The global shipping industry is constantly evolving, and the COVID-19 pandemic began a marked shift in how container shipping operates. Disruption caused by the pandemic has forced the industry to expand its capacity and reduce costs to remain profitable.
At the peak of the pandemic, containers essentially stopped moving. As manufacturers went into lockdown and closed factories, many of the containers used to ship those manufactured goods were left stranded at ports or storage depots, where they weren’t needed. Simultaneously, freight shippers were reducing the number of vessels in use due to the manufacturing slowdown. This limited global shipping capacity and disrupted the worldwide flow of containers and goods. As a result, some regions were left with an excess of stored containers, while other places were left with no containers at all.
As the pandemic slowed and the global economy began to rebound, labor shortages and congestion at ports have left many of these stored containers stuck where they aren’t needed. Now, instead of a shortage of shipping containers, the industry is dealing with too many. Many container storage depots are turning away new clients due to lack of space, and some shippers are even giving containers away to make room. Blank and cancelled sailings are increasing as well, as shippers decide to skip a port or cancel a trip altogether in order to manage changes in demand and capacity.
Check back here for the latest news and insights on the state of the container shipping industry. You can also visit our maritime news archive to learn more about cargo shipping, or our American Shipper archive for air cargo shipping industry news.
“This outperformance once again demonstrates that we are in the right locations, and a focus on origin and destination cargo will continue to deliver the right balance between growth and resilience,” Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem says.
Raja Narayanan joins industry disrupter “at this pivotal time where the world is adapting to the new normal.”
First Atlantic hurricane of the 2020 season could cause substantial flooding to south Texas and northeastern Mexico this weekend, delaying freight traffic at ports and land border crossings.
While the storm is expected to weaken as it passes over the islands, Young Brothers pulls its interisland barges into calmer waters for the weekend.
Chairman Michael Khouri explains how the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission keeps track of COVID-19-induced ocean container carrier sailing schedule changes for anticompetitive behavior.
Delivering on promise will mean fewer headaches and delays, container shipping line says.
Thousands of crew members are stuck on board their ships due to COVID-19 restrictions. Learn more in Darren Prokop’s commentary.
The expectation that North American consumers will help drive intermodal traffic comes as the railway’s second-quarter volumes were hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
OffPeak praised for enabling Southern California distribution centers to operate second shifts.
The coronavirus’ whipsaw effect on the global supply chain took a toll on Kuehne + Nagel during the first half of 2020, but without a rapid internal response the hit would have been far worse, CEO Detlef Trefzger says.
Ridgeville, South Carolina, facility will create more than 1,000 jobs.
“Tom Hanks’ work throughout his career reflects a deep respect for those who serve.”
A new interview with AgTC’s Peter Friedmann on how China COVID fears affect U.S. food exports.
vailable cargo space on outbound aircraft from China is starting to become scarce again. Shippers better hurry to lock up reservations for the late summer and peak season.
Operational lower level essential to movement of goods and economic recovery.
“Employer groups should not play American ports against one another,” says longshore union leader.
Total number of TEUs moved in June down 17.1% year-over-year.
U.S. shippers importing cargo from Asia are getting some price relief.
The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission enters “phase two” of its fact-finding investigation into COVID-19 impacts on container shipping in the Port of New York and New Jersey.
CEO Jim Newsome optimistic about economic recovery in 2021.
A study commissioned by the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks suggests that modifying federal rules to allow for heavier and longer trucks could result in diverting roughly 25% of U.S. rail traffic to trucks.
Analysis concludes West Coast ports have lost 19.4% of market share since 2006.
Even before Hawaii imposed COVID-19 travel restrictions earlier this year, Young Brothers lost money and last year sought a rate increase valued at $13 million from state regulators.
Canceled San Pedro Bay calls more than doubled in the first half of the year compared to 2019.
Boost attributed to retailers trying to beat capacity constraints and rate hikes.
Deutsche Post DHL said preliminary second-quarter profits, despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, have it less worried about the rest of the year.
WSC says one-1,000th of 226 million containers shipped each year are lost.
Cause of blaze at the Blount Island Marine Terminal remains under investigation.
Lori Ann LaRocco illustrates the disruption to global trade by profiling what has happened at the Port of Miami since the coronavirus pandemic began.
“Optics” are bad but freight pricing doesn’t appear to meet regulatory bar for intervention.
A tip led investigators to the 90 bricks of cocaine weighing nearly 226 pounds.
Danish shipping giant A.P. Moller -Maersk has reached an agreement to acquire Sweden-based customs brokerage to offer increased import clearance services to European shippers.
Consolidated Chassis Management chief executive foresees an increased requirement for chassis to accommodate rising tide of intermodal container moves as the North American economy shakes off COVID-19.
Total cargo volume is down 7.8% this year because of reduced import demand.
HTA CEO Weston LaBar says West Coast container ports have suffered a 19.4% loss in market share since 2006.
Global trade fallout from the crew-repatriation crisis has begun — and looks poised to snowball.
Shipboard COVID cases will make it even harder to roll back travel restrictions that block crew changes.
Pilot Freight Services, which operated under a national franchise network for decades, now owns 90% of its offices and monitors for future acquisitions.
E-commerce and coronavirus fallout are buoying container services from Asia to the West Coast.
South Carolina Ports Authority adopts financial plan for fiscal year 2021.
The Port of Savannah handled the most containerized agricultural export volumes last year among all U.S. ports, according to a national database.
For years, exporters and importers have been frustrated by the former U.S. Customs and Border Protection process to withhold their names and addresses in manifest data from the public.
Although “Containers Don’t Lie,” the story they are telling may not reveal the entire picture.
By artificially restricting capacity, carrier alliances have engineered rates higher and may book a profit this year.
Roundup comprises elections and selections by Atlas Air, Elemica, Georgia Ports Authority, Hapag-Lloyd, NCBFAA and VeriShip.
The rail-related projects awarded federal grants seek to expand infrastructure capacity in the Midwest, Tampa and Houston.
The container ship helping set the record is longer than the Eiffel Tower is tall and capable of carrying 384 million pairs of shoes.
Fiscal-year finish 50,000 containers below plan is forecast.
New court documents shed light on a shipboard drug ring.
TFI International says it completed its acquisition of Gusgo Transport in a deal that adds a small Canadian container trucking and storage company.
Washington State Potato Commission wants you to get fries with that burger.
The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission has rolled out guidance on how the ocean shipping industry can collaboratively improve the flow of containers among ocean carriers, marine terminals, shippers and drayage truckers in San Pedro Bay during COVID-19 and beyond.
New data reveals third-quarter ocean schedules still largely intact — a positive sign on cargo bookings.
Port Logistics operates a 140,000-square-foot refrigerated warehouse at Berth 219.
Ships could be idled as thousands of seafarers refuse contract extensions.
The 1920 Merchant Marine Act authorizes the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission to investigate and penalize foreign governments with ocean shipping regulations that discriminate against U.S. trade.
Reduced number of canceled sailings indicates return of cargo.
On the plus side, the Appalachian Regional Port nearly doubles the number of containers handled.
Lori Ann LaRocco explains why intra-Asian trade is down and its affect on the United States.
Logistics services provider is optimistic about African continent’s global freight potential, despite economic setbacks from COVID-19 pandemic.
The master has been charged in connection with the overboard loss of 50 containers
TFI International acquiring Gusgo Transport, a small Canadian trucking company specializing in hauling and storing containers.
Gene Seroka reports worst May in more than a decade, predicts 15% of import cargo won’t return
Three hundred vessels will be equipped to measure and report meteorological data
The World Shipping Council says exemption for ocean container carriers from publishing essential terms of their service contracts with the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission is a step in the right direction.
Intermodal Motor Carrier Conference said the Ocean Carrier Equipment Association can avoid regulatory or legal action by reaching a “mutually beneficial” resolution to the chassis lease rate dispute.
Bill Doyle has been steering the Dredging Contractors of America
Sister ship will transport cargo while turbocharger is repaired in New Jersey
Global trade could be the next casualty if the virus resurges, warns OECD.
Peaceful protests and work stoppages take place on day of burial
COVID effects far from over, but more positive news on the trans-Pacific.
French carrier trumpets its resilience and agility during coronavirus crisis
Coast Guard medevacs crewman injured in engine room fire
Maritime traffic in and out of the Gulf is restricted, as well as on the Mississippi.
A new intermodal-focused transportation management system brings together the technologies and expertise of Profit Tools, Compcare Services and GTG Technology Group.
The tropical storm, expected to make landfall Sunday evening, could cause shipment delays because of potential flooding.
A recent study by the Institute of International Container Lessors found that traditional hot zinc sprays for refrigerated container steel frames keep them in top shape years longer than zinc-rich primer coatings and should be maintained by box manufacturers.
An exclusive interview with Sea-Intelligence CEO Alan Murphy on how canceled sailings can signal future demand.
Alabama State Port Authority and APM Terminals Mobile will help get products to customers quickly
Two space-sharing alliances already have canceled 75 voyages through September
Third-party logistics services providers involved in international trade remain concerned about how their businesses will remerge post-COVID-19. They are addressing tough questions about what it will take in terms of staff, systems and office space to operate a successful company.
Global stewardship includes aim to be carbon neutral by 2050
Australian authorities say pollution of marine environment could have been avoided
‘Blue economy’ provides about $373 billion of nation’s gross domestic product
Dredging efforts and rail capacity expansions at the Southeastern U.S. ports are part of a broader regional strategy to capture more Midwest-bound container traffic on the East Coast.
Digital Container Shipping Association establishes internet of things standards for connectivity
Young Brothers will curtail service without rapid $25 million infusion of CARES Act funding from state regulators.
What the war of words between the U.S. and China means to ocean shipping.
Lessons learned from shipowner woes in the wake of the global financial crisis.
Net loss whittled from $24.3 million last year to $11.9 million in Q1 2020
Escalating airfreight transportation rates and capacity shortages from China due to the global pandemic have encouraged some shippers to split supply chain shipments between ocean and air pallets.
Litigious society wants someone to pay for coronavirus-related business losses
Operator of Staten Island terminal spurned by container giant is not giving up without a fight.
APL England escorted to Port of Brisbane after 40 containers are lost and nearly 75 others are damaged
“Crew changes cannot be postponed indefinitely,” warned the world’s largest maritime and air transport organizations.
Authorities blame heavy seas off Australian coast for loss of medical supplies, household appliances and building materials
Leasing companies say a neutral chassis pool lacks incentive to invest the tens of millions of dollars each year to maintain viable chassis equipment.
New Orleans Public Belt Railroad brings on eight new engines, which will reduce the operation’s fuel consumption by 25% and emissions by 40%.
Fewer sailings will be canceled starting in July but that won’t help restock shelves in June.
Kuehne + Nagel’s Bill Rooney takes aim at RFQs and bunker surcharges in remarks to Agriculture Transportation Coalition
