Monthly Archives for September 2018

China-Europe rail on track for long-term despite headwinds The China-Europe rail services have been growing rapidly, particularly during the last two years, as shippers seek a price/time middle ground to that offered by costly-in-comparison and faster air cargo services to cheaper but slower ocean routing. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com. HAMBURG —In spite of bottlenecks lengthening transits, […]

Shippers in worst-case-scenario mode before pivotal Brexit talks Brexit negotiations between Brussels and London have reached a decisive stage with significant progress required in the coming weeks to ensure a deal is struck ahead of the UK’s departure on March 29, 2019. (Above: Dover port, United Kingdom.) Photo credit: Shutterstock.com. The fate of a sizeable […]

UP's precision railroading effort raises shipper concern   Precision railroading’s supporters argue that by running longer trains and eliminating waste, shippers will receive a higher level of service. Critics argue it prioritizes shareholders over service. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com. Union Pacific Railroad will begin a two-year process to implement precision railroading to address poor service to shippers […]

India private ports besting public in transshipment volume   “Major ports along the east coast of India must have a combined strategic initiative to promote transshipment at their facilities,” McKinsey & Co. stated. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com. India’s cabotage reform law — which opened coastal, container transportation to foreign-flag ocean carriers — was a step essentially intended to discourage transshipment […]

Flexport’s ascent raises valuation and volume questions Tech startup Flexport’s rockstar status in the international logistics sector means it’s under the microscope concerning volume, whether it can produce a profitable business model or achieve a profitable exit for its investors, and what it actually does that represents a fundamental break in the forwarding industry. Photo […]

India firm’s interest in Sri Lankan port upgrade advances SKIL Infrastructure Ltd. has been interacting with Sri Lankan authorities and officials in New Delhi regarding a strategic collaboration between the two nations for the construction of a multipurpose harbor-cum-industrial zone at Trincomalee. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com. SKIL Infrastructure Ltd., which developed India’s first multipurpose, private port […]

Goods distributors face upward climb to fully leverage freight visibility With enhanced visibility, the commercial side could more proactively reschedule shipments or substitute another shipment if the first one was going to be delayed too long. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com. CHICAGO — Goods distributors, positioned between manufacturers and customers, wrestle with a number of cultural and technological […]

Acquisition bolsters GlobalTranz’s SCM arm The smaller brokerage focusing on shipper supply chain management is GlobalTranz’s first major deal since it was sold to a new private-equity owner in June. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com. GlobalTranz, the 10th largest freight broker in North America, is moving further up the list with the acquisition Thursday of Chicago-based AFN […]

Extra-loaders keep lid on eastbound trans-Pacific spot rates “The extra-loaders for sure are taking pressure off the market,” said Ernie Kuo, senior vice president, Pacific International Lines, USA Agency Services. “My understanding is they are full,” he said Friday. (Above: The Port of Los Angeles.) Photo credit: Shutterstock.com. Spot rates on US imports from Asia […]

Higher competition spurs Russian ports to expand services   According to Russian business professionals and shippers from the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, demand is growing for complex services at its ports — services that, when added, will help Russia compete against ports in nearby countries. (Above: Big Port of St. Petersburg, Russia.) Photo […]