container ship bowPierPass to Test Free-Flow Program – PierPass announced plans this week to launch a new express system designed for large groups of containers to be quickly picked up from terminals.  Under the new program, the terminal can handle as many as 20 containers per hour compared to roughly half that number for a traditional pickup.  Terminal operates believe that as much as 30% of cargo could eventually be handled in this new manner.

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New Ocean Three Shipping Alliance Announced – CMA CGM, China Shipping, and United Arab Shipping Co. (UASC) have announced a new alliance called Ocean Three.  The alliance is expected to make up approximately 20% of cargo between Asia and Europe as well as substantial amounts in the Pacific and Atlantic trades.  In July, the industry saw another large alliance between Maersk and Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC).

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EU Approves Hapag-Lloyd, CSAV Merger – European Union (EU) officials have given conditional approval to the merger of Hapag-Lloyd and Compania Sud Americana de Vapores (CSAV).  Together, the German and Chilean companies will become the world’s 4th largest steamship line.

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