Industry Resources

Learn about IHA’s cost-saving programs, including the International Housewares Shippers Association, designed to help members grow their business!

New Carrier Environment and Uncertainty Emerges for 2018

IHSA will begin ocean contract negotiations in February. Industry analysts have differing opinions on which side, shippers or carriers, will have the upper hand during the 2018 negotiations. There are some analysts that believe excess capacity will again be a major deterrent preventing carriers from securing any sustained rate increases during 2018. On the contrary, other…

Carriers Struggle to Maintain Rate Stability

After collectively losing $5 billion in 2016, the carriers are collectively poised to return to profitability for 2017. The anxiety that shippers experienced in 2016 regarding bankruptcies and acquisitions is no longer dominating the headlines. While stability is welcome news for the industry, there are concerns about whether the carriers will be able to sustain stability.…

House Considering Tax Reform, Manufacturers / Consumer Goods Suppliers Must Engage

Bold tax reform is making its way through Congress thanks to the efforts of manufacturers and consumer goods suppliers making their voices heard. Following last week’s 24-16 vote of approval from the House Ways & Means Committee, a House floor vote on tax reform is imminent this week. Last week, suppliers let committee members know that tax reform was a priority, but now…

IHSA Declares Rebate Dividend

IHSA has declared a rebate dividend of $173,572 for the period June 1, 2016 through May 31, 2017, which coincides with IHSA’s fiscal year. IHSA is pleased to report that the declared rebate amount is 20.5% larger than last year. The rebate will be distributed among eligible association members during the month of November 2017. IHSA is proud of the fact that they continue to…

Ocean Carriers Return to Profitability

The average operating margins for the top 13 ocean carriers finally returned to the black for the first half of 2017. This is first time since the second quarter of 2015 where the average operating margin is positive. These results have eased some, but not all, of the concern shippers have regarding the financial stability of the containership industry. Out of the 13…

Good360 Adds Hurricanes Irma and Maria to Relief Efforts

Victims of Hurricanes Irma and Maria also will receive assistance from Good360, the charity the International Housewares Association has partnered with to provide hurricane victims with home goods products as they rebuild their lives and homes. Last week IHA announced its partnership with Good360 to help Texas recover from Hurricane Harvey. Good360 is working closely with…

IHA Partners With Good360 on Hurricanes Harvey, Irma & Maria Relief Efforts

Your company can help Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico recover from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. As residents of Texas, Florida, and now Puerto Rico, continue to struggle with the destruction wrought by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, IHA is partnering once again with Good360 to provide hurricane victims with home products as they rebuild their lives and homes.…

ILWU Extends Labor Contract

Shippers remember all too well the chaos and congestion that engulfed US West Coast during the 2014-2015 labor contract negotiations between the ILWU (International Longshore Warehouse Union) and the representatives for the steamship lines. It took the threat of getting Washington DC involved before the parties agreed to a contract. By the time the contract was finally signed,…

Another Carrier Merger

The steamship industry was riddled with carrier consolidation during 2015 and 2016. A total of eight carriers were either acquired or merged with other carriers. Shippers were hoping that 2017 would bring some stability to their supply chains. The stability lasted only six months. On July 9, 2017, COSCO Shipping Holdings announced that they were making a bid to acquire Orient…