Global Logistics Outlook: An Early Look at 2021

As the peak pre-holiday shipping season looms over US shippers, businesses are scrambling to secure capacity while trying to determine transportation spending plans for 2021. That’s an increasingly tall order in an uncertain economy and transportation market. How, for example, should freight stakeholders prepare for what many economists see as an inevitable slowdown in early 2021, even as freight volumes are likely to increase or at least hold steady through the end of this year and possibly until the Chinese New Year in early February? The likelihood for disruption, as 2020 showed, extends from international container trades, especially the trans-Pacific, to last-mile parcel delivery — the latter likely to face pressure through the fall, starting with the early Amazon Prime Day event in mid-October. Beyond that, the timing of a COVID-19 vaccine, followed by global distribution, not only will throw air cargo and refrigerated supply chains into turmoil but could be the trigger to ignite the next economic rally. And that’s not to mention the impact of November’s US general election, and what the results might mean for businesses up and down the supply chain.

This webcast, scheduled in the aftermath of the election and in the midst of unprecedented upheaval, will examine what the close of 2020 will look like, and take an early gaze at 2021.

Chris Brooks, Director, Programming, JOC Events, Maritime & Trade, IHS Markit

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