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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

Domestic intermodal volumes jump in early days of new Mexico rail services

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | Aug 29, 2023, 3:08 PM EDT

Since new services from CPKC and CN were launched in May, intermodal volume out of Mexico has surged more than 30% year over year through the end of July.
North-American railIntermodal providers

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

ABF’s LTL shipments, pricing jump after Yellow collapse

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Aug 28, 2023, 5:02 PM EDT

ArcBest less-than-truckload (LTL) subsidiary ABF Freight is taking on additional volume and raising rates as a broad realignment of the US LTL sector gains speed.
SurfaceTruckingLTL

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

Domestic container fluidity will pick up when volume rebounds: Schneider

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | Aug 28, 2023, 3:00 PM EDT

Schneider believes once demand picks up for rail transportation, the intermodal industry can return to pre-pandemic levels of productivity for containers.
North-American railIntermodal providers

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

Data shows US in midst of extended period of inventory drawdowns: analyst

Jason Miller, associate professor of logistics at Michigan State University, and Journal of Commerce analyst | Aug 24, 2023, 11:31 AM EDT

Inventory drawdowns and right-sizing will keep Asia-to-US container and air freight volumes soft well into 2024, writes analyst Jason Miller.
Supply ChainContainer shippingAir Cargo

FMC’s Bentzel seeks industry input for agency’s data initiative

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Aug 24, 2023, 10:21 AM EDT

With a formal request for information, Federal Maritime Commissioner Carl Bentzel believes the agency is introducing a more “transparent and inclusive process” with stakeholders when it comes to policymaking.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer shippingLogistics technology

MSC reconnects India to Asia-USWC string as contract rates tick higher

Bency Mathew, Special Correspondent | Aug 24, 2023, 9:43 AM EDT

MSC, which has implemented large-scale network realignments in recent months, halted Indian calls on the Sentosa service in April when it opened a standalone intra-Asia loop.
Trans-PacificContainer shippingContainer linesNorth American portsInternational ports

Revised terminal leases give PANYNJ cut of CMA CGM’s demurrage revenue

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Aug 23, 2023, 5:57 PM EDT

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said the new leases attempt to “strike a balance” to reflect current market realities, but other MTO sources called the practice of sharing demurrage uncommon.
North American portsContainer shippingContainer linesMarine terminals

US shippers should begin planning now for potential 2024 disruptions: analyst

Lars Jensen, CEO & Partner, Vespucci Maritime, and JOC Analyst | Aug 23, 2023, 1:54 PM EDT

In addition to the typical annual planning, such as for budgets and freight rates, US importers need to start weighing contingency plans for two potentially disruptive occurrences next year — continued low-water levels along the Panama Canal and the expiration of the International Longshoremen’s Association contract, writes Lars Jensen.
Container shippingContainer linesLongshore laborNorth American portsInternational ports

Hamburg follows North Europe port rivals with H1 volume decline

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Aug 23, 2023, 12:22 PM EDT

Weak European demand for containerized trade through the first half is hurting port throughput at the region’s top three gateways, but signs are emerging of recovering volume on certain routes.
PortsContainer shippingTrans-AtlanticAsia-EuropeInternational ports

NS delays Atlanta appointment system after Memphis rollout woes

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | Aug 23, 2023, 11:29 AM EDT

Norfolk Southern’s launch of an appointment system for import boxes in Memphis has not been smooth, but the railroad hopes to learn from the problems to make the October rollout in Atlanta better.
North-American railIntermodal providers

Spot rate gains puts pressure on shippers delaying Asia-Europe contracts: Xeneta

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Aug 23, 2023, 10:30 AM EDT

Additional upward pressure might soon be brought to bear on spot rates, with forwarders expecting carriers to ramp up blank sailings through the fourth quarter to mitigate a significant injection of new capacity.
MaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesAsia-Europe

Carriers hold fast to trans-Pac capacity cuts amid unclear import demand

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Aug 22, 2023, 4:34 PM EDT

Blank sailings during August held largely steady from July as the outlook for US import demand remains unclear, according to forwarders.
Trans-PacificContainer shippingContainer lines

M&A activity in 3PL sector continues as investment firm acquires Ascent

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Aug 22, 2023, 1:19 PM EDT

Two weeks after Forward Air acquired forwarder Omni Logistics, a private investment fund has taken over expedited third-party logistics provider Ascent Global Logistics.
Supply ChainSurfaceTruckingTruck brokersAir cargo forwarding

Intermodal savings slip in second quarter, but could rise in Q3: ISI

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | Aug 22, 2023, 10:54 AM EDT

Truckload spot rates have risen slightly off the lows seen so far this year, although some trucking analysts do not expect a significant rebound in rates until early 2024.
North-American railIntermodal Savings Index

Estes expands use of Optym as LTL market deals with Yellow fallout

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Aug 22, 2023, 9:00 AM EDT

Estes Express Lines has long used third-party software to amp up its service to customers, with an expansion of its partnership with less-than-truckload software provider Optym the latest example.
TruckingLogistics technology

Strong demand, tight tonnage boost earnings for ro/ro sector

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Aug 21, 2023, 4:26 PM EDT

Longer term, global vehicle sales are expected to exceed pre-pandemic levels from 2024 onward, while high and heavy volumes are also expected to remain strong.
Breakbulk shippingRo/ro cargo

ODFL, Estes wage billion-dollar bidding war for Yellow LTL terminals

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Aug 21, 2023, 11:36 AM EDT

Control of Yellow’s real estate may determine who gets to expand in the less-than-truckload (LTL) sector, and who must scramble to find property.
LTLSurfaceTrucking

CEVA expands India footprint with contract logistics takeover

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Aug 21, 2023, 9:57 AM EDT

The CMA CGM subsidiary’s latest acquisition will significantly increase its presence in South Asia that is growing in importance as supply chain routes shift across the region.
Supply ChainForwardingIndustrial real estateLast mileCool Cargoes

Lack of market clarity undermines positive sentiment: OOCL

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Aug 21, 2023, 9:44 AM EDT

The Cosco Shipping subsidiary noted that significant uncertainties over economic growth prospects and the huge injection of capacity into major trade lanes made forecasting difficult.
MaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesTrans-PacificAsia-Europe

US July imports from Asia hit 11-month high, portending year-on-year fall growth

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Aug 18, 2023, 2:15 PM EDT

The fresh data also showed — starkly — how the West Coast’s share of imports from Asia eroded during the 13 months of contentious contract negotiations between the ILWU and waterfront employers.
Trans-PacificContainer shippingContainer linesNorth American ports

Shippers reluctant to shoulder high cost of decarbonization: executives

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Aug 18, 2023, 11:33 AM EDT

Getting shippers to commit to premium-priced, low-emissions shipping services is a hard sell for ocean carriers and forwarders as cargo owners enjoy rates that are now mostly below pre-pandemic levels after two years of record highs.
MaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesForwardingTrans-PacificTrans-AtlanticAsia-Europe

US shippers riding post-Yellow shockwaves as LTL freight shifts among carriers

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Aug 18, 2023, 10:53 AM EDT

Some logistics managers report longer transit times and delivery delays, as well as higher costs, as remaining LTL providers divide the freight once hauled by Yellow. 
SurfaceTruckingLTL

Wallenius Wilhelmsen orders up to 12 ro/ro ships amid market strength

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Aug 18, 2023, 8:00 AM EDT

The carrier did not disclose the value of the vessel order, but shipbroking sources estimate the price of each ship at $140 million to $150 million, based on their size and multi-fuel capability. 
Breakbulk shippingRo/ro cargo

Estes Express offers $1.3 billion for all of Yellow’s terminals 

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Aug 17, 2023, 4:06 PM EDT

A ‘stalking horse bid’ from Estes, a rival trucking company, would set a floor for any competing bids for the more than 160 properties owned by Yellow.
SurfaceTruckingLTL

Shippers all over the map on H2 business outlook: J. B. Hunt

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | Aug 17, 2023, 11:35 AM EDT

While shippers using J. B. Hunt give conflicting answers on what the rest of this year will look like, the intermodal provider is strengthening its relationship with BNSF to prepare for the next upswing in demand.
North-American rail

Forwarders warn of substantial Q4 rise in Asia-Europe blank sailings

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Aug 17, 2023, 11:25 AM EDT

Carriers will have to withdraw large amounts of capacity to prevent a freefall in rate levels that are expected to be undermined by rising capacity and subdued demand, according to forwarders.
MaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesAsia-Europe

FMC ‘refusal of service’ rule risks overreacting to pandemic market

Peter Tirschwell | Aug 17, 2023, 10:11 AM EDT

The proposed rulemaking shows how far the pendulum of power has swung in favor of shippers seeking to hold carriers accountable for practices that occurred during the pandemic, but which were rarely experienced prior to that period, writes Peter Tirschwell.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer shippingContainer linesNorth American ports

Port Houston joins Portchain’s growing network for vessel arrival software

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Aug 17, 2023, 2:00 AM EDT

Portchain has pulled in 76 container terminals into its vessel arrival coordination platform with carriers in the past 18 months, with Port Houston the latest to join.
Logistics technologyContainer shippingContainer linesPortsNorth American portsInternational ports