American Journal of Transportation, AJOT

02/26/2025

The fate of SME forwarders in a world of ‘mega’ players
AJOT Insight Article By Stuart Todd

At the top of the freight forwarding tree, the major players are getting bigger and bigger, either through acquisitions or organic growth.

While the sector remains heavily fragmented and the biggest market share for any single company is estimated as being no more than 10%, what is the outlook for small and medium-sized (SME) forwarders when scale is the prevailing mantra?

Read full article here: https://www.ajot.com/insights/full/ai-the-fate-of-sme-forwarders-in-a-world-of-mega-players

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02/26/2025

Over the last forty-five years, the decision by US companies and the US government to support deregulation and outsourcing of ocean shipping has forced US shippers to rely on foreign flag carriers with few ships left in the US fleet.

This vacuum has allowed China to grow its shipbuilding, and ocean shipping and build new container terminals at ports around the world, according to Arnav Rao, Transportation Policy Analyst at the Open Markets Institute: “We saw bankruptcy after bankruptcy merger after merger happen in the ocean carrier industry … American President Lines (APL) and SeaLand were bought up and to foreign competitors who were subsidized and had lower cost structures. So that, that's really how China and these other players got ahead in that space.”

In an interview with AJOT, Rao argues that the Trump administration’s criticism of Chinese investments in terminals accessing the Panama Canal misses the point: China is investing in new container terminal operations around the world and the United States is not. | | | |

Read full article here: https://www.ajot.com/insights/full/ai-make-america-great-again-invest-in-us-shipping-shipbuilding-and-steel

02/25/2025

Just Released! - AJOT's Digital Edition for February 2025!

In this Edition:

• Florida Ports 2025

• Top North American Importers & Exporters 2025

• Project Cargo Bi-annual

• Delaware River Ports 2025

https://www.ajot.com/ajot_digital/774
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02/20/2025

AJOT Premium Article, by Brenda Silva, AJOT
Digital Edition #774 page 2

Florida Ports forecast calls for growth in cargo and cruises
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Read article here: https://www.ajot.com/premium/ajot-florida-ports-forecast-calls-for-growth-in-cargo-and-cruises

02/11/2025

The American Journal of Transportation, AJOT featured an article about the latest generation of ORBCOMM’s dry container solution designed to enhance container security, protect cargo integrity while also detecting unauthorized access and the possibility of fire. https://zurl.co/V78xi

monitoring

02/11/2025

State of the Port Address details a lengthy to-do list for PANYNJ

At the recent “State of the Port” event, the 2025 Master Plan detailed current and upcoming port projects that executives forecast will continue the success of the The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ). Along with a far-reaching list of goals for this year, many scheduled projects promise an impressive return on investment for several years to come by... | | |

02/08/2025

AJOT Premium Article, by Debra Phillips, AJOT
Digital Edition #773 page 12

Warehouses are a fundamental aspect of the supply chain that many may consider unchanged from year to year. However, that is not the case, as warehouses continue to evolve to meet the changing needs of businesses and consumers. From commercial real estate firms to transportation and logistics providers, most predict that by 2025, the use of technology in warehouse operations will grow exponentially. Sustainability and energy efficiency will be top priorities for warehouses in 2025 as they strive to meet the requirements of the EPA.

https://www.ajot.com/premium/ajot-warehousing-trends-for-2025

02/04/2025

AJOT Premium Article, by Mike DeAngelis, FourKites, Inc.
Digital Edition #773 page 8

US ports 2024: Behind the volume surge

U.S. port operations have seen record-breaking volumes while demonstrating remarkable resilience — despite serious structural challenges that could reshape maritime trade patterns in 2025.
The Port of Los Angeles is heading for its best December on record, potentially exceeding 900,000 TEUs, while Port of Long Beach is on track for an all-time annual record of 9.6 million TEUs, according to Bloomberg. But this surge isn’t driven by organic demand. | |

https://www.ajot.com/premium/ajot-us-ports-2024-behind-the-volume-surge

01/31/2025

01/30/2025

Top US container ports post gains in ‘24
AJOT Premium Article by George Lauriat, AJOT

Digital Edition #773 page 2

On September 30th, 2024, the contract between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), which provides labor to the ocean terminal to the East Coast and Gulf ports, and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), representing waterfront employers, expired, triggering a three-day long strike. After bargaining, the two sides agreed to continue the existing contract until January 15th. INTERNATIONAL LONGSHOREMENS ASSOCIATION UNITED STATES MARITIME ALLIANCE LIMITED | |

https://www.ajot.com/premium/ajot-top-us-container-ports-post-gains-in-24

01/29/2025

"Yesterday, Sean Duffy was officially sworn in as the 20th Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT). Secretary Duffy was administered the oath of office by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas at the U.S. Supreme Court and was joined by his family. Upon arrival at USDOT headquarters, Secretary Duffy’s first act was signing a memorandum directing staff to start the process of resetting Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, which will ultimately lower the price of a car for American consumers and eliminate the electric vehicle mandate." - (Article linked in bio)

01/28/2025

AJOT Insight by Stas Margaronis

Drewry says California wildfires will drive demand for building materials

The aftermath of the recent wildfires in Los Angeles is expected: “To drive up import demand for and commodities in the U.S. … Rebuilding the region will aid the need for construction materials, generating demand for bulk and multi-purpose shipping,” according to a Drewry Maritime Research analysis. | | | |

https://www.ajot.com/insights/full/ai-drewry-says-california-wildfires-will-drive-demand-for-building-materials

01/23/2025

Statement by IMO Secretary-General on the release of the crew of the Galaxy Leader

Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Mr. Arsenio Dominguez has welcomed the release of the crew of the MV Galaxy Leader, after more than a year in captivity. | |

https://www.ajot.com/news/statement-by-imo-secretary-general-on-the-release-of-the-crew-of-the-galaxy-leader

01/17/2025

AJOT Insight Article by Stas Margaronis
Port of Long Beach’s Cordero hails ‘Green Port’ achievements

Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero heralded the twentieth anniversary of the Port’s Green Port program which has resulted in major reductions in truck, cargo-handling equipment, and ship emissions that were achieved at the same time as record container volume growth.

Speaking to an audience of over 900 people at the Long Beach Convention Center, Cordero said: “Our state of our Port is getting greener serving as a model for the maritime industry. This is the true narrative for the stakeholders to have collaborated with us in the San Peter Bay Complex. Our policies and our programs are transforming this great love of maritime trade environmentally and operationally. Our operations are more efficient and more sustainable even while our terminal operators and our dock workers are handling record cargo volumes.”

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https://www.ajot.com/insights/full/ai-port-of-long-beachs-cordero-hails-green-port-achievements

01/10/2025

AJOT Premium Article by Debra Phillips, AJOT
Digital Edition #772 page 4

Trucking industry readying for 2025

For the trucking industry, 2024 was a challenging year. Freight demand and rates decreased, while operating expenses increased by 25% for trucking companies, according to the American Trucking Association (ATA). At the same time, the industry was navigating regulatory issues and the need for tort reform to address “nuclear verdicts,” a term referring to jury awards of more than $10 million in damages for trucking accidents, even if the carrier was not totally at fault. | |

https://www.ajot.com/premium/ajot-trucking-industry-readying-for-2025

01/09/2025

AJOT Premium Article by Debra Phillips
Digital Edition #772 page 2

The rail industry to focus on customer service and digital transformation in 2025 | |

Unlike the trucking industry, which faced consistent challenges during 2024, the freight railroad industry has experienced growth in 2024 over 2023 for certain weeks and commodities.
https://www.ajot.com/premium/ajot-the-rail-industry-to-focus-on-customer-service-and-digital-transformation-in-2025

01/07/2025

AJOT Insight by Stuart Todd, AJOT

The prospect of a significant increase in tariffs on goods imported into the U.S from China could have the effect of boosting air cargo, according to a senior industry executive.

Speaking at a recent webinar that focused on trends shaping the air freight market in 2025, organized in collaboration with market analytics platform, Xeneta, TIACA’s Director-General, Glyn Hughes, said it was interesting to note first of all that the Biden administration had added to the tariffs which Trump had imposed during his initial term of office. Trump's tariff hike on imports from China could boost air cargo. | |

https://www.ajot.com/insights/full/ai-trump-tariff-hike-on-imports-from-china-could-boost-air-cargo

01/07/2025

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