Ocean Transportation

Piracy Off Somali Coast Drops Significantly, But Attacks Ratchet Up in West Africa, Off Indonesia

October 22, 2012

Pirate attacks off the Somali coast have declined by more than 54 percent, leading to a softening of insurance premiums for the global shipping community but raising controversy surrounding the use of onboard private armed security contractors, according to the International Maritime Bureau's Piracy Reporting Centre.

Not Much Consolidation of Liner Shipping Industry Is Predicted for the Immediate Future

October 19, 2012

British International Freight Association

A recent Alphaliner report suggests that the liner shipping industry is unlikely to see much consolidation in the foreseeable future despite the carriers' present financial difficulties.

Container Imports in L.A., Long Beach Hit High for 2012, But Exports Not Keeping Pace

October 19, 2012

JOC Sailings

Containerized imports in Los Angeles increased 3.38 percent in September year-over-year, reaching the highest total of 2012. Imports in neighboring Long Beach edged up 0.7 percent over last September.

Inttra Releases Shipping/Booking Apps; Enhances OceanSchedules

October 19, 2012

Inttra

Inttra, developer of a multi-carrier network for managing ocean shipping, has released a Shipping Application Delivery Platform for integrating and deploying the vendor's applications from within existing logistics, transportation-management or enterprise resource planning systems.

Damco to Acquire Pacific Network Global Logistics

October 19, 2012

Damco

Damco, the global freight forwarder and logistics service provider, said it will acquire Pacific Network Global Logistics, a freight forwarder operating in China and Australia.

Encompass Enhances Reefer Service to Asia, Australia/New Zealand

October 18, 2012

Encompass Global Logistics LLC

Encompass Global Logistics LLC, a third-party logistics provider operating in the trans-Pacific trade, has made enhancements to its refrigerated service.

U.S. Vessel Imports Down Another 3.6 Percent in September

October 17, 2012

Zepol Corporation

U.S. import shipment volume for September, measured in TEUs, is down 3.6 percent from August, but is up from September of 2011 by 2.6 percent. Imports of TEUs shifted from more than 1.6 million last month to 1.55 million in September. The downward trend of the last two months of Q3 indicates that the peak month for U.S. imports in 2012 will most likely be July. For the past three years the month of August has seen the highest vessel imports, but this year the surge in goods for the holiday season seems to have come even earlier in Q3.

Panama Canal Sets Tonnage Record in Fiscal Year 2012

October 16, 2012

Maritime Executive

The Panama Canal set a mark in its history as it reached a new tonnage record of 333.7 million Panama Canal tons (PC/UMS) during fiscal year 2012 which concluded on September 30. This achievement highlights the value of Panama and its significance as a link in the chain of global trade.

Retail Container Imports to Increase 9.9 Percent in October as Stores Stock Up for Holidays, Report Finds

October 12, 2012

National Retail Federation

Import cargo volume at the nation's major retail container ports is expected to increase 9.9 percent in October as merchants wrap up the annual shipping cycle for holiday merchandise, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

APL Logistics Opens Quality Assurance Center in Bangladesh

October 12, 2012

APL Logistics

APL Logistics has opened its first Quality Assurance Centers in Bangladesh, in Dhaka and Chittagong. The company has a 30,500-square-foot center in Gazipur, Dhaka, along the Dhaka-Chittagong highway.

Ocean Transportation

The latest news, analysis, services and systems regarding ocean transportation and its impact on global supply chains. Today’s companies are transporting and delivering container shipments in a more efficient manner than ever before using new services and technologies that provide information en route - allowing them to stay ahead of the competition in their industries. As ocean cargo services continue to evolve, businesses are discovering new ways to increase efficiency and cut costs. Learn how companies are using ocean shipping solutions to power their supply chains.