Tag: journal of commerce

Tight MPV supply countered by container rate crash, ship glut With only low-capacity increases forecast for the MPV fleet, operators believe they will be able to handle the predicted increases in project cargo.  Go to journal of commerce

Truckload procurement tool GoodShip lands $25 million funding round The funds will mostly be spent on further development of its platform for shippers, including investment in AI. Go to journal of commerce

US rejection of IMO ‘net-zero’ framework won’t change outcome: Bimco When the proposed agreement is adopted in October, as expected, all international shipping will be bound by the decarbonization regulation, an official at the shipping association pointed out. Go to journal of commerce

New Houston berth to enhance post-Panamax handling The nearly two-year project to complete Bayport’s Wharf 7 will allow the terminal to handle more ships as work on widening the Houston Ship Channel continues. Go to journal of commerce

Tariff turmoil to increase market volatility, supply chain disruption: HMM Ports in Europe and Asia, especially Rotterdam, Antwerp, Singapore and Shanghai, have been grappling with congestion-related issues such as berthing and cargo delays for several months. Go to journal of commerce

Americold-CPKC venture expands US-Mexico reefer rail services The new 335,000-square-foot facility will reduce border delays and maximize cargo capacity for shippers moving temperature-controlled loads between the US and Mexico. Go to journal of commerce

Yang Ming, Wan Hai profits drop on weaker volumes Taiwan-based ocean carriers say US tariffs are taking a toll on trans-Pacific volumes. Go to journal of commerce

Echo acquires California 3PL amid flagging US freight market The fifth-largest freight broker in the US will absorb FreightSaver, which, similar to Echo, focuses on managed transportation services for shippers. Go to journal of commerce

Underinvestment exposes European ports to systematic bottlenecks A cautious approach to investment in network and terminal infrastructure is not keeping pace with market growth. Go to journal of commerce

Shipper cost pressures risk further fraying carrier relationships US tariffs are fuel cost-cutting mandates, heaping pressure on cargo owners to push for lower ocean shipping rates even if at the expense of carrier relations. Go to journal of commerce

Exporter rate ‘shopping’ exacerbating uneven India ocean service Exporters’ proclivity for rate shopping leads to choppiness in a market that is also beholden to vessels being pulled into larger ocean freight markets. Go to journal of commerce

Strong project cargo demand spurs MPV fleet expansion Two carriers have taken advantage of favorable market fundamentals that pair a rapidly aging fleet and a low order book. Go to journal of commerce

US retailers project big year-over-year import declines to close out 2025 Import volumes for September through December are expected to come in each month about 20% under the comparable 2024 levels, according to the latest Global Port Tracker, with tariff-linked frontloading one of the primary reasons. Go to journal of commerce

FMC grants ‘controlled-carrier’ exemption to MPV operator Chipolbrok The Chinese-Polish carrier won the rate-linked relief after US regulators had expressed initial concerns this spring about the Chinese government’s supposed control over the company. Go to journal of commerce

Air cargo carriers face capacity challenge as tariff frontloading ends Following a July volume surge as US importers built inventory ahead of the sweeping US tariff rollout on Aug. 7, freighter airlines must now right-size capacity to match new demand levels. Go to journal of commerce

Maersk CEO vows to reach logistics profit margin target by year-end But standing in the way of accelerated margin improvement is the volatile North American market to which the carrier is heavily exposed in logistics. Go to journal of commerce

New Jersey’s proposed worker classification rule hangs over port truckers The new rule, a second attempt at requiring the so-called ABC test for workers in the state, has drawn opposition from multiple groups, with port trucking among the affected industries. Go to journal of commerce

New and faster intermodal services put BNSF, UP on hunt for truck freight Shippers stand to benefit on lanes where both western US railroads are vying for market share. Go to journal of commerce

Chinese brand expansion changing ‘fabric’ of global trade: Clerc Globalization is accelerating on the back of the commercial success of Chinese companies that are taking market share on the global stage, according to the Maersk CEO. Go to journal of commerce

High Gemini reliability lays groundwork for premium rate discussions: Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc said while the solid on-time performance levels had to be maintained before any commercial discussions would be held with customers, the time was coming. Go to journal of commerce

Intermodal savings dipped in Q2; surcharges to factor into Q3 decisions The spot and contract savings from domestic intermodal eroded in the second quarter compared with a year ago, while the fate of the third quarter depends largely on whether volume in Southern California keeps up to support peak season surcharges. Go to journal of…

Tariff realities prompt growth in ‘origin-controlled’ cargo on trans-Pacific The reasons for the increase are largely tariff-related, sources say, as market participants adjust to the possibility of permanently higher tariff levels imposed by the Trump administration. Go to journal of commerce

Trucking standards group takes control of truckload scheduling consortium The National Motor Freight Traffic Association will oversee development of a truckload scheduling initiative among the Scheduling Standards Consortium’s 17 existing members. Go to journal of commerce

India-Med rates race higher as blank sailings continue to tighten capacity Forwarders said space for bookings, especially to the more-demanding West Mediterranean market, has become acutely tight due to multiple blank calls in recent weeks. Go to journal of commerce

Vingroup to start building $14 billion Haiphong port, logistics hub next year Vietnam’s largest conglomerate said the complex will be developed in three phases between 2026 and 2040 and include a container terminal with at least six berths. Go to journal of commerce

US trucking employment rising steadily despite soft freight market A steady increase in non-seasonally adjusted trucking employment shows there’s more life in trucking than one might expect following lackluster carrier earnings reports. Go to journal of commerce

DHL posts solid half-year profit despite Q2 drag on express, ocean volumes The German integrator was able to offset tariff-driven volatility in the second quarter through cost-cutting measures but is facing “more of the same” in Q3, according to its CFO. Go to journal of commerce

Extended tax credits for chip manufacturers to boost heavy-lift cargo demand While some planned larger projects are facing delays due to challenging market conditions, new facilities will benefit from renewed fiscal support from Washington. Go to journal of commerce

Second California drayage operator shuts business, cites electric truck costs TGS Logistics said state grants for electric trucks failed to stem higher costs for new equipment amid a soft rate environment. Go to journal of commerce

Truckload capacity index turns upward as carriers cautiously add trucks But the increase in truck counts at large truckload providers is more about anticipated growth than any change in current demand. Go to journal of commerce

Ocean carriers still have cards to play despite weakening container market Trans-Pacific rates are falling sharply, but the ability of carriers to withdraw capacity, the potential for continued diversions away from the Red Sea, and long-term changes to the global trade landscape due to US tariff policy mean liners have levers to pull. Go to…

Red Sea ‘revival’ taking place as regional carriers lead the way The number of unique services on routes navigating through Houthi-controlled waters has doubled since the third quarter of last year, according to data from eeSea, as carriers who do not call Israel feel growing comfort sailing the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. Go to journal of commerce

US policy, investments line up for project cargo-dependent nuclear buildout A resurgence of nuclear projects in the US should provide a steady stream of project cargo work through the end of the decade. Go to journal of commerce

Big US ports ask Congress to follow law for equal funding of dredging work Ports say they stand to lose about $1 billion in funding for maintenance work because the US Army Corps of Engineers’ budget is not treating so-called donor ports equally. Go to journal of commerce

New US sanctions on Iran cut SeaLead’s vessel fleet by one-third The sanctions list targets the shipping interests of Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, son of Ali Shamkhani, a political adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Go to journal of commerce

Matson expects dampened peak season after tariff-driven rush in Q2 The trans-Pacific carrier said China volumes were whipsawed by the Trump administration’s trade policy, with shippers likely to slow their ordering during the third quarter. Go to journal of commerce

ONE cuts profit forecast as falling rates, excess capacity weigh on carriers Trade uncertainties are limiting visibility for the latter half of the carrier’s fiscal year, prompting it to significantly reduce its profit expectations. Go to journal of commerce

Looming US tariffs put economic viability of STS cranes in doubt Marine terminal operators may be forced to resell or even abandon cranes if the tariffs take effect, which would further erode US port productivity. Go to journal of commerce

DB Schenker adds to DSV coffers as multi-year integration begins DSV will start adding the first few country operations of DB Schenker into its network from Aug. 1 in an integration process expected to be completed by 2028. Go to journal of commerce

CH Robinson cautious on second-half outlook amid trade volatility Company executives pointed to the rollout of the Trump administration’s tariff policy in April as driving disruption throughout the second quarter. Go to journal of commerce

Busan aims to boost transshipment volumes with new $573 million feeder terminal Development of the new terminal comes as gains in transshipment volumes are outpacing the increase in gateway cargo at Busan, where transshipment business has been bolstered by the launch of the Gemini Cooperation earlier this year. Go to journal of commerce

LTL carriers expanding US networks despite low freight demand Well-financed LTL trucking companies are investing in network expansion despite flat revenues and falling shipment counts as shippers demand more speed. Go to journal of commerce

India-US carriers likely to kill August rate hikes amid new tariff uncertainty Local liner sources who spoke with the Journal of Commerce signaled that carriers would cancel increase notices scheduled for Aug. 1 and instead extend existing prices through the first half of the month. Go to journal of commerce

Tariff-linked trade flow shift tightens Asian air freight capacity While not yet reflected in freight rates, analysts and forwarders report growing space constraints out of Southeast Asian origins. Go to journal of commerce

MPV shippers adopt ‘strategic inaction’ operating model to counter instability Cargo movers are holding back on executing breakbulk and project cargo shipments as much as possible until there is a clearer picture of costs in the current unsettled market. Go to journal of commerce

Code generation tools altering efficiency, capacity for logistics technology providers A wave of AI-based tools for software developers is likely to raise shipper expectations around the effectiveness and cost of logistics software applications. Go to journal of commerce

US tariff volatility no longer driving trans-Pacific trade plans As tariff fatigue sets in, US retailers are concentrating more on their product delivery needs rather than adjusting their supply chains on the fly to the vagaries of the Trump administration’s trade policy. Go to journal of commerce

Truckload carriers balance networks as tariff uncertainty shifts demand J.B. Hunt Transport and Knight-Swift Transportation — the largest US truckload providers — are shifting assets within their networks as shippers react to supply chain challenges created by higher US tariffs on imports. Go to journal of commerce

New Houthi attacks slash MPV northbound transits via Red Sea Having tentatively returned to Red Sea transits, multipurpose and heavy-lift vessels are again shunning the route in favor of the safer, but longer, passage around southern Africa. Go to journal of commerce

CMA CGM’s Q2 earnings slide as geopolitics, tariffs hit shipping business The Marseilles-based carrier said the unstable operating environment was disrupting trade flows and leading to growing uncertainty about demand in the major markets. Go to journal of commerce

Resolution of ‘major issues’ now takes spotlight in UP-NS merger process While the intermodal piece of the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern deal could face some obstacles, UP CEO Jim Vena and his team have shown a willingness to try new approaches in growing their intermodal franchise, writes Ted Prince. Go to journal of commerce

UP looks to create first coast-to-coast railroad with $85 billion NS deal Union Pacific said the acquisition of its smaller rival would improve service by reducing interchanges while taking market share from Canada’s Class I railroads and the truckload market. Go to journal of commerce

DAT acquiring Convoy automation platform from Flexport The deal is DAT’s third in seven months as the freight marketplace seeks to build a multifaceted and trusted truckload transactional platform. Go to journal of commerce

Hutchison confirms Chinese investor interest in BlackRock-TiL ports sale The company did not disclose the identity of the potential Chinese investor in the $23 billion deal, although it is widely thought to be Cosco Shipping Holdings. Go to journal of commerce

Trans-Atlantic trade dispute averted as US, EU reach weekend deal But with many details of the framework agreement still to be thrashed out over the coming weeks, it will do little to address the uncertainty hanging over the trade lane. Go to journal of commerce

US importers scramble to manage huge hike in bond outlay linked to higher tariffs US Customs and Border Protection requires importers to maintain a bond for estimated duties owed, a number that has increased significantly as new tariffs take effect. Go to journal of commerce

Trucking intelligence provider expands visibility product into drayage market GenLogs is offering data on shipper drayage volumes, available carriers and asset location at the Port of Miami as part of a broadening of its highway sensor-based platform. Go to journal of commerce

Wave of Asian boxes to hit congested North Europe ports in August–September Double-digit demand is expected to continue through the third quarter on the Asia-Europe trades, piling more pressure on terminals that have been overstretched for months. Go to journal of commerce

Ocean frontloading cuts air freight demand on trans-Pacific The 90-day pause in tariffs was long enough for US importers to advance most of their cargo shipments by ocean, according to analysts. Go to journal of commerce

CMA CGM reflags vessel in first move to boost size of US fleet The carrier announced in March it would spend $20 billion over the next four years to significantly bolster its logistics presence in the US, including expanding its US-flag fleet and increasing capacity at key US ports. Go to journal of commerce

MSC to launch new USEC-Oceania weekly service in February Volumes from Oceania to the US East Coast have grown steadily during the past five years, with this June recording the most imports ever for a single month. Go to journal of commerce

UP confirms in ‘advanced discussions’ on deal with Norfolk Southern Any tie-up between the two railroads would be classified as a “major transaction” under US Surface Transportation Board regulations and subject to a rigorous review that could take two to three years. Go to journal of commerce

Post-tariff foreign currency headwinds hit Kuehne + Nagel’s H1, Q2 profit The negative foreign exchange effects were most noticeable in the forwarder’s US dollar-denominated ocean freight business, where earnings fell sharply in the second quarter. Go to journal of commerce

India-Europe rates strengthen on peak season space demand, capacity cuts Local freight forwarders have reported rate increases in the range of $300 to $500 per FEU month over month and expect further slight gains if the pace of demand remains steady. Go to journal of commerce

Impending Brazil tariffs increase pressure on US pulp industry In the wake of several paper mill closures globally so far this year, US pulp importers will be dealt another blow on Aug. 1 when a proposed 50% tariff on cargo from Brazil will go into effect. Go to journal of commerce

Intra-Asia trade faces fresh turmoil from potential hefty US tariffs: HPH Trust The Asian Development Bank also warned in a note Wednesday that escalating tariffs and further trade friction would further dim intra-Asia growth prospects. Go to journal of commerce

Broker group warns against increased shipper-3PL rate transparency The head of the Transportation Intermediaries Association says that calls for more access to what shippers pay brokers under the guise of protecting truckers from fraud is a ploy to view what should be confidential business information. Go to journal of commerce

CMA CGM, TotalEnergies ink deal to jointly operate LNG bunkering vessel The joint venture is accompanied by a long-term agreement that will lock in the supply of LNG to the ocean carrier’s fast-growing dual-fuel fleet that will increase to 123 vessels by 2029. Go to journal of commerce

Carney has fresh opportunity to galvanize Canadian shipping industry Canada’s port stakeholders are hopeful the new prime minister and world-renowned economist will fast-track major projects and modernize labor negotiations. Go to journal of commerce

Hub Group boosts reefer intermodal business with Marten acquisition The $51.8 million cash deal includes Marten’s physical assets and the transfer of its existing contracts with food and beverage shippers. Go to journal of commerce

Flagging European industry clouds Rotterdam’s rising container volume Consumer demand is driving container imports, but the weakening competitive position of European industry is directly impacting the integrated industrial cluster at the port. Go to journal of commerce

FedEx Freight delays enforcement of LTL re-classification The largest US less-than-truckload provider says it won’t enforce new density-based classifications until Dec. 1, giving shippers more time to adapt to changes. Go to journal of commerce

USTR’s ‘double-hit’ port fee proposal could force cuts to Grimaldi’s US calls Double counting for US port calls on the same voyage would lead to an “unsustainable” cost impact on the company, the CEO of its US affiliate tells the Journal of Commerce. Go to journal of commerce

USTR’s ‘double-hit’ port fee proposal could force cuts to ACL’s US calls Double counting for US port calls on the same voyage would lead to an “unsustainable” cost impact on the US ro/ro operator, its CEO tells the Journal of Commerce. Go to journal of commerce

Parking platform uses business growth to target truckload fleet inefficiency Any investment by the largest trucking scale network in North America gives Truck Parking Club capital to expand its list of partner parking facilities. Go to journal of commerce

Potential UP-NS tie-up would cause major shift in US intermodal market But other Class I railroads will likely be vocal in their opposition to any deal and look to rally support from shippers to block the move, setting the stage for a contentious regulatory battle. Go to journal of commerce

MSC, Yang Ming lead nearly $4 billion ordering spree for new vessels MSC’s orders at two Chinese shipyards continue the carrier’s long association with Chinese shipbuilders, with the liner seemingly undeterred by US proposals to levy hefty port fees on Chinese-built ships. Go to journal of commerce

Drayage stakeholders say industry under threat from falling rates, increased costs US drayage truckers say costs and competition have been on the rise since the pandemic, while at the same time their pricing power is under downward pressure. Go to journal of commerce

Schneider National to ‘dissolve’ Cowan brokerage arm Oct. 1 in rebranding move The decision cuts against what Schneider announced when it acquired Cowan last November, that Cowan’s brand would be retained and the company would operate as a wholly owned subsidiary. Go to journal of commerce

High variance exists in carriers’ cross-trade products Bigger carriers have more services and transshipment hubs and are generally able to offer more efficient connecting services, although there is still room to prosper for small and midsize carriers, writes Jeremy Masters. Go to journal of commerce

Whiplash of US tariff policy forces importers into ‘wait-and-see’ mode US retailers are, not surprisingly, importing only what is “absolutely necessary” given the frequent changes in new tariffs and tariff deadlines announced by the Trump administration, writes Lars Jensen. Go to journal of commerce

BNSF to use ‘southern’ route to Salt Lake City under UP intermodal deal The agreement clears the way for BNSF to move cargo from Los Angeles, Long Beach and Oakland to Salt Lake City for ocean carriers CMA CGM and Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC). Go to journal of commerce

Yusen Logistics in talks to acquire European healthcare provider Walden The NYK subsidiary has its sights on a booming third-party logistics provider healthcare market in Europe that is expected to grow 8.1% a year until 2030. Go to journal of commerce

Automation, tariff pressures put onus on customs brokers to adapt Artificial intelligence tools can help shippers automate tasks such as entry filing and classification, but it’s unclear whether most importers want to take on that burden. Go to journal of commerce

Reefer fleet growth yet to show in availability of equipment Despite significant injections of reefer capacity in early 2025, US cold chain stakeholders say they continue to face equipment scarcity issues. Go to journal of commerce

J.B. Hunt says surcharges necessary to maintain peak season service Some customers and competitors were surprised by the timing of the surcharges, which are typically implemented in August or September, if at all, and only after volume spikes. Go to journal of commerce

MPV availability likely to tighten in aftermath of latest Houthi attacks With more ships expected to divert to the longer Cape of Good Hope route around southern Africa, shippers could find it more difficult to secure capacity for project cargoes. Go to journal of commerce

Volvo faces $1.2 billion write down as US tariffs erode profitability The European automotive industry has been hammered by Washington’s import tariffs that are imposing a significant financial burden on the continent’s carmakers. Go to journal of commerce

Ports fear emissions grants under threat amid EPA budget slashing The National Association of Waterfront Employers has sent a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee asking for continued support of the $3 billion Clean Ports Program. Go to journal of commerce

Tightening vessel supply threatens to delay offshore wind projects A strong midterm global outlook for wind farm development could be dampened by a lack of forward ship capacity to service the buildouts. Go to journal of commerce

Strong H1 volumes, space crunch keep Antwerp terminals under pressure Container volumes handled by North Europe’s busiest port continue to grow, alongside the now critical need for more landside capacity. Go to journal of commerce

Macquarie looks to keep hold on NY-NJ terminal amid lease talks The infrastructure fund that owns the Port of New York and New Jersey’s largest marine terminal is not looking to divest as it seeks to extend the term of its lease, according to people familiar with the talks. Go to journal of commerce

FMC probing service agreements between Port Houston, ocean carriers The investigation centers on terminal service agreements that may have required container lines to commit to route a share of their cargo through Port Houston. Go to journal of commerce

Africa diversions drive sharp rise in ocean carrier emissions But the longer voyages are also seeing container shipping companies cutting the average fuel intensity per TEU mile and ensuring vessels are sailing full. Go to journal of commerce

Long Beach ITS terminal upgrade to boost capacity by about 50% The project, due to begin Monday, will also improve truck access by upgrading the gate infrastructure and boost efficiency through the replacement of an outdated terminal operating system. Go to journal of commerce

Schneider says MMX service delivering four-day Mexico-Chicago transit time The journey time, about two to three days better than typical industry metrics, comes despite congestion in other parts of partner CPKC’s network. Go to journal of commerce

OOCL’s Q2 revenue slides on lower trans-Pacific, Asia-Europe rates The decline came despite a 4.4% increase in total container volumes to 2 million TEUs, the carrier said in a quarterly update Friday. Go to journal of commerce

Global dockworker unions plan Lisbon gathering for anti-automation ‘call to action’ The gathering will be closely watched by ocean carriers, shippers and container terminal operators in the US and Europe for signs that global unions are developing a coordinated cross-border “solidarity strike” strategy. Go to journal of commerce

CMA CGM ends existing Indian VSAs with Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk The Marseille-based liner has finalized operational plans to call off its remaining vessel-sharing agreements with the carriers after Gemini Cooperation-linked realignments. Go to journal of commerce

US Bank eBL trial for US exporter notches another step toward 2030 goal Adoption of digital bills of lading has been stronger in Asia, but US traction is necessary to help container lines meet a 2030 commitment to fully move to electronic documents. Go to journal of commerce