American Shipper

WTO Director-General Azevêdo eyes fighting anti-trade rhetoric in second term

The new president immediately put the world on notice that his administration will combat unfair trade practices, which many interpret as a return to protectionism.

Just 10 percent of longshoremen requested by terminal operator employers came to work on Friday, bringing vessel operations to a near standstill at the Northern California port, according to port spokesman Mike Zampa.

Chaos in the ocean shipping industry has led to a winter of shippers’ discontent as freight transportation managers scramble to determine how carriers will meet their transportation requirements after several carrier mergers and acquisitions took place.

Shares in the Jacksonville, Fla.-based Class I railroad jumped 23.4 percent on Thursday to close at $45.51 following reports outgoing Canadian Pacific CEO E. Hunter Harrison could be eyeing CSX as his next landing spot.

However, FMC Commissioner William P. Doyle, who voted against the amendment, said it is beyond the scope of the Shipping Act and harmful to the U.S. tugboat industry.

Washington law firm Akin Gump said Kevin J. Wolf, who most recently served as the Commerce Department’s assistant secretary for export administration, joined its international trade practice.

In terms of loaded containerized cargo, the Georgia Ports Authority set a record for 2016, handling 2.95 million TEUs of loaded containers thorughout the year.

The Icelandic ocean carrier has entered into an agreement to purchase three 2,200-TEU ice-class vessels from Guangzhou Huangpu Wenchong Shipyard in China, with an option for three more, according to report from maritime news outlet Splash 24/7.

Global professional services company Accenture will acquire the corporate advisory and aviation consulting business of Seabury Group.

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol reported a cargo throughput of 1.66 million metric tons for the full year in 2016, a 2.5 percent increase compared with 2015 and a record for the airport.

   The Jan. 17 news report “Port of Duluth-Superior wraps up shipping season,” said the yearly closure and re-opening of the Soo Locks is dependent on the weather and the amount of ice on the lakes, but the yearly closure is scheduled for annual maintenance and repairs.

Gene Seroka, executive director at the Port of Los Angeles, said 2016 was an “epic” year, and in 2017, the port will focus on improvements in process management, information technology and land use.

Developed nations harkening back to manufacturing’s glory days resemble that which they oppose

Yang Ming responded by saying it has unwavering support of Taiwan’s government and has “proactively reorganized internally to effectively reduce its operating costs.”

Orient Overseas Container Line’s parent company said it is not aware or involved in any bid relating to the company or OOCL.

Kansas City Southern’s net income fell 1.1 percent to $479.9 million for the full year in 2016 on revenues that slid 3.5 percent compared to the previous year, according to the company’s most recent financial statements.

Now that the European Shippers’ Council (ESC) has rejoined the Global Shippers’ Forum, ESC Chairman Denis Choumert is hopeful the Asian Shippers’ Association and other Asian shipper groups will work with the forum to address concerns.

The Shanghai Containerized Freight index fell 1.9 from last Friday to a reading of 971.64, but the index is still much higher from a year prior.

The freight visibility software provider said it will be aggressively pursuing plans through 2017 to introduce support for additional modes of transportation.