News

U.S., Canadian shippers struggle to meet anti-bug rules for cargo platform. By Chris Dupin    Wood packaging material, such as pallets, crates, and dunnage, used to secure freight has been subject […]

Kansas City Southern markets border-crossing alternative to trucks. By Jon Ross    The current boom in Mexican trade has mostly benefitted truck carriers, but Kansas City Southern is trying to corner […]

Mexico, once again, becomes attractive to U.S. shippers. By Jon Ross    In today’s burgeoning trade between the United States and Mexico, a business that reached nearly $500 billion in 2012, […]

Liner carriers set changes to their fleets as Iraq, Afghanistan wars end. By Chris Dupin    The U.S. merchant marine is adjusting to the drawdown in military operations in Iraq and […]

United States expects to bolster trade with South America, hastening liner carrier service changes. By Chris Dupin    In the past month, the Obama administration has been drawing renewed attention to […]

   In late April, a joint venture by ACM Shipping and broker GFI Group exited the container derivatives market.    A GFI spokeswoman said the firm might return someday to […]

   Atlanta is the new Miami. Dallas-Forth Worth is the new Los Angeles. If only targeting a new air cargo gateway were as easy as making a simple declaration of […]

   Non-vessel-operating common carrier Vanguard Logistics Services has started new services from Batam, Indonesia to global destinations.    Many Indonesian and multinational manufacturers operate on the small island of Batam, […]

   Maersk Line made a profit of $204 million in the first quarter of 2013 compared to a loss of $599 million in the first quarter of 2012. It said […]

   AES Logistics and Aljex Software said Thursday the two companies have integrated AES Logistics rates into Aljex hosted software for quick access by Aljex users.    AES is a […]

Once developed, the mine, which is located about 550 kilometers south of the capital city Ulaanbaatar, will be one of the largest copper mines in the world. It will also count as […]

The London-based firm said its global freight rate index, which covers 600 trade routes, fell 12 percent in April to reach its lowest level since February 2012, when container shipping was still recovering from […]

U.S. exports of transportation equipment, petroleum and coal products, processed food, and computers and electronics have risen to Colombia, while U.S. farmers saw growth for soybean, wheat, grape, pork, and […]

Starting with the voyage of the ship Suape Express (1316N), the GS1 will replace the northbound call of Caucedo, Dominican Republic with Cartagena, Colombia. The first call in Cartagena will […]

   Rickmers Holding GmbH & Cie. KG, the parent of the Rickmers Group of shipping companies, intends to issue corporate bonds of up to 200 million euros ($258 million).    […]

   The Coast Guard has completed an environmental assessment of a plan by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to increase the clearance or “air draft” beneath […]

   DHL Supply Chain will invest 10 million euros ($12.9 million) in Vietnam over the next two years, hiring new staff, upgrading current infrastructure and building a new facility in […]

   Mark Ivey Sheppard, vice president for trade and development for the Alabama State Port Authority, died Tuesday at his home following a brief illness. He was 61 years old. […]

   Heavy ice cover on the Great Lakes that stretched well into April slowed resumption of the region’s limestone trade, according to the Lake Carriers’ Association.    Shipments totaled only 1.8 […]

   The U.S. Grains Council (USGC), along with the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), MAIZAR, representing Argentinian producers and the maize supply chain, and ABRAMILHO (Brazilian Association of Corn Producers) […]

The German liner carrier said “Europe-America and Far East services contributed in particular to this growth. Pleasing performance was seen, too, in some of the inter-America services.” Mediterranean services fell below […]

The liner carrier had a net loss of 93.6 million euros ($120 million) in the first quarter 2013, but considered an improvement over the net loss of 132.4 million euros recorded […]

   Hapag-Lloyd has announced substantial rate increases and a peak season surcharge in the Asia-Europe trade.    They include: $1,000-per-TEU general rate increase on the Far East Westbound trade, effective […]

   Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade Francisco Sánchez will lead a civil nuclear trade policy mission to Vietnam and China, May 17-23.    Representatives from 18 companies, law firms, […]

   The Montreal Port Authority said the Canadian Coast Guard has authorized the passage of vessels up to 44 meters wide in the Quebec-Montreal section of the St. Lawrence navigation […]

   A half dozen container shipping lines say they will restructure their services between the Far East and South America east coast.    The Chilean carrier CSAV said the changes are […]

   Yusen Logistics (Americas) will open a new 229,000-square-foot warehouse in Chicago on May 20 that will employ 170 people.    The warehouse will include 185,000 square feet dedicated to […]

Matsuda    David T. Matsuda, head of the Maritime Administration, plans to leave the agency at the end of the month.    In a memorandum sent to industry leaders to […]

   SeaIntel Maritime Analysis says some carriers appear to be moving freight in the Asia-Europe trade lane at below the price of fuel.    In the most recent issue of […]

   United Arab Shipping Co. said an explosion Saturday morning in the engine room of its ship Asir, while en route from Suez to Jeddah, injured three officers.    The ship […]

   Lloyd’s List reported China Shipping Group Chairman Li Shaode has confirmed the five 18,400-TEU ships his company has ordered will be deployed in a 10-year joint service with United Arab […]

   The Port of Seattle promoted Kurt Beckett to deputy chief executive officer with primary responsibility for port infrastructure development and internal operations.    The move will allow Tay Yoshitani, […]

   Transportation Worker Identification Credentials, or TWIC cards, were described as a “joke” during hearings before the U.S. House of Representative’s Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee last week.    The hearings came […]

   Charles “Wick” Moorman will give up his duties as president of Norfolk Southern Corp. to James Squires, who has been promoted from vice president administration, effective June 1, the company […]

The liner said its petroleum services group is entering the liquefied natural gas market by acquiring Carib Energy, a Florida-based company that was founded in 2011 to export LNG to industrial […]

   IAS Logistics will expand its Texas hub-and-spoke trucking operation to Los Angeles, Chicago and Miami.    No timeline for the expansion has been released.    The carrier’s services currently […]

   The U.S. Export-Import Bank approved a final commitment for a $45.5 million loan guarantee to VRG Linhas Aereas S.A. (GOL), a Brazilian airline.    The financing will support the […]

   The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has proposed to amend its rules to allow the import of fresh jackfruit, pineapple, and starfruit from Malaysia […]

   Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade Francisco Sánchez arrived in Hong Kong Thursday with representatives from a group of U.S. companies to start off the Trade Winds Asia 2013. […]

   With large quantities of sugar currently on the domestic market, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will use its waiver authority under the Refined Sugar Re-Export Program to temporarily permit […]

Hutchison Port Holdings Management said a wage increase proposal put forth by the external contractors at its Hongkong International Terminals, providing a 9.8 percent pay rise, has been accepted by […]

   DHL Global Forwarding has added daily intermodal services from Shanghai and a weekly service from Chengdu to the European border.    The offerings will use a combination of rail […]

   The Messenger Courier Association of America (MCAA) has changed its name to the Customized Logistics & Delivery Association (CLDA).    The rebranding effort was announced today by CLDA president, […]

The guide was created to help U.S. small and midsized businesses overcome one of their major export challenges, how to get paid from export sales, thereby helping turn their export […]

   Steel exports increased in March over February by 6.1 percent based on government reporting reviewed by the American Institute for International Steel (AIIS).    “The stronger showing for steel […]

   National Shipping of America (NSA) will start a new fortnightly service between Puerto Rico and the Port of Houston on May 29.    The company will operate its “Isla […]

   The United States has requested consultations with Bahrain under the Labor Chapter of the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement (FTA).    The request follows a December 2012 report by the […]

   The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission has received six ocean transportation intermediary license applications and changes for review.    The FMC received non-vessel-operating common carrier license applications from Jolaco International Procurement, […]

   A wind turbine commissioned in February 2012 at the Port of Milwaukee resulted in $5,000 net revenue for the port within the first nine months of operation, according to […]

Jolly Nero    As many as 10 people are feared dead and others injured, some seriously, following an accident at the Port of Genoa late Tuesday night.    The accident occurred […]

   Alphaliner is forecasting a record year for scrapping containerships.    In its latest newsletter, Alphaliner said vessels with a total capacity of 450,000 TEUs are expected to go to the breakers […]

   Panalpina had a consolidated profit of 14.3 million Swiss francs ($15.3 million) in the first quarter compared to a loss of 40.9 million francs in the first quarter of […]

   Textainer turned in revenues of $128.8 million in the first quarter, a 9.6-percent, year-over-year bump, and saw its income from operations rise by 11.9 percent to $76.1 million.    […]

   NUTEP, a container terminal operator in the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, has finished the latest phase of its development program by completing an upgrade to its rail facilities. […]

   Canada said it’s adopting strict environmental standards to reduce air emissions from ships navigating in Canadian waters, and these changes further align the country’s air emission standards with those of […]

   Maersk Line, Limited (MLL) said it has begun upgrading its U.S.-flag fleet by replacing eight existing ships with eight newer and larger containerships at a cost of about $500 million. […]

   C.R. England has promoted Brandon Harrison and Zach England to the position of chief operating officers.    Harrison will oversee the trucking company’s national, regional, and Mexico divisions and […]

   Evergreen Shipping Agency (America) Corp., North American agents for Evergreen Line, will return to its headquarters office at One Evertrust Plaza in Jersey City on May 10, following major repairs. […]

The U.S.-flag container carrier, which offers services between the U.S. mainland and Hawaii and Guam, as well as an eastbound service from China, said it had a profit of $9.1 million […]

“As the container shipping industry is a zero-sum game, carriers are de facto forced to match each others’ rate declines in order to maintain their vessel utilization,” said Lars Jensen, […]

“Through our new name and brand, we are re-dedicating ourselves to our mission of promoting steel drums as an affordable, safe and sustainable option for transporting a wide range of […]

   In response to increased demand from Europe, logistics software provider Catapult International has opened an office in Hamburg, Germany.    This expansion complements Catapult’s other offices located throughout the […]

   Kalmar, part of Cargotec, has acquired total ownership in the Spanish crane refurbishment and maintenance company Mareiport, S.A.    The acquisition is an important step for Kalmar to become […]

   MOL said it will start offering a new Asia-Mexico Express Service, joining a string operated by Hapag-Lloyd.    Designated AME by MOL and AME 1 by Hapag-Lloyd, MOL joins […]

   Purolator International, a provider of U.S.-Canada logistics services, has opened three new branch offices in Columbus, Ohio; Newark, N.J.; and Phoenix, bringing their total number of 33 branches.    […]

   Dockworkers in Hong Kong have decided to end a 40-day strike after securing a promise of a 9.8 percent wage increase and improved working conditions.    The Union of […]

Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) said five ships it will build for China Shipping Container Lines will be capable of carrying 18,400 TEUs. The vessels are scheduled to be handed over […]

Speaking during a reception for customers held in Elizabeth, N.J., Lea Bogatch-Genossar, president of Zim America, said the company’s Zim Container Service Pacific (ZCP) is adding the Virginia port with […]

Atlantic Cartier, one of the combination container-roll-on/roll-off ships operated by Atlantic Container Line in its transatlantic liner service, was damaged last week during a fire in Hamburg. Two hundred firefighters […]

   North Carolina’s Port of Wilmington will now offer shippers direct access to Manzanillo, Panama, and Puerto Moin, Costa Rica, in addition to Puerto Cortes, Honduras, and Santo Tomas, Guatemala, […]

   Interlake Steamship Co., an operator of bulk vessels on the Great Lakes, has reached an agreement in principle with Shell to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) to support the […]

   COSCO, Hanjin, and Yang Ming said they will launch a new service connecting Germany, Russia and Finland later this month.    The RFS (Russia–Finland Service) service will use three […]

Members voted in favor of a new six-year contract by a vote of 632-18, according to Dennis A. Daggett, president of Local 1804-1 and the chief negotiator for the maintenance […]

   Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL) has been selected as a bidder for the redevelopment of the Webb Dock West automotive terminal by Australia’s Port of Melbourne Corp.    WWL currently […]

   The Port of Pittsburgh Commission is building a wireless broadband network along the rivers in Pittsburgh and is seeking partners to explore new applications for transportation, safety, security and […]

   Rickmers-Linie has added a 10th vessel on its eastbound Round-the-World Pearl String Service by taking delivery of the Rickmers Savannah on long-term charter.    The 30,000-deadweight-ton Savannah, which was […]

   With dimensions that might have stunned even France’s greatest writer of science fiction, CMA CGM said the third in a series of 16,000-TEU containerships, CMA CGM Jules Verne, will […]

Recyclers in the United States and Europe are concerned about these proposed exemptions because their investments in businesses to dismantle or shred e-waste and transform it into commodities will be […]

The South Korean liner carrier predicted “even though some difficulties are inevitable due to supply growth, numbers in the second quarter will improve through continued rate restoration efforts and active cost […]

   Attempts by container carriers to tackle surplus capacity are being undone as new orders for ultra large container vessels (ULCVs) make the headlines, said London-based Drewry, in a press […]

   Domestic intermodal container volume ticked up 10.2-percent, year over year, during the first quarter, making it the sixth consecutive quarter of increases of more than 10 percent, according to […]

   Eurogate said its container terminal in Wilhelmshaven is enhancing its competitiveness by offering hinterland connections by rail at the same prices as other German ports.    “Eurogate Group rail operators Eurogate […]

   Horizon Lines said it lost $20.1 million in the first quarter of its current fiscal year compared to $26.8 million in the same 2012 period.    Horizon, which operates […]

Allegretti    The American Maritime Partnership (AMP), a trade organization for the U.S. shipping industry, said Thomas Allegretti has been elected as its new chairman.    Allegretti is president and chief […]

The Chilean liner shipping company said shareholders meeting in Valparaiso this week approved a plan to increase capital by $500 million that will be used to purchase seven 9,300-TEU ships […]

SA Recycling, a long-time exporter of scrap metal through the port, is working with CML Metals Corp. to send iron ore from mines in Utah, California, Arizona and Nevada to […]

   Hong Kong Radio Television said striking dockworkers are expected to return to the bargaining table on Thursday for a fifth day of talks after little progress was made in […]

   The information service Alphaliner says spot freight rates from China to Europe have crashed.    “Spot freight rates from China to Europe are currently offered at $700-$800 per TEU, […]

The Washington-based NCBFAA wants exemptions pertaining to non-vessel-operating common carrier negotiated rate arrangements (NRAs) extended to foreign-based, unlicensed NVOs as well as U.S.-licensed companies.

   Maher Terminals has appointed Gary Cross as president and chief executive officer.    Cross joined Maher in 1978 as a management trainee in the safety department and has held […]

   U.S. trade officials are stepping up the pressure on members of the World Trade Organization to advance a “small package” outcome at the upcoming 9th Ministerial Meeting at Bali, […]

   Southern California-based ocean freight consolidator DGX will start a weekly all-water service from Los Angeles to Guayaquil, Ecuador, effective May 7.    “With an aggressive transit time of only […]

Japan’s three large container carriers, which operate with a fiscal year that runs from April 1 to March 31, on Tuesday reported their results for the 2012-2013 fiscal year ending […]

   President Obama has named Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx to succeed Ray LaHood as secretary of transportation.    Foxx must now be confirmed by the Senate before taking his post. […]

   Two members of Congress from Southern California are urging the City of Los Angeles and BNSF Railway to take further steps to mitigate the environmental effects of a planned […]

   Maersk Line has named Stephen Richard Schueler as chief commercial officer, effective May 27.    He replaces Lucas Vos, who leaves the position at the liner carrier on May […]

It’s not clear how the company will deploy the ships. Maersk and most large shipping companies have deployed their largest ships in the Asia-Europe trade lane, but such strings generally […]

   For the first 16 weeks of the year, total railroad traffic in the United States has grown by nearly 1 percent over 2012’s figures, according to the Association of American […]

The Chinese liner company’s report to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange said its container shipping business had revenue of 9.2 billion yuan in the first quarter, 14.3 percent more than in […]

Hong Kong-based OOCL had revenue of $1.36 billion in the quarter, 3.6 percent more than in the same 2012 period. Container volumes in the first quarter were 1,241,454 TEUs, down […]