Logistics Management Magazine Archives

October 2023 Logistics Management

In this Issue:

  • 13th Annual Rail/Intermodal Roundtable: Emerging optimism?
  • 3PLs bolster e-commerce fulfillment services
  • Coastal Pet Products transforms its inventory management
  • The value of FTZs
  • Top 30 Ocean Carriers: Volatile conditions persist on high seas
October 3, 2023 · Three of the nation’s top market analysts examine the current state of the freight railroad and intermodal markets, including a look at pricing, service levels, ompetition with other modes, and the slow—but steady—implementation of automation.
October 1, 2023 · A continued shift to remote work; the need for retailers to offer nimble shipping options; and the importance of warehouse operations to reduce inventory while increasing throughput are factors pushing laser-focused 3PLs to invest heavily in automation to make it all happen.
October 1, 2023 · The text discusses the evolution of the digital supply chain and the rapid changes in the supply chain industry, particularly in the retail sector.
October 1, 2023 · Lacking real-time visibility and saddled with manual processes, a growing pet product manufacturer partnered with a WMS provider to improve productivity, streamline inventory management, and scale without increasing headcount.
October 1, 2023 · It’s about this time every year that the editorial staffs of Logistics Management and sister publication Supply Chain Management Review finalize our list of presenters for our annual virtual conference.
October 1, 2023 · A recent United States International Trade Commission report delves into the economic impact, benefits, and challenges related to FTZs in the U.S. This study is the first of its kind since the 1980s.
October 1, 2023 · With too many vessels chasing too few cargoes, volumes—and rates—have spiraled downward. Consequently, the ocean lines are scrambling to find ways to prop up profits and remain competitive.
October 1, 2023 · It seems so many roads lead to smaller warehouse footprints, increased storage density and flexibility to meet order fulfillment needs. Narrow aisle and very narrow aisle trucks are addressing these needs while maximizing operator safety and trust while working at elevated heights.
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Latest in Logistics Management

FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index falls to lowest level since last September
For March, the most recent month for which data is available, the TCI came in at- 7.25, following February’s -5.31 reading.

U.S. rail carload and intermodal volumes are mixed, for week ending May 11, reports AAR
Rail carloads, at 209,319, fell 7.0% annually, and intermodal containers and trailers, at 254,429 units, rose 7.7% annually.

Cass Freight Index points to annual shipments and expenditures declines
April’s shipment reading, at 1.098, decreased 4.0% annually, and expenditures, at 3.227, were off 16.8% annually.

ALAN opens up its nominations for 2024 Humanitarian Logistics Awards
The American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN) has officially opened nominations for its eighth annual Humanitarian Logistics Awards.

U.S.-bound import growth remains intact in April, reports Descartes
From March to April, the report found that U.S.-bound container import volumes were up 3.0% compared to March and were up 9.3% annually, coming in at 2,208,849 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU). Descartes explained that the 3.0% gain was downwardly impacted by the effects of the Chinese Lunar Year, adding that when compared to pre-pandemic April 2019, volumes increased 15.1%.

Looking at a reshoring history lesson
A three-decade expert in supply chain, the Reshoring Institute’s Rosemary Coates explains how the reshoring trend has progressed.

NTSB: Ship lost power twice before slamming into Baltimore bridge, closing port
Twice the huge container ship Dali lost power and slammed into one of the bridge's support columns, causing the Francis Scott Key Bridge to fall into the waters outside Baltimore, killing six and causing the closing to maritime traffic of one of the busiest ports on the East Coast.

ISM May Semiannual Report points to growth in 2024, at a reduced rate
As was the case in its previous edition in December, the manufacturing and services sectors remain on diverging paths, to a certain extent, in May. One common theme the sectors share, according to the Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) May 2024 Semiannual Economic Forecast, which was issued today, is that growth is expected over the balance of the year, albeit at reduced rates.

April retail sales are mixed, reports Commerce and NRF
Commerce reported that April retail trade sales were up 0.4% over March and were up 2.7% annually. And the National Retail Federation reported that NRF reported that February’s core retail sales, which it bases on Census data and excludes automobile dealers, gasoline stations, and restaurants, fell 0.2% on a seasonally-adjusted basis compared to March and were up 3.9% on an unadjusted basis annually.

LM Podcast Series: S&P Global Market Intelligence’s Rogers assesses 2024 import landscape
In this podcast, Logistics Management Group News Editor Jeff Berman interviews Chris Rogers, Head of Supply Chain Research for S&P Global Market Intelligence.

Following USTR review, White House announces tariff increases on certain U.S.-bound imports from China
The impetus for the increase in tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 on $18 billion worth of imports from China is due to various actions China has taken, according to the White House, including unfair trade practices concerning technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation threatening American workers and flooding global markets with artificially low-priced exports.

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Inflation continues to have a wide-ranging impact on supply chains, notes Blue Yonder survey
Blue Yonder’s annual survey finds cost of materials and transportation being impacted; disruptions remain.

National diesel average decreases for the fifth consecutive week, reports EIA
The national average, at $3.848 per gallon, dropped 4.6 cents from the $3.894 average, for the week of May 6, which was off 5.3 cents from the $3.947 average, for the week of April 29.

New Union Pacific service connects Southern California and Chicago
New route promises three-day delivery, enhancing supply chain efficiency


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