Port of LA keeps narrow lead as top US port of 2022, but NY is closing in
Good morning! Happy Womens History Month! Today, we celebrate the women who break barriers in the supply chain & logistics industry. From truck drivers to CEOs, we honor your achievements and contributions. 👩🔧👷♀️🚚💪
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Approximately two million TEUs have been gained at the port of New York because of the pandemic and the resulting supply chain challenges. Additionally, concerns over a potential labor disruption on the west coast as its dockworkers continue to work without a solidified contract have shippers rerouting to the opposite side of the country. New York did capture the top spot for a few months in 2022, but Los Angeles prevailed by a narrow lead - earning the top port of 2022.
Check out today’s featured article from Supply Chain Dive to read about the narrow race between the east and west coasts ports of Los Angeles and New York. Will LA come out on top again in 2023? Or will New York finally sweep in at first place?
Featured Article:
Despite big gains in New York, Los Angeles remains top port in 2022 | Supply Chain Dive
“A two-million TEU gain since the pandemic helped the New York port rise to the #2 spot in annual rankings, and even capture the top spot for a few months last year.”
Human Resources & Company Culture 🎉
Emailed layoffs lack human connection and empathy for remote workers
The lack of human connection is one of the largest drawbacks for those who are working from home. The tech industry has been issuing rounds of layoffs - with Twitter, Google, Meta, and Amazon all issuing these via email to a large swath of hybrid and remote workers. Notabley, PagerDuty’s CEO Jennifer Tejada apologized for a “tone-deaf” email notification to the company announcing a 7% workforce reduction… and including a Martin Luther King Jr. quote. Some claim that the inclusion lacked empathy for employees who were feeling the sting of the company’s decision.
Remote workers may already feel disconnected from their colleagues and the company as a whole. An emailed layoff can exacerbate this feeling by lacking the personal connection that a face-to-face meeting of phone call can provide. This can make the layoff feel impersonal or cold. Additionally, emailed layoffs may exacerbate a sense of isolation. The worker may feel that they do not have the opportunity to discuss the situation with colleagues or receive support from their team.
Email communication can be prone to misinterpretation, and a layoff message can be particularly confusing and unclear. Remote workers may not fully understand the reason for the layoff and what their options are for future employment. This lack of clarity can create additional stress and anxiety. A layoff is a stressful and challenging experience for anyone, but remote workers may feel the additional stress due to the uncertainty of their future employment prospects. an emailed layoff can intensify these feelings and create a sense of panic or helplessness.
American Politics & Transportation 🚂
House Republicans quick to blame Buttigieg for delayed Ohio train derailment response, but is this warranted?
Some state “no” - the real issue lies with the railroad industry’s lack of accountability and regulations after years of lobbying against compliance efforts. The railroad industry has repeatedly argued that increased regulations would lead to higher costs, which could ultimately result in higher prices for customers and reduced profitability for the industry. Another point of contention is that excessive regulations could limit the railroads’ ability to respond quickly to changing market conditions and lead to reduce efficiency, increased costs, and decreased competitiveness.
However, one of the primary reasons for increased regulation is safety. Railroads can be dangerous, and accidents can have severe consequences - consequences which remain to be fully seen in East Palestine, Ohio. The environmental impacts, including air pollution, noise pollution, and habitat destruction are also serious concerns. Railroads can be hazardous work environments, and regulations can help ensure that workers are protected from harm. This includes regulations related to worker safety, hours of service, and other working conditions.
Railroads are an essential part of of the transportation infrastructure, and as such, they are subject to public interest considerations. Increased regulation can help ensure that railroads are operated in a manner that serves the public interest, rather than just the interests of railroad companies.
Let’s Get Global 🌎
🇨🇳 Stagnant container ships are betting on China’s economic recovery. China is a major player in global trade and a significant portion of the world's goods are manufactured there. When China's economy is strong and growing, there is a higher demand for goods, which in turn leads to an increase in shipping activity. This growth is driven by factors such as increasing urbanization, rising middle class incomes, and government investment in infrastructure. As a result, many investors see China as a reliable source of economic growth and are optimistic about the country's future economic prospects.
🌎 De-globalization is being blocked by a world trade “boom”. Countries that are heavily involved in global trade are more likely to resist calls for de-globalization because they are more aware of the benefits of trade. A world trade boom can generate economic benefits for countries that are heavily involved in global trade. These benefits include increased exports, job creation, and increased consumer choice. Businesses and industries that rely on global trade are likely to lobby against policies that would restrict access to foreign markets. In addition, consumers who benefit from the availability of goods from around the world are likely to resist policies that would reduce this availability.
🇪🇺 EC Digital Products Passports laws, incoming. This regulatory framework has been in the works for awhile - a digital product passport developed as a tool to help companies demonstrate compliance with standards. The digital product passport is designed to provide greater transparency in the supply chain. This means that companies involved in the manufacturing or supply chain of products will need to be prepared to share more information about their products and their production processes. It will provide a way to track products throughout the supply chain, from raw materials to the end consumer. This will require companies to adopt new digital tracking systems and to provide more detailed information about their products.
iLevel With You 🏡
More topics for the average American household to consider…
😳 American consumers are growing weary of corporations siphoning every dime they have. After several years of cash stacking up in American households due to the pandemic, the pocketbooks are now wearing thin. Debt is skyrocketing, delinquency rates on credit cards are soaring, and younger borrowers are feeling the crushing weight of the economy chipping away at their finances. Profit margins are starting to cool after they remained high at many corporations, but the cash that supplemented so many companies and families since 2020 is running out. Companies should consider being more reasonable with their prices, because sooner-than-later, their consumers debt will run out, also.
📦 Expanding same-day delivery is a priority for Amazon. It looks like less and less Americans are going to need to wait a few days for their orders of toilet paper and tea bags. Amazon is leaning into speedy delivery, providing the company’s customers with an opportunity to have their items delivered on the same day that they order. The retailer’s net sales jumped $514 billion in 2022, growing from $469.8 billion the previous year. CEO Andy Jassy has stated that the focus on quick delivery is what he attributes to the customer demand growth and the focus is being driven on the satisfaction of Amazon Prime customers.
🚂 East Palestine residents’ lawyers accuse Norfolk Southern of destroying evidence of train wreck. After the derailment that resulted in a toxic chemical spill in the region, causing headaches and speculation over long term health and environmental effects, laywers representing locals are pointing the finger at the railroad. The lawyers are asking why the train wreck is being removed before the investigation is conclusive, accusing the railroad of attempting to hide and dispose of evidence. There have been proposals for class action lawsuits in light of the wreck.
Get Smart 🧠
Ramp up that brain power for these advanced topics…
🚛 Not everyone is a fan of Pete Buttigieg. Representative Mike Collins penned a scathing opinion piece about the Department of Transportation Secretary, highlighting his delayed presence at the site of the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. The DOT secretary is responsible for overseeing the operations of the DOT - formulating transportation policy, managing transportation programs, and promoting safety. Collins asked the question: what can the private sector do to avoid public problems?
🧐 Plastic or wood: what type of pallet is best? Well, depends on who you ask. Plastic pallets are generally more durable than wood pallets and are less likely to break, crack or splinter. This can make plastic pallets a better choice for repeated use over a long period. However, wood pallets are often made from sustainably sourced wood and are biodegradable, which can make them a more environmentally friendly option than plastic pallets.
🥕 Agriculture should utilize satellite IoT for growth. Satellite IoT can provide real-time data on weather patterns, soil moisture, and other environmental factors, which can help farmers make more informed decisions about planting, irrigation, and crop management. This can result in higher yields, improved efficiency, and reduced costs. Satellite IoT can also be used to track and monitor agricultural assets, such as tractors, combines, and other machinery. This can help farmers optimize equipment utilization, prevent theft, and reduce maintenance costs.
✈️ Aircraft orders slow, causing a drop in durable goods orders. This is because transportation equipment, including aircraft, is a major component of durable goods orders, and a slowdown in this area can have ripple effects throughout the manufacturing industry and supply chain. Additionally, aircraft orders can be a reflection of business investment in the economy, and a slowdown in this area can signal a lack of confidence and lead to a decrease in overall durable goods orders.
💨 SoCal warehouses under new emission-reduction regulations. Southern California warehouses will now need to track truck trips to and from they facility and pay large annual fees depending on how many diesel trucks visit their docks. This rule, the Warehouse Indirect Source Rule (ISR) is part of the South Coast Air Quality Management’s long-term emission-reduction plan where warehouses overwhelm certain regions of Southern California. Large and mid-sized warehouses in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties will be held to this compliance standard.
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.