The Forgotten Transportation Mode
Images of fleets of large container ships at anchor waiting to be unloaded, terminals at capacity, stressed customs clearing functions and a growing truck driver shortage underline just how fragile our supply chains are. These interruptions will jeopardize our on-time inventory systems, manufacturers’ reliance on parts sourced from overseas, the delivery of the very consumer
The Container Revolution
Over the last four decades I have had the privilege of frequently visiting Hamburg, Germany, which is known as the container capital of the world. In doing so, I had a front row seat watching the “Container Revolution” from its infancy into what it is today. What did I see? From the end of the
The Decade of “Clean Tech”
The Decade of “Clean Tech” At Green Shipping Line, we believe that carbon is the new currency of the “clean tech” revolution. Investors and companies are looking for transformative ventures that will reduce or eliminate carbon emissions in the era of “decarbonization” and “net zero emissions”. That being said, we at Green Shipping Line
European Ports: An Example for Growth
For the last five years, Green Shipping Line (GSL) has been developing an affordable offshore wind feeder vessel that can be built in the United States and operate in all U.S. coastal ports.
This is especially important because after visiting European offshore wind ports, including Esbjerg and Cuxhaven, along with a careful study of ports in the United States, we concluded there is a vast difference between the European and U.S. ports and adjustments to approaches will need to be taken.
The Most Critical Element in a Successful Supply Chain: Time
The element of time plays a critical role in any supply chain.
In fact, time is often the most significant factor in rating the efficiency of a supply chain. For instance, a factory must have parts and materials to keep production rolling and “On Time Delivery” is often a crucial deciding factor when a company is contracted to supply products to a manufacturer or vendor.
Maritime Unions: The Catalyst for Containerization and Transportation
Currently, there are approximately 43 million shipping containers across the globe. Of those 43 million containers, however, only 23 million are being used for transport or other practical usage. The majority of the 23 million “active” containers in the pool are standard 20’ and 40’ containers, which are the workhorses of the industry
The Government Weighs in on the Offshore Wind Industry
In December 2020, the U.S. Government Accountability Office issued a comprehensive report on the offshore wind industry to the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Here is what the report examines.
MARAD’s $19.6 Million Grants Are a Great Start, But More is Needed
This month, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration announced $19.6 M in grant awards to 31 small shipyards in 15 states through the Small Shipyard Grant Program. This is a great start, but we still do not have enough modern shipbuilding capacity to meet our needs in the coming decade.
Understanding “Active & Passive” Strategies to Cut Carbon Emissions
There are several ways for companies to meet their sustainability goals of reducing carbon emissions into the atmosphere. Two of the more popular methods are purchasing carbon offsets and choosing more sustainable methods like finding greener ways of transporting goods. At Green Shipping Line (GSL), we refer to these as “passive” and “active” strategies and submit that anything that actively removes carbon emissions is superior to passive efforts.
10 Lessons Learned from the Ever Given Container Ship Incident
A great deal of information has been forthcoming on Evergreen Marine Corporation’s vessel, the ‘Ever Given’, which ended up grounded on the Suez Canal for nearly a week. Perhaps the biggest takeaways are the references to the global supply chain. Read more about how to prevent future incidents.
How 2021 is Crucial to the Survival of the U.S. Marine Transportation Industry
Within hours of entering the new year, the maritime shipping industry saw quite a positive outlook for the future.
With the U.S. Senate overriding the Presidential veto and signing into law the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on January 1, 2021, many of the doubts and concerns the maritime industry had were eased, as exceedingly important legislations were finally coming to fruition.
Understanding the Benefits of Carbon Credits
As the world leans more and more toward environmentally friendly practices, companies must conduct business in a new way to keep up with the times. One way to do this is to utilize carbon credits through cap-and-trade programs. Companies and industries can have carbon caps that regulate an enterprise’s amount of carbon dioxide and other
The Ultimate Untapped Method for Corporations to Reduce Carbon Emissions
Did you know Tesla sold $428.0 million of ZEV credits in the 2nd quarter of 2020, helping to give the company its first full year of positive net income ever? All around the world, corporations of all sizes are paying more attention to their carbon emissions and finding environmentally friendly ways of doing business while
[VIDEO] The Most Efficient and Green Way to Transport Cargo
Did you know that 1 small vessel can transport the same amount of cargo as 66 trucks in just 1 trip? Because they can carry more weight on water than what a truck can on land, vessels are the most efficient and green way to transport cargo domestically via the American Marine Highway. Watch
Walmart tightens on-time, in-full requirements
This article and image have been reposted from Freight Waves. Originally published on Friday, September 11, 2020. New rules require 98% across-the-board compliance starting Tuesday Beginning this Tuesday, the financial stakes of shipping to Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) will get appreciably higher. Effective Sept. 15, the Bentonville, Arkansas-based retail behemoth will require its suppliers and their
Opportunities in the U.S.’ Shipbuilding Industry
The USA was once the greatest shipbuilding nation in the world, but things have changed. American-built and flagged vessels have been shrinking in both number and percentage of the worldwide fleet The Context There is a tremendous opportunity in the United States right now. We have thousands of vessels that move people and goods on
Offshore Wind Farm Business: A Sea of Opportunity
The burgeoning U.S. offshore wind farm business will be the greatest opportunity for our maritime industry since WWII. Over the next 10 years the offshore wind farm business is projected to install approximately 1,300 towers in 18 fields, generating more than 17 GW of power. By 2035, the U.S. is expected to have 35 GW
How You Can Make Money by Investing in Green Projects
Carbon credits are generated from project that pull greenhouse gasses out of the atmosphere or keep them out altogether. If carbon credits in the USA sold at the EU’s proposed $75.00 each, then logistic supply chains whose projects verify that they have reduced, avoided, or destroyed one metric tonne of GHGs have in their hands a
[VIDEO] What’s the American Marine Highway and Why It’s Important
The American Marine Highway is an underutilized sector of the U.S.A’s Infrastructure. It consists of 250,000 miles of navigable waterways that operate–as the name suggest–a highway for vessels to transport goods domestically. The American Marine Highway and its ports and terminals already exist. Our water network, that costs nothing to create and little to maintain,
6 Money-Saving Reasons to Invest in Jones Act Marine Vessels
Jones Act marine vessels are a unique asset class with enormous financial upside potential. If you want to get an above average return on investment while creating sustainable new American jobs, invest in Jones Act assets There are a lot of discussions ongoing about the U.S. Jones Act and U. S. flagged Jones Act assets,
5 Key Advantages of Regional Trucking
In a changing world, the predominance of long-haul trucking is evolving. More and more companies are moving to regional and short haul trucking models. Along with rising tolls, increasing gridlock, changes to drivers’ hours of service, and expanding enforcement of interstate weight regulations, the development of electric as well as “driverless” trucks will impact the
Why the Jones Act is still needed 100 years later
This article was reposted from Pontotoc Progress (djournal.com) Written by: Sen. Roger Wicker , Sen. Maria Cantwell , Rep. Peter DeFazio , and Rep. Sam Graves 1416 One hundred years ago today, President Woodrow Wilson enacted a law that would become known as the Jones Act. Its purpose was to help the U.S. shipping industry
Transportation
This article has been reposted from Water Encyclopedia Historically, societies have always located near water, due partly to the fact that water enables more efficient travel compared to going over land. Waterways are critically important to the transportation of people and goods throughout the world. The complex network of connections between coastal ports, inland ports,
Today’s Pickup: Last-mile delivery growth will increase carbon emissions by 30% by 2030
This article/image has been reposted from Freight Waves Good day, A study published by the World Economic Forum (WEF) found that the growth in last-mile deliveries over the next decade will lead to slower transits and higher emissions in major cities across the world. The report forecasts a 36% rise in the number of delivery
Thought of the Day
As E-Commerce grows exponentially, 1st mile-last mile truck deliveries grow in parallel. That being the case there will be more and more short haul delivery vans adding to our overcrowded streets and thoroughfares. Gridlock will increase and pollution will sore as drivers make more one package deliveries to millions of additional homes and apartments. And
3 Key Figures in America’s Marine Transportation History
Written by Pat Roche Although the history of marine transportation in the United States is extensive, 3 key figures laid the foundation for moving goods across our coasts, rivers, and lakes. Benjamin Wright (1770-1842) Considered by many to be the Father of Civil Engineering in America The Erie Canal, The Blackstone Canal and the C&O Canal
Why Paying Truckers by the Mile is Unfair and Dangerous
The trucking industry is in crisis for one simple reason: It cannot find enough people to sit behind the wheel. The American Trucking Assns., a trade group, estimates that trucks carry more than 67% of the country’s total freight by weight. Trucking is the nation’s most important mode of commercial shipping. Currently, there are about 3.5
Cleaner Freight: Boost Sustainability at Every Level of the Supply Chain
From fields to factories, companies are making considerable strides incorporating sustainable strategies across individual stages in their supply chain. But a key part of the supply chain that often gets overlooked is how goods are getting from point A to point B. It might seem obvious to focus on warehouses or office spaces, but because freight acts
Pace of Trucking Industry Change About To Hit Warp Speed
Written by Jack Uldrich General Motors Chief Executive Mary Barra likes to observe that the automotive industry will see more change in the next five years than it has in the last 50. That’s so true, and it applies to all forms of automotive transport, including trucking. Just look at some of the recent changes
[Executive Summary] U.S.’ Transportation Challenge
There is a transportation challenge facing the United States which must be addressed in order for the country to continue to grow and prosper, as summarized in the chart below. The road system cannot keep up with the projected growth in population and shipment weight. With roads already congested, any further increase is not sustainable.
1st Mustangs Ever Transported Across the Atlantic in Containers
Green Shipping Line was the first to transport Mustangs in containers across the Atlantic and unload them in Bremen. In 2016, Green Shipping Line entered into negotiations with Ford Motor Company to transport Mustangs from the U.S. to Europe in containers. See the photo gallery below.
[Video] Green Shipping Line Kit Assembly Line in Real Time
Watch Green Shipping Line’s kit assembly line in real time below.
What Does Decreasing Boxcar Fleet Mean for U.S. Capacity?
Box cars are an aging technology that is still relied upon by many shippers. Steve Raetz, from the Transportfolio blog, described in depth the situation in his recent post. Here’s a portion of the article: The story of the disappearing boxcars seems to be one that is best understood through the data and in the
The Long Term Shortage of Truck Drivers is Causing Real Economic Problems
Truck drivers are the backbone of the economy, without them it would simply not be possible to distribute goods to their desired locations. The trucking industry in America delivers more goods than the train network, planes or even the massive cargo ships. In reality it is almost impossible to get any product delivered without using
An historic opportunity to improve infrastructure on the cheap is in danger of being squandered
In America, the average bridge is 42 years old and the average dam 52. In comparison, one in three railway bridges in Germany is over 100 years old, as are half of London’s water mains. It is hard to exaggerate the decrepitude of infrastructure in much of the rich world. One in three railway bridges
After 17 rail accidents in one month, METRORail reemphasizes safety campaign
Written by ELIZABETH RHODES Alarmed by a record 17 accidents involving METRORail trains, pedestrian and automobile drivers in one month, officials have reemphasized a safety campaign to help prevent future incidents. The agency’s “See Tracks? Think Train!” initiative includes a rail safety video from the U.S. Department of Transportation illustrating risky actions some pedestrians and drivers take along the rails that
I-10 reopens; bridge to cost $5M, take 2 months to fix
Shortly before reopening Interstate 10 on Friday, officials announced that it will take about two months and $5 million to rebuild a fallen bridge near Desert Center. “Our goal is to expedite the design and construction, open and operational by the end of September,” Caltrans Interim District Director John Bulinski. Despite the ambitious two month
Truckers
Written by Pat Roche Did you know that by utilizing a transportation infrastructure that combines trucks, trains and ships we can take back the #1 spot in global commerce? With short sea shipping, we will be able to add efficiencies to the trucking companies that will add jobs, and much needed revenue to the truck companies allowing
Transportation for Our Country
Written by Pat Roche Today maritime trading is a worldwide network of commerce handling approximately 90% of the world’s non-bulk cargo. Most of the world has already returned to the roots of ocean trading by redeveloping “Short Sea Shipping” networks, which increase the speed of goods transported as well as alleviate road congestion. John Cabot,
Where America’s worst roads are — and how much they’re costing us
The shoddy state of the nation’s roads cost the average driver $515 in extra operation and maintenance costs on their car, according to the latest analysis from TRIP, a national transportation research group. Meanwhile, the Highway Trust Fund is about to become insolvent, and congressional lawmakers can’t agree on a temporary fix that experts say
Oil train derails, explodes in North Dakota
Less than a week after federal regulators announced strict new rules for the tank car trains that hauled more than 490,000 loads of oil last year. A train derailed and burst into flames Wednesday, forcing the evacuation of a North Dakota town. “The town of Heimdal is being evacuated,” said Sarah Feinberg, acting administrator of
CSX Train Derails in Western Md.; No Injuries or Spills
SWANTON, Md. (AP) — CSX Corp. says it’s investigating the cause of train derailment near the western Maryland community of Swanton. Spokesman Rob Doolittle says 11 of the 88 cars on a train traveling from Cumberland to Russell, Kentucky, derailed at about 4:30 a.m. Wednesday. He says no injuries or spills of hazardous materials were
Shippers warn that insufficient infrastructure could create “perfect storm”
A lack of sufficient road and rail infrastructure, and insufficient port capacity will place stress on the global economy, creating the “perfect storm” for shipping according to the Global Shippers’ Forum (GSF). At the Eurocoke Summit in Amsterdam, Chris Welsh, secretary-general of the GSF, said: “Increasing international trade will set unprecedented challenges to the transport
Ambassador Bridge reopened after vehicle fire
The Ambassador Bridge has been reopened following a vehicle fire that stopped traffic on the busy international crossing today. Ambassador Bridge spokesman Mickey Blashfield said traffic was restored after the fire, which was caused by a pickup hauling a trailer and headed to Canada. He said what caused the vehicle fire is unknown. He said
[Whitepaper] US Commercial Shipbuilding: A Strategic National Asset
The U.S. is 97 percent reliant on foreign ships to transport its imports and exports. America’s standing as a commercial sea power has been in decline since the mid-twentieth century while China, Brazil and now India have declared that their commercial shipyards are “Strategic National assets”. “US-built coastal ships are the trucks of the US Marine
[Whitepaper] American Marine Highway: The Missing Transportation Mode
Today the United States has two well-recognized surface transportation modes—rail and road— and a third, which largely is forgotten. Missing is the marine mode, known as the American Marine Highway. Sometimes the simplest solutions are the hardest to see. Less than .003% of the U.S. Department of Transportation budget is proposed to be spent on
[Whitepaper] Two Ways To Revitalize U.S. Shipbuilding
Government incentives have jump-started new technologies, and fostered the revitalization and retooling of entire U.S. industries. Recent examples include substantial Federal rebates for electric cars, credits for LEED certified building systems, Renewable Energy Credits (REC) for Green Energy generation, loan guarantees for solar and wind turbines farms, the development of greener engines, and, most dramatically,
Freight Volume Moving Through the U. S.’s Transportation Infrastructure
Freight Volume Moving Through the U. S.’s Transportation Infrastructure Access the pdf below for the current statistics on the volume of freight being transported via the U.S.’ Transportation Infrastructure. Estimates are World Shipping Council calculations based on source data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration and Federal Highway Administration.
WB I-94 reopens after tanker fire, EB lanes still closed
Westbound I-94 is back open after a tanker fire this morning shut down both sides of the expressway near the Dearborn/Detroit border. Eastbound lanes will remain closed from the Southfield Freeway to I-96 through the weekend, according to a Diane Cross, a spokeswoman for the Michigan Department of Transportation. The tanker fire that ignited late