Shipping

A key shipping index is up dramatically in the past several weeks, thanks largely to demand from China's steel industry. But analysts say it's only a small window into the industry.

Melting arctic ice has opened a new global trade route.

One stretch of the river is closed during the day so Army Corps of Engineers can blast away rock just below the low water.

As companies and customers cut shipping costs by using slower, cheaper rail and truck, FedEx's expensive air-cargo fleet suffers.

So how do all those packages really get from point A to point B anyway?

Melting ice means a Russian gas company can now send tankers to Japan through the Arctic Ocean, instead of the Suez Canal.

The strike at the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles rumbles on, bringing losses to some and opportunities to others.

Online retailers and shippers say that despite high unemployment, they have unfilled temporary positions.

Already the strike has idled thousands of trucks and trains that take containers from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to factories and distribution centers.

Unionized clerical workers who staff the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have entered the fourth day of their strike. If the dispute continues, the ripple effects could soon be felt across the country.