🤕 BB&B V.S. MSC
Good morning! 🎄 Happy National Christmas Lights Day! 🎄
'Tis the season to light up the world, and in today's edition of "The Workday Dash," we're illuminating the latest trends, news, and insights in the world of supply chain and logistics. As we embark on the festive month of December, it's not just the holiday lights that are shining bright; the logistics industry is buzzing with activity and innovation. So grab a cup of cocoa, enjoy the holiday spirit, and let's dive into the December 1st issue of "The Workday Dash"! 🚚🌟
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Bed Bath & Beyond Files $300 Million Lawsuit Against MSC Shipping for Pandemic Profiteering
The bankruptcy estate of Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. has lodged a formal complaint with the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission against MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company. The complaint asserts that MSC engaged in pandemic-related price exploitation, thus violating the Shipping Act of 1984. According to the complaint, MSC, the world's largest shipping company, allegedly took advantage of the price surges during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in escalated freight costs that ultimately pushed Bed Bath & Beyond into bankruptcy.
MSC is accused of systematically failing to fulfill service commitments and prioritizing higher-priced cargo to maximize its own profits, compelling Bed Bath & Beyond to seek costly spot market space. The lawsuit seeks damages exceeding $300 million as reparations for the harm caused.
Check out today’s featured article from GCaptain to learn more about why the former Bed Bath & Beyond is filing such a large lawsuit against MSC. Will Bed Bath &Beyond win this lawsuit? What will this mean for the future of MSC?
Featured Article
Former Bed Bath & Beyond Files Massive Lawsuit Against MSC Alleging Profiteering | G Captain
“The bankruptcy estate of Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. has filed a complaint with the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission against Swiss-based MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, accusing the shipping giant of pandemic profiteering in violating the Shipping Act of 1984.”
Alcohol & 3PL
Southern Glazer's Launches Ankaa Global Logistics to Streamline the Spirits Supply Chain
Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, a prominent beverage alcohol distributor, has introduced Ankaa Global Logistics, a subsidiary specializing in third-party logistics (3PL) tailored for the wine and spirits sector. Ankaa Global Logistics provides services such as temperature-controlled inventory storage, repackaging, and labeling for beverage alcohol suppliers. Its primary focus is on international companies seeking U.S. warehousing solutions without managing their own facilities. Southern Glazer's decision to launch Ankaa is aimed at enhancing supplier value and streamlining the supply chain for beverage alcohol products.
Presently, Ankaa operates facilities in California and Kentucky, with plans for expansion into Florida, Texas, and the Northeast in the near future. This expansion will result in shorter shipping times and seamless integration of products into Southern Glazer’s systems. This strategic move benefits both suppliers and Southern Glazer’s by optimizing logistics operations and ensuring swifter product distribution.
Gas & Holiday Shopping
US Gasoline Prices on a 60-Day Decline, Boosting Bidenomics and Retail
Gasoline prices in the United States have seen a 60-day consecutive decline, marking the longest period of decreases in over a year. The current average price for a gallon of gasoline in the US stands at $3.25, reflecting a reduction of over 60 cents since its mid-September peak and approximately 30 cents lower than the same period last year, as reported by the American Automobile Association. This decline in prices is a positive development for President Joe Biden, who is emphasizing "Bidenomics" as a solution to address consumer concerns about inflation. The drop in gasoline costs may also provide a welcome boost to retail stores during the critical year-end shopping season, giving consumers more disposable income.
Given that US consumer spending contributes to about two-thirds of the country's economy, this could have a significant impact. On Black Friday alone, US consumers set a new record by spending $9.8 billion online.
Let’s Get Global 🌎
Checking out the scoop outside of the United States…
🌳 Cargill Enhances Traceability Initiatives to Combat Deforestation in South America. Cargill is intensifying its efforts to address biodiversity concerns in South America due to the European Union's deforestation law, which requires large businesses to verify that products like palm oil and soy are not linked to deforestation by the end of 2024 or face potential fines. The company is implementing enhanced traceability measures, including GPS polygon mapping, to monitor forest cover changes on supplier farms. However, some critics, like Mighty Earth CEO Glenn Hurowitz, view Cargill's actions as an "important but incomplete step" and call for more comprehensive measures to combat deforestation leading up to COP28.
✈️ Transatlantic Flight Powered by Alternative Fuels Lands in U.S. A Virgin Atlantic passenger plane, powered solely by alternative fuels, completed a successful flight from London's Heathrow airport to JFK airport in New York, marking a significant achievement for the U.K.'s aviation industry. The flight, carrying no fare-paying passengers, utilized sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), primarily derived from waste fats and U.S.-based corn production waste, which can potentially reduce lifecycle emissions by up to 70% compared to traditional jet fuel. Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson remains optimistic about the adoption of SAFs in the aviation industry, acknowledging that it may take time.
🇮🇳 Walmart Ramps Up Imports from India to U.S. Market. Walmart is increasing its imports from India to reduce its dependence on Chinese suppliers and enhance supply chain resilience, with U.S. imports from India rising to 25% from 2% in 2018. The move is part of Walmart's strategy to diversify its supply chain, ensuring competitive pricing and resilience against disruptions, and the company aims to fulfill its commitment to import $10 billion worth of goods annually from India by 2027.
iLevel With You 🏡
More topics for the average American household to consider…
🪦 Henry Kissinger, Shaper of Cold War History, Dies at 100. Henry A. Kissinger, the influential diplomat known for his role in shaping U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War, has passed away at the age of 100 in Connecticut. While celebrated for his work in opening diplomatic relations with China and negotiating the U.S. withdrawal from Vietnam, Kissinger's legacy is also marked by criticism for at times prioritizing national interests over democratic values.
👨🏽💼 New DHS Supply Chain Center Aims to Prevent Future Crises. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is launching a Supply Chain Resilience Center aimed at addressing threats to critical goods and services, particularly within U.S. ports. This initiative is part of the Biden administration's broader efforts to strengthen supply chain resilience, and the center, housed under DHS's Office of Strategy, Policy and Plans, will focus on identifying vulnerabilities and developing solutions while assessing risks related to nation-state threats, equipment trustworthiness, data security, insider risks, and unvetted access.
🚛 FHWA Mandates States to Establish Emissions Targets for Transportation Sector. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has revised its final rule on greenhouse gas emissions targets for state transportation departments in response to public feedback. The FHWA decided to provide some flexibility by allowing state transportation departments to set four-year greenhouse gas targets and adjusting the reference year to avoid distorted baselines due to the COVID-19 pandemic, aligning with the Biden administration's net-zero emissions goal by 2050 without mandating specific emissions reductions or projects or asserting authority over the transportation sector's emissions.
Get Smart 🧠
Ramp up that brain power for these advanced topics…
🚗 Tesla Color Wraps Offer Customization for Cybertruck, Broadening Its Appeal. Tesla is exploring the option of color wraps for its stainless-steel Cybertruck, aiming to make the unconventional design more attractive to a broader audience. While the Cybertruck was originally designed to be paint-free, color wraps could offer a way to customize and soften its distinctive appearance, similar to how Tesla has offered wraps as an upsell option for its other models in California, including vinyl wraps for affordability and customization and paint protection film (PPF) for durability.
🔑 Visibility Will Be the Key Supply Chain Strategy for 2024. In 2024, technology investment priorities for businesses should revolve around enhancing supply chain visibility, according to Frank Kenney, Director of Industry Solutions at Cleo. Kenney stressed that B2B relationships now require the same level of visibility as B2C, with customers expecting insights into factors like temperature and security during transit. He also emphasized the need for IT and business alignment, with technology investments driven by business objectives, enabling companies to meet customer demands and maintain revenue, and highlighted the pivotal role of AI in leveraging real-time data for informed decision-making and supply chain enhancement.
🔋 Einride Autonomous Electric Transporters Join GE Appliances' Fleet. GE Appliances has incorporated Einride's autonomous electric transporters (AETs) into its private fleet operations in Tennessee after successful pilot testing. These cab-less AETs can function autonomously but have the capability to request remote operator assistance, supporting GE Appliances' sustainability goals to reduce carbon emissions while providing employment opportunities for remote operators and reducing exposure to diesel fumes for former truck drivers.
The Workday Dash is an aggregation of articles regarding the transportation logistics, trucking, and supply chain industries for November 22, 2024, from iLevel Logistics Inc.