Why a US recession might not kill peak season; how the FMC's new powers could reshape container shipping

In part 1 of this episode, produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group, host and producer Mike King speaks to Lee Klaskow, Senior Freight and Transportation Logistics Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence. He hears that while the US is likely heading in to a recession, this does not automatically mean the death of peak season. They also discuss M&A activity, restocking and destocking, and what falling Panama Canal water levels mean for trade.

In Part 2, Mike has an exclusive interview with Commissioner Carl Bentzel, one of just five Commissioners on the increasingly powerful Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). They discuss the rapidly changing US approach to regulating international container trade, including the possible removal of anti-trust status from carriers, pending revisions to detention and demurrage rules by the FMC, and the creation of a global, transparent ocean supply chain data hub.

Guests

Lee Klaskow, Senior Freight and Transportation Logistics Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence

Commissioner Carl Bentzel, Federal Maritime Commission

Episode in more detail

Part 1 – Freight market update with Lee Klaskow, Senior Freight and Transportation Logistics Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence.

The Panama Canal’s falling water levels (2.09)

A US recession and a Q3 peak season? (4.30)

Rising costs, balance sheets and M&A (7.40)

Container line strategy (12.32)

Freight market forecasts (15.30)

Part 2 – How the beefed-up Federal Maritime Commission is reshaping global container shipping rules, with Commissioner Carl Bentzel, Federal Maritime Commission.

The FMC: shipping’s judge (20.45)

New powers (23.56)

Detention & Demurrage charges on trial ((28.43)

The Ocean Shipping Antitrust Enforcement Act (33.53)

Ocean carriers drop charges (37.48)

New FMC rules on shipping-carrier contracts? (40.59)

Maritime Transportation Data Initiative (47.00)