Record Surge at Port of Los Angeles
Port of Los Angeles Reports Record Volume The Port of Los Angeles saw record volumes in Q3 2024, handling an all-time high of 2.85 million TEUs, up 27% year-over-year, driven by front-loaded holiday season shipments. September alone hit 954,706 TEUs, with imports surging 26% as retailers moved to offset potential disruptions from Asian port congestion, […]
Leaner Holiday Supply Chains
Leaner Holiday Supply Chains As inflation impacts consumer spending power, retailers and supply chain leaders are doubling down on efficiency for the holiday season. A survey reveals that 85% of consumers are prioritizing discounts, and many retailers (around 70%) are committed to offering promotions to boost holiday sales. However, the supply chain side is evolving, […]
The Fallout from the US Port Strike
Port Strike Fallout The ILA’s three-day strike across major East and Gulf Coast ports spared the trucking sector from major freight rate disruptions but left lingering effects that continue to ripple through logistics networks. With intermodal freight representing under 10% of U.S. freight, the limited impact reflects the strike’s brevity. However, container dwell times and […]
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 […]
