Maritime News
The Journal of Commerce is the industry’s source for maritime news and analysis about ocean container shipping, logistics, supply chains, global shipping ports, shipping technology solutions and end-to-end connectivity. Coverage tracks the movement of containerized cargo — from origin to destination — handled by marine terminals in the US and abroad, depots, container ports, container lines, drayage, consignees and shippers, forwarders, non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs) and off-dock warehousing providers, as well as pricing, capacity, volume and reliability on the trans-Pacific, Asia-Europe, North America-Caribbean, Central and South American and intra-Asia trades.
Updated: 2 hours 48 min ago
Spectacle of shipping disruptions overshadows manageable impact to cargo flow
The shipping industry’s ability to overcome physical disruptions such as the Port of Baltimore’s closure shouldn’t lull it into complacency because growing geopolitical threats could provide new obstacles that can’t be as easily managed, writes Journal of Commerce Executive Editor Mark Szakonyi.
Shift to eBLs would mean big cut in carbon emissions: study
The study, commissioned by the Global Shipping Business Network, comes amid a commitment by nine of the top 10 global ocean carriers to only use electronic bills of lading by 2030.
Norfolk expands hours to handle cargo volumes shifted from Baltimore
The US DOT has also offered some relief, granting an exemption that permits truck drivers to work an additional two hours of drive time beyond federal limits if the cargo is connected to the Port of Baltimore closure.
US retailers make big upgrade in H1 import forecast amid carrier capacity boost
Ocean carriers have signaled their belief that US consumer buying will remain strong into the second half of the year by announcing the launch or restart of 11 services involving the trans-Pacific and north-south trades.
Slow uptake of green shipping services, but momentum building: Maersk
While the carrier is celebrating a large increase in volume transported under its low-emission services, the substantial cost of alternative fuels compared to conventional bunkers remains a hurdle to the wider cargo-owning market.
India sourcing boom drives US import container growth
Growing US import volumes and market share from India, coupled with a surge of investment from major big box retailers and manufacturers, suggests a tipping point for connecting ocean trades and the country.
Top US retailers set Asia service contract floor significantly higher than 2023-24
Carriers in the eastbound trans-Pacific have concluded 2024-25 service contracts with several of the largest US retailers at rates that are significantly higher than in last year’s contracts as carriers leveraged today’s relatively high spot rates.
Baltimore preps for limited port reopening by end of April
And the US Army Corps of Engineers says it expects to clear the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge from Baltimore’s 50-foot-deep shipping channel by the end of May, “restoring port access to normal capacity.”
Maersk to resume Panama Canal transits on OC1 service as vessel restrictions ease
The canal authority at the end of March increased the number of daily vessel slots available following an improvement in actual and projected water levels on the Gatun Lake.
Iraqi Persian Gulf port project moves forward as backers push Red Sea alternative
The UAE’s AD Ports Group and the Iraqi government have signed a preliminary agreement to develop the Al-Faw Grand Port, its economic zone and freight-supporting infrastructure.
Iraqi Persian Gulf port project moves forward as backers push Red Sea alternative
The UAE’s AD Ports Group and the Iraqi government have signed a preliminary agreement to develop the Al-Faw Grand Port, its economic zone and freight-supporting infrastructure.
FMC unit seeks $63 million fine against MSC for alleged shipping law violations
The recommended fine, which requires approval from an FMC judge, aims to rebuke the world’s largest shipping company for alleged multiple violations around detention and demurrage billing.
Ports in Europe, Asia strengthen multifuel bunkering ambitions
Demand for alternative fuels is set to rise exponentially as huge numbers of dual-fueled ships are delivered over the next two years while major hubs are rapidly developing their green bunkering capabilities.
Asian air cargo block space sold out for 2024 as e-commerce fills export capacity
The air freight market is off to a strong start this year with volume out of Asia up 11% in the traditionally slow first quarter while rates rose steadily through March.
NS offering NY/NJ, Virginia rail workarounds to ease Baltimore port closure
Norfolk Southern will join CSX in running inter-port trains between New York/New Jersey and Baltimore to limit disruptions involving cargo rerouted after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
Red Sea crisis prompts THE Alliance to delay restart of Asia-USEC service
The decision underscores that ship diversions around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope will likely last through at least the first half of 2024, if not longer, as carriers see no short-term resolution to the uncertain security situation in the region.
ONE, Cosco join with CMA CGM on north-south service to US East Coast
The new vessel-sharing agreement will see the introduction of non-CMA CGM ships into a string that runs between the West Coast of South America and ports in the US Northeast and mid-Atlantic.
FMC complaint from Samsung is latest salvo against Cosco for D&D billing
The electronics giant said the “staggering” detention and demurrage charges it paid for US imports carried by Cosco and OOCL threaten its ability to serve the North American market.
Lack of progress in Canadian rail talks raises possibility of May strike
Negotiations between the railroads and the Teamsters have hit a stumbling block over salary and mandatory rest periods, prompting the union to schedule an April 8 start date for voting on a possible strike notice.
Indian import demand continues to drive intra-Asia network expansion
The latest capacity push comes from a three-member consortium led by Wan Hai Lines, which will begin a Southeast Asia-West India connection from the end of April.