Freight

Supply chain bottlenecks prompt FMC investigation into container movement

U.S. exporters have witnessed containers leave empty on ocean carriers before having the chance to load them with cargo. 

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 23, 2020

Air cargo shippers navigate a turbulent year

Parked passenger planes resulted in a drop in belly capacity at a time when quick shipments were desperately needed for personal protective equipment. 

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 20, 2020

Imports flood Southern California warehouses, Port of LA plans incentive for dual transactions

Dwell times at terminals and for warehouse space have doubled, according to Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka.

By Shefali Kapadia • Nov. 19, 2020

Maersk expects higher contract rates to follow uptick in spot prices

The container line's volume declined in all trade lanes except voyages into North America, highlighting the unequal recovery taking place worldwide.

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 19, 2020

Restocking is 'alive and well,' giving intermodal its best month ever

Intermodal volume was up 10% YoY in October and saw strong numbers in the first two weeks of November.

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 18, 2020

Deep Dive

Dole, Amazon settle in as logistics infrastructure in Wilmington, Delaware, builds up and out

The Small Wonder's largest city offers close access to customers and labor but lower land prices than many of the surrounding markets. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Nov. 17, 2020

Is Amazon Air making Cincinnati a supply chain hub for small business?

The e-tailer's revved-up presence in the area has spurred developments that are expanding infrastructure and logistics resources.

By A.B. Brown • Nov. 17, 2020

Transport America dedicates more TL capacity to shippers

The TFI subsidiary expects the move to help with driver retention, as irregular routes often bring unprofitable backhauls or deadheading.

By Jim Stinson • Nov. 16, 2020

DHL raises parcel prices for customers across the board

The carrier plans to bake surcharges into underlying price for parcel, as it restructures pricing for the new year. 

By A.B. Brown • Nov. 13, 2020

How COVID-19 amplified the importance of the cold chain

Months of demand tested the cold chain, from keeping food supply chains flowing to developing distribution strategies for a coronavirus vaccine.

By A.B. Brown • Nov. 13, 2020

What we know about Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine distribution plan

The pharmaceutical company plans to ship vials directly from manufacturing plant to point of vaccination in a supply chain model it described as flexible and just in time.

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 11, 2020

Column

Patent Pending: Target's plan to simulate supply chain flow

Supply chain innovators apply to patent what they see as important tools for the future. Sometimes they're brilliant. Sometimes they're funny.

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 10, 2020

Airfreight rates climb as peak nears

Rates between China/Hong Kong and the United States increased by nearly 46% between Oct. 12 and Nov. 9 to reach $7.40 per kilogram, which is more than double the rate during the same time last year.

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 09, 2020

Tracking the speed, dwell and cars of Class I railroads

This dashboard shows the average speed, dwell time and cars online for all of the Class I railroads operating in the United States.

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 06, 2020

XPO: Early peak boosts last mile, supply chain outsourcing

Revenue for the 3PL's logistics business grew 5% YoY, which it credited to e-commerce growth and omnichannel fulfillment.

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 06, 2020

Deep Dive

So you want to reduce your supply chain emissions

Walmart’s journey to a robust scope 3 emissions program reveals a shift in the way sustainability advocates see the supply chain and the urgency with which companies need to address it.

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 05, 2020

Carriers talk of adding capacity as tight trucking market continues to raise rates

Shippers could see their freight costs go up — if they haven't already — as they wait for new capacity to enter the market.

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 05, 2020

US Class I railroads prioritize PSR, efficiency at the expense of service

When intermodal volume came flooding back in Q3, railroads made trains longer. But results for the quarter show that's not necessarily a recipe for good service.

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 04, 2020

Tight logistics capacity erodes shipper-carrier trust

Carriers are telling shippers to look elsewhere for capacity as trucks juggle the spike in volume with customer service.

By S.L. Fuller • Oct. 30, 2020

Fleets take the lanes less traveled as warehouse locations sprout

Spot rates are rising on routes once safely considered backhauls in the face of an e-commerce surge.

By Jim Stinson • Oct. 29, 2020

Norfolk Southern works to woo shippers with 'truck-like' offerings

Norfolk Southern specifically highlighted its recent joint venture, Rail Pulse, which is an effort to improve rail visibility by increasing the use of telematics.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 29, 2020

DHL Express anticipates 50% volume increase for peak

The carrier is prepping for shipper demands during peak by adding cargo flights, aircraft and thousands of employees.

By A.B. Brown • Oct. 28, 2020

Ocean carriers add 'unprecedented' capacity on Transpacific

Consumer spending is driving high trade volume in the back half of 2020, but it's not clear how long this will last as unemployment levels remain elevated.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 28, 2020

Maersk partners with COVID-19 vaccine developer on distribution plan

A variety of factors make vaccine distribution a difficult undertaking — ranging from temperature requirements to the tight capacity in the freight market.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 27, 2020

Deep Dive

How BMW turned Spartanburg, South Carolina, into a supply chain hub

The automaker approached the state and Norfolk Southern with a plan for an inland port that's now used by shippers from Adidas to John Deere.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 27, 2020