Port crisis

Strong relationships help bolster cost savings amid port crisis

A red truck with chassis at port

Many of the pandemic-fueled headwinds that have plagued the logistics industry over the past two years are beginning to subside, but U.S. ports are still being slammed with more volume than they can handle on a daily basis. As a result, it is not uncommon for companies to rack up hefty demurrage and per diem fees while their freight sits in ports waiting for drivers and equipment to become available. 

While these issues are inherently expensive and frustrating, working with the right partner can...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/strong-relationships-help-bolster-cost-savings-amid-port-crisis

Port congestion absorbs 11.6% of the world fleet

Pictured: containerships caught up in the port congestion crisis off Los Angeles, circa mid-to-late 2021. Photo: screenshot from NBC News Nightly News in the US.

New data from internationally-respected maritime analysts, Sea-Intelligence, reveals that a staggering 11.6% of the world’s ocean shipping capacity is being lost to port delays.

January 2022 saw a record high in missing vessel capacity as 13.7% of the world fleet was “not available”. This dropped in February 2022 to 11.6%

Sea-Intelligence...

https://www.shippingaustralia.com.au/port-congestion-absorbs-11-6-of-the-world-fleet/

Who wants to own a trucking company? Retailers are starting to line up

Retailers looking to buy trucking assets

BJ’s Wholesale Clubs. American Eagle Outfitters. Ashley Furniture. They are among a growing trend of retailers buying up transportation and logistics assets.

Over the last four decades, trucking capacity was generally plentiful and retailers were more than happy to outsource it, explained  Gary Petty, president of the National Private Truck Council (NPTC). Freight rates were low and there was no shortage of “bottom-feeder carriers” willing to haul items cheaply. 

“Companies could pick and choose...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/supply-chain-crisis-drives-more-retailers-to-buy-logistics-and-trucking-firms

Viewpoint: TCA and the FREIGHT Act

On Nov. 19, TCA voiced its public support for Sen. Roger Wicker’s (R-MS) new legislation, which makes an effort to identify and reduce the issues in the U.S. supply chain. The Facilitating Relief for Efficient Intermodal Gateways to Handle Transportation (FREIGHT) Act, S. 3262, would improve the efficient movement of freight at ports across the country and would advance other efforts to codify regulatory flexibility to help with the current supply chain crunch.

As we’ve experienced throughout...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/viewpoint-tca-and-the-freight-act

Just in case: Port crisis could alter logistics landscape forever

Much has been written about the backlog of container ships off the U.S. West Coast, but even when that situation eases, the supply chain bottleneck that it created will still be felt well into next year.

It is the price a global economy pays for building ultra-efficient networks in which just-in-time inventory practices dominate the manufacturing and retail worlds. When it works correctly, just-in-time allows manufacturers and retailers to reduce inventory costs and still operate at optimum...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/just-in-case-port-crisis-could-alter-logistics-landscape-forever