Monthly Archives for May 2023

Norfolk Southern eases free time, demurrage restrictions on ocean boxes The railroad is reducing demurrage fees and restoring additional free time that was eliminated in the past two years as international intermodal volumes have fallen sharply from East Coast ports Norfolk Southern eases free time, demurrage restrictions on ocean boxes Journal of Commerce

No clear link between slow-steaming, schedule reliability: analyst Slow-steaming has come to the fore of late as ocean carriers seek help in absorbing overcapacity, but analyst Lars Jensen says the common refrain that slower speeds also help to improve schedule reliability doesn’t hold water. No clear link between slow-steaming, schedule reliability: analyst Journal of Commerce

Large US truckload carriers reined in capacity in Q1: Journal of Commerce index  An index based on truck counts at large truckload carriers dropped nearly 5% in the first quarter from late 2022 as those carriers adjusted to a softer market and lower contract and spot rates. Large US truckload carriers reined in capacity in Q1: Journal of Commerce […]

Weaker ocean rates, China sourcing shift drive rise in LCL shipments An emerging trend of sending smaller shipments more frequently is leading to growing demand for LCL services across the major trade lanes. Weaker ocean rates, China sourcing shift drive rise in LCL shipments Journal of Commerce

New UP intermodal service from Houston to provide West Coast reach Union Pacific’s launch of direct intermodal service from Houston comes two weeks after competitor BNSF announced it would begin a new service from the port’s Barbours Cut marine terminal. New UP intermodal service from Houston to provide West Coast reach Journal of Commerce

Hong Kong struggles to recover volumes lost amid South China cargo shift Shippers and port executives say the post-COVID shift of cargo back to Hong Kong is being hampered by the global slump in demand as developed countries grapple with elevated inventories and inflationary pressures. Hong Kong struggles to recover volumes lost amid South China […]

CPKC adds new reefer containers to Mexico-US service Weeks after starting a new daily train between central Mexico and Chicago, CPKC is introducing 1,000 temperature-controlled containers to the service in a bid to court freight from reefer shippers. CPKC adds new reefer containers to Mexico-US service Journal of Commerce

US truckload market ‘bouncing’ along pricing bottom: analysts The long drop in truckload spot market rates has eased, revealing a soft bottom for pricing, but more demand is needed to fuel any upswing benefiting truckers, observers say. US truckload market ‘bouncing’ along pricing bottom: analysts Journal of Commerce

CMA CGM attempts peak season surcharge for India-US trade Thanks to a recent GRI push, average contract rates for India to the US have seen modest gains in recent weeks and carriers are now looking to build around that limited success. CMA CGM attempts peak season surcharge for India-US trade Journal of Commerce

Ocean carriers’ schedule reliability rose in April amid falling volumes The port congestion in Asia and North America that compromised vessel on-time performance during the pandemic began to ease last fall with declining cargo volumes, and the reliability improvements have accelerated since. Ocean carriers’ schedule reliability rose in April amid falling volumes Journal of Commerce