<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>A lack of transparency in carbon pricing from carriers is frustrating breakbulk shippers, while the industry must strike a balance that supports environmental goals without undermining the sector’s ability to function.</p></div>

A lack of transparency in carbon pricing from carriers is frustrating breakbulk shippers, while the industry must strike a balance that supports environmental goals without undermining the sector’s ability to function.

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<div class="phx-topic"><p>Project cargo shippers are demanding greater visibility and clear, uniform pricing for carbon mitigation measures undertaken by carriers, arguing that carbon levies should be integrated directly into freight rates.  </p><p>“Carriers need to be way more forthcoming with charges, even if two years out,” a shipper told the <i>Journal of Commerce</i>. “Volume is volume.” </p><p>Another shipper added that carbon costs should “be part of the freight rate, not a handshake fee at the end.” Current practices mean that while “some carriers disclose, some just give us an $80,000 bill after the fact,” the source said. </p><p>Project cargo shippers also called for a global carbon pricing standard to level the competitive playing field.  </p><p>“We need a cost of carbon for everyone across the world,” said a third shipper. “It is a disadvantage to certain sectors if we are not going to play in the same space.” The source added that inconsistent regulation creates unfair burdens for compliant regions or companies. </p><h3>Need to balance environmental goals </h3><p>Shippers said that “flow down” environmental processes now reach deep into the project cargo supply chain. Increased environmental reporting demands from downstream come from freight forwarders, carriers and trucking companies who are often mandated to report carbon and offsets for carbon emissions.  </p><p>“We have a responsibility to have these discussions with our vendors,” said one shipper. “But it comes at a cost and there is a balance to play,” which highlights the trade-off between sustainability and financial viability.  </p><p>Another shipper said the industry must strike a balance that supports environmental goals without undermining the sector’s ability to function.  </p><p>“We need to think about whether we want a voice about regulations that are responsible but don’t destroy the business,” the sources said. </p><p>From a carrier perspective, the technological hurdles to decarbonization remain immense.  </p><p>“One of the biggest challenges [to decarbonization] is scalability and availability of fuels,” Ben Collins, global project cargo manager at Mediterranean Shipping Co., told a Breakbulk Americas panel last week. “There is a lot of work still to be done on this.”  </p><p>Collins also posed the question of whether customers are willing to pay for decarbonization. “There is a long way to go before this nut can be cracked, but cracked it will be,” he said. </p><p>Despite the challenges, the adoption of green initiatives appears to be gaining momentum in the sector. Vedran Muratbegovic, senior vice president/industrial at carrier Wallenius Wilhelmsen, noted the level of uptake was “increasing among customers.”  </p><p>For carriers such as Wallenius, achieving ambitious decarbonization targets means “partnerships have become increasingly important,” Muratbegovic said at Breakbulk Americas. </p><p><i>Contact Carly Fields at </i><a href="mailto:carly.fields@spglobal.com"><i>carly.fields@spglobal.com</i></a>.</p></div>

Project cargo shippers are demanding greater visibility and clear, uniform pricing for carbon mitigation measures undertaken by carriers, arguing that carbon levies should be integrated directly into freight rates. “Carriers need to be way more forthcoming with charges, even if two years out,” a shipper told the Journal of Commerce. “Volume is volume.” Another shipper added that carbon costs should “be part of the freight rate, not a handshake fee at the end.” Current practices mean that while “some carriers disclose, some just give us an $80,000 bill after the fact,” the source said. Project cargo shippers also called for a global carbon pricing standard to level the competitive playing field. “We need a cost of carbon for everyone across the world,” said a third shipper. “It is a disadvantage to certain sectors if we are not going to play in the same space.” The source added that inconsistent regulation creates unfair burdens for compliant regions or companies. Need to balance environmental goals Shippers said that “flow down” environmental processes now reach deep into the project cargo supply chain. Increased environmental reporting demands from downstream come from freight forwarders, carriers and trucking companies who are often mandated to report carbon and offsets for carbon emissions. “We have a responsibility to have these discussions with our vendors,” said one shipper. “But it comes at a cost and there is a balance to play,” which highlights the trade-off between sustainability and financial viability. Another shipper said the industry must strike a balance that supports environmental goals without undermining the sector’s ability to function. “We need to think about whether we want a voice about regulations that are responsible but don’t destroy the business,” the sources said. From a carrier perspective, the technological hurdles to decarbonization remain immense. “One of the biggest challenges [to decarbonization] is scalability and availability of fuels,” Ben Collins, global project cargo manager at Mediterranean Shipping Co., told a Breakbulk Americas panel last week. “There is a lot of work still to be done on this.” Collins also posed the question of whether customers are willing to pay for decarbonization. “There is a long way to go before this nut can be cracked, but cracked it will be,” he said. Despite the challenges, the adoption of green initiatives appears to be gaining momentum in the sector. Vedran Muratbegovic, senior vice president/industrial at carrier Wallenius Wilhelmsen, noted the level of uptake was “increasing among customers.” For carriers such as Wallenius, achieving ambitious decarbonization targets means “partnerships have become increasingly important,” Muratbegovic said at Breakbulk Americas. Contact Carly Fields at carly.fields@spglobal.com .

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Project cargo shippers urge shakeup for inconsistent carbon costs

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>The carrier's apparent decision to return the TPI loop to the Red Sea/Suez route comes amid mounting industry pressure as several competing services have already made the move. </p></div>

The carrier's apparent decision to return the TPI loop to the Red Sea/Suez route comes amid mounting industry pressure as several competing services have already made the move.

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Hapag-Lloyd to resume Suez transits for India-USEC service: sources

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>The carrier boosted its earnings guidance for the year by approximately $1 billion, citing continued strength in spot freight rates. </p></div>

The carrier boosted its earnings guidance for the year by approximately $1 billion, citing continued strength in spot freight rates.

Hapag-Lloyd makes second upward revision to 2026 profit outlook

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>The refrigerated ocean carrier next month will start two ocean services connecting South America to the US and Europe, and an intermodal rail link from the Midwest to the Gulf Coast designed for exports to Central America.  </p></div>

The refrigerated ocean carrier next month will start two ocean services connecting South America to the US and Europe, and an intermodal rail link from the Midwest to the Gulf Coast designed for exports to Central America.

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<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>A $1.6 billion renovation project that will boost the terminal’s annual capacity to 1.75 million TEUs is more than halfway complete, according to the Georgia Ports Authority.</p></div>

A $1.6 billion renovation project that will boost the terminal’s annual capacity to 1.75 million TEUs is more than halfway complete, according to the Georgia Ports Authority.

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<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>Liners are trying to halt a three-month rate slide on the trade lane but will have their hands full amid China’s holiday export slowdown and significant capacity being injected as an increasing number of services revert to Suez transits. </p></div>

Liners are trying to halt a three-month rate slide on the trade lane but will have their hands full amid China’s holiday export slowdown and significant capacity being injected as an increasing number of services revert to Suez transits.

Carriers roll out Asia-Europe rate hikes despite seasonal cargo slump

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