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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.

In the ever-evolving landscape of global logistics, the optimization of operations hinges significantly on the sophisticated orchestration of Application Programming Interface (API) Integration. Within SeaVantage, our unwavering commitment to operational excellence is centered on leveraging the inherent transformative capabilities of seamless API integration.

When it comes to managing complex supply chains, you've probably heard the old saying, "You can't manage what you can't see." In today's ever-changing world, this wisdom holds truer than ever. From geopolitical tensions to climate change, and congested ports, knowing what's happening and where is the key to effective management and communication with stakeholders.

2022 was another tumultuous year for the ocean shipping industry. The combination of numerous disruptions ranging from geopolitical conflicts, Covid-19 lockdowns, industrial labor strikes, inflationary pressures, and extreme weather events gravely impacted ports worldwide and global supply chains.

The Ukraine crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic impacted global supply chains significantly in 2022, highlighting the importance of being prepared for unexpected disruptions and the need for agility and flexibility in managing these challenges. The Russia/Ukraine war disrupted trade and transportation routes, resulting in delays and increased costs for businesses that rely on imports and exports between the two countries. The ports of Mariupol and Odesa, key transit points for goods in Ukraine were disrupted and had to shut down by the conflict.

Despite the fact that almost everyone has a GPS tracking device in their pocket, tracking the location and status of vessels and containers continue to be one of the top challenges facing freight forwarders in the shipping industry.

Ocean freight visibility allows shippers to monitor the real-time status and location of their container shipments along the long ocean journey. Visibility providers generally use multiple forms of maritime and supply chain data to deliver real-time insights on the location of vessels and containers. Other sophisticated visibility platforms like SeaVantage provide advanced visibility into shipments such as the predicted ETAs of containers, a granular view of what happens in and around global ports and terminals, and more.

Over the past few years, real-time shipping visibility has become increasingly important. The ocean moves around 90% of global trade however visibility in this sector, compared to over-the-road shipments, is more complex and usually filled with multiple unknown blind spots. Unexpected delays for over-the-road shipments via trucks usually add just a day or two to the overall transit time.

With the world ticking closer and closer to the holidays, a massive influx of orders and proceeding shipments are inevitable. Thanksgiving, Halloween, and of course Christmas means that millions of packages will be passing through your gates and into countries all over the world.

Across Europe, workers at various sea ports have been on a continuous strike. What does this mean for ocean shippers? What about the workers themselves? This article covers the recent strikes across European ports, as well as the port congestion issues that have resulted from these global developments.

Gaining access to accurate ocean freight visibility has never been more crucial than it is today. News about China's Covid lockdowns led to multiple speculations and trending reports about tremendous congestion in Shanghai and other Asian ports. However, visibility data from SeaVantage Maritime Platform revealed a different picture of the situation of China’s ports. The extended lockdown in Shanghai resulted in some congestion in the port of Shanghai however not as severe as other trending images revealed. What actually happened?

China's rising covid cases and lockdowns due to the omicron variant have been increasing the number of vessels waiting outside the country's ports. Initial lockdowns were placed on Shanghai, the country's largest city, from March 28 to April 5.

Why Sanctions on Russia?The United States along with the G7 and the EU announced additional economic sanctions against Russia on April 6th for its brutality in Ukraine, particularly in Bucha.

China is implementing a two-phase lockdown in Shanghai, the country's most populous city and financial capital with a population of about 26 million people.The citywide two-phase lockdown testing will be conducted in two rounds. Tests will be conducted on the eastern side of the city from March 28 to April 1, and on the western side of the city from April 1 to April 5. This phased locked down means that half of the city will remain functioning at a time.