03 May 2025

Global Shipping Shake-Up: Tariffs, Blank Sailings, and the Battle for Capacity

The suspension of China–U.S. shipments and a wave of blank sailings on the trans-Pacific trade lane may lead to a significant redistribution of vessel capacity, according to Alexandra Ilascu of Kuehne + Nagel. Speaking during the Journal of Commerce’s Asia-Europe webinar, Ilascu warned that these shifts are likely to impact other trade routes, including Asia-Europe […]

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21 Apr 2025

USTR Finalizes Section 301 Actions on China Shipbuilding

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has announced its final actions regarding the Section 301 investigation into China’s shipbuilding industry, introducing significant changes from the initial proposals. Key Changes and Fee Structure: Revised Fees: Instead of a flat fee, new fees will be based on vessel net tonnage (NT) or container count and will apply per […]

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15 Jan 2025

E-Commerce Shifts: From Air to Sea Freight

E-commerce shipments to the US are showing signs of a shift from air cargo to sea freight, with potential changes to de minimis rules likely to accelerate this trend. This perspective was highlighted during Freightos’ “Global Freight Outlook” webinar, which explored how actions by the incoming Trump administration might impact e-commerce airfreight. Currently, de minimis […]

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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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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 White […]

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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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04 Jun 2024

Deja Vu: Container Shipping Market Faces Repeat of Pandemic Chaos

  The container shipping industry is experiencing a worrying trend – a repeat of the supply chain disruptions that plagued the world during the pandemic. This shortage of ships, coupled with high demand, threatens to send shipping rates soaring and cause significant delays. Unless there’s a quick turnaround, freight rates could skyrocket, potentially reaching a […]

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30 Jan 2024

ONE Design Approval for Ammonia-Powered Container Ship

Ocean 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 CO2 […]

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