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Supply Chain

News and analysis of supply chain strategies, sourcing, trends

The latest Supply Chain News & Analysis

WiseTech continues acquisition campaign with $414 million Blume purchase

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Feb 16, 2023, 9:09 PM EST

WiseTech Global is doubling down on its reach into US intermodal networks with its $414 million purchase of Blume Global three weeks after acquiring drayage tech provider Envase.
Logistics technologyMaritimeForwardingInternational railIntermodal providers

Acquisition spree continues despite downshift in container shipping bull run

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor | Feb 16, 2023, 10:26 AM EST

The container shipping industry’s profit margins are easing, but the appetite for acquisitions — from air cargo units to last-mile delivery logistics — isn’t letting up, writes Journal of Commerce Executive Editor Mark Szakonyi.
Container shippingContainer linesMarine terminalsAir cargo carriersSupply ChainLast mile

Top container lines commit to complete shift to electronic bills of lading by 2030

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Feb 15, 2023, 7:00 AM EST

Major container lines have agreed to an ambitious 2030 deadline to migrate from paper bills of lading to digital versions as resistance to such initiatives weakens.
Container shippingContainer linesLogistics technologyTransport, trade and regulation

Ex-Slync CEO Kirchner charged with defrauding investors of millions

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Feb 14, 2023, 4:49 PM EST

Federal authorities allege ex-Slync CEO Chris Kirchner took millions of dollars meant to fund the startup technology company and instead financed extravagant personal expenditures.
Logistics technologyForwarding

FMC judge ruling on chassis will have major impact, but questions linger

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | Feb 10, 2023, 3:24 PM EST

A decision by an FMC administrative judge on chassis usage will shake up the way chassis are provisioned for ocean containers, but there are several unknowns on what the future will look like at ports and rail hubs.
Container linesContainer shippingNorth American portsDrayageTransport, trade and regulation

US DOT says ports can tap $662 million in 2023 grants

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Feb 9, 2023, 12:12 PM EST

The US Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration is on the hunt for port projects that mitigate climate change, among other aims, as it lays out grant funding opportunities for 2023.
Transport, trade and regulationNorth American ports

Flexport debuts Shopify app in move to target small importers

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Feb 9, 2023, 9:57 AM EST

A new Flexport app on Shopify’s partner marketplace is likely to be the first of many initiatives between the forwarder and e-commerce storefront provider.
Logistics technologyForwarding

3PL Echo moves to expand LTL business with new executive hires

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Feb 8, 2023, 1:24 PM EST

Primarily an industrial transportation sector, the LTL business is moving into retail and is also becoming more involved in transloading at US port cities. 
TruckingTruckloadLTLLogistics technology

Increased vessel capacity, reliability key to 2023 reefer rebound

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Feb 8, 2023, 12:30 PM EST

Refrigerated container trade was muted in 2022 due to high costs and poor service, but ocean carriers appear keen to serve those markets in 2023 now that dry cargo rates have returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Cool CargoesContainer shippingNorth American ports

Overhaul acquisition consolidates freight risk management market

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Feb 7, 2023, 9:00 AM EST

Freight visibility provider Overhaul has acquired a competitor that doubles its size and gives it deeper cargo monitoring capability in Brazil, Mexico, and Central Europe.
Logistics technologyContainer shippingTruckingAir Cargo

FMC order for MSC to justify congestion fee marks first under OSRA-22

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Feb 6, 2023, 2:47 PM EST

The Federal Maritime Commission has exercised its first use of new legal authority under OSRA-22 requiring an ocean carrier to justify the reason behind levying a congestion surcharge against a shipper.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer shipping

US retailers’ global sourcing strategy will take time to develop: analysts

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Feb 3, 2023, 3:32 PM EST

As the size of China’s workforce declines and production challenges increase, US retailers are shifting to global sourcing strategies, with each sector looking for the business model that meets its particular requirements.
MaritimeContainer shippingTrans-PacificInternational portsTransport, trade and regulation

US transport providers lose fewer jobs than expected in January

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Feb 3, 2023, 2:44 PM EST

Courier, trucking, and warehousing firms lost workers last month, but the seasonal surge and purge was more muted than expected, reflecting broader labor market resilience.
SurfaceTrucking laborIndustrial real estate

End of 2M Alliance will set dominoes in motion across ocean shipping: analyst

Lars Jensen, CEO & Partner, Vespucci Maritime, and JOC Analyst | Feb 3, 2023, 9:56 AM EST

The announced dissolution of the 2M Alliance raises the question of what additional large-scale dominoes might be toppling over in the next few years in the container shipping sector, writes analyst Lars Jensen.
MaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesTransport, trade and regulation

US ‘freight recession’ putting motor carrier financing tools to the test

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Feb 3, 2023, 9:03 AM EST

Smaller US truckload carriers and the companies that provide them with access to working capital are under increasing pressure as cargo demand slows.
Logistics technologyTruckingTruckload

New IMO rules force global reefer fleet to confront uncertain future

Richard Bright, JOC analyst | Feb 3, 2023, 8:00 AM EST

The specialized reefer fleet has proven to be remarkably resilient in the face of various challenges, but now it must deal with the latest threat in the form of new IMO environmental regulations.
MaritimeCool Cargoes

C.H. Robinson reaffirms commitment to global forwarding business

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Feb 2, 2023, 3:25 PM EST

The largest US logistics provider claims “compelling results” from cross-selling surface transportation and air and ocean services, despite weak market conditions.
Supply ChainMaritimeTruckingAir Cargo

Rapid container rate decline complicates payment picture for shippers

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Feb 2, 2023, 12:07 PM EST

US importers that renegotiated contract rates or shifted to the spot market in the second half of 2022 have also had to adjust to different accessorial charges and transmission formats.
Logistics technologyContainer shippingContainer lines

Freightify lands funding to target digital rate management in North America

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Feb 2, 2023, 1:00 AM EST

Technology provider Freightify is aiming to empower forwarders to build an online quoting presence that would lessen their reliance on rate marketplaces.
Logistics technologyForwarding

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

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Jan 31, 2023, 4:31 PM EST

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.
SurfaceTruckingAir CargoSupply Chain