Most maritime carriers don’t mention general average as a part of their marketing. Other than us cargo insurance nerds, people don’t even talk about general average. Consequently most shippers don’t know exactly what ‘general average’ is and what the possible risks are to those who are international ocean shippers. Even though forms of general average code can… Read more »
Container Rates Go Up, Container Rates Go Down.
As a result of the wheels coming off Hanjin mid last year I wrote a piece on August 31st 2016 that rates were going to go up and they did. The article can be reviewed at https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/hanjin-falls-down-rates-shoot-up-tom-o-malley?trk=mp-reader-card for a refresher. The writing on the wall was pretty clear. I was stating the obvious. Real live capacity was suddenly… Read more »
Shipping Container
Ever wonder where the standard ocean shipping container came from? If so, you may want to get a hobby or get out more. Maybe a couple of those after work ‘networking’ gatherings (that just happen to take place in a bar) are in order. You really shouldn’t be wondering about things as geeky as where… Read more »
Hanjin is broke so who will pay?
Hanjin is broke so who will pay? Hanjin is so broke they can’t even pay attention, and that’s a problem. At last count there were more than 80 vessels on the water or stranded outside ports carrying about a half million containers. Unfortunately for Hanjin, and their shippers, finding safe harbors who won’t allow creditors to seize… Read more »
It’s all about the numbers. Or is it?
Each month, quarter, and year, there is a break neck run by many companies to attain the numbers set by management projections. The world has been turning that way for quite some time. Most of us have been numbers chasers at one time or another and that is not a bad thing. Most of the… Read more »
Export 101
Anyone that has been working near the profession of the transportation of goods internationally for a while has a short list of horror stories. I am no different. Over the years we see importers buy containers full of rocks in the place of product, exporters selling goods and being stuck for payment, and merchandise get… Read more »
Will there be a busy season?
Every year the ‘busy season’ for container shipping runs from July through October as the USA imports increase to supply retailers for their yearend needs. Many transportation companies and 3PL’s estimate their yearly projections using the July through October uptick in business as an injection of year saving revenue. This year however the ingredients are… Read more »