A renewed push to revive US commercial shipbuilding is stirring debate, following the Biden administration’s decision—carried over from a Trump-era stance—to levy steep fines on Chinese-built and Chinese-owned vessels. Announced on April 17 by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the policy aims to send a “demand signal for US-built ships,” according […]
Read MoreWith cargo theft and fraud on the rise, transportation and shipping organizations are urging the U.S. House of Representatives to pass legislation that would create a multi-agency federal task force to tackle cargo crime and strengthen penalties against offenders. The primary legislation in focus is the Safeguarding Our Supply Chains Act, introduced in June, alongside […]
Read MoreAir freight rates from China to the US have plummeted since Lunar New Year, driven by the typical post-holiday slowdown and uncertainty over new US trade restrictions on low-value imports under the “de minimis” threshold. Though the sharp decline in spot prices has stabilized in March, average rates from Shanghai to the US were down […]
Read MoreHouthi 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 […]
Read MoreInternational intermodal traffic along the U.S. West Coast saw a significant surge in January, driven by import frontloading and cargo diversions stemming from concerns over new U.S. tariffs and potential labor disruptions along the East and Gulf coasts. This uptick in West Coast activity continued a trend that began last fall, particularly in the ports […]
Read MoreCargo crime in the U.S. is not only increasing but also shifting to new regions as thieves adapt to changing supply chain patterns, according to a report by supply chain security firm Overhaul. Overhaul predicts cargo theft will continue rising at double-digit rates in 2025, though at a slower pace than in 2024. Criminals are […]
Read MoreThe Trump administration is considering new tariffs aimed at the container shipping industry, proposing steep port usage fees on Chinese-built and Chinese-operated vessels calling at U.S. ports. Additionally, U.S. exporters may face rising costs under a separate proposal requiring an increasing share of exports to be transported on American ships. If enacted, these measures could […]
Read MoreOcean carriers remain unwilling to restore services through the Red Sea and Suez Canal until a “full and permanent” ceasefire is established between Israel and Hamas, according to Inchcape Shipping Services. The ongoing instability in the region suggests that vessel diversions around southern Africa will continue for the foreseeable future, Chris Greenwood, vice president of […]
Read MoreThe International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) announced late Wednesday that they have reached a tentative agreement on a new master contract, covering ports from Maine to Texas. While the deal awaits ratification by ILA locals and USMX members, it averts a looming port strike and secures labor stability along […]
Read MoreNegotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the US Maritime Alliance have stalled for over a month, with President-elect Donald Trump voicing clear support for the ILA’s stance. With a potential strike looming on January 15th, it’s crucial to assess the cascading impacts this event could have, not only during the strike itself but […]
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