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

MSC avoids fine as FMC finds no OSRA-22 violation in charge complaint

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Oct 3, 2023, 5:56 PM EDT

The Federal Maritime Commission said its enforcement agency does not have a case against the ocean carrier over a congestion surcharge complaint from a shipper.

Container shippingTransport, trade and regulation

Coming implementation of European ETS setting up for a predictable mess: analyst

Lars Jensen, CEO & Partner, Vespucci Maritime, and JOC Analyst | Oct 3, 2023, 1:52 PM EDT

If shippers found the post-IMO 2020 bunker fuel formulas confusing and misaligned across ocean carriers, just wait until they see the surcharges linked to Europe’s new emissions trading system, says analyst Lars Jensen.

Container shippingInternational portsTransport, trade and regulation

Ocean carriers sell US chassis lessor to private equity group

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | Oct 3, 2023, 12:06 PM EDT

Consolidated Chassis Management is the sole provider of chassis to the newly launched South Atlantic Chassis Pool 3.0, which covers the ports of Jacksonville, Savannah and Wilmington, North Carolina.

Container linesNorth American ports

FMC dismisses ILA’s claims of price fixing at Southeast ports

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Oct 3, 2023, 9:57 AM EDT

While three companies jointly control some operations at marine terminals at Savannah and Charleston, they are not considered marine terminal operators, an FMC judge has ruled.  

North American portsTransport, trade and regulation

India-Middle East-Europe corridor plan to skirt Suez begs costly questions

Bency Mathew, Special Correspondent | Oct 3, 2023, 9:51 AM EDT

The multimodal transshipment connector is taking shape as the industry puts a heavier focus on end-to-end, point-to-point carrier offerings to enable more resilient and sustainable trade flow.

Container shippingContainer linesInternational ports

ILWU bankruptcy filing provides dramatic twist to long-running Portland dispute

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Oct 2, 2023, 5:18 PM EDT

The financial health of the powerful International Longshore and Warehouse Union is in jeopardy as the union seeks to avoid paying $19 million in damages to a Portland terminal operator over disruptive job actions years ago.

MaritimePortsLongshore laborNorth American ports

Global MPV/HL fleet is “between technologies”: carriers

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor, Breakbulk and Heavy Lift | Oct 2, 2023, 4:37 PM EDT

MPV newbuildings are being designed for higher cargo intake and improved efficiency, but any consensus on green fuels and propulsion systems remains elusive.

Breakbulk shippingBreakbulk carriersProject cargoEnergy projects

FMC mediation office ramps up help for US shippers seeking dispute relief

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Oct 2, 2023, 12:36 PM EDT

Use of the little-known arm of the FMC comes as shippers are increasingly turning to US maritime regulators to perform a consumer protection function in the aftermath of pandemic-linked disruptions and broad shipping reform that became law 15 months ago.

Transport, trade and regulationContainer shipping

Europe’s coming ETS surcharges based on ‘guesswork’: Sea-Intelligence

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Oct 2, 2023, 9:14 AM EDT

A significant misalignment in ETS surcharges among ocean carriers can be expected if the per-FEU levies already announced by Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd are any indication, according to Sea-Intelligence Maritime Analysis.

MaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesTrans-AtlanticAsia-Europe

California drayage operators seek help meeting zero-emission regulations

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Sep 29, 2023, 11:21 AM EDT

Drayage companies in the state say existing incentive programs will not be enough to enable them to meet regulations that mandate a zero-emission drayage fleet by 2035.

MaritimeContainer shippingPortsNorth American ports

SC Ports turns to US Supreme Court in bid for relief over Leatherman dispute

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Sep 28, 2023, 4:32 PM EDT

While the South Carolina Ports Authority cited the “urgency and importance” of the Leatherman terminal issue to the state and regional economies, getting on the Court’s docket is a daunting task.

North American portsContainer shippingContainer linesTransport, trade and regulation

Shippers to bring European ETS surcharge into carrier contract talks

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 28, 2023, 11:18 AM EDT

Cargo owners want complete transparency from carriers in their “emission surcharges” that will be levied on customers from the first quarter of 2024 and are looking at how the surcharges can be handled in long-term rate agreements.

MaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesTrans-AtlanticAsia-Europe

Rising green fuel costs offer looming challenge for carriers, BCOs

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 27, 2023, 12:27 PM EDT

While the costs of meeting shipping’s net-zero 2050 target are expected to run into the trillions, Europe’s emissions trading system presents a more immediate decarbonization cost that awaits European cargo owners in the new year.

MaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesTrans-PacificAsia-Europe

New Shanghai contract fails to budge skeptical carriers on container futures

Peter Tirschwell | Sep 27, 2023, 10:10 AM EDT

The concept of widespread use of a hedging tool continues to face an uphill battle within the container sector years after it was introduced, especially among carriers whose buy-in is considered essential to confer legitimacy on the fledging market.

Container shippingContainer linesTransport, trade and regulation

Montreal’s uncertain mega-project opens window for Halifax, Saint John

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Sep 26, 2023, 6:14 PM EDT

Halifax and Saint John are expanding their container terminals as Class I railroads see an opportunity to serve major inland destinations from the Eastern Canadian ports.

North American portsContainer shippingNorth-American rail

Aggressive trans-Pac blank sailings likely through Lunar New Year amid freight downturn: sources

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Sep 26, 2023, 4:39 PM EDT

For importers and forwarders, the blank sailings mean the resulting schedule disruptions and “rolling” of cargo they are already experiencing at Asian load ports will force them to book more of their cargo with carriers they can count on to maintain schedule integrity.

Container shippingContainer linesTrans-PacificNorth American portsInternational ports

Inland23: Pandemic yields rise in US truckload thefts

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Sep 26, 2023, 1:21 PM EDT

Solar panels and energy drinks are among the top targeted goods for truckload theft, with major markets such as Los Angeles, Houston and Chicago particularly ripe for those crimes.

SurfaceContainer shippingTrucking

First green shipping corridor will connect Shanghai with Southern California

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Sep 25, 2023, 5:31 PM EDT

Los Angeles, Long Beach and Shanghai will work with ocean carriers and an organization of cities committed to emissions reductions to develop the first-ever green shipping corridor along one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.

MaritimeContainer shippingPortsNorth American ports

Sourcing shift causes surge in South American logistics investment

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Sep 25, 2023, 3:23 PM EDT

New forwarding and ocean services are being added to South American trade lanes as service providers move to capture rising trade growth in the region.

Container shippingContainer linesTrans-PacificInternational ports

CSX, NS Gulf Coast rail deal with Amtrak receives federal funding

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Sep 25, 2023, 3:04 PM EDT

The US Transport Department will back improvements along tracks that span the ports of Mobile and New Orleans to allow freight and passenger service to coexist.

North-American railNorth American ports

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

Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd put shippers on notice ahead of European ETS surcharges

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 22, 2023, 11:13 AM EDT

The phased implementation of Europe’s emissions trading system on the shipping industry beginning next year will generate significant costs for carriers that will be passed on to customers in the form of new charges.

MaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesTrans-PacificAsia-Europe

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

August volume boost, FAK rate revisions drive India-Europe rates higher

Bency Mathew, Special Correspondent | Sep 21, 2023, 10:28 AM EDT

Signaling some growth expectations, Indian container volumes saw gains in August, hitting 1.9 million TEUs, up 14% from 1.7 million TEUs a year earlier.

Container shippingContainer linesInternational ports

Trans-Atlantic blank sailings to ease despite loss-making rate levels

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 21, 2023, 9:51 AM EDT

Carriers appear reluctant to make the drastic capacity reductions required to match supply with demand on the westbound trade lane, leaving rates far below pre-pandemic levels.

MaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesTrans-Atlantic

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

Asia-North Europe blank sailings to soar in October amid capacity overhang

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 20, 2023, 12:56 PM EDT

Ocean carriers on the busy trade lane plan to slash deployed capacity to match falling demand levels that typically follow China’s Golden Week holiday at the start of October.

MaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesAsia-Europe

Intermarine, JSA target Chilean metals, energy markets with new subsidiary

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Sep 20, 2023, 11:45 AM EDT

Affiliated carriers Intermarine and Jumbo-SAL-Alliance are poised to reap new cargo from the expected growth boom in South American mining, green fuels and wind.

Breakbulk shippingBreakbulk carriersProject cargo

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

Dynamics behind Flexport’s leadership change signal digital forwarding’s natural endpoint

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Sep 19, 2023, 4:24 PM EDT

Much criticism has been leveled at the digital forwarding model, but steep declines in topline revenue during a year of weak demand are a sign that digital forwarders have had trouble differentiating themselves from the pack.

ForwardingLogistics technology

GPA-sponsored transload facility opens in Savannah

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | Sep 19, 2023, 3:41 PM EDT

The facility will offer a unique option to transfer ocean containers into domestic equipment without the need for outside drayage or pool chassis.

Marine terminals

Maersk, CMA CGM join forces in drive to accelerate shipping decarbonization

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 19, 2023, 10:04 AM EDT

The two carriers will work together to develop alternative fuel standards, scale up the production of green fuel and ensure its supply at key bunkering ports around the world.

MaritimeContainer shipping

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

Green fuel costs could make nuclear ships economically viable: experts

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 18, 2023, 10:46 AM EDT

Small onboard nuclear reactors could ultimately be the lowest-cost method of decarbonization as shipping competes with other thirsty industries for sustainable net-zero fuels, according to energy and investment analysts.

MaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesLogistics technologyTransport, trade and regulation

Ocean carriers will look to ‘chokepoint’ assets for next wave of spending: analyst

Lars Jensen, CEO & Partner, Vespucci Maritime, and JOC Analyst | Sep 18, 2023, 10:00 AM EDT

Owning and operating potential supply chain chokepoints is a competitive advantage, and we should expect to see major carriers — flush with cash post-pandemic — be very active in attempting to secure such assets, writes analyst Lars Jensen.

Supply ChainContainer linesPortsMarine terminalsRail

Lack of cargoes holding down MPV rates in near-term: analysts

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor, and Susan Oatway, Research Analyst for Breakbulk and Project Cargo | Sep 18, 2023, 9:00 AM EDT

Despite having fewer cargoes for which to compete, some bulk operators are beefing up their staff of project cargo specialists, implying that those carriers are sensing opportunities ahead.

Breakbulk shippingBreakbulk carriersProject cargo

Possible MSC deal brings ‘respite’ for competition-hit HHLA: Drewry

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 15, 2023, 12:00 PM EDT

The carrier’s commitment to bring an additional 1 million TEUs per year across HHLA’s wharves in Hamburg if it wins a bid for almost half the company will come as an attractive sweetener for the terminal operator.

PortsContainer shippingContainer linesInternational 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

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