Logistics Management Magazine Archives

March 2023 Logistics Management

In this Issue:

  • E-commerce & Freight: Balancing new patterns of demand
  • 2023 Parcel Express Roundtable
  • The Evolution of WMS
  • WDC Equipment Survey: Tighter budgets prompt targeted spend
  • LTL volumes down, yields up
  • U.S. Ports: Challenges persist, volumes dip
March 14, 2023 · We speak with a number of logistics experts to capture their views on the overall impact that e-commerce is having on moving the nation’s freight. One thing is for certain: The current level and speed of churn has irrevocably altered the pattern so many had become accustomed to managing.
March 14, 2023 · Two of the trends making an impact on reverse logistics besides the increase of e-commerce and the increased focus on customer centricity—are the circular economy and robotics. Here are some suggestions for transforming your reverse process to meet today’s pressing demands.
March 13, 2023 · Three of our top parcel industry sources offer their respective takes on the most consumer-facing segment of freight transportation and logistics parcel and last-mile delivery. Even though pandemic-related conditionshave changed, high pricing remains, which is increasingly putting shippers in the position of carefully considering their options.
March 13, 2023 · A long-time mainstay in productive warehouse environments, WMS is more than proving its value in today’s resource constrained business environment.
March 13, 2023 · After a banner year for materials handling automation indicators last year, our annual equipment outlook survey reveals a more conservative approach to spending on automation, equipment and related software—however, the indicators didn’t decline drastically.
March 13, 2023 · Once again, we’re using the March issue of Logistics Management to take a closer look at how the ongoing growth of e-commerce continues to influence the various modes, services and operations practices that make our logistics and freight transportation networks function.
March 12, 2023 · After the pricing and service roller coaster ride is done, what will we do differently before the next black swan arrives?
March 12, 2023 · The LTL market’s surprising profitability and ability to not only exist, but to become the most lucrative and well-managed niche of the overall $830 billion trucking industry, is astounding to even veteran leaders in the sector. How is this happening?
March 12, 2023 · The long litany of headaches now includes ongoing labor negotiations on the West Coast that could quickly shift priorities of ports in the region. While the East Coast may continue to benefit from the uncertainty, the overall forecast for volumes in 2023 remains foggy.
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Latest in Logistics Management

Bipartisan legislation focused on supply chain resilience is introduced in the Senate
The bill, entitled the “Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act,” was introduced by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), a senior member of the Committee. This bill was also introduced in the House (H.R. 6571) by Reps. Larry Bucshon (R-Ind.) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) and passed last week by a 44-0 unanimous vote.

How to Optimize Your RFID Mandate Labeling within the Supply Chain
Unlock supply chain success by joining SATO America, Loftware, and GS1 Global experts to master new RFID mandates, retail labeling, and compliance strategies.

Gartner releases its 20th Annual Global Supply Chain Top 25
Schneider Electric maintained its top position, with Cisco Systems and Colgate-Palmolive rounding out the top three. NVIDIA also made a strong debut at seventh place.

U.S.-bound imports see growth in April, reports S&P Global Market Intelligence
April imports, at 2,524,299 TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units), saw a 7.7% annual increase, growing for the eighth consecutive month, following a 14-month stretch of annual declines, while up 8.5% compared to pre-pandemic April 2019. Annual growth in April was well short of March’s 16% annual gain. Imports grew 1.2% from March to April.

Industry experts dissect White House’s tariffs announcement
As reported by LM earlier this month, after a statutory four-year review process of Section 301 tariffs levied on United States-bound imports from China conducted by the Office of the United States Trade Representative, the final outcome, the White House announced, that those tariffs are remaining intact, with ones for certain products, to see increases.

April intermodal volumes turn in solid performance, reports IANA
Total April volume, at 1,456,241 units, increased 12.0% annually, topping March’s 6.7% annual increase, and in line with February’s 14.6% annual increase.

Packaging Efficiency: The modern way to reduced freight costs
Join our webcast to discover how Packsize & Paccurate can help your operations and outbound logistics teams cut costs and boost efficiency through innovative order fulfillment strategies.

Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach monthly volumes head up again
Total POLA volume, at 770,337 TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units), rose 12% annually, marking the ninth straight month of annual volume growth. The Port of Long Beach reported that total April volume, at 750,524 TEU, headed up 14.4% annually.  

National diesel average drops nearly 6 cents, for lowest reading since July, reports EIA
The national average, at $3.789, decreased 5.9 cents, following a 4.6-cent decline, to $3.848, for the week of May 13.

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: Dali cargo ship is finally on the move
Authorities aim to reopen the main shipping channel by the end of May.

Bloomberg/Truckstop 1Q24 Truckload Survey points to improving spot market sentiment
Despite 62% of carriers reporting lower freight volume in 1Q, 33% predict freight demand to increase in the next 3-6 months. Only 19% predict freight demand to decline in the same timeframe, which represents a 12-point percentage decline vs. the 4Q survey.

BlueGrace Logistics Confidence Index sees signs of stabilization for the third quarter
For revenues, the report viewed third quarter expectations as “an interesting paradox with shipper optimism on the rise, but the expected magnitude of growth has moderated greatly, with 70% of the report’s respondents expecting positive third quarter revenue growth, topping expectations for the first and second quarters, which each respectively came in at 65%.

FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index falls to lowest level since last September
For March, the most recent month for which data is available, the TCI came in at- 7.25, following February’s -5.31 reading.

U.S. rail carload and intermodal volumes are mixed, for week ending May 11, reports AAR
Rail carloads, at 209,319, fell 7.0% annually, and intermodal containers and trailers, at 254,429 units, rose 7.7% annually.

Cass Freight Index points to annual shipments and expenditures declines
April’s shipment reading, at 1.098, decreased 4.0% annually, and expenditures, at 3.227, were off 16.8% annually.


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