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Now we’re talking: West Coast port labor negotiations get a middleman
Federal mediators will begin working with the Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union to ratify a new contract.

ISM manufacturing data shows December decline
The ISM reported that the PMI, the report’s key index to measure growth, dropped 3.2 percent to 55.5 (a PMI of 50 or greater represents growth). Even with this decline, the PMI remains in a decent spot over all. December’s PMI is 0.3 percent below the 12-month average of 55.8 and 3.6 percent below its highest reading, going back to the 59.1 recorded in March 2011.

Dream on, Nicaragua
The dubiously dubbed “Grand Canal of Nicaragua” bears a troubling resemblance to the phantom “Argentine Canal,” proposed in the 19th century. By all evidence, both ideas are frauds.

Ongoing drama at U.S. West Coast labor talks: it gets worse
Sounding evermore bellicose, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) ramped up the rhetoric recently, alleging that port congestion is a consequence of carrier/terminal conspiracies.

Holiday wish for shippers: U.S. West Coast mediation
The PMA, which represents employers at America’s 29 West Coast ports, has finally asked for federal mediation in its contract negotiations with the ILWU.

Looking back at 2014
Newsroom Notes takes a look at some of the biggest stories and themes in logistics for 2014.

U.S. ports move closer to funding target
In reviewing the proposed $1.01 trillion Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2015 hammered out in Congress late last week, the American Association of Port Authorities noted that there are significant increases for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Harbor Maintenance Tax operations and maintenance activities and construction budgets, and for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act grants program.

Combo of reducing carbon pollution and supply chain efficiency remains in a tight spot
More progress is needed for federal goals of carbon pollution reduction to see subsequent supply chain gains.

Different ways to look at manufacturing data
Based on the data source you look at, there are two distinctly, but, at times, overlapping cases being made for the state of manufacturing here in the United States.

U.S. maritime policy moves one step closer to reality
At a time when representatives rarely agree upon anything, U.S. House and Senate leaders from both the Republican and Democratic Parties are jointly sponsoring a bill to establish a national maritime policy to encourage U.S.-flag shipping.

The start to holiday shopping season kicks off slower than expected
While it comes as no surprise that Thanksgiving weekend is commonly viewed as the true beginning of the holiday shopping season, it appears that, perhaps, the booming shopping volumes that come along with time spent with family and friends, too much turkey and football may take a bit longer to materialize than originally anticipated.

Air cargo may become short-term solution for some shippers soon
Recent US West Coast port congestion issues have temporarily reversed the long-term modal shift from air to ocean as shippers seek alternative ways to make sure their goods hit the stores in time for the US holiday season, note analysts at Drewry Supply Chain Advisors in London.

A Thanksgiving blessing for West Coast shippers
The Port of Oakland has undertaken a series of measures in recent years to attract more import volume.

Will Obama invoke Taft-Hartley?
The Agriculture Transportation Coalition has asked the Administration to bring in a federal mediator to help resolve the negotiations, and if a strike or lockout occurs, the AgTC advocates the rarely-invoked Taft-Hartley Act.

Teamsters may muscle in while SoCal ports struggle
A new threat to U.S. West Coast port productivity surfaced yesterday, as the Teamsters began organizing independent owner-operated truckers.

ILWU can give a little to save a lot
The PMA is asking the ILWU to agree to a temporary contract extension so that Beneficial Cargo Owners (BCOs), truck drivers, and other stakeholders may be spared ongoing hardship.

Report indicates chances of e-commerce sales being taxed are slipping away
While brick and mortar retailers that were hopeful Congress would pass the Marketplace Fairness Act, they are not likely to be pleased, as House Speaker John Boehner indicated he would block the measure, with the WSJ explaining that House Republicans “never warmed to the bill, worrying that voters could view it as an indirect tax increase.”

Matson breaks the mold
While most major Transpacific ocean carriers are still losing money, aligning themselves in “rate stablization” agreements, and barely providing reliable service, Matson Inc., is breaking the mold.

Port of Portland invests in export infrastructure
No congestion issues here, as gateway looks for more outbound bulk and breakbulk options

Stay away, second half (economic) swoon
Unlike past years, the second half of the year is following the first half in that in many respects economic growth is still intact.


March 2024 Logistics Management

March 4, 2024 · While this year may be a close copy of 2023 in terms of supply chain execution as it relates to e-commerce moves, forecasting is more precarious. The instability and conflict have no upside, only more disruption—which inevitably leads to service and cost impacts across the board.

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