China's regulators have blocked the P3 mega-alliance between Maersk, MSC and CMA CGM on the grounds that it infringes the country's competition laws between Asia and Europe, particularly with respect to the lines' combined market share of 46.7 percent. The law enforcers appear to believe that the cost reductions gained by the P3 carriers would either have been offset by this unacceptably high risk of market concentration, or would not have been passed back to shippers satisfactorily. Where to now?
The Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) launched what it calls the most comprehensive supply chain security standards in TAPA's 17-year history to combat increasingly sophisticated thefts.
A lack of certainty appears to be the case within the freight forwarding market as momentum fails to take hold. In the latest findings, the Stifel Logistics Confidence Index slipped 2.7 points to 55.2. While still above the important 50-level, too many questions remain unanswered – will a strike be averted at the U.S. West Coast ports, what will happen within the sea freight market now that P3 alliance has collapsed? Is economic growth really slowing?
Total U.S. business logistics costs in 2013 rose to $1.39tr, a 2.3 percent increase from the previous year, according to the 25th Annual "State of Logistics Report" released by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals and presented by Penske Logistics, at a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Logistics as a percent of U.S. gross domestic product declined for the second year in a row, indicating that the logistics sector is not keeping pace with the growth in the overall economy.
High cube 40-foot containers are stealing a march on traditional 40-foot equipment and by the end of 2013 represented just short of 50 percent of the maritime container fleet, according to Drewry's recently published Container Census report.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced that they have not approved the P3 Network, a long-term operational vessel sharing agreement proposed by MSC, CMA CGM and Maersk Line. The MOFCOM's decision follows a review under China's merger control rules.
CaroTrans, a global non-vessel operating common carrier and ocean freight consolidator, has entered into a new service partnership with World Jaguar in Northern China.
The Rotterdam, Netherlands and Prague, Czech Republic-based members of the Famous Pacific Shipping Group network of independent freight forwarders and consolidators have launched a trade-only, temperature-controlled ocean less-than-containerload service for perishable commodities.
Actions taken by the Department of Homeland Security and two of its component agencies, the U.S. Coast Guard and Federal Emergency Management Agency, as well as other federal agencies, to address cybersecurity in the maritime port environment have been limited, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office.
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.
Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter!
Timely, incisive articles delivered directly to your inbox.