11 Dec 2024

Retailers Sound Alarm: January Port Strikes Could Paralyze Supply Chains

Retailers and major trade associations are calling on East Coast and Gulf Coast port operators and unions to resume negotiations to prevent potential strike action when a temporary labor contract expires in January. The contract, established in October between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) following three days of strikes, […]

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10 Dec 2024

ILA, USMX Disagree Over Semi-Automated Cranes

  The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) remain locked in a stalemate over the implementation of semi-automated rail-mounted gantry cranes (RMGs). After an October 2024 three-day strike, the two sides agreed to extend their master contract deadline to January 15, 2025, in hopes of resolving the dispute. However, recent […]

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06 Dec 2024

Tariffs and Trade Barriers: Top Threats Reshaping Global Supply Chains

A survey conducted by Descartes Systems Group reveals that rising tariffs and trade barriers are the primary concerns for global supply chain leaders. According to the 2024 Supply Chain Intelligence Report: Escalating Challenges for Global Supply Chain Leaders, 48% of respondents cited these issues as their top challenge, followed by supply chain disruptions (45%) and […]

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27 Nov 2024

Trump’s Labor Nominee Splits Opinions: Backed by Longshoremen, Criticized by Truckers

The logistics industry is divided over President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer as the next U.S. Secretary of Labor. While unions like the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the Teamsters applaud her pro-worker stance, trucking groups express concern over her opposition to the widely used owner-operator driver model. The ILA praised Chavez-DeRemer for […]

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28 Oct 2024

Air Cargo Follows the Money: Capacity Shifts Ahead of Holiday Rush

As China’s Golden Week holiday disruptions wind down, airlines are shifting more capacity to high-demand routes between Asia Pacific and North America, preparing for the busy Christmas season. According to the U.S. National Retail Federation (NRF), holiday consumer spending is projected to increase by 2.5% to 3.5% over last year, with e-commerce expected to grow […]

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23 Oct 2024

Global Trade Feels the Shockwaves from ILA Strike, Analysts Warn

The recent three-day strike by dockworkers at East and Gulf coast ports may have ended quickly, but its effects will be felt in global trade for weeks to come. Lars Jensen, CEO of Vespucci Maritime and container shipping analyst for the Journal of Commerce, warned Thursday that shippers should brace for a delayed reduction in […]

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21 Oct 2024

Rail Delays Soar as LA-LB Ports Hit Record Import Highs in September

  In September, rail container dwell times at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach hit their highest levels in two years as the ports experienced a surge in import volumes from Asia. This spike is partially attributed to retailers redirecting cargo from the East and Gulf coasts due to a looming longshore strike. […]

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18 Oct 2024

Global Ripple Effects of ILA Strike

    The recent three-day strike by dockworkers at East and Gulf Coast ports is set to cause a delayed reduction in capacity on certain trade lanes and may impact cargo frontloading ahead of a possible work stoppage in January, according to container shipping analyst Lars Jensen. Although the strike lasted only from October 1-3, […]

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08 Oct 2024

Hurricane Double Blow Shakes US Trucking Market, Driving Spot Rates Higher

Truckload spot rates across the southeastern U.S. are rising sharply in response to back-to-back hurricanes. After Hurricane Helene ravaged parts of Florida to North Carolina, the trucking market experienced significant disruption. Now, as Hurricane Milton approaches the Gulf Coast of Florida, spot rates are climbing even higher. Last week saw nationwide increases in spot rates […]

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04 Oct 2024

Ports Reopen: ILA End Strike with Wage Offer, Contract Extension.

  After weeks of contentious negotiations, maritime employers and the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) have reached a tentative deal to reopen container terminals at East and Gulf coast ports. The agreement includes a substantial wage increase for dockworkers and a three-month contract extension while formal negotiations continue. The breakthrough, announced Thursday evening, comes after the […]

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