Maritime

The Journal of Commerce is the most trusted source for maritime news and analysis about ocean container shipping, logistics, supply chains, global shipping ports, shipping technology solutions and end-to-end connectivity. Coverage tracks the movement of containerized cargo — from origin to destination — handled by marine terminals in the US and abroad, depots, container ports, container lines, drayage, consignees and shippers, forwarders, non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs) and off-dock warehousing providers, as well as pricing, capacity, volume and reliability on the trans-Pacific, Asia-Europe, North America-Caribbean, Central and South America and intra-Asia trades.

Subsections

The latest Maritime News & Analysis

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

Rapid rail transit via sanctions-hit Russia has limited appeal for European shippers

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 12, 2023, 10:57 AM EDT

Sanctions imposed on Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine continue to limit the attractiveness of transport times as low as 12 days offered by forwarders on the China-North Europe rail network.

RailForwardingInternational rail

Flexport lost touch with customers under brief Clark reign: Petersen

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Sep 12, 2023, 6:00 AM EDT

Flexport founder and CEO Ryan Petersen refused to pin the blame for the company’s abrupt change in leadership on waning freight demand, saying the forwarder “has been through worse macro environments.”

ForwardingSupply Chain

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

Zim, MSC ink cooperation deal on services linking Asia, Europe and Med

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Sep 7, 2023, 2:11 PM EDT

Facing an operating loss of up to $500 million for 2023, Zim hopes the sharing arrangement with its larger competitor will help drive efficiencies “amidst continued near-term headwinds.”

Container linesContainer shippingTrans-PacificAsia-Europe

Maersk, Amazon ink 20,000-FEU green fuel transport deal

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 7, 2023, 11:14 AM EDT

The agreement involves the latest in a series of alternative fuel products being rolled out by major ocean carriers and global forwarders as regulators tighten emissions controls.

MaritimeContainer shippingContainer lines

Clark departs Flexport amid differences with founder over strategic shift

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Sep 6, 2023, 5:00 PM EDT

A difference of opinion over Flexport’s strategic shift toward fulfillment aimed at small businesses has prompted CEO Dave Clark to depart the company only a year after he came aboard.

ForwardingContainer shippingAir CargoAir cargo forwardingSupply ChainLogistics technology

Hapag-Lloyd miss on HMM highlights shipping’s lack of level playing field: analyst

Lars Jensen, CEO & Partner, Vespucci Maritime, and JOC Analyst | Sep 6, 2023, 12:18 PM EDT

There is nothing fundamentally wrong with countries protecting their shipping interests, but there are always ripple effects on the commercial side that benefit some stakeholders and disadvantage others, writes analyst Lars Jensen.

Container shippingContainer linesTransport, trade and regulation

Market interest ‘should be very high’ in DB Schenker sale: CEO

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 6, 2023, 9:24 AM EDT

The German-based forwarder remains the largest and most attractive takeover target in a cash-rich industry where the main players are all looking for opportunities to consolidate.

MaritimeForwardingTruckingInternational railAir CargoAir cargo forwardingSupply Chain

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

OOCL Logistics joins growing group intrigued by trade finance potential

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Sep 5, 2023, 1:56 PM EDT

Development of trade finance tools for small and medium-sized shippers continues to grow, evidenced by OOCL Logistics launching a trade finance platform with fintech provider Stenn.

Logistics technologyContainer linesForwardingSupply Chain

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

No bottom in sight for free-falling trans-Atlantic rates

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 5, 2023, 10:54 AM EDT

The spot market from North Europe to the US East Coast continues to weaken and lackluster attempts by carriers to withdraw capacity are having little effect on balancing supply and demand.

MaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesTrans-Atlantic

Key supply chain stakeholders commit to electronic bills of lading

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 4, 2023, 10:00 PM EDT

Digitalizing the most important document in global trade is a vital step toward a more efficient and secure paperless container shipping industry.

MaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesLogistics technology

Hapag-Lloyd CEO says exclusion from HMM bid was expected

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 4, 2023, 10:34 AM EDT

The Hamburg-based carrier has confirmed that HMM’s South Korean state owners have removed it from the bidding process.

MaritimeContainer shippingContainer lines

MPV/HL orders scarce despite need for sustainable fleet

Susan Oatway, Research Analyst, Breakbulk and Project Cargo, Journal of Commerce | Sep 4, 2023, 5:00 AM EDT

Newbuilding investments in the multipurpose and heavy-lift fleet will be crucial to the global push to decarbonize energy.

Breakbulk shippingBreakbulk carriers

Breakbulk sector preps for EU emissions trading system

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor, Breakbulk and Heavy Lift | Sep 2, 2023, 5:00 AM EDT

Breakbulk carriers and their clients must prepare for the EUs new emissions trading system before the Jan. 1 start

Breakbulk shippingBreakbulk carriers

Bidders hold back on first Gulf of Mexico wind lease auction  

Autumn Cafiero Giusti, Special Correspondent | Sep 1, 2023, 1:25 PM EDT

Beyond the supply chain snarls, permitting bottlenecks and high costs that are hampering offshore wind development generally, the Gulf is a less-than-ideal location for offshore wind compared with other parts of the US.

Breakbulk shippingEnergy projectsMarine terminals

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

FMC publishes list of NVOs at risk of losing licenses over tariff non-compliance

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Aug 31, 2023, 3:31 PM EDT

The move is part of an ongoing effort by the FMC to bolster the oversight of regulated entities through “informed compliance,” an agency spokesperson said.

Transport, trade and regulationContainer shipping

Carriers on course for healthy year despite tumbling profits: analyst

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Aug 31, 2023, 1:38 PM EDT

A series of quarterly profit declines by container shipping lines will still not be enough to drag the industry into the red in 2023, says analyst John McCown.

MaritimeContainer shippingContainer lines

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

'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

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

South Korea resists potential sale of ‘national asset’ HMM to Hapag-Lloyd

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Aug 30, 2023, 10:54 AM EDT

Hapag-Lloyd's apparent interest in HMM, which was never officially confirmed, appears to have been derailed by South Korean national concerns despite the Hamburg-based carrier’s financial strength dwarfing local bidders.

MaritimeContainer shippingContainer lines

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

Rate recovery could buoy container shipping in H2: Cosco

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Aug 29, 2023, 2:06 PM EDT

But in its interim earnings announcement, Cosco Shipping Holdings also maintained a cautious outlook due to challenges it cited, including the global economy, inflationary pressures in Europe and America, and the delivery of new vessels.

Container linesContainer shippingTrans-PacificAsia-Europe

NVOs chase market share or margin in demand downslope

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Aug 28, 2023, 3:44 PM EDT

Supply overcapacity coupled with mediocre freight demand has the top 25 trans-Pacific non-vessel-operating common carriers deciding whether to chase lower margin business or suffer volume losses.

Container shippingMaritimeForwardingTrans-Pacific

Sliding steel demand weighs on MPV sector

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Aug 28, 2023, 3:35 PM EDT

Weak construction and manufacturing demand, inflation fears and continued economic uncertainty are weighing on global steel volumes, a key commodity for multipurpose vessels.

Breakbulk carriers

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

Lawmakers push FMC to remove MTOs from demurrage billing requirements

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Aug 25, 2023, 1:18 PM EDT

Two congress members, backed by terminal operators, are insisting maritime regulators follow the congressional intent that underpins OSRA-22 or risk “severe” disruptions to the US supply chain.

Transport, trade and regulationContainer shippingContainer linesMarine terminals

New LNG carbon inset product rolled out for container shipping market

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Aug 25, 2023, 11:56 AM EDT

The insetting product enters an industry where there is currently a reluctance by cargo owners to pay premium prices for more eco-friendly shipping services.

MaritimeContainer shippingContainer lines

Turbulence hampers US wind energy even as development picks up speed

Autumn Cafiero Giusti, Special Correspondent | Aug 25, 2023, 10:26 AM EDT

The wind energy industry must resolve a number of supply chain issues or it has little chance of reaching the US’ 2030 goal for energy generation from onshore and offshore wind.

Breakbulk shippingProject cargoEnergy projects

US Court of Appeals to hear Evergreen detention case against FMC

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Aug 24, 2023, 1:58 PM EDT

The carrier is looking to have an earlier ruling by the FMC reversed, arguing that the agency turned the incentive principle guiding cargo flow through US marine terminals “on its head.”

Transport, trade and regulationMaritimeContainer shippingContainer lines

1
2
3
4
5
6
…
3655