International ports

News and analysis of international ports, terminals, dredging, expansion, inland distribution, labor, disruption, congestion, cargo flow 

The latest International ports News & Analysis

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

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

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

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

Greek operator Neptune orders two 4,200-unit car carriers in fleet expansion move

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Sep 12, 2023, 1:39 PM EDT

The carrier’s dual-fuel newbuildings will be the first in a series of vessels to be delivered over the next decade.
Ro/ro cargoNorth American portsInternational ports

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

'Rushed' sourcing shift out of China prompts some reconsideration

Peter Tirschwell | Aug 31, 2023, 9:30 AM EDT

For any number of product categories, relocating sourcing brings with it less efficient logistics, occasional lower quality and overall higher costs at a time when cost control is rapidly assuming a higher priority for shippers.
Container shippingContainer linesMarine terminalsInternational ports

MSC reconnects India to Asia-USWC string as contract rates tick higher

Bency Mathew, Special Correspondent | Aug 24, 2023, 9:43 AM EDT

MSC, which has implemented large-scale network realignments in recent months, halted Indian calls on the Sentosa service in April when it opened a standalone intra-Asia loop.
Trans-PacificContainer shippingContainer linesNorth American portsInternational ports

US shippers should begin planning now for potential 2024 disruptions: analyst

Lars Jensen, CEO & Partner, Vespucci Maritime, and JOC Analyst | Aug 23, 2023, 1:54 PM EDT

In addition to the typical annual planning, such as for budgets and freight rates, US importers need to start weighing contingency plans for two potentially disruptive occurrences next year — continued low-water levels along the Panama Canal and the expiration of the International Longshoremen’s Association contract, writes Lars Jensen.
Container shippingContainer linesLongshore laborNorth American portsInternational ports

Hamburg follows North Europe port rivals with H1 volume decline

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Aug 23, 2023, 12:22 PM EDT

Weak European demand for containerized trade through the first half is hurting port throughput at the region’s top three gateways, but signs are emerging of recovering volume on certain routes.
PortsContainer shippingTrans-AtlanticAsia-EuropeInternational ports

Port Houston joins Portchain’s growing network for vessel arrival software

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Aug 17, 2023, 2:00 AM EDT

Portchain has pulled in 76 container terminals into its vessel arrival coordination platform with carriers in the past 18 months, with Port Houston the latest to join.
Logistics technologyContainer shippingContainer linesPortsNorth American portsInternational ports

Terminal operators launch renewed push to expand in emerging markets

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Aug 15, 2023, 11:31 AM EDT

Demand for container shipping in major destination markets remains subdued, so some of the world’s largest port operators are channeling their attention — and money — on growing business in emerging nations.
PortsMarine terminalsInternational portsPort infrastructure

Most India-Europe rates falter amid shrinking export volumes

Bency Mathew, Special Correspondent | Aug 15, 2023, 10:10 AM EDT

Average rates from West India to Europe and the Mediterranean have cooled between 10 to 15% from what carriers were quoting at the end of July, deepening the slide seen over the past year.
Container shippingContainer linesInternational ports

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

Disruptive 2022 does little to upset global container port rankings

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Aug 1, 2023, 11:51 AM EDT

Half of the world’s top 50 container ports grew their volumes last year while the other half saw declines, highlighting the contrasting fortunes of the global gateways.
PortsNorth American portsInternational portsSupply Chain

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

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

GRI success, rising imports drive spot rates higher as trans-Pac peak season nears

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Jul 20, 2023, 2:42 PM EDT

Retailers and NVOs aren’t sure if spot rates will continue to increase steadily through the peak season or whether new capacity expected to enter the trans-Pacific in the coming months will cause rates to fall again.
MaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesTrans-PacificNorth American portsInternational ports

India-US contract rates tick up after July GRI activity

Bency Mathew, Special Correspondent | Jul 20, 2023, 10:35 AM EDT

Freight forwarder sources in India believe the success of a fourth round of general rate increases scheduled for Aug. 1 will hinge on the ability of carriers to hold firm on recent pricing gains.
Container shippingContainer linesNorth American portsInternational ports

Rotterdam posts sharp drop in H1 volume, provides muted full-year outlook

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Jul 20, 2023, 10:14 AM EDT

A weak global economy and limited demand in Europe has set the continent’s largest port on course for a second year of declining volume.
Marine terminalsInternational ports

Antwerp-Bruges H1 volumes slide on weak demand, poor industrial outlook

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Jul 18, 2023, 1:32 PM EDT

The fall hid some upbeat trends, with the number of refrigerated containers rising more than 10% in the first half and the rate of decline in overall volumes easing in the second quarter.
International portsContainer shippingContainer linesAsia-EuropeBreakbulk shippingRo/ro cargo

Fewer empty imports reconfigure Indian containerized trade patterns

Bency Mathew, Special Correspondent | Jul 13, 2023, 9:53 AM EDT

The new trade pattern reflects in large part a sharp drop in empty equipment imports amid weakening demand conditions, rather than sustained export trade, industry observers say.
Container shippingContainer linesInternational ports

Singapore port body joins cross-industry decarbonization alliance

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Jul 7, 2023, 9:33 AM EDT

Deeper public-private sector collaboration between global maritime industry players and the MPA will unlock key investments across the Indian and Pacific oceans, Lloyd’s Register believes.
PortsContainer shippingInternational ports

Japan’s Nagoya port resumes cargo handling operations after ransomware attack

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Jul 6, 2023, 1:27 PM EDT

Ocean Network Express said container operations on three vessels were affected by the disruption, but that loading and unloading had now been completed.
Container shippingContainer linesInternational ports

Duisburg terminal stake extends PSA reach into Europe

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Jul 5, 2023, 12:26 PM EDT

The global port operator is bolstering its multimodal supply chain capabilities with an investment that increases its already significant presence in the region.
PortsInternational ports

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

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

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

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

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

CMA CGM to acquire share of Cosco’s Spanish terminal unit

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Jun 8, 2023, 8:48 AM EDT

The Marseille-based carrier continues to grow its terminal portfolio in strategic areas as part of a broad move to control the end-to-end logistics of customer shipments.
Marine terminalsContainer shippingContainer linesInternational ports

Wilmington, Virginia top US port performers for 2022: index

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Jun 5, 2023, 1:17 PM EDT

The Container Port Performance Index for 2022 showed that among large ports, China’s Yangshan ranked No. 1, while Ningbo and Guangzhou were among the top 10.
North American portsContainer shippingInternational ports

Weaker ocean rates, China sourcing shift drive rise in LCL shipments

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | May 31, 2023, 11:07 AM EDT

An emerging trend of sending smaller shipments more frequently is leading to growing demand for LCL services across the major trade lanes.
Container shippingContainer linesForwardingInternational ports

Hong Kong struggles to recover volumes lost amid South China cargo shift

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | May 30, 2023, 2:07 PM EDT

Shippers and port executives say the post-COVID shift of cargo back to Hong Kong is being hampered by the global slump in demand as developed countries grapple with elevated inventories and inflationary pressures.
Container shippingContainer linesTrans-PacificNorth American portsInternational ports

CMA CGM attempts peak season surcharge for India-US trade

Bency Mathew, Special Correspondent | May 30, 2023, 10:02 AM EDT

Thanks to a recent GRI push, average contract rates for India to the US have seen modest gains in recent weeks and carriers are now looking to build around that limited success.
Container shippingContainer linesNorth American portsInternational ports

Ocean carriers’ schedule reliability rose in April amid falling volumes

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | May 26, 2023, 2:41 PM EDT

The port congestion in Asia and North America that compromised vessel on-time performance during the pandemic began to ease last fall with declining cargo volumes, and the reliability improvements have accelerated since.
Container shippingContainer linesTrans-PacificNorth American portsInternational ports

Top US Shippers: Recyclables export decline continues as environmental restrictions tighten

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | May 22, 2023, 8:00 AM EDT

Price volatility, economic uncertainty and China’s ongoing efforts to keep adulterated scrap products out of the country held back US exports of recyclable materials for the third straight year in 2022.
Supply ChainMaritimeContainer shippingNorth American portsInternational ports

India-Europe contract prices tumble as demand rebound eludes carriers

Bency Mathew, Special Correspondent | May 19, 2023, 10:39 AM EDT

Forwarders do not expect prices to stabilize or trend up any time soon, with carriers increasingly struggling to secure steady booking levels to fill their export allocations out of India despite capacity readjustments.
Container shippingContainer linesNorth American portsInternational ports