Ocean freight ushers in a new era with instant quotes

Instant online quoting is becoming "table stakes" and freight forwarders must digitize to keep up with the status quo.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Nov. 18, 2019

Maersk: 2020 pickup in ocean shipping volume looking less likely

In addition to container volumes, supply chain services revenue has been negatively affected by trade uncertainty and what the carrier called a "lower peak season among top U.S. retailers sourcing from China."

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 15, 2019

Port of LA exec warns trade war should concern all US ports

The U.S.-China trade war and current tariff lists threaten 1.47 million jobs and $186 billion in economic activity nationwide, according to the Port of Los Angeles. 

By Morgan Forde • Nov. 13, 2019

CSX becomes first railroad to join Maersk blockchain platform TradeLens

The platform now consists of more than 100 organizations, 55 ports and terminals and a dozen customs authorities, according to Maersk.

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 8, 2019

Maersk pilots battery power system in carbon neutrality push

The 600 kwh battery system will be installed aboard the Maersk Cape Town in December and which will embark on a trial voyage along its route from West Africa to East Asia early next year. 

By Morgan Forde • Nov. 7, 2019

Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd set fuel fees for shippers ahead of IMO 2020

The new fees, which begin Dec. 1, are meant to offset the carriers' transitions to more expensive, low-sulfur fuel required by Jan. 1.

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 4, 2019

Maersk, H&M, Levi team up to explore 'LEO' fuel for ocean shipping

Maersk expects to test LEO fuel, a blend of ethanol and plant polymer lignin, on vessels in the second quarter of 2020. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Oct. 31, 2019

Traxens joins IBM, Port of Rotterdam on 'Container 42' tracking project

A red shipping container emblazoned with a large white 42 on its side has been outfitted with sensors and will travel across the world for two years collecting data and showcasing the tracking technology. 

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 29, 2019

As Nike pledges no to Arctic shipping, Gap, H&M and more sign on

Nike said the decision dovetailed with its Move to Zero sustainability initiative, through which it hopes to achieve zero-waste and zero-carbon operations. 

By Morgan Forde • Oct. 28, 2019

Patent Pending: Why did the Amazon delivery robot cross the road?

Supply chain innovators apply to patent what they see as important tools for the future of supply chains. Sometimes they're brilliant. Sometimes they're funny. On Fridays, we'll share a few from the week. 

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 25, 2019

China to US ocean shipping rates fall 40%

West Coast import volumes are also down year-over-year, although analysts expect more front-loading of inventory in anticipation of December tariffs.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 23, 2019

CMA CGM offers financing, extended payment deadlines for shippers

The French carrier seeks to offer financial relief in the form of improved cash flow to companies working to mitigate the instability of the current trade environment.

By Morgan Forde • Oct. 22, 2019

An uncertain economy muddies the waters for IMO 2020 planning

The unknowns then remain the unknowns today: Will there be sufficient low-sulfur bunker produced to meet demand, and/or will the price of existing high-sulfur bunker drop sufficiently to make installing expensive scrubbers cost-effective?

By Patrik Berglund, CEO and Co-founder at Xeneta • Oct. 21, 2019

MSC will not use the Northern Sea Route, citing environmental impact

While the route is shorter than existing Europe-Asia lanes, many carriers argue using the route is not worth the risk of damaging vulnerable Arctic ecosystems.

By Morgan Forde • Oct. 18, 2019

IBM Food Trust partners with Raw Seafoods to tackle traceability with blockchain

Upstream visibility in the seafood supply chain is particularly challenging because the location and size of a catch can vary widely from day to day.

By Morgan Forde • Oct. 17, 2019

Drewry launches fuel pricing transparency tool ahead of IMO 2020

The index is designed to get shippers and carriers on the same page by setting standards and definitions for bunker price measurement periods, BAF adjustment periods and fuel reference prices.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 15, 2019

DSV Panalpina will target road transport for next M&A

The freight forwarder's chairman said the next acquisitions would likely take place in 12 to 18 months, after the integration of Panalpina.

By Shefali Kapadia • Oct. 9, 2019

How carriers handle IMO 2020 could affect capacity: Drewry

Ocean carriers should be able to recover the cost of the necessary fuel shift. But if they can't, shippers may experience restricted capacity. 

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 9, 2019

DHL: Global trade to slow over next 3 months

DHL's Global Trade Barometer index sits at 47, indicating overall negative growth.

By Morgan Forde • Sept. 27, 2019

Coalition of shippers and carriers seeks zero-emission ocean shipping

The Getting to Zero Coalition announced this week it would begin a push to decarbonize the ocean shipping industry in line with Paris Agreement targets.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 24, 2019

Maersk, Ports America invest $19M in Loadsmart Smart Drayage initiative

The Smart Drayage program, which matches containers with trucks based on ease of access, load times and haul distances, promises to reduce truck time spent at a port by 25% and container shuffles by 50%. 

By Morgan Forde • Sept. 6, 2019

Maersk creates platform to manage US, Canada customs using 1 broker

The tool, known as Maersk Customs Navigator, follows the Danish carrier's acquisition of customs broker Vandegrift in February. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Sept. 5, 2019

Drewry: Reefer availability will be tight going into peak season

The squeeze is due to a "dramatic halt in reefer equipment expenditure" that took place in 2016, according to Drewry.

By Morgan Forde • Sept. 4, 2019

FedEx to acquire freight forwarder Cargex

The company, based in Latin America, will complement FedEx Express' newly announced roundtrip Colombia-to-Miami flight, an executive said in a statement.

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 30, 2019

Preparing for Brexit, UK plans $36.6M in grants for port upgrades

The U.K. Department for Transport announced this morning it will allocate 30 million British pounds ($36.6 million) to improve infrastructure at, and connecting to, major ports in anticipation of increased traffic and wait times in the event of a no-deal Brexit this fall.

By Morgan Forde • Updated Aug. 30, 2019