TSA Carriers Implement PSS Effective June 15, 2011

Members of the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (TSA) have announced a Peak Season Surcharge
(PSS), effective June 15, 2011 through November 30, 2011.

Container shipping volume will grow at double digits through 2012 but rising fuel, vessel charter and shipbuilding costs may weaken carrier profits in the coming months, consultant Philippe Hoehlinger says in his latest quarterly report on container shipping.

Box Ship Deliveries Seen Hitting
Record in 2013

Bruce Barnard

Orders Would Push 2 Million TEUs Into Market, Alphaliner Says

Deliveries of container ships are set to hit a record high in 2013, driven by a surge of orders in the past year that has revived fears of overcapacity in container shipping markets, according to shipping industry analysts Alphaliner.
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Shippers Want Piece of Slow
Steaming Savings

Shippers are adapting to slow steaming by ocean carriers, but want carriers to share savings through better pricing and improved customer service. Read Full Article.

U.S., Canada Renew Cargo
Pre-Clearance Effort

U.S. Customs and Border Protection and its Canadian counterpart are seeking to establish a cargo pre-clearance program that would allow admissibility decisions to be made before rail and truck shipments reach the border, Commissioner Alan Bersin told a Senate panel last Tuesday.

Asked about delays for commercial motor carriers along the northern border, Bersin said CBP and the Canadian Border Services Agency hope to implement a pilot program for advance cargo release in the near future.
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Singapore Air Freight Grows
6.1 Percent

JOC Staff

April Expansion at Changi Comes on Growing Aircraft Operations at Asia Gateway

Freight volume at Singapore Changi Airport grew at its fastest year-over-year rate of 2011 in April, expanding 6.1 percent and extending the Asia airport’s recovery from a weak start to the year. Read Full Article.

Diesel Drops 6.4 Cents Per Gallon

Decline Leaves Price Below $4 a Gallon For First Time Since April 4

The average price of diesel fell 6.4 cents in the past week to $3.997 a gallon across the U.S., the first time it has been below $4 in nearly two months, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The third straight weekly decline followed recent declines in the price of crude oil on world markets and forecasts of plentiful oil stocks heading into the summer driving season.

The EIA measured the steepest drop in California, where the average price fell 8.4 cents in the week ending May 23, although the average price in the state of $4.287 was still tops in the country. Read Full Article.