Freight
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Lamb Weston reports higher transport costs after pivot to spot trucking
The company usually relies more on rail for moving inventory from factories to distribution centers, but changes in production schedules necessitated a more flexible transportation option.
By Matt Leonard • April 09, 2021 -
Ever Given, general average and why shippers will share the costs of a ship's rescue
Shippers are in for a lengthy and complicated process to collect cargo and provide documentation to adjusters.
By Matt Leonard • April 08, 2021 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Adeline Kon/Supply Chain DiveTrendlineThe Supply Chain Dive Outlook on 2021
The early parts of 2021 reveal a continuation of 2020's trends, making it clear the pandemic will affect the supply chain ecosystem long term.
By Supply Chain Dive staff -
Cascading effects of Texas winter storm bump up spot rates
Spring is here, and the polar vortex of mid-February is in the rearview mirror. But impacts on the spot market linger.
By Jim Stinson • April 07, 2021 -
Tight trucking capacity won't ease until later in 2021
The market has led to increases in freight spending, which was up nearly 17% YoY in February.
By Matt Leonard • April 06, 2021 -
Timeline: How the Suez Canal blockage unfolded across supply chains
The Ever Given was lodged in the canal for six days, blocking hundreds of ships from traversing the waterway.
By Matt Leonard • April 01, 2021 -
Deep Dive
Congested West Coast ports bring the heat to TL spot rates
Delayed off the coast of the Golden State are a mix of consumer and industrial needs that are likely to keep capacity tight and truckers busy.
By Jim Stinson • March 31, 2021 -
Retrieved from NASA on March 31, 2021
Walmart, H&M among retailers in US most exposed to Suez Canal disruptions
Construction and chemical companies are also expected to feel the impact, as more than 300 vessels wait to pass through the canal.
By Matt Leonard • March 31, 2021 -
Logistics costs eat into General Mills' margins
The company's CFO said he expects those increased expenses to abate once supply and demand even out and inventory levels are balanced.
By S.L. Fuller • March 30, 2021 -
The image by Axelspace Corporation is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Suez backlog starts moving, but port congestion expected to follow
Dozens of container ships missed ETAs at ports of call, and Maersk expects it to take a week to clear the backlog.
By Matt Leonard • March 30, 2021 -
Shippers assess impact to cargo as Ever Given is freed from Suez Canal
Ikea confirmed it has containers on ships waiting to pass through the Suez Canal and said it "will consider all supply options available to secure the availability of our products."
By Matt Leonard • March 29, 2021 -
Container ships steer toward longer route around Cape of Good Hope to avoid Suez Canal
A Friday attempt to refloat Ever Given was unsuccessful, the vessel's technical manager said, and one analyst said the ship could be stuck for weeks.
By Matt Leonard • March 26, 2021 -
The image by Axelspace Corporation is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Ever Given and the Suez Canal: A list of affected ships and what delays mean for shippers
Carriers with hundreds of thousands of TEUs of cargo capacity are stuck, and when they move, port congestion will worsen.
By Matt Leonard • UPDATED: March 30, 2021 at 2:03 p.m. -
Schneider's plan to reduce carbon with focus on intermodal
Intermodal offers a road to sustainability, but it's a challenge for the speedy delivery consumers want and expect.
By Amanda Loudin • March 25, 2021 -
Nike's imports drop 39% amid port congestion, straining inventory
The YoY drop in February came after the retailer faced weeks-long delays, affecting the timing of wholesale shipments.
By Matt Leonard • March 24, 2021 -
Kansas City Southern, Canadian Pacific agree to $29B deal
The combined rail networks will create the first such service to stretch across Canada, the United States and Mexico.
By Matt Leonard • March 22, 2021 -
FedEx Express rates expected to remain elevated for next 12 months
The logistics company plans to increase the capacity of its Express network over the next year, putting seven parked planes back into operation and launching new services.
By Matt Leonard • March 19, 2021 -
Imports spike at ports across US, Hapag-Lloyd warns of terminal congestion
The Port of Los Angeles said dwell time is still too high, after slight improvements during the busiest February on record at the gateway.
By Matt Leonard • March 17, 2021 -
Congress takes on truck driver shortage, reboots bill to permit under-21s to haul interstate loads
Proponents of the DRIVE-Safe Act applaud its ability to bring young drivers into the workforce, but opponents express safety concerns.
By S.L. Fuller • March 16, 2021 -
Yeti tests Port Houston in bid to avoid congestion
Along with the port change, Yeti has also increased its use of cross-docking for its imports to help cut down on lead times and is exploring faster shipping lanes out of Southeast Asia.
By Matt Leonard • March 12, 2021 -
Big Lots to add 2 distribution centers to speed replenishment of palletized, big and bulky inventory
The retailer faces extended lead times with inventory stuck in-transit in a clogged ocean freight network.
By Matt Leonard • March 11, 2021 -
Deep Dive
A tumultuous year of ocean shipping prompts a rethink of contracts
Negotiations are taking place earlier than usual, with greater interest in two-way commitments and tiered pricing. But a focus on resiliency and capacity comes at a cost to shippers.
By Matt Leonard • March 10, 2021 -
Tight ocean market, extended lead times push shippers to airfreight
Air cargo demand has rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. But capacity remains down with many passenger planes grounded, and pricing is unstable.
By Matt Leonard • March 09, 2021 -
Knight-Swift focuses on drop trailers, pools to 'ebb and flow' in volatile market
Flexibility could help ease stressed supply chains, the CEO said. That's one reason the carrier is expanding its fleet of trailers, not tractors.
By S.L. Fuller • March 09, 2021 -
Foot Locker cites port congestion for nearly 24% drop in inventory
The retailer is working with its vendors to find alternative routings, and it expects its inventory position to improve this quarter, an executive said.
By Matt Leonard • March 08, 2021 -
FedEx to convert parcel fleet to EVs by 2040, eyeing a carbon neutral future
The announcement is part of a broader $2 billion investment focused on clean energy, carbon removal and electrification.
By A.B. Brown • March 05, 2021