06 Nov 2023

Container Freight Rates Expected to Fall in November

After four weeks of gains, spot container freight rates are expected to decline in November, as shipping lines continue to add capacity despite weak demand. The Shanghai Containerised Freight Index (SCFI) closed on 3 November with Transpacific rates still up, but Shanghai-North Europe rates had already begun to retreat. This is due to carriers adding […]

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06 Oct 2023

PierPass Fees at Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to Increase 4% Effective November 1, 2023

  Members of the West Coast Marine Terminal Operators Agreement (WCMTOA) announced that the PierPass fee will increase on November 1, 2023 by 4 percent, from USD 34.21 per TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit), and USD 68.42 for all other container sizes, to USD 35.57 per TEU, and USD 71.14 per FEU (forty-foot equivalent unit), respectively. This fee is called […]

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31 Aug 2023

West Coast Ports – ILWU Ratifies Contract

  PACIFIC MARITIME ASSOCIATION STATEMENT ON FINAL CONTRACT APPROVALS SAN FRANCISCO (August 31, 2023) PMA President and CEO Jim McKenna issued the following statement today about the International Longshore and Warehouse Union’s approval of the new six-year contact. The contract, already approved by PMA member companies, is retroactive to July 1, 2022 and runs through […]

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16 Jun 2023

Rebounding US Warehouse Demand Could Benefit from Resolution of West Coast Port Dispute

A potential strike that could have had adverse effects on the demand for industrial warehouses in North America’s thriving commercial property sector seems to have been avoided with a tentative agreement between union dockworkers and West Coast port operators. Late Wednesday, the Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union announced that they […]

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15 Jun 2023

West Coast Port Labor Negotiations – Tentative Agreement Announced

  Late last night, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association announced a tentative agreement on a new six-year deal. The details of the agreement were not released. The agreement must now be ratified by both parties. A copy of Acing Secretary of Labor Julie Su’s statement on the deal can be […]

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14 Jun 2023

Impact of Panama Canal Load Restrictions and US Stevedore Strikes on the Global Shipping Sector

As the bustling summer season kicks off, labor disputes have disrupted the flow of shipping in the United States. Members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union have staged protests, resulting in congestion and delays at U.S. West Coast ports, as reported by CNBC. The average wait times for container vessels attempting to enter Los […]

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10 Jun 2023

Baltimore Field Office of CBP Secures Top Rank in Intercepting Stolen Vehicles Bound for Overseas Shipment

During fiscal year 2022 (October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2022), the Baltimore Field Office of CBP achieved a significant milestone by intercepting 239 stolen vehicles, surpassing all other CBP field offices nationwide. The total value of these vehicles amounted to nearly $11.5 million. This accomplishment highlights the effectiveness of CBP officers in preventing stolen […]

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05 Jun 2023

Retailers and Manufacturers Call on White House to Intervene in Labor Dispute at West Coast Ports

WASHINGTON/LOS ANGELES, June 5 (Reuters) – Major retailers and manufacturers are urging the White House to step in and mediate the labor negotiations at West Coast ports, expressing concerns about potential disruptions to shipping during crucial holiday shopping seasons. This call comes after the closure of the largest terminal at the Port of Long Beach […]

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03 May 2023

Mitigating Risks to Hull and Cargo: Strategies for a Secure Journey

  The transportation of hazardous and combustible goods through containers has been on the rise, posing an increasing risk to both container shipping and car carrier vessels. Additionally, the prevalence of Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries has added to the potential dangers. Larger vessels now handle these hazardous cargos, amplifying the consequences of fires and resulting in […]

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