Blog

Recent events have underscored the critical importance of supply chain visibility, pushing businesses to reevaluate their strategies and invest in more robust, data-driven approaches.

Shipping container tracking refers to the methodologies and technologies employed to monitor the movement and status of containers throughout their journey. It involves collecting data on location, condition, and historical movement, ensuring stakeholders have real-time visibility into their cargo's journey.

The clock is ticking for U.S. East and Gulf Coast ports as a potential strike by the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) looms on October 1st. With talks between the union and port operators at an impasse, the prospect of widespread port closures grows more likely by the day.

The year 2024 has witnessed a combination of unprecedented disruptions that have significantly impeded the international shipping industry's operations. The latest includes this report by Global Maritime Risk Management expert, Ambrey, which details escalating military tensions in Lybia particularly around oil production and control, which pose a significant threat to the stability of Libya and could lead to localized conflict, impacting oil markets and regional security.

As geopolitical tensions disrupt traditional shipping lanes, particularly in the Red Sea, the maritime industry is turning its gaze northward. The Northern Sea Route (NSR) is emerging as a viable alternative, promising to reshape global trade routes and maritime logistics.

If you are involved in the import/export business, you may have heard of ‘ship tracking’ or have tried tracking it yourself. Through ship location tracking, people want to know where my or my customer’s cargo is on the sea, which route it takes, where it transits, etc. And consequently, the cargo’s arrival time. In addition, ship tracking will also be able to identify cargo delays and variable situations that frequently occur in maritime transportation in advance and prepare for them so that there are no disruptions to the logistics plan.

What happens when the world's busiest waterways become choke points for global trade? In 2024, we've witnessed this scenario unfold dramatically with the ongoing crisis in the Red Sea and Suez Canal, where Houthi attacks on commercial vessels have forced many ships to reroute around Africa. This situation together with other recent events has reignited concerns about port congestion on a global scale, highlighting the fragility of our interconnected supply chains. As businesses and consumers grapple with the ripple effects of these disruptions, understanding the causes of port congestion and developing strategies to mitigate its impact has never been more crucial. This article delves into the complexities of port congestion and introduces how SeaVantage Port Insight can help businesses navigate these turbulent waters in an increasingly unpredictable global trade landscape.

Shipping carriers are the backbone of this industry, ensuring the efficient and timely delivery of cargo, thereby supporting global economic growth. This article aims to highlight the ten largest shipping carriers in the world, providing a detailed look into their operations, fleet sizes, and recent developments. The global shipping industry is a crucial component of international trade, handling the transportation of goods across oceans and connecting markets worldwide.

The global container shipping industry is a cornerstone of international trade, enabling the efficient movement of goods across continents. Container terminal operators play a crucial role in this industry, providing the infrastructure and services needed to handle the vast volumes of cargo that traverse the world's oceans. These operators manage the ports where containers are loaded and unloaded, ensuring the smooth flow of trade and logistics. This article aims to highlight the top 10 container terminal operators worldwide, showcasing their significance in the global supply chain.

In an unprecedented turn of events, a faulty update from cybersecurity giant Crowdstrike recently triggered what is being called the largest global IT outage in history. The update, intended to bolster security, instead crashed Microsoft's operating system, leading to widespread disruptions across various sectors, most notably in air freight and maritime operations.

The shipping industry has been closely monitoring the dramatic surge in spot container freight rates in recent weeks. However, the latest data suggests this upward trend may be losing steam, for now. Here's the current state of affairs and what it might mean for the market.

SeaVantage secures a $2.3 million investment from HD Hyundai Marine Solution to enhance AI-driven maritime analytics, aiming to revolutionize supply chain visibility and sustainability.

In today's complex global supply chains, simply tracking shipments is no longer enough. The recent Red Sea blockade has served as a wake-up call for the shipping industry: traditional tracking methods fall woefully short in an era of geopolitical uncertainty and supply chain volatility. From predicting ETA changes due to route diversions to managing port congestion caused by sudden influxes of rerouted vessels, ocean visibility has emerged as a critical tool for navigating these turbulent waters.

Demurrage and detention are often used interchangeably in logistics; however, these terms refer to distinct concepts, even though they are closely linked. While both can involve charges, there are strategies to significantly reduce or avoid these costs in your supply chain.

Container shipping is a cornerstone of global trade, enabling the efficient movement of goods across the world's oceans. Container ships, with their standardized containers, have revolutionized the logistics industry since their introduction in the mid-20th century, streamlining the process of loading, transporting, and unloading goods.

In today's competitive world market, knowing exactly where your shipment is at all times is more critical than ever. The ability to track and manage the movement of goods across the world with precision and real-time updates can make the difference between a thriving business and a struggling one.

New regulations from the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) aim to enhance transparency and fairness in demurrage and detention billing. These changes impact the issuance of invoices, designate the recipients, and address dispute resolution procedures.

Ocean shipping is integral to global trade, enabling the movement of goods across vast distances efficiently and cost-effectively. The key facilitators in this system are container ports and terminals, which manage the flow of goods between sea transport and land-based transport methods like trucks and trains.

In the complex world of global trade, navigating the intricacies of transporting goods from one country to another can be daunting. This is where freight forwarders come into play. Acting as a crucial intermediary, freight forwarders specialize in arranging the storage and shipment of merchandise on behalf of shippers. They not only take care of logistical operations but also help businesses overcome the hurdles of international trade regulations.

The Master Bill of Lading (MBL) serves as a formal contract between the shipper, who is sending the goods, and the main carrier, which is the company transporting the goods. This document outlines the terms and conditions under which the cargo is moved, ensuring both parties understand their rights and responsibilities.

The recent collision between the Singapore-flagged large container ship 'Dali' and the Francis Scott Key Bridge has resulted in significant losses for ocean shipping, particularly, impacting operations at the Port of Baltimore. With ship traffic suspended indefinitely, the aftermath of this incident has left six individuals missing and resulted in daily economic losses estimated at $15 million.

At SeaVantage, we understand the importance of staying ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving world of shipping and logistics. That's why we're excited to share key takeaways from the recent Transpacific Maritime Conference (TPM24), where industry experts shed light on the challenges and opportunities shaping today's trade landscape.

The recent disruptions in the Red Sea and Panama Canal Drought have sent ripples through the global shipping industry, causing significant impacts on established routes and compelling vessels to reroute. This has introduced a complex web of challenges for vessels transiting through these regions. In such turbulent times, monitoring vessels becomes critical for businesses involved in maritime trade.

Since December 15, 2023, a series of attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen have targeted multiple container vessels in the Red Sea. Here is the most recent update as of December 29th on the ongoing situation around the Red Sea.