Health concerns grow after Ohio train derailment causes massive carcinogen spill
Good morning! On National Random Acts of Kindness Day, don't forget to spread the love throughout the supply chain - after all, a little logistics goes a long way. ❤️
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The 150-car Norfolk Southern train pulling 20 railcars filled with vinyl chloride, Ethylhexyl acrylate and isobutylene that derailed in Ohio last week is causing quite the commotion. Residents that were asked to evacuate due to the resulting carcinogen spill have now been allowed to return home… but questions remain. According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the incident has killed 3,500 fish and there are circulating rumors of dead chickens and pets on social media.
Check out today’s featured article from Supply Chain Brain to read more about the Norfolk derailment near East Palestine, Ohio. While residents have been allowed back home and told the water is safe to drink… many are concerned. Do they have reason to be? ☕️
Featured Article:
Ohio Train Derailment Could Bring Cancer Risk, Millions in Damage | Supply Chain Brain
“Nearly two weeks after a train carrying carcinogenic chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, the extent of the damage to the nearby community is still unclear.”
Ports & Supply Chain Issues 🚢
Port of Oakland executive director aims to recapture cargo volumes
The Port of Oakland, like other ports around the world, is a critical hub for international trade and commerce. It is strategically located on the west coast of the United States, making it a gateway for goods and commodities flowing between Asia and North America. The port has historically been an important player in this trade, but in recent years it has faced increased competition from other ports, particularly in Southern California and Canada. Overall, the Port of Oakland's efforts to reclaim its market share is driven by a desire to remain competitive and relevant in the global economy, while also promoting economic, environmental, and social benefits for the region.
The port is a major driver of economic activity in the region, supporting jobs and generating revenue for businesses and local governments. By reclaiming its market share, the port can help boost economic growth and prosperity in the area. In recent years, the Port of Oakland has invested heavily in infrastructure and technology to improve efficiency and reduce congestion. With big goals, the port can help ensure that these investments are being fully utilized and that goods are moving through the port as quickly and smoothly as possible.
The Port of Oakland has also made a commitment to sustainable operations, including reducing emissions and promoting green technologies. By reclaiming its market share, the port can help promote more sustainable shipping practices and reduce the environmental impact of international trade.
Trucking Issues & Congestion 🚛
5 years standing: NJ’s Fort Lee named top truck bottleneck for fifth consecutive year
For the fifth year in a row, the American Transportation Research Institute has named Fort Lee, New Jersey the country’s worst trucking bottleneck. Fort Lee, New Jersey is considered one of the nation's top truck bottlenecks because it is located at a critical juncture between two major highways, the New Jersey Turnpike and the George Washington Bridge, which connects New Jersey to New York City. The area is a major transportation hub for goods and services, with over 100 million vehicles passing through the area each year.
The Fort Lee bottleneck is particularly problematic for truck traffic because of the volume of vehicles passing through the area, which creates significant traffic congestion and delays. In addition, the narrow lanes and steep inclines on the bridge approach can make it difficult for large trucks to navigate the area safely and efficiently.
The bottleneck at Fort Lee has significant economic consequences, as delays can lead to increased transportation costs, lost productivity, and decreased competitiveness for businesses that rely on the efficient movement of goods. As a result, efforts are underway to improve the flow of traffic through the area, including investments in infrastructure improvements and technology to manage traffic more effectively.
Let’s Get Global 🌎
🍌 Cross-border logistics for perishable foods can get complicated. These goods have a limited shelf life and require special handling to maintain their quality and safety. Different countries may have different regulations regarding the import and export of perishable goods. These regulations can include requirements for inspection, certification, labeling, and temperature control. It is important to research and complies with these regulations to ensure smooth and legal trade. Also, accurate and complete documentation is essential for cross-border trade involving perishable goods. This can include certificates of origin, phytosanitary certificates, and other documentation that demonstrates the quality and safety of the goods.
iLevel With You 🏡
More topics for the average American household to consider…
💰 The paradoxical economy has economists scratching their heads. There are several possible explanations for why inflation could be high despite weak economic growth and low unemployment, including the near-constant supply chain disruptions. When the supply of goods and services is disrupted due to factors like a pandemic, natural disasters, or political instability, the prices of goods and services can increase due to scarcity. This can lead to inflation even when the economy is not growing very quickly. Additionally, if production costs increase due to higher wages or raw material costs, producers may raise prices to maintain their profit margins.
😅 The United States’ debt is set to skyrocket to $19 trillion over the decade. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the increasing cost of interest rates, retiree benefits, and military spending are expected to send the country’s debt to the moon by 2033. Forecasting a 118% increase, the director of the budget office is signaling that changes in fiscal policies are desperately needed. Not to mention… Baby Boomers are retiring in droves. As the Baby Boomer generation retires, there will be a significant increase in demand for government-funded programs like Social Security and Medicare. This will lead to increased government spending, which will contribute to a larger national debt.
🧊 New and rare footage of the sunken Titanic is released. Filmed by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) shortly after the wreck’s rediscovery in 1985, the footage has a run-time of over 1 hour and 20 minutes. While footage of the ill-fated Titanic, now 2 miles from the surface of the Northern Atlantic Ocean, has already circulated for years… the uncut footage is now available on YouTube. Shot on cameras formed on a human-occupied submersible, the footage continues to tell the important cultural story of the Titanic’s sinking, its victims, and the harrowing tale from its survivors.
🤝 BP's acquisition of TravelCenter of America is underway. The company’s growth beyond its petroleum and into the convenience store sector continues as they shell out $1.3 billion in cash for the TA network. While most of the company’s convenience stores are strategically located on major highways across the country, the network will complement BP’s existing businesses that are primarily located away from those locations. Additionally, BP announced its intention to invest $1 billion in EV charging infrastructure across the United States by the end of the decade.
Get Smart 🧠
Ramp up that brain power for these advanced topics…
📦 FedEx aims to save billions with its DRIVE program. The DRIVE program is focused on optimizing FedEx's pickup and delivery operations through the use of new technology and data analytics. By analyzing data on package volumes, delivery patterns, and other factors, FedEx aims to optimize its routes and networks, reducing fuel and labor costs. Another program utilized by the company, Network 2.0, is focused on reducing FedEx's reliance on air transportation for domestic deliveries. By shifting some of its domestic deliveries to its ground network, FedEx can reduce costs associated with air transport, such as fuel and maintenance.
📝 GM partners with New York-based chip manufacturer GlobalFoundries. This partnership will expand the automaker’s growing electric vehicle supply chain network with an exclusive contract. As more consumers around the world seek out electric vehicles, GM has been ramping up the production of its electric models to meet this demand. Expanding its supply chain network helps ensure that GM can obtain the necessary components and raw materials to produce these vehicles in larger quantities. Additionally, by diversifying its supply chain and working with more suppliers, GM can reduce its dependence on any one supplier or region.
💰 $70 million funding for AI-powered forklifts. Qualcomm Ventures and Zebra Technologies are funneling large amounts of funding into autonomous forklift technology created by Third Wave Automation (TWA). This technology is being utilized through Zebra’s Fetch robots - a type of autonomous mobile robot (AMR) designed for use in warehouse and distribution center operations. These robots are designed to automate repetitive and time-consuming tasks, such as material handling, picking, and transport.
🤝 Why isn’t customer enablement widely practiced in supply chains? Customer enablement is a strategy that involves providing customers with the tools, resources, and information they need to make informed purchasing decisions, improve their experience with a product or service, and ultimately become loyal and satisfied customers. While customer enablement can offer significant benefits for supply chain organizations, it is not yet widely practiced due to a range of cultural, resource, and strategic challenges. However, as customer expectations continue to evolve and technology makes it easier to implement customer enablement strategies, we may see more supply chain organizations adopting this approach in the future.
🚢 Port-based logistics are meant to make international shipping smoother. Ports are often located in strategic geographic locations that provide easy access to major shipping lanes, making it easier to transport goods to and from international destinations. This can help reduce transportation costs and improve delivery times. Ports also often have the necessary infrastructure, such as berths, cranes, and warehouses, to handle large volumes of cargo and efficiently load and unload ships. This can help reduce turnaround times and minimize the risk of delays or disruptions.
🚛 Spot contracts are critical for a trucking company. By analyzing historical data on their shipping patterns, trucking companies can identify the frequency and duration of spot shipments versus contract shipments. This can help them determine how much capacity they need for each type of shipment and identify any patterns or trends that may affect their spot-contract mix. Trucking companies should also evaluate market conditions to determine if there is a high demand for spot shipments, which could increase their revenue. They should also consider any seasonal fluctuations in demand and adjust their spot-contract mix accordingly.
👩💻 Supply chains should utilize coding knowledge for future forecasting decisions. Supply chain operations generate large amounts of data, including data on inventory levels, demand patterns, and transportation costs. Coding knowledge can enable supply chain professionals to analyze this data more effectively, using tools such as data visualization and machine learning algorithms. This can help identify trends and patterns that can inform supply chain decisions and help uncover new opportunities for optimization and cost savings.
The Workday Dash is an aggregation of articles regarding the transportation logistics, trucking, and supply chain industries for November 28, 2024, from iLevel Logistics Inc.