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 […]

Potential Rail Work Stoppage Looming

Potential Rail Work Stoppage Looms Canada’s two largest railroads, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and Canadian National (CN), are bracing for a potential lockout or strike by Teamsters Canada next week, a move that threatens to cripple cross-border trade with the U.S. Both railroads have started halting shipments, particularly hazardous materials and refrigerated goods, as […]

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

Headline image of July 2024 week 4 article

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 […]