Premium News

Premium AJOT reporting and analysis for transportation, logistics, maritime, ports, air cargo, trade and supply chain professionals.

Factors to consider when striving to meet unprecedented chassis demand

AJOT Staff | September 13, 2021 | Intermodal | Trucking

The unprecedented demand for chassis that began during the pandemic in 2020 is expected to continue through 2021 – and most likely into 2022. This is why carriers must consider these key factors when leasing chassis to successfully meet their needs in this challenging environment: chassis condition, leasing flexibility and service quality.

Rail links keep cargo moving in and out of Midwest ports

Paul Scott Abbott | September 13, 2021 | Ports & Terminals | Ports

Even absent traditional intermodal container activity, rail links offer vital connections for proficiently moving cargo in and out of Midwest lake and river ports. And leadership of Port Milwaukee is hoping a sought-after intermodal facility will further rail’s role in the region.

Post-pandemic recovery invigorates Canadian ports

Leo Ryan | September 13, 2021 | Ports & Terminals | Ports

A year ago at this time, the great majority of Canadian ports were suffering cargo declines as the devastating COVID-19 was in full flight and the global economy was being hammered by the worst downturn in decades.

Revisitng the Heartland Corridor project 11 years later

George Lauriat | September 13, 2021 | Intermodal | Rail

It’s almost exactly 11 years since the “Heartland Corridor” opened for business, providing an intermodal link from the Port of Norfolk, Virginia to, as the name implies, the U.S. Midwest “Heartland” with Chicago as the nominal end point.

Labor shortages imperil intermodal performance

Peter Buxbaum | September 13, 2021 | Intermodal | Trucking

It’s not just a lack of truck drivers these days, it’s also fewer terminal and warehouse workers contributing to record equipment turnaround times and clogging the system.

It’s a matter of trusts… Kansas City Southern saga begins again

George Lauriat | September 13, 2021 | Intermodal | Rail

On August 31st, the U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) rejected the “voting trust” proposed by the Canadian National Railway (CN) in its pursuit to procure Kansas City Southern (KCS) rail.

DC’s freight debate: Intermodal largely neglected in federal infrastructure proposals

Peter Buxbaum | September 13, 2021 | Intermodal | Rail

For an administration intent on tackling the ravages of climate change, investments in intermodal infrastructure would therefore seem to be a natural priority. But there’s scant evidence of that in President Joe Biden’s much-ballyhooed infrastructure proposals, although some funding could provide indirect help.

Where’s my freight?

Peter Buxbaum | September 13, 2021 | Ports & Terminals | Ports | Shipping Technology

Ports, carriers, and tech companies are working on better intermodal visibility

Finished vehicle industry grappling with unknowns

Paul Scott Abbott | September 13, 2021 | Maritime | Breakbulk News

As the automotive supply chain grapples with challenges ranging from import volume vicissitudes to continuing COVID-19 pandemic impacts, a quartet of roll-on/roll-off cargo veterans with more than a century of combined industry experience offers hope that a return to some level of normalcy is not far away.

The unprecedented KCS cross-border acquisition battle: What’s in it for Canadian shippers?

Leo Ryan | September 13, 2021 | Intermodal | Rail

While most of the battle between CP and CN is being played out in the U.S., a significant question looms large: What’s in it for Canadian shippers? John Corey, head of the Freight Management Association of Canada shares his opinion of what this merger might mean for Canadian shippers.

North America’s leading iron ore export hub surging towards new peaks

Leo Ryan | September 13, 2021 | Ports & Terminals | Ports

UK fishing industry forced to adapt to post-Brexit paradigm

Peter Buxbaum | August 23, 2021 | International Trade | Commodity

British fishermen were among the most vocal Brexit supporters, long chafing at what they believed to be unfair EU practices that cut into their catch.

Post-Brexit trade challenging logistics sector to adapt

Matt Miller | August 23, 2021 | International Trade

Scrapping “Kermits”, fines, mountains of custom documents, driver shortages, phased implementation and new shipping routes are all part of post-Brexit trade…with lots more changes to come.

Practicing extreme agility

Peter Buxbaum | August 23, 2021 | Air Cargo | Air Forwarders

The spike in demand for consumer goods and the chaos that has sown in the ocean freight market has led a growing number of shippers to consider airfreight to get their goods from Point A to Point B.

Airfreight: A bright spot for carriers

Peter Buxbaum | August 23, 2021 | Air Cargo | Freighters

With ocean shipping in turmoil, the COVID-19 economy has allowed cargo to become a significantly larger part of airline revenues.

Hong Kong’s trading future

George Lauriat | August 23, 2021 | International Trade

Under the slogan “One Country Two Systems,” Hong Kong enjoyed more economic freedom than any nation in the world.

Port of San Francisco greets zero emission Energy Observer

Stas Margaronis | July 28, 2021 | Energy | Alternative | Maritime

Katia Nicolet, chief scientist for the Energy Observer, provided a tour and an overview of the renewable energy powered catamaran that arrived at the Port of San Francisco on May 6th and is on its way to Hawaii and Japan.

Green Shipping Line proposes US feeder ships to deliver offshore wind components

Stas Margaronis | July 26, 2021 | Maritime | Breakbulk News

U.S.-based Green Shipping Line (GSL) is proposing to build the first of what it hopes will be a fleet of feeder ships to transport wind turbine components from U.S. Atlantic coast ports to new Atlantic coast wind farms, according to Percy Pyne, Chairman and CEO.

US infrastructure spending should boost steel demand

Peter Buxbaum | July 26, 2021 | Maritime | Breakbulk News

The trillion dollar infrastructure plan could stimulate demand for 50 million tons. But it would also add complexity to a volatile global demand and pricing picture.