The debate over who benefits from the expansion of the Panama Canal usually overlooks the U.S. Gulf Coast. It’s generally believed that there’s insufficient volume going to or originating from the Gulf Coast to justify diverting east-west ocean carrier services from the Panama Canal-to-East Coast route. Relatively low volumes destined to the Gulf Coast can […]
Terrorism’s long view American Shipper’s editor, Christopher Gillis, makes timely and cogent points in his August editorial about the need for continuing vigilance of security within international supply chains. Since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, substantial progress has been made in increasing the security of supply chains, beginning with the Customs-Trade Partnership […]
The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission has received 37 ocean transportation intermediary license applications and changes for review. The FMC received non-vessel-operating common carrier license applications from A-Logixtic Group, Houston (Naeem Iqbal, manager); Aero Service Transport, Miami (Jose A. Romero, president); Extrans Lax, Rancho Dominguez, Calif. (Kyung Min Kim, vice president); Florida Export Shipping Corp., […]
Shipment volumes in August 2016 were relatively flat from the previous month, but expenditures slid 3.3 percent, while both were well below 2015 levels, according to the latest Cass Freight Index Report.
The South Atlantic port handled 330,846 TEUs in August, up 5 percent from August 2015 and port officials anticipate more container business in the coming years due to GPA’s “Mid-American Arc” initiative.
The Georgia Ports Authority plans to expand its on-dock rail infrastructure to accommodate unit trains, which officials say will offer greater efficiency for shippers as far away as Chicago and St. Louis.
Intermodal pricing dropped for 20th straight month compared with the prior year period, according to the latest Cass Intermodal Price Index, and analysts with Avondale Partners expect the trend to continue through the rest of the year.
Global port terminal operator APM Terminals, a subsidiary of Danish shipping conglomerate AS Moller Maersk, will invest $40 million in cranes at the Pier 400 facility in the Port of Los Angeles in an effort to prepare for ultra-large containerships.
The South Carolina Ports Authority said it plans to break ground on the new intermodal facility in Dillon during the first quarter of 2017.
In addition, the South Carolina Ports Authority announced Monday its plans to develop a second inland port in Dillon, S.C. to support growth of intermodal container volumes and expand access to markets in neighboring states.
Watco Supply Chain Services has purchased BCM Logistics, a Clearfield, Utah-based provider of door-to-door intermodal services, for an undisclosed sum, according to a statement from the company.
RoadOne IntermodaLogistics looks to expand its operations in southern New England and business with the marine terminals at the Port of New York and New Jersey through its recent acquisition of C&V Trucking.
Combined United States carload and intermodal cargo volumes fell 5.7 percent in August despite a 24.7 percent increase in grain carloads compared with the same 2015 period, according to data from the Association of American Railroads.
The so-called “Freight Shuttle System” was conceived to resolve one of freight transportation’s most pressing needs, moving goods 500 miles or less.
Charlotte, N.C.-based Ridgemont Equity Partners closed on an equity investment in freight broker Nolan Transportation Group to support the firm’s “continued rapid growth,” the companies said in a joint statement.
The Berkshire Hathaway-owned Class I railway said its new intermodal service connecting Portland, Ore. and Seattle, Wash. with Dallas Fort Worth will provide comparable transit times to single-driver, over-the-road options.
The U.S. Department of Transportation said the 18 infrastructure project grants awarded in fiscal year 2016 – collectively valued at nearly $800 million – will support $3.6 billion in infrastructure across 15 states and the District of Columbia.
The Jacksonville, Fla.-based Class I railway said it expects third quarter earnings per share to decline slightly from last quarter due to high single-digit volume reductions from the same period a year ago.
The third-party logistics subsidiary of ArcBestSM agreed to purchase Sparks, Nev.-based truckload capacity provider Logistics & Distribution Services for $25 million, according to a statement from the company.
Carriers may seek to “turn the table” on shippers who drove hard bargains, but an upturn in rates may be short-lived.
The containership lessor sold 3.2 million Series G shares at $25 per share ($80 million) in an offering that closed Friday, and 9 million Series H shares earlier this month at the same price ($225 million total).
CDPQ Infra has signed an agreement to acquire the aerial structure leading to Central Station in Montreal from Canadian National Railway and use the station as an intermodal hub for its REM public transportation network.
The Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals will honor J.B. Hunt, Henry Ford and Malcom McLean for their pioneering leadership in the supply chain arena.
The Hong Kong-based third-party logistics provider increased net profit 1 percent to $548 million Hong Kong (U.S. $70.7 million) compared with the first half of 2015 as revenues grew 3 percent to HK$10.46 billion.
Ninety-five percent of hides produced in the United States are shipped in containers to leather producers, primarily in the Far East, but also other countries around the world.
The containership charterer said in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission last Thursday that past due accounts receivable from South Korean ocean carrier Hanjin Shipping had grown to approximately $18.6 million.
Intermodal pricing in July dropped for 19th straight month compared with the prior year period, according to the latest Cass Intermodal Price Index, and analysts with Avondale Partners expect the trend to continue through the rest of the year.
DSF said it expects intra-regional trades to grow in importance at the expense of the main east-west trades.
Richard Lidinsky Richard Lidinsky, who in July stepped down after seven years as one the five members of the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission, kept a fanciful cartoon from the Baltimore Evening Sun hanging in his office showing George Washington standing atop of a tower searching for the ships that used to come from the […]
In 2004 the hull of the tanker Athos I was punctured by an abandoned ship anchor as it approached an asphalt refinery terminal in Paulsboro, N.J., on the Delaware River. The puncture resulted in the spill of 264,000 gallons of crude oil, affecting 280 miles of shoreline, 70 miles of which were heavily […]
Southern California’s so called “Blue Cut Fire” has disrupted BNSF and Union Pacific rail traffic, including intermodal traffic moving to and from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, but some train lines and highways are reopening.
However, the Department of Homeland Security waived the 100 percent scanning law for the third time, which was originally scheduled to be implemented four years ago in reaction to 9/11.
Southern California’s so called “Blue Cut Fire” has disrupted BNSF and Union Pacific rail traffic, including intermodal traffic moving to and from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, but some train lines and highways are reopening.
DCLI, Flexi-Van and TRAC asked the Federal Maritime Commission to prevent imposition of a chassis fee by terminal operators at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
The Mexico City-based port management and logistics provider reported a net loss of 1.40 pesos per share for the quarter on revenues that fell 20.8 percent to 662.6 million pesos compared with second quarter 2015.
Shipment volumes were flat from the previous month, and expenditures were down just 0.6 percent, but both still remained well below 2015 levels, according to the latest Cass Freight Index Report.
As a result of the extended agreement, truckers will continue to have access to a common pool of chassis at the Port of Savannah.
Regional and short line rail group Genesee & Wyoming Inc. has agreed to acquire Worcester, Mass.-based railway Providence and Worcester Railroad Co. for $126 million, according to a joint statement from the companies.
The South Florida port and the Florida East Coast Railway educated business groups in Washington, D.C. Wednesday about South Florida’s potential as an export gateway.
In addition, the logistics provider and container terminal operator’s container throughput was hindered by slower economic growth in China and lower feeder volumes for the Baltic Sea ports.
Overall intermodal traffic in North America fell 6.1 percent in second quarter 2016, the first volume decline in 25 consecutive quarters, according to data from the Intermodal Association of North America.
The expanded turning basin project, which allows the port to handle post-Panamax vessels with a length of 1,150 feet and a breadth of 158 feet, involved the removal of an existing bulk pier and dredging along the port’s side of the Cape Fear River.
Berkshire Hathaway-owned BNSF Railway Co. reported a net income of $772 million in the second quarter of 2016 and $1.56 billion in the first half of the year, decreases of 19.8 percent and 22.5 percent, respectively, from the previous year.
Combined United States carload and intermodal cargo volumes fell 7.9 percent for the month compared with July 2015 and 7.4 percent for the first seven months of 2016, according to data from the Association of American Railroads.
A one-time newspaper reporter, Helen Delich Bentley, was a strong advocate for the maritime industry, particularly the Port of Baltimore.
Under the new partnership, the state’s first inland terminal will handle up to 30,000 TEUs annually for Kia Motor Manufacturing Georgia to supply the automobile manufacturer’s plant in West Point, according to a statement from Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal.
The Le Havre, France-based food logistics specialist will build and operate a 30,000-square-foot temperature controlled warehouse facility in the South Florida Logistics Center next to Miami International Airport and just 12 miles from PortMiami.
However, chassis lessors oppose the West Coast Marine Terminal Operator Agreement members’ plan to implement a $5 fee on chassis that move in and out of container terminals at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, saying it will cost them $29 million.
The Fort Worth, Texas-based railway and the Port of Los Angeles are appealing a judgment that halted plans by the railroad to build the Southern California Intermodal Gateway.
Darien, Conn.-based short line railroad operator Genesee & Wyoming Inc. reported net income of $48.4 million on $501.4 million in revenues for second quarter 2016, year-over-year decreases of 8.3 percent and 7.5 percent, respectively.
Union Pacific promotes VPs and Aljex Software names VP of sales and marketing, while CentrePort Canada appoints CFO and the Allen Lund Co. picks Atlanta office manager.
The U.S. Department of Transportation said it plans to allocate almost $500 million to 40 projects under the popular TIGER grant program.
The truckload transportation and logistics services provider reported a net income of $24.7 million in the second quarter of 2016 and $47.2 million in the first half of 2016, year-over-year decreases of 10.7 percent and 17.4 percent, respectively.
The Port of New York and New Jersey, which experienced the second busiest June ever for box volumes, was called by a 10,077-TEU containership at the GCT Bayonne Terminal.
The Winston-Salem, N.C.-based BB&T Bank, which is facing profit pressure in account-based stock brokerage, will no longer provide equity research for freight transportation.
The transportation management company posted a net income of $20.7 million on revenues of $856 million for the second quarter of 2016.
The Rome, Ga.-based freight broker’s purchase of Apex Freight Services will allow Scott Logistics to expand its market presence and contribute $20 million in additional annual revenues, according to a statement from the company.
Schneider sees potential for growth in its bulk transportation business. For many years, the trucking company has provided liquid bulk transport to the chemicals industry, but has started increasing its transportation of bulk food-grade products. John Bozac, Schneider’s senior vice president and general manager of bulk, said longtime responsible care requirements for […]
A recent court decision is a reminder that the $500 package limit under the Carriage of Goods at Sea Act (COGSA) does not automatically apply in the event that deck cargo is damaged or lost. (Atwood Oceanics Inc. v. M/V Pac Altair et al. U.S District Court, Southern District of Alabama. No. 15-456. June […]
Operators of breakbulk or multipurpose ships are being squeezed as operators of container and dry-bulk ships—both shipping sectors that are facing hard times—have targeted their market. A recent report by Drewry found “The demand outlook for the multipurpose fleet has not improved since the first quarter of 2016. The breakbulk and project cargo […]
Attendees will gain insights into the longest supply chains—those that reach into outer space.
The U.N. Economic Commission for Europe said China has ratified the TIR Convention, which it says will further streamline cross-border transportation for cargo moving between China and Europe.
Number four U.S. railway Norfolk Southern reported net income of $405 million for the second quarter compared with $433 million during the same 2015 period, according to the company’s most recent financial statements.
Gerry Wang, chief executive officer of Seaspan, expressed how he believes the industry will gradually improve if scrapping remains high and new ship orders remain low.
The Montreal, Canada-based Class I railway posted a net income of C$858 million on revenues of C$2.8 billion for the second quarter of 2016, a year-over-year drop of 3 percent and 9 percent, respectively.
The independent containership owner and manager reported profits of $36.4 million on revenues of $224.3 million for the second quarter of 2016.
The deferred airfreight transportation services and drayage provider attributed the loss primarily to one-time costs associated with its acquisition of TQI, which accounted for $27.4 million ($0.90 per diluted share) of the second quarter 2016 net loss.
Logistics costs for businesses in the United States grew in 2015, while spending actually slowed by nearly half from the 5.1 percent compound average rate over the previous four years and was flat relative to the overall economy.
The intermodal center, which is scheduled to commence operations in the late summer of 2018, will enable shippers from surrounding states to more easily reach the Port of Savannah by rail instead of truck, the Georgia Ports Authority said.
The nationwide lease-to-own company started using Cloud Logistics’ transportation management system over a year ago due to its network complexity, and has reaped the benefits of reporting tools and faster tendering.
Trucking and intermodal carrier Swift Transportation reported net income of $42.9 million on revenues of $1.01 billion for the second quarter of 2016, year-over-year decreases of 15.9 percent and 4.5 percent, respectively.
REZ-1, Inc., a provider of asset management, equipment reservation, billing and reload services to the domestic intermodal industry, has agreed to purchase cloud-based logistics and transportation management solutions provider International Asset Systems.
The Class I railroad’s net income and operating revenues fell 19 percent and 12 percent year-over-year, respectively, in Q2 2016, as the strong U.S. dollar on exports and weak demand for consumer goods continues to put strain on the company.
Schneider has become more than just a long-haul trucker as shippers seek logistics services.
Pricing dropped another 1.5 percent for the month compared with June 2015, according to the latest Cass Intermodal Price Index, and analysts with Avondale Partners expect this trend to continue through the rest of the year.
The expanded Panama Canal locks, which just opened June 26 to handle vessels up to 14,000 TEUs, are expected to reshape U.S. East Coast port operations.
The Jacksonville, Fla.-based railway will construct a $270 million intermodal rail hub in Rocky Mount, N.C. in addition to launching a new intermodal rail service within the state between the Port of Wilmington and Charlotte.
Shipment volumes and expenditures both increased compared with the previous month after three months of lackluster performance, but still remained well below 2015 levels, according to the latest Cass Freight Index Report.
The Jacksonville, Fla.-based railway will construct a $270 million intermodal rail hub in Rocky Mount, N.C. in addition to launching a new intermodal rail service within the state between the Port of Wilmington and Charlotte.
The intermodal and trucking provider saw second quarter net earnings tick up 1.9 percent year-over-year to $105 million on revenues that grew 5 percent to $1.62 billion.
Cargo volumes carried by U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters fell 6.4 percent year-over-year in June to 9.65 million net tons.
Rolf Habben Jansen, the chief executive officer of ocean carrier Hapag-Lloyd, said he believes consolidation in the shipping industry resulting from deals such as Monday’s merger agreement between Hapag-Lloyd and UASC will benefit the container industry.
The Greenwich, Conn.-based third-party logistics provider won a five-year contract to manage INTERSPORT’s first outsourced logistics warehouse.
The Jacksonville, Fla.-based railway saw second quarter 2016 net earnings drop 19.5 percent to $445 million on revenues that fell 11.7 percent to $2.7 billion compared with the second quarter of 2015.
Ports in the United States will benefit from the federal government’s effort to improve freight mobility with the so-called FASTLANE program, according to the credit rating agency Moody’s Investor Service.
The $46.5 million intermodal hub in Cedar Rapids will cover 75 acres next to the Smith-Dows railyard.
Britain’s largest container port, the Port of Felixstowe, and GB Railfreight commenced a daily intermodal service between Felixstowe and Rotherham in the South Yorkshire area of central England.
The Northern California port’s new near-dock rail facility received its first train, which transported animal feed from the Midwestern United States for export to customers in the Far East.
Combined United States carload and intermodal cargo volumes fell 6.3 percent for the month compared with June 2015 and 7.4 percent for the half of 2016, according to data from the Association of American Railroads.
The Intermodal Association of North America said the web portal component of its new online platform to facilitate so-called “street turns” for its members is now available, and it will offer a mobile app and system-to-system API later this year.
The parcel carrier and logistics provider’s DHL Freight division has expanded its rail transport offerings to and from Asia and North Africa via its hub at Duisburg to include direct links and consolidation services.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced 18 proposed grant awards totaling $759.2 million in funding for nationally significant transportation infrastructure projects under the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act of 2015.
Claudio Bozzo, chief operating officer of liner carrier Mediterranean Shipping Company, joins the World Shipping Council board.
The independent containership owner and manager purchased the vessels for $195.6 million.
Some logistics providers remain skeptical about how well it will work for ports to weigh containers and transmit the data to carriers on behalf of shippers.
Terminals and carriers rush to clarify how shippers can meet the International Maritime Organization’s requirement scheduled to go into effect tomorrow, in which shippers must provide the verified gross mass of containers before they are loaded on ships.
The Ocean Carrier Equipment Management Association said that a key benefit of the terminal weighing approach is that shippers will not be required to perform any additional actions in order to provide the verified gross mass of containers.
The freight trains collided near the town of Panhandle, Texas Tuesday morning at 8:40 a.m. local time.
The Mobile, Ala.-based full service intermodal drayage carrier and transportation broker opened its 13th intermodal drayage terminal at Baltimore.
Container pricing today is more likely to be based on a carrier’s cost of providing the service and the value of a customer’s business, rather than what on what is in the box.
