Category Archives for Industry News

Container shipping dysfunction delivers US peak season chaos Higher than usual fuel prices and tit-for-tat tariffs have exacerbated the chaos on the eastbound trans-Pacific this peak season, but the problem started earlier this year, and we can point to one causal factor as the source of the problem. (Above: A container ship approaches the Port […]

Rising costs, weak rates erase Zim revenue, volume gains   Zim reported a net first-half loss of $67.3 million and negative earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of $20.9 million. The loss came despite first-half revenue increasing 11 percent to $1.55 billion. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com. Zim Integrated Shipping Services has become the latest container shipping […]

DP World: JNPT terminals working well with customs import reform Above: DP World Nhava Sheva (India) Gateway Terminal. Photo credit: DP World Subcontinent. In a response to a container freight association’s concern that it has received no incremental direct port delivery (DPD) volume gains from DP World facilities, DP World Subcontinent told JOC.com that its […]

Uber Freight’s smaller shipper play hinges on capacity, price guarantees Uber Freight’s app has become a market participant at a time when US truck capacity is very tight and shippers are looking for ways to counter (or at least blunt) the remarkable amount of negotiating power transport companies have. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com. Use of Uber […]

New and old challenges dog fast-growing Mexican shipping Perhaps nowhere in the world, save India, is a critical mass of demand and resources coming together to produce a more-promising trade future than Mexico. But to maintain that take-off status, Mexico will have to solve major infrastructure shortcomings, as well as address longstanding trade security issues. […]

Auto traffic through US ports grows amid tariff pressure Roll-on, roll-off cargo flowed smoothly through US ports during the first half of 2018, and the involved ports are moving forward with planned, needed investments. Further, the immediate years ahead look promising, provided the trade tension winds die down. (Above: Processors preparing cars for transit at […]

Port Miami enhances truck fluidity, rail, and transload options   Port Miami is making a statement. New cranes, a better truck gating system and transloading facilities, and access to Interstate 95 mean the port has the infrastructure for global trade. And Miami has one other tangible that many stakeholders in container shipping will note. Certainly […]

What does Maersk-IBM’s TradeLens tell us about the future of blockchain-logistics? Has blockchain finally become a reality in logistics? The recent announcement that 90 parties ranging from shippers to terminal operators across 234 global gateways are participating in Maersk/IBM’s blockchain shipping platform TradeLens suggests that the era of blockchain is upon us. But before we […]

Reducing the transport risk in US manufacturing supply chains US manufacturers that focus on protecting their production, supply chain operations, profit and loss, and customer experience are looking for alternative approaches to traditional truck and rail transportation to remove risk as well as cost. For example, paper manufacturers in Wisconsin are asking international suppliers to […]

Maersk’s resumed Maldives feeder prompted by trade growth   Above: The Port of Male, Maldives. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com. Maersk Line India told JOC.com that freight demand in Maldives has doubled since it ceased operations in 2012, as part of a port simplification project to reduce its cost exposures to small markets, given the low economies […]