Category: Uncategorized

Widening China import-export imbalance soaking up container capacity The yawning imbalance between China’s imports and exports is another way functional ocean capacity, like with port congestion, is being sapped by forces beyond the control of ocean carriers. Go to journal of commerce

CEO Edwards leaving Port of Virginia at end of year Stephen Edwards’ five-year tenure at Norfolk is marked by major capacity expansions at its two marine terminals, along with new vessel and rail services. Go to journal of commerce

BNSF, CSX launch faster cross-country intermodal service The move represents the latest effort by the two railroads to jointly convince shippers to shift more truckload freight to rail by addressing intermodal’s slower transits. Go to journal of commerce

Shippers split as Gemini floats premium charge on reliability Cargo owners typically balk at paying more for ocean transport, but the significantly improving schedule reliability from the Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd partnership is getting the attention of the market. Go to journal of commerce

CMA CGM to expand Abu Dhabi terminal as capacity maxes out ‘Spectacular’ growth at the Persian Gulf terminal has brought forward expansion plans that will increase handling capacity by almost 50%. Go to journal of commerce

White House rolls back tariffs on broad list of food and ag imports The move comes less than two weeks after Democrats were overwhelmingly successful on Election Day, winning a number of key state and local races where affordability and the rising cost of every day products were key issues. Go to journal of commerce

Robust Asia, Europe trade drives up Hamburg’s container volumes Europe’s third-largest port offset a sharp drop in US trade with solid increases in imports from China, Malaysia and India, while seeing big gains in intra-Europe volumes. Go to journal of commerce

APM Terminals to build Bangladesh’s deepest container terminal at Chittagong Current plans call for the development of a 600-meter quay and a 49-acre backup ecosystem able to handle 800,000 TEUs annually. Go to journal of commerce

White House rolls backs tariffs on broad list of food and ag imports The move comes less than two weeks after Democrats were overwhelmingly successful on Election Day, winning a number of key state and local races where affordability and the rising cost of every day products were key issues. Go to journal of commerce

CMA CGM expects softer 2026 due to trade, rate and Red Sea uncertainties Remarks from the group’s CFO came as the carrier’s third-quarter financials showed year-over-year declines. Go to journal of commerce

Former CSX CEO denies that UP came to him first on potential merger The comments from Joe Hinrichs follow a report that CSX’s board of directors was displeased that UP allegedly contacted Hinrichs first about a potential UP-CSX combination and only turned to Norfolk Southern after receiving a tepid response. Go to journal of commerce

Capacity cuts support series of rate hikes on Asia-Europe ocean trade As contract tendering season on the European trades gets underway, carriers are stepping up capacity management efforts to elevate spot rates and better match supply with demand. Go to journal of commerce

UP, CSX give priority loading to Schneider’s new intermodal service The new details clarify the role the two railroads will play in Schneider’s just-launched Fast Track product, which comes with a 95% on-time guarantee. Go to journal of commerce

Data shows US intermodal has a long-term growth problem Intermodal needs to put itself in a position where it can perform against trucking through all the stages of the economic cycle, writes analyst Larry Gross. Go to journal of commerce

HMM to chase high-yield freight, new shipping routes after slump in Q3 profits Responding to market weakness that resulted in an 83% year-over-year decline in third-quarter profits, the carrier said it is “optimizing operations by adjusting port calls and vessel deployment across trade lanes.” Go to journal of commerce

Uber Freight pushes deeper into last-mile freight market Partnering with Better Trucks, Uber is building a “middle-mile” network for last-mile deliveries as shippers seek lower-cost transportation solutions. Go to journal of commerce

Hapag-Lloyd refining Gemini network to improve efficiencies: Habben Jansen The carrier’s CEO also confirmed Gemini is mulling a price premium, which he forecast would be a “small three-digit number per TEU” to reflect the inventory cost savings customers achieve through the alliance’s consistent on-time delivery. Go to journal of commerce

Mobile taps its chief engineer to lead port through 2027 Doug Otto will serve a 17-month term at the helm of the port due to previous plans to retire in early 2027, but will oversee projects that aim to position Mobile as a gateway for reaching inland US markets. Go to journal of commerce

Houthi pause on shipping attacks lowers tensions, but risk remains The rebels are incentivized to keep up some level of threat in the Red Sea because they are loathe to give up leverage that generates financial and military support, according to an S&P Global analyst. Go to journal of commerce

Project cargo forwarders in the space race prepare for liftoff A predicted annual growth rate of 9% for the space economy to 2035 will intensify the demands on cargo handlers. Go to journal of commerce

Overcapacity, slack season pressures push India-Europe rates to two-year lows With typical seasonal lulls setting in after a slower-than-usual peak season, forwarders generally do not expect India-Europe rates to show any sort of an uptick until January. Go to journal of commerce

European shippers bemoan data impact of truckload carrier onboarding challenge Shippers using truckload visibility platforms need accurate data to run their supply chains, but face hurdles in onboarding carriers in Europe. Go to journal of commerce

Gemini delivers cost savings as it mulls a path to premium pricing While premium pricing has long been elusive for ocean carriers, the cost benefits from the Maersk-Hapag-Lloyd alliance may prove to be enough to justify overhauling the network. Go to journal of commerce

Schneider launches premium intermodal service with 95% on-time guarantee The product, known as Fast Track, is the latest effort by an intermodal carrier to attract customers who depend on precision and dependable service, qualities that railroads have often struggled to deliver. Go to journal of commerce

LA-LB emissions agreement with AQMD sets realistic timelines: stakeholders The South Coast Air Quality Management District governing board has approved an emissions reduction plan that requires the ports to develop and implement charging and fueling infrastructure and invest in zero or near-zero-emission trucks, locomotives and cargo handling equipment. Go to journal of commerce