STAY INFORMED AND UP TO DATE WITH THE LATEST DRAYAGE NEWS

Welcome to our Drayage News Updates blog, your go-to source for weekly bullet points on the latest events in the dynamic world of drayage shipping. Get the latest news and industry updates for drayage, container shipping and imports for the U.S. Stay informed about current happenings and gain valuable insights into the industry’s trends, regulations, and innovations. Our concise and straightforward summaries will keep you up to date with the ever-changing landscape of container shipping, making us your trusted destination for all things Drayage.

January 13th: ILA and USMX Reach Tentative Six-Year Deal, Staving Off East and Gulf Coast Port Strikes 

• The ILA and USMX have tentatively agreed on a six-year contract, preventing strikes at US East and Gulf Coast ports. This deal balances job protection with port modernization, ensuring industry stability. (SupplyChain Drive)
• With Lunar New Year starting on January 28th, businesses will begin to slow down or halt production for the holiday. Importers and exporters should take this into account to plan their activities accordingly. 

December 30th: Port Automation Debate Sparks Potential ILA Strike, Lunar New Year Clash May Worsen Backlog

• A potential ILA dockworker strike on January 15, driven by firm stances on port automation, is anticipated. Should the strike extend beyond 15 days and coincide with the Lunar New Year, it will result in a substantial backlog. However, if the strike lasts around 5 days, we do not expect significant disruption. (WorldCargo News)

December 16th: U.S. Import Growth Hits 9% as Companies Frontload Ahead of Strikes and Holiday Season

• An ILA dockworker strike on January 15 due to entrenched positions on port automation is likely. If the strike extends beyond 15 days and overlaps with the Lunar New Year, it will cause a significant backlog.  (WorldCargo News) 
• Shippers are frontloading because of the Lunar New Year, strike threats, and potential tariffs, resulting in a 9% year-over-year increase in US imports. (Reuters) 
• Successful negotiations averted the December 17 Indian port strike. (WorldCargo News) 

December 9th: India’s Dockworkers Set December 17 Strike Deadline Amidst Wage Dispute

• An ILA dockworker strike on January 15 is likely, with entrenched positions on port automation.
• In India, a dockworker strike could start on December 17 if wage revisions aren’t implemented by December 15. This strike could cause significant delays. For North American freight, even a one-day strike can cause a backlog taking four to six days to clear, potentially disrupting supply chains for weeks or months.

December 2nd: ILA Pauses Strike Plans, Aiming for Successful Negotiations with Chavez-DeRemer’s Support

• Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s nomination for Labor Secretary is seen as pro-labor and favorable by the ILA. This increases the likelihood of a January strike. The ILA, representing East and Gulf Coast dockworkers, has paused its strike until January 15, 2025, for negotiations. A failed negotiation could disrupt the supply chain and cause economic losses. (AP News)

November 25th: ILA-USMX Contract Talks Stall on Automation, ILA Presses Current Administration’s Support

• Recent contract negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) broke down over automation issues. The ILA is leveraging the current administration’s stance before President-elect Trump takes office. If the ILA strikes in January, there is a likelihood that Trump may intervene using the Taft-Hartley Act. (The Marine Time Executive)

November 11th: Post-Election Surge in U.S. Imports Expected as Shippers Anticipate New Tariffs on Chinese Goods

• Following the election results, an expected surge in import activity to the U.S., particularly through Los Angeles and Long Beach ports, is anticipated due to shippers trying to preempt expected tariffs on Chinese goods. Additionally, changes in sourcing patterns and potential retaliatory tariffs could affect U.S. exports, while a looming Jan-25 East Coast dock strike may further impact shipping dynamics amid these shifts in trade policy.

November 4th: Shippers Adjust Inventory Ahead of Election, ILA Strike, and Chinese New Year to Avoid Disruptions

• Shippers are proactively moving inventory to mitigate anticipated disruptions from the election, ILA activities, and Chinese New Year, particularly on the West Coast. It’s advisable to plan ahead and adjust your logistics strategies to ensure smooth operations during these periods.
• Major importers are predicting that prices will rise if tariffs are implemented following the upcoming election.

October 28th: Shippers May Frontload in Late December to Head Off Chinese New Year Disruptions and Upcoming ILA Strikes

• Import activity is expected to slow this November and early December. However, another wave of frontloading may occur in late December as shippers prepare for the Chinese New Year and the proposed phase 2 of the ILA strikes in January.
• Labor unrest is escalating in Canada, with dockworkers at the country’s second-largest port, the Port of Montreal, went on strike this past weekend.

October 21st: Anticipated Slowdown in Import Activity for November and Early December

• Import activity is expected to slow this November and early December. However, another wave of frontloading may occur in late December as shippers prepare for the Chinese New Year and the proposed phase 2 of the ILA strikes in January.
• The Port of Savannah will need about three weeks to clear the backlog caused by the ILA strike and Hurricane Helene. (World Cargo News)

October 14th: Savannah Backlogged for 3 Weeks in Wake of ILA Strike and Hurricane Helene

• The ILA strike and Hurricane Helene have affected port operations. Savannah faces a 10-ship backlog, with vessels anchored for an average of 2.5 days, compared to the usual wait of less than a day. It will take about 3 weeks to normalize.
• Meanwhile, Los Angeles/Long Beach is experiencing growing congestion, with truck turn times increasing to 79 minutes, the highest since February 2024.

October 7th: ILA Strike Ends with Temporary Agreement

• The ILA port strike that ended Oct. 4th led to a 15-20 day backlog. Loads are shifting from intermodal to truckload to speed up delivery and moving capacity towards the East Coast.
• The strike ending signifies the 2 sides reaching a tentative agreement until January 15th. After that date, there could be another strike causing additional disruptions.

September 30th: U.S. Dockworkers Launch Massive Strike Over Wages and Automation, Threatening Ports and Supply Chain Disruption

• 45,000 U.S. dockworkers began a strike over wages and automation, potentially disrupting ports and supply chains. The strike could reignite inflation and cause shortages, especially during the holiday season. (AP News)
• JP Morgan projects that such a strike could cost the U.S. economy up to $4.5 billion per day, with industries like manufacturing and food and beverage particularly vulnerable due to their inability to stockpile goods months in advance. (Inc.)

September 23th: Anticipation Increases as Potential ILA Strike Grows Near

• As we anticipate the ILA strike on October 1st, which could affect nearly 50% of US imports from Maine to Houston, shippers have several options to mitigate disruptions. These include exploring alternative shipping routes, redirecting cargo to different ports, or using warehousing space to store rerouted freight until inland capacity becomes available. Delaying these adjustments could become costly.

September 16th: Impending ILA Strike Threatens Shutdown of Key US Ports and Imports

• If the ILA goes on strike, all ports from Maine to Houston, TX will be closed on October 1, affecting nearly 50% of US imports and creating approximately 6 days of backlog for each day they are closed. No further negotiations between the ILA and USMX are scheduled before the contract expires on September 30th.

September 9th: Impending ILA Port Strikes Risk Severe Delays

• We anticipate the ILA port strikes occurring on October 1st, if a new contract isn’t finalized. (Freight Waves)
• A one-day strike could cause a six-day backlog, while a week-long strike might delay clearance until mid-November, potentially costing the U.S. economy billions of dollars daily.

September 2nd: ILA Contract Expiry Looms as Union Pushes for Pay Raises and Automation Ban

• The International Longshoremen’s Association’s contract is set to expire on Sept. 30, with negotiations between the union and the United States Maritime Alliance stalled since June. The ILA has called for a delegates meeting on Sept. 4-5 to discuss demands, which may include significant pay increases and a ban on incremental automation. (Freight Waves)
• The ILA filed for federal mediation on August 19, after previously rejecting any mediation from the Biden Administration. There is conflicting information but locally, in Savannah, the belief is that the parties will resolve based on the impact to the economy.

August 26th: Maersk & Hapag Lloyd Gear Up for Potential ILA Strike as Contract Expiry Nears 

• Maersk & Hapag Lloyd are preparing for an ILA strike, as the contract ends September 30th. This would be the first strike between ILA & USMX in 50 years. If a strike occurred, one day of a strike would cause 6 days of backlog to the east coast ports. 

August 19th: Potential ILA Strike Could Prompt Shift of Freight from East Coast to West Coast 

• Maersk & Hapag Lloyd are preparing for ILA strike, as the contract ends September 30th. This would be the first strike between ILA & USMX in 50 years. If a strike occurred, freight may need to move from the East Coast ports to the West Coast. 
• US Imports continue to surge as peak approaches. Importers are front-loading cargo across the country to avoid strikes, with the West Coast seeing most of the gain, nearly a 20% increase YoY.  

August 5th: Growth and Readiness: West Coast Ports Prepare for Peak Season

• US Imports continue to surge as peak approaches. Importers are front-loading cargo across the country to avoid strikes, with the West Coast seeing most of the gain, nearly a 20% increase YoY.
• The Panama Canal is projected to return to full capacity by September. However, we expect shippers to remain cautious as they navigate.

July 29th: Impending Canadian Teamsters Strike Leads to Major Container Diversions to US, CN Reports

• Canadian National (CN) reported significant international container diversions to the US due to impending Canadian Teamsters strike. Canadian government expects to decide on strike authorization by August 9. (CN) 
• USMX reporting “forward movement” with ILA, as master contract expires September 30. 
• US Imports from Asia were up 7.8% YoY in the second quarter, while trans-pacific spot rates have stalled. 
• Port of Houston expected to become primary refrigerated container port in Gulf Coast after new USDA approvals. 

July 22th: Early Projections Point to an Extended Peak Season in Shipping Industry

• U.S. Customs & Border Protection approved a proposal from Ports of Indian-Burns Harbor to establish the first international sea cargo container terminal on Lake Michigan. (Northwest Indiana Business Magazine)
• Port of Baltimore is open averaging 700-1000 gate transactions daily last week.
• Projections show an early push toward & extended peak season.
• Concerns surrounding congestion/capacity continue to rise with Red Sea delays and labor negotiations in US East & Gulf Coasts.

July 15th: Record-Breaking Import Volumes, Container Imports Surge 7.5% YoY

• Monthly container imports rose 3% in May and 7.5% year-over-year, marking the highest volume since August 2022.
• Challenges include unresolved port labor negotiations and capacity issues due to disruptions in the Red Sea.
• Despite these challenges, retailers expect strong sales ahead, with import volumes projected to continue increasing through 2024. (JOC)

July 8th: Union Authorization Brings Potential Strike to CPKC and CN Railroads

• No major updates on ILA & US East, Gulf Coast port negotiations.
• Members of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference have voted to reauthorize strikes at CPKC and CN, the union announced Saturday.
• Volume and fixed price commitments made to NVO’s/Forwarders are not being honored by steamship lines, which is causing vessel capacity to be bumped and US importers scrambling to import inventory.

July 1st: Shippers Rush to Advance Cargo Amid Fears of Stronger Peak Season

• ILA & SC Ports reach an agreement which reopens Hugh Leatherman terminal and will help alleviate vessel congestion. (JOC)
• Red Sea crisis ripple effects beginning to increase congestion in Asian ports and straining global capacity. Equipment (container availability) is the key contributor – containers remaining in transit longer.
• Shippers are advancing their cargo due to panic in the market of a stronger peak season and getting ahead of rate increases, especially on transpacific lane.
• US retailers have raised their import forecasts through September, anticipating a 2.5% to 3.5% increase in consumer spending over 2023, with an extended peak season expected due to sustained consumer demand and strategic inventory buildup.

June 24th: International Port Congestion Leads to Anticipated Delivery Delays

• Dali, the cargo ship that crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge will be leaving the Port of Baltimore for Norfolk, Virgina to get repaired. (NPR)
• We are starting to see a slow in incoming inventory from distributors to alleviate excess inventory during this soft market. In addition, we are also seeing an increase in international port congestion, so prepare to expect delivery delays as issues with the Red Sea continue to cause congestion.

June 17th: Shippers Seek Alternate Strategies Amid Container Rate Volatility and Capacity Constraints

• The Panama Canal Authority announced the increase in the current number of daily transits from 32 to 33, effective July 11, as a result of the wetter than expected dry season and projected levels of Lake Gatun.
• Extended trade disruptions in the Red Sea have led shippers to seek alternative shipping strategies. Due to container rate volatility and capacity constraints, logistics teams are considering using multipurpose vessels for container transport in busy trade lanes, while some cargoes are moving from containers to breakbulk shipping modes.

June 10th: Global Trade Impacted by Container Shortage, Leading to Increased Freight Rates

• The main shipping channel to the Port of Baltimore has been reopened after the cleanup of debris from the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. The channel will be open to its original 700-foot width by June 8-10, allowing all pre-collapse, deep-draft commercial vessels to transit to the Port of Baltimore.
• The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance(USMX) are expected to complete their local contract bargaining by Friday at all Atlantic and Gulf Coast ports. Once the local contracts are completed, both parties expect master contract negotiations to resume, with the goal of reaching an agreement on a new pact before the current contract expires on September 30, 2024.
• US dockworkers are poised to strike unless a new contract with the ports is secured by September 30, when the current agreement expires. An October strike could introduce further complexity to this year’s presidential election and exacerbate shipping constraints during the holiday season. (WSJ)
• A sudden container shortage has hit global trade, causing ocean freight rates to increase. Factors such as bad weather, longer ocean transits, and vessels skipping ports are exacerbating supply chain issues. (CNBC)

June 3rd: Supply Constraints and High Freight Rates in Global Shipping Container Market

• The global shipping container market faces supply constraints due to diversions in the Red Sea, Asian port congestion, and unpredictable demand surges. Freight rates are rising significantly.
• Lessons from the pandemic era emphasize data-driven decision-making, technology adoption, and sustainability focus. Shippers must adapt to volatile market dynamics and invest in innovation.
• While spot rates remain high, overcapacity concerns persist due to record deliveries of new ships. Negotiation power and changing alliances add complexity to the market.

May 27th: Global Container Shipping Market Struggles with Equipment and Vessel Space Shortages

• We have started to see the ramifications of the Red Sea vessel diversions manifest as the global container shipping market struggles to cope with shortages of equipment and vessel space.
• According to Linerlytica, in its latest report, “The global port congestion indicator hit the 2m TEU mark, accounting for 6.8% of the global fleet with Singapore becoming the new congestion hotspot. The SCFI [Shanghai Containerized Freight Index] has jumped by 42% in the past month, with further gains to follow in June as carriers are adding new surcharges and rate hikes.” (Linerlytica)
• In just the past week, growing port congestion has removed over 400,000 TEU of vessel capacity from circulation. As the peak season approaches, these significant delays are anticipated to worsen in the coming weeks.

May 20th: South Carolina Ports Authority Shuts Down Due to Software Malfunction

• The South Carolina Ports Authority closed on Monday and into Tuesday after a software malfunction occurred on their systems.
• As of 11am on 5/21, the ports remain closed for cargo pick up and drop off. For updates, please visit the SC Ports Authority website. They will update every 2 hours.
• While vessel operations continued yesterday, the disruption affects 6,000 to 8,000 daily truck transactions and raises concerns about potential backlog and overflow at rail terminals operated by CSX and Norfolk Southern Railway near the ports.

May 6th: Rail container dwell times rise at LA/LB terminals, up 67% since January

• According to the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, rail container dwell times at the Los Angeles and Long Beach terminals have been steadily on the rise since January. March’s dwell time was up 67% from January to 7.02 days. April’s figures will be out later this month.
• This uptick in dwell time correlates with imports from Asia arriving at LA/LB increasing by 29.7% in the first quarter compared to the same period last year, reaching 1.96 million TEUs.

April 29th: Ports of LA, Long Beach, and Savannah Show Resilience Despite Lunar New Year Dip in Volumes

• While the ports of LA, Long Beach and Savannah reported a dip in volumes from February to March due to the timing of the Lunar New Year, they demonstrated resilience with substantial YoY increases in both imports and exports, highlighting varying degrees of recovery and growth across different regions.
• Port of Los Angeles: Handled 743,417 TEUs in March, a MoM decrease of 4.9% but a YoY increase of 19.3%. It experienced significant growth in exports, with a 47.3% increase compared to March 2023.
• Port of Long Beach: Saw a more modest growth in imports and a decrease in exports YoY, handling 654,082 TEUs in March, an 8.3% increase from March 2023.
• Port of Savannah: Continued to grow, handling 435,997 TEUs in March, up 18.5% from the previous year, with a notable 23.9% increase in loaded import TEUs.

April 22nd: Port of Baltimore Prepares for Increased Maritime Traffic with Temporary Channel Opening

• A third temporary channel has been opened northeast of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, allowing “commercially essential vessels” to enter and depart the Port of Baltimore. This expansion aims to increase shipping access while the bridge is being reconstructed.
• The new channel provides a controlling depth of 20 feet, a horizontal clearance of 300 feet, and a vertical clearance of 135 feet, enabling a wider variety of vessels to access the port.
• Approximately 15% of the port’s pre-collapse commercial activity is expected to resume with this opening.
• Officials are working towards opening the full channel by the end of May to restore most maritime traffic to one of the East Coast’s busiest ports.
• In other news, the Port of Portland will be halting container service at Terminal 6 as of October 1.

April 15th: Port of Oakland Closes Amid Pro-Palestinian Protests

• On Monday, 4/15, the Port of Oakland’s four container terminals closed for the day shift as a precaution due to pro-Palestinian protests in the area. The port reopened in the afternoon.
• Pro-Palestinian demonstrators also targeted the Port of New York and New Jersey, particularly focusing on Zim Integrated Shipping Services. The port remained open. (JOC)

April 8th: FMCSA Waiver Provides Relief for Baltimore Drayage Companies Amid Port Closure

• Drayage transportation companies face the dilemma of relocating resources or hiring temporary help amidst the Baltimore port closure, as most dray drivers are used to going home each night.
• A recent FMCSA waiver granting two extra hours of service time could enable Baltimore-based drayage drivers to serve Norfolk while still being home at night. (Freight Waves)

April 1st: Port of Baltimore Closure Spurs Increased Costs and Challenges in Drayage Operations

• The closure of the Port of Baltimore is causing challenges in drayage operations, leading to increased trucking and warehousing costs as importers scramble to adjust distribution strategies.
• Shippers are facing the need to reconnect Baltimore-bound freight with alternative distribution channels, potentially involving longer drayage distances and additional warehousing needs.
• The diversion of freight among ports is prompting the need for new distribution centers and more drayage drivers, resulting in increased complexities and costs in the transportation network. (JOC)

March 25th: What you should know about the Port of Baltimore

• The Port of Baltimore is the busiest US port for car shipments and the largest by volume for handling farm & construction machinery, as well as agricultural products. Other top imports are paper and plywood. 
• It is also the second busiest US port for coal exports. Other key commodities exported from the port are LNG, wastepaper, ferrous scrap and light trucks.
• The port handles nearly $800bn in cargo and services nearly 1,800 vessels yearly according to Maryland State Archives.

March 18th: Container Spot Rates Dip After Lunar New Year Celebrations Despite Market Strength

• Container spot rates from Asia to the United States are experiencing a seasonal dip post-Lunar New Year celebrations, despite market strength, attributed to increased carrier capacity and slow negotiations by major US retailers on annual service contracts.
• While container spot rates have dropped significantly, they remain higher than the previous year’s lows, suggesting a resilient market. Platts reports Asia-US rates of $3,000 per FEU to the West Coast and $4,500 to the East Coast, down from recent highs but not reaching last year’s levels, which sunk down to $1,050 and $2,050 for the West and East coast respectively.
• US retailers anticipate growth in imports from Asia, leading to increased projections for the second quarter and beyond, signaling positive signs for market expansion. (JOC)

March 11th: YoY February Imports Up 22.9%, Boosting Freight Demand

• While February imports are down 6% from January (normal seasonality), it’s important to note that YoY February imports are up 22.9%, which is a good sign for freight demand. While other factors are headwinds for freight, imports are providing a solid tailwind for the industry.

March 5th: Red Sea Disruptions Impact Ocean Carrier On-Time Reliability in January

• In January, ocean carrier on-time reliability decreased in January as a result of the disruptions in the Red Sea to 51.6%. This indicator is typically in the 70-80% range. (JOC)
• However, February experienced a bit of a rebound, at least in terms of shorter delays. The average delay for a ship from Asia to the East Coast, dropped from 11 days down to 8.5 days.

February 26th: Delay and Cost Increase in Cargo Shipments Due to Red Sea Attacks

• The attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea have led to delays in cargo shipments and increased shipping costs. However, the impact on inflation is expected to be muted due to soft demand and ample availability of ships.
• According to Alan Murphy, CEO of Sea-Intelligence Maritime Intelligence, “The present situation therefore does not present any reason to believe we will see a resumption of the Suez-routing anytime soon from the global carriers…Consequently, shippers should clearly plan for round- Africa as the new normal.” (JOC)

February 21st: Backlog at Oakland Terminal to be cleared in 2 weeks with added shift

• As reported by the JOC: A backlog of nine vessels at Oakland International Container Terminal (OICT), should be cleared within two weeks as OICT has temporarily added a third shift each day to reduce congestion at the facility. (JOC)

February 5th: Shipping Costs Surge as Container Spot Rates Reach New Heights

• Elevated container spot rates that have been increasing dramatically since the start of the new year.
• As of January 29th, spot rates from Asia to the West Coast are $4,421 or up 115% over this same time last year.
• East Coast spot rates from Asia are $6,165 or up 90.9% year over year.

January 29th: Shippers Advised To Plan Wisely to Tackle Rate Hike Challenges

• Importers, especially those constrained by contractual restrictions on surcharges, may face challenges in absorbing additional rate hikes.
• To navigate these issues, shippers are advised to understand their supply chain needs, utilize data for inventory planning, consider splitting shipments, collaborate with trusted logistics partners, explore different shipping modes and ports, diversify container types, and budget for potential delays during this critical period.

January 23th: Import Volume from Asia to US Set to Decline During Lunar New Year Period

• We spoke above about some of the impacts of Lunar New Year on imports from Asia to the US.
• Looking back to 2018 and the subsequent years, every year, less the COVID era, accounted for a 19-38% drop in import volume (TEUs) from Asia to the US from January to March.
• This year’s decline in import volume is expected to be more in-line with 2018-2019 levels.

January 15th: Descartes Reveals 2023 Imports Surpass Pre-COVID Years, With a 4.6% Increase Over 2019

• According to Descartes, 2023’s full-year imports came in at 24,959,664 TEUs. Compared to pre-COVID years, 2023 topped 2019 by 4.6%, 2018 by 3.8% and 2017 by 11.5%.
• Imports ended the year strong on the Gulf and East Coasts with jumps of 29.5% (Houston), 5.1% (NY/NJ), 6.3% (Charleston), 2.6% (Savannah), and 11.3% (Baltimore) from November into December.
• Numbers on the West Coast dropped month over month with Long Beach down 8.5%, LA down 5.3% and Tacoma down 26%.

January 8th: Freight Surge Expected at LA-Long Beach Ports Amidst Panama Canal and Suez Canal Threats

• Increased freight is expected at Los Angeles-Long Beach Ports given drought headwinds at the Panama Canal. This being paired with the Suez Canal/Red Sea shipping threats are sure to raise shipping prices from Asia to North America. The Shanghai – LA spot rate has already jumped 30% since December 21st.(FreightWaves)
• There are looming threats of a potential strike on the East Coast from the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA). The ILA is seeking higher wages and pushing back against automation. The current contract is set to expire in October 2024.

December 18th: US Retailer Express Optimism for Import Forecasts for Early 2024 After Strong Holiday Sales

• In November, the West Coast’s market share of imports from Asia increased by five percentage points, reaching 58.6%. Ongoing challenges in the Panama and Suez canals, including missile attacks, may further drive cargo to the West Coast. (JOC)
• The full impact of canal disruptions is yet to be experienced, and diversions to the West Coast may become more discernible in January.
• US retailers are optimistic about early 2024, increasing import forecasts due to strong end-of-year holiday sales. December imports are expected to jump 11.5% over December 2022, with January imports projected to climb 6.6% year over year. (JOC)

December 11th: Port of Los Angeles Aims to Enhance Efficiency with New 80-Acre Near-Dock Storage and Maintenance Site

• The Port of Los Angeles intends to improve fluidity at its six container terminals by developing an 80-acre near-dock site that will be used for container storage and chassis maintenance and repair. (JOC)

December 4th: Panama Canal Restrictions Prompt THE Alliance to Seek Alternative Routes via Suez Canal

• The Alliance’s ocean carriers have decided to suspend Panama Canal transits until February for three of their weekly container services between the US and Asia. In response to the ongoing drought in the region, leading to increased delays for vessels, the Panama Canal Authority has imposed significant restrictions on ship transits. These restrictions are expected to become even more stringent in the upcoming months. Consequently, the carriers have opted for longer sea routes through the Suez Canal to navigate these challenges. (JOC)

November 27th: Efficient Terminal Operations as Container Dwell Time Reaches Yearly Low in Ports of NY/NJ

• Container Dwell Time, the time a container sits at the port after being discharged from the vessel, at the Ports of NY/NJ is at one of the lowest levels of the year at 2.17 days, indicating that terminal operations, on average, are flowing relatively smoothly.

November 20th: US Retailers Anticipate Record Holiday Sales Despite Lower Import Volumes Throughout the Year

• In October, US imports from Asia reached the highest point in 2023, with containerized imports increasing by 5.9% from September and 12.4% from October 2022, as retailers rushed to stock up ahead of the holiday sales season. (JOC)
• Despite the October surge, year-to-date imports were down by 16.6% YoY, attributed to softer import volumes throughout the year due to factors such as inflation and high-interest rates.
• However, US retailers are still anticipating record holiday sales this year of $966.6bn, up 3% to 4% over last year, and the Global Port Tracker forecasts continued year-over-year growth in imports at least through March 2024.

November 13th: Port of Houston Experiences Growing Congestion

• Over the past 2 weeks, ocean container dwell time at the Port of Houston increased by a full day, to 4 days wait time, for picking up a container once discharged, indicating increased congestion.

October 30th: NACPC Launches MPOC to Double Chassis Pool and Boost Interoperability in Memphis

• The North American Chassis Pool Cooperative (NACPC) has launched the Memphis Pool of Choice (MPOC) in response to frustration among truckers and cargo owners with restrictions on chassis used for hauling ocean containers. The goal is to double the pool’s current 2,500 units within a year, with NACPC and Milestone Equipment Holdings as primary chassis suppliers. (JOC)
• MPOC aims to promote interoperability, allowing any chassis to be used with any container. NACPC is competing with Consolidated Chassis Management (CCM) in the Memphis market, claiming to offer a better chassis pool, while CCM believes NACPC’s approach may further fragment interoperability and hinder efficiency. (JOC)

October 23rd: Trans-Pacific Carriers Turn to Lázaro Cárdenas Port to Overcome Draft Limitations at Panama Canal

• Trans-Pacific ocean carriers are increasingly using Mexico’s Port of Lázaro Cárdenas as an alternative route to reach the US Midwest, bypassing the draft limitations of the Panama Canal. This shift is driven by the desire to tap into the port’s strategic advantages and growing intermodal opportunities. (JOC)
• Although Lázaro Cárdenas is the second-busiest container port in Mexico, it was not a regular stop for trans-Pacific services. However, this is changing rapidly. Carriers like Zim Integrated Shipping are now adding it as a direct call, creating a gateway for US-bound cargo with an emphasis on selected US inland destinations.

October 16th: West Coast Ports Report Surge in Market Share for US-bound Freight from Asia

• US Imports from Asia show a slight YoY gain in September at +1.4%, up from August’s -14.7% YoY. A significant portion of this freight has landed on the West Coast. Port and terminal sources are confident the uptick in West Coast market share will continue. (JOC)
• Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, said retailers in September began to return an increasing share of their discretionary cargo to the West Coast following the ILWU contract ratification. Key items to watch for shippers looking to move freight back to the West Coast are the Panama Canal water levels and the East Coast ILA contract negotiations ahead in 2024. (The Business Journals)

October 9th: Port of Savannah Battling Backlog of Vessels Amid Recent Closures

• The Port of Savannah is working its way through a backlog of 16 vessels that have been stacking up in recent weeks amid a string of closures. While shippers say the situation – which could linger through mid-November – is less than ideal, many noted there has been no significant impact yet. (JOC)
• Savannah’s Container Discharge Dwell time is currently 2.37 days, which is in line with where it has been through the summer; it’s also the shortest of the major ports across the country.

October 2nd: PN2 Service Absorbs Calls as The Alliance Cancels PN3 Service Following Market Turmoil

• The Alliance, a group of major ocean carriers, has suspended its Pacific Northwest 3 (PN3) service due to the current market situation, adding to a series of canceled sailings and service changes aimed at balancing ship supply with import demand. The Pacific Northwest 2 (PN2) service will absorb calls to the Asian ports previously served by PN3. (The Loadstar)
• The trans-Pacific trade route is experiencing significant service cuts and blank sailings as Asian imports to the US decline. Drewry’s canceled sailings tracker indicates that the trans-Pacific will account for the majority of canceled sailings between mid-September and the end of October, potentially leading to schedule disruptions and delays for shippers and beneficial cargo owners.

September 26th: Container Shipping Industry Takes Bold Steps Towards Decarbonization with Green Corridor Announcement

• A green shipping corridor was announced between the ports of LA, Long Beach, and Shanghai to combat the global climate crisis. These are accelerated decarbonization efforts steps in reducing the emissions of container ships, but that comes at a cost which would be pushed to down to the customer. Some analysts are expecting costs to be in the trillions over the next 2-3 decades.
• Zim, one of the worlds largest shipping lines, is looking to take advantage of the Port of Savannah’s expanded refrigerated cargo infrastructure by creating a direct route to the West Coast of South America.

September 18: On-Time Performance for Trans-Pacific Vessels Set to Plummet as a Result of Mass Cancellations

• Trans-Pacific lines are responding to the weak import volumes by blanking 200k+ TEUs of capacity in September and have announced an additional 370k+ TEUs in blanks for October, about 14% of trans-Pacific capacity, according to Sea-Intelligence.
• To prevent freight rates from collapsing, trans-Pacific carriers will reduce effective capacity through a “massive number of blank sailings,” Alan Murphy, CEO of Sea-Intelligence, said. Those canceled sailings will drag down vessel on-time performance, which is already at the dismal levels ~40% to the West Coast and ~39% to the East Coast.
• Given the above, and less any major disruption or enormous surge in demand, shippers should expect low container rates and low service levels heading into 2024.