Maersk expects higher contract rates to follow uptick in spot prices

The container line's volume declined in all trade lanes except voyages into North America, highlighting the unequal recovery taking place worldwide.

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 19, 2020

Ocean carriers add 'unprecedented' capacity on Transpacific

Consumer spending is driving high trade volume in the back half of 2020, but it's not clear how long this will last as unemployment levels remain elevated.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 28, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Supply Chain Dive

Here’s how companies are navigating evolving global trade and tariff policies, rising costs and operational uncertainty across supply chain networks.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

Maersk partners with COVID-19 vaccine developer on distribution plan

A variety of factors make vaccine distribution a difficult undertaking — ranging from temperature requirements to the tight capacity in the freight market.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 27, 2020

Supply chain cities on the rise

Large populations, inland infrastructure, ports and advantageous tax codes can bring shippers and carriers knocking, putting cities on the fast track to logistics hub status.

Updated Nov. 17, 2020

Equipment prices quadruple as Transpacific volume surge creates Asia container shortage

Chassis and trucks at U.S. ports are also in short supply, leading drayage carriers to implement a congestion surcharge.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 15, 2020

DSV adds China-Europe trucking route as air, ocean alternative

The logistics provider anticipates higher freight demand and longer air transit times during peak season.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 14, 2020

CMA CGM reboots e-commerce site following cyberattack

The reinstatement of the website came just two days after the Federal Maritime Commission posted the carrier's request for a 60-day filing exemption.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 12, 2020

FMC investigates claims ocean carriers are unfairly billing 3PLs, forwarders, brokers

The inquiry will examine the use of the term "merchant" on bills of lading and who is responsible for paying detention, demurrage and other charges.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 8, 2020

MSC says hydrogen, biofuels are the future of ocean decarbonization

Shippers may face surcharges as MSC invests in technology to become carbon free.

By A.B. Brown • Oct. 7, 2020

Cargill, Shell and 15 others form group to get ocean shipping in line with IMO climate goals

More detailed disclosures could offer the industry valuable data to help factor climate concerns into shipping decisions.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 7, 2020

Transpacific rates nearly triple last year's despite record high capacity in Golden Week

The latest schedules for the Asia to North America West Coast route show "a staggering 26.6%" YoY increase in capacity for week 40, which ran Sept. 28 to Oct. 4.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 7, 2020

Surge in imports congests West Coast ports, leads to calls for more dual transactions

Vessel delays, extra loaders, chassis shortages, limitations in appointment windows, increased dwell time for local cargo and a stretched drayage market have caused some of the issues, C.H. Robinson said in an advisory.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 5, 2020

CMA CGM suspects malware attack led to data breach

The company said its back offices are being reconnected to the network, which will improve bookings and document processing time.

By Matt Leonard • Updated Sept. 30, 2020

August import volume swells above 2019 levels as retailers restock, prep for holidays

High import volume is expected to continue going into September, and the next six months are expected to be stronger than the previous six months.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 17, 2020

Transpacific rates more than double, capacity constraints create 'nightmare' for shippers

"The supply chain is just jammed," said one shipping association executive, adding that the current environment has made procuring freight the hardest its been in his 40 years in the business.

By Matt Leonard • Updated Sept. 11, 2020

Maersk's latest reshuffle dissolves Damco, integrates air and LCL

The carrier's reorganizations, acquisitions and divestments are focused on a central goal: to be an integrated logistics company and a provider of end-to-end services for shippers.

By Shefali Kapadia • Sept. 1, 2020

Q3 ocean volume on par with 2019, but Transpacific rates jump nearly 50%

Consumers have buoyed ocean volume by moving spending from services to goods during lockdowns.

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 31, 2020

Drewry: Ocean reefer cargo expected to grow nearly 4% annually until 2024

The pandemic could disrupt apparel, electronics and other items that travel in dry containers more than food traveling in reefers.

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 26, 2020

Case accusing carriers, chassis pool operators of 'sweetheart deal' moves forward after judge denies stay

The complaint filed by the ATA with the Federal Maritime Commission claims ocean carriers get chassis at a cheaper rate than trucking companies, resulting in overcharges totaling "as much as $1.8 billion" over the last three years.

By Matt Leonard • Updated Feb. 1, 2021

Maersk bullish on remainder of 2020 after increasing rates 4.5% in Q2

The carrier reinstated guidance but with a familiar caveat: The market is still more unpredictable than it was pre-pandemic.

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 20, 2020

Peak season in a pandemic: What happens to freight rates and capacity?

Metrics and economic factors can help shippers gauge capacity and rates for air, ocean, trucking and rail heading into freight's busy season.

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 20, 2020

Ports show mixed results on imports ahead of back-to-school season

Imports of some school staples slumped in July, suggesting that shippers are being cautious as many schools begin the year teaching remotely.

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 18, 2020

Imports rose in July. Has peak come early or are supply chains making up for lost time?

Empty container returns to Asia from the Port of Los Angeles were on par with 2019 levels, signaling an expected uptick in trade flows on the Transpacific.

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 14, 2020

Transpacific rates swell as retail restocking revives import volume

Capacity has grown compared to this time last year, but the reintroduction of sailings hasn't pushed down rates for cargo flowing from East Asia to the U.S. West Coast.

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 12, 2020

Logistics companies plan to use AI, data to ship goods ahead of purchase orders: survey

"Preemptive logistics," in which companies predict demand and ship items before customers order them, requires information sharing and transparency throughout the supply chain, according to a survey from Ericsson.

By Morgan Forde • Aug. 7, 2020