Insights - June 2016 - (Page 12)

with the same period in 2015, tonnage was up 3.9 percent. The not seasonally adjusted index, which represents the change in tonnage actually hauled by the fleets, equaled 142.1 in March, which was 10.2 percent above the previous month. "As expected, tonnage came back to earth in March from the jump in February," said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. "These things tend to correct, and March took back more than half of the surprisingly large gain in February. "The freight economy continues to be mixed, with housing and consumer spending generally giving support to tonnage, while new fracking activity and factory output being drags," he said. "In addition, freight volumes are softer than the overall economy because of the current inventory overhang throughout the supply chain." The decrease is the largest monthly contraction for the index since September 2012. Port News Oakland Terminal Requires Appointments Beginning June 6, 2016, appointments will be mandatory for most import container pick-ups at Oakland International Container Terminal, the port's largest. OICT said its goal is to shorten lines at terminal gates while speeding up cargo delivery to customers. Appointments to enter terminal gates are already available, and the mandatory import reservations are an extension of the terminal's existing appointment system. The terminal will not require appointments for other transactions such as empty container return. In addition, three unique types of import pick-ups will not require appointments: peel- offs, dray-offs and pre-mounted loads. The requirement is the latest effort to speed cargo flow at the terminal, which began testing night and weekend hours in November in advance of a port-wide initiative in February. GPA Approves Jasper Seaport Monies The Georgia Ports Authority has put up $7.5 million for environmental studies of the Jasper Ocean Terminal, the $5 billion facility on which GPA is partnering with the South Carolina Ports Authority. South Carolina legislators have also approved funding for its half of the study. Within three years, the two states will need an additional $50 million to $100 million for engineering, design and environmental work. The project is not expected to be completed for about 10 years. 'THE Alliance' Launched A new vessel-sharing alliance brings together Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, NYK Line, K Line, Hanjin Shipping, Hapag-Lloyd and Yang Ming Line. Pending discussion of cooperation between Hapag-Lloyd and United Arab Shipping, THE Alliance could enlist a seventh carrier. 'THE Alliance', as it will be known, would control 18 percent of the world's container shipping fleet with more than 620 vessels and a combined capacity of 3.5 million TEUs. Subject to regulatory approval, operations will begin in April 2017. The Alliance is a response to the 2M partnership of A.P. Moeller-Maersk A/S and Mediterranean Shipping Co., which controls 28 percent of the market, and the consolidated operations of China's state-controlled China Ocean Shipping Group and China Shipping Group. The latter is part of the Ocean Alliance which would also take effect in April 2017. Tech Drives Street Turns at NY/NJ and Oakland The Association of Bi-State Motor Carriers and the Port of New York and New Jersey have launched a web-based forum to connect drayage truckers looking for "street turns." 12 Intermodal Insights | June 2016 http://www.galaxytransport.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Insights - June 2016

Restart Legislation Gets a Restart
Speed Limter Rule May Advance
FMCSA Sends Clearinghouse Rule to OMB
Silver Kingpin Award Ballots Due June 30
Business Meeting Roundtables Advance Safety and Productivity
EXPO Curtain Raisers Spotlight Industry Leaders and Analysts
State of the Industry and Federal Partners
At 25, IANA Exceeds Goals
Port Trucker Case is Tip of he NLRB's Spear Aimed at Contractor Status
Sustainability News
Freight Reports
Port News
People in the News
In Brief
2016 Sponsors
Welcome New Members
Intermodal Calendar

Insights - June 2016