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Michael Angell

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast PortsmailLinkedin

Michael Angell is a senior editor, responsible for coverage of Northeast, Southeast and Gulf Coast ports. Prior to joining the Journal of Commerce in 2021, he covered transportation and logistics as a US correspondent for TradeWinds and as an editor for FreightWaves.

Read Michael's Latest Coverage

Charleston’s Leatherman terminal eyes second berth by late 2026

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
The announcement of Leatherman’s expansion comes as MSC looks to bring in more trans-Atlantic services to call the terminal.
Port NewsMaritimeContainer linesPort infrastructureNorth American portsContainer Shipping News

US ports look to DOT to close big funding gap for project grants

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
US ports want the federal government to increase the amount set aside for infrastructure grants in the DOT’s next budget, saying ports are an integral part of the nation’s road and rail network.
North American portsPort infrastructure

MSC will expand Africa-US trade with new calls

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
Mediterranean Shipping Co. is adding new calls to West Africa on its South Africa service as former alliance partner Maersk pulls out of direct services from the continent.
Container linesTrans-Atlantic

Pasha picks up GSC’s Pacific Northwest transload businesses in court sale

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
The US-based ocean carrier and logistics company paid about $2 million for the two transload specialists following the July shutdown of GSC.
DrayagePort NewsSurface

Whipsaw from Trump’s tariffs drove US container import record in July

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
Containerized imports into the US last month set an all-time high, according to PIERS data, reflecting what is likely a peak in 2025 imports as shippers tried to get ahead of tariffs.
Container Shipping NewsMaritimePort NewsAsia-EuropeTrans-Pacific

New Houston berth to enhance post-Panamax handling

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
The nearly two-year project to complete Bayport’s Wharf 7 will allow the terminal to handle more ships as work on widening the Houston Ship Channel continues.
North American portsMaritimePort NewsPort infrastructureMarine terminals

OOCL adds service to tap China-to-Mexico trade boom

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
OOCL’s newest express shuttle service from China to Mexico joins other carrier services linking the two and underscores the ongoing growth in trade between the two countries.
Container linesMaritimeTrans-PacificContainer Shipping News

New Jersey’s proposed worker classification rule hangs over port truckers

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
The new rule, a second attempt at requiring the so-called ABC test for workers in the state, has drawn opposition from multiple groups, with port trucking among the affected industries.
Trucking laborDrayageNorth American ports

Big US ports ask Congress to follow law for equal funding of dredging work

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
Ports say they stand to lose about $1 billion in funding for maintenance work because the US Army Corps of Engineers’ budget is not treating so-called donor ports equally.
Transport, Trade and Regulation NewsPort infrastructureNorth American ports

Matson expects dampened peak season after tariff-driven rush in Q2

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
The trans-Pacific carrier said China volumes were whipsawed by the Trump administration’s trade policy, with shippers likely to slow their ordering during the third quarter.
Container linesTrans-Pacific

CH Robinson cautious on second-half outlook amid trade volatility

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
Company executives pointed to the rollout of the Trump administration’s tariff policy in April as driving disruption throughout the second quarter.
ForwardingAir Cargo Forwarder NewsSurface

Congress eyes a tax credit for reshoring port crane manufacturing

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
The legislation aims to incentivize a domestic crane industry and move US ports away from China’s dominant manufacturer.
Transport, Trade and Regulation NewsPort NewsPort infrastructureNorth American ports

UP looks to create first coast-to-coast railroad with $85 billion NS deal

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
Union Pacific said the acquisition of its smaller rival would improve service by reducing interchanges while taking market share from Canada’s Class I railroads and the truckload market.
North-American railRail NewsSurfaceIntermodal providers

Looming August tariff deadline prompts carriers to pull trans-Pacific capacity

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
US shippers have pulled forward as much cargo as they can ahead of the latest deadlines for higher US tariffs, leaving carriers little choice but to cancel more voyages.
Container linesTrans-Pacific

Ports ask Congress to help shift the costs of operating local customs offices

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
A bill reintroduced in the House of Representatives would require customs fees to be directed to covering building and other capital costs related to inspections.
Transport, Trade and Regulation NewsNorth American ports

Ports fear emissions grants under threat amid EPA budget slashing

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
The National Association of Waterfront Employers has sent a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee asking for continued support of the $3 billion Clean Ports Program.
Port NewsMaritimeTransport, Trade and Regulation NewsNorth American ports

Macquarie looks to keep hold on NY-NJ terminal amid lease talks

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
The infrastructure fund that owns the Port of New York and New Jersey’s largest marine terminal is not looking to divest as it seeks to extend the term of its lease, according to people familiar with the talks.
Port NewsMaritimeNorth American ports

MSC outstripping rivals on new capacity for 2025: Alphaliner

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
Mediterranean Shipping Co. is furthering its lead in vessel tonnage so far this year as it absorbs more than double the amount of new capacity added by No. 2 carrier Maersk.
Container linesAsia-EuropeTrans-Pacific

Europe’s port congestion forcing Gemini to switch up Asia service

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
Beginning in September, the joint service will make added stops at Aarhus in Denmark, Gothenburg in Sweden and Rotterdam in the Netherlands as the last three European calls.
Container linesMaritimePort NewsAsia-EuropeInternational portsContainer Shipping News

Oregon earmarks funds for proposed Coos Bay terminal

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
The just-concluded legislative session also puts aside emergency funding for the Port of Portland that is generated via lottery sales.
North American portsMarine terminals

US shipbuilding incentives need more oversight: GAO

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
The federal watchdog agency said the US Maritime Administration has financial levers to help the domestic shipbuilding industry but doesn’t know their effectiveness.
Transport, Trade and Regulation NewsMaritime

Yang Ming hit with new FMC complaint over service contracts

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
The complaint from Dollar General alleges the carrier sold more of its capacity in the high-flying spot market of 2021, leaving shippers under fixed-price contracts in the lurch.
Container linesMaritimeContainer Shipping News

Congress seeks reauthorization of FMC through 2029

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
The procedural reauthorization bill would provide funding for the agency for the next three fiscal years and add more outside expertise on ports and ocean carriers.
Transport, Trade and Regulation NewsMaritimeSupply chain

FMC probes legal standing of World Shipping Council agreement

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
The trade group of ocean carriers is exempt from US antitrust scrutiny under an agreement it filed with the FMC five years ago, but the agency is now questioning that arrangement.
Transport, Trade and Regulation NewsContainer lines

UWL locks in new vessel partner for trans-Pacific Vietnam service

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
Swire, UWL’s original partner for the express service to Seattle, will phase out its vessels during July while new partner Emirate Shipping Line rotates into the loop.
Container linesMaritimeTrans-PacificContainer Shipping News

Poor ocean reliability presents major challenge for US ag exporters

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
With little relief forthcoming, cargo owners need to build delays into their shipping plans as port and ship capacity remain tight, speakers at the Agriculture Transportation Coalition’s annual meeting said.
MaritimePort NewsContainer linesTrans-PacificNorth American portsInternational portsContainer Shipping News

BC ports, longshore unions need new bargaining process: report

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
A wide-ranging report commissioned by Canada’s Labor Ministry says British Columbia’s ports are vulnerable to strikes in part because of disparate longshore unions involved in contract talks.
MaritimePort NewsNorth American portsLongshore laborContainer Shipping News

June expected to be peak for niche carriers in the trans-Pacific: analyst

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
Sea-Intelligence said elevated freight rates are drawing small carriers to the eastbound trade lane, but the additional capacity should dwindle by mid-August.
Trans-PacificMaritimeContainer Shipping News

Canadian National to move forward on new Chicago-area logistics hub

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
The intermodal yard and attached warehouse park would be developed about 50 miles outside the city and are part of a $170 million investment plan unveiled by the railroad.
Rail NewsSurfaceIntermodal providers

Congress takes aim at China’s maritime industry with new legislation

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
A trio of bills would change US shipping law to reflect the current wariness surrounding China’s maritime industry and promote cargo preference for US fleets.
North American portsTransport, Trade and Regulation NewsPort infrastructure

BIMCO looks to set contract standard for charging USTR port fees

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
The group that oversees maritime contracts said the complex nature of the USTR’s new port fees needs to be made clear through a standard clause in shipping contracts.
Container Shipping NewsMaritimeTransport, Trade and Regulation News

BC longshore foremen reach deal with port employers on new contract

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
Maritime employers along Canada’s West Coast have a new agreement that will avert the type of labor actions seen late last year.
North American portsLongshore labor

APM clearing out New Jersey rail container backlog ahead of a summer surge

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
The terminal operator said it has reduced the inventory of rail-bound containers at its Elizabeth facility to about 1,600, down from about 4,000 in early May.
North American portsContainer linesMarine terminalsIntermodal providers

Maersk’s contract logistics business adds New Jersey warehouse

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
The carrier continues to ramp up its non-ocean businesses that were acquired from Performance Team with the lease of a new warehouse located about 10 miles from the Port of Philadelphia.
Container linesMaritimePort NewsPort infrastructureContainer Shipping News

Global uncertainty to erode ocean carrier profits in 2025

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
Ocean carrier profits this year are expected to be less than half of what they were in 2024 amid an uncertain macroeconomic outlook.
Container linesMaritimeContainer Shipping News

Ocean carriers bring in more trans-Pacific container services amid rate surge

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
Whether the expected capacity injection on tap for June is enough to stem further rate increases remains unclear.
Container linesTrans-Pacific

Trans-Pacific services set for restart as carriers scramble to restore capacity

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
Carriers may find it difficult to bring trans-Pacific capacity back quickly because they repositioned ships into other trades outside of the region amid the tariff-linked demand drop in April and early May.
Container linesTrans-PacificNorth American ports

Ports look to delay proposed US tariffs on Chinese-made cranes

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
Under their current configuration, the newest round of tariffs targeting China’s maritime industry will add $7 billion in costs for US ports, according to one estimate.
North American portsTransport, Trade and Regulation NewsPort infrastructureMarine terminals

MSC, Zim plan to rework Asia-US Gulf network as demand drops

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
MSC plans to provide all of the tonnage in a US Gulf service, with Zim slated to get a lower share of slot space as weaker demand forces service changes.
Container linesTrans-Pacific

Panama Canal Authority hits back at FMC ‘chokepoint’ probe as unwarranted

Michael Angell, Senior Editor, East Coast Ports |
The canal agency highlighted data that refutes Trump administration claims about unfair treatment at the waterway, while the International Chamber of Shipping said freedom of navigation is a global responsibility.
MaritimePort NewsTransport, Trade and Regulation NewsSupply chainInternational portsContainer Shipping News
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