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Bill Mongelluzzo

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-PacificmailLinkedin

Bill Mongelluzzo is senior editor of trans-Pacific shipping. Based in Long Beach, California, he covers the trans-Pacific trades, West Coast labor issues, harbor trucking, West Coast ports, and marine terminal productivity. He joined the Journal of Commerce in 1980 after beginning his career as a reporter with The Times-Picayune in New Orleans.

Read Bill's Latest Coverage

Normal operations resume at Port of Los Angeles following vessel electrical fire

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
All ship-to-shore cranes at Yusen Terminals were inspected and cargo handling resumed on the first shift Monday, according to Yusen’s CEO.
MaritimeContainer linesPort infrastructureNorth American portsMarine terminalsContainer Shipping News

LA-LB emissions agreement with AQMD sets realistic timelines: stakeholders

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
The South Coast Air Quality Management District governing board has approved an emissions reduction plan that requires the ports to develop and implement charging and fueling infrastructure and invest in zero or near-zero-emission trucks, locomotives and cargo handling equipment.
MaritimePort NewsTransport, Trade and Regulation NewsPort infrastructureNorth American portsMarine terminals

Redecking project on Los Angeles harbor bridge to begin in early 2026

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
But the state will pass, for now, on any proposals being pushed by port stakeholders to raise the height of the Vincent Thomas Bridge, a move that would allow bigger vessels to call at three of the port’s terminals.
MaritimePort NewsTrans-PacificPort infrastructureNorth American portsMarine terminalsContainer Shipping News

China trade talks give US soybean exporters hope

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
US soybean exporters say the Trump administration’s financial bailout of Argentina is “facilitating” that country’s growing threat as a competitor to US growers.
MaritimeTransport, Trade and Regulation NewsTrans-PacificBreakbulk NewsContainer Shipping News

LA-LB saw ‘small to moderate’ rise in emissions despite record volumes in 2024

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
Record container volumes resulted in greater port activity amid an increase in calls by vessels, trucks and trains, as well as increased use of cargo-handling equipment.
MaritimePort NewsNorth American portsMarine terminalsContainer Shipping News

Drayage industry hopes for FMC relief on demurrage billing

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
Terminal operators in Los Angeles-Long Beach have seen no changes in demurrage billing practices since the Federal Maritime Commission’s demurrage rule was struck down by an appeals court.
DrayageTransport, Trade and Regulation NewsNorth American portsMarine terminals

Spot rates in eastbound trans-Pacific pop after carriers set new GRIs

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
But forwarders say the effort by liners to end a four-month decline in rates may lose steam after a week or so given generally weak market fundamentals.
MaritimeForwardingTrans-PacificContainer Shipping News

Stakeholders differ on Newsom’s move to kill automation ban at California ports

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
The ILWU is warning the state’s governor of political consequences, while maritime employers say the decision preserves the integrity of collective bargaining.
MaritimePort NewsTransport, Trade and Regulation NewsNorth American portsMarine terminals

Fate of future automation at California ports in governor’s hands

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
Gov. Gavin Newsom has until Sunday to sign or veto a bill that ocean carriers and terminal operators say would derail current and future attempts to automate cargo-handling operations in the name of reducing stress on the state’s power grid.
MaritimePort NewsNorth American portsLongshore labor

Prince Rupert searching for new CEO after Stevenson announces retirement

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
Shaun Stevenson, who guided development of Prince Rupert’s Fairview Container Terminal and the port’s intermodal services to Chicago and eastern Canada, is leaving at year’s end after 28 years with the port, including the last seven as CEO.
MaritimePort NewsNorth American ports

Cordero to retire at end of 2025 after eight years as Long Beach executive director

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
Mario Cordero has frequently said that his goal as Long Beach’s port director was to grow cargo volumes while promoting environmental sustainability in port operations.
MaritimePort NewsPort infrastructureNorth American portsContainer Shipping News

Port of Los Angeles looks to handle future growth with new terminal project

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
In its request for proposals to develop Pier 500, the port will specify that it seeks to contract with a member company of the Pacific Maritime Association that pledges to follow the guidelines for terminal operations on the US West Coast.
MaritimePort NewsTrans-PacificNorth American portsMarine terminalsContainer Shipping News

LA port wants California to raise bridge to accommodate big ships

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
The Port of Los Angeles is meeting with California state officials to promote its plan to extend the Vincent Thomas Bridge repair project to allow 23,000-TEU ships to call all six of its marine terminals.
MaritimePort NewsPort infrastructureNorth American ports

LA-LB likely to work with regulator on emissions-cutting plan for ports

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
The more cooperative approach recommended by a committee of the South Coast Air Quality Management District means the ports and their stakeholders would not need to limit cargo volumes each year to achieve emission reductions goals.
MaritimePort NewsPort infrastructureNorth American ports

Gemini suspends seasonal trans-Pacific service

Laura Robb, Associate Editor and Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
The suspension of the TP9/WC6 service from Xiamen and Busan is the latest effort by carriers to stem declining container spot rates and adjusting capacity to softening demand.
Trans-PacificMaritimeContainer linesContainer Shipping News

US retailers upgrade import forecast but still expect Q4 decline

Laura Robb, Associate Editor and Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
US retailers increased September and October import volume expectations significantly, but it will not be enough to meet 2024 levels.
Container Shipping NewsForwardingTrans-PacificNorth American ports

Premier Alliance service halt latest sign of trans-Pacific demand downturn

Laura Robb, Associate Editor and Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
Suspension of the Pacific South 5 service comes as container lines are announcing more blanked sailings from Asia to the US in an attempt to boost spot rates ahead of China’s Golden Week.
Container Shipping NewsMaritimeContainer linesForwardingTrans-Pacific

BNSF, UP kept rail terminals fluid in August amid IPI surge

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor, Intermodal Rail and Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
The smooth flow of containers is an improvement from the near gridlock of four years ago during the COVID-linked volume surge and the elevated dwell times during last year’s peak season, progress trucking companies say they have noticed.
Rail NewsNorth American ports

Limited mileage range of EVs slowing US drayage adoption

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
Drayage operators say they want EV trucks because they’re cheaper to operate than conventional trucks but driving ranges limit usage.
DrayagePort News

Industry veteran tapped as new CEO of Harbor Trucking Association

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
Robert Loya takes the helm of HTA as the drayage industry struggles with stagnant pricing power, increased operating costs and strong competition from new entrants, including AI-enabled platforms.
DrayagePort News

Second California drayage operator shuts business, cites electric truck costs

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
TGS Logistics said state grants for electric trucks failed to stem higher costs for new equipment amid a soft rate environment.
DrayagePort NewsTrucking NewsSurface

Drayage stakeholders say industry under threat from falling rates, increased costs

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
US drayage truckers say costs and competition have been on the rise since the pandemic, while at the same time their pricing power is under downward pressure.
Port NewsTrucking NewsSurfaceDrayage

Long Beach ITS terminal upgrade to boost capacity by about 50%

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
The project, due to begin Monday, will also improve truck access by upgrading the gate infrastructure and boost efficiency through the replacement of an outdated terminal operating system.
MaritimePort NewsNorth American portsMarine terminalsContainer Shipping News

Hede Shipping to launch third expedited service from China to Los Angeles

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
Although spot rates from Asia to the US are dropping due to waning demand and overcapacity, the carrier is zeroing in on the e-commerce sector with its expedited transit times and the quick delivery of containers upon discharge from vessels.
Trans-PacificMaritimeContainer linesContainer Shipping News

LA port stakeholders warming to plan to mitigate impact of bridge project

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
The industry says consistency and communication are the key to minimizing disruption to port traffic during the project to repair the deck of the Vincent Thomas Bridge.
North American portsMaritimePort NewsTrucking NewsPort infrastructureMarine terminals

HTA seeks new CEO amid multiple challenges for West Coast drayage operators

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
Matt Schrap, who has headed the HTA for the past four years, told the Journal of Commerce he is transitioning to another job but will remain with the group through late August.
SurfacePort NewsTrucking NewsDrayageNorth American portsMarine terminals

Trans-Pacific carriers announce massive June rate hikes

Laura Robb, Associate Editor and Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
Container lines are looking to capitalize on a ramp-up in Asia-US bookings during the 90-day tariff reduction that followed Monday’s deal between the Trump administration and China.
Container linesMaritimeForwardingTrans-PacificContainer Shipping News

Uneasy West Coast ports watch as first signs of trade dispute with China emerge

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
The Los Angeles-Long Beach complex, which handles about half of all US imports from Asia, is so far due to experience 59 blanked sailings between May 1 and June 30.
MaritimePort NewsTransport, Trade and Regulation NewsContainer linesNorth American portsMarine terminalsContainer Shipping News

Tariff uncertainty disrupting timeline for trans-Pacific service contract talks

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
Carriers and importers are dealing with confusion over how tariffs in general, and the trade war between Washington and Beijing specifically, will affect commerce on the US’ busiest trade lane over the next 12 months.
MaritimeTransport, Trade and Regulation NewsContainer linesTrans-PacificSupply chainContainer Shipping News

Rebounding US auto imports caught in tariff crossfire

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
Demand for light vehicles and components began 2025 on a sour note amid rising production costs, tariff uncertainty and projections for slower US economic growth.
Supply chainTransport, Trade and Regulation News

Uncertain trade environment especially fraught for US ag shippers

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
In addition to various ongoing supply chain disruptions that US agricultural shippers face, they must now contend with the highly volatile tariff environment that is forcing them to seek new markets for their products.
Container Shipping NewsMaritimePort NewsContainer linesTrans-AtlanticTrans-PacificSupply chain

Port of Seattle sues city council to halt possible development project

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
A lawsuit filed this month by the port authority claims the council’s recent rezoning of industrial land could eventually lead to the development of residential units and an increase in vehicular traffic in the harbor area.
MaritimePort NewsNorth American ports

Vancouver still dealing with extended rail container dwell times

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
Inclement weather, the lingering effects of labor disruptions and a January surge in imports contributed to the fifth consecutive month of excessive rail dwells at Canada’s largest port.
Supply chainPort NewsRail NewsSurfaceNorth American portsNorth-American railContainer Shipping News

Largest US importers finalizing contracts in ‘unsettled’ trans-Pacific

Laura Robb, Associate Editor and Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
Shippers, carriers and forwarders say uncertainty around consumer demand, tariffs and geopolitical disruptions has produced a wider range of service contract rates this year.
Trans-PacificMaritimeContainer linesForwardingContainer Shipping News

Empty containers piling up in Los Angeles-Long Beach after January import surge

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
The growing backlog of boxes awaiting a return to Asia has resulted in finger pointing among stakeholders over how best to address the problem.
MaritimePort NewsContainer linesTrans-PacificNorth American portsMarine terminalsContainer Shipping News

Tariffs, falling spot market weaken contract resolve of trans-Pac carriers

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
Fresh questions about the direction of the US economy after the tariff chaos unleashed by the Trump administration in recent weeks has container lines resetting their rate expectations for the 2025–26 service year.
MaritimeTransport, Trade and Regulation NewsContainer linesForwardingTrans-PacificContainer Shipping News

TPM25: Carriers, shippers face year of turmoil and uncertainty

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
Analyst Lars Jensen’s closing message to conference participants planning their supply chains for the coming year is to move slowly and carefully because it will take months before clarity emerges.
MaritimeTransport, Trade and Regulation NewsForwardingAsia-EuropeTrans-PacificContainer Shipping News

‘Hungry’ carriers slicing surcharges in eastbound trans-Pacific as bookings slow

Laura Robb, Associate Editor and Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
Forwarders say demand expectations for trans-Pacific imports to North America are softening for the second quarter, forcing liners to reduce peak season surcharges that have been in place for almost a year.
MaritimeContainer linesForwardingTrans-PacificContainer Shipping News

Oakland pins growth on attracting imports, first-call inbound service

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
The port’s recently approved five-year strategic plan details infrastructure, transloading and maritime support activities that it hopes will spur cargo growth by making the Northern California gateway more attractive to importers.
MaritimePort NewsPort infrastructureNorth American portsMarine terminalsContainer Shipping News

January cargo spike kept Los Angeles-Long Beach rail dwells largely elevated

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor, Trans-Pacific |
But with a large drop in imports forecast for the second half of February, terminal operators say they will get dwell times and cargo fluidity back to normal by the end of the month.
MaritimePort NewsNorth American portsContainer Shipping News
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