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

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

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Jun 30, 2023, 8:00 AM EDT

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 technologyForwardingSupply Chain

Vessel schedule reliability to US West Coast hits two-year high: Sea-Intelligence

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Jun 29, 2023, 4:24 PM EDT

Vessel on-time performance in the eastbound trans-Pacific is improving at West Coast ports, but slipping somewhat along the East Coast.
MaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesTrans-PacificNorth American ports

Trudeau’s resolve in spotlight with Western Canadian ports on brink of strike

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor | Jun 29, 2023, 3:25 PM EDT

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is generally viewed within the Canadian shipping industry as having acted too slowly — and weakly — when containerized supply chains were significantly disrupted over the last three years, notes Journal of Commerce Executive Editor Mark Szakonyi.
Longshore laborTrans-PacificNorth American portsRail

South Korean entities to develop Chicago, New Jersey transloading facilities

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Jun 29, 2023, 9:00 AM EDT

The locations were chosen based on their proximity to key rail, airport and port facilities, the partners said.
Industrial real estateContainer shippingTrans-PacificAir CargoSupply Chain

European hub ports invest in terminal automation, digitization

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Jun 29, 2023, 8:00 AM EDT

Despite the subdued market environment, the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp-Bruges expect rising volumes to place significant demand on capacity and vessel traffic management, prompting investment in both areas.
PortsContainer shippingInternational ports

ILWU Canada plans to strike British Columbia ports on Saturday

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Jun 28, 2023, 5:02 PM EDT

The union filed a 72-hour strike notice, which includes the Port of Vancouver, claiming maritime employers have refused to negotiate on the main issues of compensation and automation.
Longshore laborContainer shippingNorth American ports

Trans-Pac blank sailings ebb as carriers take in newer, larger ships

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Jun 28, 2023, 1:26 PM EDT

The more aggressive approach to managing ship capacity seen in April and May has waned as new ships enter service and imports possibly see a nominal uptick.
Container linesContainer shipping

Zim forwarding arm Ship4wd targets small shippers with new finance tools

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Jun 28, 2023, 10:05 AM EDT

Zim said the financial products are particularly needed amid a slowdown in freight demand as small and mid-sized businesses continue to battle significant financial friction.
Logistics technologyForwardingSupply Chain

Nuvocargo rides Mexico-US freight surge to land fresh investment

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Jun 27, 2023, 12:25 PM EDT

Nuvocargo will use the new funding to expand its service footprint to all major over-the-road border crossings between the US and Mexico.
ForwardingTruck brokersLogistics technology

New HMM service covers strong Mediterranean, India markets

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Jun 27, 2023, 10:32 AM EDT

Solid demand from both regions has encouraged the carrier to deploy its own vessels on the Asia-Med trade lane.
MaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesAsia-Europe

Chain.io invites out-of-network providers to build connectivity to its integration customers

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Jun 27, 2023, 10:01 AM EDT

Chain.io CEO Brian Glick’s initial vision for the company centered around the idea of making logistics system connectivity open to all vendors to allow shippers and logistics companies to better utilize their software.
Logistics technologyForwardingSupply Chain

Small, mid-sized US shippers find falling trans-Pac spot rates hard to ignore

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Jun 27, 2023, 9:26 AM EDT

With most new trans-Pacific service contracts in effect only since late May, container lines are already nudging shippers to meet their minimum quantity commitments instead of taking advantage of spot rates that have been cratering for approximately three weeks, sources say.
Trans-PacificContainer shippingContainer linesForwardingNorth American ports

Congressman adds ban of China shipping data platform to Defense budget

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Jun 26, 2023, 11:29 AM EDT

Scrutiny of China’s access to US maritime data is rising, with a US congressman targeting China’s state-sponsored shipping platform in a Defense Department budget amendment.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer shippingPortsNorth American ports

Maersk adds six ships to expanding methanol order book

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Jun 26, 2023, 11:23 AM EDT

Methanol will play a leading role in enabling the carrier to meet both its interim and long-term emissions reduction goals as it charts a course for decarbonization.
MaritimeContainer shippingContainer lines

Net-zero shipping in IMO crosshairs as key London meetings begin

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Jun 26, 2023, 10:53 AM EDT

The IMO’s working group on emissions has gathered ahead of MEPC 80 next week to discuss proposals on the level of ambition required to decarbonize shipping and the measures required to get there.
MaritimeContainer shippingContainer lines

SSA Marine looks to expand into new US ports with deal for Ceres

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Jun 23, 2023, 3:16 PM EDT

Carrix, the parent company of terminal operator SSA Marine, said it has agreed to buy Ceres Terminals for its exposure to container business going to the US East and Gulf coasts.
North American portsContainer shipping

Demand pressure keeps India-US contract rates sliding despite GRI efforts

Bency Mathew, Special Correspondent | Jun 23, 2023, 12:04 PM EDT

After two attempts to push through GRIs largely failed, forwarder sources in India believe it will be difficult for carriers to achieve success under current tight booking conditions, but liners have nonetheless lined up further rate hikes.
Container shippingContainer linesNorth American portsInternational ports

Shipping path to net-zero rests on post-MEPC 80 regulatory progress: WSC

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Jun 23, 2023, 11:01 AM EDT

While the London meeting of the IMO’s environment committee will revise its 2050 emissions targets, the next critical step is to quickly establish the global regulatory framework to underpin those ambitions.
MaritimeContainer shippingContainer lines

Soaring demand for lithium batteries puts focus on safety concerns: TT Club

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Jun 22, 2023, 10:23 AM EDT

Lithium-ion batteries are already classified as dangerous goods, but observers say the category needs to be upgraded to reflect rapidly evolving technology that is raising growing safety concerns around their transport.
MaritimeContainer shippingContainer lines

NVO share of US imports from Asia growing in post-COVID ocean market

Peter Tirschwell | Jun 22, 2023, 9:32 AM EDT

Non-vessel-operating common carriers handle a growing percentage of US imports from Asia, but that hasn’t stopped traditional asset-owning companies from attempting to leverage core assets in a bid to differentiate themselves, writes Peter Tirschwell.
Container shippingContainer linesForwardingTrans-Pacific

Lackluster north-south demand, rates to rebound in Q3: forwarders

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Jun 22, 2023, 9:00 AM EDT

A combination of softer volumes and increased vessel capacity continues to drag on spot rates between Latin America and the US, but forwarders say they expect demand to begin to recover in September.
Container shippingContainer linesNorth American portsInternational ports

Falling Asia container rates may be too much of a good thing for US exporters

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor | Jun 21, 2023, 11:09 AM EDT

There’s growing concern among some US exporters that outbound container spot rates are too low, recalling memories of when unprofitable cargo was left on the docks and service levels fell in parallel with the bottom lines of ocean carriers, writes Journal of Commerce Executive Editor Mark Szakonyi.
Trans-PacificContainer linesNorth American ports

US ag shippers look to diversify exports away from West Coast

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor, and Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Jun 20, 2023, 5:05 PM EDT

Even though port congestion has cleared and a longshore labor deal has been reached, ag shippers say intractable problems still plague their ability to move goods easily through the West Coast.
North American portsContainer shipping

UPDATE: Doyle lands new post after resigning from top job at Maryland Port Administration

JOC Staff | Jun 20, 2023, 10:30 AM EDT

William Doyle’s departure after three years, announced to Maryland Port Administration employees Friday according to local news reports, came less than a week after he received three traffic citations.
North American portsContainer shippingRo/ro cargo

Green groups challenge claims of ‘massive’ LNG savings by lobby group

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Jun 20, 2023, 9:35 AM EDT

A report claiming that the lifetime fuel costs of achieving net-zero emissions through LNG will be approximately half those of other fuels does not present the full picture, according to climate campaigners.
MaritimeContainer shippingContainer lines

Louisiana governor aims to restore funds for new Port NOLA terminal

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Jun 16, 2023, 3:32 PM EDT

Louisiana’s state legislators made a surprise cut to funding the Port of New Orleans planned to use for the design and planning of a new $1.5 billion mega-terminal.
North American portsContainer shipping

ILWU scores 32% wage increase, $70 million bonus in tentative new contract

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Jun 16, 2023, 1:47 PM EDT

In addition to a 32% increase in dockworker wages over the life of the six-year deal, the tentative US West Coast longshore labor agreement includes a one-time $70 million bonus for staying on the job during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Longshore laborContainer linesTrans-PacificMarine terminalsNorth American ports

West India ports reopen to limited operations after cyclone

Bency Mathew, Special Correspondent | Jun 16, 2023, 11:58 AM EDT

Some inland logistics services have resumed, but vessel movements at the ports of Pipavav and Mundra remain suspended due to disruption stemming from Cyclone Biparjoy.
International portsContainer shipping

Tentative West Coast longshore deal triggers lengthy ratification process

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Jun 15, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT

After 13 months of contentious negotiations that spawned numerous job actions by dockworkers, the ILWU and waterfront employers will engage in a ratification process expected to take several months.
Longshore laborContainer shippingContainer linesMarine terminalsNorth American ports

West Coast labor deal finally reached, but the damage is done

Peter Tirschwell | Jun 15, 2023, 2:12 PM EDT

Labor woes along the West Coast over the past year highlighted a stark difference: Shippers on the East and Gulf coasts are customers whose business is valued, while West Coast shippers are not customers in the traditional sense, but more like helpless bystanders, writes Peter Tirschwell.
Container shippingContainer linesTrans-PacificLongshore labor

May US imports highest of 2023, but down 20% from year-ago: data

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Jun 15, 2023, 1:45 PM EDT

Most big US ports are closing out the first half of 2023 with year-on-year double-digit volume declines as retail sales falter, but the West Coast labor deal may spark a seasonal uptick.
Container shippingNorth American ports

Hungry domestic market driving US Southeast cold storage development

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Jun 15, 2023, 9:00 AM EDT

Refrigerated warehousing construction is “exploding” in the US Southeast, as one port executive put it, thanks to a growing population and increased demand for imported produce and other food products.
Cool CargoesContainer shippingNorth American ports

ILWU, US West Coast employers reach tentative deal on new six-year contract

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Jun 14, 2023, 10:18 PM EDT

The deal, subject to ratification by both parties, ends 13 months of contentious negotiations marked by on-again, off-again job actions that disrupted port operations on the West Coast and diverted growing volumes of cargo to the East and Gulf coasts.
Longshore laborContainer shippingPortsNorth American ports

USWC talks notch some progress, but random job actions continuing

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Jun 14, 2023, 2:30 PM EDT

Minor progress in West Coast longshore talks came as ports operated without significant disruption on the first shift Wednesday, but were not completely spared some measure of labor action by workers.
Longshore laborContainer shippingContainer linesMarine terminalsNorth American ports

Indian container flow hit by port capacity strain, cyclone disruptions

Bency Mathew, Special Correspondent | Jun 14, 2023, 10:13 AM EDT

More supply chain disruptions are imminent for Indian containerized trade as Cyclone Biparjoy, a storm that is expected to make landfall Thursday, has now forced major ports on the western coastline to shut.
International portsContainer shippingContainer lines

West Coast ports ‘stable’ after ILWU, PMA agree to cooling off period

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Jun 13, 2023, 1:35 PM EDT

The two sides will attempt to use the apparent truce brokered by Labor Secretary nominee Julie Su to reach agreement on the highly contentious issue of wages, which triggered disruptive job actions by ILWU locals over the past week.
Longshore laborContainer linesMarine terminalsNorth American ports

Ocean carriers guarding their digital gates as visibility requests increase

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Jun 13, 2023, 12:03 PM EDT

A proliferation of visibility vendors amid increased demand for container status events is putting pressure on the websites of carriers to support multiple requests for the same data.
Logistics technologyContainer shippingContainer lines

Container volumes getting back to trend after pandemic surge: analyst

Larry Gross, president and founder, Gross Transportation Consulting; and JOC analyst | Jun 13, 2023, 10:06 AM EDT

The container shipping market is well down the path toward normalcy, and if current conditions continue for another few months, the surge-related volume overhang will be worked off, writes analyst Larry Gross.
Supply ChainContainer shippingMarine terminalsNorth American ports

UPDATE: ILWU Canada votes to strike if contract talks fail

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Jun 12, 2023, 5:30 PM EDT

The vote to authorize a strike at Vancouver and Prince Rupert comes as negotiations between the ILWU and maritime employers on the US West Coast appeared to hit a new low over the weekend.
Longshore laborContainer shippingNorth American ports

West Coast ports hit with new round of cargo-handling disruptions

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Jun 12, 2023, 3:34 PM EDT

Disruption flared at West Coast ports as the Biden administration’s nominee for Labor Secretary flew to San Francisco in a bid to break the impasse in contract negotiations that some fear are rapidly deteriorating.
Container shippingContainer linesMarine terminalsLongshore laborNorth American ports