Archive For The “News” Category
The Port of Oakland welcomed 2025 on a positive note, experiencing growth in both import and export volumes. In January 2025, loaded container volume reached 146,187 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), marking an 8.5% increase from January 2024, which saw 144,405 TEUs.
“Strong import growth indicates the resilience of Northern California’s economy and reflects the confidence cargo owners have in our port,” stated Bryan Brandes, the Maritime Director of the Port of Oakland. “Export volumes remain steady, showcasing the ongoing global demand for U.S. agricultural and manufactured goods. This growth is a result of the dedicated efforts and collaboration among our labor force, terminal operators, and supply chain partners. We value their commitment and will continue to work together to enhance efficiency and expand capacity to better serve our customers.”
Loaded imports experienced a 13% increase, with 81,453 TEUs processed in January 2025, compared to 72,081 TEUs in January 2024. In contrast, loaded exports saw more modest growth at 3.4%, totaling 64,735 TEUs in January 2025, up from 62,596 TEUs the previous year.
Additionally, empty imports dropped significantly by 26.2%, with 12,625 TEUs departing the Port in January 2025 compared to 17,117 TEUs in January 2024. Conversely, empty exports rose by 19.8%, with the Port handling 34,363 TEUs this January, compared to 28,694 TEUs in January 2024.
Dayka & Hackett, a leader in global fresh produce distribution, has announced a new partnership with UVEX, a premium Mexico-based table grape grower and exporter.
The partnership will focus on developing 500+ hectares of land into premium grape varieties, including Sun World International, Grapa, and Bloom Fresh, expanding D&H’s table grape portfolio and customer offerings.
“Partnering with UVEX is a key step toward enhancing our table grape offerings, and we are excited about the potential to deliver exceptional grapes that exceed the expectations of our customers,” Kyle Hackett, CEO of Dayka & Hackett, said. “This collaboration will enable us to provide a steady supply of premium varieties and continue to lead the industry in innovation and quality.”
As part of the project, D&H will implement an innovative indoor packing and cooling facility, specifically designed for clamshell, bi-color, and tricolor packaging. The organization said the modern facility will ensure efficiency and quality control, delivering fresh, high-quality grapes to the market.
“Eight years ago, we set out to revolutionize our vineyards by introducing superior grape varieties—meticulously selected and expertly cultivated to deliver exceptional quality,” Luis Carrillo, UVEX’s Commercial Director, said. “Today, we’re proud to partner with Dayka & Hackett, a company that shares our passion for excellence. This strategic alliance marks a bold step forward in raising the standard for flavor and quality in the Mexican table grape industry.”
By Kenneth Cavallaro, Jr. ALC Boston
America’s supply chain depends on truck drivers to transport goods safely and efficiently across the country. As active members in the supply chain logistics industry, we know firsthand that the aging out of drivers can significantly impact operations and the timely delivery of goods. With the average age of truck drivers rising and fewer young adults entering the profession, is the industry doing enough to attract and retain young drivers to replace retiring older drivers?
The American Trucking Association estimates that there could be a shortage of at least 160,000 drivers by the year 2028. Addressing this gap requires a focused effort on recruiting young workers into the profession.
Truck driving can be a demanding career. Long hours, time away from family, and skyrocketing insurance costs (further complicated by higher premiums for younger, less experienced drivers) are significant roadblocks. Driving services, such as Uber and Lyft, offer greater flexibility with a reduction in time spent away from home or waiting to load or unload products.
So, how do we overcome these obstacles and attract more people to long-haul trucking? Fortunately, many asset-based companies are offering competitive benefits and improved wages. A recent study showed a 15.5% increase in driver wages per mile. One way to attract young drivers is by communicating the financial incentives of long-haul trucking to potential recruits, as well as maintaining viable wages and benefits in today’s market. Beyond the paycheck, truck driving offers a rare sense of freedom and autonomy — no desk, no daily micromanagement — just the open road and the opportunity to see the country while building a rewarding, independent career.
Organizations like NEXTGEN Trucking (NGT) work to promote trucking and logistics as rewarding career paths for young people. They partner with schools, educators, and industries to build and support high school and post-secondary CDL-drivers, diesel tech, and supply chain programs, connect students with employers, offer scholarships and resources, and celebrate student and industry achievements.
While stringent regulations are necessary for safety, the rigorous training and certification process can discourage potential drivers from entering the industry. Incentives such as sign-on bonuses, training assistance, and career milestone rewards could help attract and retain talent. In addition, we can improve work-life balance by leveraging technology to streamline driver routes and match owner-operators with hauls closer to their home base, allowing them more time with their families and reducing frustration from wasted miles. This type of flexibility and family-focused scheduling would appeal to today’s younger workforce and help reduce turnover long-term.
Taking care of that workforce is more than a want; it is a necessity. The next time you shop for fresh produce, clothing, or home goods, keep in mind the drivers that make it possible. Now is the time to make the changes that will attract and keep additional drivers in lifelong careers in the industry; otherwise, we face higher transportation costs, shipping delays, and a disrupted supply chain. By showing the next generation that truck driving isn’t just a job, but an opportunity to live life on your terms, with purpose and pride, we can reshape how the industry is seen and secure its future.
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Kenneth Cavallaro, Jr. is a Carrier Manager in the Boston office. He brings 26 years of experience in the transportation industry and has been with Allen Lund Company since 2019. Kenneth holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Salem State University.
kenneth.cavallaro@allenlund.com
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
Lipman Family Farms of Immokalee, FL has acquired tomato grower Shelton & Sons of Morristown, TN. The company says the acquisition strengthens Lipman’s domestic footprint and reinforces its ability to supply consistent, high-quality roma tomatoes year-round, solidifying the critical July through October growing season.
Shelton & Sons has been a dedicated partner in Lipman’s local grower network for decades, contributing to Lipman’s seasonal success with roma tomatoes in the eastern U.S., according to a release. Lipman says Shelton & Sons’ long-standing reputation for excellence and integrity in farming aligns with its values around family, quality and community.
“For years, Shelton & Sons has helped us deliver the freshest product to our customers during peak season,” said Lipman Family Farms CEO Elyse Lipman. “Their deep history in family farming and consistent supply makes them a natural extension of our team. We’re honored to bring them fully into the Lipman network.”
With this acquisition, Lipman strengthens its regional supply chain during summer and fall months and continues its investment in reliable, domestic agriculture, the release said. Shelton & Sons will maintain its focus on roma tomato production, offering customers continuity with the added support of Lipman’s nationwide infrastructure.
“Our family has been growing tomatoes in Morristown for decades, and Lipman has been a trusted partner through it all,” said Terry Cantrell of Shelton & Sons. “Joining the Lipman family feels like a natural next step that lets us continue on the legacy of farming with purpose.”
This marks the third major acquisition in the last eighteen months for Lipman Family Farms. In 2024, the company welcomed another longtime roma tomato partner, Jones & Church Farms of Unicoi, Tenn., and expanded in the Northeast market with the acquisition of Northeast Produce, a tomato repacker in Connecticut.
“We are dedicated to growing our team with like-minded companies and individuals so we can continue to make fresh produce accessible to families for generations to come,” Lipman said.
Peruvian exports via air reached 91,881 tons, amounting to an increase of 4.3 percent compared to volume in the same period a year ago, according to Agraria, using data from Comex Peru.
Ag products leading Peruvian exports via air were: fresh or refrigerated asparagus, fresh mangoes, and fresh blueberries, which together amounted to 62.4 percent of the total volume.
The International Trade Guild noted air shipments of fresh or refrigerated asparagus in 2024 amounted to 33,227 tons, reflecting a reduction of 6.6 percent; fresh mangos added 14,786 tons, showing a declinr of 10 percent; while fresh blueberry exports amounted to 9,322 tons, increasing by 28.4 percent.
During the month of December 2024, Peruvian shipments via air amounted to 9,546 tons, registering an increase of 11.4 percent compared to what was dispatched in the same month of the previous year.
Fresh or refrigerated asparagus and fresh mangoes were the most dispatched products on this route during that month, concentrating 71 percent of the total volume. From the first product, 4,021 tons were sent (+3.4 percent), of the second were 2,757 tons (+38.1 percent).
The U.S. mango market continues to experience strong growth, driven by increased harvest volumes, particularly from Guatemala and Nicaragua.
Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic are actively harvesting and packing mangoes for export to the United States.
The U.S. market primarily receives shipments of two mango varieties: Tommy Atkins, accounting for approximately 71% of shipments, and Ataulfo/Honey, representing around 23%.
Limited supplies of other varieties such as Haden, Kent, Mingolo, Manila, Nam Doc Mai, and Thai are also available.
As for size classifications, Ataulfo/Honey large sizes are 16 and larger, while small sizes are 18 and smaller.
Round mangoes vary from extra large (size 7+), large (sizes 8-10), and small (size 12 and smaller).
Trade
For the week ending April 26, total mango shipments to the U.S. reached approximately 3,928,010 boxes. Season-wise, the approximate volumes shipped are:
- Mexico: 3,099,478 boxes this week, totaling about 26,576,534 boxes for the season.
- Guatemala: 482,848 boxes shipped this week, with a season total of roughly 2,826,059 boxes.
- Nicaragua: 114,000 boxes this week, cumulative 580,675 boxes season-to-date.
- Dominican Republic: 152,156 boxes this week, totaling approximately 655,103 boxes for the season.
From Week 18 (starting May 3) through Week 22 (ending May 31), overall mango shipments are projected to be about 19% higher than last year. Arrival patterns are expected to continue from Week 19 to Week 23.
Specifically, the 2025 season is expected to see significant growth compared to 2024:
- Mexico: about 8% increase YOY.
- Guatemala: approximately 23% increase YOY.
- Nicaragua: a dramatic increase of around 87% YOY.
The first annual commemoration of independence was held in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777. In a letter to his daughter (also named Abigail), John Adams wrote that day was celebrated “with a festivity and ceremony becoming the occasion,” according to the Library of Congress.
Massachusetts made July 4 an official state holiday in 1781, the first state to do so. And July 4 became more widely observed by Americans following the War of 1812 (which again pitted the United States against the British.)
Independence Day became the most important nonreligious holiday for many Americans by the 1870s, and Congress passed a law making Independence Day a federal holiday on June 28, 1870.
The Georgia Ports Authority hosted its 56th annual Georgia International Trade Conference, bringing together over 400 customers, business partners, and industry leaders to discuss the latest developments in maritime and logistics.
President and CEO Griff Lynch presented the timeline of GPA’s development over 80 years, which has seen a 784% growth in container volume to 5.6 million TEU since 1995, and highlighted how the new lay berth option at Ocean Terminal in the Port of Savannah will serve as a differentiator.
Next month, the new 1650’ lay berth will enable vessels to enter the port and tie up alongside before proceeding to Garden City Terminal during heavy traffic times.
“Two years ago, we embarked on a program to add more container capacity for the future by transforming Ocean Terminal from a three small ship berth for containers, RoRo, and bulk cargo into a two large ship container berth,” stated Lynch.
Vessels carrying RoRo and bulk cargo have relocated 90 minutes south to the Port of Brunswick, allowing the Port of Savannah to become a 100% container facility.
“We knew there might be some growing pains, but we’ve turned the corner now and our operations are getting back to their full potential as Ocean Terminal will continue to provide more capacity in phases,” Lynch said.
GPA financed Ocean Terminal’s $1.6bn capital improvement project through the issuance of bonds, taking advantage of favorable conditions in 2020 -2022.
GPA holds the highest bond rating of any Southeastern port, reflecting the confidence of financial markets in GPA’s future and growth strategy.
“Ocean Terminal plays a strategic role in our future vision,” said GPA Chairman Kent Fountain. “We’re pleased to see the engineering and construction progress, especially the lay berth capabilities that will come online next month.”
The potential effects of proposed tariffs were also discussed at the conference. GPA is in discussions with customers to address changing market conditions and the use of Garden City Terminal West in the Port of Savannah as a strategic on-terminal storage location for customers who want to flex supply chain speeds to market conditions.
The $200 million, 100-acre facility was opened in 2024, adding storage space for 20,000 containers. In the Port of Brunswick, 215 acres of new, on-terminal land parcels and storage sites were added, along with ample space for additional future storage needs.
Lynch also updated the audience on how the Port of Savannah has addressed vessel backlogs. Vessel operations have now overcome challenges caused by weather events, including an unusual Savannah snowstorm in late January, as well as river closures due to fog in February.
The ongoing improvements at Ocean Terminal in Savannah have enabled berth space at Garden City Terminal to be freed up, resulting in two weekly services returning to Ocean Terminal, effective May 1, bringing the total to four ship calls per week at Ocean Terminal.
The Port of Savannah was the fastest-growing port on the U.S. East and Gulf coasts in 2024, with a throughput of 5.6 million TEU.
This year, in February and March, GPA experienced record volumes in Savannah. Savannah averages 32-33 ship calls a week, generating 42 double-stack trains per week to inland markets with the industry’s best rail dwell times on port, averaging just 22 hours in March 2025.
“Customers are bringing new business to Georgia because of our world-class service, facilities, and speed at the port,” Lynch said.
Garden City Terminal handles 14,000-16,000 truck gate moves per day. Drivers moving a single container can be on and off the port in an average of 35 minutes. Dual export-import truck moves take only 57 minutes on average. Garden City Terminals’ gates are open from 04:00 hours to 18:00 hours, enabling many truckers to perform 6-8 port visits a day for trucking imports and exports to local distribution centers, which is a financial differentiator for inventory levels and supply chain velocity.
Other trends discussed were the acceleration of source shifting in overseas markets which included an example of how GPA is uniquely situated and qualified to accommodate trade growth between India and the U.S. India to Savannah transits are 10-14 days faster via the Suez Canal and 3-5 days taster via the Cape of Good Hope than India to U.S. West Coast routings. Other trends mentioned were the U.S. population shift to the South, with Georgia being one of the fast-growing states, and the manufacturing shift to the Southeast U.S., where Georgia is a pacesetter.
Lynch also illustrated how GPA is well-positioned for the future, with the current container terminal capacity of 5.6 million TEU in Savannah, set to increase to 7.5 million TEU by 2030 and 9 million TEU by 2035. Specific highlights are:
Savannah: Garden City Terminal
Ship berths
2025: 7 container berths
2030+: 12 container berths (100% increase)
Yard capacity
2025: 105,000 containers in 2025
2030+: 190,000 (80% increase)
Truck lanes
2025: 53
2030+: 100 lanes (72% increase)
Ondock rail
2025: 10x 10,000’ trains
2030+: 15 x 10,000’ trains (50% increase)
Savannah harbor improvements: Deepening by 5’ and creation of passing zones for ships.
Talmadge Bridge (over the Savannah River): Raising height above the main channel—a partnership with the Georgia Dept. of Transportation, completion date 2029.
Savannah: Ocean Terminal berth capacity
2025: 1 lay berth, serving 1.5 big ships per week (15% increase)
2026: 2 lay berths, serving 3 big ships per week (30% increase)
2027: 1 lay berth, 1 working berth, serving 4.5 big ships per week (45% increase)
2028: 2 working berths, serving 6 big ships per week (60% increase)
Savannah Container Terminal
2030+: 3 big ship berths
Brunswick: Colonel’s Island
2027: Fourth berth opens for RoRo ships.
2030: Rail expansion to 600,000 units per year.
The Northwest Cherry Growers reports there is a “potential for at least 22 million 20 lb. boxes, marking a 13% increase compared to last year’s harvest.”
Over 2,500 growers across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and Montana harvest Northwest-grown sweet cherries, which account for over 70% of the nation’s fresh cherry supply.
According to the organization, Northwest cherries started earlier this year; however, this shift is not expected to impact fruit quality. The season is projected to continue through late August or early September.
With the season in full swing, daily shipments are expected to surpass 350,000 boxes.
Altar Produce of Calexico, CA reports it is significantly expanding its specialty vegetable offerings with plans for green onions, Brussels sprouts and broccoli.
As part of the initiative, the company has announced growth on its year-round green onion program, designed to meet the rising global demand with consistent supply, scalable volume and tailored presentations. With operations rooted in strategic growing regions, the program ensures continuous availability and optimal freshness for retail, foodservice and wholesale partners, according to a news release.
“Our ability to pack in any presentation format requested by our clients — from consumer-ready retail packs, foodservice to customized bulk solutions — reflects our deep commitment to flexibility and customer service 52 weeks per year,” said Rodrigo Torres, director of global sales for Altar Produce. “We’re focused on delivering value beyond the field.”
Altar Produce says the program is supported by its investment in infrastructure and production capacity, enabling the company to scale up volume without compromising quality. Each step in the supply chain is reinforced by stringent quality controls and industry certifications, guaranteeing premium, uniform product standards year-round, the company says.
Beyond green onions, Altar Produce is expanding its portfolio with a strong focus on Brussels sprouts and broccoli. These categories reflect consumer trends and market opportunities where the company’s expertise in field operations, postharvest management and logistics can deliver exceptional results, according to the release.