Logistics Management Magazine Archives

May 2020 Logistics Management

In this Issue:

  • Alliance Award Winner: Bargain Hunt partners for growth
  • How far has the digital supply chain advanced?
  • 2020 Technology Roundtable
  • High-tech freight forwarder upstarts
  • News & Analysis: Latest COVID-19 coverage
  • Special Report: Top 30 U.S. Ports: Responding to the pandemic
  • Special Report: MODEX show wrap up
May 6, 2020 · As we have over the past 10 years, we devote much of our May issue to an examination of just how far we’ve progressed down the path of digital transformation.
May 6, 2020 · The pandemic quickly shifted the discussion to the processes, software and technology tools that are helping to improve e-commerce fulfillment on the front lines. Our panel shares their insights on the next steps logistics and distribution operations need to take to keep their companies—and the nation—moving.
May 5, 2020 · Through a unique trucking partnership, the extreme discount retailer has streamlined its process, integrated new technology and cut the size of its fleet in half while serving more locations than ever—all while reducing the number of miles driven by 20%.
May 5, 2020 · Lift truck operator training is getting a boost from VR. In addition to shortening training time, the technology offers managers and drivers more information earlier about people’s abilities to safely operate trucks of all types.
May 5, 2020 · Supply chain experts and analysts say how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go down the path to complete digitalization of the supply chain.
May 5, 2020 · A wave of digital disruption surfaced in the freight forwarding sector a few years ago, with startups, suppliers and even shippers using new technologies to develop a variety of innovative trade solutions. But the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic poses the ultimate challenge to these new models.
May 5, 2020 · Last year at this time trade tensions were largely determining where cargo would go next—now it appears that those will be regarded as “the good old days.” To what extent container volumes will rebound across the board is subject to much speculation.
May 5, 2020 · Now more than ever, business leaders should be planning for the worst, and hoping for the best.
May 5, 2020 · The COVID-19 crisis is a human tragedy with almost 50% of the world’s population locked down and many lives at risk. It’s also an unprecedented real-life stress test for operations and supply chains.
May 5, 2020 · We’ve seen many changes reshaping the rail, ocean and air modes that are being driven by innovations in technology and the rapid growth of the interconnected “digital” supply chain.
Not a subscriber? Apply online today.
 

Latest in Logistics Management

Baltimore suing ship that crashed into bridge, closing port, costing jobs
The city of Baltimore is suing the owners of the cargo ship that crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing it to collapse and closing the Port of Baltimore for months.

Intermodal growth volume remains intact in March, reports IANA
Total March volume, at 1,464,782 units, increased 6.7% annually, below February’s 14.6% annual increase, while topping November, December, and January, which saw gains of 3.8%, 6.4%, and 5.5%, respectively.   

Descartes announces acquisition of Dublin, Ireland-based Aerospace Software Developments
Earlier this week, Waterloo, Ontario-based Descartes, a provider of logistics based on-demand, software-as-a-service offerings, continued to flex its M&A muscle, acquiring Dublin, Ireland-based Aerospace Software Developments, a provider of customs and regulatory compliance service.

Amid ongoing unexpected events, supply chains continue to readjust and adapt
Expecting the unexpected going back to the onset of the pandemic in March 2020 has really been a part of supply chain and logistics lexicon. As we know, there were many logistics and supply chain “lessons learned” coming out of the pandemic, which clearly still remain intact today, especially including the need for supply chain resiliency and preparedness, as well as flexible and nimble deployment of labor, assets, and technology, among others.

Shipment and expenditure decreases trend down, notes Cass Freight Index
March’s shipment reading, at 1.113, fell 3.6% annually, down from February’s 4.5% decrease and January’s 7.6% decline.

March trucking tonnage trends down, reports ATA
The ATA’s advanced Seasonally Adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index fell 2%, to 113.4 (2015=100), following a 4% February gain, to 115.7, and a 3.2% January decline.

FTR Shippers Conditions Index enters negative territory
For February, the most recent month for which data is available, the SCI reading came in at -1.4, below January’s 3.4, which was 3% below December’s 6.4 reading and also below November’s 6.3.

DAT March Truckload Volume Index sees modest March gains
From February to March, the the van TVI, at 260, was up 4%, with the refrigerated TVI, at 200, up 2.6%, and the flatbed TVI, at 242, up 4.4%.

National diesel average, for week of April 22, is down for the second straight week
For the week of April 22, the national average fell 2.3 cents, to $3.922. This followed a 2.3-cent decrease, to $4.015 per gallon, for the week of April 15, which was preceded by a 6.5-cent increase, to $4.004, for the week of April 8.

UPS reports first quarter earnings decline
Quarterly consolidated revenue, at $21.7 billion, fell 5.3% annually, and adjusted earnings per share, at $1.43, saw a 35.0% annual decline. Consolidated quarterly operating profit came in at $1.6 billion, which was off 36.5% annually.

LM Podcast Series: Assessing the freight transportation and logistics markets with Tom Nightingale, AFS Logistics
During this podcast, Nightingale provided a detailed overview of the new Cowen/AFS Freight Index report and variuous market issues.

Investor expectations continue to influence supply chain decision-making
More shareholders are expecting supply chains to become resilient to protect the bottom line.

Sponsored Content
The Next Big Steps in Supply Chain Digitalization
Technology continues to advance and new developments are building on the foundation that is now in place in many supply chains. Here are five of the most significant advances shaping the next wave of digitalization.

Under-21 driver pilot program a bust with fleets as FMCSA seeks changes
The FMSCA says only 113 motor carriers have applied for its under-21 truck driver apprenticeship program since July 2022. That is a very disappointing turnout for an initiative that the government had expected to recruit up to 1,000 carriers and 3,000 drivers.

Diesel back over $4 a gallon; Mideast tensions, other worries cited
Diesel prices are back over $4 a gallon, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) weekly, on-highway survey of prices at 73,000 service stations and 9,500 truck stops around the country. Average diesel prices rose by 6.5 cents, increasing to $4.06 per gallon as of Monday, April 8. The Western states of Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Washington saw the highest average price increase for the period, rising 11 cents to $4.26 per gallon.


Latest Resources

2024 Transportation Rate Outlook: More of the same?
2024 Transportation Rate Outlook: More of the same?
Get ahead of the game with our panel of analysts, discussing freight transportation rates and capacity fluctuations for the coming year. Join...
Bypassing the Bottleneck: Solutions for Avoiding Freight Congestion at the U.S.-Mexico Border
Bypassing the Bottleneck: Solutions for Avoiding Freight Congestion at the U.S.-Mexico Border
Find out how you can navigate this congestion more effectively with new strategies that can help your business avoid delays, optimize operations,...

Driving ROI with Better Routing, Scheduling and Fleet Management
Driving ROI with Better Routing, Scheduling and Fleet Management
Improve efficiency and drive ROI with better vehicle routing, scheduling and fleet management solutions. Download our report to find out how.
Your Road Guide to Worry-Free Shipping Between the U.S. and Canada
Your Road Guide to Worry-Free Shipping Between the U.S. and Canada
Get expert guidance and best practices to help you navigate the cross-border shipping process with ease. Download our free white paper today!
Warehouse/DC Automation & Technology: It’s “go time” for investment
Warehouse/DC Automation & Technology: It’s “go time” for investment
In our latest Special Digital Issue, Logistics Management has curated several feature stories that neatly encapsulate the rise of automated systems and...