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

Vancouver, Prince Rupert face protracted port strike as talks stalemate

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor | Jul 4, 2023, 5:23 PM EDT

Canadian business groups are pleading for Parliament to return to Ottawa and pass back-to-work legislation to end the ILWU Canada strike, but it will likely take days for the upper and lower houses to pass such legislation, if they heed the call.

Longshore labor

Maersk warns of hefty Asia-Europe rate hike from July 31

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Jul 4, 2023, 8:58 AM EDT

The carrier is attempting to stem the spot rate slide in a weak demand-high-capacity environment that has seen freight prices fall more than 80% from the record highs of early last year.

MaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesAsia-Europe

USDOT awards $40M to boost port emissions reduction, surface projects

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Jul 3, 2023, 10:00 AM EDT

The US Department of Transportation is funding infrastructure projects that include carbon neutralization plans, updating miles of century-old rail and improving port access roads.

PortsNorth American portsPort infrastructureSupply Chain

Weakening ocean market puts renewed focus on Maersk integrator strategy

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Jul 3, 2023, 8:00 AM EDT

The carrier accelerated its reach into the direct shipper market during the pandemic when access to vessel space was severely limited, but as demand slows and capacity grows, the company may need to increase its forwarder business.

MaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesTrans-Pacific

Shipping industry braced for extended strike at BC ports

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor | Jul 2, 2023, 1:57 PM EDT

The pressure is on the Trudeau government to use its political capital to force a deal between employers and longshore workers at the ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert after the latter began a strike Saturday.

Longshore laborMaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesTrans-PacificNorth American portsTransport, trade and regulation

Logistics integration partnerships defy freight demand downturn

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Jun 30, 2023, 2:43 PM EDT

Growing partnerships between software vendors and integrators with expertise in their solutions and their customers systems highlight the importance of the technological plumbing that underpins logistics networks.

Logistics technologyForwardingSupply Chain

No sign yet of recovery as trans-Atlantic, Asia-Europe rate decline continues

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Jun 30, 2023, 10:41 AM EDT

Sustained weakness in demand, excess capacity and ongoing economic uncertainty are undermining the container trade in and out of Europe, making a third-quarter rebound increasingly unlikely.

MaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesTrans-AtlanticAsia-Europe

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

US DOT opens $5.6 billion in funding for projects to strengthen supply chains

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Jun 28, 2023, 10:57 AM EDT

The funds will come from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, with three separate grant opportunities soliciting applications under a single program called the Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant program.

Port infrastructurePortsNorth American portsTransport, trade and regulation

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

Senators look to rein in longshore work actions with change to US labor laws

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Jun 26, 2023, 4:33 PM EDT

The legislation comes less than two weeks after West Coast waterfront employers and the ILWU struck a tentative deal for a new labor contract after 13 months of contentious talks that saw the union slow down port operations on numerous occasions.

Longshore laborNorth 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

C&K Trucking expands to Columbus and Kansas City, with more to come

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | Jun 23, 2023, 1:46 PM EDT

The major eastern US drayage provider is looking to expand its footprint to California and the Pacific Northwest before the end of the year, markets where its major competitors already operate.

Drayage

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

Emerging from pandemic fog, global reefer market reverts to type

Richard Bright, Journal of Commerce analyst | Jun 23, 2023, 9:00 AM EDT

If the reefer mode can tough out the rest of 2023, next year should be better for operators largely because there will be more cargo, and therefore demand will be stronger, writes analyst Richard Bright.

Cool CargoesBreakbulk shippingBreakbulk carriersSupply Chain

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

Ro/ro carrier Sallaum aims to boost capacity with latest vessel order

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Jun 20, 2023, 4:53 PM EDT

Persistent demand from existing customers and expected growth in global demand for heavier electric vehicles are spurring fresh investment in ro/ro newbuildings from Sallaum Lines.

Breakbulk shippingRo/ro cargo

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

Cadeler, Eneti combine to create $1.3 billion wind installation vessel operator

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Jun 16, 2023, 3:53 PM EDT

The merger of wind installation vessel operators Cadeler and Eneti, which already have a combined project backlog worth $1.75 billion, was driven by an expected surge in offshore wind farm projects through 2030, Cadeler CEO Mikkel Gleerup told a webinar Friday.

Breakbulk carriersEnergy projects

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

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