American Shipper

The U.S. Senate on Thursday voted 82-14 to confirm Robert Lighthizer as the White House’s head of the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

Germany’s largest container shipping company, which attributed its 62.1 million euro net loss for the quarter to higher bunker prices and lower freight rates, says its merger with UASC is expected to close by the end of May.

The Honolulu-based ocean carrier placed an order for two dual-fuel capable 2,525-TEU vessels with the Keppel AmFELS shipyard in Brownsville, Texas, with delivery expected in the first and third quarter of 2020.

The Israeli ocean carrier reported a net loss of $6.4 million for the quarter compared with a $56.3 million loss in first quarter 2016.

Rates measured by the Shanghai Shipping Exchange’s Shanghai Containerized Freight Index fell from Shanghai to Europe, the Mediterranean and the United States.

The San Francisco-based ride-sharing company could lose its fight in the European Union against being regulated as a traditional taxi service, but appears to be driving ahead in new business areas, such as freight transportation.

U.S. exporters of beef and liquefied natural gas will soon have access to China’s burgeoning market, as a result of the U.S.-China Comprehensive Economic Dialogue.

Texas-based less-than-truckload carrier Central Freight Lines has filed a lawsuit against the e-commerce giant for millions in unpaid fees and court costs, according to legal research firm LexisNexis.

The Port of Oakland says the trend towards bigger containerships means that even though fewer vessels are calling the port, volumes are increasing, diesel emissions are down, and berths are less congested.

Navios Maritime Containers plans to raise $75 million through a private placement to help fund its acquisition of 14 ships from Rickmers Maritime.

The global logistics provider posted a net profit of 14.6 million Kuwati dinars (U.S. $47.9 million) on revenues of KD 320.5 million for the first quarter of 2017.

The New York-based dry bulk carrier attributed the strong revenue growth to higher spot market rates achieved by the majority of the vessels in its fleet, which were partially offset by the operation of fewer vessels.

Container throughput at Port of Virginia terminals has increased 7 percent so far in the fiscal year that will end on June 30, according to recent figures from the Virginia Port Authority.

Trucking carrier Schneider National expects improving market conditions in the second half of 2017 driven by an improved freight market and electronic logging device mandate.

Logistics provider Bahri and South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on “big data” and technological innovation in the maritime industry.

The Japanese ocean carrier will consolidate two ship management subsidiaries in July 2017 in an effort to , “K” Line said in a statement.

The container and dry bulk markets are seeing improvement thanks to high levels of vessel scrapping and an uptick in demand, but prospects for the tanker segment are less encouraging, according to a recent research report from the credit ratings agency.

The American Petroleum Institute hailed the decision by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to withdraw an Obama-era proposal to withdraw Jones Act exemptions, but the Offshore Marine Service Association says it will hurt workboat operators and shipyards.

However, the Danish shipping conglomerate’s ocean carrier subsidiary, Maersk Line, recorded a $66 million loss for the quarter.

Two U.S. House representatives have filed a bill to promote programs in two-year community and technical colleges to stimulate jobs in the domestic maritime industry.