Ports

News and analysis of ports, terminals, dredging, expansion, hinterland connectivity, labor, disruption, congestion, cargo flow

The latest Ports News & Analysis

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

New UP intermodal service from Houston to provide West Coast reach

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | May 30, 2023, 5:02 PM EDT

Union Pacific’s launch of direct intermodal service from Houston comes two weeks after competitor BNSF announced it would begin a new service from the port’s Barbours Cut marine terminal.
North-American railContainer shippingNorth American portsIntermodal providers

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

CBP rules US chassis manufacturer evaded tariffs on China-sourced parts

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | May 26, 2023, 1:44 PM EDT

The ruling could place an additional burden on US chassis manufacturers to ensure their subcontractors are using US materials or paying duties on parts from China.
Drayage

Shippers bemoan lack of progress in ocean visibility despite heavy investment

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | May 26, 2023, 11:15 AM EDT

End-to-end supply chain visibility remains an elusive goal for providers in a market where shippers are expecting better data quality than they have seen.
Logistics technologyContainer shippingContainer linesPortsNorth American portsSupply Chain

Carriers pare blank sailings in May as ocean freight rates steady

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | May 25, 2023, 12:37 PM EDT

With spot freight rates largely stabilized, ocean carriers have blanked fewer sailings in May and instead opted for more biweekly sailings.
Container linesContainer shippingNorth American ports

Don’t equate ‘normal’ ocean shipping market to stability: analyst

Lars Jensen, CEO & Partner, Vespucci Maritime, and JOC Analyst | May 24, 2023, 1:46 PM EDT

While indicators may point to a “normal” container shipping market in the wake of the pandemic, it is important to remember that disruptions large and small are all part of that normality, writes analyst Lars Jensen.
Container shippingContainer linesTrans-PacificTrans-AtlanticAsia-EuropePorts

Shippers, regulators muddle through ‘grey area’ of rail storage fees

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor | May 24, 2023, 11:44 AM EDT

Shippers want Congress to address their inability to challenge rail demurrage fees when they contract for merchant haulage, but finding a solution will be tricky, writes Journal of Commerce Executive Editor Mark Szakonyi.
Container shippingDrayageSurfaceInternational railTransport, trade and regulation

Geodis acquires South Florida-based drayage carrier

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | May 23, 2023, 3:47 PM EDT

Geodis has acquired Southern Companies, a South Florida-based container drayage provider, the latest in a series of trucking and warehousing acquisitions in the US over the last two months.
Drayage

 Port of Philadelphia cargo incentive receives state funds through mid-2024

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | May 23, 2023, 2:08 PM EDT

Relative to other US East Coast ports that saw high import volumes in 2022 due to diversions from West Coast ports, PhilaPort saw more modest inbound growth.
North American portsContainer shipping

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

Top US Shippers: Home construction decline drags down HHG import demand

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | May 19, 2023, 2:43 PM EDT

A decrease in US housing construction from the fever pitch seen during the COVID-19 pandemic is reducing demand for imports of furniture, appliances and other household goods.
Supply ChainContainer shippingTrans-PacificNorth American ports

ONE agrees to pay $1.7 million fine in detention/demurrage case: FMC

Teri Errico Griffis | May 19, 2023, 12:18 PM EDT

The carrier will pay the penalty to avoid the Federal Maritime Commission launching a formal investigation into whether it violated US detention and demurrage shipping laws.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer shippingContainer linesNorth American ports

Oakland’s Howard Terminal eyes redevelopment after ballpark proposal strikes out

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | May 19, 2023, 11:12 AM EDT

With a proposed baseball stadium at the terminal location off the table, the Port of Oakland is considering options to expand maritime support activities at the 50-acre site to complement overall growth at the port.
North American portsContainer shippingTrans-PacificMarine terminals

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

House bill wants security checks of port cranes made by US ‘adversaries’

Teri Errico Griffis | May 18, 2023, 1:21 PM EDT

The bipartisan legislation does not identify specific countries that manufacture the cranes that would be subject to inspection, but a statement from the co-sponsors specifically mentions China.
Transport, trade and regulationPortsNorth American portsPort infrastructure

Top US Shippers: Slower US consumer spending to compound export decline in paper, forest products

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | May 18, 2023, 11:31 AM EDT

Some paper products remained in high demand last year, but a decline in China’s real estate economy and a ban on a certain type of pine logs put additional downward pressure on forest products exports.
Supply ChainContainer shippingNorth American ports

Hamburg Q1 volume drops as loss of Russia business bites

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | May 17, 2023, 12:26 PM EDT

Challenging economic conditions, compounded by sanctions against one of its largest trading partners, led to a sharp drop in first-quarter volumes at Europe’s third-busiest container port.
PortsContainer shippingAsia-EuropeInternational ports

Trans-Pac carriers showing flexibility in service contract negotiations: forwarders

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | May 17, 2023, 11:34 AM EDT

With import volumes sharply lower than last year, trans-Pacific carriers are more willing to consider requests for fixed-rate pricing and inland transportation bookings in 2023-24 service contracts, sources say.
Container shippingMaritimeContainer linesForwardingTrans-PacificNorth American ports

Top US Shippers: Component shortages putting brakes on auto export growth

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | May 17, 2023, 9:51 AM EDT

Global vehicle manufacturers are still recovering from widespread semiconductor shortages, while domestic automakers and body shops face ongoing delays in components ranging from rear suspensions to front bumpers.
Supply ChainRo/ro cargoNorth American ports

BNSF to launch new Houston intermodal service in June

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | May 16, 2023, 1:41 PM EDT

The railroad will start a twice-weekly service to Dallas and once-weekly service to Denver, but no ocean carrier as yet is offering inland moves from Houston.
North-American railNorth American portsIntermodal providers

Top US Shippers: Plastic resin exports bounce back as supply chain pressures ease

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | May 16, 2023, 9:00 AM EDT

US exports of plastic resins rebounded in 2022 after an uncharacteristic decline in 2021, but increased production in China and an uncertain global economy could dampen demand this year.
Supply ChainContainer shippingNorth American ports

ILWU, state of Maryland throw support to ILA in Leatherman case

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | May 15, 2023, 4:36 PM EDT

The International Longshoremen’s Association should be able to sue ocean carriers that do not abide by work preservation rules, according to several briefs filed in support of the union’s dispute involving jobs at the Port of Charleston’s new terminal.
Longshore laborContainer shippingNorth American ports

FLOW gains momentum with ‘give-to-get' data-sharing model

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | May 15, 2023, 2:12 PM EDT

The growth in participation in FLOW is a signal that the private sector views the voluntary nature of the project as more amenable than governmental data-sharing mandates or legislation.
Logistics technologyContainer shippingContainer linesForwardingPortsTransport, trade and regulation

Top US Shippers: Recession fears pulling at the seams of growing clothing imports

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | May 15, 2023, 10:43 AM EDT

Unlike last year, when apparel importers front-loaded volumes in the first half, apparel shippers are waiting for more clarity on consumer spending before they bring back-to-school and holiday inventory into the US.
Supply ChainContainer shippingNorth American ports

NY-NJ port stakeholders improve trucker experience as downturn cuts work

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | May 12, 2023, 3:19 PM EDT

The influx of new drivers to the New York-New Jersey port helped it handle record volumes in 2022, but the downturn means less work and possibly more turnover.
DrayageContainer shippingNorth American ports

Top US Shippers: Supply chain bottlenecks put cork in US alcohol imports

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | May 11, 2023, 10:12 AM EDT

US imports of beer, wine and spirits could have been even stronger over the last two years if not for widespread supply chain disruptions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Supply ChainContainer shippingNorth American ports

Battle joined over costs linked to detention/demurrage maneuvering

Peter Tirschwell | May 11, 2023, 9:52 AM EDT

The decision by ocean carriers to not charge per diem fees when gates are closed will result in money remaining in the pockets of importers and exporters rather than flowing to carriers and terminal operators — and anyone who thought that would happen without a fight is dreaming, writes Peter Tirschwell.
Container shippingContainer linesMarine terminalsNorth American ports

ONE becomes latest carrier to drop per diem fees at closed US marine terminals

Teri Errico Griffis | May 10, 2023, 2:03 PM EDT

The change comes in advance of the FMC’s final rule on detention and demurrage billing that is due to be published in mid-June and has already generated pushback from marine terminal operators.
Container linesContainer shippingNorth American portsTransport, trade and regulation

Top US Shippers: US toy imports ‘normalizing’ after slipping from record 2022

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | May 10, 2023, 9:58 AM EDT

Toy and game manufacturers front-loaded traditional holiday merchandise in 2022, resulting in an exceptional first half of the year followed by a weak fourth quarter that coincided with a broader decline in consumer spending.
Supply ChainContainer shippingTrans-PacificNorth American portsInternational ports

Western Canadian ports missing out on USWC cargo diversions: analyst

Larry Gross, president and founder, Gross Transportation Consulting; and JOC analyst | May 10, 2023, 9:42 AM EDT

One might expect that Western Canadian ports have benefited from cargo bound for the US Midwest being diverted from the US West Coast to avoid potential labor disruption, but that has not been the case, notes analyst Larry Gross.
Container shippingLongshore laborNorth American portsIntermodal providers

Top US Shippers: Price inflation pulls the plug on surging US electronics imports

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | May 9, 2023, 11:48 AM EDT

Last year’s dip in electronics imports is a sign that US consumers were holding back on some discretionary purchases after two years of heightened spending during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Supply ChainContainer shippingTrans-PacificNorth American portsInternational ports

Savannah doubles down on terminal expansion with $1.4 billion investment

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor | May 9, 2023, 10:14 AM EDT

Nearly three years of record Asia imports tested Savannah’s cargo flow at times, underscoring the port’s need to ensure it had sufficient buffer capacity to handle growth.
North American portsContainer shippingMarine terminals

Softer peak season import forecast trending toward pre-pandemic levels: US retailers

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | May 8, 2023, 6:00 PM EDT

Consumer spending in the coming months will be compromised somewhat by high inflation, while retailers are being conservative in placing purchase orders with factories in Asia because of bloated inventories, according to the Global Port Tracker.
Container shippingContainer linesTrans-PacificNorth American ports

Vancouver will use two-phased approach for building, operating new terminal

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | May 8, 2023, 1:51 PM EDT

Obtaining all required governmental approvals and choosing a contractor and operator is likely to push the opening of Vancouver’s Roberts Bank Terminal 2 into the early 2030s.
North American portsContainer shippingMarine terminals

Top US Shippers: Continued poor service threatens budding ag export recovery

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | May 8, 2023, 10:12 AM EDT

Better vessel reliability helped fuel a return to growth in US agriculture exports in the second half of 2022, but those green shoots could be ripped up at the root if service doesn’t continue to improve.
Supply ChainContainer shippingTrans-PacificNorth American portsInternational ports

China to remain top for logistics investment despite regional sourcing shift

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | May 5, 2023, 2:30 PM EDT

Logistics and industrial investment in the Asia-Pacific region was estimated at about $50 billion last year, down from a record $72 billion in 2021.
Transport, trade and regulationInternational portsIndustrial real estate

NY-NJ terminals alter free time tariff as FMC rule on closed gates looms

Michael Angell, Associate Editor and Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | May 5, 2023, 1:38 PM EDT

The rule changes will not have much of an initial cost impact on shippers as almost all New York-New Jersey terminals are closed on weekends and holidays, thereby not counting toward free time, and containers are now moving off the port faster.
North American portsContainer shippingTransport, trade and regulation