Competitive Edge
April 19th, 2023
Note the above services are where the greatest number of blank sailings are occurring on the transpacific eastbound lane. Other services as well may have announced cancellations or delays. Please contact us if there is a specific service or trade you are concerned about.
We extend our thanks to our Chinese partner RS Logistics for providing these reports.
SPECIAL UPDATE: A major carrier has advised of another wave of GRIs coming May 1. We have been told rates could rise as much as $1000 per FEU.
This comes after mid-April’s transpacific inbound rate increase went into effect over the weekend.
InterlogUSA will continue to monitor this development closely and promptly update our customers of any changes. In the meantime, our forwarding team has been getting our customers’ ready cargo booked and sailing ahead of future rate increases.
For more information on GRIs and how InterlogUSA us staying ahead of these market shifts, please reach out to us.
IMPORT: Asia to North America (TPEB)
Recent Developments:
• West Coast contract negotiations (between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and Pacific Maritime Association (PMA)) remain active. The existing labor contract between the two parties expired July 1, 2022.
Rates: Rates are rock bottom for no longer. Carrier-imposed increases (GRIs) are liftin rates up after several months of declines.
Space: Space is open.
Capacity: Capacity is open with routine blank sailings for certain services.
Equipment: Unless advised otherwise, equipment is available at inland and coastal ports.
TIPS:
• Book at least two weeks prior to the ready date.
• Book ready cargo now to stay ahead of future GRIs.
• Hold your logistics partners accountable on frequent updates regarding blank sailings and rate increases.
IMPORT: Europe to North America (TAWB)
Rates: Rates are declining but still well above pre-pandemic levels.
Space: Space is open to all U.S. coasts as congestion is minimal.
Capacity: Capacity is open.
Equipment: Availability has improved on both origin and destination sides.
TIPS:
• Book at least three weeks prior to ready date.
• Premium services (i.e., no-roll options and improved cargo reliability) remain assurances shippers should add to the tab with transatlantic service.
EXPORT: North America to Asia
Recent Developments:
• Low inbound (TPEB) volumes have placed pressure on agriculture exporters.
Rates: Rates remain low.
Space: Space is wide open.
Capacity: Capacity is widely available for all services.
Equipment: Availability at virtually all inland points and seaports. However, chassis can be hard to come by in pockets.
TIPS:
• Book at least two weeks prior to the time of departure.
• Pay special attention to how carrier maintenance in the transpacific may affect the export market.
• Shippers with high volume projects should take advantage of carrier receptiveness to take on these opportunities. Space is wide open with a high acceptance rate.
InterlogUSA Proudly Presents...Freight FM Epsiode 7
Check out our latest episode of FreightFM…In The News–Germany and France Strikes
We discuss when these strikes started, the reason(s) for them, and the impact they have had.
Did You Know: Norfolk Southern Close to Reopening Some Tracks in Ohio
NS has reached completion of excavation of the soil that was impacted under the south track at the site of the East Palestine train derailment that occurred in Ohio.
NS says they will finish restoration of the track in the next few days.
Additionally, work on the north track is excepted to begin next week. This will include removing impacted soil and water and conducting daily environmental monitoring.
Source: Norfolk Southern Press Release
Freight News
Updates on the USWC Labor Contract Negotiations
Almost two weeks ago, during the night shift on Thursday April 6th, and into the evening on Friday April 7th, the ports of LA/LB international terminals were closed due to job action.
The ILWU Local 13 put out a statement saying the terminal closures on Thursday were due to a monthly membership meeting where they swore in the new incoming Local 13 President.
It should be noted that the ILWU is allowed to hold a stop-work meeting each month under their coastwide contract to discuss union issues.
Local 13 continued to explain that the shutdown on Friday was due to union members, who observe Good Friday, to take the opportunity to celebrate with their families.
Operations returned to normal on Friday evening, the JOC reported.
Additionally, it has been reported that members of the Local 13 have participated in time-consuming tactics such as “red-tagging”, which designates cargo-handling equipment as being unsafe and forces an inspection.
An ongoing shift of cargo from the USWC to the USEC or the USGC has continued due to these negotiations not seeing a resolution just yet.
Strikes Out in France Slow the Recovery from the Energy Crisis in Europe
This past week in France, the new pension reform was signed into law by President Emmanuel Macron. Pension reform is expected to officially begin on Friday, September 1st.
France is usually a powerhouse of European energy, but the industrial actions have come at a crucial time. As the area is slowly trying to recover from a decades worst energy supply crisis, due to Russia cutting gas flows to France throughout the last year – per Supply Chain Brain.
Thus, electricity prices have increased, ships hauling fuel have diverted from the country’s shores, and France continues to go through more of its natural gas stockpiles than any other major country in Europe.
Because of the serious hits the country has taken due to these issues, France has had to dig deep into their gas inventories for heating and electricity.
Operations have been recovering at the six major oil refineries in France, but it still could take some weeks to restream some plants, because of the length of time they were out of service.
Watch Today's Webinar!
Topics:
- GRIs
- Blank Sailings
- Labor Talks on the USWC
- Market Updates
- Q&A
Sign Up For Our May Webinar!
Our next webinar is on Wednesday, May 17th at 11AM CST!
We will announce topics in the coming weeks. If you have any questions or topics you would like our experts to discuss in future webinars, please let us know.
Interlog 
Insights
In last week’s Interlog Insights, we provided an update regarding our GRI increase prediction.
We shared our thoughts on the outlook for the second half of this year; will it look more optimistic than the first half of 2023?
And we discussed the complexities of the looming FMC ruling regarding detention and demurrage fees.
Sign up for our
industry answers
Our team works to provide valuable, unique, and relevant content to assist you in finding solutions. Sign up now.