High ocean freight rates in December foreshadow expensive 2019

The last time the shipping industry suffered a big shock, in late 2016, shippers paid the price in spot rates. Now the 2018 - 2019 shipping cycle appears to be following a similar trend.

By Edwin Lopez • Jan. 7, 2019

Environmental concerns loom after MSC loses 270 containers at sea

Containers on the sea floor could "eventually become a significant source of pollution," according to The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute.

By Edwin Lopez • Updated Jan. 7, 2019

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Top 5 stories from Supply Chain Dive

Here’s how companies are navigating rising costs, network changes and logistics disruptions across global supply chain networks.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

Freightos: Ocean rates could rise 10% due to sulfur surcharges

Several shipping lines announced last year that bunker adjustment factors and surcharges would take effect on Jan. 1, one year ahead of the IMO 2020 deadline.

By Shefali Kapadia • Jan. 3, 2019

UK preps emergency supply chain as Brexit nears 'cliff-edge scenario'

The country's Department for Transport awarded three freight contracts for carriers to ease congestion in case the U.K. leaves the EU in March without a new trade deal.

By Edwin Lopez • Jan. 3, 2019

Ocean carriers adjust networks for 2019

2M and THE Alliance modified their service loops, as the latter group of shipping lines works to recapture market share next year.

By Edwin Lopez • Dec. 20, 2018

Carriers invest in scrubbers as IMO 2020 approaches

Drewry Maritime Consultants predict scrubber installations may interrupt vessel supply enough to affect pricing for shippers.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 17, 2018

Empty container volumes rise in US-China trade war

The Ports of Long Beach and Oakland are seeing an uptick in empty containers leaving the ports, reflecting an imbalance of trade as Chinese businesses shift supply chains. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Dec. 17, 2018

Ports, global trade on the front lines of climate change

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development put the burden of responding to climate change on all countries and actors who rely on ocean shipping for trade.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 12, 2018

Maersk will offer extended cargo protection for shippers

The add-on coverage will allow shippers to cover the risk of loss, including General Average payouts that are not covered by standard marine cargo insurances.

By Gary Wollenhaupt • Dec. 11, 2018

FMC to create a Shipper Advisory Board

The agency approved the move as it considered changes to detention and demurrage practices and realized the commission's need for regular insight from stakeholders.

By Edwin Lopez • Dec. 11, 2018

ONE announces fuel surcharge starting Jan. 1

The shipping line joins a host of major carriers looking to shippers to help foot the bill for IMO regulation compliance.

By Shefali Kapadia • Dec. 7, 2018

Maersk pledges net-zero carbon emissions by 2040

The carrier acknowledged that vessels will need to change and called on the industry to work on a new ship.

By Emma Cosgrove • Updated Jan. 12, 2022

CMA CGM launches instant quotes, booking on Freightos

The carrier becomes the first of the major shipping lines on the freight rate marketplace, advancing its digital and customer-centric strategies.

By Shefali Kapadia • Dec. 5, 2018

Regulator of the Year: Rebecca Dye, Federal Maritime Commission

Commissioner Dye has spent her career thinking of ways she could push supply chains to be more efficient, with just a "light touch."

By Edwin Lopez • Dec. 3, 2018

Business Decision of the Year: Maersk and IBM team up to form TradeLens

The two companies’ drive to bring blockchain to the supply chain ensured the technology would play a big role in the industry’s digital shift.

By Edwin Lopez • Dec. 3, 2018

Carriers scrap ships ahead of IMO 2020

A predicted wave of scrap has begun among ocean carriers as IMO rules loom and older vessels become more trouble than their worth. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 29, 2018

CMA CGM pushes logistics strategy forward with closer ties to Ceva

Carriers are looking to diversify their revenue on land and sea as new challenges come into focus. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 26, 2018

Spot rates from China up 91% over last year

The cost of shipping from East Asia to North America has been rising quickly since June 2018, reversing the trend of cost declines in the previous nine months.

By Edwin Lopez • Nov. 25, 2018

Maersk planning for tariffs to hit hard in 2019

The ocean carrier expects investments to slow down next year as it faces challenges head on.

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 16, 2018

New fee structure to start Monday at Southern California ports

Southern California terminals will distribute fees for night gate funding beginning next week.

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 15, 2018

Largest ocean carriers confirm formation of industry association

Five carriers are on board to form a nonprofit organization intended to create common data standards and increase efficiency for carriers and shippers. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 15, 2018

Top ocean carriers reportedly plan global association

The six largest shipping lines are planning to launch a global association with the goal of standardizing practices, ShippingWatch reports.

By Edwin Lopez • Nov. 9, 2018

9 ocean carriers, terminal operators join new blockchain initiative to rival TradeLens

It is abundantly clear that the ocean shipping industry is getting on board with blockchain — but which one? 

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 7, 2018

Maersk Line now allows instant booking

The carrier said 15% of its customer service calls were spent responding to follow-up calls about vessel space or equipment availability, an issue it hopes to solve with the new system.

By Edwin Lopez • Nov. 2, 2018

Soybean growers think inside the (shipping) box to reach new markets

Moving away from the traditional bulk carriers could bring U.S. soybean growers new markets and fill Southeast-Asia-bound containers that would otherwise be empty. 

By Gary Wollenhaupt • Nov. 1, 2018