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Maersk’s profit downgrades darkens container outlook further Maersk said it continues to encounter very high bunker prices, which have not been fully compensated for in freight rates. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com. Maersk Group’s downgrading of its 2018 earnings forecast is the latest sign of the darkening the broader outlook for the container shipping industry, due to […]

So far, transshipment reform not boosting most Indian ports Above: Krishnapatnam Port Container Terminal. Photo credit: Krishnapatnam Port. While Indian authorities and other stakeholders placed high hopes on the new, liberalized cabotage regime to accelerate economic growth, there is no clear evidence thus far that the free, open market environment has translated into broader demand […]

Strong peak season to test Mexican container capacity Like other emerging markets, it is a “bad news, good news,” circumstance for Mexico. The bad: surface transportation and logistics operations are straining to meet shipper demands. The good: Mexico appears to have arrived on the global trade stage, with all, key metrics advancing. (Above: Mexico City.) […]

Heat wave worsens Antwerp, Rotterdam barge congestion The water level of the Upper Rhine is getting close to a critical point and barge operators are being forced to suspend their operations or only use one third of their capacity, according to Hapag-Lloyd.(Above: A barge travels on the Rhine River.) Photo credit: Shutterstock.com. Barge congestion at […]

Chittagong cuts port dues during holidays to attract cargo   Chittagong trade officials’ goal is to keep the prime seaport busy 24/7. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com. Chittagong shippers who use the port during the holidays will get a 5 percent cut in port charges, a welcome relief shippers say, eight months after introduction of the value added […]

Rocketing Asia-Russia container rail volume spurs investment calls   China-to-Europe via Russia rail transport has been in an uptrend since 2013, and global growth and consumer trends point to even stronger growth ahead if rail officials can meet the infrastructure and related needs of shippers. (Above: A freight train travels in Russia.) Photo credit: Shutterstock.com. […]

Why the shipping industry’s stakeholders should use blockchain to fight disruption Digital platforms are a growing feature of digital competition and are the typical operating model of most of the largest internet companies that show a strong payoff in revenue and growth. Digital platforms piggyback on the incumbents’ huge investment in assets and are creating […]

How to become a US 'shipper of choice' You have worked hard to build an excellent product, and customer demand is high. Now you have a major problem: delivering the product to your customer. The United States is amid a truck driver shortage. The shortage is so severe that it threatens to derail economic growth. […]

Asia-US West Coast spot rates break ,000 per FEU barrier Strong US import volume is at the heart of the rise, and there are other signs of strength, but what’s the evaluation of the early move by industry professionals? (Above: The Port of Los Angeles.) Photo credit: Shutterstock.com. Eastbound trans-Pacific spot rates broke through the […]

Indian tech startups take aim at forwarding paperwork A crop of logistics startups has been gradually aiming to change India’s paper-based ocean freight processes, building several different technology models to tap into demand for better access to rates and visibility of shipments. (Above: Visakhapatnam Port, India.) Photo credit: Shutterstock.com. The ocean freight environment in India has […]