|
|
The day’s most important moves across every mode — air, rail, road, ocean and the trade that ties them together.
| ● On the Wire |
Tuesday, November 3 |
5 stories |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Ocean
BY STUART CHIRLS · AMERICAN SHIPPER · NOVEMBER 2, 2026
The Pacific Maritime Association and ILWU Local 26 extended the watchmen’s contract through 5 p.m. Pacific on Wednesday, Nov. 4, temporarily postponing a possible stoppage at Los Angeles and Long Beach.
| THE TAKE — The extension buys only a few days, and the exposure hasn’t changed: the roughly 250 watchmen work at terminals handling about 85% of Long Beach’s cargo and 33% of Los Angeles’, and PMA expects other ILWU members to honor picket lines. Federal mediators are involved, but the sides haven’t disclosed the sticking points. The broader West Coast longshore contract runs through 2028, so this is a contained dispute with outsized potential to disrupt terminal operations. |
|
Ocean
Spain’s Boluda Shipping agreed to acquire Rotterdam-based Samskip, creating a short sea and logistics network spanning 28 countries with 32 vessels on 18 routes.
| THE TAKE — The combined network of 21 maritime terminals, five rail terminals and more than 500 trucks is aimed at moving cargo beyond Europe’s major ports, with Rotterdam as the coordinating hub. For U.S. shippers, Samskip’s chilled consolidation services from seven U.S. locations are the practical link. Terms weren’t disclosed, and the companies operate independently until the expected Jan. 1, 2027 close. |
|
Logistics
Chicago-based AIT Worldwide acquired Connor Anderson International, a Sydney- and Melbourne-based forwarder with many technology clients in Australia and New Zealand.
| THE TAKE — This is AIT’s 15th acquisition in five years and gives it a stronger foothold in Oceania just as AI hyperscalers and data center construction drive project cargo demand there. AIT projects about $4.5 billion in 2026 gross revenue, up from $3.56 billion, and its majority owner Greenbrier Equity Group backed the buying pace. Terms weren’t disclosed. |
|
Air Cargo
Boeing will convert a 767-300 for lessor Icelease, which also took options for up to two more, with conversions done at ST Engineering in Singapore.
| THE TAKE — It’s a small order, but a useful signal that 767-300 conversions are still in demand even as the supply of passenger 767s suitable for conversion dwindles and carriers shift attention to the Airbus A330-300 converted freighter. The first aircraft takes its production slot in the first quarter of 2027 with delivery expected in the second. |
|
Parcel
ShipMatrix expects carriers to deliver about 2.4 billion packages this peak season, up 4% and the highest industry volume since 2022.
| THE TAKE — The mix matters more than the total: Amazon volume rose 9.7% in the first half while UPS fell 5.7%, and about 145 million packages are shifting to retailers’ private networks and carriers like GoFo, Uni-Uni, SpeedX and Veho. With parcel rates up 16% for retailers and fuel surcharges near 30% of the transportation rate, shippers are paying more even as share moves. |
|
|
| |
| |
American Shipper · The Daily — published weekdays
|
|
|
