News

The vessel backlog that’s plagued the Panama Canal since mid-October remains above normal levels, but canal authority officials say wait times are now diminishing since they started taking steps to expedite traffic through the waterway. The number of vessels awaiting transit has been reduced significantly over the past month. On...

Aviation security is set to tighten around the world as Russia Tuesday confirmed that Metrojet Flight 9268 from Sharm el Sheikh had been brought down by an explosive device. Russia said that traces of explosives had been found on debris from the Airbus A321 aircraft that was brought down in...

China’s crackdown on ocean carrier surcharges, seen by government officials as hurting exporters, is forcing container lines to lower certain charges at a time when their own profits are declining because ofovercapacity and rate competition.  The crackdown on surcharges is understood by carriers as an effort to reduce the costs of exporting at...

Kakinada Container Terminal, a joint venture between Singapore’s PSA International and two local groups, Kakinada Infrastructure Holdings and Bothra Shipping Services, last week began operations, offering Indiaeast coast shippers another port option. KCT begins operations as terminals on India’s east coast struggle to grow volumes in the wake of a growing capacity glut...

Mariners are reminded that there is always a possibility that severe climatic conditions may occur during the closing period. Should this happen, there is a chance that the dates outlined below, for the Montreal-Lake Ontario Section or the Welland Canal, may change. Closing Dates: Montreal-Lake Ontario Section The Corporations have...

Key cargo airports in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Guangzhou, are facing airfreight backlogs which could drag on for a while as manufacturers rush to get their products to Europe and the US. In addition, the Chinese Civil Aviation Administration has imposed on airports in Shanghai, Tianjin and...

A strike by independent truckers waned in Brazil on Wednesday after the government increased fines for blocking roads, with federally operated highways blocked in only four points, down from some 20 on Tuesday, federal highway police said. The protests were in five Brazilian states, down from 11 on Tuesday, according...

There are media reports of a 24 hour general strike in Greece on Thursday Nov. 12. The strike is expected to impact vessel movements’ at all Greek ports and terminals. The strike action is scheduled to start at 06:00 local time Nov. 12 and end at 06:00 on November 13....

Nearly a month after a queue of ships began to mount on either side of the Panama Canal, canal authorities say they are now taking steps to expedite the traffic, decrease transit times and reduce the current backlog of vessels. Despite claims to the otherwise, the Panama Canal Authority said the...

In a move that could cause congestion and chaos for shippers in the pre-Christmas rush, China has banned ad hoc licences for air charters from key cities. Ad hoc charters from Shanghai, as well as some other cities, are not being issued traffic rights until the start of December, sources...