Imports into the Port of Los Angeles were up 32 percent last month, compared to June 2009, and exports also finished strong, up about 12 percent over the same period last year.
In addition, the Port of Los Angeles website reports that for June 2010: (more…)
A larger-than-expected rebound in container traffic has created a shortage of boxes and forced container prices to a 19-year high.
According to The Journal of Commerce, the current price for a 20-foot dry container has risen to $2,750, its highest level since 1991, from less than $2,000 at the end of 2009.
Container manufacturers slowed production when carriers cut capacity during the recession. Now, they’re having trouble ramping up to meet new demand. (more…)
Employment in the U.S. grew in April for the third time in four months, indicating that the recovery is gradually becoming self-sustaining.
Notable job gains occurred in manufacturing (44,000), professional and business services (80,000), health care (20,000), and leisure and hospitality (45,000). Federal government employment also rose, reflecting continued hiring of temporary workers for Census 2010 (66,000).
Over the month, employment changed little in wholesale trade, retail trade, information, and financial activities.
More details about U.S. employment are available in this summary from the Department of Labor.
This week there has also been encouraging news about global trade. (more…)
Zepol has created an extremely useful report of the top 50 US ports for port authorities, steamship lines, 3PLs, importers, and suppliers of the United States market.
Titled “The Year in Review: 2009 U.S. Containerized Import Ports Report,” the document includes a list of the 50 U.S. ports based on TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit), plus additional details about: (more…)
Standardized shipping containers have been in use for more than 50 years, and at this point, they’re a supply chain component most of us just take for granted. However, if you stop for a minute and give it some consideration, you’ll certainly come to realize that standardized containerization has had a dramatic effect on international trade –“making the world smaller and the world economy bigger,” as Marc Levinson says.
But even so, not much has changed with the simple iron box conceived fifty years ago.
Well, not much has changed. . . until now. (more…)
