Logistics Industry Contracts for Second Consecutive Month, Inventory Levels Decline
Economic activity in the logistics industry declined for the second consecutive month in June, as revealed by the Logistics Managers' Index (LMI) report. The LMI, which surveys logistics managers across the United States, recorded an all-time low index reading of 45.6, primarily driven by declining inventory levels. The report indicates concerns about a possible inventory shortage for the upcoming peak shipping season, as sluggish conditions in Chinese manufacturing and lower container imports persist. However, future expectations point towards a potential return to more normal industry conditions over the next 12 months.
The U.S. is currently experiencing shortages of new weight loss drugs, including Zepbound and Wegovy, primarily due to soaring demand.
Transloading, a logistics strategy used to alleviate container backlog during the pandemic, is gaining traction once again as U.S. West Coast ports receive increased container volumes redirected from the East Coast.
The container shipping industry is grappling with a surplus of capacity, leading to a drop in customer rates that Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc described as unsustainable during the company's annual shareholder meeting.
The freight and logistics sector continues to face mass layoffs, with recent announcements in California, Illinois, and Michigan.
Shares of UK logistics company Wincanton surged as a bidding war unfolded, sparked by a 26% higher offer from US rival GXO.
Soon, soldiers could rely on advanced technology like artificial intelligence to predict when and how to deliver supplies to troops spread across vast areas.
After a few intense days, the fire that blazed in the cargo hold of the Genius Star XI - a huge cargo ship hauling lithium-ion batteries from Vietnam to sunny San Diego - is finally out.
The U.S. Congress has passed legislation banning the Pentagon from using seaports worldwide that rely on the Chinese logistics platform LOGINK.
In 2020, the aerospace industry faced a significant upheaval due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a sharp decline in travel demand, plummeting aircraft orders, and a major impact on aerospace suppliers.
Australia's National Cyber Security Coordinator has labeled the recent cyberattack on logistics firm DP World as a "nationally significant cyber incident."
DSV, a logistics company, has secured an exclusive contract to provide logistics services for NEOM, a large development project in Saudi Arabia, encompassing cities, ports, research centers, and more.
Amazon.com Inc. is planning to hire 250,000 logistics workers for the upcoming holiday season.
The cold chain, essential for preserving and transporting products like ice cream, is a major contributor to climate change due to its energy-intensive operations.
The recently ratified labor contract between UPS and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters is expected to exert wage pressure on other logistics companies, including FedEx.
ALAN (American Logistics Aid Network), a disaster recovery nonprofit group, is gearing up to provide support to victims of the wildfires on Hawaii's Maui island.
Congress is taking action to address the critical shortage of pharmaceutical drugs in the U.S., which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Bronx Logistics Center in Hunts Point has achieved LEED v4 Platinum certification, making it one of the few distribution buildings in the US with this prestigious rating.
The Logistics Managers' Index (LMI) report for July indicates a slowdown in economic conditions within the logistics industry, continuing a trend that started earlier this year.
City permits have been issued for the construction of Building 1 at the W. 12th/Edgewood Logistics Center in Jacksonville.
Shopify experienced a 31% year-over-year increase in revenue during the second quarter, reaching nearly $1.7 billion, following the company's renewed focus on building e-commerce stores for brands.
The Brookings Institute recently released a report titled "America can't afford to ignore the logistics triad," which highlights the critical role of logistics in military operations, particularly against formidable adversaries like China and Russia.
Wildfires have significant effects on logistics, disrupting supply chains, transportation networks, and overall business operations.
The healthcare supply chain's vast array of product options is becoming a challenge for health systems, driving up costs and reducing economies of scale.
As negotiations between UPS and the Teamsters Union continue, the possibility of a strike is already having an impact on the logistics sector.
Op-ed authors Olivia Letts and Jerry McGinn suggest that the US defense industry should consider implementing second sourcing as a solution to supply chain limitations and enhance resilience.
Sennder, the German digital freight forwarder, has announced the renewal of its joint venture with Poste Italiane, Italy's postal operator.
Puma has pledged to source all its leather from verified deforestation-free supply chains by 2030, or even earlier, as part of its commitment to enhance transparency in its leather supply chain.
The U.S. and India are collaborating to establish naval logistics hubs in India, aiming to enhance resupply and maintenance capabilities for naval vessels in the South Asia region.
The logistics industry has experienced significant changes due to advancements in technology.
On Friday, trucks carrying humanitarian aid began delivering much-needed supplies to Gaza using a temporary pier built by the U.S.