American Shipper

After container ships sped up, why did they just tap on the brakes?

container shipping

Container ships are crossing the world’s oceans faster this year amid a red-hot freight market.

The latest ship-speed stats from U.K.-based data provider VesselsValue reveal the extent of the gains. The data also points to a surprising and potentially bearish development: Container lines have just tapped on the brakes.

Why ships speed up

In bulk commodity shipping, when spot freight rates are high, as they are now for dry cargo, operators make more money speeding up on the ballast (empty backhaul)...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/after-container-ships-sped-up-why-did-they-just-tap-on-the-brakes

Breaking: Congress approves $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill

A historic, $1.2 trillion infrastructure package that folds in a reauthorization of the highway bill for the next five years — including a load of new provisions that affect trucking — is finally headed to President Joe Biden’s desk for signing.

After months of political gamesmanship between the progressive wing of the Democratic party in The House of Representatives and conservative Democrats in the Senate – both trying to use leverage to affect passage of the related budget reconciliation bill...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/congress-approves-12-trillion-infrastructure-bill

Tacoma marine terminals impose $300 surcharge on container overstays

Waterside view of the Port of Tacoma, with a ship at berth, tall cranes and a snow-capped mountain in the background.

Two marine terminals at the Port of Tacoma in Washington are following the lead of the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports by implementing steep fees on long-resting containers to reduce a large overflow that is gumming up operations and slowing the delivery of cargo.

Husky Terminal & Stevedoring on Monday began assessing a $315 charge for containers that have dwelled on the docks for more than 15 days to improve velocity, according to a customer notice. The fee is due before cargo will be released.

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/tacoma-marine-terminals-impose-300-surcharge-on-container-overstay

Lawmaker proposes emergency port trucker bill for 18-to-20-year-old drivers

Newly introduced legislation would eliminate restrictions on truck drivers under 21 that prohibit them from moving cargo into and out of congested container ports.

The Supplying America Needs Truckers Aged 18 Act — or Santa 18 Act – aims to maximize the labor force during the current peak shipping season, according to U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, R-Florida, the bill’s sponsor. The bill, introduced Thursday, currently has 19 co-sponsors, all Republicans.

“Of course, Santa will deliver Christmas gifts to...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/lawmaker-proposes-emergency-port-trucker-bill-for-18-to-20-year-old-drivers

New coalition hopes to create demand drivers for sustainable solutions

The First Movers Coalition aims to provide demand signals for the transition to zero-emissions fuels and technologies.

A new multinational coalition aims to decarbonize “hard-to-abate” sectors such as shipping and provide much-needed demand signals for zero-emissions fuels and technologies.

Launched Thursday at the UN Climate Conference (COP26), the First Movers Coalition is led by the World Economic Forum and John Kerry, U.S. special presidential envoy for climate. 

Amazon, along with major shippers such as A.P. Møller – Maersk, Deutsche Post DHL Group and Yara International, joined the First Movers Coalition as...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/new-coalition-hopes-to-create-demand-drivers-for-sustainable-solutions

Amply Power unveils shipping containers for cheaper, portable EV charging

Amply Power unveiled a shipping container portable EV charging solution.

Electric vehicle charging services provider Amply Power unveiled a semi-permanent yet portable charging solution called Inrush on Friday. Inrush uses repurposed shipping containers to hold multiple EV charging stations.

Located in Disney’s Toy Story parking lot in Anaheim, California, Anaheim Transportation Network is the first Inrush customer. The project will consist of two shipping containers, each housing five charging stations, allowing 10 electric buses to charge at once. Two 200kW...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/amply-power-unveils-shipping-containers-for-cheaper-portable-ev-charging

Three terminal operators form joint venture to improve Savannah efficiency

A photograph of containers at a terminal.

Three companies have formed the joint venture Gateway Terminals in an effort to increase efficiency at the Port of Savannah.

Ports America, Ceres and SSA Atlantic have consolidated container terminal, truck gate and stevedoring services in order to take advantage of “compelling” growth opportunities, especially  “in light of the tremendous increase in demand for services to support Georgia Ports Authority (GPA), the nation’s third busiest container port complex,” GPA noted in a release Thursday.

“...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/three-terminal-operators-form-joint-venture-to-improve-savannah-efficiency

Increased flying for Amazon Air helps ATSG to record Q3 revenue

A white jet with the ATI logo flies high into a blue sky.

Air Transport Services Group, a diversified air cargo provider, racked up another win in the third quarter of 2021 with record revenues and pre-tax earnings of $81.2 million compared to $5.6 million a year ago. 

Credit the strong e-commerce demand and an industry shortage of cargo capacity.

The Wilmington, Ohio-based company beat analysts’ consensus expectations Thursday with revenue of $466 million, up 15% from 2020, and adjusted earnings per share of 60 cents, a 46% increase. 

Management raised...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/increased-flying-for-amazon-air-helps-atsg-to-record-q3-revenue

Crude tankers still bleeding cash. Stars aligned for 2022 recovery?

crude tankers shipping

Container shipping is having its best year ever and dry bulk shipping its best since pre-financial crisis. Crude-tanker shipping is having its worst year since the 1980s.

Tanker executives speaking on conference calls and analysts writing in client notes continue to highlight the green shoots, yet earnings remain stubbornly and deeply in the red.

On Wednesday and Thursday, tanker owners reported huge losses for Q3 2021: Euronav (NYSE: EURN) lost $105.9 million, Teekay Tankers (NYSE: TNK) $52.1...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/crude-tankers-still-bleeding-cash-stars-aligned-for-2022-recovery

Exorbitant ocean rates, need for speed give air cargo an edge

A close up of a cargo pallet wrapped in plastic on a lift ready to go in the old of an aircraft, waiting in front of jet engine.

Increased use of airfreight by shippers trying to avoid clogged ports is adding pressure to overtaxed air capacity and sharply pushing up rates, especially out of Asia, but new data showing demand plateaued in October reinforces evidence that the traditional busy shipping season started earlier than normal.

In a panic over slower factory production due to power rationing in China and shortages of semiconductors, as well as ocean shipping backlogs that have quadrupled delivery times, more...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/exorbitant-ocean-rates-need-for-speed-give-air-cargo-an-edge

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