The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) has joined the U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, PFM Group and other port industry experts in creating the first section of a new manual to aid U.S. port authorities in planning and paying for critical infrastructure projects.

New York-based Natural Resources Defense Council has released a report on air pollution in China citing shipping as a major contributor and recommending the introduction of emission control areas.

The liner services group of Crowley Maritime Corp. and Seaboard Marine Ltd. have entered into a new vessel-sharing agreement.

Carriers can still make money despite falling freight rates, according to Drewry's latest Container Annual Review & Forecast 2014/15. Surprisingly, some medium-sized lines retain unit cost advantages.

The recovery of the ocean container industry – possibly by late 2016 or 2017 – is to be based around the formation of the new mega alliances and the continued reduction of unit costs, rather than the matching of supply and demand at the individual trade route level, according to Drewry's Container Annual Review & Forecast 2014/15. A different recovery is taking shape, which is unlikely to be built on any improvement in freight rates.