Logistics is continually being influenced by external factors such as pandemic surges, natural disasters, to geopolitical turmoil and economic crises. Yet, in today’s highly globalized world, the scale and impact of such events on supply chains have intensified significantly. In an era where volatility is the norm, adaptability in logistics and transportation has become essential.
The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), representing 45,000 workers at East and Gulf Coast ports, has ended contract negotiations with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) over the proposed use of semi-automated equipment. The ILA argued that the proposed technology would eliminate union jobs. “USMX introduced language in their proposal for semi-automated equipment to be used
Senior air cargo executives have urged a balanced approach toward the booming e-commerce sector, stressing the importance of maintaining relationships with traditional customers. There was agreement among industry leaders at TIACA’s Air Cargo Forum in Miami that long-term growth depended on supporting traditional clients and ensuring capacity remains available for them. The head of cargo
In September, global schedule reliability reached the lowest level the industry has seen in 24 months, declining 1.2 percentage points to 51.4%. Schedule reliability has remained between 50% and 55% in 2024 but has been trending downward since May. Nonetheless, low levels of volatility in schedule reliability in 2024 have afforded shippers a reasonably good
Cargo traffic remains concentrated at the world’s main hub airports, with the top 20 airports handling around 42% of global volumes, despite a -3.2% decline year-over-year, according to ACI World. Global air cargo volumes fell by -1.8% in 2023 to 115 million tonnes, but top airport rankings remained steady. Hong Kong held first place, followed
Asia-Europe spot freight rates temporarily rose after 15 weeks of decline as carriers implemented general rate increases (GRIs) on ex-Asia shipments. Drewry’s World Container Index (WCI) showed an 8% rate jump on Shanghai-Rotterdam routes and an 11% rise on Shanghai-Genoa routes. Despite this uptick, industry experts are seeing the increases as temporary. Market feedback suggests
Canadian ports face potential disruptions as labor tensions rise on the East and West coasts. Port employer B.C. Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) in British Columbia received a 72-hour strike notice from the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 514, representing approximately 700 foremen. In response, the BCMEA has issued a lockout notice that will
The U.S. government is awarding US$3 billion in investments to strengthen the country’s port infrastructure, boost jobs, and reduce pollution at 55 ports across 27 states and territories. The US$3 billion investment will fund “… battery-electric and hydrogen-powered human-operated and human-maintained equipment, including over 1,500 units of cargo handling equipment, 1,000 drayage trucks, 10 locomotives,
Global maritime trade rose 2.4% in 2023 to 12.3 billion tons. According to the Review of Maritime Transport 2024 released by the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD), shipping volumes are forecasted to grow 2% in 2024, with annual increases averaging 2.4% expected through 2029. However, the report warned that high freight costs and geopolitical
As dock workers announced a 24-hour strike starting Sunday, 27 October at 7 am, Montreal’s port faces another wave of disruption. The Maritime Employers Association (MEA) has warned that the strike’s impact will extend beyond the one-day stoppage. “We recall that the strike called on 30 September by the union paralyzed operations for three days