Global Gateways

U.S. Imports in 2012 Increase 1.2 Percent Over 2011

January 14, 2013

U.S. vessel imports rose a slight 1.2 percent in 2012 over the year before. This was a total of over 17.6 million TEUs imported, or roughly 200,000 more containers than in 2011. Slow and steady growth seems to be the consistent pattern for the year as import volume still has not returned to 2007 or 2008 levels. Zepol has seen a large spike from 2009 to 2010 and then a plateau-like trend for the past three years, although 2012 was an especially unique year for U.S. imports.

Retailers, Others Urge Sides to Avoid Port Strike on East, Gulf Coasts

January 14, 2013

National Retail Federation

A diverse coalition of more than 120 local, state and national stakeholders, ranging from farmers and manufacturers to retailers and wholesalers sent a letter to the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) and United States Maritime Alliance Ltd. (USMX) urging both sides to remain at the negotiating table until they "reach a new long-term contract."

U.S. Vessel Imports Are Down from October to November by 12.8 Percent

December 20, 2012

Zepol Corporation

U.S. import volume in November, measured in twenty-foot-containers, is down 12.8 percent from October and another 15.2 percent from November of last year. The total number of TEUs imported for the month was 1,245,889. This is the lowest amount of U.S. imports for the month of November since 2003.

Are We in for Still Another Expansion to the Panama Canal?

December 18, 2012

Maritime Executive

The Panama Canal is due for at least one additional expansion, according to Alberto Aleman Zubieta, immediate past commissioner of the Panama Canal Authority.

Dire Economic Impact Seen if Longshoremen Strike East, Gulf Coast Ports

December 13, 2012

Maritime Executive

A potential labor strike by longshoremen along the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts at the end of the year could have devastating economic consequences as inventory depletion, rerouting, hoarding, and price speculation ripple through supply chains of global companies, according to a report from the Marsh research firm.

Retail Imports to Increase 3.9 Percent in December Despite Calif. Port Strike; Eyes on East, Gulf Coast Ports

December 13, 2012

National Retail Federation

Import cargo volume at the nation's major retail container ports is expected to increase 3.9 percent in December despite a strike that closed the nation's largest port complex for the first few days of the month, but retailers are keeping a close watch on a possible strike on the East Coast and Gulf Coast, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

Panama Canal Expansion: Impact on the Volume of Imports at Southern California Ports

December 6, 2012

Weber Logistics

The Ports of LA and Long Beach will continue to be North America's freight gateway.

Memo to Megaports: These Guys Want Your Business

December 3, 2012

Robert J. Bowman, SupplyChainBrain

The reshoring of manufactured goods from Asia to North America is bound to take some import business away from U.S. ports. But there are other developing threats to the continued dominance of gateways like Los Angeles-Long Beach - specifically, a couple of upstarts to the north and south.

Memo to Megaports: These Guys Want Your Business

December 3, 2012

Robert J. Bowman, SupplyChainBrain

Logistics Clusters Drive Value and Growth

November 30, 2012

Professor Yossi Sheffi, Director, MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics

Global Gateways

The latest news, analysis, services and systems regarding global seaports and airports and their impact on global supply chains. Today’s companies are transporting and delivering goods to more international customers than ever before through global ports and free and foreign trade zones. As infrastructure around these global gateways continues to evolve, businesses are discovering new ways to increase efficiency and cut costs. Learn how companies around the world are improving supply chain operations through their strategic use of global seaports and airports.