardingSupply Chain

Hapag-Lloyd, HMM predict H2 demand pickup amid faltering profits

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Aug 10, 2023, 9:38 AM EDT

The first-half results of Hapag-Lloyd and HMM mirror those reported by their peers, with earnings severely challenged by the rapidly normalizing market.
MaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesTrans-PacificAsia-Europe

Parish lawsuit won’t derail new terminal project: Port NOLA CEO

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Aug 9, 2023, 4:33 PM EDT

A district attorney for the parish that would be home to the proposed new Louisiana International Terminal alleges the Port of New Orleans has no legal basis to operate there.
North American portsContainer shipping

Hapag-Lloyd’s steel-floor container aims to mitigate growing global pest infestations

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Aug 9, 2023, 12:31 PM EDT

The Hamburg-based carrier is testing a prototype container with a steel floor that is easier to repair and clean than traditional wooden floors, decreasing the chance of cargo contamination, particularly invasive pests.
Container shippingContainer linesTransport, trade and regulation

Robust Asia–Med demand continues to outpace North Europe growth

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Aug 8, 2023, 1:32 PM EDT

Despite unfavorable comparisons with last year, volume between Asia and the Mediterranean has surpassed that recorded in pre-pandemic 2019.
MaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesAsia-Europe

DB Schenker signs up to Hapag-Lloyd ‘book and claim’ green service

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Aug 8, 2023, 10:34 AM EDT

The German forwarder aims to make significant cuts in emissions for customers on the ocean leg of their container transport.
MaritimeContainer shippingContainer lines

ILA seeks arbitration with carriers in new Leatherman suit

Michael Angell, Associate Editor, and Teri Griffis, Associate Editor | Aug 7, 2023, 5:01 PM EDT

The latest lawsuit from International Longshoremen’s Association ups the damages the union is seeking from ocean carriers that used the Port of Charleston’s Hugh K. Leatherman terminal.
Longshore laborContainer linesNorth American ports

MSC adds Italian airline to expanding air cargo offering

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Aug 7, 2023, 12:39 PM EDT

AlisCargo will join MSC’s air freight division in early 2024 as the ocean carrier steadily builds out its global air network.
Air CargoContainer linesAir cargo carriers

New China–South India string to boost rising intra-Asia capacity

Bency Mathew, Special Correspondent | Aug 7, 2023, 11:27 AM EDT

The latest China–India service follows the announcement of another new string from CULines and capacity increases from other carriers, including Pacific International Lines, Evergreen Marine and Regional Container Lines.
Container shippingContainer linesAsia-Europe

ILWU Canada contract ratification ensures BC port peace

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor | Aug 6, 2023, 9:39 AM EDT

The disruption laid bare the limits the Trudeau government will exercise to push both sides to a deal that was ratified Friday by longshore union membership at the ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert.
Longshore laborContainer shippingContainer linesTrans-PacificNorth American portsTransport, trade and regulation

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

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Aug 4, 2023, 3:30 PM EDT

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 shippingForwardingSupply ChainLast mile

Maersk’s contract business cushions impact of ‘normalizing’ market

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Aug 4, 2023, 9:46 AM EDT

The carrier has more than two-thirds of its volume under long-term agreements, which provided some insulation from the tumbling second-quarter spot market.
MaritimeContainer shippingContainer lines

HMM puts larger ships into trans-Pacific as Yang Ming signs on for slots

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Aug 3, 2023, 1:59 PM EDT

The deal with Yang Ming follows similar slot charter agreements that HMM inked with Hapag-Lloyd in mid-July and Ocean Network Express in March.
Container linesContainer shipping

Ocean carriers, retailers failing in drive to decarbonize: Ship It Zero

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Aug 3, 2023, 11:05 AM EDT

A report card from the environmental campaigner claimed there was distinct lack of progress from the world’s largest retailers and ocean carriers on reducing supply chain emissions.
MaritimeContainer shippingContainer lines

Ocean market shows signs of life despite forecasts for muted peak season

Peter Tirschwell | Aug 3, 2023, 8:00 AM EDT

While the magnitude of peak season in any given year may have macroeconomic significance in shedding light on the strength of consumer spending and the economy overall, it is only one factor driving the market conditions that affect the physical movement of goods, writes Peter Tirschwell.
Container shippingContainer linesTrans-PacificAsia-EuropeNorth American portsInternational ports

Carriers tell FMC not to ‘weaponize’ proposed rule on refusal of service

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Aug 2, 2023, 2:59 PM EDT

The rulemaking has underscored sharp divisions in the industry on whether the maritime regulator needs to take a heavier hand with liners following complaints by shippers.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer shippingContainer linesTrans-Pacific

Ocean carriers shift capacity as trans-Atlantic slumps: Alphaliner

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Aug 2, 2023, 12:53 PM EDT

Ocean rates for North Europe to North America have fallen significantly below pre-pandemic levels on some trade lane indices after a wild three-year ride that took container shipping prices to record levels.
MaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesTrans-Atlantic

Hot summer turning up climate change heat on supply chains

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor | Aug 2, 2023, 12:47 PM EDT

Familiar reminders of the disruptions to supply chains caused by climate change, such as low water levels on the Rhine River and in the Panama Canal and wildfires in North America, are becoming more frequent and intense.
Supply ChainContainer shippingPort infrastructureRailNorth-American rail

EU carbon tax’s long reach to affect global rates, vessel deployments: analyst

Lars Jensen, CEO & Partner, Vespucci Maritime, and Journal of Commerce analyst | Aug 2, 2023, 8:00 AM EDT

Inclusion in the European Union’s emissions trading system will affect not only the cost of shipping to and from the EU, but will likely put upward pressure on pricing for cargo that doesn’t touch the EU at all, writes analyst Lars Jensen.
Container shippingContainer linesTrans-AtlanticAsia-EuropePortsTransport, trade and regulation

Tough market conditions slow DHL’s H1 profitability

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Aug 1, 2023, 10:16 AM EDT

A challenging operating environment pulled down revenue and earnings at DHL, but the Germany-based integrator remains in a highly profitable position ahead of an uncertain second half.
Air cargo forwardingContainer shippingLTLLast mile

Europe pulls ahead of US as key lane for South America container trade

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Aug 1, 2023, 8:00 AM EDT

The value of Brazil’s exports to European and Mediterranean countries is rising faster than those to the US, while Europe is also increasingly taking a greater share of Brazilian exports in percentage terms, trade figures show.
Container shippingContainer linesNorth American portsInternational ports

ONE reports sharp drop in fiscal Q1 profitability as rates, demand fall

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Jul 31, 2023, 9:59 AM EDT

The financial results of the Singapore-based carrier reflect a return to a more normal container shipping market, albeit one characterized by weak demand from inflation-hit destination markets.
MaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesTrans-PacificAsia-Europe

ILWU Canada’s contract rejection thrusts BC ports in limbo

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor | Jul 29, 2023, 8:37 AM EDT

The membership of the International Longshore Warehouse Union Canada has rejected a four-year contract at the ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert, which employers say would have included a 19.2%. compounded wage increase.
Longshore laborContainer shippingTrans-PacificNorth American portsTransport, trade and regulation

Court denies SC Ports appeal of Leatherman ruling

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Jul 28, 2023, 5:12 PM EDT

The latest decision upheld an initial ruling by the National Labor Relations Board that allowed the International Longshoremen’s Association to sue ocean carriers that called Charleston’s Leatherman terminal.
Longshore laborContainer shippingContainer linesNorth American ports

CMA CGM reports $1.3 billion Q2 profit despite flat volume

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Jul 28, 2023, 1:16 PM EDT

"Normalizing" container shipping market conditions slashed more than $6 billion from CMA CGM's quarterly earnings compared with an overheated 2022, but the carrier remains in a healthy financial position.
MaritimeContainer shippingContainer lines

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

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Jul 28, 2023, 10:57 AM EDT

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 technologyForwardingSupply Chain

FMC’s Dye offers fixes for container flow problems through US ports

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Jul 28, 2023, 9:00 AM EDT

The FMC commissioner wants to implement uniform empty return dates and define “container availability” as when the container is available for pick up, among other proposals.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer shippingMarine terminalsNorth American portsTruckingLogistics technology

Cargo flow woes persist at India’s Mundra Port after cyclone disruption

Bency Mathew, Special Correspondent | Jul 28, 2023, 8:00 AM EDT

Concerned over the trade chaos at Mundra, India’s Container Shipping Lines Association said that vessel scheduling on services out of the country had become a major challenge for carriers.
International portsContainer shippingContainer lines

Local issues stymie movement on new master contract between ILA, USMX

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Jul 27, 2023, 11:50 AM EDT

Only local unions at the ports of New York and New Jersey and Baltimore have come to tentative terms on local issues, with the ILA’s chief negotiator saying employers in other ports “have not taken the talks seriously.”
Longshore laborContainer shippingNorth American ports

Western Canada port backlog to take weeks to clear: Canadian National

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor | Jul 26, 2023, 12:00 PM EDT

CN said it will take up to eight weeks to clear the cargo backlog at the ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert as the industry waits to see if ILWU Canada’s rank and file will accept terms of the tentative deal reached last week.
North-American railContainer shippingTrans-PacificNorth American portsIntermodal providers

Strategic focus on higher-margin business pays off for forwarders

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Jul 26, 2023, 11:49 AM EDT

The decision by DSV and Kuehne + Nagel to protect yields at the expense of volume is allowing the forwarders to move into an uncertain second half in a solidly profitable position.
MaritimeAir CargoContainer shippingAir cargo forwarding

Major forwarders riding out slow return of traditional freight markets

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Jul 25, 2023, 2:10 PM EDT

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 shippingAir cargo forwarding

ILA chief calls for global union fight against port, maritime automation

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Jul 25, 2023, 9:56 AM EDT

The president of the International Longshoremen’s Association says automation and new technology are an existential threat to union members and other maritime employees worldwide.
Longshore laborContainer linesMarine terminalsNorth American ports

Savannah reopens berth at Garden City Terminal, boosting capacity by 25%

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Jul 24, 2023, 5:01 PM EDT

The Georgia Ports Authority has acknowledged the added berth capacity was sorely needed during the worst of the pandemic-driven port congestion when Savannah’s queue hit more than 30 ships in September 2021.
North American portsTrans-PacificMarine terminalsPort infrastructure

Asia-Europe ocean carriers look to steady market with August rate hikes

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Jul 24, 2023, 2:37 PM EDT

The new price levels signal the intent of carriers to drive up freight-all-kinds rates in a move to capitalize on any increased buying should a peak season emerge.
MaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesAsia-Europe

Retail 3PL GSC expands service scope with MacMillan-Piper acquisition

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Jul 24, 2023, 9:40 AM EDT

GSC intends to combine its expertise in servicing containerized imports in the retail sector with MacMillan-Piper's experience in warehousing and transloading of primarily export commodities.
North American portsTrans-PacificSupply Chain