National Interstate Corp. has appointed Tony Mercurio to executive vice president and chief operating officer, effective Jan. 1. He joined National Interstate in 1997 and currently serves as chief executive officer of Vanliner Insurance Co., one of National Interstate’s insurance subsidiaries. National Interstate provides insurance to the freight transportation and storage industries.
Many American shippers are disturbed that the administration, if not President Obama himself, failed to issue even a statement about the importance of ending the now-concluded strike in the Southern California ports.
The parent company of Sea Star Line and Totem Ocean Trailer Express said Tuesday that it will build two new 3,100-TEU containerships for the Puerto Rico trade that will be powered by liquefied natural gas.
CMA CGM said it was implementing general rate increases Jan. 1 on several routes out of Asia. The French carrier said it will raise rates $500 per TEU on containers moving from Asia to the east or west coast of South America, the west coast of Central America, and Mexico. It also […]
The Los Angeles/Long Beach Harbor Employers Association said at 11 p.m. PST that they had reached an agreement on a new contract to replace one that had expired on June 30, 2010, with the ILWU Local 63 Office Clerical Unit (OCU).
The China Nuclear Industry Huaxing Construction Co., Ltd., a corporate entity owned and operated by the Chinese government, pled guilty Monday to conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Export Administration Regulations, and other related charges. It is believed that Huaxing’s plea marks the first time that a […]
The U.S. Export-Import Bank has voted to extend a $1.06 billion direct loan and to guarantee a $1.06 billion JPMorgan Chase loan to Reliance Industries Ltd. of Mumbai, India, for the export of American goods and services for expansion projects at Jamnagar in the Indian state of Gujarat. The transaction is the single […]
The U.S. Senate may vote as early as today on the pending 2012 Russia and Moldova Jackson-Vanik Repeal Act, which many industry groups say would open their trade opportunities in Russia. The House overwhelmingly passed the bill (H.R. 6156) without amendment on Nov. 16. The bill, if passed by the Senate and signed […]
The Los Angeles mayor said ILWU Local 63, Office Clerical Unit (OCU) and employers of the Los Angeles/Long Beach Harbor Employers Association have agreed to have a federal mediator to assist with contract negotiations.
Nearly 100 trade associations from around the country — groups representing the interests of retailers, manufacturers, farmers and transportation companies — sent a letter today asking President Obama to help end a strike that has crippled operations in the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. “We recognize the difficulties of government intervention […]
The agency has implemented 11 improvements to its Safety Measurement System (SMS) to enhance its ability to identify and take action against truckers with safety and compliance concerns.
The U.S. Export-Import Bank said it will back bonds issued by Ethiopian Airlines of Addis Ababa to finance the export of four of 10 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft to Ethiopia. Ethiopian Airlines obtained competitive interest rates on its bonds, the bank said. Ex-Im Bank authorized the final commitment for the purchase of […]
Non-vessel-operating common carrier Troy Container Line has expanded its Charlotte, N.C.-based import operation by moving to a larger office in the port city. “The new office provides additional space for the company’s expanding staff, while creating an efficient and service-driven headquarters for the company’s import division,” the company said. Based in Red […]
The United States said it will support two activities to assist China’s efforts to develop its rail and port sectors. U.S. Trade and Development Agency Director Leocadia I. Zak and Transportation Department Assistant Secretary Susan Kurland made the announcement at the 5th U.S.-China Transportation Forum in Hangzhou late last week. The first […]
The USDA in its second Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade in fiscal year 2013 said the country’s farm exports have climbed more than 50 percent in value, from $96.3 billion in 2009 to a forecasted $145 billion in 2013.
A half-dozen large shippers polled on a not-for-attribution basis by American Shipper this week said they were surprised by how quickly the breakdown in contract talks developed into a strike.
Liner carrier Yang Ming will introduce a new service between Japan, Taiwan and Southeast Asia through a slot exchange with Japan’s Interasia Lines. Yang Ming said it will start its IF1 service on Dec. 11. The service will call Osaka, Yokohama, Keelung, Singapore, Port Kelang, and Taichung. Roundtrip voyages will take 21 days.
A strike by members of the 600 members of International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 63, Office Clerical Unit (OCU) enters its second week today. Meanwhile, American Shipper has attempted to answer a number of questions.
Rickmers Holding unveils plans to invest in eight to 16 containerships, in the 5,000- to 7,500-TEU range, with Los Angeles-based investment firm Oaktree, aiming to charter the vessels to efficiency-seeking liner carriers
German container line hooks into electrical power in Oakland, signalling key step in efforts to comply with 2014 California mandate that certain percentage of ship calls use so-called “cold ironing” to reduce emissions
