The Loadstar

The Loadstar is an independent, United Kingdom based, supply chain and logistics publication covering freight forwarding, air cargo, ocean shipping, ports, and international trade policy. gCaptain republishes select Loadstar coverage under content partnership terms when stories are materially relevant to maritime and offshore readers. Loadstar stories on gCaptain are clearly attributed and may be edited for house style, formatting, and headline clarity while preserving source reporting.


Monday, October 23, 2017
ship emissions
News

Shipping Groups Slammed for Aggressive Emissions Lobbying at UN

By Gavin van Marle (The Loadstar) – The shipping industry was today accused of blocking international efforts to curb pollution and greenhouse gas levels

October 23, 2017
Total Views: 63

Tuesday, October 17, 2017
Peak Season a Let-Down for China-US Carriers as Ocean Rates Continue to Slide
News

Peak Season a Let-Down for China-US Carriers as Ocean Rates Continue to Slide

By Gavin van Marle (The Loadstar) – After eight consecutive weeks of declining spot freight rates on the headhaul legs between China and the US, the

October 17, 2017
Total Views: 91

Friday, October 13, 2017
Outlook Gloomy for Container Shipping as Rates Continue to Slide
Shipping News

Outlook Gloomy for Container Shipping as Rates Continue to Slide

By Mike Wackett (The Loadstar) – Container spot rates from Asia to North Europe slumped below $700 per teu this week, losing a further 3.9% in

October 13, 2017
Total Views: 44

Thursday, October 12, 2017
cargo ship
News

Charter Market Provides a Welcome Boost for Owners of Smaller Containerships

By Mike Wackett (The Loadstar) – Owners of smaller containerships, with limited exposure to the volatile deepsea east-west trades, are enjoying increases

October 12, 2017
Total Views: 148

shipping containers
News

Digitization Won’t Provide the Predicted Revolution in Container Shipping, Says Alphaliner

By Gavin van Marle (The Loadstar) – Predictions that the current crop of disruptive digital start-ups will revolutionize container shipping has been

October 12, 2017
Total Views: 109

Wednesday, October 4, 2017
Lack of Ultra-Large Containerships Could Cost THE Alliance Members
News

Lack of Ultra-Large Containerships Could Cost THE Alliance Members

By Mike Wackett (The Loadstar) – THE Alliance could find itself on the wrong side of a $500 per teu cost differential on the key Asia-North Europe

October 4, 2017
Total Views: 75

Thursday, September 28, 2017
Hapag-Lloyd Fleet ‘Complete’ as Latest UASC Newbuild ULCV is Delivered
Shipping News

Hapag-Lloyd Fleet ‘Complete’ as Latest UASC Newbuild ULCV is Delivered

By Mike Wackett (The Loadstar) – Hapag-Lloyd has taken delivery of the last of 17 ULCVs ordered by UASC in 2013 as “some of the greenest and largest

September 28, 2017
Total Views: 94

Wednesday, September 27, 2017
rickmers maritime
News

No Trade Balance for Container Shipping Until End of 2019, Says Alphaliner

By Mike Wackett (The Loadstar) – Recent forecasts from ocean carriers that a supply-demand equilibrium will be reached next year are “optimistic”,

September 27, 2017
Total Views: 63

Friday, September 15, 2017
port of los angeles
News

U.S. Federal Maritime Commission Applauds THE Alliance’s $50 Million Contingency Plan

By Gavin van Marle (The Loadstar) The US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) yesterday approved THE Alliance’s plan for a $50m contingency fund in case one of

September 15, 2017
Total Views: 40

Thursday, September 14, 2017
Ship Radar ECDIS Console
Shipping News

New UK Code Requires Tighter Security Against Cyber Attacks on Ships

By Alexander Whiteman (The Loadstar) – In response to the growing threat of cybercrime to the shipping sector, the UK government has launched a new code

September 14, 2017
Total Views: 72

Wednesday, September 13, 2017
container ship
News

Carrier Competition for Market Share Could Start a New Freight Rate War

By Mike Wackett (The Loadstar) – With the first anniversary of the Hanjin Shipping bankruptcy just passed, there are growing fears that ocean carriers

September 13, 2017
Total Views: 88

Thursday, September 7, 2017
rotterdam cargo barge
News

Rotterdam to Hold Congestion Crisis Talks But Problems Likely to Persist Into Next Year

By Alexander Whiteman (The Loadstar) – European shippers are calling for “solutions not fights” to the continuing congestion at Antwerp and

September 7, 2017
Total Views: 82

Wednesday, August 30, 2017
MSC OSCAR
News

No Fears of Capacity Glut if MSC Confirms Megaship Order, Says Alphaliner

By Mike Wackett (The Loadstar) – MSC is reportedly finalising an order for 11 22,000 teu ships, joining CMA CGM in reactivating the orderbook for

August 30, 2017
Total Views: 136

Thursday, August 24, 2017
When More Megaships Arrive, Will the Party Be Over for Ocean Carriers?
News

When More Megaships Arrive, Will the Party Be Over for Ocean Carriers?

By Mike Wackett (The Loadstar) – At least two Asia and Europe loops will need to be closed in the fourth quarter of the year, or sailings blanked, to

August 24, 2017
Total Views: 89

Friday, August 18, 2017
shipping containers
Shipping News

TEU Tokens and Blockchain Could Shape the Future of Container Shipping

By Sam Whelan (The Loadstar) – Blockchain initiative 300cubits has created a new type of cryptocurrency to solve liner shipping’s US$23bn

August 18, 2017
Total Views: 128

Tuesday, August 15, 2017
Another Megaship Grounding Pushes Salvors to Their Limits
Shipping News

Another Megaship Grounding Pushes Salvors to Their Limits

By Mike Wackett (The Loadstar) – Another ultra-large container vessel has run aground in North Europe, again raising questions about the ability of

August 15, 2017
Total Views: 276

Thursday, August 10, 2017
Port of Hong Kong
News

Hong Kong Secures Shipping Hub Status with Nod to Vessel-Sharing Agreements

By Sam Whelan, Asia Correspondent (The Loadstar) – The Hong Kong Competition Commission has issued a five-year block exemption order for liner shipping

August 10, 2017
Total Views: 72

Wednesday, August 9, 2017
hyundai containership
Shipping News

Tradelane Rivalry May Scupper South Korean Shipping Alliance

By Mike Wackett (The Loadstar) Yesterday’s partnership agreement between 14 South Korean shipping lines falls far short of the consolidation needed to bring

August 9, 2017
Total Views: 47

Monday, August 7, 2017
OOCL Needed Cash and COSCO’s ‘Weight’ to Compete with Mega-Carriers
News

OOCL Needed Cash and COSCO’s ‘Weight’ to Compete with Mega-Carriers

By Mike Wackett (The Loadstar) – OOCL was too small to compete with mega-carriers and needed access to a large capital base to succeed, its chairman said

August 7, 2017
Total Views: 74

Friday, August 4, 2017
cma cgm ship
News

CMA CGM Ship Order Could Send Ripples Across Tradelanes as Rates Strengthen

By Mike Wackett (The Loadstar) – CMA CGM’s potential order of up to nine 22,000 teu ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs) is sending a message to

August 4, 2017
Total Views: 40