Ocean Cargo

Coming off of October, which marked the worst performing month for United States-bound waterborne shipments since March 2016, or three and a half years, in absolute terms, when there was a 19.4% decline, imports fell again in November but at a reduced rate, according to data issued this week by global trade intelligence firm Panjiva.

Carrier alliances and slow steaming bear scrutiny

POLA handled 736,466 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units), marking the busiest April in the port’s 112-year history, topping April 2017, the previous April high, of 714,755 TEU, by 3%. Total POLB April volume, at 628,121 TEU, increased 1.6% annually, topping the previous best April volume performance from 2006, at 619,512 TEU.

The company announced yesterday that as part of a “long-planned succession process”, effective May 9, Chief Operating Officer Robert ("Bob") Biesterfeld, will become Chief Executive Officer, as well as being nominated to stand for election to the company’s board of directors. Biesterfeld will replace C.H. Robinson Chairman and CEO John Wiehoff, whom will continue as Chairman of the Board when Biesterfeld becomes CEO.

While the prospects for container shipping are brightening, downside risks of increased inward-looking policies and the rise of trade protectionism are weighing on the outlook for carriers.

United States-bound waterborne shipments in December capped a record-breaking year for global trade, according to data issued this week by global trade intelligence firm Panjiva.

Seaports on West, East, and Gulf coasts are all poised to compete on one major imperative: investment in transformational technologies.

All regions and trade lanes are expected to report profits for air and ocean carriers in 2019.

POLA handled 832,231 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEU), marking the fifth consecutive month of volumes topping 800,000 TEU, and POLB November volumes, at 621,835 TEU, rose 1.5% annually.

October volumes at the Port of Los Angeles (POLA) and the Port of Long Beach (POLB) saw strong growth, according to data respectively issued by each port this week.

Even with a new round of tariffs having recently gone into effect, United States-bound imports are pegged to stay at what are being described as record-high levels, according to data in the new edition of the Port Tracker report, which was issued today by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and maritime consultancy Hackett Associates.

The Global Climate Action Summit showcased climate action around the world, along with bold new commitments, to give world leaders the confidence that they can go even further by 2020.

The byproduct of retail shippers’ “pull forward” efforts to import goods in advance of new tariffs levied on products made in China remained intact based on the new edition of the Port Tracker report, which was released today by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and maritime consultancy Hackett Associates.

July volumes at the Port of Los Angeles (POLA) and the Port of Long Beach (POLB) were mixed, according to data recently released by the ports.

Three prominent maritime experts share insight into the current ocean cargo arena— a freight sector that’s navigating from one crisis to the next.