Party City adopts new logistics practices to shorten lead times

The strategies include leasing containers and chartering ships.

By Alejandra Carranza • March 15, 2022

Shenzhen lockdowns to further shock supply chains

Some companies have already suspended operations as coronavirus restrictions hit one of China's prominent manufacturing and port cities.

By Colin Campbell • March 14, 2022

Ocean carriers, ports want to grow the South Atlantic Chassis Pool

A rise in volumes has the ports looking for ways to expand equipment availability and improve efficiency. Their plan is to give the pool manager more control. 

By Colin Campbell • March 9, 2022

Size matters: How Walmart and Target dominated amid disruption, inflation

Both retailers leaned on their scale to get goods on shelves and keep prices low, at least relative to the industry. 

By Ben Unglesbee • March 8, 2022

Weber: Ocean shipping rates 'four times historical averages'

The outdoor cooking products maker is resorting to the spot market and is paying up to $16,000 on average per container.

By Alejandra Carranza • March 8, 2022

Maersk, CMA CGM and Hapag-Lloyd asked to provide rate information to US lawmakers

Carriers are under scrutiny as ocean rates for shipments from Asia have climbed 204% YoY for the West Coast, according to Freightos.

By Alejandra Carranza • March 7, 2022

Northwest Seaport Alliance joins Port of Long Beach efforts to digitize data

The ports of Seattle and Tacoma will take part in the Supply Chain Information Highway, an initiative that aims to use data to improve efficiencies.

By Alejandra Carranza • March 4, 2022

FMC, Justice Department pledge to share resources, enforce competition in ocean shipping

"I'm not saying there's collusion, but it's not competitive enough," said a speaker at the Transpacific Maritime conference. 

By Alejandra Carranza • March 1, 2022

Freight forwarders warm up to the idea of shipper-owned containers

Container xChange found 18% more freight forwarders were willing to transport a shipper-owned container than in years past.

By Alejandra Carranza • Feb. 25, 2022

Russia's invasion of Ukraine throws another wrench into supply chains

Carriers are halting operations and suppliers are at risk. War is "a worst-case scenario," one analyst said.

By Colin Campbell • Feb. 24, 2022

Shipping delays prevent iRobot from fulfilling $35M in Q4 orders

The Roomba maker must help sell delayed products in early 2022, but inventory reduction efforts are likely to be met by extended shipping timeframes.

By Max Garland • Feb. 22, 2022

Truck, rail and empties: Efforts to clear congestion at Port of Los Angeles pick up speed

To further improve cargo flow, the port is also seeking to boost truck gate and on-dock rail usage.

By Colin Campbell • Feb. 18, 2022

Tracking the shift to 24/7 supply chains

The San Pedro Bay ports could continue to dangle the threat of a container dwell fee through this summer.

Retail supply chains were made to be broken. Will brands adapt — or revert?

The past two years have laid bare vulnerabilities that have long existed in the system, including a lack of capacity and geographic concentration in manufacturing.

By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 11, 2022

Shippers plan for disruptions from Lunar New Year: survey

A majority of companies ordered early as the holiday is expected to lengthen transit times and raise freight costs, according to Container xChange.

By Alejandra Carranza • Jan. 31, 2022

California drought dried up avocado supply in 2021: supplier

Some companies imported more due to low harvests. But port congestion and shipping delays presented new challenges — including product spoilage.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Jan. 20, 2022

FedEx taps 3 charter vessels to start congestion bypass service

The ships are loaded with 53-foot containers carrying goods from shippers looking to avoid bottlenecks at San Pedro Bay ports.

By Max Garland • Jan. 19, 2022

Zim offers incentives for container pickup at Port of Los Angeles

It's another example of an ocean shipping company paying truckers to pick up laden cargo.

By Edwin Lopez • Jan. 12, 2022

Dole seeks acquisitions, sourcing shifts to grow produce supply

The company is focusing on growing its presence in high-selling categories like berries and avocados as it navigates supply disruptions to other products. 

By Sarah Zimmerman • Jan. 5, 2022

Ikea doubles automation projects as store fulfillment grows

More than half of the store's volumes were fulfilled from stores in FY21, according to an Ikea franchisee.

By Colin Campbell • Jan. 5, 2022

Diversifying production, suppliers helped companies stock shelves in 2021

As facility shutdowns and other disruptions caused shortages, many firms found new manufacturing and sourcing partners.

By Colin Campbell • Dec. 23, 2021

Chartered ships emerged in 2021 as a way to get around congestion

Home Depot, Costco and Walmart were among the businesses which leased ships to take control of their supply chains.

By Alejandra Carranza • Dec. 23, 2021

Maersk to acquire Li & Fung's logistics unit for $3.6B

The deal will grow Maersk's global warehouse footprint to more than 100 million square feet.

By Edwin Lopez • Dec. 22, 2021

Maersk to manage Unilever's ocean and air transport via control tower

The goal of the partnership is three-fold: to improve visibility across Unilever's supply chain, to boost efficiency and to cut down on emissions.

By Shefali Kapadia • Dec. 16, 2021

How regulators stepped up to address congested ports and supply chains in 2021

Long lines of waiting ships and stacks of containers at West Coast ports drew attention from the White House.

By Shefali Kapadia • Dec. 16, 2021