Shippers trying to secure air freight in recent weeks have found themselves caught in an unexpected rate hike and capacity crunch, as rates doubled and even tripled, particularly for cargo passing through Europe or Asia. The holidays are over, but industry leaders are confident that higher rates are here to stay, fueled by the demands […]
In recent months, while most Americans have been distracted by an exhausting and embittered news cycle, the Chinese government has been extending its reach throughout the globe in an unprecedented bid to reshape the world economy according to its own values and ambitions. In launching its “One Belt, One Road” initiative, China is pouring over […]
In recent months, China has taken an unexpectedly hard line in enforcing its anti-pollution policies, shuttering thousands of factories and sending shockwaves through the global supply chain. According to JOC, over 18,000 factories have already been ordered to close since the start of the crackdown, and that number could grow much larger as inspectors begin […]
Three weeks after Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico, the island remains devastated, with the vast majority of residents without electricity, and many without access to clean drinking water, medicine, or food. The situation has brought several logistical issues to the forefront of public consciousness, as Americans struggle to understand why the United States […]
2017’s punishing (and still unfinished) hurricane season is tightening freight capacity and driving up spot rates throughout the US, altering the shipping landscape in ways that are likely to last as long as the massive rebuilding effort from Harvey and Irma. The far-ranging impact of the storms, combined with the looming ELD mandate and high […]
A truck skids on a patch of ice. A container ship jettisons cargo during a storm. Dock workers in a far-distant port go on strike. Even in the most well-managed supply chain, events like these are sometimes unavoidable, but cargo insurance is what determines whether they are minor setbacks or major catastrophes. Unfortunately, misconceptions and […]
This month, Bangladesh’s finance minister announced plans to construct a floating terminal to alleviate the congestion that is crippling Chittagong, the country’s largest port. The concept is one of several bold steps the Bangladeshi government, private sector, and regional allies are considering to eliminate the bottleneck that is threatening Bangladesh’s burgeoning economy and costing shippers […]
Relationships are the foundation of a well-functioning supply chain, but when it comes to relationships between shippers and carriers, there is often room for improvement. For years, friction between carriers and shippers has simply been the status quo, but major changes to the logistics landscape mean that it’s more important than ever that both parties […]
Expanding a business internationally can seem like a daunting prospect in the best of times, and especially in 2017. Brexit, American political unrest, and a growing strain of economic nationalism have created an uncertain outlook for global trade, but these factors alone should not deter businesses from pursuing expansion. The rise of e-commerce, sophisticated data […]