Ocean Transportation

Drop in Spot Rates on East-West Ocean Routes Lowest in Five Years

March 16, 2016

The World Container Index's composite index, an average of spot freight rates on 11 global East-West routes connecting Asia, Europe and the U.S., reached a record low of $701 per 40-foot container recently.

Cost Savings of Mega-Vessels Often Offset by Higher Port Expenses, Study Shows

March 14, 2016

Drewry

Drewry, the global shipping consultancy, has carried out a simulation study of the operational and financial impacts on lines, terminal operators, ports and other supply chain stakeholders as vessel size increases up to and beyond 18,000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units, the standard metric used to measure a ship's cargo carrying capacity). The study results suggest that the economies of scale, that have been a key feature of the liner industry, may be running out.

Container-Weighing Rule: And You Put the Load Right On ... Who?

March 14, 2016

Robert J. Bowman, SupplyChainBrain

Just who's responsible for weighing that ocean container? After several years of thrashing out a rule to combat the problem of misdeclared weights, regulators and rulemaking bodies still can't seem to agree.

Sharks vs. Jets on the West Coast Waterfront?

March 7, 2016

Robert J. Bowman, SupplyChainBrain

Here's a question for U.S. exporters who were grievously harmed by the West Coast longshore labor slowdown in late 2014 and early 2015: Would it make you feel any better to learn that you were the victims of "a street brawl"?

Customs Automation Is Finally Happening. Really!

March 4, 2016

Robert J. Bowman, SupplyChainBrain

After years of delay, the automation of importer filings, involving multiple government agencies, is upon us. Say hello to the "Single Window."

Maybe Container Shipping News Isn't Quite So Bad After All?

February 26, 2016

Maritime Executive

The latest Container Shipping Forecaster from Maritime Strategies International reports "flickers of improvement" in February after an opening to the year which saw 1.3 million TEUs of capacity idle, freight rates struggling and the charter market on its knees.

Internet of Things Brings Greater Visibility to Ocean Shipping

February 25, 2016

Logistics Viewpoints

The ocean shipping industry has traditionally used EDI for shipment tendering, booking and milestone tracking. A new solution has emerged that leverages near real time vessel tracking data to improve shipment planning and tracking.

Tanker Rates Off to Good Start, But Could See Softening Later This Year

February 24, 2016

Drewry

Tanker shipping freight rates are expected to remain firm in the first few months of 2016, but with the influx of tonnage these rates are expected to soften towards the end of the year, according to the latest edition of the Tanker Forecaster, published by global shipping consultancy Drewry.

CMA CGM Upgrades French West Indies Service

February 23, 2016

CMA CGM

CMA CGM has upgraded its service from Northern Europe to the French West Indies, with the addition of two calls at Zeebrugge and Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

As Perishables Market Grows, Reefer Container Ship Capacity Should Expand Over Next Three Years

February 23, 2016

Maritime Executive

London-based Drewry Shipping Consultants says that the global capacity of reefer container ships is expected to grow by 20 percent over the next three years. Drewry also reports that perishables moved over the seas in 2014 increased by nearly five percent to exceed 100 million metric tons.

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.