Category Archives for Industry News

Container weight blockchain shows tech’s potential The much-hyped technology blockchain is slowly making its way into industrial use. A UK-based logistics software provider is set to launch software designed to make it easier to store, access, and manage container weight information throughout the supply chain using the much-discussed but relatively-unused blockchain technology. The software, created […]

US importers prep for rolling Asia cargo on spot rate jump Carriers are putting off accepting bookings in the hopes of hauling higher-paying cargo. With vessels leaving Asia already near or at capacity, beneficial cargo owners (BCOs) expect that an increasing number of shipments will be rolled to subsequent voyages and freight rates will jump […]

Asia-Europe air cargo rates set to soar on ocean shift Runways in Asia have been handling more cargo recently and more is on the way. With ocean freight volume filling vessels through the summer, shippers on the major routes out of Asia diverted more of their cargo to the airlines, but that option is now […]

Alliances advise market of blanked Golden Week sailings Carriers are cutting back on tonnage on the world’s busiest east-west trade lanes. The first blanked sailings are beginning to come in with the Ocean Alliance and THE Alliance announcing cuts to Asia-North Europe, Asia-Mediterranean, and Asia-US services out of China in October during the Golden Week […]

Qatar carrier continues Indian feeder expansion Milaha Maritime and Logistics has introduced several new services since a group of Arab nations blockaded Qatar in June. Qatar-based Milaha Maritime and Logistics is continuing to add capacity and services between Indian Subcontinent and Persian Gulf ports to capitalize on rapidly growing transshipment trade as the oil-rich country […]

Shippers, transport providers steel for long Harvey recovery It will be some time before Houston-area highways and roads are more suited for automobiles than boats. Freight transportation in and around Houston remains at a standstill as companies check on staff, assess damages, and prepare for a difficult recovery and higher truck rates after historic flooding […]

New ship ordering spree threatens industry recovery Ship orders could upend the tenuous balance of supply and demand ocean carriers have achieved. Some carriers will end the year in profit, but the real recovery of container shipping will depend on a sustained balance between supply and demand, something that will be threatened by any new […]

Hurricane, floods cripple Texas ports, freight networks The National Weather Service said of Hurricane Harvey: “This event is unprecedented and all impacts are unknown.” Floods ravaging Houston and surrounding Texas counties have interrupted freight transportation in the fourth-largest US metropolitan area and caused damage and disruption that will affect logistics for weeks or even longer. […]

Trans-Pac spot rates drop despite tightening space Trans-Pacific spot rates to the United States have fallen gradually over the past month. Despite growing imports from Asia and tightening capacity, spot rates dropped 7 percent this week to both the East and West coasts, showing that the tipping point carriers are hoping for hasn’t arrived. The […]

Flat Asia-Europe rates in late summer lull The market’s reaction to upcoming rate increases will be a key indicator of the Asia-Europe peak season’s strength. There was little movement in the Asia-Europe spot rate this week as summer draws to a close, with a week to go until carriers levy yet another increase to ensure […]