Peak Season Overpacked
Peak Season Overpacked The unexpected surge in U.S. imports during the maritime peak season continues to surprise industry analysts, with container volumes up 20% year-over-year since mid-July. Despite economic concerns, consumer demand remains robust, sustained by shifts in purchasing behavior […]
Dangerous Debby
Dealing With Debby Tropical Storm Debby, which initially made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane, has significantly impacted the East Coast, particularly Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. The storm has resulted in catastrophic flooding, extensive port closures, and at least […]
Trucking Hitting its Low
Trucking Hitting its Low The trucking freight cycle has potentially reached its lowest point, with analysts noting nearly two years of negative year-over-year contract rates. Recent Q2 2024 data reveals improvements in dry van, reefer, and flatbed rates, signaling a […]
Fuel Costs Fluctuating
Fuel Costs Fluctuating The diesel market is getting weaker. The DOE/EIA’s main diesel price has gone down for three weeks in a row. It’s now at $3.768 per gallon, lower than the $3.865 on July 8. Before this, prices went […]
Early Peak Season Confirmed
Early Peak Season Confirmed Retailers began the peak shipping season in June, earlier than the usual July-August start, due to concerns over Red Sea transit delays and a potential East Coast and Gulf port strike in October. This shift has […]
Potential Port Strikes to Test Supply Chains
Potential Port Strikes to Test Supply Chains Harold J. Daggett, President of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), warns of a potential strike at Atlantic and Gulf Coast ports. The current contract expires on September 30, 2024, increasing pressure on the […]
Hurricane Beryl Special Report
Hurricane Beryl Special Report Hurricane Beryl closed Texas ports along the Gulf Coast, including Houston, Corpus Christi, Galveston, Freeport, and Texas City. This caused major disruptions to coastal shipping lanes. The ports stopped operations and vessel traffic on Sunday after the Coast Guard declared condition “Zulu.” This condition restricts all vessel movement and cargo operations. […]
Rail Safety Focus
Rail Safety Races to the Foreground After the 2023 Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued 31 new safety recommendations. A failed wheel bearing on a covered hopper caused the derailment, leading to a major hazardous materials release. Norfolk Southern and its contractors decided to vent and burn […]
Peak Shipping Season Arrives Early
Peak Shipping Season Arrives Early U.S. ports are bracing for an unprecedented early peak in shipping volumes this summer, with projections showing monthly imports could surpass the two-million TEU mark consistently from June through August. The National Retail Federation highlights a significant rise in consumer spending as a key driver, with retail sales projected to […]
A New Era of Supply Chain Disruption
We’re in a New Era of Supply Chain Disruption, HSBC Analyst Says Supply chain managers face unprecedented challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing geopolitical conflicts, and a historic year with over 60 countries holding elections. HSBC Americas head of global trade solutions, Marissa Adams, asserts that supply chain disruption is now the new norm, emphasizing […]
