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.


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: 38

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: 67

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: 84

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: 79

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: 133

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: 88

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: 119

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

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: 264

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: 66

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: 42

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: 69

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: 38

Thursday, August 3, 2017
mol comfort disaster
Shipping News

Insurers Grow Anxious as Containerships Get Bigger and Cargo More Valuable

By Mike Wackett (The Loadstar) – With CMA CGM reportedly ready to sign a letter-of-intent for nine ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs) of 22,000 teu,

August 3, 2017
Total Views: 328

Wednesday, August 2, 2017
containerships
Shipping News

Overcapacity Returns to Haunt Liner Shipping as Newbuilds Queue Up

By Mike Wackett (The Loadstar) – The spectre of overcapacity is clouding recent analyst optimism that ocean carriers could be heading for a period of

August 2, 2017
Total Views: 52

Thursday, July 27, 2017
container barge europe
Ports

Frustrated Shippers Say No End in Site to Barge Congestion at Northern European Ports

By Alexander Whiteman (The Loadstar) – Shippers say they feel powerless over the barge congestion crisis in northern Europe – one believing there may

July 27, 2017
Total Views: 99

Wednesday, July 26, 2017
COSCO Acquisition of OOCL Still Faces ‘Degree of Uncertainty’
News

COSCO Acquisition of OOCL Still Faces ‘Degree of Uncertainty’

By Mike Wackett (The Loadstar) – Cosco Shipping Holdings resumed trading on the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) today, more than two months after its

July 26, 2017
Total Views: 95

Monday, July 24, 2017
Impressive Transatlantic Growth for U.S. Imports, But Outlook Not so Bullish
Shipping News

Impressive Transatlantic Growth for U.S. Imports, But Outlook Not so Bullish

By Mike Wackett (The Loadstar) – Container exports from North Europe to North America increased 5.7%, year-on-year, in the first five months of the year,

July 24, 2017
Total Views: 29

Tuesday, July 18, 2017
containership
News

Tempers Flare as Hamburg Selects Chinese Consortium for Container Port Expansion Project

By Mike Wackett (The Loadstar) – A storm is brewing in the city of Hamburg over the port authority awarding the development of the 42ha Steinwerder South

July 18, 2017
Total Views: 122

Monday, July 17, 2017
shipping containers
News

Bigger Ships Seen Adding More Pressure on Asia-Mediterranean Container Trade

By Mike Wackett (The Loadstar) – Ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs) being phased onto the Asia-Mediterranean container trade are likely to put freight

July 17, 2017
Total Views: 70