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 […]
Read MoreThe 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 […]
Read MoreThe debate over China’s manufacturing overcapacity has ignited intense discussions among policymakers. During her trip to China in April, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen raised concerns about the impact of “artificially cheap Chinese products flooding the global market,” questioning the sustainability of foreign firms, echoing similar concerns from a decade ago. Yellen’s observation holds […]
Read MoreThe 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 […]
Read MoreOcean Network Express (ONE) has obtained design approval for a revolutionary ammonia-fueled container ship, signaling its commitment to exploring diverse zero-carbon fuels for the maritime industry. The approval, granted by the classification society DSV, pertains to the design of a dual-fuel 3,500-TEU ship capable of being powered by ammonia—a colorless chemical that emits no […]
Read MoreThe 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 […]
Read MoreThe spot rates for shipping goods from Asia to the US have risen sharply this week, as carriers applied the planned GRIs on Jan. 15 and added a PSS for both the West and East coast deliveries. Moreover, importers who send their cargo to the East Coast through the Panama or Suez canals, or […]
Read MoreWest Coast ports are bracing for a tidal wave of incoming goods as supply chain woes and international tension collide. This perfect storm stems from several factors: Inventory restocking: Retailers are replenishing shelves after periods of low stock, driving up import demand. Homecoming cargo: Goods that shifted to other ports during last year’s labor talks are returning to […]
Read MoreThe Red Sea, one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, faces unprecedented risks as Houthi rebels launch escalating attacks on commercial vessels. Houthi Motives and the Murky Web of Attacks: The Houthis, backed by Iran, claim their strikes target vessels with Israeli ties. However, experts highlight the indiscriminate nature of attacks, raising concerns about […]
Read MoreOn December 26, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) made an important announcement regarding the extension of active Section 301 China product exclusions. Originally slated to conclude on December 31, 2023, the 429 exclusions are now set to endure until May 31, 2024, as outlined in a comprehensive report by the […]
Read More