The GCT Bayonne expects to pilot the Port of New York and New Jersey's first truck appointment system in the first half of 2016.  As ports struggle to handle volume surges from large ships, there's increased interest in the use of appointment systems to even out the peaks and valleys of truck arrivals.  Many port truckers say truck appointments at terminals would be unworkable unless terminals can provide reliable turns times.  Truckers worry they will be penalized if they miss an appointment because they were delayed by road traffic or delays during an earlier call at another terminal.  "The key to winning trucker acceptance of appointments will be making sure that the system is usable and that they know we have their interest in mind", said Richard Cecil, VP Information Technology at GCT USA, operator of GCT Bayonne, previously known as Global Terminal.  The Port of Virginia is also working to implement an appointment system next year.
 
U.S. retailers expect import volume to slip 0.1% year-over-year in December.  December imports will hit 1.4 million twenty-foot equivalent units, capping a year of 5.5% more volume than in 2014.  The forecast of lackluster growth reflects retailers attempts to balance high inventory and inventory-to-sales ratios, reduced demand for winter clothing because of warmer than usual weather and holiday shopping demand.  Retail sales have been slower than expected, with retail sales up 0.1% year-over-year in October, while total inventories rose 2.5% in September from August, according to the most recent Department of Commerce statistics.