News
Continued volatility to keep container line profits on course in 2025
Despite a glut of capacity on the water, Suez Canal diversions and healthy volumes will keep container shipping vessel supply tight, analysts predict.
Reefer market growth in 2025 filled with risk
Extended voyages around southern Africa are currently tying up both refrigerated equipment and vessel capacity, making reefer shippers particularly vulnerable to disruptions.
International intermodal market enters “constrained” 2025: analyst
The considerable intermodal ocean volumes that ordinarily would have moved in 2025 have likely been pulled forward into 2024, writes analyst Larry Gross.
Tariffs, ILA tension, early Lunar New Year boost Q1 trans-Pacific forecast
Most US retailers say they have frontloaded sufficient inventory from Asia to get them through the first quarter, but planning import volumes and supply chains beyond that point remains problematic.
Trans-Pacific spot rates on the rise amid pre-Lunar New Year cargo bump
Rates in the eastbound trans-Pacific are surging to peak-season levels as US retailers rush to ship merchandise before many factories in Asia close during the holiday celebrations that begin on Jan. 29.
Strong 2024 sets international intermodal up for tough comparisons
It’s difficult to imagine international intermodal growing much more, if at all, on the US West Coast in 2025.
US warehouse vacancies expected to fall from 2024 ‘peak’
Booming e-commerce and expectations for faster end-to-end delivery are still reconfiguring distribution networks.
New year means fresh disruption for container shipping market: analyst
The world has become more turbulent and fragmented, with geopolitical events that are beyond the control of any supply chain participants playing an ever-larger role, writes Lars Jensen.
Capital upgrades ready USEC ports for another year of growth
In addition to any vessel backlogs resulting from a second potential ILA strike on Jan. 15, a major test for East Coast marine terminals will be their ability to handle the revamped carrier networks debuting in early 2025.
Shippers, carriers face wave of port congestion, vessel delays in Asia, Europe
Shanghai and Ningbo are dealing with “serious” congestion, according to a forwarder, while labor shortages in Hamburg are causing berthing delays of up to 10 days.
IMCs say railroads handled peak season surge better than pandemic
Despite the kudos for railroads, some market players question the value of pandemic-era comparisons, suggesting that 2024’s peak season aligns more closely with pre-pandemic trends.
ILA, USMX contract talks set for Jan. 7 restart ahead of strike deadline: sources
While the two sides have come to terms on wages, formal negotiations have stalled since mid-November as the union and maritime employers remain stuck on what provisions the deal will include about port automation.
Rising north-south trade hinges on fluid ports, vessel capacity
Shippers moving cargo on the inter-Americas lane can expect to see further volume growth in 2025, potentially reflected by increased attention and capacity from carriers.
Cass acquires international freight invoice auditing tool to widen modal reach
The deal will see Acuitive Solutions’ AcuAudit product integrated into Cass’ freight audit and payment platform, one widely used by large shippers.
LTL carriers expanding networks to prepare for long-term growth
The LTL sector will try to hold its ground on pricing until improvements in US manufacturing lift demand.