US port imports hit another record high this spring, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report published by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates. The reasons for that are that the country’s major container ports worked to ease congestion and retailers stocked up before the West Coast dock workers’ labor contract expired. Specifically, US ports covered by…
Singapore’s largest containerline Pacific International Lines (PIL) has joined the Washington-based liner lobby group, the World Shipping Council (WSC). As part of the move, PIL’s chief executive, Lars Kastrup, who also previously held leading positions at APL, CMA CGM and AP Moller-Maersk, will join the WSC board. “PIL is pleased to become a member of the World Shipping Council and…
Container shipping’s pandemic-fueled boom cycle has undoubtedly taken a turn in recent months, but lingering congestion is likely to prevent a swift return to normal, says Drewry in its latest Container Forecaster report published Thursday. Falling demand has driven container spot freight rates lower on a weekly basis over the last four months and high inflation is eroding confidence that volumes will…
Ceres Terminals is expected to open a new permanent pop-up container yard adjacent to Port Houston’s Barbours Cut Terminal. The new terminal depot occupies more than 300,000 m² and is the closest yard to the Port Houston’s Barbours Cut Terminal. “We are excited to announce the opening of the new container yard,” said Adam Brooks, chief operations officer of Ceres…
UWL and Swire Shipping are launching a new dedicated, express ocean export service from Seattle, Washington, US to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The transit time will be the fastest in the trade, with a duration of 21 days, according to a statement. “The recent ocean disruption and 100-day-long transit times are literally wiping out US food exporter livelihood; many…
The Swiss/Italian container line MSC has upgraded its transpacific network, connecting Asia and the United States, launching a new service and updating two existing ones. MSC is expected to commence its new Zephyr service in mid-July. However, it is still subject to regulatory approval. The world’s largest container shipping company said this new weekly service will enable them to offer…
The Port of Los Angeles processed 967,900 TEU in May, recording the third best overall month in its 115-year history. In the first five months of the year, the port has processed more than 4.5 million TEU, equal to last year’s record rate. “Retailers replenished inventory throughout the spring and now we’ll see a transition to back-to-school goods, fall fashion…
The US Congress has passed the Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA) 2022 to the cheers of shippers, and politicians, but the chagrin of carriers. There had been little doubt that the bill which will expand the powers of the Federal Maritime Commission over container lines would be passed, and it now moves on to be signed into law by President Joe…
Commissioner of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), a US government agency, Rebecca F. Dye has released her Final Report for Fact Finding 29, “The Effects of COVID-19 on the U.S. International Ocean Transportation Supply Chain”. During Fact Finding 29, importers and exporters highlighted two recurring pandemic-related concerns. The first is the high cost of shipping cargo and the second is the excessive…
The Canadian government invests more than CAD$42 million (US$32.7 million) in two new projects, aiming to boost the country’s trade corridors. These investments are expected to improve the efficiency of the supply chain for Canadian shippers in Saint John and McAdam in New Brunswick, Canada. “This funding announcement is a monumental step towards better supply chain efficiency in Canada. This…
