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Maritime

The Journal of Commerce is the industry’s 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 American and intra-Asia trades.

Subsections

The latest Maritime News & Analysis

Estes expands international forwarding, raises bid for Yellow terminals

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor |
Estes Forwarding Worldwide, a subsidiary of the LTL trucking provider, is buying Superior Brokerage Services, a step that increases Estes’ ability to offer end-to-end logistics services as other providers look to do the same.
ForwardingTrucking NewsLTL

Logistics software helping blur lines between forwarder, shipper processes: WiseTech CEO

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor |
Richard White said in an interview with the Journal of Commerce the logistics industry is stuck in a pattern of tackling small problems instead of viewing international trade as a large, connected system.
Logistics Technology NewsForwardingAir Cargo Forwarder NewsSupply chain

Forwarders now liable for export control violations as US tightens shipping security

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor |
Washington is urging NVOs and forwarders to “know their customer,” a steep challenge for co-loaders who bundle multiple shipments for multiple customers into a single container, writes Journal of Commerce Executive Editor Mark Szakonyi.
Transport, Trade, and Regulation NewsContainer Shipping NewsContainer linesForwarding

‘Golden Week’ surge turns to bust as trans-Pacific rates fall, blank sailings rise

Michael Angell, Associate Editor |
The gains in spot rates for ocean freight are eroding again as US importers see little need to book more space ahead of the holiday shopping season.
Trans-PacificContainer Shipping NewsContainer linesForwarding

CMA CGM looks to boost usage of New York terminal with new investment

Michael Angell, Associate Editor |
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 Shipping NewsContainer lines

MSC makes bid for a half-stake in Hamburg’s main terminal operator

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe |
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.
Port NewsContainer Shipping NewsMarine terminalsInternational ports

Global shippers launch 600,000-TEU tender to fast-track decarbonization

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe |
The bids would require carriers to quote a negotiated “green premium” that cargo owners would pay to transport the containers on ships powered by zero-carbon fuels.
MaritimeContainer Shipping NewsContainer linesLogistics Technology NewsTransport, Trade, and Regulation News

Flexport’s bumpy evolution shows, ultimately, people and relationships matter

Peter Tirschwell |
As many have observed in disparaging the notion of a “digital” forwarder, of which Flexport was the prototype, forwarding at its core is a business of people solving real-world problems for which there is not — and probably never will be — a technology solution, writes Peter Tirschwell.
ForwardingTrans-PacificLogistics Technology News

Bed Bath & Beyond files FMC complaint against Yang Ming in capacity dispute

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor |
The new allegation against Yang Ming comes less than a week after the carrier settled a dispute with another US importer, also over allegations it failed to honor vessel capacity commitments.
Transport, Trade, and Regulation NewsContainer Shipping NewsContainer lines

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

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent |
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 |
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.
Rail NewsForwardingInternational rail

Flexport lost touch with customers under brief Clark reign: Petersen

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor |
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 |
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 Estate NewsNorth American portsCool Cargo News

SSA aims for US Gulf, Southeast port growth as Ceres deal closes: CEO

Michael Angell, Associate Editor |
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 Shipping NewsNorth American ports

CORRECTION: ITS Long Beach to remain open amid search for new carriers

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor |
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 Shipping NewsContainer linesMarine terminalsNorth American ports

Drayage industry faces technology dilemma in down freight market

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor |
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 Technology NewsPort NewsNorth American portsTrucking News

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

Michael Angell, Associate Editor |
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 Shipping NewsTrans-PacificAsia-Europe

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

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe |
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 Shipping NewsContainer lines

Clark departs Flexport amid differences with founder over strategic shift

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor |
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 Shipping NewsAir CargoAir Cargo Forwarder NewsSupply chainLogistics Technology News

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

Lars Jensen, CEO & Partner, Vespucci Maritime, and JOC Analyst |
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 Shipping NewsContainer linesTransport, Trade, and Regulation News

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

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe |
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.
MaritimeForwardingTrucking NewsInternational railAir CargoAir Cargo Forwarder NewsSupply chain

LA-LB port interests spar with agency over emissions rule under development

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor |
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 Shipping NewsMarine terminalsTransport, Trade, and Regulation News

OOCL Logistics joins growing group intrigued by trade finance potential

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor |
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 Technology NewsContainer linesForwardingSupply chain

String of Asia storms cause port closures, cargo delays

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent |
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 Shipping NewsContainer linesMarine terminalsInternational ports

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

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe |
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 Shipping NewsContainer linesTrans-Atlantic

Key supply chain stakeholders commit to electronic bills of lading

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe |
Digitalizing the most important document in global trade is a vital step toward a more efficient and secure paperless container shipping industry.
MaritimeContainer Shipping NewsContainer linesLogistics Technology News

Hapag-Lloyd CEO says exclusion from HMM bid was expected

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe |
The Hamburg-based carrier has confirmed that HMM’s South Korean state owners have removed it from the bidding process.
MaritimeContainer Shipping NewsContainer lines

MPV/HL orders scarce despite need for sustainable fleet

Susan Oatway, Research Analyst, Breakbulk and Project Cargo, Journal of Commerce |
Newbuilding investments in the multipurpose and heavy-lift fleet will be crucial to the global push to decarbonize energy.
Breakbulk NewsBreakbulk carriers

Breakbulk sector preps for EU emissions trading system

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor, Breakbulk and Heavy Lift |
Breakbulk carriers and their clients must prepare for the EUs new emissions trading system before the Jan. 1 start
Breakbulk NewsBreakbulk carriers

Bidders hold back on first Gulf of Mexico wind lease auction  

Autumn Cafiero Giusti, Special Correspondent |
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 NewsEnergy projectsMarine terminals

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

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe |
The completion of the terminal acquisitions gives the carrier a stronger footprint in the US’s largest East Coast gateway.
Port NewsContainer Shipping NewsTrans-AtlanticMarine terminalsNorth American ports

ILWU ratifies new labor contract with West Coast waterfront employers

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor |
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 Shipping NewsContainer linesMarine terminalsNorth American ports

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

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor |
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 Regulation NewsContainer Shipping News

Carriers on course for healthy year despite tumbling profits: analyst

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe |
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 Shipping NewsContainer lines

Southeast US ports reopen after Hurricane Idalia blows through region

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor |
Given the short duration of the port and terminal closures, impacts appeared minimal as Jacksonville, Savannah and Charleston resumed normal operations.
North American portsContainer Shipping NewsTrucking News

'Rushed' sourcing shift out of China prompts some reconsideration

Peter Tirschwell |
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 Shipping NewsContainer linesMarine terminalsInternational ports

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

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor |
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 News

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

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor |
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 Shipping NewsContainer linesNorth American ports

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

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe |
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 Shipping NewsContainer lines

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

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor |
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 Shipping NewsContainer linesTrans-PacificNorth American ports