For the past two years, West Coast cargo congestion has dominated headlines as dozens of vessels at anchor wait to come into seaports and stacks of containers linger at terminals, exposing an already fragile supply chain. The congestion problem -- which stemmed from the pandemic-driven cargo volumes that shattered records last year -- caught the attention of the federal government, which announced it is prioritizing strengthening the supply chain with billions of dollars of investment in port and waterway infrastructure. While consumer demand has slowed a bit from last year’s record pace of goods flowing into U.S. ports, it nonetheless…
As the world emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers are expected to eventually shift more of their spending from goods to services, but ongoing gridlock at seaports and recent efforts to decarbonize container vessels may continue to affect ocean freight rates in the trans-Pacific. So said experts at a Feb. 28 panel at the Journal of Commerce’s TPM22 Conference in Long Beach, Calif. The panel of experts - which included Rahul Kapoor, vice president and head of commodity research, maritime and trade at IHS Markit, and Thorsten Meincke, a board member for logistics company DB Schenker, spoke about the container…
Without much fanfare, the stage is being set for a $1.55 billion, decade-long project to nearly double the Port of Long Beach’s (POLB) on-dock rail-service capability. The project is advancing as Long Beach plans for a continuation of growth after its 2021 record of handling 9.4 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units), a 16% increase. The goal for the project is to move as much as 35% of cargo through on-dock rail, compared to roughly 20% today. Construction is set to begin next year. Port Executive Director Mario Cordero summed up the project. “The Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility advances…
On June 8, World Oceans Day, MSC Cruises, the cruise division of global shipper MSC Group, published its 2021 Sustainability Report, which states that while the past year has been marked by the challenges brought by the pandemic, the Geneva-based cruise line made progress in its sustainability practices. MSC’s Sustainability Action Plan, developed with the active engagement of employees and external partners, establishes six key workstreams across the business: transitioning to net-zero emissions, scrutinizing resource use and waste, supporting our people, investing in sustainable tourism, building greener terminals, and procuring sustainably. Actions within the plan are accompanied by goals, with…
While the U.S. shipbuilding industry has diminished over the past few decades, some are still welding, riveting and brainstorming to fill the oceans and waterways with pleasure boats and enormous freighters that can drift by in relative silence. But before the actual hands-on labor can begin, concepts and designs are created on paper and computer screens. Shipwrights and designers alike are no longer mainly focused on churning out what’s “tried and true.” As the 21st century presses on, maritime vessel designers are becoming more attuned to specific needs and global technology, all while trying to minimize their impact on our…
In 1872, the entrance to the Columbia River was the site of the first lightship on the West Coast. And the final lightship version, WLV-604, was the last to be retired in 1979, after 28 years of service. When loaded with fuel and stores, the vessel’s hull resembled a 128-foot cargo vessel with a displacement of over 600 tons. Most of this was not actually cargo—the look was the result of the heavy construction to survive everything the sea could throw at it, plus tons of ballast to prevent a knockdown in storm conditions. It was replaced by a U.S.…
Schedule predictability is always at the top of the commuter’s list of demands, so for ferry operators, staying on schedule is crucial. If a ferry sails a couple of hours late, the impact on passengers is significant. To maximize reliability of their fleets, ferry operators demand exceptional dependability from their installed equipment and integrity of energy sources—including the assurance of guaranteed fuel supplies. If there is even the slightest question about reliability, availability or cost effectiveness related to fuel energy, then operators will demand alternative energy options such as back-up generators, energy storage at terminals and/or hybrid engines that burn…
At this point, I believe it’s no secret that finding experienced, qualified and reliable workers has been a challenge for many employers, especially those in the maritime sector: I have touched on this a few times in my past columns. Unfortunately, we are continuing to see this trend follow us as we approach the halfway mark of 2022. It has prompted many to ask, “Where have all the mariners gone?” At first, I really didn’t give it much thought. But I began to have to confront the question more and more as it was coming up almost daily in my…
Seattle-based naval architecture firm Glosten revealed June 8 that it has been selected to design a new marine research vessel for King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). The vessel would be in keeping with KAUST’s mission to provide world-class marine research and support Saudi Arabia’s goals to study and protect marine environments. The state-of-the-art oceanographic research vessel would replace KAUST’s existing vessel, Thuwal. The new research vessel, according to KAUST, would bring advanced research capabilities for work in both shallow reef and deepwater environments, a reconfigurable deck for multipurpose jobs and equipment, and weather hardy traits for managing…
French maritime shipping company CMA CGM in early June announced the launch of its ACSA 5 route connecting Asia with Mexico, Guatemala and Chile starting later in the month. The service is specially designed for refrigerated transport of perishables and fresh fruits toward Asia. “ACSA 5 will be complementing the three ACSA services already offered by CMA CGM, with competitive and short transit times, a strategic asset for our customers, especially producers of perishable goods and fresh fruits,” the shipper said in its announcement. “With this unique offer, CMA CGM pursues its ambition to strengthen its service to South America.”…