News

   Background noise is the drip-drip water torture of modern supply chains.    And the impact is felt no more keenly than in transportation procurement. This is where the overused […]

Container Analytics with Ben Meyer    Several months ago, this column said the recently formed 2M and Ocean3 vessel sharing agreements (VSA) of Maersk Line and Mediterranean Shipping Co., and […]

Port Tampa Bay takes long-term approach to business development.

   Increased funding for ports—not just for marine terminals themselves, but connections via water and land—continue to be a key focus for the American Association of Port Authorities.    In […]

   Something for every shipper to keep their eyes on in California — aside, you know, from crippling port congestion — is the state’s legal position on whether drayage drivers are considered employees or independent […]

Apparel, footwear shippers struggle with West Coast port issues.

Nothing short of a system reset based on policies characterized by intermodalism will avoid what could eventually be years of freight gridlock.

   “Believe it or not, we deal in perishables,” said Joseph Roisman, executive vice president with Perry Ellis International. Like other apparel companies, Perry Ellis has struggled with congestion at […]

Differences between the ILWU and ILA abound, but can port labor negotiations be structured more effectively?

Fast growing U.S. forage exports hit by West Coast port problems.

   While the asset-based freight transportation business continues to consolidate into the hands of fewer and larger firms, the non-asset-based counterpart—made up mostly of freight forwarders and non-vessel-operating common carriers—remains […]

   I’ve written before about the shortsightedness of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union when it comes to dragging out contract talks with the marine terminal operators to the point […]

   Amid the news about port congestion, the Port of Oakland was able to draw our attention to a little good news in February.    The Army Corps of Engineers […]

   Dewayne Gregoire said he was injured in a slip-and-fall accident while working as a tankerman on Enterprise Marine Services’ vessel, Marie.    Like many injured seafarers, he chose to […]

Third-party systems and back office arrangements allow intermediaries to focus on core customer-facing functions.

U.S. Labor Secretary Perez announced Friday night the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and Pacific Maritime Association reached an agreement on a new five-year contract.

Harley Shaiken, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, said an agreement between the ILWU and PMA could be reached in days rather than weeks.

Ships stacking up at anchorages, off coast, and slowly steaming across the Pacific.

Transit times for less-than-container-load ocean freight shipments will be reduced by seven days, according to the global forwarder.

The North Carolina State Ports Authority is extending its hours at the Port of Wilmington from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m., effective Feb. 23.

The Dutch airport group saw cargo volumes increase by 6.7 percent.

Workers on the railway’s Northern Quebec Internal Short Line agreed to a four-year deal.

Furniture retailer IKEA has submitted its final plans to the City of Joliet, Ill. to proceed with building a distribution center there.

West Coast port labor negotiations are now focused on arbitration system.

CMA CGM launches a new logistics platform in Cameroon, Broekman Group becomes Broekman Logistics and Air Canada Cargo adds more capacity in Asia.

NationaLease names a vice president for dedicated services, and ISS appoints new head for marine outsourcing.

The West Coast ports attributed “dramatic” downturn in volumes to congestion and lack of a ILWU labor contract.

Substantial market demand in Portland region exists for exporting and importing goods to and from Asia, says terminal operator.

The logistics and freight brokerage provider also turned in its most profitable quarter in Q4 as acquisitions of Pacer, New Breed and last mile companies, coupled with organic growth paid […]

The U.S. and Canadian governments signed an arrangement to proceed with construction of a new publicly-owned bridge between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit.

Rejected agreement would cover breakbulk cargo, automobiles.

The multipurpose shipping subsidiary of Maersk Line increased sailings on its SAFWAF mpc service from every six weeks to monthly.

The Marjorie C, a container roll-on/roll-off ship, will operate between Hawaii and the U.S. mainland.

U.S. Labor and Commerce Secretaries, along with Los Angeles mayor, met with ILWU and PMA negotiators.

Agility wins contract with ExCeL London, while Saudia Cargo boosts capacity from Nairobi to Amsterdam in February.

Waukegan Port District has named a new manager, while MIQ appoints L.A.-area business development manager.

Labor Secretary Thomas Perez met both parties accompanied by a mediator from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service who has been assisting in the talks since early January.

A slowdown in the Chinese economy and cascading tonnage have caused the decline in rates, according to Drewry.

Teamsters and others say 10,000 “misclassified” workers should be eligible for assistance.

Acquisition would make Japan Post one of the largest global 3PLs.

Icelandic liner carrier says change will mean less transshipment, more frequent sailings.

The National Retail Federation forecast an increase of 4.1 percent for in-store sales and up to 10 percent in non-store sales compared to 2014.

Atlas Logistics rebrands, while Total Quality Logistics opens new office in Texas.

The Taft-Hartley Act gives presidents ability to intervene in damaging work stoppages such as the one engulfing West Coast ports.

Union representing engineers, conductors agrees to arbitration.

German shipping company hopes to complete its planned purchase of the Chilean liner company by end of March.

Accident may be another spur to hurry federal regulations for more robust tank cars.

“K” Line subsidiary says the cranes incorporate “soft landing” technology to boost productivity.

CMA CGM takes delivery of two new containerships, and Murphy Logistics opens two warehouses in Kansas City.

Northern California port blames decline on slowdowns resulting from ongoing contract dispute between ILWU and PMA.

The five carriers will change their service to and from North Europe and the Mediterranean by April.

United Arab Shipping Co. says it will partner with CMA CGM and Hamburg Süd.

Agricultural trade associations want European food safety commission to approve import authorizations for 13 new biotechnology products.

Korean Air will add five Boeing 777 freighters, while Globe Express Service expands in France.

Kane Is Able and Virgin Atlantic Cargo appoint vice presidents, while CP’s CFO resigns.

Move comes as ILWU, PMA talks enter 10th month.

Spot rate for 40-foot container moving from Shanghai to the U.S. East Coast estimated to be more than $5,000.

Both sides met Thursday with aid of federal mediator and negotiations are expected to continue on Friday.

The ports said the Washington State Senate proposal will “benefit the state’s economy by speeding the movement of cargo through the ports.”

The railway announced spending plans for Nebraska ($226 million), Minnesota ($326 million), Washington ($189 million), Illinois ($339 Million), North Dakota ($326 Million) and Texas ($223 million).

Singapore liner company says congestion at U.S. West Coast ports cost it $15 million in fourth quarter.

Cathay Pacific handles 1.45 million tons of cargo in first full year, while CEVA Logistics expands in Vancouver, Canada and UTi Worldwide opens new facilities in Malaysia.

CSX names two executives to vice president posts, while Suttons Group appoints a new Americas director.

Terminal operator says it will seek other carriers for container terminal.

The union, which represents more than 3,000 engineers and conductors at the railway, intends to strike if a negotiated settlement is not reached by midnight Feb. 14.

The United States questioned the validity of China’s so-called “demonstration bases-common service platform” export subsidy program.

The Justice, State and Interior departments announced the implementation of the U.S. National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking.

Prolonged waterfront labor talks have created need for “real time” information, said the port.

Year-over-year cargo was up 15 percent in January with double-digit growth in rail, barge and truck sectors, according to VPA.

The 114 million euro ($129 million) investment in the Brussels hub will triple DHL’s capacity from 12,000 to 39,500 shipments per hour.

CSX Corp. has appointed Oscar Munoz as president and Cindy Sanborn as executive vice president of operations.

Starting in March, Panalpina will operate flights from Hong Kong to Huntsville, Ala., with scheduled charters using Atlas Air’s Boeing 747-400 freighters.

Small ports in Southern Oregon will get funds for maintenance.

Users of Drivewyze PreClear are able to bypass Florida’s 22 ag inspection stations if they are not hauling farm products or refrigerated containers.

FedEx Ground builds new DC, DP World London Gateway Port constructs third berth, CenterPoint Properties completes intermodal facility, Delta Cargo co-locates with Air France-KLM, and TASCO Berhad opens new warehouse.

MNX Global Logistics appoints three vice presidents, while Saudi Airlines Cargo picks new charter director.

PMA said ships will not load or unload cargo Thursday, Saturday, Sunday or Monday due to continuing ILWU slowdowns.

The Korean liner company said it will continue to serve the Pacific Northwest region from Seattle.

According to preliminary data from the Intermodal Association of North America, all intermodal segments reported gains with domestic containers leading the way.

The logistics company said its improved facility features a “unique” cold storage facility designed for the life sciences and healthcare sectors.

Aldridge is recalled as key figure as liner companies transitioned to containerships.

Major shipper and railroad told a Senate panel about the harmful impact of work slowdowns at West Coast ports.

Kalmar appoints new vice president of services and MIQ names business development manager in Los Angeles.

AgTC claims loss of agriculture exports amounts to $1.75 billion per month.

According to the port, overall throughput increased 4.8 percent for the year.

UX Specialized Logistics is a North American provider of last-mile logistics services to retail chains and e-commerce companies.

Lance M. Fritz will serve as the Union Pacific Railroad’s new president and chief executive officer.

Drivers at Shippers Transport Express ratified a one year contract.

Greek shipping company recently increased its fleet size from two to 10 vessels in less than a year.

CMA CGM opens new agencies in Turkey and Guatemala, SR Technics extends partnership with Kuehne + Nagel in Middle East, Southeastern Freight Lines expands in Kentucky and Ohio and CenterPoint […]

Bay & Bay has appointed a new vice president, while ACI named new facilitation and IT director.

West Coast port union and management continue publicity war.

PMA neither loaded nor unloaded ships over the weekend, leaving yard and gate operations up to individual terminals.

The Dubai-based ocean carrier will expand its services to the South American market as part of its overall growth strategy in the region.

Government says investigation is continuing.

U.S. Meat Export Federation says West Coast port congestion threatens beef and pork shippers with export delays to Asian markets.

U.S. steel exports dropped 2.6 percent from November to December, capping off a 5 percent decline for the year.

Pure car-truck carrier has scrubber to meet emission standards.

Draymen say they could be forced out of business by huge demurrage and detention bills.

A. Duie Pyle and SCI Logistics open new logistics centers in New Jersey and Nova Scotia, while CenterPoint Properties sells a 10-building portfolio in the Milwaukee area.