Biden just signed a law to lower shipping costs. Will it work?

The Ocean Shipping Reform Act allows for more enforcement of rising fees. But shippers say the law isn’t a “silver bullet.”

By Sarah Zimmerman , Alejandra Carranza • June 16, 2022

'Big step forward': Shippers react to passage of Ocean Shipping Reform Act

Industry groups praised the bill, which legislators say will reduce shipping costs and promote U.S. exports.

By David Taube • June 14, 2022

'The rip-off is over': Biden urges shipping reform during Port of Los Angeles visit

The president warned carriers that new regulations could be coming as he called on Congress to pass the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022.

By Colin Campbell , Sarah Zimmerman • June 10, 2022

Fresh Del Monte calls on 'non-traditional ports' to circumvent congestion

An executive with the company's ocean shipping arm, which counts Dole and Chiquita as customers, said the strategy has helped with schedule reliability.

By Alejandra Carranza • June 10, 2022

USDA will pay farmers to ship out of 3 West Coast ports as costs rise

Shifts in ocean carrier service have led to volume drops at ports and profit losses for agriculture shippers.

By Sarah Zimmerman • June 8, 2022

Target moves to reduce inventory, taking markdowns and canceling orders

The retailer also plans to add five distribution centers as part of its strategy to ease supply chain delays.

By Ben Unglesbee • June 7, 2022

Stephen Lyons will be the next US port envoy

The retired general of the U.S. Transportation Command will replace John Porcari as the officer in charge of easing freight bottlenecks.

By Colin Campbell • May 31, 2022

'Ripple effect': How Shanghai's lockdown is dampening Port of Oakland volumes

Fewer ships called at the Port of Oakland than last year as delays in China led carriers to shift schedules.

By Alejandra Carranza • May 27, 2022

FMC proposes 6 changes to automated carrier fees

The FMC seeks public comment on or before June 9 on tariff access fees and co-loading definition.

By Alejandra Carranza • May 17, 2022

CMA CGM encourages US cargo flow with container return incentive

The ocean carrier is offering $300 per container returned early in eligible locations, from Los Angeles to Memphis.

By Alejandra Carranza , Sarah Zimmerman • May 16, 2022

'Trade is holding steady': Los Angeles port has yet to see impact of Shanghai lockdowns

The Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan has helped prioritize Southern California-bound cargo and mitigate disruptions, according to the Port of Los Angeles.

By Alejandra Carranza • May 10, 2022

Maersk aims for net-zero steel in ships

The ocean carrier is the first shipping company to join SteelZero, a global initiative to expedite decarbonization in the steel industry.

By Alejandra Carranza • May 5, 2022

Ford expedites freight to alleviate supplier disruptions in China

Fast ocean shipping, increased air cargo capacity and collaboration with suppliers are part of the auto company's playbook.

By Alejandra Carranza • May 5, 2022

Shippers push FMC to expand oversight on demurrage, terminal dwell fees

The National Shipper Advisory Committee wants regulators to have more oversight on intermodal cargo and ensure that costs associated with dwell fees aren't passed along to customers. 

By Alejandra Carranza , Sarah Zimmerman • May 4, 2022

Furniture retailers forge new supply chain practices as backlogs, delays prevail

Improved inventory management is just one practice — executives are also looking at new sourcing destinations to mitigate risk.

By Ben Unglesbee • April 25, 2022

Joann paid $35.3M more for ocean freight to free up stranded containers

"Significantly higher" container rates, transloading fees and demurrage tripled the retailer's freight costs from the previous quarter.

By Alejandra Carranza • April 22, 2022

Expedited shipping lanes gain momentum as congestion persists

One freight forwarder said the services are oversubscribed as shippers look for speed and reliability in ocean shipping.

By Alejandra Carranza • April 20, 2022

China backlog, rising dwell times pose threat to Port of Los Angeles rebound

The issues loom as cargo volumes are rising at the port, with more imports on the way.

By Colin Campbell • April 13, 2022

CMA CGM tells shippers it won't accept plastic scrap as of April 15

The ocean carrier had committed to not carry plastic scrap on any of its ships by June 1, leaving plastic scrap shippers to find another carrier as of mid-April.

By Alejandra Carranza • April 12, 2022

Blue Whales and Blue Skies Program launches Brand Ambassador Initiative

Your choices can help cut air pollution and emissions, protect whales and reduce underwater noise.

April 11, 2022

Manufacturing orders down, prices up amid war in Ukraine, China shutdowns

Persistent extended lead times, which have pushed many companies to place orders in advance, could ease sometime in the summer, said ISM's Timothy Fiore.

By Colin Campbell • April 7, 2022

US awards $2.7B to fortify ports, waterways

The funding for 300 U.S. Army Corp of Engineers projects aims to improve supply chain resiliency in the face of climate change.

By Colin Campbell • March 31, 2022

By the numbers: Biden's budget priorities for supply chains

The president's requests to Congress include funding for ports, highways, electrification and domestic manufacturing.

By Colin Campbell • March 30, 2022

Port of Los Angeles container volumes could 'soften' this spring

The ripple effects of factory shutdowns in China might benefit port operations, Executive Director Gene Seroka said in a briefing.

By Colin Campbell • March 16, 2022

White House plans to launch supply chain data-sharing portal

The Freight Logistics Optimization Works initiative, led by the U.S. Department of Transportation, aims to produce a proof-of-concept freight information exchange by the end of summer. 

By Colin Campbell • March 16, 2022