21 May 2025

European Ports Under Pressure: Delays Mount with No Clear Alternatives

Port congestion across Europe continues to intensify, particularly in Bremerhaven, where labor shortages have surpassed expectations. Jannik Amstutz, senior ocean freight manager for Germany, reported average delays of five to six days depending on the port of destination. “While the pleasant weather is welcome, a lack of rainfall is contributing to low water levels on […]

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07 May 2025

Houthis to Halt Red Sea Attacks

U.S. President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Yemen’s Houthi militants have agreed to cease their 18-month campaign of missile and drone attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. If confirmed, this could pave the way for major ocean carriers to resume using the Suez Canal, potentially creating vessel overcapacity in an already strained container […]

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28 Mar 2025

SoCal Ports Overflowing: Import Surge Triggers Empty Container Crisis

A quick update on the current logistics landscape in Southern California and what shippers can do to mitigate potential disruptions: Import Surge and Empty Container Imbalance January saw a sharp increase in imports as shippers rushed to beat anticipated U.S. tariffs and Lunar New Year factory closures. Year-over-year import growth: Port of Long Beach: up […]

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10 Mar 2025

Houthis Threaten to Resume Red Sea Attacks Over Gaza Blockade

Houthi militants have warned they will restart attacks on merchant shipping in the Red Sea unless Israel restores humanitarian aid and electricity to Gaza, which were cut earlier this month. In a televised speech on March 8, Houthi leader Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi gave Israel four days to lift the blockade on Gaza aid, halted since March […]

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19 Nov 2024

Importers Face Record Rail Delays at LA-Long Beach Ports Amid 2-Year High Container Dwell Times

Rail container dwell times at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach reached their highest levels in two years last month and are expected to stay elevated through January. This surge is driven by higher-than-usual import volumes, partially due to cargo diversions from the East and Gulf Coasts. In October, containers destined for rail […]

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23 Oct 2024

Global Trade Feels the Shockwaves from ILA Strike, Analysts Warn

The recent three-day strike by dockworkers at East and Gulf coast ports may have ended quickly, but its effects will be felt in global trade for weeks to come. Lars Jensen, CEO of Vespucci Maritime and container shipping analyst for the Journal of Commerce, warned Thursday that shippers should brace for a delayed reduction in […]

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21 Oct 2024

Rail Delays Soar as LA-LB Ports Hit Record Import Highs in September

  In September, rail container dwell times at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach hit their highest levels in two years as the ports experienced a surge in import volumes from Asia. This spike is partially attributed to retailers redirecting cargo from the East and Gulf coasts due to a looming longshore strike. […]

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08 Oct 2024

Hurricane Double Blow Shakes US Trucking Market, Driving Spot Rates Higher

Truckload spot rates across the southeastern U.S. are rising sharply in response to back-to-back hurricanes. After Hurricane Helene ravaged parts of Florida to North Carolina, the trucking market experienced significant disruption. Now, as Hurricane Milton approaches the Gulf Coast of Florida, spot rates are climbing even higher. Last week saw nationwide increases in spot rates […]

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25 Jan 2024

Red Sea Disruption: Rerouted Ships, Tighter Markets, but No Global Chaos

The Red Sea disruption to container shipping remains uncertain in terms of duration, according to Drewry Maritime Research. The anticipation is that carriers might not resume Suez Canal transits until the elimination of the risk of attack, a process expected to take months rather than weeks. Despite this, Drewry’s analysis suggests that the impact on […]

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20 Dec 2023

Canals in Chaos: Suez Attacks and Panama Drought Threaten Global Trade

Double Trouble: Global supply chains are bracing for a potential “milder version” of the pandemic’s crisis due to disruptions at both the Suez and Panama Canals. Attacks by Houthi militants in the Red Sea have forced shipping companies to reroute vessels, adding 7-10 days to voyages and potentially doubling ocean freight prices. Meanwhile, drought-induced restrictions […]

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