80% of Chinese Owned Shipping Companies in the Red!
or the alternate title: Why it sucks to be a Chinese (or any –ese) shipping company right now and what can be done about it: Hellenic News just published an amazingly brief article[1] (Wow! Can I [...]
Customer Service & Work Ethic in Asia Vs. U.S. w/ Vietnam & Shanghai Video
Recently my wife and I traveled throughout Asia, visiting Thailand, Vietnam, and China. We flew on Japan Airlines and even though they are not as high end as some of the other carriers, such as [...]
ILA Strike Watch: Closures List in L.A./Long Beach Ports from OCU Strike!
Here’s the situation. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 63 Office Clerical Unit (OCU) are on strike. The strike is having a severe impact on the flow of cargo being imported [...]
Hurricane Sandy Inspires Shipping Containers as Emergency Housing
It turns out shipping containers – those modular miracles of international commerce – are suited to more than just safely storing ocean freight cargo. You may have heard of the trend of [...]
Gold, Frankincense, and Coffee? Top Ten Import/Export Goods w/ Pics
“And low, wise men came from the East, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and coffee.” Ok, ok, the wise men did not bring gifts of coffee to the Newborn King. They brought gifts that were [...]
New Technology for Affordable Green Eco-Friendly Ocean Shipping
An important collaboration is afoot that is likely to have significant impact on the international shipping industry. Researchers at the Viterbi School of Engineering at the University of [...]
UCM’s Secret to Golf Success: Micah Burke Interview
Universal Cargo Management is involved with a number of charitable organizations. Since UCM CEO, Devin Burke also loves golf, it is not unusual for UCM to show up with a team to charity golf [...]
A Longshoreman Strike Threatens to Affect International Shipping
ILA Strike Watch 2012 The International Longshoreman Association (ILA) has threatened to strike after the expiration of their current contract at the end of September with the U.S. Maritime [...]
Ocean Freight 101: The How, Where, What of International Shipping
Though things change and change fast in the international shipping business, you can have a firm grasp on shipping basics. Below is a clear, current, and concise understanding of the how, where, [...]
Freight News: International Shipping From Asia Directly to East Coast
Earlier this month, Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) announced its first regular liner call from Evergreen. Evergreen is one of the world’s largest carriers with over 180 ships by [...]
What’s Going On With Ocean Freight Prices?
International shipping freight rates are always volatile. There are many factors that contribute the volatile nature of freight rates causing them to rise and fall like a cargo container roller [...]
Cute Kitten Stowaway Clings to Life in Ocean Freight Container
Imagine importing a cargo container of goods from China and opening it to find a kitten inside who’s clinging to life. That’s exactly what happened to a Compton business according to [...]
Predictions by Boeing Cause Us to Revisit Air Cargo Vs. Ocean Freight
Boeing, the largest exporter in the U.S. by value, predicts the world’s fleet of aircraft will double in the next 20 years according to a recent Air Cargo World article. Despite saying [...]
What Does It All Mean? International Shipping & Logistics Glossary
Ever find yourself asking the question, “What does it all mean?” I’m not talking about the philosophical or spiritual questions searching for the meaning of life. I’m [...]
Could a Trend of Decreasing Freight Rates Be Approaching?
If you’re an international shipper, freight rates are important to you. How much you pay to import and export your goods is a big factor for your bottom line. 2011 was a great year for [...]
3 Tips for Growing Your Export Business
“Export Growth to Slow in 2012” are the words that stand out in a recent Journal of Commerce article title. Perhaps that makes you slump a bit as an exporter; however, this year could [...]
More Carrier Imposed Freight Rate Increases Could Be Good for Shippers?
Get prepared for more increases in ocean freight rates from Asia to the U.S. As an international shipper importing from places like China to the U.S., the last thing you want to see is a blog [...]
Are Chinese Exports Shipping Out to Take Over the Auto Industry?
The U.S. auto industry has certainly seen rough times recently. While the Big 3–GM, Chrysler, and Ford–try to recover from the Automotive Industry Crisis of 2008-2010, China’s [...]
Is the Clean Truck Fee On Imports and Exports Thru L.A. Really Gone?
With the end of 2011 came the end of the Clean Truck Fee for shippers importing and exporting through the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Or did it? A previous Universal Cargo Management [...]