FreightWaves • March 23, 2023

In search of shipping’s next supercycle: Are tankers next?

Container shipping just experienced a record boom. Some believe crude and product tankers are poised to follow suit.

FreightWaves • March 22, 2023

How decarbonization backfired, slowing tanker building to trickle

Shipowners say they won’t order expensive new dual-fuel tankers without charters. They’re not getting charters, so they’re not ordering.

FreightWaves • March 20, 2023

Crunch time for trans-Pacific container shipping contract talks

Flexport projects trans-Pacific contract rates will decline around 70% from 2022 levels but still be around 30% above current spot rates.

FreightWaves • March 17, 2023

West Coast wipeout: Los Angeles, Long Beach imports still sinking

U.S. importers have forsaken their traditional gateway in Southern California. Many may be gone for good.

FreightWaves • March 17, 2023

Could future supply chain crisis hit diesel shipping, not containers?

Tanker capacity for diesel is already tight amid war fallout. With very few ships on order, future transport capacity could fall short.

FreightWaves • March 15, 2023

How much will container lines ‘earn’ in 2023? It depends on the metric

Quarterly net losses could be around the corner for container lines, but EBITDA will stay high even if carriers dip into the red.

FreightWaves • March 13, 2023

Zim Q4 results surprise to upside but 2023 ‘extremely challenging’

Shipping line Zim could face net losses in the quarters ahead, yet it has a hefty cash cushion to soften the blow.

FreightWaves • March 10, 2023

Crude shipping revs up; supertanker rates top $100,000 a day

With virtually no new ships on order and demand strengthening, the tanker business seems poised for a bull run.

FreightWaves • March 8, 2023

Imports sink again as wholesale inventories remain bloated

U.S. businesses overshot in 2022, importing way more than they needed. The hangover is in full swing, depressing 2023 imports.

FreightWaves • March 7, 2023

The Fed’s supply chain pressure gauge just went negative

Supply chain issues are in the rearview mirror for Fed inflation policy, but for importers, there’s still room for improvement.

FreightWaves • March 6, 2023

Container shipping market yet to bottom as spot rates keep slipping

Container lines are unable to prop up rates because they haven’t culled enough capacity to compensate for weak demand.

FreightWaves • March 2, 2023

Hard landing? 2023 could be Hapag-Lloyd’s 3rd-best year ever

Shipping lines like Hapag-Lloyd have suffered sharp rate falls from the peak, but they’re nowhere near financial distress.

FreightWaves • March 1, 2023

Container lines still chartering ships despite drop in cargo demand

Charter rates are far below the peak but higher than pre-COVID as liners continue to sign new container-ship leases.

FreightWaves • February 27, 2023

The rise of crude tanker ‘cannibals’ in wake of Russia-Ukraine war

Larger crude tankers are moving more U.S. exports on shorter voyages to Europe as long-haul volumes to China stagnate.

FreightWaves • February 24, 2023

One year later: How Ukraine-Russia war reshaped ocean shipping

After a year of sanctions and “self sanctions,” shipping goods caught in the crossfire continue to find their way to buyers.

FreightWaves • February 22, 2023

‘Colossal’ tidal wave of new container ships about to strike

New Alphaliner data highlights the enormity of new container shipping capacity that’s poised for delivery.

FreightWaves • February 21, 2023

Container trade’s next turn: Price wars, cheap contracts, new ships

Two container shipping experts give their take on how the hangover after the pandemic boom could play out.

FreightWaves • February 17, 2023

Baltic Dry Index has collapsed: Ominous sign for economy?

The Baltic Dry Index has fallen 91% since October 2021 to one of its lowest levels ever, yet shipowners remain confident.

FreightWaves • February 16, 2023

Beleaguered Los Angeles port pins hopes on 2nd-half rebound

Los Angeles continues to face a double whammy of sinking demand and fears over the port labor contract that expired in July.

FreightWaves • February 10, 2023

Asian shipping lines are reporting steep revenue declines

Ocean carrier revenues fell sharply in the fourth quarter versus the third and continued sinking in January.