Market Analysis

  • LInes Slowly Adding Capacity
  • Carriers are starting to react to the growing container volume by reactivating laid up vessels.
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  • Container Ship Cancellations Reach 6.7%
  • 140 Container ships have been cancelled since September 2008. This amounts to 436,000 TEUs in the market.
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  • FAQ - "10+2" Filing Requirements
  • Read the most recent update to ISF filing requirements
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  • Southeast Asia Showing Steady Progress
  • Southeast Asia countries, specifically Vietnam, are banking on a strong trade this year. Industry experts agree that Vietnam will continue to grow as carriers add more direct services.
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  • Asia-Europe Market Strong
  • After a lackluster 2009, the Asia-Europe market is showing signs of returning to normal.
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  • Container Imports Projected to Increase 25%
  • December 2009 was first increase in containerized imports seen in 28 months. Gobal Port Tracker is now projecting 25% growth for the for six months of 2010.
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  • West Coast Spot Rate
  • The Asia - West Coast spot rate increased 20.5 percent in one week.
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  • Equipment Shortages Plague Export Market
  • Cpacity reductions continue to impact the export market. Finding equipment is becoming a challenge for certain U.S. regions.
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  • Carriers Remain Optimistic For 2010
  • Carriers providing service from Asia to the United States are suggesting that 2010 vessel utilization will be in the mid 90% range. This will be a signifianct improvement over 2009.
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  • TPEB Spot Rate Increases 10%
  • The spot rate market on rates from Hong Kong to LA has jumped 10% in one week.
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  • Container Imports Increased in December
  • After 30 months of decline, container estimates for December appear poised to overtake 2008 numbers.
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  • Capacity Decreases in 2009
  • The world's top 20 ocean carriers has a combined 6.9% of their fleet idled.
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  • Air Freight Surges
  • Air Freight from Asia to the United States increased 14.5%
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  • Losses Mount For Steamship Lines
  • Steamship lines are expected to lose in excess of $10 billion for the first nine months of this year.
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  • Imports Projected to Increase
  • Retailers are projecting a turnaround in the number of containers imported at U.S. ports.
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  • West Coast ports
  • U.S. West Coast ports recognize they have problems. Can they convince shippers they are serious about staying competitive?
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  • Capacity reductions continue
  • Carriers continue to reduce capacity in an attempt to hold onto to recent rate increases.
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  • Carriers aiming for higher rates in 2010
  • Top carrier executive says “survivability” will determine rates in 2010, not supply-demand.
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  • Black Friday
  • Shoppers were willing to spend---if there was a bargain.
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  • Cyber Monday
  • Online sales should help improve the holiday numbers.
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  • 2010 market overview
  • Listen to NOL’s group President provide an overview of the market during a Q&A session with JOC’s Peter Tirschwell
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Association Advisories

  • MSC Blames Shippers
  • MSC's CEO blames shippers not steamship lines for the current industry crisis.
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  • Slow Steaming Not Going Anywhere
  • In an effort to reduce feul costs, carriers have no plans to alter their slow steaming operations.
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  • Wal-Mart's Reimbursement Charge
  • Starting February 1st, Wal-Mart will begin implementing its "reimbursement charge" for late deliveries.
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  • 10+2 Enforcement
  • Customs makes it clear that enforcement of 10+2 is not being delayed.
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  • TSA Elects Hanjin CEO Chairman
  • Hanjin President & CEO, Kim Young Min, has been elected the new Chairman of TSA's executive committee.
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  • Expect Slow Steaming During 2010
  • Steamship lines will continue to slow down the speed of ships to save money on fuel.
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  • PierPass--Does It Still Make Sense?
  • With lower container volume moving through Southern California ports, one carrier executive questions the validity of PierPass.
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  • Drewry Says There Will be Liquidations
  • Dwrery has gone on record saying the container industry will see some liquidations in 2010.
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  • 2010 Truckload Capacity Will Tighten
  • Truckload rates are expected to increase in 2010 due to better supply/demand balance.
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  • Financial News
  • CMA CGM
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  • Emergency Revenue Program
  • TSA carriers announce Emergency Revenue Program of $400/40 to be implemented Jan 15.
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  • Financial Information
  • Hapag-Lloyd losses continue to mount
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  • Financial Information
  • ZIM
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  • Financial Information
  • NYK
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  • The International Home + Housewares Show
  • It’s not too early to register for the 2010 International Home + Housewares Show, March 14-16, McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois
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  • Maersk rejoins TSA
  • Market conditions a major factor in decision to rejoin discussion group.
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Legal Corner

  • Why You Might Have to Sue Your Carrier in a Foreign Court
  • Doesn’t it seem a little strange that a U.S. importer that pays for an ocean carrier to bring its goods into the United States might have to sue that carrier in a foreign country thousands of miles away for loss or damage to his goods?
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  • Prospects For 2010
  • With 2009 behind us, 2010 brings us many new challenges.
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  • What is a carrier? What is a shipper?
  • Perhaps you have heard the phrase “regulated industry” before. You may have even heard that the ocean shipping industry is a regulated industry. A regulated industry is an industry subject to government regulation usually overseen by a specialized agency created for that purpose.
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Supply Chain Technology

  • Should You LoJack Your Cargo
  • According to PR Web, cargo theft has increased from 2008. LoJack can provide you with monitoring and security.
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  • Around the World in a Solar Boat
  • The worlds largets solar powered boat will sail around the world.
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  • Discovery Channel and Singapore's Port
  • The Discovery Channel looks at the port of Singapores operations.
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  • Update or Create Your Logistics Strategy
  • This gave a great overview of developing a logistics strategy.
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  • IBMs New Tracking Software
  • Soon the Internet of Things could track your cargo.
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  • Using a Century Old Strategy During Recession
  • During the 60's companies had more control over themselves, but was outsourced over the years. Some big companies want that control back by using vertical integration.
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  • China to Improve Ports
  • China is working on keeping its ports efficient. Their ports use information systems to keep the facility’s components in sync.
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Service Providers

  • New World Alliance Adds Vessel
  • New World Alliance added one vessel to their Pacific Southwest String.
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  • Maersk Line Posts Loss
  • A.P. Moller-Maersk posted a $2.1 billion loss thanks in large part to their container business.
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  • First Time Ever Maersk Reports Loss
  • Container shipping division reports $2.09 bn loss
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  • OOCL Implements Canada GRI
  • OOCL has will be implementing a GRI on cargo moving from South China to Canada.
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  • CMA Delays Ship Orders
  • CMA is looking to delay orders for 15 ships as well as cancel 15 ships.
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  • Hapag Losses Mount
  • Hapag losses increased 150 percent in the first three months of current fiscal year.
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  • FedEx Rolls Out New Service
  • FedEx announced a new service called "FedEx International DirectDistribution". The service will allow companies to consolidate multiple packages into one shipment for Customs clearance and bypass DC's.
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  • Maersk CEO Responds
  • In a recent letter to customers, Maersk Line CEO addressed the instability in the market.
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  • MOL Shows Signs of Improvement
  • MOL upgraded its fiscal year ending March 31, 2010 outlook. Revenue is projected to be up 3.8 percent and net income up 150 percent.
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  • NOL Loses $741 Million in 2009
  • NOL (APL's parent) reported a 4Q loss of $211 million. The total loss for 2009 was $741 million compared with a net profit of $83 million in 2008.
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  • MOL 11 Digit BL Number Takes Effect Feb 2010
  • MOL hopes to enhance their container security process by switching to 11 digit BL number.
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  • OOCL Adds Service Loops
  • OOCL will add three new loops in their Asia to Europe service.
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  • MOL - 10 + 2
  • MOL issues statement regarding 10 + 2 Importer Security Filing Requirements
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  • MOL adds 2 digits to BL
  • MOL hopes to enhance their container security process by switching to 11 digit BL number.
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  • Maersk Chassis Program
  • Truckers are starting to support Maersk Chassis program.
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  • Maersk shifts spending
  • Maersk to focus on oil and gas business
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  • Super Slow Steaming
  • Maersk was one of the first carriers to slow down their vessels. They are now prepared to slow down their vessels even further.
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