North American ports

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

The latest North American ports 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

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

LA-LB must do more to reduce port emissions despite 2022 declines: regulator

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Sep 21, 2023, 12:26 PM EDT

Emissions spiked at the ports during the pandemic due to record container volumes and unprecedented supply chain bottlenecks that caused ships to idle at anchorage and trucks to back up at terminal gates.
MaritimePortsMarine terminalsNorth American ports

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

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

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

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

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

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

US cold storage supply struggling with costs, aging facilities amid high demand

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Sep 11, 2023, 9:00 AM EDT

Investors aren’t lining up to sink money into aging facilities, given that warehouses built in the last 20 to 40 years require nearly 50% more energy consumption and double the maintenance costs than newbuilds.
Industrial real estateNorth American portsCool Cargoes

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

Drayage industry faces technology dilemma in down freight market

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Sep 7, 2023, 3:58 PM EDT

While the importance of drayage came to the fore during the pandemic, the current freight hangover is cramping the sector’s ability to take advantage of technology options on the market.
Logistics technologyPortsNorth American portsTrucking

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

CMA CGM closes deal for two New York-New Jersey marine terminals

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 1, 2023, 10:39 AM EDT

The completion of the terminal acquisitions gives the carrier a stronger footprint in the US’s largest East Coast gateway.
PortsContainer shippingTrans-AtlanticMarine terminalsNorth American ports

ILWU ratifies new labor contract with West Coast waterfront employers

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Aug 31, 2023, 7:09 PM EDT

Some 75% of union members participating in the vote agreed to ratify the tentative contract that was reached in mid-June, opening the door to labor peace at West Coast ports at least through mid-2028.
Longshore laborContainer shippingContainer linesMarine terminalsNorth American ports

Southeast US ports reopen after Hurricane Idalia blows through region

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Aug 31, 2023, 12:25 PM EDT

Given the short duration of the port and terminal closures, impacts appeared minimal as Jacksonville, Savannah and Charleston resumed normal operations.
North American portsContainer shippingTrucking

Jaxport, Savannah closed; Charleston halts vessel moves as Idalia moves ashore

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Aug 30, 2023, 4:05 PM EDT

Ports along the southeast coast of the US were experiencing various stages of disruption after a major hurricane made landfall on Florida’s west coast.
North American portsContainer shipping

Hopes for import rebound on trans-Pacific shift toward pre-Chinese New Year

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor | Aug 30, 2023, 2:41 PM EDT

US retailers historically stock up for the spring season and top off inventories following winter holiday depletion and before the Chinese New Year, but forwarders and carriers admit there’s no guarantee this time around.
Trans-PacificContainer shippingContainer linesNorth American ports

Trans-Pac carrier reliability slipped in July amid labor woes, Panama Canal limits

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Aug 29, 2023, 4:18 PM EDT

The ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert experienced a series of labor disruptions in July during longshore contract negotiations, while the Panama Canal implemented draft restrictions amid a severe drought.
Container shippingContainer linesTrans-PacificNorth American ports

Jaxport receives $30 million in state funds for new cranes at Blount Island

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Aug 29, 2023, 3:33 PM EDT

The cranes are part of overall improvements to update and expand Blount Island operations and double its current capacity to 500,000 TEU by 2025.
North American portsPort infrastructure

Pilot project aims to open more trucker slots in Los Angeles-Long Beach

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Aug 25, 2023, 5:25 PM EDT

The Harbor Trucking Association is teaming with Yusen Terminals in Los Angeles to increase the number of appointment slots each day by cutting the container receiving window from two hours to 90 minutes.
North American portsMarine terminalsDrayageRail

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

Revised terminal leases give PANYNJ cut of CMA CGM’s demurrage revenue

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Aug 23, 2023, 5:57 PM EDT

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said the new leases attempt to “strike a balance” to reflect current market realities, but other MTO sources called the practice of sharing demurrage uncommon.
North American portsContainer shippingContainer linesMarine terminals

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

US July imports from Asia hit 11-month high, portending year-on-year fall growth

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Aug 18, 2023, 2:15 PM EDT

The fresh data also showed — starkly — how the West Coast’s share of imports from Asia eroded during the 13 months of contentious contract negotiations between the ILWU and waterfront employers.
Trans-PacificContainer shippingContainer linesNorth American ports

FMC ‘refusal of service’ rule risks overreacting to pandemic market

Peter Tirschwell | Aug 17, 2023, 10:11 AM EDT

The proposed rulemaking shows how far the pendulum of power has swung in favor of shippers seeking to hold carriers accountable for practices that occurred during the pandemic, but which were rarely experienced prior to that period, writes Peter Tirschwell.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer shippingContainer linesNorth American 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

Western Canadian cargo flow returning to normal following labor agreement

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Aug 16, 2023, 5:25 PM EDT

Ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert are clearing out the backlog of containers that built up during the two weeks of dockworker strikes in July, with no significant vessel, rail or trucking delays to report, according to stakeholders.
North American portsMarine terminalsLongshore labor

FMC walks tightrope on 'refusal of service' rulemaking

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor | Aug 16, 2023, 2:28 PM EDT

The clash between shippers and container lines highlights a major challenge for the FMC in finalizing rulemaking on when a carrier can refuse to serve shippers, most notably the risk that it could create a rule that’s so commercially restrictive that it’s unconstitutional.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer shippingContainer linesNorth American ports

New ships coming to trans-Pacific expected to overwhelm rate gains

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Aug 15, 2023, 3:26 PM EDT

A sharp increase in new vessel deliveries over the coming weeks is forecast to put more pressure on ocean carriers to blank sailings — or face falling rates.
Container shippingTrans-PacificNorth American ports

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

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Aug 14, 2023, 6:04 PM EDT

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 shippingContainer linesForwardingNorth American ports

Latest push in House for US shipping reform stalls, for now

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Aug 14, 2023, 2:15 PM EDT

Stalled since May, the Ocean Shipping Reform Technical Act of 2023 may never be taken up by the House of Representatives as regulators are still struggling to implement last year’s original legislation.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer linesNorth American ports

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

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

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

Ongoing office worker contract talks the lynchpin to West Coast labor peace

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Aug 9, 2023, 2:35 PM EDT

Negotiators for shipping lines and office workers in Los Angeles-Long Beach report that progress is being made in the ILWU Local 63 Office Clerical Unit (OCU) contract negotiations, but the two sides have work to do on the issues of wages, pension benefits and technology.
MaritimePortsLongshore laborNorth American ports

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