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Quebec port’s container terminal plans raise questions of feasibility, Montreal’s future The Port of Quebec’s plan to build a container terminal represents a competition threat to Montreal – but the new facility, while offering an economies of scale / mega-ship advantage, nevertheless must address a logistics factor – one that may affect shipper transport decisions. […]

Supply chain executives: resistance to change holding back container shipping A lack of change management across the industry is frustrating moves to digitalize key processes and focus on adding value, according to industry professionals who attended the Global Liner Shipping conference. (Above: The Port of Hamburg.) Photo credit: Shutterstock.com. HAMBURG — Resistance to using existing […]

Parcel TMS spring up to meet e-commerce surge E-commerce is generating new challenges for shippers, from international customs declarations to choosing the best option for shipment. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com. An optical equipment manufacturer’s use of a transportation management system (TMS) highlights an avenue for shippers to better control the way they handle parcel shipments, which […]

Blockchain and shipping: the platform hurdle The more that blockchain becomes understood, the more conceptually, at least, it fits hand in glove with international logistics. And that is the issue. Conceptually, the idea of breaking down the documents, information, and commitments associated with international trade into a series of digital executions based on permissions and […]

Blockchain theory's path to reality in shipping beset by details and distrust The more that blockchain becomes understood, the more conceptually, at least, it fits hand and glove with international logistics. But actually transitioning logistics to the paradise of transactions being recorded instantly and efficiently is proving to be quite a formidable task. (Above: The […]

Fuel, truck costs lift trans-Pac annual service contracts BCOs will enjoy lower ocean freight rates in their 2018-19 service contracts, but the total all-in charge for ocean, truck, and bunker fuel costs will be higher than last year. (Above: The Port of Los Angeles.) Photo credit: Shutterstock.com. With service contract negotiations between US importers from […]

ELD complicates US agriculture exporters’ supply chains The electronic logging device mandate’s impact has rippled across supply chains, and there is no better example of that than the US agriculture export market. (Above: A carrot farm in California.) Photo credit: Shutterstock.com. Agricultural exporters who ship fruits, vegetables, and identity-preserved crops are experiencing container repositioning problems, […]

Reporter's Notebook: US shippers seek high-tech link to capacity Technology came under the spotlight at the Transplace Shipper Symposium this week, as did (as expected) the truck driver shortage. But other topics that may help shippers address their freight transportation problems yielded insights, as well. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com. FRISCO, Texas — Truck capacity and how […]

Europe feeders adapt to shippers' reefer, clean air demands The synchronized, regional recovery that’s boosted global container shipping has also ramped-up short-sea container volumes, to the benefit of Europe’s feeder ship sector. (Above: Feeder ships on the Kiel Canal, Germany.) Photo credit: Shutterstock.com. European feeder operators are expanding their refrigerated capacity to meet rising perishable […]

Europe’s feeder network meeting shippers’ needs, for now The synchronized, regional recovery that’s boosted global container shipping has also ramped-up short-sea container volumes, to the benefit of Europe’s feeder ship sector. (Above: Feeder ships on the Kiel Canal, Germany.) Photo credit: Shutterstock.com. European feeder operators are expanding their refrigerated capacity to meet rising perishable cargo […]