Supply Chain

News and analysis of supply chain strategies, sourcing, trends

The latest Supply Chain News & Analysis

US ports keen on new funding, but less so on proposed reforms: AAPA

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Apr 13, 2023, 3:54 PM EDT

The main advocacy group for US ports said the step change in port funding over the coming years will mitigate future congestion and allow for better cargo flow.
North American portsMarine terminalsTransport, trade and regulation

ZEBOX broadens startup reach with new hubs in UK, Singapore

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Apr 13, 2023, 1:59 PM EDT

The addition of a new location in Singapore is meant to help supply chain technology accelerator ZEBOX reach a “strategic gateway to the Asian market,” it said.
Logistics technologyContainer lines

Latest push for US shipping reform to test regulatory appetite

Peter Tirschwell | Apr 13, 2023, 9:36 AM EDT

The long-term impact of container shipping’s moment in the sun — and in the crosshairs of regulators — will come down to which of two starkly divergent versions of reality carries sway in Washington in the coming months.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer shippingContainer linesMarine terminalsNorth American ports

Demurrage invoicing complications cloud FMC’s free time rulemaking process

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Apr 12, 2023, 2:45 PM EDT

The assessment of storage fees inside a terminal creates competitive pressures among marine terminal operators, their container line customers, and the importers that contract with container lines.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer shippingContainer linesPortsNorth American ports

Hapag-Lloyd joins carriers nixing US storage fees when terminals are closed

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Apr 10, 2023, 12:31 PM EDT

Looming federal rulemaking over detention and demurrage billing policy continues to compel container lines to refrain from assessing free time fees on weekends and holidays, with Hapag-Lloyd the latest to make such a change.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer shippingContainer linesPortsNorth American ports

Ocean carriers ‘jumping the gun’ on D&D billing changes: terminal operators

Teri Errico Griffis | Apr 6, 2023, 4:01 PM EDT

Ocean carriers are already rushing to fall in line with pending FMC rulemaking, with a string of liners announcing in recent weeks they will cease charging detention and demurrage on containers that cannot be picked up or dropped off when a terminal is closed for business.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer shippingMarine terminalsNorth American ports

Growing warehouse vacancies near NY-NJ not sign of weak market: analysts

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Apr 6, 2023, 10:15 AM EDT

The warehouse market near the Port of New York and New Jersey is seeing some tenants leave and new space becoming available, but that’s not a sign of a significant drop in demand, observers say.
Industrial real estateContainer shippingNorth American ports

‘One FedEx’ seeks better balance between air, rail, trucking

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Apr 5, 2023, 4:52 PM EDT

To reduce costs, FedEx’s system-wide network overhaul will create a stronger North American “ground-air” trucking network, including FedEx Freight, and increase its use of US intermodal rail, the company says.
SurfaceTruckingLTLIntermodal providersSupply Chain

Shipping reform would not have prevented pandemic-era disruption: analyst

Lars Jensen, CEO & Partner, Vespucci Maritime, and JOC Analyst | Apr 3, 2023, 10:26 AM EDT

While it may be easy to understand the desire to fix container shipping’s perceived problems with government intervention, no amount of reform would have prevented the shortage of capacity or record freight rates during the pandemic disruption, writes analyst Lars Jensen.
Container shippingContainer linesTrans-PacificTransport, trade and regulation

Cargo owners push for greater FMC regulation over rail storage fees

Teri Errico Griffis | Mar 31, 2023, 1:48 PM EDT

NSAC says it supports reasonable detention and demurrage practices, but wants to correct “abuse” of the system by regulating that rail operators directly invoice ocean carriers for storage, not importers.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer shippingContainer linesNorth-American rail

Regulatory disconnect impeding progress on shipping decarbonization

Peter Tirschwell | Mar 31, 2023, 8:00 AM EDT

The pressure on regulators to put a price on carbon emissions is growing as carriers ramp up investments in zero-carbon ships, which make their brands appealing to environmentally conscious shippers but expose them to lower-cost competition.
Container shippingContainer linesTransport, trade and regulation

Terminal operators, Cosco join Saudi chemical shipper in eBL deal

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Mar 30, 2023, 3:30 PM EDT

Data from eBLs issued via GSBN’s infrastructure will also be used to electronically release SABIC cargo at Hutchison and PSA terminals in Asia.
Logistics technologyContainer shippingContainer linesMarine terminalsInternational portsTransport, trade and regulation

MSC joins carriers ending demurrage billing when US terminals are closed

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Mar 30, 2023, 2:37 PM EDT

The fast-moving developments around changes to detention and demurrage billing are happening amid an ongoing rulemaking process by the FMC around the assessment of such charges to consignees and their drayage representatives.
Container linesContainer shippingPortsNorth American portsTransport, trade and regulation

New House shipping bill garners support from stakeholders

Teri Errico Griffis | Mar 29, 2023, 11:22 AM EDT

The legislation aims for faster development of uniform data-sharing standards, while the co-sponsors say they were also motivated to protect US shipping interests from what they view as China’s malign influence over the supply chain.
Transport, trade and regulation

Ocean carriers, marine terminals warn Congress on regulatory overreach

Teri Errico Griffis | Mar 28, 2023, 5:20 PM EDT

The testimony comes as two House members prepare legislation designed to update OSRA-22 and another congressman restarts an effort to remove the antitrust immunity of ocean carriers.
Transport, trade and regulation

Forwarders grapple with new freight rate math on tech investments

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Mar 28, 2023, 4:30 PM EDT

Forwarders that experimented with new software during the days of robust freight demand now face a dilemma over what technology produces actual returns on investment as volumes and margin shrink.
Logistics technologyForwardingAir cargo forwarding

HMM joins Maersk in ending demurrage collection at closed terminals

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Mar 28, 2023, 12:10 PM EDT

HMM’s decision to immediately cease charging demurrage fees at closed terminals comes as the US Federal Maritime Commission is finalizing rulemaking around free time billing practices.
Container shippingContainer linesPortsMarine terminalsNorth American portsTransport, trade and regulation

New bill in US House seeks repeal of carriers’ antitrust immunity

Teri Errico Griffis | Mar 27, 2023, 4:18 PM EDT

The legislation also aims to provide a boost for US exporters by prioritizing getting their products into foreign markets and better defending them against container rate increases and detention and demurrage fees.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer shippingContainer lines

German strikes over pay dispute cripple transportation network

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Mar 27, 2023, 11:36 AM EDT

German unions demanding inflation-busting wage increases walked off the job Monday, bringing the country’s transport system to a halt.
SurfaceForwardingRailInternational railAirportsAir cargo forwardingTransport, trade and regulation

US House duo pledge OSRA fixes to boost FMC power

Teri Errico Griffis | Mar 24, 2023, 11:09 AM EDT

US Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Daniel Maffei went before Congress Thursday to field questions about the agency’s budget, slow-going rulemaking, and whether new amendments are needed for shipping reform.
Transport, trade and regulation

FMC querying carriers, terminals on free time billing practices

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Mar 23, 2023, 2:44 PM EDT

Ahead of a June deadline to issue new rulemaking on detention and demurrage billing, the Federal Maritime Commission is seeking clarity from carriers and terminals about billing shippers when container pickups and drop-offs are not possible.
Container shippingPortsNorth American portsTransport, trade and regulation

Maersk going it alone, so far, on policy changes to free time billing

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Mar 22, 2023, 11:31 AM EDT

Maersk in April will stop collecting detention and demurrage fees on days terminals are closed and shippers can’t pick up or drop off containers, a move yet to be followed by competing ocean carriers.
Container shippingContainer linesPortsNorth American portsTransport, trade and regulation

Proactive approach to ISPM 15 progressing despite roadblocks

Autumn Cafiero Giusti, Special Correspondent | Mar 21, 2023, 9:10 AM EDT

Breakbulk shippers and logistics providers have several proposals for changes to ISPM 15 mitigation and enforcement measures pending approval from the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
Breakbulk shippingBreakbulk portsTransport, trade and regulation

New IMO rule at odds with practical realities: breakbulk executives

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor, Breakbulk and Heavy Lift, and Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Mar 17, 2023, 3:50 PM EDT

Breakbulk industry executives warn new rules aimed at reducing vessel emissions could incentivize vessel operators to implement measures that increase emissions in other areas of the supply chain.
Breakbulk shippingBreakbulk carriersTransport, trade and regulation

IEPs file brief siding with ocean carriers in FMC chassis dispute

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | Mar 17, 2023, 2:14 PM EDT

The independent equipment providers say upending the current business model would create additional chassis shortages and invoicing problems that would inconvenience cargo owners.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer linesDrayage

WiseTech Global weighing US domestic tech acquisition options: CEO

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Mar 17, 2023, 8:41 AM EDT

Widely used forwarding software provider WiseTech Global will pursue further US landside logistics technology targets in 2023, its CEO says.
Logistics technologyContainer shippingForwarding

US draft legislation seeks to update OSRA-22, boost China scrutiny

Teri Griffis, Associate Editor | Mar 16, 2023, 5:19 PM EDT

The bill would heighten transparency into regulatory penalties levied against ocean carriers and marine terminal operators and draw a sharp line on the involvement of China-based entities in US shipping.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer shippingContainer linesPortsNorth American ports

Shipper group wants more FMC action on dwell fees, ERDs

Teri Errico Griffis | Mar 16, 2023, 12:50 PM EDT

An advisory group created by the FMC two years ago is pushing the agency to act on several key issues, but some members have expressed frustration over the response from regulators.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer shippingContainer lines

Shipwell arms ‘underserved’ smaller shippers with automated bidding tool

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Mar 16, 2023, 6:00 AM EDT

Shippers that often use spreadsheets and small transportation teams to bid and execute freight shipments are the target of a new software tool from technology provider Shipwell.
Logistics technologyTruckingTruckloadLTLTruck brokers

US regulators approve CP-KCS merger to form first US-Canada-Mexico rail

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | Mar 15, 2023, 2:31 PM EDT

In approving the $31 billion merger, the Surface Transportation Board rejected arguments from the FMC and competing railroads that the deal would harm US ports and shippers.
North-American railNorth American portsSurfaceTransport, trade and regulation

Freightos’ 2022 financials reveal losses amid improving operating margins

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Mar 14, 2023, 5:20 PM EDT

Freight rate booking marketplace Freightos said its unprofitable business is seeing improving margins and that scale will help it past the breakeven point.
Logistics technologyContainer shippingContainer linesForwardingAir CargoAir cargo carriersAir cargo forwarding

Wan Hai faces $950,000 fine under revised FMC settlement over detention charges

Teri Errico Griffis | Mar 14, 2023, 4:51 PM EDT

Wan Hai is now looking at a larger civil penalty than it faced nearly a year ago following an investigation into detention charges the carrier assessed in the spring of 2021.
MaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesNorth American portsTransport, trade and regulation

US trucking, warehousing firms shed jobs, but still have more than a year ago

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Mar 14, 2023, 12:35 PM EDT

Most of the transportation job losses reported for February were due to seasonal cuts rather than economic contraction, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Supply ChainSurfaceTruckingLast mile

Global supply chains not quite back to pre-pandemic norms: analyst

Jason Miller, associate professor of logistics at Michigan State University, and JOC analyst | Mar 14, 2023, 10:29 AM EDT

A variety of data sources suggest it is premature to conclude that supply chain bottlenecks have reverted to their pre-COVID levels, as issues continue to be more pervasive than before the pandemic, writes analyst Jason Miller.
Supply ChainContainer shippingNorth American portsInternational ports

FMC outlines $44 million budget request to enhance market oversight

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Mar 13, 2023, 5:34 PM EDT

The Federal Maritime Commission is preparing to ask for another big increase in its budget as it looks to increase market surveillance and enforce OSRA-22.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer shipping

Ocean carriers on transnational regulatory defensive over antitrust immunity

Peter Tirschwell | Mar 13, 2023, 12:27 PM EDT

Stripped of antitrust protection that is under scrutiny on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as the legal certainty of being able to operate within alliances and perhaps even vessel-sharing agreements, ocean carriers could be all but forced to operate independently, writes Peter Tirschwell.
Container shippingContainer linesTransport, trade and regulation

OCEMA appeals chassis ruling to FMC commissioners

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | Mar 10, 2023, 3:49 PM EST

The Ocean Carrier Equipment Management Association says the FMC’s chief administrative judge erred in issuing a summary judgement against the group because key facts are still in dispute.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer linesNorth American portsTrucking

Drayage tech provider PortPro targeting shippers with new tracking tools

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Mar 10, 2023, 2:05 PM EST

Drayage software vendor PortPro is attempting to narrow the gap between the tools that port truckers and their shipper customers use with a new container milestone tracking product it has launched.
Logistics technologyNorth American portsDrayageTrucking

Shippers unite in push for carriers to scale up use of zero-carbon fuel

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Mar 10, 2023, 10:47 AM EST

Shippers are keeping pressure on carriers to decarbonize their operations with the launch of another US-led initiative to speed up container shipping’s transition to fossil-free fuels.
MaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesTrans-PacificTrans-AtlanticAsia-EuropeSupply Chain

Shippers committed to digital investments in logistics: S&P Global

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Mar 9, 2023, 12:53 PM EST

Shippers are showing “healthy adoption” of a wide variety of digital transformation projects, according to new research from S&P Global Market Intelligence.
Logistics technologyContainer shippingPortsTruckingSupply Chain