Tag: journal of commerce

Auto tariff wars in Mexico, South Africa threaten to torpedo Indian ro/ro trade The two markets hold high stakes, pegged at $2 billion in combined export value for both homegrown and global auto brands in India.  Go to journal of commerce

Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd confirm they’ll route Gemini service through Suez The India/Middle East-Mediterranean service will be the first Gemini loop in two years to transit the Red Sea, with plans for other services to follow “where possible,” the alliance partners say. Go to journal of commerce

Solid January demand to largely mute Lunar New Year air freight rush Momentum from robust growth on some Asian export trade lanes following the Christmas holidays has now slowed, with forwarders and analysts expecting muted demand over the coming two weeks. Go to journal of commerce

Tech vendor GenLogs lands $60 million to target shippers, banks The software company with a network of thousands of proprietary roadside cameras has been primarily serving freight brokers with capacity sourcing and fraud mitigation tools. Go to journal of commerce

US agrees to slash tariffs on imports from India after reaching trade deal Both sides had been engaged in protracted negotiations to break the trade deadlock that had cut India’s imports to the US East Coast by more than 30% over the past six months. Go to journal of commerce

Breakbulk, project cargo operators expand fleets with raft of new orders Norden, Stena RoRo and Meriaura commit to up to 15 new ships as the resilience of the MPV market is reflected in the most recent quarterly sentiment index published by One World Shipbrokers. Go to journal of commerce

AI primed to offer ocean carriers many and varied ways to cut expenses With few opportunities for large-scale consolidation and freight rates under growing pressure from slowing volumes and the largest-ever order book, liners will need to look elsewhere to save costs; it won’t be long before AI offers up ready solutions, writes Peter Tirschwell.…

FMC weighs hefty fees, port bans for Spanish vessels The move comes after Spain turned away three US-flag ships and a Danish multipurpose vessel on the grounds they were carrying military cargo bound for Israel. Go to journal of commerce

APMT to run Hutchison’s Panama terminals on interim basis after court ruling  The appointment of Maersk’s terminals arm came just hours after Panama’s Supreme Court nullified the concessions Hutchison had held at the Balboa and Cristobal ports for almost 30 years. Go to journal of commerce

Schneider Q4 profit weakens, but company pins hopes on capacity exits CEO Mark Rourke said a spot rate surge in December was the first sign of truckload capacity exits having a material impact on prices that will eventually lead to the carrier being able to charge shippers higher rates. Go to journal of commerce

Panama court voids CK Hutchison canal terminal leases The decision nullifies Hong Kong-based Hutchison’s ability to operate the Balboa and Christobal ports that bookend the Panama Canal and clouds its attempt to sell its global terminals portfolio. Go to journal of commerce

Frontloading drags ONE to a loss in its fiscal third quarter A surge in tariff-driven frontloading from Asia to North America earlier in the year led to a wait-and-see approach from US importers, resulting in weaker demand. Go to journal of commerce

Trump elevates Laura DiBella to be FMC chairman DiBella, nominated to be a commissioner last September, said her focus for the agency will be to support Trump’s push to restore the American maritime industry. Go to journal of commerce

Shippers shoulder burden of Red Sea uncertainty as regional tensions rise again Amid new threats from Houthi militants and the arrival of a US carrier strike group in the region, carriers — and their customers — are once again wondering when they will be able to safely transit the Red Sea/Suez route. Go to journal of commerce

CH Robinson seeing muted freight market to start 2026 The leading US truck brokerage said a rate spike due to winter weather does not signal a stronger trucking market, while international freight demand remains tepid. Go to journal of commerce

Changes in US trade policy hitting UPS’ supply chain business The parcel giant saw its forwarding and third-party logistics business drop in the fourth quarter due to higher tariffs, and says the weakness will carry over into the first quarter of 2026. Go to journal of commerce

CMA CGM forms global terminals venture with private equity firm Stonepeak will pay $2.4 billion to take a 25% stake in the United Ports JV while the French carrier will hold 75% and maintain operational control of the terminals involved. Go to journal of commerce

US rail networks recovering after weekend snowstorm, but delays persist Railroads are restricting train speeds and building shorter trains to reduce the potential for breakdowns and derailments in the bitter cold. Go to journal of commerce

New terminal planned for Long Beach designed to attract e-commerce business The Metro Express Terminal at Pier S will serve smaller, independent container lines on the trans-Pacific that carry e-commerce merchandise requiring rapid movement once onshore. Go to journal of commerce

PayCargo expanding footprint beyond ocean freight cargo release The logistics payments vendor has partnered with fellow software provider Gnosis Freight to enable payments at other stages of a containerized shipment lifecycle. Go to journal of commerce

Evergreen adds to order backlog with deals for 23 ships worth up to almost $1.5 billion The latest orders increase Evergreen’s capacity backlog to 926,000 TEUs, boosting the carrier’s total capacity on the water and on order to almost 2.85 million TEUs and making it the world’s fifth-largest container line. Go to journal of commerce

New Atlantic storm shuts West Mediterranean container hubs The latest in a series of extreme winter storms is blowing through the region, this one in southwestern Europe that is suspending terminal operations and halting ferry traffic. Go to journal of commerce

Wan Hai expands Asia terminal network with $89 million Osaka port lease Taiwan’s third-largest carrier has said it would expand its network of terminals and storage facilities to obtain competitive tariffs at key ports in Asia. Go to journal of commerce

Power, mining bullishness offset by tightening MPV ship supply “Lumpy” project cargo demand is expected to lead to overutilization of the global multipurpose vessel fleet, participants in a Journal of Commerce webinar were told. Go to journal of commerce

Revised Norfolk Southern merger application will be refiled in ‘weeks’: UP Union Pacific Railroad called the decision by federal regulators to rule its filing as “incomplete” a minor setback that won’t significantly change the timeline for its hoped-for acquisition of NS. Go to journal of commerce

ITS acquisition a ‘big bite’ for Echo in market diversification drive: CEO Echo’s Doug Waggoner said the opportunity to acquire ITS came as part of his company’s virtually constant search for potential additions. Go to journal of commerce

Latest Houthi threat renews questions about Suez route as US-Iran tensions rise  After announcing a pause on ship attacks in November, the Iran-backed militants posted a pair of threatening videos over the weekend that are sure to cause fresh concerns for ocean carriers planning a return to the Red Sea. Go to journal of commerce

Software provider targets LTL invoice inaccuracies with automation solution Transflo, which sells automation software to transportation providers, is using AI agents to identify specific exceptions common to LTL billing errors. Go to journal of commerce

FMC takes second look at ocean carrier limits on chassis choice The agency ruled in 2024 that shippers can pick their own chassis when they arrange for truck transportation, but compliance with that ruling remains unclear. Go to journal of commerce

French port operator posts record volumes as carrier investments pay off  Despite 2025 being shaped by geopolitics and trade upheaval, France’s largest container port of Le Havre was able to capitalize on significant investments to modernize its terminal infrastructure. Go to journal of commerce

DHL launches road-air service on busy China-Europe trade lane  The multimodal option is aimed at shippers wanting predictability in cross-border shipments and the ability to control costs. Go to journal of commerce

Shippers will see rates climb as truckload capacity tightens: Knight Swift Tighter capacity amid the federal government’s crackdown on non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses and English language proficiency among drivers will likely boost rates, the company says. Go to journal of commerce

Port of Los Angeles forging ahead with aggressive construction program  Expansion of two container terminals and construction of a new 200-acre facility to be called Pier 500 will help the port retain its position as the largest US gateway, Executive Director Gene Seroka said in his State of the Port address Thursday. Go to journal of commerce

Geopolitical risks prompt thoughts of supply chain routing alternatives As the diversions away from the Suez Canal have shown over the past two years, global shipping is often at the mercy of global hotspots, writes Ted Prince. Go to journal of commerce

Norfolk Southern reopening second terminal in congested Louisville Container flows at the railroad’s primary Appliance Park terminal slowed considerably in December and into January after it implemented a new appointment system for truck drivers to pick up import boxes. Go to journal of commerce

Ocean Alliance adding Vietnam calls to North America for 2026 The carrier consortium released details of its new network showing a slight uptick in port calls primarily from Southeast Asia and small rotation changes on the US East Coast. Go to journal of commerce

Could the ocean carrier order book be a matter of ‘irrational exuberance’? The feeling that an arms race for bigger ships and a rush for alternative fuels has overtaken purely rational decision making is strong, writes Jeremy Masters. Go to journal of commerce

Clear direction set for LNG amid ongoing regulatory uncertainty: industry group  The LNG market is cementing its position as the alternative fuel of choice for the container shipping industry with significant expansion in ship orders and global bunkering infrastructure, a SEA-LNG report has found. Go to journal of commerce

Broker Echo buys ITS Logistics to build drayage, intermodal presence The deal will create a company with more than $5 billion in revenue across truckload brokerage, managed transportation services, and port-related offerings. Go to journal of commerce

Evergreen bolsters Asia-West Coast South America links amid capacity surge The carrier has inked a slot charter agreement on a service that is operated by Taiwanese rivals Yang Ming and Wan Hai, as well as Singapore’s PIL. Go to journal of commerce

Supply chain certainty, rather than price, will shape shipping in 2026 As shippers realize that threats to service are not periodic but systemic, their focus on reliability will only intensify this year, writes Peter Tirschwell. Go to journal of commerce

Buyer’s market for US importers belies risks in contract talks Shippers should heed signs that ocean carriers have managed to keep the decline in Asia imports from sinking the market, reflecting a modicum of control and price restraint. Go to journal of commerce

CMA CGM backs off plans to resume Suez transits for Asia-Europe services  Citing “the complex and uncertain international context,” the carrier said proforma voyages through the Suez that were confirmed last month would remain diverted via the Cape of Good Hope in southern Africa. Go to journal of commerce

Indian port flow boosted by infrastructure, technology investment efforts  New Delhi has invested heavily into freight infrastructure modernization through public-private participation and pushed digital logistics solutions along with sweeping policy reforms to ease trade processes in recent years.   Go to journal of commerce

Fast-tracked project schedules boost heavy-lift air freight volumes A drop in air freight charter rates has put the option of project cargoes moving by air back on the table. Go to journal of commerce

Carriers expand MPV fleets with $450 million in new vessel orders The orders come amid continued strong growth in the global wind energy sector as turbines, blades and monopiles provide stable cargo for MPV and heavy-lift operators. Go to journal of commerce

Washington State weighs permanent ban on funding port automation The state senate is considering a new bill that would block state funds from going toward port automation, with longshore workers adding their support. Go to journal of commerce

STB rejects UP-NS merger application as ‘incomplete’ The regulator’s decision was unanimous, but Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern can fix what is deficient in the application and resubmit it at a later date. Go to journal of commerce

MPV, heavy-lift operators ready for UK offshore wind boom after project approvals But rapid development of the record 8.4 gigawatts of new offshore capacity could lead to ship capacity constraints and logistical bottlenecks. Go to journal of commerce

Truckload at a tipping point; intermodal still lagging: J.B. Hunt But the US’ largest intermodal provider said during its fourth-quarter earnings call it is not forecasting a market inflection just yet, citing the “false starts” the industry has seen during the past 18 months. Go to journal of commerce

Egypt opens new semiautomated Red Sea terminal as Suez traffic grows The terminal, developed by a consortium of Hutchison Ports, CMA Terminals and Cosco Shipping Ports, aims to capture increasing east-west trade and is integrated with Egypt’s expanding transport network. Go to journal of commerce

Long Beach considering development of ‘conventional, zero-emissions’ terminal: CEO Noel Hacegaba made the announcement about the possible 1.8 million-TEU terminal during his first State of the Port presentation since taking over as CEO on Jan. 1 following the retirement of Mario Cordero. Go to journal of commerce

Gemini India-Med service the next to plan return to Red Sea/Suez passage The weekly loop, known as the ME11 for Maersk and the IMX for partner Hapag-Lloyd, would join Maersk’s MECL service and CMA CGM’s Indamex among major carriers in resuming transits through the Red Sea and Suez. Go to journal of commerce

‘Imperative’ that truckload carriers watch for any slowing in data center activity Data center construction in the US has more than doubled since 2023, helping to counterbalance slower construction of warehouses, notes Jason Miller. Go to journal of commerce

Egypt opens new semi-automated Red Sea terminal as Suez traffic grows The terminal, developed by a consortium of Hutchison Ports, CMA Terminals, and Cosco Shipping Ports, aims to capture increasing east-west trade and is integrated with Egypt’s expanding transport network. Go to journal of commerce

Canada’s Port of Saint John ready for larger ships, more containers Canada’s eastern-most port has completed the final phase of a project that has added a new berth and increased track capacity for handling intermodal rail. Go to journal of commerce

Shipper-turned-carrier integrates with CargoWise to target forwarder business Tailwind Shipping, which emerged during the pandemic as a vessel operating arm of retailer Lidl, has enabled booking and shipment management tools within CargoWise, the widely used forwarding software platform. Go to journal of commerce

Canada’s Port Saint John ready for larger ships, more containers Canada’s eastern-most port has completed the final phase of a project that has added a new berth and increased track capacity for handling intermodal rail. Go to journal of commerce

4PL model reemerges as disruptive market dynamics buffet shippers Technology analyst Gartner’s recent release of a report categorizing 4PL providers signals renewed interest in the concept, even as questions remain about which shippers it is best-suited for. Go to journal of commerce

Intermodal cooperation on rails has declined amid cost pressures Cooperation in the form of steel-wheel interchange has fallen out of fashion as railroads have become less willing to do the necessary work that is intrinsic in the swap of volume on rail, according to Larry Gross. Go to journal of commerce

Maersk set to resume regular Suez transits on India-USEC ‘MECL’ loop – sources The move follows the successful trial transits of the Maersk Sebarok in December and the Maersk Denver, which sailed through the waterway this week. Go to journal of commerce

Regional security risk too high to consider Red Sea return: Global shipper group  The rapidly unfolding situation in Iran and threatened US military action there is posing a “real and significant” risk that attacks on merchant shipping in the region will resume, according to the head of the Global Shippers’ Forum.  Go to journal of commerce

Hapag-Lloyd’s terminal arm takes full control of Port Everglades terminal Florida International Terminal specializes in container and general cargo handling and provides direct connectivity to major highways and rail networks, with Crowley and Mediterranean Shipping Co. its most frequent callers over the past 12 months. Go to journal of commerce

SeaCube acquires Martin Container in move to boost West Coast cold storage Martin’s headquarters near the Los Angeles-Long Beach port complex is now integrated into SeaCube’s depot and transportation network, providing faster delivery to customers and improved regional coverage in the cold storage market. Go to journal of commerce

‘Unexpected’ margin boost in Q3 2025 to lift ocean carriers’ full-year results – Drewry  Operating conditions could also turn expected losses in 2026 into profits despite little clarity over the timing of a widespread return to Red Sea transits, according to the consultancy. Go to journal of commerce

Cosco inks almost $2.7 billion in deals for 18 newbuild container ships The agreements include the construction of a dozen 18,000-TEU, LNG-powered vessels that are part of the massive $7 billion fleet renewal program the carrier unveiled in early December. Go to journal of commerce

Drivers battling delays at Norfolk Southern terminal in Louisville The delays began last month after the railroad transitioned its Louisville ramp to grounded operations, but NS says it is taking steps to mitigate the backups. Go to journal of commerce

Solid growth evident in LNG order book despite regulatory uncertainty  Most major carriers have set net-zero goals and are investing heavily in dual-fuel vessels that support their emissions-cutting strategies despite a lack of global regulatory support. Go to journal of commerce

STG files Ch. 11 bankruptcy, but intermodal operations remain intact STG said the filing will reset its balance sheet and reduce debt obligations, but drayage, domestic intermodal, transloading and warehousing operations will not be affected. Go to journal of commerce

Wind components expected to be a ‘standout’ cargo for MPVs in 2026 Onshore and offshore renewables projects will drive shipments of turbines and transformers, carriers in the sector say. Go to journal of commerce

Pre-Lunar New Year demand to give trans-Pac market first test of 2026 The materialization of any seasonal import rush and how carriers respond with capacity will give the container shipping market a better sense of first-half demand. Go to journal of commerce

FMC raises fine on MSC in case over non-operating reefers The commission’s review of an administrative law judge’s earlier decision on late fees that MSC charged for non-operating reefers found the overcharges amounted to a “practice” by the carrier. Go to journal of commerce

Seaboard restarts South America service calling at Savannah The reinstated service connecting the port with Colombia and the Dominican Republic will be supported by Savannah’s new customs facility that specializes in reefer cargoes. Go to journal of commerce

Taiwan’s major ocean carriers say weaker rates dragged down 2025 revenues The declines from the country’s top three carriers are in line with what other carriers have reported thus far in an unsettled container shipping market. Go to journal of commerce

Fourth-quarter downturn weighs on OOCL’s full-year operating result The performance of the Cosco Shipping subsidiary provides an early glimpse of what to expect as ocean carriers prepare to report their full-year 2025 earnings in an uncertain container shipping market. Go to journal of commerce

Optimistic outlook sets multipurpose sector on firm footing for 2026 This year’s positive MPV forecast is bolstered by a high level of forward bookings and the prospect of postponed projects coming onstream. Go to journal of commerce

Houston fog sets up ship diversions to Mobile, forcing exporters to scramble Seasonal fog along Texas waterways has caused ocean carriers to switch up typical Gulf Coast port rotations, sometimes with little warning of vessel arrivals. Go to journal of commerce

Smaller ocean carriers can still prosper in a world of hungry ‘predators’ While second- and third-rung lines can no longer aspire to grow into the big leagues unless they have very deep pockets, there is plenty of scope to avoid being trampled by the behemoths and quietly grow by trading on strengths, writes Jeremy Masters.…

Intra-Asia air freight capacity tightens on US high-tech demand The growth in traffic on intra-Asian routes is a result of ongoing US demand for cloud infrastructure logistics related to the rapid development of AI technology. Go to journal of commerce

Digital forwarder owned by Bolloré merges with French forwarding group The merger will see Fatton & Lyseo use Ovrsea’s proprietary operating software across its air and sea customers in Asia, Africa and North America. Go to journal of commerce

Operator switch gives renewed hope to Portland’s Terminal 6 Stakeholders say a contract with Harbor Industrial Services to manage the state’s only box terminal should herald a new era of stability and cargo growth. Go to journal of commerce

US truckload pricing remains unsettled despite red-hot December Contract shippers have not felt the impact of the surge last month in spot market truckload rates, but that could change amid market uncertainty as 2026 begins. Go to journal of commerce

Severe winter storm disrupts North Europe port, inland operations The storm is bringing fierce winds and Arctic conditions to the region, impacting ocean, road and rail freight transport. Go to journal of commerce

Australian regulators force WiseTech to sell software vendor The action is tied to WiseTech’s acquisition of E2open in 2025, which included software that Australia’s competition commission deemed gave WiseTech too much control of the market. Go to journal of commerce

DAT, AscendTMS push Convoy load automation into small broker world The integration will allow small truckload brokers to automate a range of load processes within their existing transportation management system. Go to journal of commerce

MSC’s Medlog Oceania inks deal for Seaway’s intermodal business The acquisition continues a wave of supply chain consolidation seen in Australia and New Zealand in recent years as service providers search for inorganic growth in a highly competitive market. Go to journal of commerce

North American rail container fleet fully outfitted with GPS devices Intermodal marketing companies have long been at a disadvantage because rail-owned containers lacked the real-time tracking and tracing capabilities that are standard among private fleets. Go to journal of commerce

Asia-Europe ocean carriers add capacity as trade enters peak shipping period Few blank sailings have been announced for January, and none this week, as shippers in Asia get their cargo on the water ahead of China’s Lunar New Year factory shutdown. Go to journal of commerce

Energy-related transport, metals and mining to lift project cargo sector in 2026 Power generation cargoes gave the heavy-lift sector a welcome boost in 2025, and it’s a cargo stream that will not dry up anytime soon. Go to journal of commerce

Soft volumes to keep West Coast ports congestion-free in early 2026 With inflation increasing, consumer confidence declining and unemployment on the rise, US imports from Asia are not expected to see the typical pre-Lunar New Year surge in January and February. Go to journal of commerce

Cosco awards initial newbuilding deals as part of $7 billion fleet expansion The deals for nine feeder container ships and four multipurpose and heavy-lift ships total about $490 million, according to Cosco and shipbrokers. Go to journal of commerce

Latest tariff delay by Trump echoes postponement from November While the new delay — on products reliant on wood imports —provides a respite for importers of the affected goods, it prolongs for another year a period of uncertainty over how tariffs might impact the cost of what they sell. Go to journal of commerce

Container sector pressure could upend steady MPV market MPV carriers confessed they were keeping a wary eye on the other sectors that traditionally compete with MPVs, with the container sector expected to cause the most angst heading into 2026. Go to journal of commerce

US energy policy overhaul, data center investments signal project cargo shift But tariffs on steel, aluminum and copper could present challenges for energy and data center construction projects. Go to journal of commerce

Supply-demand imbalance puts ocean carriers on course for heavy losses With vessel capacity outstripping volumes on the major trade lanes, analysts expect carriers to fall into the red as early as the first quarter, culminating in a multi-billion-dollar combined loss for the full year. Go to journal of commerce

Tariffs, economic uncertainty weigh on pre-Lunar New Year trans-Pac volumes Months of frontloading explain the sharp volume slowdown in the final months of 2025, and with consumer sentiment weak and long-term trade policies still uncertain, US retailers are keeping inventories lean in early 2026. Go to journal of commerce

Warehousing vacancies hit new peak, but larger facilities still needed Developers expect vacancy rates to drop as shippers that had been paralyzed by US tariff uncertainty set more long-term plans in motion. Go to journal of commerce

US LTL providers carefully managing capacity in changing market With demand conditions unlikely to improve in the short term, LTL carriers are putting more of their capacity, old and new, into reserve. Go to journal of commerce

US East, Gulf coast ports expanding intermodal access, vessel capacity While some gateways are expanding their intermodal access to vie for discretionary cargo destined for inland locations, others are moving full speed ahead with capacity expansions that will allow them to handle more and larger ships. Go to journal of commerce

Hong Kong to launch digital cargo tracking, data exchange network The use of real-time cargo status data is expected to make trade finance more efficient, reducing credit costs and processing and payment times, the Hong Kong government said. Go to journal of commerce