Industry Opinions

E-bikes are a greener alternative but terminal operators beware

Ports, terminals, and logistics facilities are typically designed to accommodate large vehicles and cargo-handling equipment.

The introduction of smaller, more vulnerable road users like e-bikes and e-scooters presents unique challenges. These vehicles are less visible, making traffic management and the prevention of human-machine collisions much more difficult. Typically, terminal traffic layouts and pavement conditions, are designed for large vehicles and plants, not for smaller, more ...

https://container-news.com/e-bikes-are-a-greener-alternative-but-terminal-operators-beware/

Asia – Europe rates climbing on December GRIs

Some frontloading ahead of a possible ILA port strike after January 15th and expectations of tariff increases next year have kept transpacific ocean rates elevated to start December, with rates to the West Coast – even before the Lunar New Year 2025 rush – already above their pre-LNY 2024 highs seen back in January at the start of the Red Sea crisis.

Some carriers are reportedly introducing significant GRIs to try and push rates higher to start the month.

But the arrival window to move shipments...

https://container-news.com/asia-europe-rates-climbing-on-december-gris/

Trump Tariffs: Impact & Analysis by Freightos

Late November is typically a slow season for transpacific ocean freight. But through last week transpacific ocean rates remained level and elevated at more than US$5,000/FEU since mid-October, with prices to the East Coast climbing past the US$6,000/FEU so far this week.

This rate strength probably reflects some frontloading ahead of both a possible renewed ILA strike at East Coast and Gulf ports after January 15th and anticipation of Trump administration tariff increases next year.

President-elec...

https://container-news.com/trump-tariffs-impact-analysis-by-freightos/

Baltic Dry Index still down 10% despite recovery in capesize demand

In this week’s “Shipping Number of the Week” from BIMCO, Shipping Analyst, Filipe Gouveia, looks at the November recovery of the Baltic Dry Index (BDI). The capesize market has benefited from an increase in shipments so far in November but the index is still down 10% y/y.

“The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) has recovered since the start of November due to stronger capesize freight rates, but the index is still down 10% y/y. The capesize market has benefited from a 1% increase in shipments so far in...

https://container-news.com/baltic-dry-index-still-down-10-despite-recovery-in-capesize-demand/

No real air peak yet; GRIs stick for Asia-Europe ocean: Freightos

Last week, Canada’s Labor Minister ended the separate labor disputes – one on each coast – that had resulted in lockouts at Canada’s major container ports.

The Industrial Relations Board ordered operations to resume in Vancouver, Prince Rupert and Montreal, and sent operators and port worker unions to binding arbitration, with ports reopening late last week. The ILWU Local 514 in British Columbia has stated they will file legal challenges to these orders, though for now, the disruptions on both...

https://container-news.com/no-real-air-peak-yet-gris-stick-for-asia-europe-ocean-freightos/

US freight industry sees US$46 billion boom in e-shipments

Revenue from e-commerce shipments in the freight industry surged by 7% to US$706 billion. Tax specialists warn businesses of increased liability if not managed properly.

Companies in the United States freight industry have seen a record value of e-commerce shipments. Revenue from e-shipments surged to US$706 billion, according to the latest annual data, an increase of 7% compared to the previous year.

The findings bring into focus an industry which is increasingly turning to digital transactions...

https://container-news.com/us-freight-industry-sees-us46-billion-boom-in-e-shipments/

Golden Age: Container shipping’s post-covid boom continues

Orders of new container vessels are up by ~52% year-on-year with 254 new contracts placed in 2024, compared to 167 in the corresponding period of 2023 according to a new report by VesselsValue, the data intelligence arm of maritime data and freight management solutions provider Veson Nautical.

The report, titled ‘Golden Age: Container shipping’s post-covid boom continues’, states that in addition to the huge uptick in orders, 2024 has seen 362 new container vessels entering the market with a...

https://container-news.com/golden-age-container-shippings-post-covid-boom-continues/

Container ship deliveries hit new record of 2.5 million TEUs

“Just ten months into 2024, shipyards’ deliveries of container ships have reached a new annual record. A total of 410 ships with a capacity of 2.5 million TEUs have been delivered, surpassing the previous full-year high of 2.3 million TEUs in 2023,” stated Niels Rasmussen, Chief Shipping Analyst at BIMCO.

As recycling of older ships has remained low, the deliveries have increased the size of the container fleet by 2.4 million TEUs (8.7%) since the beginning of 2024. The container fleet now...

https://container-news.com/container-ship-deliveries-hit-new-record-of-2-5-million-teus/

Ocean rates falling post-peak season, but labor and election results could renew pressure for North America lanes

Asia–Europe ocean rates closed October 30% lower than at the end of September as Red Sea diversions that led to an early peak season meant the post-peak/pre-Lunar New Year demand lull started early this year too.

Prices of US$3,500/FEU to both Europe and the Mediterranean have reached the floor set during the previous demand lull this year in March and April, though these rates are still about double long-term averages as sailings around the Cape of Good Hope continue to absorb capacity.

Some...

https://container-news.com/ocean-rates-falling-post-peak-season-but-labor-and-election-results-could-renew-pressure-for-north-america-lanes/

Navigating the challenges of underwater radiated noise: A win-win for emissions and ocean health

The maritime industry’s push toward decarbonisation brings an unexpected benefit: the reduction of underwater radiated noise (URN).

While the sector focuses intensively on emissions reduction and fuel efficiency, these same measures are quietly contributing to a healthier acoustic environment in our oceans. For ship owners and operators already investing in green technologies, addressing URN can be a natural extension of existing environmental initiatives, offering a dual benefit for both...

https://container-news.com/navigating-the-challenges-of-underwater-radiated-noise-a-win-win-for-emissions-and-ocean-health/

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