Low April shipment volumes could rival early 2009, Cass says

Shipper spending on transport fell 8% in March, and Cass said it expects transport pricing to remain low through May. 

By S.L. Fuller • April 15, 2020

MSC confirms malware attack, site comes back online

Cargo continued to flow throughout the outage, and terminals operated without disruption, MSC said.

By Shefali Kapadia • Updated April 15, 2020

CMA CGM offers container storage to shippers navigating port congestion

The "Delay in Transit" offering, meant to reduce warehousing cost, is available globally with container storage happening at multiple hubs around the world based on trade lanes.

By Matt Leonard • April 9, 2020

NRF: March import volume expected to hit 5-year low

The Port of Long Beach, one of the only ports to have already reported its March numbers, saw a 5% decline in volume that it blamed on 19 blank sailings during the first quarter of 2020.

By Matt Leonard • April 8, 2020

FMC creates teams to address coronavirus-related cargo challenges

The agency took a similar approach in 2016, partnering with representatives from port authorities, terminal operators, longshore labor, rail and other stakeholders.

By Matt Leonard • April 1, 2020

2M Alliance announces blank sailings on 21% on Asia-Europe trade

MSC will create a seasonal blank sailing program to match shrinking market demand due to the coronavirus. 

By Matt Leonard • March 30, 2020

Ceva Logistics declares force majeure, citing possible rate changes and surcharges

Just three weeks ago, CMA CGM touted Ceva as an important tool in bolstering service continuity in light of the COVID-19 disruption. 

By Emma Cosgrove • March 27, 2020

Ocean carriers blank sailings on Transpacific, European routes as importer demand drops

Maersk announced three new blank sailings this week that would have served trade on European, Mediterranean and Transpacific routes.

By Matt Leonard • March 27, 2020

Ports shift operations, hours in coronavirus response

The Georgia Port Authority said it is temporarily suspending Saturday truck gate hours while Port Houston is reopening two terminals after an employee tested positive for COVID-19.

By Matt Leonard • Updated March 25, 2020

Maersk rolls out 'door-to-door' cargo insurance product

The insurance will cover loss or damage during end-to-end transportation of cargo, regardless of transport supplier.

By Morgan Forde • March 19, 2020

67 trade organizations urge FMC to adopt rule on detention, demurrage fees

Trade associations across industries say clarity is needed to keep fees consistent and fair, especially in the current coronavirus-impacted global economy.  

By S.L. Fuller • March 17, 2020

Shippers see lower bunker fees as ocean freight demand, oil prices drop

The surcharge shippers pay is now much lower than anticipated and the extra cost to comply with the new IMO regulations will be put off until the economy steadies. 

By Matt Leonard • March 17, 2020

44% of supply chain pros have no plan for China supply disruption

There are signs companies are struggling with visibility and shipping out of China, but there is no indication this has resulted in U.S. factories shuttering, even temporarily.

By Matt Leonard • March 11, 2020

Port of LA volume down 23% in February, further decline expected

The impact of the trade war with China was depressing volumes. Disruptions from novel coronavirus response efforts in Asia have driven levels down even further.

By Morgan Forde • March 10, 2020

CMA CGM expects normal operations to resume in China mid-March

CFO Michel Sirat estimated the phenomenon could bring down the carrier's 2020 total revenue by 2-3%, or $100 million. 

By Emma Cosgrove • March 9, 2020

Chinese port calls trend toward normalcy

Figures from Clarksons Platou Securities, a maritime brokerage, suggest port calls have already surpassed 2019 levels.

By Matt Leonard • March 4, 2020

Blank sailings, demand drop could cost carriers a combined $1.9B

More blank sailings have been announced, but the pace has slowed and experts are optimistic.

By Matt Leonard • March 3, 2020

High fuel costs, overcapacity and contract delays threaten ocean shipping in 2020: report

Shippers have some leverage to push for pricing transparency, but many carriers' ability to survive current fuel prices and freight demand will depend on whether they can successfully implement price increases.

By Morgan Forde • March 2, 2020

FedEx adds on-demand customs brokerage to Freightos

The partnership includes new digital services for multi-modal rate management and sales; air pricing, quoting and ebooking; and customs brokerage.

By S.L. Fuller • Feb. 28, 2020

Coronavirus renders nearly 9% of container shipping fleets inactive

Two million TEUs of capacity is now inactive, surpassing the previous record for blank sailing seen during the great recession.

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 28, 2020

Maersk secures $5B in credit tied to emissions progress

The carrier aims to cut carbon emissions by 60% per cargo moved by 2030. ​

By S.L. Fuller • Feb. 27, 2020

Ports of LA, Long Beach agree to jointly tackle pain point: visibility

The ports plan to involve stakeholders from shipping lines, cargo owners and drayage to address issues related to gate velocity, cargo predictability and chassis availability. 

By S.L. Fuller • Feb. 26, 2020

Coronavirus: A lesson in supply chain risk management

Companies are finding workarounds as COVID-19 cases and heightened e-commerce demand continue to disrupt supply chains.

By Matt Leonard • Updated June 21, 2022

Maersk suspends 2020 earnings guidance

Beyond COVID-19, other economic factors may be exerting greater than expected pressure on shipping volume, as Maersk reported less than 1% loaded volume growth in 2019.

By Emma Cosgrove • Updated March 20, 2020

Maersk expands US warehousing network with $545M acquisition

The move supports the carrier's goal of transporting customer goods "from factory floor to store door," and increasing its end-to-end service market share in North America.

By Morgan Forde • Updated April 2, 2020