Category: Uncategorized

External pressures putting ‘fungibility’ of container shipping at risk: analyst The days where container ships could be seen as fungible assets used in flexible ways might be coming to an end, leading to inefficiencies — and higher costs — in global liner networks, writes Lars Jensen. Go to journal of commerce

EPCs emboldened by investments in energy, tech and defense projects Revamped energy priorities in the US and data-related industrial projects are driving out-of-gauge cargo demand. Go to journal of commerce

Shipper groups say terminal deals will bring labor peace to Australia’s wharves The four-year pacts with Hutchison Ports Australia and Victoria International Container Terminal were confirmed by the Maritime Union of Australia on Thursday. Go to journal of commerce

Niche carriers plan to ride out declining spot rates on the trans-Pacific The carriers, because they offer services tailored to their customers’ needs, say they are “sheltered” somewhat from declining spot rates given they are able to charge a premium for those services. Go to journal of commerce

Trump move to oust STB’s Primus boosts likelihood of UP-NS approval Robert Primus has been vocal in his opposition to consolidation in the rail industry, voting against the Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern merger in 2023 and Canadian National Railway’s acquisition of Iowa Northern Railway earlier this year. Go to journal of commerce

Charleston’s Navy Base railyard project faces delays, big cost overruns Opening of the first phase of the port’s new on-dock railyard will be delayed until next year, while the project faces a 42% increase in budgeted costs. Go to journal of commerce

Cosco H1 net profit ticks 4% higher amid ‘complex’ container shipping market The Chinese state-controlled carrier said in an interim earnings statement the industry experienced a volatile first half of 2025 due to “tariff swings and lingering geopolitical tensions.” Go to journal of commerce

ILA suing Virginia port, chief executive over rollout of new rail cranes The union claims the Virginia Port Authority is tacitly violating the new master contract by influencing the port’s main terminal employer. Go to journal of commerce

DCSA turns to industry partners to drive shipping standards adoption Tech services company WNS is being added as the Digital Container Shipping Association’s “execution arm” to embed standards into systems commonly used by carriers, forwarders and shippers. Go to journal of commerce

Postal groups cite customs compliance issues in US shipment suspensions With no clear definition of what duty and data processes are required by CBP after the Aug. 29 end to all de minimis exemptions, most import shipments via post to the US have been suspended until further notice. Go to journal of commerce

European ports face continued congestion; Asia gateways saw mixed results in Q2: analysis S&P Global Market Intelligence’s Global Port Congestion Analysis shows that half of Northern Europe’s ports reported year-over-year declines in port moves per hour in the second quarter, while Asian ports faced higher arrival process times and mixed efficiency results. Go to journal…

India-US liners adjust capacity to prepare for tariff-linked volume downturn Local freight forwarders who spoke with the Journal of Commerce have reported three upcoming blank calls out of West India through the first half of September in anticipation of lower cargo lifts. Go to journal of commerce

US DOT presses states to enforce English-language trucking rules Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy gave California, New Mexico and Washington 30 days to adopt and enforce ELP regulations or lose access to federal safety funding. Go to journal of commerce

Zim signals changes to Med network amid apparent Turkish port ban The Israeli carrier said it’s taking steps to comply with a purported ban on its ships at Turkish ports as relations between the two countries sour over the war in Gaza. Go to journal of commerce

Steel, aluminum tariff expansion ‘unwelcome news’ for transport providers The scale and scope of the number of products now subject to US steel and aluminum tariffs is likely to affect providers across multiple modes, writes Jason Miller. Go to journal of commerce

UP-NS deal would trigger ‘unnecessary wave’ of rail mergers: CPKC CPKC’s opposition comes just two years after its acquisition of Kansas City Southern Railway was approved by US regulators. Go to journal of commerce

Ocean carriers intensify cost-cutting efforts as rates slide on major trades The unit cost of moving a container has been pushed higher compared with the prevailing pre-pandemic price structure, according to carrier executives, prompting cost-control measures. Go to journal of commerce

Highway latest entry in load board sector amid cargo crime rise The race among providers to provide the dominant and trusted US load board is ramping up and further fueled by growing concerns about freight theft. Go to journal of commerce

Container lines begin shifting China-built ships out of US loops The Premier Alliance is revamping a trans-Pacific service that would otherwise incur hundreds of millions of dollars in US port fees on Chinese-built vessels. Go to journal of commerce

US tariff deals on vehicle imports stabilizing car carrier market: Höegh Automobile carriers have benefited from falling charter rates to meet growing outbound vehicle moves from Asia. Go to journal of commerce

US-Mexico truck crossings rose marginally in July amid sluggish demand Tariff-related surges in US-bound freight from Mexico have abated, but truck volumes in July partially recovered from a second-quarter decline, according to new data. Go to journal of commerce

BNSF, CSX unveil new joint intermodal lanes in aftermath of UP-NS merger The joint BNSF/CSX services come as rivals Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern have agreed to an $85 billion deal that would create the first transcontinental railroad, if approved by federal regulators. Go to journal of commerce

Truck parking a $100 billion inefficiency issue for US truckload industry: report Truck Parking Club commissioned a report to quantify the truck parking problem facing drivers and what costs trickle down to the rest of the industry. Go to journal of commerce

OEMs adapt to US wind industry slowdown, yet bank on tax credit uptick With uncertainty surrounding tariffs and renewable energy policy, wind turbine orders in the US fell 50% in the first half of 2025 year over year, the lowest since the early COVID-19 days in 2020. Go to journal of commerce