Industry News

News from JOC Journal of Commerce

• Uncharted Episode 2- Coming May 27 May 22, 2020
   Episode 2 of JOC Uncharted is coming Wednesday, May 27 at 11:00AM Eastern. For up-to-the-minute details on this epsidode and others, CLICK HERE....
• Carriers to waive Chittagong port storage fees during country shutdown May 22, 2020
  [caption caption="Under normal circumstances, the shipping lines offer 14 to 21 days of so-called free time for containers after they are discharged in Chittagong, and storage fees run between $5 to $10 daily after the time expires."][/caption]Facing pressure from Bangladesh regulators, container lines have agreed to waive storage fees in...
• Future of air cargo industry unclear as recovery begins May 22, 2020
  [caption caption="Large numbers of passenger aircraft flying only cargo are supplementing the freighter capacity and slowly easing severe space constraints. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com."][/caption]The disruption caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is raising big questions on the future of air cargo shipping, as forwarders and cargo owners prepare for a...
• Top US Shippers: Ag exporters grow volumes despite tough market May 22, 2020
  [caption caption="US containerized agricultural exports grew 6.7 percent year over year in 2019, as a 4.5 percent drop in China-bound volume was offset by increases in shipments to Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com."][/caption](The following story appears in the Top 100 US Importers and Exporters issue of the...
• US truckload market to flip in Q1 2021: Coyote Logistics May 22, 2020
  [caption caption="Coyote Logistics says trucking is waiting for a “bounce back” from the bottom hit by the economy in April. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com."][/caption]Although US economic activity and freight demand fell into an “abyss” in March and April, the coming months will see gradual improvement leading to a shift in the...
• NY-NJ port seeks aid amid COVID-19 volume decline May 22, 2020
  [caption caption="NYSA, the ILA, port employers, and other groups began in March to share COVID-19 information and coordinate a strategy, amid varying government orders across two states. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com."][/caption]Port of New York and New Jersey leaders are asking state and federal governments to help the port weather container volume...
• COVID-19 capex crunch threatens project logistics sector May 21, 2020
  [caption caption="A storm gathers over an oil and gas platform in the Gulf of Thailand. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com."][/caption]Project owners working at the upstream end — exploration and production — of the oil and gas industry have announced billions in cuts to planned capital expenditures, sending tremors through the project cargo logistics...
• Domestic intermodal slides to weakest month since 2012 May 21, 2020
  [caption caption="With domestic intermodal volume at one of the weakest points since the Great Recession of 2008-2009, intermodal marketing companies are worried about railroads taking the position that they won't chase the falling US truck rates to maintain volume. Photo credit: Ari Ashe/JOC.com."][/caption]Domestic container and trailer volume on the rails...
• US agriculture exporters, chassis lessors clash May 21, 2020
  [caption caption="Equipment providers maintain that a market-based regime in which the asset providers maintain operational control of the chassis is the most efficient model. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com."][/caption]Agricultural shippers at their annual conference Wednesday said the chassis arrangements between intermodal equipment providers (IEPs) and ocean carriers saddle shippers and truckers with...
• Container lines learning from crises past: CEOs May 21, 2020
  [caption caption="An orderbook that is just 10 percent of the global fleet has left carriers in a better position to handle the weak demand brought on by the coronavirus. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com."][/caption]Container shipping line executives say they’re confident the industry will be able to withstand a double-digit volume decrease this...
• Top US Shippers: ‘Safe harbor’ tax credit boosts 2019 US solar imports May 21, 2020
  [caption caption="US imports of solar cells surged 129 percent to 165,366 TEU in 2019 as project developers rushed to beat a Dec. 31 tax credit deadline. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com."][/caption](The following story appears in the Top 100 US Importers and Exporters issue of the Journal of Commerce print magazine.)US imports of...
• Large US truckload carriers cut capacity again in Q1 May 20, 2020
  [caption caption="Large truckload carriers tracked by the JOC.com index cut capacity 4 percent year over year in the first quarter. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com."][/caption]Large US truckload carriers stuck to plans to reduce their truck capacity in the first quarter, pulling the JOC Truckload Capacity Index (TCI) down for the fourth consecutive...
• Loadsmart targets untapped digital transload opportunity May 20, 2020
  [caption caption="Loadsmart has tackled modes outside of truckload since a 2019 investment by Maersk"][/caption]One of the more prominent freight brokers to emerge in the ongoing phase of venture capital-fueled logistics technology development now offers a platform linking drayage, transloading, and truckload modes.The service, introduced Wednesday by New York City-based Loadsmart,...
• Top US Shippers: COVID-19 complicates long-term automotive logistics strategies May 20, 2020
  [caption caption="US imports of automobiles and parts fell 14.7 percent year over year to 1.1 million TEU in 2019 after rising 7.6 percent the year before. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com."][/caption](The following story appears in the Top 100 US Importers and Exporters issue of the Journal of Commerce print magazine.)A US auto...
• Labor scarcity at warehouses compounds Indian port flow woes May 20, 2020
  [caption caption="A shortage of labor is the latest challenge thrown at Indian shippers as they try to clear a backlog of containers built up amid the country’s COVID-19 lockdown. Photo credit: PSA India."][/caption]As Indian port-terminal stakeholders attempt to relieve the stockpile of containers amassed following the enforcement of a country-wide...
• Container lines take tentative steps to restore capacity May 20, 2020
  [caption caption="THE Alliance will reinstate some sailings from mid-June in anticipation of an improvement in demand. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com."][/caption]Carriers are starting to make the first slight adjustments to their mid-June networks on some trades in what appears to be an attempt to match uneven demand patterns as countries and regions...
• Comcar exits, but its trucks keep rolling May 20, 2020
  [caption caption="Comcar's bankruptcy will have a negligible impact on trucking capacity. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com."][/caption]Comcar Industries will soon be no more, but most of its tractor-trailers and drivers will likely stay on the road. The Chapter 11 bankruptcy of the diversified truckload holding company will remove a venerable name from the...
• Transforming Transportation and Logistics Through the Lens of the Pandemic May 20, 2020
  The coronavirus pandemic upended our world, including our supply chains. While we all knew about the complexities of supply chains before COVID-19, the unprecedented interruption of normal life threw even more variables our way. To succeed in tackling these new challenges, a mindset of flexibility and visibility, along with a...
• Rolling cargo incidents rise as China–North American capacity tightens May 19, 2020
  [caption caption="NVOs expect vessels they say have been booked to 110 percent of capacity will be back in the mid-90 percent range within a couple of weeks, and the cargo rolling will stop. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com."][/caption]A growing volume of North American imports due to leave central and southern China over...
• Multimodal visibility expansion moves project44 toward global reach May 19, 2020
  [caption caption="The visibility market is increasingly crowded by niche providers, which target modes or regions, and those aiming to be single point end-to-end providers. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com."][/caption]Logistics technology company project44 has added air freight data and so-called groupage visibility to its platform, signaling a continued ambition to move beyond just...

News from Lloyd’s List – Containers

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• The week in charts: Floating storage passes peak; car carriers face crisis May 22, 2020
  Despite a week on week upturn, the market fundamentals suggest the rapidly built floating storage of crude has peaked, while...      Related StoriesCollapse of demand for new vehicles bodes ill for shippingIdle tonnage in deepsea auto trades soars as demand slumpsThe Lloyd’s List Podcast: Sanctions alert! Why shipping must heed new US guidance 
• Container freight rates remain resilient May 22, 2020
  Container lines’ swift capacity management during the pandemic has so far kept rates well above those achieved last year      Related StoriesUN urged to help 200,000 stranded seafarersEagle Bulk supramax suffers engine failureMaritime leadership needs greater diversity 
• New UK terminal completes trial ahead of opening May 21, 2020
  New terminal will become largest in the UK for unaccompanied ro-ro freight      Related StoriesUN urged to help 200,000 stranded seafarersEagle Bulk supramax suffers engine failureMaritime leadership needs greater diversity 
• James Sherwood, containerisation pioneer and entrepreneur, dies at 86 May 21, 2020
  James Sherwood has been described as a genuine entrepreneur, full of enthusiasm and ideas, and who can justly claim to...      Related StoriesCoronavirus may slow pace of decarbonisation, but will not derail itCoronavirus may slow pace of decarbonisation, but won't derail itCoronavirus may slow pace of decarbonisation, but not derail it 
• Yard Talk | A bet on a nation’s fortune May 21, 2020
  The merger of China’s two largest state shipbuilding groups has gained the combined entity more weight in the eyes of...      Related StoriesCoronavirus may slow pace of decarbonisation, but will not derail itCoronavirus may slow pace of decarbonisation, but won't derail itCoronavirus may slow pace of decarbonisation, but not derail it 
• Weekly briefing: Container results show early pandemic toll; tanker rates pressure May 20, 2020
  Blanked sailings and cost cuts have lessened the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on container company finances so far, but...      Related StoriesThe week in charts: Floating storage passes peak; car carriers face crisisCollapse of demand for new vehicles bodes ill for shippingIdle tonnage in deepsea auto trades soars as demand slumps 
• UK confirms checks on goods crossing Irish Sea after Brexit transition May 20, 2020
  Checks will be made on animals and foodstuffs entering Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK following the expiry...      Related StoriesUN urged to help 200,000 stranded seafarersEagle Bulk supramax suffers engine failureMaritime leadership needs greater diversity 
• DFDS expects slow passenger traffic recovery May 20, 2020
  The tourism market remains the joker in the pack as passengers lose confidence in mass transport      Related StoriesUN urged to help 200,000 stranded seafarersEagle Bulk supramax suffers engine failureMaritime leadership needs greater diversity 
• Shippers concerned over service availability amid capacity cuts May 20, 2020
  Shipper survey results show that cargo availability improved marginally last year but has decreased sharply during the pandemic      Related StoriesThe week in charts: Floating storage passes peak; car carriers face crisisCollapse of demand for new vehicles bodes ill for shippingIdle tonnage in deepsea auto trades soars as demand slumps 
• Separating truth from fiction can ease anxiety among seafarers May 20, 2020
  Some within the industry have said that mental health of seafarers was a real issue before the current health crisis...      Related StoriesUN urged to help 200,000 stranded seafarersEagle Bulk supramax suffers engine failureMaritime leadership needs greater diversity 

News from Container Management

• APMT Buenos Aires commissions new cold-store chamber May 22, 2020
  APM Terminals (APMT) Buenos Aires has commissioned a new cold-store chamber in an effort to meet growing demand for reliable, stable cold-chain handling of goods. The chamber can maintain constant temperatures as low as -35°C, making it suitable to handle a variety of cargos including fruit, frozen produce and meat which require strict temperature control […]
• Port of Newcastle installs electric vehicle chargers May 22, 2020
  The Port of Newcastle has installed an electric vehicle charging station on Wharf Road to add to the city of Newcastle’s growing network. Following other stations installed by the city last year, the two 22-kilowatt chargers have been placed in the carpark next to Harry’s Café de Wheels. Thanks to this collaboration with the city […]
• Gothenburg volumes up 8% as exports continue to flow   May 21, 2020
  Container volumes increased by 8% in the first quarter at the Port of Gothenburg, with no direct calls cancelled, bucking the trend of declines in cargo throughput seen at the majority of European ports. According to Elvir Dzanic, Port of Gothenburg chief executive, the open approach adopted by Sweden to the world, and the fact […]
• Port of Helsinki temporarily dismisses entire personnel May 21, 2020
  The Port of Helsinki has plans to temporarily dismiss its entire personnel, having been forced to start extensive cost reductions due to the coronavirus pandemic and related travel restrictions. Between the start of August and the end of 2020, the personnel of the Port of Helsinki will be dismissed for 30 days and for a […]
• Kalmar to deliver 10 reachstackers to Contargo May 20, 2020
  Kalmar is to supply logistics operator Contargo Group with 10 Gloria reachstackers, to help serve its container hinterland network throughout Germany. Three units for empty and semi-laden container handling will be delivered to Contargo Rhein-Neckar in Ludwigshafen and Mannheim, six reachstackers to Contargo Wörth-Karlsruhe in Wörth and Speyer, and one machine to Contargo Rhein-Main GmbH […]
• HMM returns from three-year hiatus to US East Coast May 20, 2020
  Global Container Terminals (GCT) USA has welcomed the first HMM vessel, the Hyundai Hope, after a three-year hiatus of services to the US East Coast. The 13,154 teu vessel also marked the first larger vessel call of THE Alliance’s EC2 service to GCT Bayonne. The service will now call weekly at GCT Bayonne with vessel […]
• Bolloré, Next4 and IMT Mines Albi to develop AI for container tracking May 19, 2020
  Bolloré Transport & Logistics, Next4 and the IMT Mines Albi engineering school have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop new traceability functions for goods flows based on the study of data gathered by Internet of Things (IoT) sensors. The partners are hoping to unlock synergies between their various fields of activity in order to […]
• Konecranes to deliver 30 additional AGVs to Long Beach May 19, 2020
  Long Beach Container Terminal (LBCT) has ordered an additional 30 Konecranes Gottwald Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2020. These new AGVs will greatly expand LBCT’s current, complete system of 72 lead-acid battery-driven Konecranes AGVs which includes a Battery Exchange System (BES), transponder navigation and a fence control safety […]
• Good start to 2020 for Hapag-Lloyd May 18, 2020
  Hapag-Lloyd has seen a 6% increase in revenues during the first quarter of 2020, mainly due to an increase in transport volumes, despite the coronavirus pandemic. Transport volumes increased by 4.3% to more than 2m teu, with an improved freight rate of US$1,094 per teu. However transport expenses increased by almost 10%, disproportionately to revenues, […]
• DP World and Mastercard collaborate on digitising port payments for SMEs May 18, 2020
  DP World has partnered with Mastercard to digitise port ecosystem payment flows, aiming to enable cargo owners and small businesses to pay for their freight-related costs more efficiently and remotely, facilitating their ability to participate in global trade. The programme has been launched through the co-branded Trade Card in the Dominican Republic and will be […]
• CMA CGM secures €1.05bn loan backed by French government May 15, 2020
  CMA CGM Group has secured a €1.05bn (US$1.13bn) loan guaranteed up to 70% by the French state, as part of the government’s loan scheme established at the end of March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The syndicated loan, which is from a consortium of three banks comprising BNP Paribas, HSBC and Société Générale, has […]
• Port of Gdansk: first quarter results hit by COVID-19 May 15, 2020
  The Port of Gdansk’s results for the first quarter of 2020 show an 8.3% drop in total volume of goods handled by the port, reflecting the current global COVID-19 crisis. Decreases were recorded in most groups including containers, down 2.1% compared to the same period in 2019, as well as a 23.8% fall in roll-on […]
• Maersk warns of 20-25% slump in volumes May 14, 2020
  Despite managing to grow profitability during the first quarter of 2020, Maersk expects volumes in Q2 to decrease across all businesses possibly by 20-25%, as global demand plummets due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The world’s largest container shipping line blanked more than 90 sailings during Q1, leading to a decline of 3.5% in its average […]
• First RMG sale in Canada for Liebherr May 14, 2020
  Liebherr has sold its first rail-mounted gantry (RMG) in Canada as part of an order for Terminal Montreal Inc, which also included a ship-to-shore (STS) crane. Termont Montreal, which opened in 2016, has quickly reached capacity and the new Liebherr equipment will help increase its handling capacity to 600,000 teu. The RMG is able to […]
• HHLA financial results show early impacts of COVID-19 May 13, 2020
  Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) has recorded a moderate decrease in revenue and a significant drop in earnings for the first three months of the 2020 financial year. Earnings Before Interests and Taxes (EBIT) fell 38.6% to €36.7m (US$39.9m) while revenue decreased by 3.4% to €355.7m (US$386.7m). Meanwhile, Earnings Before Interests, Taxes, Depreciation and […]
• Panama Canal water levels steady again following record dry season May 13, 2020
  The Gatun Lake’s water levels can now accommodate a steady 45 ft draught, easing the Panama Canal Authority’s (ACP) worries, after it implemented water saving measures less than three months ago to cope with the fifth driest year at the canal in 70 years. Water levels are higher than projected for the start of the […]
• Home office access points increasingly targeted in cyberattacks May 12, 2020
  A large number of cyberattacks have been aimed at home office access points over the last few weeks, bremenports has warned. Due to the current pandemic, many companies have enabled their staff to work from home within a very short time however not all of the solutions have taken data security aspects fully into account. […]
• First phase of Tema Port expansion completed ahead of schedule May 12, 2020
  Meridian Port Services has completed the entire Phase 1 works of the expansion of Tema Port two months ahead of schedule. After two berths at MPS Terminal 3 went live at the end of June 2019, the entire Phase 1 works were due to be completed by June 28, 2020. Board chairman of MPS, Dr. […]
• European ports hit most by cargo vessel call reductions May 11, 2020
  Many European ports are feeling a greater impact of reduced cargo vessel calls than other regions of the world according to a study from the WPSP-IAPH World Ports COVID19 Task Force, set up by the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH). The European region also has a smaller share of ports now facing capacity […]
• Adani Ports posts positive FY20 results May 11, 2020
  Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ) has reported record container handling volumes for the financial year 2020 (FY2020), up 8% year-on-year at 6.25m teu. Overall cargo throughput grew 7% and Mundra continues to be the largest commercial port, handling 139 MMT during the year. Karan Adani, chief executive officer and whole time director […]

News from CN – Container News

• Zero carbon vessels require investment collaboration May 23, 2020
  More than ever, decarbonisation of shipping will require a substantial collaborative effort across maritime and energy stakeholders and beyond, says Katharine Palmer, Global Sustainability Manager, Marine & Offshore, Lloyd’s Register Shipping’s transition to low and ultimately zero-carbon operations will continue to be driven by the relationship between the new fuel technologies evolution and the associated […]
• Updated: Feeling for the bottom of the recession May 22, 2020
  According to the Danish consultancy Sea-Intelligence the level of blank sailings has reached a “plateau” although there are now more than 500 cancellations in total, this is not so different, from the cancellation levels seen last year. In addition Sea-Intelligence says that the carriers have been very successful in maintaining rates: as a consequence of […]
• Malta Freeport invests in automation systems May 22, 2020
  Navis has announced that Malta Freeport Terminals (MFT) upgraded to its Terminal Operating System (TOS) N4 3.7 with 100% remote assistance from Navis. Despite Covid-19 challenges, MFT was determined to proceed with its business plan and achieve its set goals amidst the pandemic and leveraged remote support from Navis to stick to their timeline, according […]
• HMM works with Kakao to digitalise its business May 22, 2020
  HMM has entered into a partnership with Kakao Enterprise to develop artificial intelligence (AI)-based platform services to digitally transform its customer facing operations. Kakao Enterprise is a unit of South Korean technology group Kakao, known for its KakaoTalk messaging app. The collaboration would see HMM and Kakao Enterprise developing chatbots and KakaoTalk (live chatting) systems […]
• Singaporean state investment firm Temasek mum on PIL bailout May 22, 2020
  The Singapore government’s investment company Temasek Holdings is remaining tight-lipped on market talk that it may take a stake in embattled liner operator Pacific International Lines (PIL). Privately held PIL, owned by the family of MD Teo Siong Seng, has admitted to being under financial strain amid the Covid-19 pandemic. PIL is understood to have […]
• Booking made simple for Maersk’s Pakistani fruit shippers May 22, 2020
  Maersk Pakistan added landside transportation in addition to the ocean leg of transport as part of the same booking for the citrus export season in 2019-2020. The Danish company says, that by adding the truck bookingelement it ensures that the cargo of fruit was picked from the packhouses of the exporters and delivered to container […]
• MSC adds blank sailings from Gulf May 22, 2020
  MSC will exclude one sailing during week 27 from SAEC to Gulf and week 30 from Gulf to SAEC (UCLA service) with the vessel Monte Aconcagua in order to adapt capacity to current market demands amid the evolving Covid-19 situation. “This notice relates to a single voyage only and all MSC’s ocean liner services are […]
• Sinopec sees increased bunker sales in China May 21, 2020
  Domestic very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) production has seen growth in China leading to increased bunker sales by the leading supplier Sinopec at the country’s ports, according to S&P Global Platts. Sinopec’s bunker sales at Chinese ports are close to 4.8 million tonnes/year, while the company increased its share of the China bunker market […]
• Tommi Ritscher crew released May 21, 2020
  Eight crew members held hostage for a month following an armed attack by pirates off the coast of West Africa have been released and are on their way home safe and well according to reports from Dryad Global. The 5,000TEU Tommi Ritscher, was attacked on 20 April, while at anchorage four miles off Benin. Eleven […]
• Singapore Salvage set to offload Shahraz cargo May 21, 2020
  Vessel operator Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), the owner-operator of the Shahraz, which was involved in a double grounding in the Singapore Straits, has appointed Singapore Salvage Engineers to offload cargo and lighter the remaining fuel on board the stranded vessel. The company told Container News that it has not signed a Lloyd’s […]

News from Tradewinds

• Capesize rates may suffer 'relatively low' Brazil iron ore exports May 22, 2020
  The virus crisis in Brazil is slowing iron ore exports and having a knock-on effect on demand for capesize bulkers
• Japanese shipowner becomes new Belships shareholder after ship-for-shares deal May 22, 2020
• Scorpio Tankers eyes the long game, but is anyone else playing? May 22, 2020
  Leverage comes under scrutiny as leading product tanker owner seeks to woo long-term institutional investors
• Webber v Teekay, round two: share deal compared to 'gimme' at 18th tee May 22, 2020
  Conference calls dominated by analyst pressing bosses on the rationale behind $123m cancellation of inter-group distribution rights
• Malta eyes tonnage influx after ironing out odd legal wrinkle May 22, 2020
  Companies registering on the island will no longer have to convert into a non-shipping company - and then back again
• Saudi Aramco puts LNG carrier newbuilding plans on ice May 22, 2020
  US liquefaction project delay and market turmoil has hit plans for another slew of new tonnage
• 'Selling chicken on a rainy day': SFL in no rush to dump handysizes May 22, 2020
  Ole Hjertaker says seven non-performing bulkers will be offloaded, but not in current markets
• Teekay Corp boss Kenneth Hvid reveals virus cases on FPSO May 22, 2020
  But CEO says tanker and LNG carrier fleet has remained free of Covid-19
• Crewing chaos will take many months to unwind, Greek shipping chamber warns May 22, 2020
  Shipping companies will face logistical and cash management challenges to change their crews, even after current coronavirus bans are lifted
• Hapag-Lloyd ship quarantined after two crew test positive May 22, 2020
  Seafarers confirmed with Covid-19 in Durban, South Africa

News from The Loadstar

• Spike in Asia-Europe spot rates as space tightens and rollovers increase May 22, 2020
  There has been a significant spike in carrier short-term container rate quotes from Asia to North Europe this week, as rollovers become the norm. According to eeSea data, ocean carriers on the route have withdrawn 28% of their headhaul sailings this month and reports from local agents suggest ships from China are sailing full, resulting […]
• Analysis: Jansen & Skou in ideological battle but Saadé laughs first May 22, 2020
  The most entertaining side, if there is one at all these days, of this rather dramatic Covid-19 pandemic era? Well, the container shipping masterminds are on a roll, often disagreeing: on corporate strategy (vertical integration, or the lack thereof); funding requirements (not enough cash is kicking around; or whether too much is up for grabs, […]
• Wan Hai stays in the black, but Evergreen and Yang Ming’s red ink raises merger talk May 21, 2020
  Niche carrier Wan Hai was the only Taiwanese container line to post a net profit in the first quarter of this year as its larger compatriots, Evergreen and Yang Ming, traded in the red. The parlous position of the liner industry has renewed speculation of a merger of these two into one state-sponsored container line, […]
• FTA says Treasury needs to bring forward ‘flexible furloughing’ to this month May 21, 2020
  The UK’s Freight Transport Association (FTA) has warned that unless the government creates a more flexible furlough scheme sooner, the sector could face a wave of redundancies when the economy begins to recover. FTA chief executive David Wells said today: “The furloughing scheme has been a lifeline for logistics businesses across the country, many of […]
• Growing demand for space pushes carriers to reinstate blanked voyages May 20, 2020
  As demand for container shipping appears set to increase, the top priority for shippers is securing space on vessels and container equipment, according to a new survey of European Shippers’ Council members. The survey, conducted in conjunction with Drewry Supply Chain Advisors, also found shippers were becoming increasing nervous about the financial position of their transport […]
• But transatlantic is ‘still suffering’, and voiding voyages goes on May 20, 2020
  Consumer lockdowns and recession in Europe and the US have obliged some carriers to withdraw more capacity on the transatlantic trade. 2M Alliance partners Maersk and MSC have advised customers they will extend the blanking programme of their TA4/NEUATL4 loop to the middle of June. Maersk said: “We are balancing our network to match reduced […]
• Shipper relief as Australia’s plan for biosecurity levy is scrapped May 20, 2020
  Australian shippers breathed a sigh of relief today with the scrapping of the controversial plan for a biosecurity import levy. The department of agriculture said the move followed industry consultation which suggested the levy “could not be implemented without significant regulatory impacts on industry and proposed levy payers.” It added: “This decision has also been […]
• Frenemies: air cargo should embrace its freight cousins, not passengers May 20, 2020
  The Loadstar has never been glowing about IATA: the behemoth lobby group that insists on keeping cargo in a corner, though profiting highly from it, and is piloted by the passenger business. But – and one suspects this is down to the cargo team – in a brilliant spirit of cooperation, it has stepped up to help […]
• Jonathan Daniels named as new CEO at Port Everglades May 20, 2020
  Jonathan Daniels is to become the new chief executive and port director at Port Everglades in the US. His appointment comes as the port is undergoing a $1.6bn expansion project. Port owner Broward County administrator Bertha Henry said: “The search for a director who could lead our seaport into the future was exhaustive, and I am […]
• Over the hedge: Ups & downs in logistics as in marriage – APMM, Hapag, WTC, Danaos et al May 20, 2020
  In business and investing like in marriage, there are times when you just do things that are completely detached from rational and objective planning, let alone behaviour. The involvement of human beings makes it more difficult to maintain mutual respect than if you are just looking at a pretty dry – for some – index […]

News from Transport Topics

• 5G and the Future of Fleet Communications May 22, 2020
  The much-hyped rollout of 5G networks is underway in the United States, and this fifth generation of wireless technology promises to deliver faster connections and ­greater capacity. But what will the emergence of 5G mean for trucking companies?
• Keeping ELDs Up and Running May 22, 2020
  Electronic logging devices are now a mission-critical component of regulatory compliance in trucking, but anything from hardware failure to a lack of cellular connectivity can create disruptions.
• The Power of Podcasting May 22, 2020
  Amidst the wide array of highly sophisticated digital tools marketers are using to increase profits, a surprising — and decidedly low-tech — alternative is scoring big gains for trucking companies: the simple podcast.
• Next Generation of Wireless Technology: 5G Holds Promise May 22, 2020
  As trucking increasingly incorporates digital elements, a pressing question grows: What can 5G do for the industry? A lot, as it turns out.
• California Becomes Epicenter of Emerging Truck Technology May 22, 2020
  With its emissions mandates, tough labor laws, inspection requirements and extensive regulations, California has become both a difficult and expensive environment for trucking.
• Ryder Expands E-Commerce Fulfillment Network May 21, 2020
  Ryder System Inc. added food-grade capabilities and additional locations to its e-commerce fulfillment network, the company announced May 20.
• Despite Lower Gas Prices, AAA Expects Fewer Travelers This Memorial Day Weekend May 21, 2020
  The coronavirus pandemic has undermined road travel data, but anecdotal information points to fewer drivers likely to take to the road for Memorial Day weekend, AAA announced.
• Call Center Staffs Work From Home Due to Coronavirus May 21, 2020
  Call centers industrywide have made a swift shift to working from home in response to the coronavirus.
• Nation’s Courts Feeling Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic May 21, 2020
  The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the nation’s court systems, and for trucking, legal experts believe it could have a long-term effect on how juries view cases involving motor carriers.
• Mnuchin Says ‘Strong Likelihood’ for More Stimulus Spending May 21, 2020
  Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Congress very likely will need to pass more stimulus legislation for the U.S. economy, as the nation struggles to recover from the coronavirus outbreak.
• Samsara Announces Layoffs, Raises Capital May 21, 2020
  Transportation technology company Samsara laid off 300 employees, or 18% of its workforce, and raised additional capital amid the challenges presented by novel coronavirus pandemic.
• NHTSA Lets Self-Driving Shuttle Resume Carrying People May 21, 2020
  A self-driving shuttle service that was ordered to stop carrying passengers in February has been cleared to resume operations with new safety precautions.
• Semi-Tough: Watch 185-Pound Football Player Pull 22,000-Pound Truck May 21, 2020
  Canadian Football League player Lucky Whitehead pulled his pickup truck, which sparked a friendly competition and led to a tractor-pull challenge.
• Transport Topics Radio May 21, 2020
  Transport Topics Radio is a weekly news roundtable airing Saturdays on SiriusXM channel 146 from 1-3 p.m. ET and rebroadcast Saturday nights from 11 p.m.-1 a.m. ET, and Sundays from noon-2 p.m. ET and 9-11 p.m. ET. Check out this week's lineup.
• Unlike China, India Oil Demand Stays Weak as Economy Falters May 21, 2020
  It’s going to take months for oil demand in the world’s third-biggest market to get back to pre-virus levels as India faces its deepest recession ever in the wake of its near two-month lockdown.
• Tesla Drops Lawsuit Against Alameda County May 21, 2020
  Electric carmaker Tesla dropped a federal lawsuit against Alameda County filed less than two weeks ago after resuming manufacturing at its Fremont plant against local orders.
• Coronavirus-Triggered Layoffs in US Hit 38.6 Million May 21, 2020
  The number of Americans thrown out of work since the coronavirus crisis struck two months ago has climbed to nearly 39 million, the government said May 21.
• How America Is Thanking Truckers During the Coronavirus Crisis May 21, 2020
  As America grapples with the coronavirus and daily life is altered, the nation's truck drivers are among those who are risking their personal health and doing the hard work to keep products moving. And their effort is being recognized. Here are some examples.
• Senate Committee Advances FMCSA Safety Grants Bill May 20, 2020
  Legislation aimed at facilitating financial assistance from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration was easily approved by a Senate panel on May 20.
• Trump Transportation Nominees Finch Fulton, Diana Furchtgott-Roth Advance to Senate Floor May 20, 2020
  Nominees for senior-level posts at the U.S. Department of Transportation were approved by the Senate Commerce Committee on May 20.