Hamburg port workers launch strike, increasing EU container surplus
Good morning! As the week draws to a close, it's time to reflect on the latest news and trends in the world of supply chain management. From logistics and transportation to procurement and manufacturing, our newsletter aims to keep you informed and up-to-date on all things supply chain. Let’s get going. ☕️
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In Hamburg, Germany, port workers have decided to strike due to persistent wage complaints, putting further stress on the European supply chain. This strike encouraged the container surplus, leading to stacks of extra containers congesting the ports with extra storage. The Hamburg strike has led to a 27% decrease in TEU capacity and a 31% decrease in vessels entering the port. Mirroring the situation on the U.S. West Coast, the labor struggles at the ports are becoming a growing concern on a global scale.
Check out today's featured article from DC Velocity to read more about how this strike may be resolved and what this means for the future of shipping in Hamburg, Germany. Why are there so many extra containers not being used by the European ports and how will this problem be solved?
Featured Article:
Sinking container demand creates stacks of excess boxes around Europe | DC Velocity
“Hamburg port workers launch strike even as trend triggers space shortages at warehouses and storage yards, says Container xChange.”
Artificial Intelligence & Robots 🤖
IFR reports one million robots are on duty in automotive industry
The IFR (International Federation of Robotics) is a non-profit organization based in Frankfurt, Germany, that represents the global robotics industry. The IFR was founded in 1987 and has members from over 20 countries. The main mission of the IFR is to promote the use of robotics and automation in industry and other areas of society. It aims to increase public awareness of the benefits of robotics and to provide information and support to companies, researchers, and policymakers in the field. The IFR also conducts research on the robotics industry and its impact on the economy and society. It publishes annual reports on the state of the global robotics market, including data on sales, applications, and trends. The organization also organizes conferences, workshops, and other events to promote networking and knowledge exchange among members of the robotics community.
In this year’s research, the IFR said that 1 million (or 1/3 of all robots) installed in the industries are working for the automotive warehouses. Robots are quite obviously playing an important role in automated manufacturing. These robots are well-suited for car manufacturing because they are highly accurate, consistent, and efficient in performing repetitive tasks. This makes them ideal for tasks such as welding, painting, and assembly, which are essential processes in car manufacturing.
Fuel Tech & Sustainability ♻️
Copper and aluminum are king in a greener future
The green revolution is reliant on wind turbines and solar panels to create electricity, to make that possible there needs to be a lot more built in the next decade to sustain power. The construction of those conductors will happen fast, but will the supplies continue to produce? Many are worried about the metals copper and aluminum will become under increased demand which will also increase the price and drop the abundance. With the combination of wind turbines, solar panels, and EVs the use of copper and aluminum is unfathomable. With each electric car there are over 180 lbs of copper needed, this is not including any other conductor of green electricity
The reason companies choose these two metals is that copper is one of the best conductors of electricity, and aluminum is also highly conductive. This makes both materials ideal for use in the electrical wiring and components of wind turbines, solar panels, and other green energy technologies. Both copper and aluminum are highly durable and can withstand exposure to the elements, making them suitable for use in outdoor environments such as wind farms and solar installations. Both copper and aluminum are highly durable and can withstand exposure to the elements, making them suitable for use in outdoor environments such as wind farms and solar installations.
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.