Shippers looking to ensure goods arrived on time in 2021 faced an array of challenges this year. Ports were congested, ocean freight rates had skyrocketed, and shipping lines’ schedule reliability was near rock-bottom. As a result, many big companies took the unusual step of chartering their own ships.
Chartering vessels can get expensive, but the alternative was worse for many. Here’s a look at some of the companies that sought to charter ships to exercise greater control over their supply chain.
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Coca-Cola thinks ‘outside the box,’ books bulk vessels to ship supplies
By Alejandra Salgado • Oct. 6, 2021Using three bulk vessels, Coca-Cola is moving 2,800 TEUs of material to keep production lines running across the world. Read the full article ➔
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Costco to charter 3 vessels for Transpacific routes
By Alejandra Salgado • Sept. 29, 2021The chartered ships will carry up to 1,000 containers, as retailers struggle with on-time deliveries and high freight costs. Read the full article ➔
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Walmart charters ships to ensure freight capacity, inventory for peak season
By Matt Leonard • Aug. 18, 2021One ship leasing company referred to the charter market as “red hot” as it has signed 40 new charters so far this year. Read the full article ➔
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For Home Depot, tackling capacity crunch key in pandemic strategy
By Max Garland • Sept. 22, 2021Securing carrier capacity is not a guarantee in the currently constrained environment, so Home Depot made plans to charter ships. Read the full article ➔
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Retail’s new fad? Charter ships to ensure sales, even if it’s costly.
By Max Garland • Sept. 22, 2021Companies are willing to spend money on chartering ships because the alternative of not having inventory in for peak season is worse, said Sea-Intelligence CEO and Founder Alan Murphy. Read the full article ➔
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The problem with chartering a ship: Break bulk is a lost art
By Katherine Barrios • Dec. 1, 2021Break bulk is doable for large, well-capitalized companies, but there’s no guarantee they’ll achieve lower freight costs than using carriers, a Xeneta executive writes. Read the full article ➔
Post time: Dec-30-2021