This US group is a textbook example of a freight brokerage firm pursuing growth – sustainable growth – that allows it to take calculated risks. Investors have fallen in love with its strategy, and rightly so: alternative investments in the sector comprise more mature, conservative businesses who...

Mr Razon, worth an estimated at $4.7bn, according to Forbes, may not be into gambling; nonetheless, there is reason to believe he must be unimpressed by the poor performance on the stock market of one of his core holdings – International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI), the Manila-headquar...

Today, in the 21st century, US 3PL CH Robinson, an asset-light freight forwarder and truck broker, is valued at $10.7bn, including net debt. It has grown its gross revenue to $13bn at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.3% since 1992, broadly in line with that of net revenue and operating inc...

And while the topic remains hot, it is always interesting to wonder who may be next on the auction block: this week’s target tip is US freight and logistics firm Con-way – and not only because of uninspiring, mixed quarterly figures, released yesterday. In short, it slightly missed estimates fro...

Both are significant moves to improve safety and cargo integrity. Now, as larger container tonnage becomes commonplace, it is time to turn the attention on lashing and securing. The advent of ground-breaking designs for larger containerships appears to offer greater opportunity for unit cost savings...

The basic building block of the industry – the simple steel box – is not immune from this search for economies. Indeed, recently it has been somewhat of a focus, and it is worth reflecting, therefore, on the value of quality in the manufacture of this vital unit. Some manufacturers may develop f...

Unfortunately for the balance sheets of most of the high-rolling carriers, their gambling spectacularly backfired as freight rates fell faster than the decline in unit costs. Meanwhile, general rate increases amounting to thousands of dollars, implemented to reverse the revenue erosion, were concede...

The deal effectively amounts to a takeover of the cash-strapped Chilean line by Hapag-Lloyd, and hinges on massive cost synergies of $300m, equal to 9.3% of CSAV’s 2013 revenue. The combined entity is expected to become the fourth-largest liner shipping company in the world, with revenues of almos...

The Eisbein – always held on the first Friday in November – is a key event in the shipping calendar and remains the biggest annual maritime event in the world. Organised by a committee from the VHSS – the Association of Hamburg shipbrokers and ship agents – the event has come a long way from...

Total screening of all air cargo is a daunting task, and one which is neither attainable nor necessary. The reasons reflect the challenges of the air cargo supply chain itself, the diverse customers it serves, and the diverse models of how they are served. Certainly, it has been proven that “100%â...