Monthly Archives for August 2018

Heavy-load coalition working to entice cargo to Pacific Northwest The year-old joint effort has produced a feasibility route study for moving mega-loads of up to 500 tons from Columbia River inland ports to Sweet Grass, Montana, the major port of entry into Canada. (Above: A large load being transported on a desert road.) Photo credit: […]

Dynamic, real-time truck appointment system at LA-LB takes shape The Yusen appointment system, developed with the cooperation of local truckers, is the type of technology that will be incorporated into the Port Optimizer tool being developed by the port and GE Transportation. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com. Truckers and the shippers serving the Los Angeles-Long Beach complex […]

Differing funding paths for tech startups hold risks and gains for shippers The critical questions for early-stage software providers targeting the beneficial cargo owner community are these: what is the best path to reach shippers in a financing environment flush with cash? And can a startup get traction among customers quickly enough to drive revenue, […]

Stalled BNSF’s LA-LB port facility gets push forward BNSF said Tuesday it will work with the Port of Los Angeles to certify a revised EIR under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and secure related environmental and project approvals.Photo credit: Shutterstock.com. Construction of BNSF Railway’s long-delayed near-dock rail transfer yard in Southern California  may be […]

Mexico truck shippers brace for rule-driven capacity tightening Mexico’s new rules will likely add to the challenges facing shippers as they seek trucking services amid strong demand. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com. New rules that are expected to further stretch the already tight capacity of Mexico’s  trucking sector by limiting the hours that a driver can be […]

CMI Energy’s megaload generator delivery a logistics feat A component of a heat recovery steam generator is discharged from the SAL Calypso at Port Erie. The heaviest cargo pieces weighed from 160 to 230 metric tons (176 to 253 tons). Photo credit: Port Erie. Two heavy-lift vessels delivered more than 6,000 metric tons (6,614 tons) […]

Sensors offer carriers path to reclaim value offering If the goal is to create meaningful value for customers, it’s within carriers’ power to do just that, even without deploying fleets of smart containers. (Above: The Port of Oakland.) Photo credit: Shutterstock.com. Ask ocean container shippers to name their top challenges and, to this day, “lack […]

More Hong Kong terminal collaboration urged to boost competitiveness   “The industry has evolved, with mega vessels, more cargo alliances, and a surge in transshipment containers,” the study said. (Above: The Port of Hong Kong.) Photo credit: Shutterstock.com. Hong Kong’s five major container terminal operators need to step up collaboration if the port is to […]

Analysis: How US rails can further capitalize on domestic intermodal gains The capacity challenges described here are not unique to railroad networks and terminals; they are persistent through the US supply chain. Further, while some solutions lie far in the future, there are several initiatives that could improve rail/intermodal service overnight. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com. “Laissez […]

Amid US intermodal’s renewed strength, a few suggestions to improve service “Laissez les bons temps rouler” is a Cajun expression meaning “Let the good times roll.” As the intermodal industry assembles in Long Beach, California, for the annual Intermodal Association of North America Intermodal Expo (Sept. 16 to 18), there is measurable evidence of the industry’s positive […]