Hurricane Milton

Florida Bracing for Hurricane Milton As Hurricane Milton nears Florida’s Gulf Coast, the state braces for severe damage. Local leaders warn that intense storm surges and widespread flooding could devastate Tampa Bay, where Tampa’s Mayor Jane Castor described the storm’s destructive potential as “something only seen in movies.” Officials across Florida have issued evacuation orders […]

US Port Strike Has Officially Ended

Port Strike Has Ended As fast as it began, a crippling three-day strike across U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast ports has ended with a tentative agreement between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and port operators. The deal includes a 62% wage increase over six years, raising the average wage to $63 per hour, though […]

Catch Us On the View From Jamestown Chemical Industry Podcast

Check Out The View From Jamestown, Podcast Edition The team at TLC recently made an appearance on a popular chemical industry podcast, discussing key industry trends as we move into Q4. Topics included market shifts, the East Coast port strikes, and their impact on supply chains. They also highlighted TLC’s approach to expanding its carrier […]

US Port Strike Has Officially Begun

Port Strike Has Begun Dockworkers at 36 ports from Maine to Texas have begun striking over automation concerns and wage disputes. The strike, led by 45,000 members of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), comes after failed negotiations with the U.S. Maritime Alliance. The union seeks a complete ban on automation, along with wage increases to […]

Tough Trucking Times, 10,000+ Carrier Closures

Tough Trucking Times, 10,000+ Carrier Closures The U.S. trucking industry is grappling with one of its toughest years, as nearly 10,000 carriers closed shop in the first half of 2024. Rising operational costs, shrinking demand, and excess capacity—still 64,000 trucks above pre-pandemic levels—are forcing many companies out of business. Notable casualties include Midwest Transport and […]

Hurricane Helene Threat Looms

Hurricane Helene Threat Looms A tropical system forming in the northwestern Caribbean is gaining momentum, and both American and European weather models predict it will strengthen into a hurricane, likely named Helene, by the end of this week. This storm is projected to make landfall between Florida’s Panhandle and Tampa Bay, potentially as a Category […]

EV Charging Station Sticker Shock

E.V. Charging Station Sticker Shock The rapid development of EV charging stations for both passenger vehicles and freight trucks faces a substantial obstacle: the high “soft costs” that make these projects difficult to manage and expensive to execute. Soft costs, such as permitting, inspections, utility connections, and administrative tasks, often rival the cost of the […]

Looming Port Strike Threat Update

Looming Port Strike Threat Update The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), which represents 45,000 dockworkers at major U.S. container ports from Texas to Maine, is warning of a potential strike if their wage demands are not met before the current labor contract expires on September 30. The ILA seeks a 77% wage increase over the life […]

Container Shortage Indicating Demand Surge

Container Shortage Indicating Demand Surge Empty rail container movements into Los Angeles have increased sharply, highlighting a strain on container availability, both domestically and internationally. Consumer goods from Asia, mainly routed through southern California, are transported eastward by truck and rail. This persistent demand has created a significant imbalance, with empty containers heading back to […]

Major Players Move to Nearshoring

Major Players Move To Nearshoring Adidas is strategically moving away from sourcing goods for the U.S. market from China, a move underscored by CEO Bjørn Gulden during a July 31 earnings call. Although not driven by potential U.S. tariffs, this shift is part of a broader localization effort aimed at enhancing supply chain speed and […]