Data shows US importers are walking the walk when it comes to sourcing diversification, slowly moving trade flows away from China and toward Vietnam, India, and South Korea, writes Journal of Commerce Executive Editor Mark Szakonyi.

Sourcing shift from China pulls US import share to more than a decade low

Senior Editor

Shippers saved less than in prior quarters on their intermodal contracts to close 2022, setting up a race to the bottom this year to keep freight on the rails. 

Intermodal contract savings fell in Q4 ahead of 2023 bids

Technology that connects and automates packages, trucks, and sorting facilities will come to the fore at UPS this year as the largest US logistics provider positions itself for an economic rebound.

UPS to sharpen focus on ‘smart’ technology in ‘bumpy’ 2023

Associate Editor

Norfolk Southern’s plan to bring more capacity to its international intermodal business this year has kicked off with new cranes enabling the stacking of marine containers at its Austell ramp in Georgia. 

 

Norfolk Southern adds to Southeast intermodal capacity with new cranes 

Carriers have entered 2023 with too much supply and not enough demand on the Asia-Europe trade, with rates continuing their downward spiral through January.

Asia-Europe spot rates soften to pre-pandemic levels 

The Port of Savannah says plans for additional reefer rack capacity will add to its market share for cold chain imports coming into the US Southeast and Gulf Coast.  

Savannah aims for more cold-chain cargo with new reefer racks 

A classification system that considers the full requirements and costs of service providers, and is constantly being adapted to new realities, is the best system available, writes the vice president of classification for the National Motor Freight Traffic Association.

Why the NMFC system has stood the test of time

While a few carriers such as ABF Freight and FedEx Freight have rolled out dimensional pricing, and others have expressed the desire to do so, they have largely overlooked the reasons for shippers’ reluctance to switch to dimensional rates.

Surface

Time to wean the LTL industry off the NMFC model 

Senior Technology Editor

Scrutiny over Flexport’s job cuts earlier this month points to a long-term issue for the venture-backed logistics company: a perceived lack of identity in a market that has long been skeptical of its differentiation.

Big Flexport layoffs offer potential clue to its future identity 

Even as weak economic conditions prevail during the annual service contract negotiating cycle, it does not automatically mean shippers will be driving the hardest possible bargains with newly vulnerable carriers. 

Ocean shippers may ‘pay up’ for secure capacity despite weak market

With an increased focus by importers on geopolitics and “friend-shoring,” carriers are shifting an increasing volume of deep-sea vessel capacity away to Vietnam — and away from China.

Vietnam sees surge in deep-sea vessel capacity amid trade sourcing shift

Shippers are generally willing to share in the cost of reducing carbon emissions, but they worry a lack of transparency in pass-through charges could allow shipping lines to continue burning fossil fuels.

Pass-through fees could disincentivize carriers from decarbonizing: shippers 

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Sourcing shift from China pulls US import share to more than a decade low

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