🚛⚡️🇨🇴 Freight Expectations, Charge Ahead, & Fueling Frustration
Good morning! ☀️
Buckle up—it’s a wild ride in the world of logistics today!
First up, the Logistics Managers' Index just dropped some big news: transportation capacity surged in August, jumping 5.8 points—the fastest growth we’ve seen since May. 🚀 Time to get those trucks moving!
Meanwhile, EV charging is still trying to catch up. We’ve got over 192,000 Level 2 and DC fast charging ports available now, but the pace of new chargers is slowing. We’re still a long haul away from that 500,000 target.
And in Colombia, things are heating up on the roads—literally. Truckers are blocking highways in cities like Bogotá and Medellin to protest a 50-cent diesel hike. Looks like walking to work is the new cardio over there.
Stay tuned for more in today’s Workday Dash!
“The older you get, the more fragile you understand life to be. I think that’s good motivation for getting out of bed joyfully each day.”
August Transportation Report: Capacity Expands, Prices Steady
Big news from the Logistics Managers' Index (LMI): transportation capacity grew at its fastest rate since May, jumping 5.8 points in August. This bump is thanks to smaller carriers getting back in the game, fueled by better rates and the expectation of a post-Labor Day freight rush. While prices are still rising, the pace has slowed, giving us all a bit of breathing room. Inventory levels are creeping up as companies prep for a busy Q4, while retailers are keeping things lean. Warehouse space is expanding, but prices are still climbing. Overall, the sector is growing steadily, with a nod to pre-COVID seasonal trends.
💡 Why It Matters:
Capacity is up, and prices are stabilizing—good signs if you're planning for the holiday season. Get ready for more competition as smaller players return!
🔥 Hot Take:
Small carriers are back, which could shake things up. If you’re not prepping for the shift, you might miss out as the freight market gears up after Labor Day.
EV Charging Network Expands, but We're Not There Yet
The White House just dropped an update on the U.S. EV charging network: Over 192,000 Level 2 and DC fast charging ports are up and running—a 9,000-port increase since last quarter. But the growth pace has slowed down, and we're still a long way from the goal of 500,000 chargers by 2030 under the $7.5 billion NEVI program.
State and local governments are still figuring out how to roll out this infrastructure, so there are challenges. But with EVs playing a bigger role in the future of logistics, it's worth keeping an eye on how the charging network evolves.
💡 Why It Matters:
As more EVs hit the road, transportation and logistics professionals need to start thinking about charging access and its impact on fleet management.
🔥 Hot Take:
The charging network may be slow to grow, but that’s a heads-up for early adopters—plan ahead, and you’ll have the advantage when things ramp up!
Truckers Protest Diesel Price Hike in Colombia
Thousands of Colombians were forced to walk to work as truckers blocked highways in cities like Bogotá, Medellin, and Cali. They're protesting a recent 50-cent diesel price hike, pushing it to around $2.90 per gallon. The government, led by President Gustavo Petro, is phasing out fuel subsidies to cut the budget deficit and increase funding for education and health.
Truckers argue the price hike will push them toward bankruptcy, especially with rising costs and high crime rates already in the mix. Food deliveries have been disrupted, and tensions are growing as the government plans to meet with unions.
🔍 Why It Matters:
Fuel costs are a massive part of operating expenses in logistics. What’s happening in Colombia could shake up supply chains if protests continue—and other countries phasing out subsidies might follow suit, raising costs globally.
🔥 Hot Take:
Colombia’s protests show how fast fuel price hikes can derail operations. Time to think about fleet diversification and alternative fuels to stay ahead!
Daily Riddle:
I can block the streets without a sound,
But my message echoes all around.
I stand for change, I make demands,
Holding signs in peaceful hands.
What am I?
____________
Previous Riddle Answer: Flexibility
The Workday Dash is an aggregation of articles regarding the transportation logistics, trucking, and supply chain industries for September 20, 2024, from iLevel Logistics Inc.