America’s DOT announced last week the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grants, providing $2.2 billion for 166 projects. Transport Topics explained that “The funds are meant to modernize roads, bridges, transit, rail, ports and intermodal transportation.” Many of the projects will involve work at U.S. ports to reduce truck waiting times, including grants for improvements at Port of LA ($20 M), Port of Miami ($16 M), Port of Wilmington, NC ($18 M), and Port Arthur, TX (13.6 M) as examples. (See Transport Topics, "DOT Awards $2.2 Billion …..” by Noel Fletcher, 8/11/2022)

Decliningriver levels on the Rhine is providing a substantial threat to the Germaneconomy. The low water levels is negatively impacting inland traffic and likelyto further restrict traffic at the town of Kaub by tomorrow, Friday the 12th of August. The Maritime Executive explains that the Rhine is the most important river for the German commerce, carrying a big share of the country’s energy fuels and other products. (More at The Maritime Executive, “Water Levels on the Rhine Continue to Drop ……. ,” August 10, 2022)

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The Maritime Executive reported in the first week of July that major port congestion remains a problem in Europe. Hapag Lloyd announced an introduction of congestion surcharges at the two French ports, Le Havre and Fos-Sur-Mer. This surcharge will impact “all import and export truck haulage moves, for all container types,” explained Hapag Lloyd. The port congestion along with labor shortages are contributing factors also causing reduced productivity. (More at The Maritime Executive, “Major European Ports are Experiencing Congestion Challenges” July 4, 2022)

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The state of the post COVID economy in 2022 is raising major concern as conditions include a huge level of product inventories, rising inflation, a potential impending recession, and a decline in consumer spending along with a giant supply chain bullwhip (see bullwhipeffect).  FreightWaves reported this week that “softness in container markets will have a big impact on trucking in July.” In addition, over the past two months, the average of container spot rates from China to the U.S. West Coast has dramatically dropped by 41%. (More at: FreightWaves, “A potential economic recession and the supply chain bullwhip ..” by Craig Fuller, 6/21/2022)

On Monday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA) of 2022 by a large majority and is expected to receive Biden’s signature soon. When enacted, this legislation will update the Shipping Act of 1984 and amended in 1998. With accusations of unwarranted and even illegal fees, the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Chairman, Daniel Maffei explained that “These changes will have a beneficial effect on how U.S. shippers are served and will bring more accountability to how ocean cargo services are provided.” (More at: American Shipper, “Biden to sign ocean shipping reform bill … ” by John Gallagher, 6/13/2022)

As container import volume to the U.S. has sunk more than 36% since May 24th, reported by FreightWaves this week, the Drewry World Container Index spot rates from China/East Asia to the U.S. West Coast followed along with a major drop of 41% per FEU, and 36% East Coast. Analysts point to three contributing factors including, an inventory glut in the U.S., worsening inflation impact on consumers and the unrealized Shanghai container surge. These rates will be a welcome relief to Asia/U.S. freight but is also a sign of other issues looming in the future. (More at: FreightWaves, “US import demand is dropping off a cliff,” Henry Byers, 6/7/22)