Pier Wind Power 🌬️
Good morning! Welcome to this special edition of the Workday Dash, where we take a moment to reflect on National Sober Day. Today, we join millions around the world in honoring those on their journey to recovery from addiction. This day serves as a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience it takes to overcome such challenges. As we delve into the latest industry updates, trends, and insights, we'd also like to extend our support to anyone who may be struggling with addiction.
If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Your well-being matters, and there is help available for those who seek it. ❤️👍🏽
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Port of Long Beach Set to Launch $4.7 Billion 'Pier Wind' Offshore Wind Port in 2027
The Port of Long Beach is planning to commence construction on its ambitious 'Pier Wind' offshore wind port in 2027, with an estimated cost of $4.7 billion. This 400-acre facility aims to support offshore wind farms in Northern and Central California, with an initial goal of installing 15-20 MW wind turbines, totaling between 400 and 533 turbines for an estimated 8 GW capacity. To meet California's target of 25 GW of offshore wind by 2045, multiple staging integration sites and foundation assembly sites will be essential.
Suzanne Plezia, Senior Director/Chief Harbor Engineer for the Port of Long Beach, emphasized the challenges and the need for efficient staging and integration sites in the supply chain for offshore wind projects. Initial component sourcing may involve imports from Asia, but the long-term goal is domestic manufacturing. Plezia also mentioned the importance of public and private financing to support the project and highlighted the sense of urgency in addressing climate change through clean power solutions like offshore wind.
Check out today’s featured article from AJOT to read more about Long Beach’s newest project and what it could mean for fuel technology at the port.
Featured Article
Port of Long Beach $4.7 billion ‘Pier Wind’ offshore wind port construction to start in 2027 | AJOT
“The Port of Long Beach projects that it will begin construction on its 400 acre ‘Pier Wind’ offshore wind port in 2027 which is projected to cost $4.7 billion, according to Suzanne Plezia, Senior Director/Chief Harbor Engineer for the Port of Long Beach.”
Politics & Unions
President Biden's Pro-Union Stance Faces Crucial Test Amid Auto Workers Strike Threat
The possibility of an autoworkers strike poses a significant test for President Joe Biden, who has touted himself as the most pro-union president in U.S. history. The United Auto Workers (UAW) is threatening to strike against major automakers if tentative contract agreements are not reached, potentially impacting the economy, especially in states like Michigan. The strike could reshape the political landscape in Michigan, where Biden won by a narrow margin in 2020, and has political implications for Biden, who has relied on union support.
Additionally, former President Donald Trump, a potential 2024 candidate, is seeking the UAW's endorsement and has criticized Biden's policies, including requirements for electric cars. While some union leaders view Biden as pro-union, they hope for White House support in the event of a strike, recognizing the importance of unions in Biden's political success. Ultimately, the strike underscores the complex relationship between the Biden administration and organized labor.
Ethics & Fuel Tech
California's Climate Bill Mandates Greenhouse Gas Disclosure by Major Corporations
The California legislature has passed a groundbreaking climate bill requiring major corporations, including oil and gas companies and retail giants, to disclose both their direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions. The legislation aims to enhance transparency and encourage businesses to assess and reduce their emissions.
While it has garnered support from companies like Patagonia and Apple, as well as environmental advocates, some opponents argue that it could be burdensome and challenging to accurately account for indirect emissions. The bill awaits final approval from the state Senate and the decision of Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom.
Let’s Get Global 🌎
Checking out the scoop outside of the United States…
♻️ FTSE 100 Companies Demand Supplier ESG Transparency, Reveals OneStream Study. A study by performance management specialist OneStream found that 90% of FTSE 100 companies expect their suppliers to be transparent about their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) credentials. Industries like energy, retail, and consumer goods had 100% supplier ESG alignment expectations, while banking, finance, and insurance sectors followed closely at 90%. The demand for supplier ESG visibility was high for companies within and outside the UK, indicating a global trend towards ESG considerations in supplier relationships.
🌎 Amazon Launches Comprehensive 'Supply Chain by Amazon' Service for Shippers Worldwide. Amazon has introduced "Supply Chain by Amazon," an end-to-end global supply chain service available to shippers not directly affiliated with Amazon retail channels. The service covers inventory pickup from global manufacturing facilities, cross-border shipping, customs clearance, ground transportation, inventory replenishment, and final delivery. Amazon is offering discounts of up to 25% on cross-border transportation to its Warehousing and Distribution (AWD) centers, with AWD now open to all selling partners at discounts of up to 80% compared to Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) storage fees. Additionally, Amazon plans to streamline domestic inbound transportation to AWD centers later this year and offer the option for sellers to reserve long-term bulk storage months in advance at even deeper discounts.
🇵🇦 Persistent Drought Challenges Extend Vessel Traffic Restrictions in Panama Canal Amid Global Shipping Backlog. The Panama Canal is continuing to face drought-related challenges as abnormally high ocean temperatures, unpredictable rainy seasons, and the El Niño weather phenomenon persist. Panama Canal Administrator Ricaurte Vásquez Morales stated that vessel traffic restrictions would likely continue into 2024. The backlog of ships waiting to enter the canal has led to fierce competition for available slots, potentially affecting shipping schedules through the busy holiday season.
iLevel With You 🏡
More topics for the average American household to consider…
😬 Conquering Public Speaking Anxiety: A Five-Minute Meditation Ritual for Calm. The author shares their journey of overcoming public speaking anxiety through therapy, medication, and practice. They recommend a five-minute guided meditation from UCLA's Mindful Awareness Research Center as a helpful ritual to ease nerves before speaking engagements. The meditation provides a calming presence and can be easily accessed on various devices, offering comfort in moments of anxiety.
🎮 XR Tech Gaining Traction in Supply Chain Training and Manufacturing, But Mass Adoption May Take a Decade. Extended reality (XR) technology, encompassing augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), is finding applications in supply chains for training and manufacturing optimization. Companies like GridRaster are using XR to enhance training competency in sectors such as aerospace and automotive manufacturing. While XR can significantly reduce training time and improve worker effectiveness, the adoption rate remains relatively low due to cost considerations and limited awareness among senior employees, with estimates suggesting that mass adoption in supply chains could take a decade or longer.
🧐 EV Charging Trends: Convenience, Speed, and Solid-State Battery Prospects. While electric vehicles (EVs) are known for longer charging times compared to traditional ICE vehicles, the majority of charging occurs at or near the driver's home overnight, making it a convenient option. Charging speeds have improved significantly in recent years, and automakers like Toyota are exploring solid-state batteries that could offer 745 miles of range and faster charging at Level 3 public chargers in the near future.
Get Smart 🧠
Ramp up that brain power for these advanced topics…
🚛 Crafting a Compelling Business Case for Transportation Management System (TMS) Implementation or Upgrade. When building a business case for implementing or upgrading a transportation management system (TMS), seven key considerations are crucial. These include conducting an assessment to understand the current situation and goals, drafting a vision statement, scoping the requirements and integrations, detailing decision criteria for vendor selection, creating an implementation plan, calculating the total cost of ownership (TCO), and mapping out metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) for measuring success. Demonstrating a well-thought-out plan is essential to gaining approval for a TMS project, and aligning financial, operational, and strategic objectives.
💪 Flexport Launches 'Flexport Revolution' to Streamline Supply Chain Services for SMBs. Flexport, an international freight and logistics company, is expanding its services for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) with "Flexport Revolution." This offering, built on the foundation of its acquisition of Shopify Logistics, provides SMBs with a one-stop shop for their supply chain needs, including transportation, customs brokerage, cargo insurance, and inventory replenishment. Flexport aims to streamline the supply chain experience for SMBs and help them distribute goods to various locations efficiently.
📦 UPS Faces Tough Year as Labor Pact Costs Loom and Customer Recovery Efforts Continue. United Parcel Service Inc. (UPS) is facing a challenging year as it pays out a significant portion of its new, five-year labor pact over the next 12 months, while also trying to win back customers lost during contentious contract negotiations. UPS CEO Carol Tomé plans to improve customer service and invest in automation to boost sales and save money as the company covers the initial pay increase secured by the Teamsters in the recently implemented labor deal. Despite the challenges, Tomé aims to achieve a 12% operating profit margin in the U.S. by implementing cost-cutting measures and automation, although no specific time frame has been given for this goal. UPS will provide more details on its margin improvement plans in a spring 2024 investor meeting.
The Workday Dash is an aggregation of articles regarding the transportation logistics, trucking, and supply chain industries for November 25, 2024, from iLevel Logistics Inc.