Tag Archives: container shipping

‘Synchro-modality’ the key to solving congestion problems at Europe’s ports

Posted on October 20, 2021 by | Leave a comment

And what is this ‘synchro-modality’?

Barge operators in Europe are calling for greater cooperation between ocean carriers, port terminals, and barge operators to make sure the goods flow smoothly to and from ships, port terminals and barges.

Barges, like containerships, take up quay space. The very large container ships now take up a lot of berth space, and it can be hard to schedule in the much smaller barges. So detailed joint planning is needed to make the loading and unloading happen as quickly as possible. It will only be possible if all the parties involved in moving the containers cooperate. And that will include warehouses and trucks as well.

A good prescription for future cooperation? I’m not sure, but somehow cooperation and sharing of information is essential.

By Alexander Whiteman 20/10/2021

‘Synchro-modality’ the key to solving congestion problems at Europe’s ports – The Loadstar

Leave a comment

Posted in Logistics, Supply Chains

Tagged , , , , , ,

Maersk looks set to cut out freight forwarders to attract larger BCOs

Posted on October 20, 2021 by | 1 comment

Well, who would have guessed! Once Maersk built out its systems for booking shipments, it’s natural they would be cutting out forwarders. It’s what forwarders have been saying was going to happen for a while. and with Tradelens, Maersk can offer tracking, but also without involving forwarders.

This upstream cannibalism of customers may work for Maersk. They have worked very hard building their systems to make booking happen. And they are large enough to have a bit of market power over some forwarders.

But so much of all container lines’ traffic comes from forwarders. That part will go down, and more than it might, because forwarders will be bent out of shape and angry at having customers pirated.

I think it most hurts the littler guys, though, both forwarders and shippers.

But doesn’t Maersk have to focus on getting the ships to run on time? Blanking sailings and ships piling up outside ports are indicators of serious supply chain flaws. It would be more important for Maersk and other liner firms to do something about those issues.

Prices cannot continue to be through the roof as they are now, with containers not available or in the wrong place for cargo, or not being able to be moved, without crippling ocean container shipping in the long run.

By Nick Savvides 20/10/2021

Maersk looks set to cut out freight forwarders to attract larger BCOs – The Loadstar

1 Comment

Posted in Logistics, Shipping, Strategy, Supply Chains

Tagged , , , , ,

President Biden challenges private sector to tackle supply chain logjams

Posted on October 14, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Apparently the main action so far is to jawbone LA and Long Beach to open for more hours. The Executive Directors of the ports are in line with this.

But port governance gives them little actual power to open the terminals for longer hours. Ports are basically landlords, and have no operational control over the terminal operators, which are several different firms. It’s not clear what the Directors can do to change operations at these private firms.

Some announcements have been made, and it will be worth watching to see if any of the terminals do actually lengthen their hours of service. Doing so would help move cargo quicker, and that is certainly needed right now.

By Nick Savvides 14/10/2021

President Biden challenges private sector to tackle supply chain logjams – The Loadstar

Leave a comment

Posted in Logistics, Ports, Supply Chains

Tagged , , , , , ,