New perspectives on enforcement readiness for HOS rule; container shortages in Asia expected to intensify; more steamship lines offering first- and last-mile logistics services; hints to some recovery in global trade; signs of import traction ahead of the holidays; West Coast freight networks ‘bursting at the seams’; retailers and supply chains suffer from stockouts … all made headlines for this week’s international freight updates. Short on time? Check out our summary of the latest shipping industry news:
Week 37 Freight Updates
September 11th, 2020
New hours of service rule, new perspectives on enforcement readiness, split rest
Since the report from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Truck Safety Summit about the agency’s intent to continue down the track — “full speed ahead,” ran a portion of the headline — in implementing the new hours of service rule on Sept. 29, yet more evidence is on offer that is in fact the case.
Container shortages in Asia expected to intensify
Container shortages in Asia are reaching a crisis level as carriers are desperate to secure sufficient equipment to satisfy US import needs for the upcoming peak shipping season.
Should shippers rely on steamship lines for first- and last-mile logistics?
Many shippers have been readjusting their supply chains to compensate for COVID-19’s disruptions, and they may observe that in a slow market, more steamship lines are offering first- and last-mile logistics services as a way to drive additional revenue and shore up bottom lines.
COVID-19: Shipping data hints to some recovery in global trade
The coronavirus pandemic dealt a severe blow to global merchandise trade. Data from weekly port calls by container ships show early but uneven signs of recovery. The number of ships pulling into ports to unload and load containers rebounded in many parts of the world in the third quarter of 2020, according to new UNCTAD calculations.
Port Tracker report points to signs of import traction ahead of the holidays
Higher than expected import levels, driven by the ongoing reopening of the United States economy and retailers focused on inventory restocking, in advance of the holiday season, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, were some of the key themes of the new Port Tracker report, which was issued today by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and maritime consultancy Hackett Associates.
West Coast Freight Networks ‘Bursting at the Seams’ With Surging Imports
A crush of goods coming into West Coast seaports is straining capacity at the gateways and on key inland distribution lanes, raising shipping prices for retailers and complicating efforts to replenish inventories following the supply chain upheaval from the coronavirus pandemic.
3 ways to fight stockouts in the pandemic
Historical data isn’t worthless, but it won’t work alone in times of unpredictable demand. Plenty of retailers and supply chains are suffering from stockouts. From cleaning products, to kettlebells, to appliances, to meat, retailers, manufacturers and suppliers are coming up short when it comes to supply.
About the Author: Dennis Rosenfeld
A proven leader and member of the Kesco team since 2017, Dennis brings 20 years of operational skills and business development to the table, having spent over half of his tenure implementing enhancements and fostering company growth from the ground up. That same commitment to strong relationships is what made him a natural fit for Kesco; Dennis’ demonstrated knowledge of client needs carries through to all aspects of his role, allowing him to continue to expand not only the company’s revenues, but the signature service that supports it.
