Monthly Archives for July 2017

Longer US auto factory closures bodes poorly for trade The market for US tire imports is less reliant on vehicle production than that for auto parts. Automakers in the United States are keeping plants closed longer during regularly scheduled intermissions this summer because of declining auto sales — a move expected to accelerate the decline […]

Longer factory closures to dent US auto exports, part imports The market for US tire imports is less reliant on vehicle production than that for auto parts. Automakers in the United States are keeping plants closed longer during regularly scheduled intermissions this summer because of declining auto sales — a move expected to accelerate the […]

Resins raise questions for surging US cotton exports US containerized cotton exports rose more than 70 percent in the first five months of the year. US cotton exporters are anticipating another strong year after containerized cotton exports rose 3.7 percent last year to 254,610 TEU, while hoping to avoid conflict with a fast-approaching boom in […]

Trans-Pac spot rates slip as trade preps for peak The trans-Pacific trade is gearing up for the peak season. Spot rates in the eastbound Pacific declined slightly for the second consecutive week, although the 2 percent drop to the East Coast reflects a tightening of capacity, whereas the 5 percent decline to the West Coast […]

Peak season so far providing no fillip for Asia-Europe spot rates The peak season has yet to materialize on the Asia-Europe trade. July rate increases and peak season surcharges from some carriers have been unable to push up the spot market on the Asia-Europe and Asia-Mediterranean trades with freight rates declining for the second consecutive […]

Private equity makes .6 billion bid for GLP Logistics warehouse developer GLP could be in the hands of private equity by April 2018. A consortium of Chinese investors has made an $11.6 billion offer for Singapore-listed warehouse developer Global Logistics Properties, which even after a share price rally this year is still a 25 percent […]

Cyber attack highlights maritime security limitations The June 27 “NotPetya” cyber attack that disrupted business at Maersk Group for well over a week has been dubbed “the industry’s Y2K moment,” but that’s not accurate. Y2K was the threat to computer systems at the moment the year 1999 turned into 2000, and the fears never materialized. […]

No rapid rise of US beef exports to China expected as market opens US beef will soon be available in Chinese markets and grocery stores. DALIAN — The first consignment of US beef to be imported by China in 14 years is just days away from arriving in the country following a trade deal reached […]

Testing the limits of cyber security The June 27 “Not Petya” cyber attack that disrupted business at Maersk Group for well over a week has been dubbed “the industry’s Y2K moment,” but that’s not accurate. Y2K was the threat to computer systems at the moment the year 1999 turned into 2000, and the fears never […]

Belt and Road to ease container shipping overcapacity The port of Colombo is a key node in China’s Belt and Road. The container shipping industry is starting to feel the benefits of firmer demand in a strengthening global economy, which together with industry consolidation and China’s Belt and Road initiative, is driving more positive sentiment […]