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.
Bendix is now making its advanced safety systems available for retrofit for models where it was not factory-installed. Plus, U.S. finds little support for postal rate changes, detention time increasing and air cargo boom may be over.
Slow steaming is potential way for ocean carriers to meet higher costs of IMO 2020, but it carries risk of further service degradation.
International terminal mega-operator, DP World, has announced a solid set of results for 2018. Revenues, earnings before interest taxation depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), and net profit all substantially increased last year compared to 2017. Acquisitions and increased box volumes drove revenues and profits. DP World has announced investment plans for 2019.
Terminals moving out backlogs of containers and improving turn times; outbound freight demand still strong as drayage remains tight.
Volumes continue to remain strong even during seasonal slow patch and trucking capacity still remains tight in the region.
Volvo has started testing connected vehicle technology in California, plus Michigan governor pitches fuel tax hike, California legislator wants to phase out diesel engines and Alibaba buys into delivery company.
Big ships come to U.S. even as backhaul cargoes still lacking, and truckers deal with terminal shut-outs and chassis imbalances.
Member of THE Alliance is latest ocean carrier to experience financial difficulty amid a still volatile rate environment.
Electric trucks dominated the vehicle conversations at this week’s Work Truck Show in Indianapolis, plus the cost of charging vehicles, overtime pay changes and another trucker protest planned.
Smaller fleets see best growth in driver capacity, but shippers only tap them once in a while, creating more volatility.
Soren Skou said biggest ocean carrier is more customer-centric than ever, but vessel reliability and detention fees still a pain for customers.
Biggest trade lane into North America saw price surge last year that may not ease up much as double-digit increases seen in rates for 2019.
Liner alliances in a quandary about what to do with largest capacity ships as cancelled port calls increase to deal with capacity glut.
Online freight booking systems can streamline the process for booking air and ocean freight, solving several significant challenges along the way.
Start-up is latest seeking to automate the fraught process of securing truck capacity with its test bed at busiest port in U.S.
World’s largest ocean freight forwarder continues to grow volume, but impact of liner alliances also take toll on margins.
The Motiv EPIC all-electric chassis will be installed on Ford F-59 glider chassis at a Detroit Custom Chassis plant. Also, Colorado passes bill lowering the commercial truck driving age and the Port of Long Beach sees near-record volumes.
Ocean carrier reports unaudited full-year results including its acquisition of UASC, but volume gains have yet to add to profit.
Artery for goods ranging from coal to oil to grain closed in wake of historic rainfalls.
Delay in tariffs comes after a week of talks in Washington with Chinese officials; but the threat certainly good for volumes coming into Seattle.
VC-backed freight forwarder wants to expand geographic coverage and add freight expertise after latest cash infusion.
Read on economy from container data does not indicate slowdown yet in cards for global trade.
Up-and-coming freight forwarder aims to flip script in how to reach customers and Japanese fund is on board for that.
Restructuring of the global economy means that manufacturers are shifting their production centres nearer to the markets they serve, in a process that Maersk calls reshoring or near-shoring, and poses a risk to the liner industry’s future revenues.
But world’s largest shipping company sees high number of risks going into 2019 with container demand expected to be down from 2018.
Class 1 railroad plans ongoing projects at intermodal facility which is near major shippers and new warehouse space.
Largest ocean freight forwarder sees fuel bills increasing as much as 50 percent based on current price spreads.
Cargo thefts fell 19 percent in 2018 compared to the year before, according to SensiGuard. Plus, the EU cuts a deal on truck emissions and another trucker protest is planned for this week.
Ocean carrier sees debt upgrade thanks to hitting cost synergy targets and fleet’s better fuel efficiency will help save operating expenses.
Ports of Virgiana and Charleston put up strong numbers to start 2019, but regional Fed warns that slowdwon could be approaching.
Swiss freight forwarder looks to the Middle East for opportunity with deal for one-time provider of logistics services to U.S. military.
Rise in expansion and efficiency projects comes after strong year of growth in company’s intermodal business.
Never-ending peak season may finally be peaking as shippers rush in goods; shipowners tallying up the cost of scrubbers.
Leading dry bulk operator lists out upsets in iron ore and soybean trade as shipping rates slide on weak China demand.
Deal for intermodal brokerage and logistics firm comes amid strong growth in Pacific Northwest market.
European ocean carrier needed approval from continent’s governing anti-trust body before taking offer to public shareholders.
NS invokes precision scheduled railroading as its seeks to match peer performance and lower its operating ratio.
United Nations report says trade is flowing to countries not involved in the dispute; Asia-to-Europe boxship trade is oversupplied.
A noticeable change in the pattern of trade is underway at Australia’s second biggest box port, Sydney’s Port Botany. Botany handled more boxes in the last calendar year than in 2017 – but those boxes arrived and departed on fewer, although larger, container ships.
Cost of all-water transit could rise as higher price, low-sulfur fuel comes into play; Maersk offers a peak in the fridge.
All-in rates on the way out as new surcharge formulas on the way in as ocean carriers work on ways to share cost burden with customers.
Rail operator Aurizon has completed the sale of its Queensland Intermodal Business to privately owned Australian logistics company Linfox. The Queensland Intermodal Business delivers general cargo for more than 300 customers across the state and includes a wide variety of freight including groceries, white goods and general goods.
Georgia lays out the welcome mat for the largest containership with new gear; Maersk CEO looks to land for next deals.
Record-breaking year also showed strains in supply chains as busiest U.S. East Coast port.
Uncertainty over whether refineries are doing enough to plan for marine fuel switch pushes up premium for low-sulfur product.
Five-year high in growth seen last year thanks to tariff front-loading and tight truck supply, but shippers likely to put brakes on growth this year.
New container service provides Florida greater and cheaper access to Asia’s exporters; start-up aims to reduce per-diem fees on containers.
Class 1 railroad warns of slowdown in shipments through major intermodal hubs as tracks crack under severe cold.
It’s Northern California versus Southern California traffic as port displays turn times; Brexiting remains bad for business, shipowners warn.
Class 1 railroads may have to shorten train lengths and reduce speeds to cope with cold, while drayage supply will also be tight.
Dam collapse could pinch amount of ore heading to water; container crane falls on ship in Canada; Australian port tries to go clean.
Swiss freight forwarder says 2021 strategic plan should make Ceva worth more as independent company.
APM’s move to add automated box handling equipment at large terminal has dock workers concerned about job security.
Port’s growing base of automotive and other shippers needs better way to move freight as traffic woes mean Charleston is ‘not as quaint.‘
Hard commodity volumes were mixed, but intermodal and coal are better; pricing is the best in seven years.
Port plans new wharf for container-on-barge service that has been slow to take off elsewhere; container imports show big December jump.
Port truck operators could potentially increase their wages by using a new service from NEXT that helps them run shorter runs and return to ports with empty containers. The company just secured $97 million in funding to help it expand.
Tight supply of labor, chassis, railcars, and space all contribute to port woes. Autonomous ships coming to Norway by next year.
Freight volumes coming into U.S. remain high in January, but delays and congestions turn trips to major marine terminals into ‘madhouse.’
Top supply chain trends and Rhode Island collects more in toll revenue than it expected, plus the growing scooter logistics sector and more container checks.
Slowdown headed for U.S. import volumes as largest exporter sees economy weaken ahead of prolonged holiday.
New power given to the Federal Maritime Commission to scrutinize the effects of ocean carrier competition has been put on hold by the government shutdown.
Surprise fees for practice that reduces congestion at ports and improves driver turns amounts to ‘dirty pool’ on part of the steamship lines.
Capacity additions set to have knock-on effect for trades into North America; Australia’s port strike to cause Pacific Rim ripples.
Container volumes remain strong, but delays mean fewer overall pickups; drivers also not pleased with new fees for flipping containers.
Facility has been frequent target of labor action and drew attention of local politicians, who tried to evict third-party logistics firm.
‘Swedish furniture,’ along with an IT refresh and 24 percent share premium, may factor in combining two top freight forwarders.
U.K. votes down Brexit deal, leading to more uncertainty on rules for freight forwarders; stowaway bugs bug Australia.
Once-manual process now automated, offering some relief to shippers having to fetch empty containers at congestion plagued ports.
Port of Houston faces choice as to which ships to prioritize; U.K. Parliament turmoil leaves Brexit deal in doubt.
Auto parts imports could take a hit as vehicle sales slow; Japan makes its own play for African port supremacy.
Overall import growth mean more freight all around, but high drayage costs and better service bringing more boxes to rail.
The government shutdown is forcing the U.S. Coast Guard to work without pay which could begin affecting freight operations.
Once dependent on drayage to move boxes to rail, GCT Bayonne now has near-dock rail to speed shipments to U.S. hinterland.
Price impact of low-sulfur fuel may not be as bad as feared, but still remains unknown; I-5 bridge remains a chokepoint for trucking.
Gale force winds and the subsequent rolling movement of the ship are the most likely causes for the loss of around 300 containers from the mega-container vessel the MSC Zoe on 2 January. But MSC has not yet confirmed the causes of the accident, or how much cargo was lost.
SecurSpace develops Airbnb-like model for container storage as intermodal hubs getting tighter on space.
Law aims to help shippers avoid potential liability; But in an industry with many fly-by-night operators, getting monies owed still a challenge.
Chassis management and appointment times seen as targets for fixes as Los Angeles grapples with container delays.
China’s government is making the port-city of Xiamen, in the south-east of the country, one of the main nodes oin its 21st Century version of the Silk Road. A major new initiative involving ports, road transport, maritime carriers, rail transport, common-marketing, a logistics single trade window and many other features are being set up in the City.
Even the Port’s director agrees something needs to be done; East Coast port notches new record; ATA crows about California victory.
Project first suggested in 2002 may yet go forward as Port of Baltimore vies for hinterland freight movements.
Rising driver wages can’t slow driver shortage plus a Boston-based company receives funding for autonomous technology development for cargo vessels and more empty containers are leaving U.S. ports
Information about that data is more needed; box moves strong at Port of Los Angeles, but peak season in rearview mirror.
The Washington state port is retooling to handle bigger ships and heavier cargo. The transformation includes a large-scale mixed-use development featuring housing, hotels and office space.
Ocean carriers ease back capacity as import volumes slowdown, but industry still expected to be set fair for 2019.
An Eaton clutch defect leads to a recall of International truck models and other OEMs may have to follow suit, plus Amazon Air takes off and intermodal growth being driven by inland ports.
As barge rates slump in the face of increased rainfall, the Central Commission for the Navigation of the Rhine (CCNR) has warned that Rhine River water levels could fall again in December.
A major port operator in Australia is being sued in the nation’s Federal Court by the national competition watchdog, alleging an anti-competitive deal with a state government.
But container volumes still going strong this quarter as U.S.-China hash out deal; but first quarter likely to see slowdown.
Main U.S. maritime agency’s probe into practices of ocean carriers and terminals winds down, but no changes yet seen.
Company makes fourth acquisition in 2018.
New service aims to provide smaller shippers more certainty when booking ocean freight.
Freight forwarder and logistics firm targets 5% annual growth through 2021 thanks to tie-up with CMA CGM.
Funding aims to keep Port’s market share as more freight moves to intermodal and off the roads.
Trucking executive points to final mile delivery as draining driver pool, so think about that on Cyber Monday.
Upcoming summit could provide surprise deal, but acrimony and lack of consensus puts deal in doubt.
In a normal year, the Port of Oakland stands out from other U.S. ports for exporting more than it imports. Not this year.
World’s largest container lines plan to look at emerging technologies as new options come to the market.
Good times at U.S. ports not expected to last as world’s largest shipping line warns trade war will rear up at start of next year.
