2012 Trans-Pacific Maritime Conference Sets Record for Long Beach Attendance

NEWARK, N.J., March 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- With more than 1,800 attendees, The Journal of Commerce broke records with its 12th annual Trans-Pacific Maritime Conference in Long Beach, Calif., this week. Among discussions of mega-ships, freight rates, regulation and increases in imports, some major questions emerged: Can carriers achieve planned revenue increases this year in the face of multi-billion dollar losses sustained in 2011? Can the liner industry achieve long-term stability in the Asia-U.S. trade lane? Such questions were particularly relevant in light of modest growth forecast for the eastbound trans-Pacific market this year.

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"Eastbound container shipping volume in the Pacific will grow 2.5 percent year-over-year in 2012, bringing 12.6 million TEUs in import trade," said Mario O. Moreno, JOC/PIERS economist. "Although this year will mark the third straight year of growth in U.S. trans-Pacific imports, the total volume still will be at just 96 percent of the trade lane's total imports in 2007."

TPM 2012 panel sessions addressed, among many aspects of the industry, growing containerized exports, global overcapacity, ocean carriers' plans to increase import trans-Pacific freight rates; port readiness and response to the 2014 Panama Canal expansion; and regulation of import and export container movements. A heated discussion between the heads of the International Longshoremen's Association and United States Maritime Alliance revealed the threat of East Coast port disruption this year and produced numerous tweet-worthy quotes for attendees.

"We were delighted with the turnout, quality of presentations and vibrant networking environment at the event this year. It is gratifying to see so many derive so much value from the ability to spend a few days together in Long Beach each year in early March," said Peter Tirschwell, senior vice president of strategy, UBM Global Trade. "We received a lot of valuable feedback on site this year that will help us to further improve TPM in 2013."

Held at the start of each year's service contracting cycle for the trans-Pacific trade, TPM brings together senior executives from across the logistics and shipping industries for discussions of top challenges facing the industry. The event program is created, and led, by members of the Journal of Commerce editorial team including Bill Mongelluzzo, Peter T. Leach and Joseph Bonney. TPM is now the largest event of its kind in the world.

This year, TPM was expanded to include a full-day concurrent trans-Pacific Refrigerated Container Transport/Cool Cargoes track with panel sessions and speakers specifically addressing trans-Pacific reefer cargoes, technology, logistics and market issues. A third, half day of sponsored sessions on performance measurement strategies and payment technologies was also added to the TPM 2012 agenda.

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About The Journal of Commerce: Since 1827, The Journal of Commerce has been the most trusted source of intelligence for international logistics executives to help them plan global supply chains and better manage day-to-day transportation of goods and commodities in the United States and internationally.

To become a member of The Journal of Commerce click here. JOC members have access to our weekly print and digital magazine and Web site, as well as a 10 percent discount on all JOC events and trade shows, UBM Global Trade Directories and select PIERS products. Authoritative editorial content in the form of daily news, weekly analysis and regular features ensure our members have the information and data necessary to understand the issues facing trucking, rail and maritime transportation. Members enjoy access to "By the Numbers," an exclusive weekly compilation of key industry statistics that provides detailed views of current market trends across all modes. Regular market intelligence reports -- utilizing PIERS trade data -- include Top 100 Imports and Exporters, quarterly Top 40 Container lines, Trans-Pacific and Trans-Atlantic Maritime Forecasts and Top Container Ports and Terminals. Market-sector supplements, including Breakbulk, Cool Cargoes, 3PL, JOC Guide to Trucking and others, ensure all modes are comprehensively covered. 

About UBM Global Trade -- UBM Global Trade is the leading provider of proprietary data, news, business intelligence and analytical content supporting commercial maritime, rail, trucking, warehousing and logistics industries worldwide. The company's portfolio of more than 100 online, print and interactive workflow business solutions includes The Journal of Commerce, Breakbulk, RailResource, PIERS and an array of international trade and transportation events, databases and directories. Upcoming events include TPM Asia in Shenzhen and the JOC Container Shipping Conference Shanghai. UBM Global Trade, a subsidiary of UBM LLC, is headquartered in Newark, NJ, with offices throughout the United States. For more information, explore www.ubmglobaltrade.com or call 800-223-0243 (+1-973-848-7250 outside the U.S. or Canada).  

SOURCE The Journal of Commerce