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Trans-Pacific container lines got a reprieve from sliding freight rates this week when they put a general rate increase into effect on May 21, but freight rates are likely to continue to slide in the major east-west trades because some carriers continue to slash rates after repeated GRIs in an effort to gain market share.

IMPEX Logistics has launched an ocean transportation purchasing cooperative for small and medium-size non-vessel-operating common carriers.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines will begin operating in Canada as “MOL (Canada),” effective Aug. 1.

Mediterranean Shipping Co. will increase rates for all dry and refrigerated cargo on its trade from Limassol, Cyprus, to any destination in the Far East, beginning June 1.

Despite challenging economic conditions, CargoWise’s revenue for the Americas region has increased by 34 percent year-over-year in the last 12 months, and the number of users expanded by 47 percent...

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has presented to the U.S. Coast Guard a new report that found that 36 sunken vessels strewn across the U.S. seafloor could pose an oil pollution threat...

Ohio’s Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, City of Toledo, Lucas County and other officials have held a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of 1,500 feet of new roadway and utilities at Overland Industrial Park.

The American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index slid 0.2 percent to 123.2 in April, after rising 0.9 percent in March to 123.5.

XL Group, an insurance and reinsurance company, has expanded its inland marine business with the addition of truck cargo coverage for medium to large-sized trucking operations in North America.

Cargotec has unveiled its Technology and Competence Centre in an opening ceremony in Tampere, Finland.

Rotterdam today officially opened the first phase of Maasvlakte 2, Europe’s largest container terminal hub, which is expected to unleash a fierce battle for cargo across the Le Havre-Hamburg port range at a time of sluggish traffic growth.

Denmark’s DFDS reported its pre-tax loss in the seasonally weak first quarter widened to 118 million kroner ($ 20.5 million) from 98 million kroner ($17 million) a year earlier, as cargo traffic stalled on its key North Sea and Baltic shipping routes.

House Republicans and Democrats on Tuesday ramped up their opposition to President Obama’s proposed overhaul of the U.S. food aid program, saying the push highlighted a lack of national maritime strategy.

India and China have signed three memorandums of understanding regarding buffalo meat, fisheries and pharmaceuticals, as well as one agreement on feed and feed ingredients...

Freight and infrastructure capacity will be at the top of the agenda at the National Industrial Transportation League’s Spring Policy Meetings in Chicago May 23 and 24.

Cargo throughput at Hong Kong International Airport reached 342,000 metric tons in April, up 4.5 percent year-over-year.

LTL Carrier YRC Freight began implementing a change of operations that will close 29 terminals, restructuring its nationwide network to gain efficiency.

Diana Containerships today reported a net loss of $31.8 million in the first quarter of 2013, compared with a net income of $1.9 million in the first quarter of 2012.

HELP Inc. is strengthening its support of cargo theft recovery efforts by delivering CargoNet theft alerts through the PrePass system to roadside enforcement officers at nearly 300 truck inspection facilities in more than 30 states.

Kerry Logistics has deployed three hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) as part of a pilot program under the auspices of Hong Kong’s government.

United Arab Shipping Co.’s ship Asir, which was crippled by an explosion that occurred in its engine room on May 11, has been moved to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, by two tugs from Smit Salvage.

DNJ Intermodal Services will open a new office in Omaha, Neb., on June 1.

Penske Truck Leasing has opened its new $6 million, 24,000 square foot facility in Phoenix.

Polar Air Cargo plans to upgrade its 767 intra-Asia services and 747 trans-Pacific services, starting in early June.

Kane Is Able has named Gary Griffith its new senior vice president of business development and marketing.

ORBCOMM, a global provider or machine-to-machine solutions, has unveiled four asset-tracking and monitoring devices for the transportation and logistics industry.

Genesis Energy will expand its rail terminal in Natchez, Miss., and construct a new unit train loading facility in Wyoming in the Powder River Basin of the Niobrara shale play.

The U.S. and Tunisia have launched an initiative to support the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, boost trade and promote economic growth.

Finnair Cargo will add more air freight capacity to and from Brussels, starting June 6.

The European Union has allocated €37 million (about US$47.7 million) for its Regional Maritime Security program to strengthen the fight against piracy in several Eastern and Southern African countries.

Navios Maritime Holdings today reported a net loss of $10.2 million in the first quarter of 2013, plummeting from a net profit of $9.5 million in the first quarter of 2012.

CEVA Group reported its adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization in the first quarter of 2013 were €31 million (about US$39.8 million), plummeting 53 percent from $84.8 million in the first quarter of 2012.

Less-than-truckload carrier ABF Freight System will raise general rates and charges 5.9 percent on average May 28.

The leaders of about 160 Teamster locals approved a multiyear contract with ABF Freight System that will cut wages 7 percent in the first year of the contract.

The Israeli government is planning to issue a tender to build a privately run seaport in the coming months, pledging to end the monopolies of the two main ports of Ashdod and Haifa, Haaretz reports.

Royal Mail’s profit more than doubled, driven by surging parcel deliveries, in a major boost to the forthcoming privatization of the UK’s 363-year-old state-owned postal company.

Ocean carriers are paying a heavy price for failing to rein in capacity on the Asia-Mediterranean route despite the deepening economic crisis across southern Europe, according to shipping consultant Drewry.

The New Jersey General Assembly approved a bill to create a presumption that drayage and parcel delivery drivers are employees instead of independent contractors, but the legislation appears unlikely to become law.

DAF Trucks has selected DB Schenker in Brazil as its logistics service provider.