American Shipper

   The Federal Railroad Administration will award two grants totaling $350,000 to support the development of a Short Line Rail Safety Institute, the Senate Appropriations transportation subcommittee announced Wednesday.     The new institute is designed to help the short line and regional rail industry mitigate the risks associated with shipping crude oil, ethanol and other hazardous materials, while […]

   A group of U.S. sugar users said Mexico should not be used as “scapegoat” for the fluctuations in U.S. sugar prices.     “Instead, the focus should be on reforming the U.S. sugar program, which continues to cost American consumers and businesses billions a year, costing taxpayers nearly $300 million in FY 2013 alone,” the […]

   Minyan Marine is just one of two companies investigating the possibility of using articulated tug-barges to offer short-sea services for domestic shippers of containerized cargo in the United States.

   Neptune Pacific Line is not affiliated with Neptune Orient Line of Singapore, but is owned by the Los Angeles-based conglomerate Roll Global, which is best known for its food and beverage businesses.

   Protests targeting ZIM Line are expected in Tacoma and Seattle later this week in the wake of demonstrations that disrupted cargo operations at the Port of Oakland.    A group called Palestine Solidarity Committee-Seattle said it is planning a rally and blockade of the Zim Chicago when it arrives at the Puget Sound ports, […]

   The key to the bounce back in the U.S. economy will be the performance of the housing market and consumers, Sara Johnson, a senior research director at IHS Economics, said, echoing consensus economic opinion.

   The port said the 12-acre project will result “in a modern and efficient intermodal container transfer terminal to facilitate the movement of marine and rail cargo, while enhancing safety and reducing the carbon footprint.”

   Member container shipping lines in the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (TSA) are proposing an across-the board general rate increase of at least $600 per 40-foot container to all destinations, effective Sept. 1.    Carriers had filed increases in their individual tariffs in late July and then directly began notifying customers.    TSA said this week […]

   Much of the support for free trade agreements — such as the multilateral Trans-Pacific Partnership and U.S.-European Union trade pact currently being negotiated — comes from states that export a lot to the U.S.’ neighbors.

   Representatives from CP and BNSF have been directed to attend, and the Surface Transportation Board has invited shippers and other carriers to deliver testimony, provided they file their intentions with the board by Aug. 25.

   The group found that 18 factors, including improperly applied hand brakes, played a role in the accident. It also reported that the railroad had a “weak” culture of safety and did not conduct enough reviews of its safety systems.

   NOL said it “continually evaluates all available options to improve the strategic positioning and performance of its businesses. These include considerations of a potential sale or initial public offering.”

   Airbus is one of seven companies investing in VALERI, a European-Union-funded project to bring stationary robots into airplane production, working side-by-side with humans.    According to the European Commission, which has invested 3.7 million euro ($4.94 million) in the project, Airbus will begin testing robots in a factory setting by 2015. Use of robots […]

   UPS will open new operating centers in Comox, Kamloops and Nanaimo, British Columbia, representing a multi-million dollar investment in its Canadian network.    The operating centers, which total 36,000 square feet, will bring a total of 80 jobs to the Canadian cities.      “Expanding our service in BC and across Canada is fueled […]

   YRC Freight has upgraded terminals in Memphis, Houston and Seattle to full distribution center status.    The move will increase network capacity, according to a YRC press release.     “Bringing these Distribution Centers online will give us added capabilities to meet the continued confidence our customers are showing in YRC Freight,” said Darren Hawkins, […]

Despite attempts by the U.S. government to streamline export regulation and stoke growth of exported goods, it remains a tricky and evolving process. This year’s report takes a deeper look at how exporters are managing their export documentation in the wake of the latest AES deadlines last year.  This report, co-produced with BPE Global and […]

   An attempt by anti-Israeli protesters trying to block a Zim Line ship from discharging and loading cargo in the Port of Oakland has turned into a high stakes game of hide and seek.    Tuesday afternoon, after two days of trying to discharge cargo at the Oakland International Container Terminal, the Zim Piraeus sailed […]

   A ZIM vessel, as well as well as several others, awaits container handling in the Port of Oakland. The Oakland International Container Terminal’s manager hopes to resume movement of this cargo before day’s end.

   A.P. Moller-Maersk Chief Executive Officer Nils Andersen said that during the second quarter, “we saw a relatively stable rate environment,” but that rates are low, and at some time, customers will have to accept rate increases.

   At Ryder, Williford, head of Global Supply Chain Solutions, is credited for the successful acquisition of Transpacific Container Terminal Ltd. and CRSA Logistics in Canada, as well as CRSA’s operations in Hong Kong and Shanghai.