North American shipment volumes and total spending on freight both dropped in January, according to the Cass Freight Index, but they were also at their highest level for the month in at least three years.
Archive for the ‘CHEMICAL’ Category
Oil Tanker Shipping ‘Bonanza’ Threatened by Increased Vessel Orders, Report Says
A steep rise in vessel orders risks bringing the recent bonanza in oil tanker shipping to an abrupt end, according to the latest edition of the Tanker Forecaster, published by shipping consultancy Drewry.
What’s the next move for West Coast ports?
While both sides are doing what they feel is best for their members, the impasse between the Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore Warehouse and Union is severely impacting West Coast port operations, and, to a larger extent, the supply chain in more than a few ways.
Average Diesel Price Posts First Weekly Gain Since November
The average cost of on-highway diesel has posted its first price increase so far this year, but remains well below the level from the same time a year ago. It gained 0.4 cent over the past week, hitting $2.835, its first weekly hike since November, but remains just over $1.14 less than during this same […]
Bigger Container Ships Pose Bigger Risks
(This article requires a subscription with The Wall Street Journal. To access, please click on the above link.) The big container ships that ply the world’s trade routes are growing ever larger, holding down the cost of ocean shipping, but also raising concerns among vessel operators, insurers and regulators about the potential for catastrophic accidents. […]
IANA reports strong full-year and fourth quarter 2014 performance
Even with myriad challenges in 2014, including harsh winter weather and the ongoing West Coast port congestion issues, intermodal volumes saw positive gains in 2014, according to the most recent edition of the Intermodal Market Trends & Statistics report from the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA).