20 Nov 2024

‘Machines Don’t Feed Families’: East Coast Port Tensions Escalate

The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) has abruptly ended contract negotiations with East and Gulf Coast port employers, accusing them of attempting to introduce automation technology into the new labor agreement—something the union says would threaten its members’ jobs. The talks, which resumed this week in New Jersey between the ILA and the United States Maritime […]

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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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18 Nov 2024

Hapag-Lloyd Predicts Pre-Lunar New Year Cargo Rush Amid Strong Demand

Hapag-Lloyd anticipates a possible cargo surge ahead of the Lunar New Year in January, driven in part by shippers aiming to avoid potential new U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods under the incoming Trump administration. Despite strong fourth-quarter demand, the carrier expects profitability to dip compared to its record-breaking third quarter. “There could be a rush […]

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04 Nov 2024

High Imports and Low Blanks Extend Peak Season on Trans-Pacific Routes

The eastbound trans-Pacific trade is experiencing an unusually extended peak season, with steady demand for imports from Asia and fewer-than-expected blank sailings announced for November. Carriers are holding off on the typical reduction in services, seeking to maintain higher rates as import levels remain strong. Typically, import demand from Asia decreases as Black Friday approaches, […]

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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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18 Oct 2024

Global Ripple Effects of ILA Strike

    The recent three-day strike by dockworkers at East and Gulf Coast ports is set to cause a delayed reduction in capacity on certain trade lanes and may impact cargo frontloading ahead of a possible work stoppage in January, according to container shipping analyst Lars Jensen. Although the strike lasted only from October 1-3, […]

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04 Oct 2024

Ports Reopen: ILA End Strike with Wage Offer, Contract Extension.

  After weeks of contentious negotiations, maritime employers and the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) have reached a tentative deal to reopen container terminals at East and Gulf coast ports. The agreement includes a substantial wage increase for dockworkers and a three-month contract extension while formal negotiations continue. The breakthrough, announced Thursday evening, comes after the […]

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01 Oct 2024

East Coast Port Strike Begins, Sparking Fears of Shortages and Price Increases

As of 12:01 A.M., October 1st, 2024, the long-anticipated strike by the ILA (the International Longshoremen’s Association) has officially begun, leading to a complete shutdown of all U.S. East and Gulf Coast ports until further notice. This development means that no cargo can move in or out of these ports. Our sources indicate that the […]

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06 Jun 2024

Navigating Container Shortages in 2024: Implications for North American Intermodal

The global supply chain is facing an unexpected challenge in 2024: a shortage of containers. Despite the significant capacity added by ocean carriers, recent reports and spot prices indicate that container scarcity is a reality. But what does this mean for North American intermodal transportation, and could it lead to a repeat of the chaos […]

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01 Feb 2024

Anticipated Shifts in 2024 US Container Import Patterns Aligning with Key Sourcing

The slight shifts in the percentage of containerized imports from China to the United States align with three major trends acknowledged by both the business and geopolitical communities: China Plus One, incremental gains in friendshoring by volume, and an increased reliance on Vietnam and India. To mitigate their dependence on China, US retailers and other […]

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