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Taking Your Supply Chains for Granted Can Cause Bad Things to Happen
Let’s stop taking our supply chains for granted and be prepared to meet the forthcoming challenges.

GDP forecast remains strong amid some signs of uncertainty
An analysis issued by IHS Markit this week made that case that despite the increasing uncertainty regarding the spreading Delta variant, of the coronavirus, that the trajectory of the ongoing economic activity remains on solid footing.

DHL exec addresses challenges related to Asia-originated logistics issues
In some recent correspondence I had with a friend at global express delivery and logistics services provider DHL, the subject of the logistics-related issues coming out of Asia was front and center, to be sure.

Senate vote brings signs of progress and optimism on a new infrastructure bill
Earlier this week, in this space, I lamented how progress on a bipartisan push for the framework for a $1.2 billion transportation infrastructure authorization had ostensibly stalled out. Well, just a few days later, it turns out that perhaps I jumped the gun on that sentiment and that some progress towards a new authorization has been made.

Surprise… infrastructure talks hit a snag
It is somewhat hard to believe, at least sometimes, that good ideas and plans end up in the trash can. In this case, the good ideas and plans are the momentum we have, or had, in recent weeks, was the momentum building up for a new national infrastructure plan. Well, fast forwarding a few weeks later, it now looks more and more like we may once again be witnessing the interminable game of political football, or simply just kicking the...

Some more feedback on the Uber Freight-Transplace deal
As the initial shock, or surprise, of last week’s announcement that San Francisco-based Uber Freight announced it is acquiring Frisco, Texas-based Transplace.

Industry experts offer up takes on recent White House EO and impact on rail and ocean sectors
The recent executive order issued by the White House late last week, focusing on promoting competition within the American economy, has brought no shortage of opinions from supply chain stakeholders.

Shipware’s Martinez provides guidance for managing Peak Season surcharges
In light of Peak Season parcel surcharges recently kicking in, based on recent announcements respectively issued by the global parcel duopoly of FedEx and UPS, there is more than enough for shippers to stay on top of and address, at a time when things have remained in a state of ongoing, or perpetual, Peak Season.

The road to a new bipartisan national infrastructure plan is filled with cautious optimism
Make no mistake, the White House’s announcement yesterday that a bipartisan framework has been established for a $1.2 trillion infrastructure authorization is a big deal. But, to be sure, in order for it to become official much more needs to happen—and it is not likely to be an easy path there, as we all know.

The show goes on for Amazon Prime Days despite supply chain issues
With day two of Amazon Prime Days wrapping up today, many consumers, at this point, may view this event differently than in the past, or before March 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic initially took hold on a wide scale in the United States.

Some key economic indicators are shining amid these interesting times
We have seen a dramatic turnaround in key metrics for things such as freight volumes (i.e. tonnage) that were very negatively impact by the pandemic.

Note To C-Level Executives: Get Serious, Or Get Seriously Hurt!
Overall, CEOs and C-level executives are not happy about soaring freight costs, and they have questions about the CODE RED conditions in the transportation marketplace. They also are questioning what their companies should be doing to address how supply chain issues are impacting their operations and bottom line profitability.

Strong April retail sales keep the good economic momentum moving along
As more people continue to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, coupled with more pockets of the United States economy reopening, it did not come as a huge surprise that United States retail sales, for the month of April, which were issued late last week by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the National Retail Federation (NRF), turned in another solid performance.

The state of supply chain and logistics is replete with both new and existing challenges
With 2020 done and in the books, so to speak, there was, in some respects a collective sigh of relief, given the myriad challenges the year presented for so many people, businesses, schools, communities, and more. A generational pandemic like COVID-19, has the potential to do just that—and it did.

Supply chains are linked up with the White House’s push to reduce GHG emissions
When President Biden last week announced that the United States is focusing on reducing the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 50%-to-52% below 2005 levels by 2030, it garnered a lot of attention, as it should.

CN and CP square up in head-to-head battle to acquire Kansas City Southern
With another day comes another development in the pursuit of Kansas City Southern (KCS) by both Canadian National Railway Company (CN) and Canadian Pacific (CP), respectively.

CAGTC throws its support behind White House infrastructure plan
CAGTC Executive Director Elaine Nessle explained that, for years, there has been an ongoing conversation about insufficient levels of infrastructure funding across the entire transportation spectrum, specifically as it relates to freight-related infrastructure.

Data shows positive economic trends and reasons for optimism
The often-used saying “what a difference a year makes” really takes on a new meaning these days, especially when taking into account just how, umm, unusual, the last year has been. Unusual is just one word, to describe the events of the last year. Other candidates could include: nervous, fearful, uncertain, angry, confused, and many others. But with more and more people getting their COVID-19 vaccine shots these days, the lexicon is slowly changing to words like: encouraging, optimistic, hopeful,...

AAR’s policy paper addresses how freight railroads are meeting challenges related to climate change
A main theme of the paper, entitled “Freight Railroads & Climate Change,” focused on how United States railroads need to be a part of the climate change solution, at a time when Congress works to balance economic recovery from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. “The [AAR] and the rail industry recognize that the climate is changing,” the paper said. “If action is not taken, climate change will have significant repercussions for the planet, our economies, our society, and even day-to-day railroad operations.”

Suez Canal travails are the most recent example of supply chain challenges
At a time when the global supply chain is ostensibly dealing with more simultaneous issues than perhaps ever before, including the COVID-19 pandemic, winter weather events, clogged United States Ports, and the need for more labor across myriad parts of the supply chain, it almost feels like this week’s news that the 20,000 TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent) vessel Ever Given running aground and trapped in the Suez Canal is just the latest thing to deal with.


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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