By Nick Savvides 28/02/2023 Supply chains must adapt to new realities and seismic changes to the global economy which has seen a shift from globalisation to “slowbalisation”, according to former US four-star general David Patraeus. Now chairman and partner of KKR Global Institute, Mr Patraeus opened this year’s TPM conference in Long Beach, California, with a discussion […]
Category Archives: News & Events
Containership lay-ups continue to spike as demand slump rolls on
By Mike Wackett 23/02/2023 Ocean carriers have laid up nearly 50 containerships during the past month alone, as carryings and rates have continued to fall across their networks. According to the latest survey by Alphaliner, taken on 13 February, 366 vessels were idle, including those owned by lessors and non-operators, for a capacity of 1.6m teu, representing […]
Container Fire Continues to Burn at Port of Iskenderun
Despite reports that it has been extinguished, the container fire at the port of Iskenderun continues to burn into its second day, according to correspondents on the ground and Istanbul’s municipal administration. The magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck southern Turkey on Monday had a significant impact on the port, toppling stacks of containers and causing […]
Truckers’ positive drug tests up 18% in 2022
Rate of increase doubled over previous year; marijuana violations up 31% John Gallagher·Thursday, January 26, 2023 The latest data from the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse reveals that drug use among commercial drivers may be at its highest level since the federal repository was set up in 2019 — but more are being cleared to drive […]
‘Don’t bet against LA’ says Port of LA’s Seroka
by Stas Margaronis Jan 20, 2023 In spite of the loss of cargo to East and Gulf coast ports and the continued stalemate in dockworker contract negotiations between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka is convinced his port will bounce back stating: “Don’t bet […]
New China Covid outbreaks wreak havoc on supply chains
By Sam Whelan 22/12/2022 Now China’s Covid restrictions have been relaxed, worker shortages and factory closures, due to outbreaks of the virus, are the latest disruptions to hit the country’s supply chains. The sudden about-face on zero-Covid has led to soaring cases nationwide, with hospitals “struggling to cope”, according to the SCMP. Alice Tang, China-Europe land transport planner […]
CMA CGM restricts bookings to South China through January
French liner CMA CGM has told customers it will restrict bookings for shipments due to arrive at ports in southern China in early 2023, due to a suspension of service by feeder and barge operators through January. South China and Hong Kong feeder operators have announced temporary service suspensions throughout next month, “due to Covid-19 […]
South Korea’s Truckers Resume Strike Blocking Ports and Manufacturing
Drivers who move containers walked off the job on Thursday causing container volumes to fall 60 percent (Busan City Government) PUBLISHED NOV 24, 2022 1:45 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE For the second time in a matter of months, truck drivers in South Korea started a strike on Thursday morning threatening major disruptions across the supply […]
Xeneta: Overcapacity and Falling Volumes Will Challenge Market in 2023
PUBLISHED NOV 23, 2022 4:31 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE After over two years of rising rates and overstretched capacity, the rapidly cooling ocean freight market is setting up for an “extremely challenging 2023,” according to Oslo-based Xeneta. The operator of a market intelligence platform predicts that with a continuing decline in cargo volumes, ocean freight […]
After steep September slide, US imports stabilize in October
Descartes: October imports flat month on month, down 13% year on year Greg Miller·Tuesday, November 08, 2022 The outlook for U.S. imports looked ominous in September, when volumes plummeted double digits, both year on year and compared to August. If imports had continued to collapse at September’s pace, they would have sunk below pre-COVID levels in […]