Maritime News
News and analysis of ocean containerized cargo movement, logistics, supply chains, technology, and end-to-end connectivity. Maritime news and analysis of containerized ocean cargo movement, breakbulk and roll-on and roll-off shipping from origin to destination.
Updated: 1 hour 26 min ago
Container lines cutting trans-Pacific capacity overhang
In the latest course correction in the US’ busiest trade lane, carriers are set to deploy less tonnage in August as spot rates fall and retail import forecasts weaken.
BNSF-UP dispute threatens Oakland-SLC service, triggers STB petition
The routing impasse between the railroads threatens supply chain disruptions for ocean carrier CMA CGM, which has cargo booked on the service that is due to begin later this week.
Europe’s port congestion forcing Gemini to switch up Asia service
Beginning September, the joint service will make added stops at Aarhus in Denmark, Gothenburg in Sweden and Rotterdam in the Netherlands as the last three European calls.
Oregon earmarks funds for proposed Coos Bay terminal
The just-concluded legislative session also puts aside emergency funding for the Port of Portland that is generated via lottery sales.
USTR plan to tax ro/ro ships exceeds statutory authority: stakeholders
A plan to tax vehicle carriers $14 per net ton for each US port call will raise consumer costs and reduce the number of ports served, shipping executives warned Monday.
Hapag-Lloyd megaships serve West Africa via Tanger Med hub
Instead of its 24,000 TEU ships making direct calls at West African ports, Hapag-Lloyd's main Mediterranean hub is being used as a key transshipment point for Asia-Africa services.
Container capacity from Asia to east coast of South America loosens significantly
Carriers are pulling back on their blanking campaigns on the Asia-ECSA lane in July, after two months of blanking campaigns largely neutralized capacity additions to the lane.
US shipbuilding incentives need more oversight: GAO
The federal watchdog agency said the US Maritime Administration has financial levers to help the domestic shipbuilding industry but doesn’t know their effectiveness.
Ocean carriers adjust calls as congestion chokes European hubs
Longer transits around southern Africa, restructured alliance networks and bottlenecks in Asia continue to cause ships to arrive outside their scheduled European arrival windows.
Mixed US policy on carbon capture clouds project cargo demand
The push and pull of US support for decarbonization efforts puts a question mark over potential project cargo demand.
Container lines pull back on India-US pricing push
While vessels on the lead West India–US East Coast networks have continued to sail full, forwarders have linked the “sold-out” experience to capacity cutbacks and consequent cargo rollovers.
Excess capacity sinks planned July 1 rate increase in eastbound trans-Pacific
The fresh capacity carriers rushed into the US’ busiest trade lane in April and May is no longer needed, sending rates on a downward spiral and forcing carriers to shelve proposed price hikes.
Yang Ming hit with new FMC complaint over service contracts
The complaint from Dollar General alleges the carrier sold more of its capacity in the high-flying spot market of 2021, leaving shippers under fixed-price contracts in the lurch.
Growth in West African ports opens new transshipment options for MSC
The deployment of 24,000-TEU ships on its Africa Express service allows the carrier to better leverage billions of dollars invested in West Africa in recent years, reducing exposure to congested North European ports.
HMM, CMA CGM to expand key Mediterranean transshipment hub
The $177 million plan to enlarge Spain’s TTI Algeciras is in line with the strategy of ocean carriers to diversify revenue and exert greater control over their supply chains.
Strong China demand buoys intra-Asia rates despite capacity surge
The uptick in rates comes despite a 9% surge in deployed capacity on regional services since February, according to figures from British transport consultant MDS Transmodal.
Trans-Atlantic ocean trade readies for end to 90-day pause on US tariffs
Easing freight rates and demand suggest a “wait-and-see” approach by US importers as the July 9 end of the temporary reprieve on so-called “reciprocal” tariffs nears.
Congress seeks reauthorization of FMC through 2029
The procedural reauthorization bill would provide funding for the agency for the next three fiscal years and add more outside expertise on ports and ocean carriers.
Hede Shipping to launch third expedited service from China to Los Angeles
Although spot rates from Asia to the US are dropping due to waning demand and overcapacity, the carrier is zeroing in on the e-commerce sector with its expedited transit times and the quick delivery of containers upon discharge from vessels.
FMC probes legal standing of World Shipping Council agreement
The trade group of ocean carriers is exempt from US antitrust scrutiny under an agreement it filed with the FMC five years ago, but the agency is now questioning that arrangement.