American Shipper

Cargo flows face worst hit in a century but have potential to bounce back fast.

Third-party logistics providers engaged in international trade are facing the difficult decision of whether to thin staff or even close altogether in the face of a prolonged economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

New CEO named to lead Alabama State Port Authority and senior VP appointed to head Latin American sales.

UPS offers companies a full suite of supply chain services. They can pick what they need or get a turnkey solution. Now the third-party logistics provider is playing the same role for FEMA.

No collapse yet for ocean container spot rates. In fact, they’re up.

World Shipping Council issues reminder that seafarers are the backbone of international supply chains.

Tough times call for drastic measures and Lufthansa sees the writing on the economic wall. It’s wasting no time shrinking for a smaller future.

Plunging demand on land has yet to be fully felt by ocean shipping

“The coronavirus is delivering a shock to the supply chain,” said port chief Mario Cordero.

Members of the Washington, D.C.-based National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America interviewed by American Shipper this week generally praised CBP for permitting the flow of legitimate trade across the continent.

Boeing waited much longer to close its South Carolina plant than ones in Washington. Airbus has closed more facilities, while others continue to operate.

Airlines are bleeding money, but a requirement that they give cash refunds for canceled flights could make things worse. Airlines are cutting more of their domestic networks to save money.

The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission said there has been no shortage of container-shipping industry members willing to participate in its initiative to identify ways to overcome supply chain obstacles caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

VC funding has evaporated, wooing new customers is extremely difficult and existing customers’ focus has changed.

Alaska Airlines is supporting the 100 Million Mask Challenge with its freighter capacity.

Carriers slash even more ocean services in bid to prop up rates as demand crumbles.

The Trump administration is working to accelerate deliveries of medical supplies from overseas to address shortages at healthcare facilities around the U.S., but doesn’t want American companies to export any protective gear to other countries.

Qatar Airways has deployed more full freighters and passenger aircraft in cargo mode to multiple markets, including India.

The Justice Department said joint logistics operations among five American medical supply distributors to provide protective medical gear to virus hot spots does not violate antitrust law.

Airlines face a long drought in business and are scrambling to cut costs and raise money, but there’s no guarantee all of them will survive.

Tanker shares fall back as crude-oil prices surge. What comes next?

Bob Costello expects many trucking companies to go out of business before the economy recovers from the recession caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Airlines are in survival mode and could permanently rid themselves of older aircraft in effort to help financial recovery.

Mayor taps Gene Seroka to locate and deliver medical supplies critically needed during coronavirus pandemic.

Despite COVID-19 concerns, the Port of Alaska and ocean carriers calling Anchorage insist that ships loaded with containers will continue to arrive on schedule.

Dealing with a crisis requires innovation and Delta Air Lines doing that on several fronts. Now it is switching gears and making face shields for hospital workers.

A pilot’ union says airlines need to be held more accountable for protecting cockpit crews from the coronavirus, but at the corporate level all airlines appear to be taking health guidelines very seriously.

No one was prepared for the global shipping disruption caused by COVID-19, but Mike Meierkort said Damco’s resiliency program is “the closest thing to having a playbook.”

Arrested Pacific Harbor Line locomotive driver apparently thought the Navy hospital ship was not at the Port of LA to do good.

Coronavirus will inevitably infect more seafarers. How ports respond will be pivotal.

Atlas Air and National Airlines are handling relief missions for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection said it will do its part to keep imports of medical gear flowing efficiently into the country.

Freight forwarders “luv” Southwest Airlines, but it remains to be seen if they’re ready to charter an entire airplane versus using regularly scheduled passenger flights.

FIATA questions the reasonableness of assessing demurrage and detention charges against shippers and forwarders during pandemic.

French carrier reports entire 500-vessel fleet is free of coronavirus cases.

Canceled sailings surge, schedule reliability sinks and import demand evaporates.

Coronavirus-caused supply chain disruption has led to port congestion but has not burned reefer market.

Global container carrier sails deeper into North American warehouse and distribution services.

Another government-underwritten load of medical supplies is headed to Southern California to help respond to the coronavirus.

Assistant Commissioner Todd Owen said additional reimbursable services agreements help Customs and Border Protection facilitate commerce during COVID-19 pandemic.

The Comfort and Mercy, now assisting America through the COVID-19 pandemic, started as crude oil tankers.

CNBC’s Lori Ann LaRocco provides commentary on how the Phase One trade deal between the U.S. and China has not worked as thought, at least to date….

As most of the transport sector suffers, crude-tanker owners haul in boatloads of cash.

The global pandemic is forcing airlines into a protective cocoon to survive, but many workers are feeling the effects first-hand.

Leader of container and chassis provider organizations heartened to see cooperation during the coronavirus crisis “to minimize the impact for the greater good.”

Sick seafarer has been isolated on board the container ship off the coast of Spain.

“This contract extension provides stability for both UPS and our pilots as we jointly face unprecedented times in our industry,” said IPA Union President and Capt. Robert Travis.

The demand for coronavirus medical supplies is so great that passenger aircraft are being repurposed for cargo service, logistics companies are chartering those airplanes and full freighters, and governments are setting up air pipelines with logistics partners.

Commissioner Rebecca Dye will lead the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission effort with industry to identify “operational solutions to cargo delivery challenges” caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

CEVA and DHL free themselves from contractual constraints to realign operations and facilitate pricing flexibility during pandemic.

FEMA is trying to overcome the shortage in coronavirus supplies by accelerating airfreight shipments to the U.S.

More booking cancellations equal more ocean-service cancellations equal more delivery uncertainty.

Most airlines using passenger planes for cargo-only operations are doing so on a charter basis. Qatar Airways will operate scheduled rotations to and from China.

Sister hospital ship USNS Mercy begins treating patients at Port of LA.

Quick turnaround gets goods critical to combat COVID-19 on their way to Midwest pharmaceutical company.

Crew members evacuated from container ship, tested for coronavirus and hospitalized in China.

The head of the Airforwarders Association says preparing for business impacts from natural disasters, like COVID-19, requires “a lot of practice and uncomfortable preparation.”

An in-depth look at coronavirus risks to Panama Canal transits.

A C-suite and board are shuffled, and a commercial operations director and Europe manager are hired.

The Berlin Airlift saved West Berlin from the Russian occupation after World War II. Now , FEMA has organized a coronavirus airlift t to save lives in U.S. cities.

The airline industry’s recovery will be more U-shaped than V-shaped, experts warn.

The February downturn in air cargo volumes presages even worse performance in the coming months, according to analysts.

Maryland port’s Seagirt Marine Terminal will not move cargo Monday and Tuesday.

If confirmed, these would be the first reported cases of COVID-19 on board a container ship.

Some believe Capesize rates will remain depressed. Others see light at the end of the tunnel.

New Hawaii travel restrictions force airlines to make additional flight cutbacks.

America’s mission to put a man on the moon draws one step closer to reality.

Second Navy ship expected to arrive in New York on Monday to provide relief to hospitals overburdened with coronavirus patients.

Demand to move goods during the pandemic crisis is high, but available air cargo space is low. Passenger airlines are finding a robust market.

Carrier generates $815 million in cash with sale of stakes in eight port terminals.

The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission’s legal staff is expected to deliver its final demurrage and detention rulemaking assessment to the commissioners in the next several weeks.

Wallenius Wilhelmsen laying off 2,500 workers in the United States and Mexico, retiring and recycling about 15 vessels.

Social distancing will wreak havoc on trans-Pacific and Asia-Europe box volumes.

Critical cargo initiative launched to quickly process imports needed in the fight against the coronavirus.

Best February ever recorded despite challenges from coronavirus pandemic.

Airlines expected to increase use of truck capacity to move cargo around the country.

An exclusive interview with Nerijus Poskus, global head of ocean freight at Flexport.

The second-shift change will provide time to clean handling equipment to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

One of the world’s largest suppliers of disposable rubber gloves may resume exports to the U.S. after resolving forced labor concerns, Customs and Border Protection said.

International Maritime Organization secretary-general stresses that world trade during the coronavirus pandemic depends on the mariners who move goods.

China-to-U.S. box rates are losing steam after last week’s rise.

Once America’s largest merchant ship, oil tanker, icebreaker and research vessel.

Airlines and airports have a symbiotic relationship, but there is tension over airlines’ interest in waiving airport charges and taxes during the pandemic recession.

The International Air Transport Association had sobering news about the financial prospects for airlines this year: a quarter-trillion dollars in lost revenue.

“It’s important for us to keep the supply chain fluid” during the coronavirus pandemic, Executive Director Gene Seroka says.

The contractor dismantling the capsized Golden Ray car carrier responds to vice president’s plea to help fight the spread of the coronavirus.

Washington governor also asked Trump for hospital ship’s help during coronavirus pandemic.

“This agreement will help our farmers and ranchers by maintaining export markets, which will reduce the overall impact of an outbreak to our agriculture industry,” USDA said.

“Vessel-sharing is the backbone of the global liner shipping network,” John Butler, the World Shipping Council’s president and CEO, said.

Appointments part of strategic plans in Illinois and Indiana; service center manager tapped in Texas.

The new tomato inspection rules are part of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s deal with Mexican growers to suspend its anti-dumping investigation into the produce.

Ports of Seattle and Tacoma still operating normally but handling less cargo.

“IT strength and capability” helping Orient Overseas (International) Limited service customers during coronavirus crisis.

Ocean shipping has functioned well during the outbreak but pressures are mounting.

Petchem shippers are keeping inland barge owners busy, but upside could be temporary.

Boeing will stop making planes for two weeks at most of its plants to protect workers from the coronavirus.

Some countries are making it easier for airlines to adjust operations in response to the coronavirus crisis, but the airfreight community wants greater cooperation from governments.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative acknowledged, “the imposition of tariffs on certain Chinese imports has resulted in an overall decline in the availability of needed medical equipment and supplies.”

UNIX Line’s tanker, Zao Galaxy, discharged the contaminated water overboard in early 2019 during a voyage between the Philippines and California’s Port of Richmond.

Likelihood of economic recession could set stage for reauthorization in September.