Despite a glut of capacity on the water, Suez Canal diversions and healthy volumes will keep container shipping vessel supply tight, analysts predict.<\/p><\/div><\/article> Extended voyages around southern Africa are currently tying up both refrigerated equipment and vessel capacity, making reefer shippers particularly vulnerable to disruptions.<\/p><\/div><\/article> The considerable intermodal ocean volumes that ordinarily would have moved in 2025 have likely been pulled forward into 2024, writes analyst Larry Gross.<\/p><\/div><\/article> 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.<\/p><\/div><\/article> 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.<\/p><\/div><\/article> It\u2019s difficult to imagine international intermodal growing much more, if at all, on the US West Coast in 2025.<\/p><\/div><\/article> Booming e-commerce and expectations for faster end-to-end delivery are still reconfiguring distribution networks.<\/p><\/div><\/article> 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.<\/p><\/div><\/article> 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.<\/p><\/div><\/article> Shanghai and Ningbo are dealing with \u201cserious\u201d congestion, according to a forwarder, while labor shortages in Hamburg are causing berthing delays of up to 10 days.<\/p><\/div><\/article> Despite the kudos for railroads, some market players question the value of pandemic-era comparisons, suggesting that 2024\u2019s peak season aligns more closely with pre-pandemic trends.<\/p><\/div><\/article> 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.<\/p><\/div><\/article> 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.<\/p><\/div><\/article> The deal will see Acuitive Solutions\u2019 AcuAudit product integrated into Cass\u2019 freight audit and payment platform, one widely used by large shippers.<\/p><\/div><\/article>Reefer market growth in 2025 filled with risk<\/a><\/h4>
International intermodal market enters \u201cconstrained\u201d 2025: analyst<\/a><\/h4>
Tariffs, ILA tension, early Lunar New Year boost Q1 trans-Pacific forecast<\/a><\/h4>
Trans-Pacific spot rates on the rise amid pre-Lunar New Year cargo bump<\/a><\/h4>
Strong 2024 sets international intermodal up for tough comparisons<\/a><\/h4>
US warehouse vacancies expected to fall from 2024 \u2018peak\u2019<\/a><\/h4>
New year means fresh disruption for container shipping market: analyst<\/a><\/h4>
Capital upgrades ready USEC ports for another year of growth<\/a><\/h4>
Shippers, carriers face wave of port congestion, vessel delays in Asia, Europe\u00a0<\/a><\/h4>
IMCs say railroads handled peak season surge better than pandemic<\/a><\/h4>
ILA, USMX contract talks set for Jan. 7 restart ahead of strike deadline: sources<\/a><\/h4>
Rising north-south trade hinges on fluid ports, vessel capacity<\/a><\/h4>
Cass acquires international freight invoice auditing tool to widen modal reach<\/a><\/h4>