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

Supply chain cities on the rise

Large populations, inland infrastructure, ports and advantageous tax codes can bring shippers and carriers knocking, putting cities on the fast track to logistics hub status.

Updated Nov. 17, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Supply Chain Dive

Here’s how companies are navigating evolving global trade and tariff policies, rising costs and operational uncertainty across supply chain networks.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

Why carrier data is key to solving intermodal's visibility issues

Recent research stresses the importance of data availability and quality. But a panel of experts said carriers aren't always willing to share.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 23, 2020

CSX nabs intermodal shippers from tight trucking market, says it has room to grow

The railroad's network may have been squeezed by the recent unpredictability — as seen in the slower speeds and longer dwell time — but it assured analysts it still has plenty of capacity.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 22, 2020

Knight-Swift: Shippers seek early contract commitments

Constrained TL capacity and high demand for inventory replenishment will lead to low double-digit contract rate increases in 2021, executives said.

By Jim Stinson • Oct. 21, 2020

NFI responds to logistics demand with plans to add 5,000 new hires

Carriers and 3PLs scramble to have consumer goods stocked as warehousing sets record employment levels.

By Jim Stinson • Oct. 15, 2020

Truck vs. train: Which has the upper hand as spot rates soar?

Shippers consider lead times and freight types when selecting over-the-road, rail or intermodal.

By Jim Stinson • Oct. 15, 2020

DSV adds China-Europe trucking route as air, ocean alternative

The logistics provider anticipates higher freight demand and longer air transit times during peak season.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 14, 2020

Spot rates, LTL volumes rise with e-commerce demand

Smaller shipments of goods, parcels and a large consumer appetite have rates going up, even as overall volumes tick down.

By Jim Stinson • Oct. 9, 2020

FMC investigates claims ocean carriers are unfairly billing 3PLs, forwarders, brokers

The inquiry will examine the use of the term "merchant" on bills of lading and who is responsible for paying detention, demurrage and other charges.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 8, 2020

Patent Pending: Toyota's plan to manage autonomous cross docking

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 • Oct. 8, 2020

Sysco tests Daimler electric truck as private fleets embrace low-emissions transport

The food distributor will test Daimler's Freightliner eCascadia for regional trips around San Francisco.

By Jim Stinson • Oct. 8, 2020

KeepTruckin partners with Uber Freight, brokers on real-time visibility

Carriers can choose to share their KeepTruckin location data with brokers who can then access it for the length of the trip and relay the information to shippers.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 6, 2020

Telematics firm Transflo buys Microdea as shippers demand digital documentation

The acquisition allows Transflo to process more data from shippers, carriers and 3PLs, which feeds into its artificial intelligence system.

By Jim Stinson • Oct. 6, 2020

Surge in imports congests West Coast ports, leads to calls for more dual transactions

Vessel delays, extra loaders, chassis shortages, limitations in appointment windows, increased dwell time for local cargo and a stretched drayage market have caused some of the issues, C.H. Robinson said in an advisory.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 5, 2020

UK government warns of 7K lorry lines at ports after break from EU

Anywhere from 40% to 70% of trucks traveling to the EU won't be ready on the first day after the transition, according to estimates.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 24, 2020

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

Coca-Cola, Land O'Lakes say collaboration is key to reducing empty miles

At CSCMP Edge, Land O'Lakes Senior Director of Logistics Dustin Braun said technology to help shippers collaborate and reduce empty miles needs to provide visibility. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Sept. 22, 2020

CH Robinson launches freight procurement tool to provide annual bid alternatives

Procure IQ will look at a shipper's freight network and the density of the lanes in which they're moving to determine if contracts, the spot market or another procurement method is a more appropriate move.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 22, 2020

ACT Research: Spot rates up 30% as shippers fight for trucking space

Customers have approached carriers such as Knight-Swift and U.S. Xpress offering higher rates to secure space in the tight market.

By S.L. Fuller • Sept. 17, 2020

Hurricane Sally douses east-west throughways as it makes landfall in Alabama

Because Sally is slow-moving, the taper after landfall could last several days, and the bounce back may be delayed by recent storms Laura and Marco. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Updated Sept. 16, 2020

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

Uber Freight enters enterprise software game, extending visibility to loads off the platform

Uber Freight has spent much of the last year partnering with TMS providers, but its Link product may put the company in competition with those players. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Sept. 8, 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. 4, 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. 4, 2020