Shippers play a crucial role in the smooth functioning of global trade and commerce, as they enable businesses to transport goods to customers around the world. They work closely with manufacturers, retailers, and other businesses to ensure that products reach their intended destination in a timely and cost-effective manner.
There are different types of shippers, including ocean carriers, air carriers, and trucking companies. Each type of shipper specializes in a different mode of transportation, and they work together to form a complex and interconnected network known as the shipping supply chain.
In the shipping supply chain, shippers work closely with logistics providers, customs brokers, and freight forwarders to coordinate the movement of goods from the point of origin to the final destination. They also play a key role in managing the logistics of the shipping process, including routing, tracking, and ensuring the timely delivery of goods.
Check back here for the latest shipper news and insights, or visit our American Shipper news archive to find additional information.
NATA VP announces retirement, while NTSB swears in new vice chairman and Port of Cleveland appoints board chairman.
MOL selects new chairman and president, while DCLI appoints chief marketing officer and the Port of New Orleans names board leaders.
TeamOne Logistics appoints CEO, while Menlo Logistics promotes director of transportation strategy.
Momentum Transportation appoints VP of marketing, while LOC Group names two directors.
TOTE Services names a new labor relations director, while MBLX appoints business development director and AICM has announced its chairman and CEO.
DHL Global Forwarding appoints Singapore manager, while ICAO names new secretary general and ampCNG adds executives.
Container Analytics with Ben Meyer The cover story this month examines the increasing size of vessels deployed between Asia and the United States, especially as it relates to the crippling port congestion currently being experienced at West Coast ports. Even before the conclusion of contentious labor negotiations between the International Longshore and Warehouse […]
Prolec GE International contracted with HLI Rail Rigging to transport electrical transformers from Apodaca, Mexico to Port Arthur, Texas. HLI transported the transformers from the Prolec factory to Laredo, Texas, and then subcontracted the transport between Laredo and Port Arthur to the Kansas City Southern Railway (KCSR). Two railcars, each carrying a […]
Camper’s World is a seller, manufacturer, and distributor of women’s apparel. On Jan. 8, 2013, Atlantic Drayage agreed to deliver a container holding 2,440 cartons of women’s clothing apparel from Newark, N.J., to Camper’s World in Hicksville, on Long Island, New York. Atlantic Drayage contracted with Port Kearny Security (PKS) to leave […]
YRC names new general counsel, while the Midwest Association of Rail Shippers appoints 2015 officers.
Riker Danzig elected a new partner and MatchBack Systems named its president and CEO, while appointed a corporate account manager and two service center managers.
Daseke has named three new board members, while BIFA appointed a dangerous goods adviser.
Pierre Danet will leave Hewlett Packard to join the ocean carrier as its new chief financial officer.
Schenker AG’s chairman steps down, while ATA appoints new VP and Hansa Heavy Lift raises focus on Asia-Pacific with appointment.
Gordley Associates hires trade policy expert, while RILA names vice president of international trade.
The Liberian Registry has appointed a new Hong Kong office manager, while Unicon named its L.A. branch manager.
Transplace appoints head of new consulting practice, while Sunteck names CIO and Locus Traxx hires EMEA market manager.
Capes Shipping hired a new general manager and Walker SCM picked a global business director.
Sunteck appoints CEO, while Transervice taps Greatwide Distribution CEO for EVP.
Container Analytics with Ben Meyer Several months ago, this column said the recently formed 2M and Ocean3 vessel sharing agreements (VSA) of Maersk Line and Mediterranean Shipping Co., and CMA CGM, United Arab Shipping Co. and China Shipping Container Lines, respectively, appeared to be on a collision course in the major east-west trades (November […]
Dewayne Gregoire said he was injured in a slip-and-fall accident while working as a tankerman on Enterprise Marine Services’ vessel, Marie. Like many injured seafarers, he chose to file a claim in state court, in this case the 32nd Judicial District Court for the Parish of Terrebonne, La. As attorney Marissa Henderson […]
NationaLease names a vice president for dedicated services, and ISS appoints new head for marine outsourcing.
Waukegan Port District has named a new manager, while MIQ appoints L.A.-area business development manager.
CSX names two executives to vice president posts, while Suttons Group appoints a new Americas director.
MNX Global Logistics appoints three vice presidents, while Saudi Airlines Cargo picks new charter director.
Kalmar appoints new vice president of services and MIQ names business development manager in Los Angeles.
Bay & Bay has appointed a new vice president, while ACI named new facilitation and IT director.
T. Parker Host and Host Terminals appoint new operations VPs, while KOM International names president.
American Trucking Associations and Weber Logistics announce executive promotions.
C.R. England named two executives to HR positions and the Port of Houston reappointed Dean Corgey to the port commission.
Hansa Heavy Lift promotes from within, while Bibby Ship Management hires a new regional managing director.
Container Analytics with Ben Meyer Two months ago, this column took a detailed look at slow steaming, the practice of adding a vessel to a loop and extending total rotation time by a full week in order to help manage capacity in a given trade (See American Shipper’s December 2014 issue, “U.S. exports sail […]
With hundreds of thousands of containers facing huge delays at West Coast ports in recent months and many companies incurring huge bills for demurrage and detention, a recent 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision is of interest, even if the court has marked it “Not for Publication” and not precedent. (Elite Logistics Corp. v. […]
Container Analytics with Ben Meyer One of the biggest stories in the container shipping industry at the moment is the massive congestion problems at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. As with most complex issues, there is no single cause for the delays and congestion that has been building now for […]
As a U.S. exporter in today’s market, one is forced to account for significantly slower transit times than importers.
In February and April 2011 Kentucky Fuel Corp. entered into contracts with Celtic Marine for the transport of coal by barge from terminals in Kentucky and West Virginia to New Orleans and Darrow, La. James C. Justice Cos. guaranteed obligations KFC owed to Celtic Marine. There were agreements for additional freight and stevedoring, […]
First State Depository provides shipping and other services for coins and special metals. It shipped product with UPS. Its insurers alleged 27 of First State’s shipments worth $150,000 were lost or stolen by UPS or its employees during an eight-week period in 2012. When the insurers brought state law claims against UPS in […]
Container Analytics with Ben Meyer Earlier this year, the ocean liner industry was jolted as the three largest carriers, Maersk Line, Mediterranean Shipping Co., and CMA CGM, announced plans to form the P3 Network. The idea of these giants putting their differences aside and cooperating even shocked industry insiders. However, hindsight revealed this massive […]
A recent decision that affirmed two decisions by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (Sompo Japan v. Norfolk Southern et al. and Nipponkoa Insurance v. Norfolk Southern, et al. 2nd Cir. Nos. 13–3416, 13–3501. Aug. 6.) are the latest in a line of cases that could make it more […]
In this decision, a request by the petitioners—a shipper and its insurance company—to have an arbitration award vacated was unsuccessful.
This decision involves a shipment of clothing moving from China to Mexico that “went missing” along the way. (U.S. v. C.H. Robinson. Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. No. 13-1168. July 28.) A Mexican company, Intercambio Comercial Ekim, imported the wearing apparel from China via the Port of Los Angeles. C.H. Robinson (CHR), […]
A recent 2nd Circuit decision could strengthen the hand of shippers or carriers that use derivatives such as forward freight agreements (FFAs) to enforce contracts. (D’Amico Dry Limited v. Primera Maritime. 2nd Cir. No. 11-3473-cv June 12.) D’Amico operates dry-bulk ships. A slowdown in trade could result in lower rates, fewer voyages, and […]
The peril of not declaring the value of cargo in a bill of lading was illustrated in a recent court decision (Outokumpu Stainless USA v. M/V Vegaland. et al. U.S. District Court, S.D. Texas. No. 13-66. May 13.) that grew out of damage to a piece of equipment for a steel mill during an […]
Is an offshore drilling rig — a vessel so large that it cannot pass through the Panama Canal — “merchandise” subject to the Jones Act’s restriction that cargo transported between two domestic points be carried on ships built and registered in the United States and crewed by Americans? Yes, said a federal judge […]
Plano Molding designs and manufactures plastic storage boxes, including tackle boxes for fishermen. When it needed steel molds for its Illinois factory it contracted with CMT International, a company that assists American customers that wish to purchase products in Asia. CMT solicited bids from manufacturers, and Plano selected Kunshan, a Chinese company, to […]
In this decision (Estes Express Lines v. U.S. Federal Circuit. No. 13-5056. Jan. 3.), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit reversed the Court of Federal Claims and remanded a case for further proceedings, siding with a trucker seeking to recover funds from the federal government. Estes Express was seeking to […]
Should the owner of a vessel be awarded damages for economic loss due to negligence in the absence of physical damage to its property? That issue was addressed once again in a recent court decision (American Petroleum And Transport Inc v. City Of New York. 2nd Circuit. No. 12–4505–CV. Dec. 6, 2013) that […]
Evergreen has taken delivery of an additional 8,508-TEU containership built at CSBC Corp.’s shipyard in Kaohsiung. The ship, Ever Lucid, will join one of the Taiwanese carrier’s Far East – Europe strings.
This case arose out of a disagreement between Radiant Global Logistics’ Airgroup and fashion apparel shipper Donna Karan over a stolen shipment. The parties did not dispute any fundamental facts about the shipment or theft. At issue were two questions — whether Airgroup’s liability for the theft was limited by the Carmack Amendment […]
Afederal judge found an insurer was justified in rescinding an ocean marine insurance policy because the insured misrepresented the value and condition of a dry dock it insured. (Catlin (Syndicate 2003) at Lloyd’s v. San Juan Towing & Marine Services Inc. Nos. 11-2093, 11-2116. D. Puerto Rico. Oct. 8.) San Juan Towing (SJT) […]
Bailey Shipping acquired the drybulk carrier Max on Aug. 16, 2007 from Wave Navigation, an entity which owned the vessel since 2000. (Wave was not a party to this lawsuit.) The American Bureau of Shipping surveyed the ship before the sale in February-March 2006 at Piraeus, Greece, and again in February 2007 at […]
Aboiler, manufactured by Babcock & Wilcox for the Indonesian sugar refiner Jawamanis Rafinasi, was shipped by railcar to Coastal Cargo Co. in New Orleans where the plan was to load it on a vessel owned by Rickmers-Linie for transport to Indonesia. The court noted Coastal was hired to serve two specific roles: Retained […]
Like many states, California has a “sunshine” law via the California Public Records Act (CPRA) that provides for the inspection of public records maintained by state and local agencies. The Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA) sought to use that law to obtain records by the port agent of the Board of Pilot Commissioners […]
A U.S. District Court granted summary judgment in favor of a truck rental company that said it should not be part of a cargo damage lawsuit. (Maass Flange Corp., USA v. All–State Hot Shot LLC, et al. M.D. Louisiana. No. 12–727. June 3.) Maass contracted with All-State to haul two forklifts from Mississippi […]
The award of $11.7 million in damages to the owner and operator of a dredge that was struck by an orange juice tanker was upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit in a summary order. (Great Lakes Bus. Trust v. M/T Orange Sun. 2nd Cir. 12-1270-cv. April 30.) Great […]
In 2004, the tanker Athos I carried a cargo of crude oil from Venezuela to Paulsboro, N.J., and while approaching a terminal on the Delaware River, the ship’s hull was punctured by a submerged anchor just 900 feet from its berth. (It is not known how the anchor, since recovered, got there. It […]
Affirming a district court’s summary judgment, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit held misdelivery claims against a freight forwarder were barred by a one-year limitations period set forth in bills of lading (Clevo v Hecny Transportation. 9th Cir. 11-55823. April 26). Clevo, a Taiwan-based manufacturer, agreed in 2007 to sell […]
In late April, six Greenpeace protesters boarded the vessel Meister, which was carrying coal from northern Queensland, Australia to South Korea. “Right now there is no political solution to this problem because all the major political parties have committed to doubling and trebling our coal exports,” they said. The Australian Coal Association […]
This case highlights the importance of clean equipment when carrying ingredients for moving food. In 2006, Cargill and Ron Burge Trucking entered into a motor transport agreement that included rules about what loads Burge could carry before hauling food-grade salt, and how Burge had to wash its trucks before loading the salt. […]
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, logs were frequently transported in rafts, and sometimes sank to the bottom of rivers. Aqua Log is a company that recovers sunken logs. These consolidated appeals, Aqua Log v. Lost and Abandoned Pre-Cut Logs and Rafts of Logs. 11th Cir. Nos. 11-15060, 11-15076, 11-15078. Feb. 15, […]
The consolidated cases — Asamarbunker v. U.S. 5th Cir. Nos. 12-40246 & 12-40248. Feb.1 — center on the arrest of two ships and their subsequent sale to satisfy outstanding debts. The United States successfully intervened in the in rem proceedings on the basis of preferred mortgage liens on the two vessels. Two bunker […]
In a 7-2 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with a homeowner who said his floating home was not a vessel and therefore not subject to arrest under maritime law. (Lozman v. City of Riviera Beach, Fla. No. 11-625. Jan. 15.) The majority opinion authored by Justice Stephen Breyer concluded a structure does […]
In a summary order, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a 2011 decision by the District Court for the Southern District of New York confirming an arbitration award issued by a panel of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators. (NYKCool A.B. v. Pacific Fruit Inc. 2nd Cir. 11-4246-cv. Jan. 16.) The arbitration panel […]
The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court decision that found a vessel liable in rem for damage to pipe that was shipped in 2006 from China to the United States (MAN Ferrostaal, Inc. v. M/V Akili. 2nd Circuit. 11-0486-cv(L). Dec. 6.) A friend of the court brief filed by the […]
How much notice should be given to a shipowner when asked to carry hazardous cargo? That issue is discussed in a recent summary order that is part of the litigation growing out of the March 8, 2005 explosion on the Rickmers Genoa. (See: Chem One Ltd. v. M/V Rickmers Genoa. 2nd Circuit. No. 10-4934-cv(L). […]
Aqua Marine (AM) is a corporation on Nevis in the West Indies that supplies bunker fuel. It initiated arbitration against Garanti Finansal Kiralama (GFK), demanding to be paid for bunkers delivered to two vessels owned by GFK. GFK did not dispute its ownership of the vessels, but said since it was not a […]
In April 2003, Toshiba American Information Systems contracted with CEVA for door-to-door delivery of its products. The two firms agreed their transportation agreement would be “governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of California, excluding California’s conflict of law provisions that direct application of another jurisdiction’s laws.” They expressly […]
Various estimates on the width of human hairs range from .017 to .25 millimeters. An even smaller width figured in a steel duty dispute. (See: Arcelormittal Stainless Belgium v. United States and Allegheny Ludlum Corp. Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. No. 11-1578. Sept. 7) In 1998, Allegheny Ludlum and others petitioned the Commerce Department […]
In this lawsuit (Channel Fabrics, Inc. v. Hartford Fire Insurance Company. U.S. District Court, S.D. New York. No. 11 Civ. 3483. Aug. 13.), Channel Fabrics alleged Hartford had improperly denied its insurance claim. On or about April 15, 2010, Channel shipped a number of bales of woven fabric from Shanghai to a buyer […]
Greenpack of Puerto Rico appealed a U.S. District Court’s dismissal of its claim for damages resulting from a delayed delivery of perishable food items from Puerto Limón, Costa Rica to San Juan, Puerto Rico. The District Court in Puerto Rico last year dismissed the complaint as time-barred by the statute of limitations in […]
In a 2-1 decision revolving around careful documentation, record retention, and e-commerce systems, an appellate court upheld the U.S. Court of International Trade’s denial of a claim by Ford Motor for a harbor maintenance tax (HMT) refund. (Ford Motor Company v. United States. Fed. Cir. No. 11-1224. April 2012.) HMT was created by […]
