10 disruptions that rocked supply chains in 2021

Companies scrambled to adjust operations as they contended with a protracted pandemic, severe weather and the trapped Ever Given in another difficult year for supply chains.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 15, 2021

Historic lows in ocean carrier reliability leave shippers looking for alternatives

Space for LCL shipments is more often readily available, but shippers still have to battle port congestion. 

By Alejandra Carranza • Dec. 8, 2021

FedEx will sell space on empty container imports as a congestion-bypass service

Shippers can cut 20 days' worth of transit time port-to-port, FedEx Logistics CEO Udo Lange said.

By Max Garland • Dec. 6, 2021

Allbirds boosts inventories by 55% due to long lead times, high demand

The shoe and apparel company has relied on careful planning, secondary sourcing and regional diversification to keep product flowing.

By Colin Campbell • Dec. 2, 2021

The problem with chartering a ship: Break bulk is a lost art

Break bulk is doable for large, well-capitalized companies, but there's no guarantee they'll achieve lower freight costs than using carriers, a Xeneta executive writes. 

By Katherine Barrios • Dec. 1, 2021

Walmart sees 51% increase in throughput at Southern California ports after Biden's shift to 24/7

Retailers brought a holiday wish list of additional supply chain actions to a White House meeting.

By Colin Campbell • Nov. 30, 2021

Fresh fruit and vegetable supply threatened by rising disruptions

Producers are confronting higher costs, fertilizer shortages and inconsistent deliveries. In some cases, it's leading to food spoilage.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 18, 2021

Empty containers become a focal point in push to ease Los Angeles port congestion

The port is encouraging shipping lines and marine terminal operators to receive as many empties as possible to make space for loaded cargo. 

By Edwin Lopez • Nov. 17, 2021

New guidelines limit the number of ships crowding San Pedro Bay ports

"No, this is not going to speed things up on shore," said Kip Louttit, executive director of the Marine Exchange of Southern California.

By Edwin Lopez • Nov. 12, 2021

'It's already paying off': Biden boasts about 24/7 port operations

The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, whose maritime traffic jams have become emblematic of snarled supply chains, have already seen reduced vessel dwell times, the president said.

By Colin Campbell • Nov. 11, 2021

Port delays across the US double in-transit inventory times for Columbia Sportswear

The brand is encountering the bulk of its logistics issues in the U.S., as deliveries in Canada and Europe "have been much more timely," CEO Tim Boyle said.

By Max Garland • Nov. 8, 2021

Schneider grows container fleet with the help of a chartered ship

The carrier added 1,600 intermodal containers in Q3 and expects to add at least another 1,600 in Q4, the CEO said.

By S.L. Fuller • Nov. 5, 2021

Mattel nearshores manufacturing to bypass port bottlenecks during peak

For imported products, the toymaker locked in ocean freight capacity and rates well in advance of the holiday season.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 4, 2021

Maersk buys Senator International, advancing its air cargo ambitions

The supply chain service provider is expanding its air fleet via a combination of acquisitions, charters and newly built aircraft.

By Edwin Lopez • Updated June 2, 2022

Seeking sustainability: Companies recognized for protecting blue whales and blue skies

Vessel Speed Reduction program contributes to sustainable maritime shipping.

By Protecting Blue Whales & Blue Skies • Nov. 1, 2021

Golden Week slowdowns provided little relief to shipping rates, congested ports

Shippers and forwarders are exploring solutions such as LCL, alternative ports and air charters. 

By Alejandra Carranza • Oct. 29, 2021

Hasbro hit by supply chain woes as $100M in orders go unfilled

Shipping costs and delays weighed on the toy maker as supply chains continue to struggle to get goods into the U.S.

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 28, 2021

In bid to free space, San Pedro Bay ports will charge ocean carriers fees for lingering containers

The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach decided to delay implementing the fees until at least Nov. 22 after seeing a 26% drop in "aging cargo."

By Edwin Lopez • Updated Nov. 15, 2021

Legislators propose federal office to manage supply chain crises

A new bill would create the Office of Supply Chain Resiliency and Crisis Response to monitor and respond to disruptions.

By Colin Campbell • Oct. 18, 2021

7 challenges lie ahead for the Port of LA to support 24/7 supply chains

The goal is to transition quickly to round-the-clock operations, but "it's not a single lever we can pull today to open up all the gates," the Port of Los Angeles' Gene Seroka said.

By Edwin Lopez • Oct. 15, 2021

East Coast port volumes rise as some importers avoid West Coast congestion

Delays at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have sent importers looking for other options, but that is leading to congestion at East Coast ports, said Judah Levine, head of research at Freightos, in an emailed analysis.

By Max Garland • Oct. 11, 2021

Coca-Cola thinks 'outside the box,' books bulk vessels to ship supplies

Using three bulk vessels, Coca-Cola is moving 2,800 TEUs of material to keep production lines running across the world. 

By Alejandra Carranza • Oct. 6, 2021

'We're going to see a lot of bare shelves': Retail preps for a holiday beset by supply chain pain

Bottlenecks from factories to cargo ships mean less inventory and fewer discounts for the season.

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 5, 2021

Delayed exports clog the wood pulp, toilet paper supply chain

Purchase limits at Costco and Sam's Club have more to do with raw material delays than a renewed run on toilet paper, one expert said.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Sept. 30, 2021

Costco to charter 7 vessels for Transpacific routes

The vessels will provide Costco with about a quarter of its annual needs on the trade lane.

By Alejandra Carranza • Updated March 15, 2022