Consolidating your US bound cargo – Advantages and Disadvantages There comes a point in every business cycle when you review your shipping procedures to identify potential cost savings. If you frequently import smaller shipments (say 1-10 pallets), you may be able to see a benefit to arranging your freight in a direct consolidation. With a direct consolidation you would … [Read more...]
Progress in the ILWU/PMA Labor Negotiations
A refreshing sign of progress announced in a joint statement on Tuesday which stated that both sides have come to an agreement on health benefits – one of the biggest issues of these negotiations. This agreement is tentative and hinges on agreements about other issues but this is seen as a major step forward in these seemingly endless negotiations. The International Longshore … [Read more...]
UPDATE: West Coast Ports
UPDATE: West Coast Ports Contract negotiations are continuing... and have been 'uncharacteristically tame'. The impact of the ongoing US West Coast labor talks could be considered widespread [JOC]: Diversions of US bound cargo to Vancouver DP World's Vancouver advised last week that it would stop accepting US bound rail cargo CN is sold out of intermodal … [Read more...]
Peak Season Surcharges / General Rate Increases – What are they and when do they apply?
Peak Season Surcharges / General Rate Increases - What are they and when do they apply? Peak Season Surcharges (PSS) and General Rate Increases (GRI) are charges imposed by steamship lines during times of high demand or rising costs. The amounts of these fees can vary greatly by carrier as they are dependent on each carrier’s own projected supply and demand. PSS are … [Read more...]
What is LCL cargo?
What is LCL cargo? LCL stands for Less [Than] Container Load. When you are moving a shipment LCL, this means you are sharing space in a full container with other shippers and therefore sharing the costs as well. Many freight forwarders/NVOCC’s offer these services as a lower cost freight option when you have smaller shipments or not enough cargo to fill an entire … [Read more...]