Global News
Op-Ed: Black Sea Grain Deal Must Resume, Even if it Means Concessions
Grain terminal damaged by Russian missile strike, July 2023 (Ukrainian Ministry of Agriculture) PUBLISHED JUL 23, 2023 3:48 PM BY THE LOWY INTERPRETER [By John Denton] Earlier this week, Russia announced that it would suspend its participation in the Black...
Port of LA box volumes continue rebound in June, down 24% in H1
Container volumes at the Port of Los Angeles continued to bounce back in June and were just 5% below the record number seen a year earlier. Marcus Hand | Jul 13, 2023 The Port of LA handled 833,035 teu in June this year its strongest month since July last year, and 5%...
Is IMO 2020 shipping regulation worsening global warming?
Pollution-reducing regulation may be having negative side effect It is scorching out there. High-temperature records are being broken daily. Oceans off some shores are as hot as bathwater. What is to blame? The list of culprits and possible culprits includes fossil...
Work Resumes at Canadian West Coast Ports as Federal Terms End Strike
The nearly two-week old strike at Canada's West Coast ports came to an end as federal mediators presented terms to the union and employeers (file photo) PUBLISHED JUL 13, 2023 5:55 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE Canada’s 13-day port strike impacting more than 30...
Australia Bans Second Briese Heavylift Ship in Ongoing Safety Effort
Australia banned the BBC Pearl for 180-days in an ongoing safety effort (AMSA) PUBLISHED JUL 10, 2023 2:00 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE Australia is continuing what its safety authority is calling “a crackdown on unsafe and unseaworthy vessels,” issuing the fifth...
California Will Invest $1.5 Billion in Port Infrastructure Upgrades
California announced plans to invest $1.5 billion in the states ports and supporting infrastructure (file photo) PUBLISHED JUL 6, 2023 5:55 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE California announced plans for a statewide investment program designed to enhance the...
China container ports handle 122 million teu in Jan – May
The ports in China have achieved positive growth both in container and cargo throughput during the first five months of this year. Katherine Si | Jul 03, 2023 From January to May, China’s ports posted a container volume of 122 million teu, an increase of...
Autonomous learners and autonomous ships
Equipping seafarers with better language skills is essential for shipping’s transformation and enables the next generation of maritime leaders, writes Catherine Logie, Director, Direct to Consumer Services, Ocean Technologies Group. Catherine Logie | Jun 30, 2023...
Canadian dockers issue strike notice
Members of the International Longshore Workers Union (ILWU) Canada have issued a 72-hour strike notice that that will see industrial action begin around 0800 hrs on 1 July. Nick Savvides | Jun 29, 2023 Unionised dockers voted overwhelmingly for strike action on 9 and...
How could sooner-than-expected Russian defeat impact shipping?
Speculation grows on post-Ukraine war scenarios for ocean shipping The situation in Russia and Ukraine — and its potential effect on global trade flows — is changing fast. On Friday, the EU released details on its new sanctions package targeting Russia’s crude exports...
World Moves Closer to a Global Plastics Treaty
PUBLISHED JUN 25, 2023 5:05 PM BY CHINA DIALOGUE OCEAN [By Emma Bryce] Each year, an estimated 200 tonnes of plastic drifts down the River Seine through Paris and into the sea. It’s a tiny fraction of the 14 million tonnes that tips into the...
Day of the Seafarer 2023: A Message From Wallem
PUBLISHED JUN 23, 2023 6:39 PM BY JOHN-KAARE AUNE On the Day of the Seafarer 2023, Wallem would like to express its gratitude to the many talented men and women worldwide whose unwavering commitment to their profession helps to keep ships sailing and goods...
Asia-Med container rates settle $1,000 per feu over Asia-Northern Europe
The volatile spread of container rates between Mediterranean and Northern Europe routes from Asia looks to have steadied around the $1,000 per feu mark. Gary Howard | Jun 22, 2023 Analysis from Xeneta showed that operators on the Asia – Med route are paying a premium...
Digital solutions for Smart Bunkering
Short deliveries are a real issue in bunkering and Ascenz Marorka is the first to introduce a digital monitoring solution for mass flow meters. Ascenz Marorka | Jun 19, 2023 Introduction In 2022, an independent study[1] conducted by the consulting company BLUE Insight...
System Demonstrators: Swedish Ports as a Case Study for Innovation
PUBLISHED JUN 18, 2023 8:03 PM BY MIKAEL LIND ET AL. [By Mikael Lind, Wolfgang Lehmacher, Andreas Netz, and Richard T. Watson] A country’s ability to improve its standard of living over time depends almost entirely on its ability to raise its capital...
West Coast port labor deal reached; peak season chaos averted
Tentative agreement on new 6-year contract, subject to ratification Negotiations on the West Coast port labor contract dragged on for months longer than expected, with tempers flaring along the way. Work disruptions began affecting ship schedules and container...
81% drop in first quarter container line EBIT
First quarter container line EBIT dropped by 81% on-year in the first quarter 2023, but still remains above pre-pandemic levels. Gary Howard | Jun 09, 2023 Figures from Sea-Intelligence showed that while revenues decline 35-70% year-on-year in the quarter, EBIT of...
Port of Seattle Suspends Container Operations Due to ILWU Actions
PMA reports Port of Seattle is shut down due to actions by the ILWU (Seattle file photo) PUBLISHED JUN 10, 2023 6:47 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE Container operations at the Port of Seattle, Washington have been suspended since Friday, June 9, and did not resume...
Panama Canal takes water saving measures in face of ‘unprecedented drought’
With draught restrictions already in place the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) is implementing water saving procedures as it battles one of the worst droughts the waterway has seen. Michele Labrut | Jun 07, 2023 The arrival of the “El Nino’ phenomenon could worsen the...
Container export dwell time at Chinese ports falls 62%
Dwell times for export containers at China's ports have fallen to under five days while import dwell times have risen in recent weeks. Gary Howard | Jun 05, 2023 According to data from FourKites, ocean dwell times – the difference between gate times and vessel...
Shippers Calls for Biden to Intervene to Reopen West Coast Ports
Port of Los Angeles highlights that it is open with no vessels backed up while the current labor dispute continues (Port of Los Angeles) PUBLISHED JUN 5, 2023 4:27 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE With uncertainty over how long and how wide the disruptions will be in...
Trans-Pacific spot container shipping rates are inching up
Shipping lines’ latest round of general rate increases partially successful Shipping lines have pulled Asia-U.S. spot rates off the floor, but it’s a slog: two steps up, one step back, another two steps up, a slide back again. The general rate increase (GRI) on...
Ship financing in uncertain times
A long-term perspective is essential for financing maritime portfolios in a period of extraordinary market volatility. Michael de Visser | May 26, 2023 Discussing ship finance, one of the key themes at Europort 2023, Michael de Visser, Managing Director of...
Protecting Ports for a Secure Global Supply Chain
A recent Wall Street Journal article highlighted the importance of defending against port cyber attacks. The article outlines upcoming regulations which will encourage more action to prevent attacks. Ports are a significant point within the maritime supply...
Study: Melting Antarctic Ice Could Slow Vital Ocean Currents
A new study has found that melting Antarctic ice is slowing one of the world’s significant deep ocean currents, which could have a wide-reaching impact on marine ecosystems. Antarctica is a unique landscape and its environment has a huge impact on the rest of the...
Hamburg Container Throughput Declines Due to Loss of Russia Trade
Hamburg cited the loss of Russian trade contributing to a soft first quarter 2023 (file photo) PUBLISHED MAY 19, 2023 5:42 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE Leading ports in Europe continue to be impacted by the loss of Russia-related business due to sanctions. The...
Container freight market normalisation is ‘not really normal’
Article-Container freight market normalisation is ‘not really normal’ There’s been a lot of talk of normalisation of container shipping markets, but Xeneta analyst Peter Sand doesn’t believe it is normal at all. Barry Parker | May 18, 2023 “Then again, it’s not really...
Houston’s Export Levels Grow as Port Rises in U.S. Rankings
Houston rose to 5th in the U.S. rankings based on the strength of its 2022 volumes PUBLISHED MAY 16, 2023 7:10 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE The Port of Houston, Texas continues to outpace the industry showing strong volumes than many other U.S. ports due in part...
Ammonia-Fueled Bulkers Could Start Australia’s Green Corridor by 2028
Pilbara Ports handled 279 vessels and has the potential to be a first mover in ammonia-fueled vessels (pilbara Ports Authority) PUBLISHED MAY 15, 2023 7:33 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE A feasibility study on the potential for the Australia-East Asia Iron Ore...
Recession, geopolitics and costs top supply chain fears
A recession in the US, geopolitical tensions and rising operating costs were the top concerns among supply chain professionals, according to a recent survey. Gary Howard | May 10, 2023 Container xChange surveyed 1200 supply chain professionals, asking what disruptions...
Container line schedule reliability returning to pre-Covid levels
Container line schedule reliability is continuing to improve returning to pre-pandemic levels according to analysts Sea-Intelligence. Marcus Hand | May 09, 2023 After a dramatic 7.7 percentage points increase in reliability between January and February this year...
Lifeboats on Cargo Ships Need to Be Redesigned to Improve Crew Safety
While there have been significant advancements in developing lifesaving equipment, the Container Ship Safety Forum says there are far too many injuries to crewmembers aboard cargo ships while launching lifeboats. The industry association, which has a goal to improve...
Imports Continue Slow Climb Despite Cuts in 2023 Forecast
Retail import levels are continuing a slow but steady rise from the three-year lows experienced at the beginning of 2023. The National Retail Federation however continues to lower its forecasts cutting its projections for the second quarter and for the first half of...
As oil tumbles, marine fuel gets cheaper — and so do tanker stocks
VLSFO-HSFO marine fuel spread sinks below $100 threshold Russia — one of the world’s top energy providers — is mired in war. The OPEC cartel is cutting production. And yet, oil prices continue to tumble, weighed by global recession fears and concerns on Chinese...
AD Ports Group expands dry bulk fleet, moves into tankers
AD Ports Group is expanding its shipping fleet with the acquisition of five bulk carriers and three crude oil tankers. “The five bulk carriers, to be purchased for $125 million, form part of the long-term agreement with Saif Powertec, signed in April 2022, for the...
California to Start Phase Out All Diesel Trucks at Ports Next Year
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved on April 28 a first-of-its-kind rule that requires a phased transition toward zero-emission medium-and-heavy duty vehicles. Known as Advanced Clean Fleets, the new rule expands on California’s efforts to fully...
Trans-Atlantic shipping rates keep sinking as imports from Europe fall
Building material imports, which previously supported freight rates, are down The trans-Atlantic westbound trade has been a star performer for container lines over the past year, a bright spot amid a global slide. Europe-to-U.S. rates have been an outlier, staying far...
Spot container freight rates on the rise
Spot container rates would seem to be turning a corner with key indexes starting to rise after the collapse seen over the previous year. Both Drewry’s World Container Index (WCI) and the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) posted rises this week. SCFI rose...
Singapore, Los Angeles, and Long Beach Agree to Green Corridor
The ports of Singapore, Los Angeles, and Long Beach became the latest to join the growing list of port authorities committing to the formation of green corridors in the support of the UN initiative and the efforts to achieve global decarbonization. The latest...
As Asia-US shipping rates rise, so does skepticism on staying power
Linerlytica says May 1 rate hikes delayed due to weak demand Container lines have used general rate increases (GRIs) to forcibly push up Asia-U.S. spot rates, yet there’s widespread skepticism on rates’ staying power given the gravitational pull of weak demand....
Starlink making waves in maritime – fast growing interest from major shipping companies
Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite communications service is attracting a growing list leading names in the maritime world. This week saw announcements by Columbia Ship Management (CSM) and Costamare as the latest companies to trial the service provided provided by a...
Reshaping the Future of Logistics: An Outlook on Warehousing Automation Trends
Despite an expected slowing pace of automation in 2023, the forecast is for stronger growth through 2027. According to Interact Analysis’ Warehouse Automation – 2022 report, between 2024 and 2027, the market is forecast to grow at a 19% CAGR, driven by improving...
Los Angeles and Long Beach Port Shutdown Sparks Fears of Retailer Exodus
The port of LOS ANGELES and LONG BEACH shut down for 24 hours from April 6th to 7th due to a mass absence of the majority of workers. The Labor Union and their employers at these ports had been involved in strained negotiations for months. On the...
China-Russia vs. US-EU: How global shipping is slowly splitting in two
Taiwan tensions are latest flash point; geopolitics is reshaping trade Another meeting between a House speaker and Taiwan’s president, another spike in tensions in the Taiwan Strait. Last summer’s meeting between Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and Nancy...
Union Workers Skip Shifts Closing Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles
Crane operators and drivers of cargo-handling equipment failed to show up for work starting with Thursday, April 6, evening shift effectively bringing the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to a standstill. Neither the Pacific Maritime Association, which represents...
$34.7bn container line profits mark second straight quarterly decline
The major container lines recorded profits of $34.7bn in the fourth quarter 2022 and are on track for an 80% drop in 2023 profits. Consolidating the results of the sector, Blue Alpha Capital’s John McCown saw a 33.9% drop in profits compared to the year-ago quarter,...
UK’s logistics sector positive on Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal
The UK’s freight and logistics sector has welcomed news that the UK has joined the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) trade deal although they say it won’t be a “game changer”. The CPTPP covers 500m people across Australia,...
Supply Chain Trends in 2023
After three years of crisis, the data show that supply chain conditions are improving. That will allow supply chain leaders in 2023 to resurrect initiatives that may have been sidelined — including data and digitalization programs and sustainability efforts. ...
Container cranes lag container ships by a generation
Shoreside infrastructure continues to suffer diseconomies of scale as container ships grow, adding a column per generation. Speaking at CMA Shipping 2023 last week, Shmuel Yahalom, Ph.D., Distinguished Service Professor of Economics and Transportation at SUNY Maritime...
Contract box rates likely to dip as US negotiation season approaches
Oslo-based analyst, Xeneta, expects shippers to hold the whip hand when this year’s long-term container contract negotiations gather pace through April and May. Latest figures from Xeneta show that global long-term ocean rates have fallen by 24% since their August...