Regulation

Ocean carriers seek dismissal of ATA's FMC chassis complaint

The group argues the FMC does not have jurisdiction and says the Shipping Act of 1984 — which the original complaint is based on — is meant to protect shippers, not motor carriers.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 23, 2020

August import volume swells above 2019 levels as retailers restock, prep for holidays

High import volume is expected to continue going into September, and the next six months are expected to be stronger than the previous six months.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 17, 2020

Law firms urge importers to sue for China tariff refunds

U.S. importers could see financial relief if the court grants a refund on list 3 tariffs, but the lawsuits may be a long shot.

By Shefali Kapadia • Sept. 17, 2020

AmCham: 71% of businesses have no plans to leave China despite souring trade relations

More than one in four companies believe the trade war will last indefinitely, according to a survey by the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai and PwC.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 14, 2020

Transpacific rates more than double, capacity constraints create 'nightmare' for shippers

"The supply chain is just jammed," said one shipping association executive, adding that the current environment has made procuring freight the hardest its been in his 40 years in the business.

By Matt Leonard • UPDATED: Sept. 11, 2020 at 1:30 p.m.

Deep Dive

The driver shortage: A big piece of the tight capacity puzzle

Retirements, hesitant drivers and career changes shrunk the workforce, contributing to market imbalances in the supply chain.

By Jim Stinson • Sept. 11, 2020

Pandemic complicates supplier audits, increases modern slavery risk in Asian manufacturing hubs

Verisk Maplecroft's Modern Slavery Index reveals extreme or high risk in manufacturing centers such as Bangladesh, China, Myanmar and India.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 09, 2020

FMCSA seeks comments on letting drivers under 21 haul interstate loads

Proponents of the change say it could help ease the driver shortage, while opponents have raised safety concerns.

By Jim Stinson • Sept. 04, 2020

FedEx opens Foreign Trade Zone in El Paso, Texas, as trade war and pandemic increase shipper interest

The deferral of duties is especially attractive as consumer demand for some items has dropped, allowing shippers to hold onto inventory without paying duties until demand returns.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 04, 2020

DOT plans funding boost, regulatory rollbacks in national freight strategy

To address chronic infrastructure challenges, the department plans to develop a way to identify bottlenecks across modes among other goals. 

By S.L. Fuller • Sept. 04, 2020

Amazon Prime Air gets FAA clearance for drone delivery on 'highly rural' test range

Amazon said drones will help realize 30-minute delivery and expects the current model to carry 85% of the products sold on its marketplace.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 01, 2020

FMCSA floats pilot on pausing 14-hour driving window

Part of the Split Duty Period Pilot Program would explore how often detention pauses occur and what effect they have on drivers. 

By S.L. Fuller • Aug. 31, 2020

Regulators warn Class I railroads on service issues, 'excessively late' trains

The railroads have renewed their commitment to precision scheduled railroading principles as volumes remain low compared to 2019.

By Morgan Forde • Aug. 26, 2020

ATA accuses ocean carriers, pool operators of 'sweetheart deal' and limiting chassis choice

The complaint filed with the Federal Maritime Commission claims ocean carriers get chassis at a cheaper rate than trucking companies, resulting in overcharges totaling "as much as $1.8 billion" over the last three years.

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 21, 2020

Stocked out: Why cleaning product supply chains struggle to meet demand

The disinfectant and cleaning product supply chain relies on a just-in-time approach, making it difficult to radically move the output meter in a short timeframe.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Aug. 20, 2020

'Made in China' order changes Hong Kong product labels, not tariffs

The labeling switch does not impact a product's tariff designation, but analysts said the "Made in China" label could have a negative effect on brand perception.

By Morgan Forde • Aug. 13, 2020

US reverses decision to reimpose aluminum tariffs on Canadian imports

The initial announcement to reinstate the 10% duties came as manufacturers faced a shortage of aluminum cans.

By Shefali Kapadia • UPDATED: Sept. 16, 2020 at 11:10 a.m.

US orders government to prioritize domestic drug supply chain

A directive announced by the president Thursday would require government agencies to buy certain "essential" drugs from factories in the U.S.

By Ben Fidler • Aug. 06, 2020

DHL adds Foreign Trade Zone in Texas with plans for 3 more

The locations allow shippers to reduce the cost associated with tariffs on imported goods or component parts.

By Matt Leonard • July 24, 2020

Deep Dive

Electronics supply chains are stuck between a pandemic and a trade war. Where do they go from here?

Shifting operations is a mammoth undertaking for the electronics industry due to China's specialized production capacities, co-location of key suppliers and economies of scale.

By Morgan Forde • July 23, 2020

MIT, CSCMP: 35% of companies lack supply chain sustainability goals

Social issues — child labor or slavery, worker welfare, etc. — received "far more" focus in companies' sustainability goals than environmental issues.

By Matt Leonard • July 20, 2020

FAA says airlines can clear seats for cargo as airfreight rates, new coronavirus cases rise

Airlines for America applied for the exemption to remove seats on May 6, arguing it was in the public interest that the planes be available to move essential cargo during the coronavirus pandemic.

By Matt Leonard • UPDATED: July 15, 2020 at 3:25 p.m.

FDA releases food safety blueprint that uses tech to bolster visibility, recall tracking

Tech-enabled traceability, data tools, modernization and strengthening safety culture are ways the agency believes foodborne illnesses can be reduced.

By Jessi Devenyns • July 14, 2020

Maersk acquires KGH Customs Services for $281M

Maersk has been open about its ambitions to expand into other parts of the supply chain, positing logistics sector growth as a main business objective.

By Matt Leonard • July 06, 2020

US government to crack down on supply chains linked to human rights abuses in Xinjiang

The Department of Homeland Security said it will take "increased enforcement action" against U.S. businesses contributing to forced labor and other human rights abuses in the region.

By Morgan Forde • July 02, 2020