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.

Shipping across the ice-free Arctic appears closer than ever. The new route will save fuel, but bring emissions and soot directly to the Arctic — possibly accelerating the ice melt.

Apple says it received two million orders for the iPhone 5 in the first 24 hours of availability. That is good news of course for Apple. It's also good news for shipping companies like Fed Ex.

The government of Nicaragua is paying two Dutch companies about $750,000 to study the feasability of building a canal — a canal that would rival the Panama Canal and create another link from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea.

Despite global economic woes and nervous markets, FedEx announced today that it will purchase the Brazilian shipper Rapidao Cometa Logistica e Transportes for $6.8 billion.

The U.S. shipping giant said Monday it will acquire Europe's No. 2 delivery company, TNT Express, in effort to expand its global reach.

UPS earnings are out today. The company serves as a bellwether stock because as the economy improves, it sells — and ships — more items.

FedEx will start charging higher rates in part so it can afford to hold on to good employees.