Monthly Archives for August 2018

Analysis: US intermodal interline woes threaten growth There is a lot of potential volume out there for intermodal to tap if it only could solve the interchange dilemma. Instead, the sector seems to be moving in the opposite direction. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com. The recent announcement of the imminent cancellation of interline service on almost 200 […]

The irreversible ELD era Eight months into the electronic logging era, the impact of the US electronic logging device (ELD) mandate is becoming clearer, and it’s both greater and less than anticipated. A year ago, it was widely expected that tens of thousands of truck drivers would turn in their keys and quit trucking for good after… […]

HMM boosts volume but remains in the red An HMM ship. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com. HMM Tuesday became the latest major container line to post a double-digit surge in volume in the second-quarter but still not overcome lower freight rates and higher bunker costs — conditions that pulled the South Korea-based carrier’s performance down to net […]

Half of Montreal port terminals to impose extended gate fee In the midst of a volume uptrend, Montreal is the latest North American port to try extending its terminal gate hours to improve cargo fluidity in and out of the terminal, and to place a charge on containers to pay for it. (Above: The port […]

Why US trucking’s electronic logging device era is irreversible The electronic logging device (ELD) mandate did not cause a loss of drivers, but a loss of driving hours. Further, changes shippers made that were propelled by the ELD are likely to be lasting, even if exemption amendments for selected trucking segments are passed. Photo credit: […]

LTL carriers taking contract price hikes to shippers Shippers take note: Concerning US LTL trucking companies’ pricing power in contract talks, it’s not the end. It’s not even the beginning of the end. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com. Less-than-truckload (LTL) shippers heading into annual contract talks with carriers this quarter should brace for another round of rate […]

UP-CSX interchanged shippers face longer transits or higher costs For those shippers and intermodal market companies trying to figure out how to handle cargo movement through Chicago on lanes in which interline service will be eliminated, the options are hardly ideal. But there are options. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com. As shippers and intermodal market companies figure […]

Skepticism of Maersk-IBM’s TradeLens hit bigger blockchain questions A LinkedIn discussion served as a microcosm for how shippers and the broader logistics industry are wrestling with a few key questions regarding blockchain. Are blockchain’s proponents inordinately and/or prematurely boosting the new technology — including its appropriateness and efficiency-enhancing capabilities? Photo credit: Shutterstock.com. Last week’s launch […]

Higher bonds needed for tariff-hit US imports Importers may be unaware that they need to increase the level of the bond they must maintain with the Customs and Border Patrol for duties due to be paid over a 12-month period. (Above: US Customs House, New York, United States.) Photo credit: Shutterstock.com. There’s a secondary impact […]

Wallenius Wilhelmsen to retrofit 20 ships with scrubbers Under the International Maritime Organization’s rule, starting in 2020, ships will only be allowed to emit 0.5 percent sulfur, down from the currently acceptable level of 3.5 percent. Photo credit: Wallenius Wilhelmsen. With a risk mitigation strategy designed to put Wallenius Wilhelmsen (WW) out ahead of the International […]