Asia-Pacific

Los Angeles port signals efficiency gains as the third-largest container alliance plans additional SE Asia stops.

As a result of trade agreement signed at the White House on Wednesday, China has pledged to increase imports of American goods and services by at least $200 billion.

Phase One of the U.S.-China trade deal is scheduled to take effect Wednesday. Read CNBC’s Lori Ann LaRocco’s take on how that trade has changed since the tariff war began — and how it may never be quite the same.

A bipartisan group of U.S. House and Senate lawmakers see export controls as a means to punish those Chinese officials and companies involved in human rights abuses in western China and Hong Kong.

Companies from Amazon to Zulily agree to help Customs and Border Protection figure out how to identify and target high-risk shipments.

Seko Logistics acquires Air-City to boost exposure in NYC and China

Importing and selling counterfeit Native American-style jewelry violates the Indian Arts and Crafts Act.

Grounded airline handled 10-15% of air cargo in India

The Jones Act has been in effect for nearly 100 years. Read about its pros and cons in this commentary by Darren Prokop.

The extended strength in the official manufacturing PMI is positive for markets and aided by a drop in U.S.-China trade tensions.

President Trump said he plans to travel to Beijing sometime this year to start the next round of trade negotiations with China.

International trade and customs attorney Zhaokang Jiang explains how China is aiming to improve cross-border trade efficiency, create fair competition and ensure compliance and sustainable growth.

Air Cargo Market Expert Jesse Cohen writes an insightful commentary on what the outlook for air cargo is in 2020.

The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security will expand export licensing requirements for technologies intended for military applications.

New Zealand’s Mainfreight spells out “MERRY XMAS” with its trucks and trailers for an aerial photo that delights Facebook users.

Ores and wastes are arguably the two most important materials transported in the nuclear cycle. FreightWaves asks how they are shipped. The answer is: carefully.

A trade war truce is not stopping multinationals from exploring alternative sourcing options to China, but moving supply chains is difficult, says expert.

The Chinese government said the tariff reductions will help expand imports of key consumer products.

This week: productivity; freeway truck fire; telematics; truck roll-over deaths; ecstasy drug-bust; cyclist death; trucking contract win.

Even a full U.S.-China trade deal might not stop shippers moving production out of China. But is the U.S. a realistic option?

The transport and logistics sector witnesses thousands of cyberattacks every year, and it is essential for stakeholders to be wary of opportunistic threats and impersonation attacks to keep their operations secure.

Japanese ocean shipping giant is investigating how to make its ships greener with liquefied natural gas, hydrogen and batteries.

Well-known Pacific Ocean specialists Matson and Swire have joined forces to serve the South Pacific island nations.

Resilience360’s report on the impact of U.S.-China trade war discusses the uncertainty it has brought to global trade.

Global logistics software provider WiseTech picks up South Korean customs clearer Ready Korea for just over A$20 million ($13.7 million).

International container operator DP World joins Asian and European feeder networks together; synergies – and tensions – abound, say analysts.

A trio accused of massive drug smuggling allegedly illegally directed customs-controlled shipments away from logistics operators to “unknown” locations.

This week: Electric trucks deployed in Australia; new distribution center in Far North Queensland; high compliance rates with fatigue regulations; and container terminal truck charges.

Cathay Pacific didn’t waste anytime jumping on the Hong Kong airport’s offer to subsidize rebates of terminal handling charges as both organizations look to attract cargo business.

Japan’s leading boxship carrier becomes seventh to join NYSHEX’s platform for guaranteed slots.

After adjusting for Lunar New Year distortions, the growth rate for Chinese exports to the U.S. in November was the lowest since January 1996.

IATA is optimistic that the trade wars, geopolitical tensions, Brexit and social unrest of 2019 will be less damaging in 2020, offering air cargo stakeholders welcome respite.

When demand falls, prices fall too — or they should. Yet on the southbound Asia-Oceania trade lane rates are up but volumes are down.

Americans for Free Trade spokesman Jonathan Gold said the White House needs to “finalize a deal with China to end the trade war and remove all tariffs.”

Cash-constrained carrier averts shutdown

Despite extensive general reporting to the contrary, a trio who imported a massive quantity of illegal drugs were not customs brokers or trusted traders.

Urban spaces are now seeing a trend where commuters are seeing sense in moving away from the concept of owning a vehicle for transit to picturing mobility as a service.

Port operator TasPorts allegedly sought to block a rival towage operator from offering a new service, according to new court filings.

The agreement is hailed as “a critical step forward in our economic and security partnership.”

Office of Foreign Assets Control adds Try Pheap and 11 of his companies to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List.

The Commerce Department is expected to propose new rules that lower the U.S. content threshold for licensable reexports and when foreign-made products are subject to U.S. export controls.

Japanese shipping giant Nippon Yusen Kaisha (JPX: 9101) has taken out a 50 billion yen ($456.7 million) loan with an adjustable interest rate based on the company’s corporate social performance.

Consumers want more information about their food – where does it come from, was it ethically sourced, was it shipped in a safe and sanitary manner, etc. Ben Thrower provides information about how this trend is impacting food companies, growers and consumers.

Contributor Ben Thrower writes about the growing ties between the Chinese and European economies and the potential danger of those ties.

It’s scary days in Australia for truck makers and importers, as the volume of truck sales has fallen off a cliff. Also this week: road upgrades, drug-taking drivers, company debt and a parliamentary trucking inquiry.

Prologis expands Chinese footprint with multi billion dollar investments

Dry bulk ocean carrier Jinhui Shipping of Hong Kong and Oslo has drifted into the red according to its third quarter results. Its nine-month results indicate the company may generate a loss this year.

Port, engineering and property giant MMC shrugged off the trade war and economic headwinds to report massive increases in revenues and profits. Analysts issued a “buy” rating.

Integrated logistics provider and ocean carrier Harbour Link saw a boost in revenues but its costs grew too, causing its profits to weaken in the most recent quarter. A weak result in its ocean shipping division was a drag on profit as well.

In a now familiar story, another logistics company – in this case Tiong Nam – reports weaker quarterly results owing to a global trade headwinds. Analysts warn on liquidity pressures.

A U.S. man living in Singapore illegally presented technical information at the Pyongyang Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Conference in April on how North Korea can use blockchain technology to evade sanctions.

Integrated logistics services provider Tasco, a subsidiary of Yusen Logistics and an NYK Group company, has reported flat second quarter revenues and costs but a surge in net profit. Its six month figures don’t look so great though and equities analysts are disappointed.

In this week’s round-up of trucking stories from around Australia: truckers slugged by box terminal operators; truckers slugged by tax hikes; truckers slugged by safety regulators; drivers slugged by Queensland politicians; Freightliner Cascadia rolls into the Outback; Linfox buys 90-truck fleet to transport booze.

Airline unit to add aircraft and develop logistics platform

With solid financial results under its belt in its first outing as a listed company, Port of Napier has won praise from equities analysts. “A text book start as a listed company,” analysts said.

Dry bulk ship operator Malaysian Bulk Carriers has reported another set of losses. Barring unexpected positive developments, it may make a yearly loss. It is also reducing both long-term and current assets. The company has entered into working capital deficiency.

Courier, domestic and international logistics company GD Express reported a slowdown in total comprehensive income in its latest quarterly results. The company generated increased revenues but increased costs too. Profits shrank.

The shift of production from China to southeast Asia is unlikely to stop the trans-Pacific container market from declining this year.

Sino-Malaysian services provider Integrated Logistics (trading as Integrated Group) has announced another poor set of financial results. It looks set to deliver its fifth full-year loss in six years.

China’s exports to the U.S. contracted last month. Even so, slowing U.S. exports to its trade rival saw China’s trade surplus with the U.S. widen.

Despite solid revenues, costs at CJ Century Logistics surged and the company has reported a third consecutive quarterly loss.

Trucking and trade bodies are outraged by the ongoing tactics of container terminal operators to frequently hike already huge fees on trucks. Lobbying of government ministers is underway and even port operators are disappointed at the ongoing tactics of terminal operators.

This week: Doctors stuff Aussie truckers full of opioids; Prime Ministerial funding splurge on infrastructure; tech and data standards action points identified; trucker accidentally crushes his own car; trucking tax hike fight won… sort of; DHL Supply Chain vows carbon neutrality.

Memorandum of understanding inked on Nov. 20

The agreement, which takes effect Jan. 1, will guarantee the import of 132,304 metric tons of U.S.-grown rice, valued at $110 million.

Traffic volumes emanating from Turkey are robust

In what appears to be a trend, another transport and logistics company has reported a weak overall year-to-date but with a steeper downward dive in the third quarter. Retail logistics specialist LBC Express revealed a small loss in the third quarter of the year against a background of rising revenues.

Lorenzo Shipping took drastic action to begin stemming its losses. But the emphasis is on “begin”. There’s still a long way to go, as Lorenzo is currently on track for a multi-million dollar loss

Uni-Top expected to restructure

Box-port operator Asian Terminals has seen a massive surge in nine-month revenues and profits but it has also witnessed a downturn in the third quarter of 2019.

Fortune has taken a decidedly downward trajectory for Indonesia-focused dry bulk ocean carrier Seroja, which saw a dramatic decrease in profitability in the third quarter of 2019. But that won’t worry the company – it has just agreed to sell its entire business for $32 million.

COSCO Shipping International (Singapore), a logistics-focused arm of COSCO, reports a big hit to its third quarter profit after tax. But the company nonetheless has big regional expansion plans.

Japanese mafia are in the firing line after a record 400 kilos of cocaine are found in a container in Japan.

Air India schedules investor meetings

A truck parking fees scam has landed former logistics supervisor Chow Chi-yeung, 42, of Hong Kong, with a sentence of 160 hours of community service.

From tiny flaws great economic disasters are born. One such tiny flaw nearly led to an economic disaster in far north Australia. It was only high quality seamanship that averted a months-long salvage at, and blockage of, the Port of Weipa.

Global logistician Agility has reported an increase in its third quarter revenues and a surge in net profit. However, cargo volumes fell. The company boosted its finances through higher yields and a strong contribution from its infrastructure businesses.

Australia’s unfinished trucking reform business; brake-maker converts creditors into shareholders; toll road operator in big debt reissue; controversial logistics software provider GetSwift fights on

U.S. poultry producers eye more than $1 billion market potential for China after being shut out for five years.

India’s largest commercial ports operator, Adani Ports, reported a substantial increase in its company and port-segment revenues. Company and port-segment profits have also markedly increased.

Revenues were down, costs were flat, profits were down. It was largely an unhappy first half financial year for Singapore Shipping.

Pan Ocean, a mixed-fleet ocean shipping carrier, reported a double-digit revenue decline but experienced a double digit surge in profits in the third quarter of 2019 when compared to the third quarter in 2018.

It’s a largely good set of third-quarter results for the Philippines-based but globally operating container terminal operator ICTSI. “Strong financial performance,” says President and Chairman Enrique K. Razon. On a nine-month basis, the growth surge is pronounced.

Ocean shipping terminal operator Westports of Port Klang, Malaysia, has reported a surge in third quarter revenues and a jump in profit before tax. Analysts are… less than impressed.

FedEx Express doubles originating network for Asia-Pacific early-AM flights to U.S.

Singapore stock exchange-listed ship lessor First Ship Lease reported essentially flat revenues for the third quarter of 2019, but it also announced a swing back into profit. A combination of higher revenues and cost cutting delivered the positive result.

A spate of deadly trucking-related accidents has taken place around Australia over the last week. Truck rollovers were a major contributor to the death toll. There was also a range of other tragic accidents involving moving vehicles. In other Down Under Trucking news, a criminal trucker gets years in jail for killing another driver; hill descent apps; Freightways buys Big Chill.

Growth from last year’s front loading makes for tough comps, as trade war upsets seasonal patterns.

All may not necessarily be as it may first seem in the world of company earnings. Dry bulk, ocean container shipping and logistics company Sinotrans (HKEX: 598) may not have delivered a Halloween shocker even though its third quarter results were splattered in red ink all over its income statement. One long-short equities analyst was very bullish on the company’s stock despite the seemingly-poor results!

Airline is first Asian carrier to adopt platform

New service to begin in March 2020

A United Nations report concludes U.S. consumers and Chinese exporters are the primary losers in the trade war. Taiwan, Mexico, Europe and Vietnam are net beneficiaries.

COSCO Shipping Energy Transportation (HKEX: 01138; SSE: 600026) has shrugged off U.S. sanctions on subsidiary companies to report a huge jump in revenues and a massive surge in profits.

Asia-Europe and Asia-U.S. spot freight rates jumped 12-30% last week, but can carriers hold on to the gains?

It’s an income statement of two halves for COSCO Shipping Development, which both leases container ships while also making and leasing ocean shipping boxes. Revenues fell off a cliff. But COSCO Shipping Development was able to protect its bottom line by slashing costs. Profits surged.

Transit times of 10-12 days are promised on the new service from DHL Global Forwarding.

Hong Kong Stock Exchange-listed ocean carrier Pacific Basin (HK: 2343) will issue US$175 million (approximately HK$1,371 million) of non-amortizing unsecured convertible bonds to boost its balance sheet while growing and renewing its fleet.

Logistics real estate developer ESR Cayman (HK: 01821) roared into public life on Friday when it floated on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. It was the second-biggest IPO of the year in Asia.

Saudi Aramco, believed to be the world’s largest integrated oil and gas company, has announced it will undergo an IPO on the Saudi Arabian stock exchange.

Commerce secretary says talks on foreign automaker investment in the U.S. may again delay imposition of tariffs on imported vehicles.