MAINTAINING THE FLOW OF GOODS IS ESSENTIAL WORK IN THE BATTLE AGAINST COVID-19

The liner shipping industry, which operates container ships and vehicle carriers, has continued to move the cargo on which the world relies despite the global pandemic. As governments, companies, individuals, and institutions respond to the COVID-19 crisis, the first focus is and must be on protecting health and human life.

 

As the coronavirus brought activity at some ports to a halt, there was fear this would result in a shortage of cargo containers and leave store shelves bare.

Most of the goods people use day in and day out are transported at one time or another by rectangular metal containers that can be six to twelve metres long and about two metres wide. Everything from food, medical supplies and electronics are moved this way.

Normally, once a container arrives at its destination, its cargo is offloaded, then the empty container is loaded up with new goods and sent on to its next destination. But if something impedes this cycle, it can result in a container shortage.

 

However in Canada, a lot of hard work, co-operation and a little luck helped avoid this.

"I think everybody had those concerns at the start of this COVID-19 era, but things worked out much better than we thought," said Michael Broad, president of the Shipping Federation of Canada, a trade association representing the international cargo fleet in Canada.

MAINTAINING THE FLOW OF GOODS IS ESSENTIAL WORK IN THE BATTLE AGAINST COVID-19

The liner shipping industry, which operates container ships and vehicle carriers, has continued to move the cargo on which the world relies despite the global pandemic. As governments, companies, individuals, and institutions respond to the COVID-19 crisis, the first focus is and must be on protecting health and human life.

 

As the coronavirus brought activity at some ports to a halt, there was fear this would result in a shortage of cargo containers and leave store shelves bare.

Most of the goods people use day in and day out are transported at one time or another by rectangular metal containers that can be six to twelve metres long and about two metres wide. Everything from food, medical supplies and electronics are moved this way.

Normally, once a container arrives at its destination, its cargo is offloaded, then the empty container is loaded up with new goods and sent on to its next destination. But if something impedes this cycle, it can result in a container shortage.

 

However in Canada, a lot of hard work, co-operation and a little luck helped avoid this.

"I think everybody had those concerns at the start of this COVID-19 era, but things worked out much better than we thought," said Michael Broad, president of the Shipping Federation of Canada, a trade association representing the international cargo fleet in Canada.

The Montreal Port Authority and Indias Adani Group have renewed their cooperation agreement to support maritime trade between Canada and India.

The agreement focuses on the Mundra–Montreal maritime corridor, port development, operational efficiency and improved connections between maritime, road and rail transportation networks.

This initiative highlights the importance of international port cooperation in supporting trade flows and supply chain development.

Source: Port Technology International — October 19, 2026

Read the original article:
https://www.porttechnology.org/news/global-trade/port-of-montreal-and-adani-renew-port-cooperation-deal/

The Port of Long Beach, California, handled a record 997,177 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in September 2026, an increase of 25% compared with September 2025.

This marked the busiest month in the ports 115-year history, surpassing its previous monthly record established in October 2024.

Loaded imports increased by 31.3%, while exports rose by 7.8% year over year.

The port also announced plans to offer additional evening and Saturday terminal gate hours beginning in late October, to help maintain cargo flows during the scheduled Vincent Thomas Bridge construction project.

For importers, exporters and freight forwarders, these developments highlight the importance of advance shipment planning, coordination with carriers and monitoring of terminal operations.

Source: Port Technology International — October 16, 2026

Read the original article:
https://www.porttechnology.org/news/cargo-handling/long-beach-breaks-cargo-record/

According to Maersks October 2026 North American Market Update, ocean freight capacity remains constrained on several international trade routes serving North America.

Elevated transpacific demand, vessel delays and weather-related disruptions are affecting shipping schedules. Capacity limitations have also been reported on selected services connecting Europe and the Mediterranean with North American ports.

Shippers are encouraged to plan transportation requirements in advance, verify carrier schedules and allow sufficient time for possible operational changes.

Source: Maersk — North America Market Update, October 7, 2026

Read the original article:
https://www.maersk.com/news/articles/2026/10/07/north-america-market-update-october