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Navigating Troubled Waters: The Contingency Mentality

Logistics contingency plans are just a fancy way of conveying the importance of businesses being prepared when the ship hits the fan—like if the Ever Given lodges itself at the Suez Canal or a viral pandemic hits planet Earth like a meteor, somehow super-charging global consumerism.  In 2021, an estimated 40% of all global ocean […]

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“New” Year, New Rates: The Annual Shift in Global Shipping Post-Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year (CNY) is just around the corner—which means the mundane rhythm of everyday life will soon give way to a vibrant celebration of family and cultural traditions. Beginning Saturday, February 10, 2024, not a single soul will be found in factories or offices, as the Chinese workforce enjoys a week (or more) of […]

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Navigating the Suez Blockade: A Trade Tirade

Navigating the Suez Blockade: A Trade Tirade

Editor’s Note: First, let us say that the humanitarian impacts and terrifying possibilities of a raging geopolitical storm leading to a global conflict are what really matter when eyeing Gaza. That is a concern well beyond this blog! We write this in the spirit of the annual budgets we are preparing (or will soon be […]

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Supply Chain Reactions | Ocean Rates | Nov. 3, 2023

Supply Chain Reactions | Nov 3, 2023 | Ocean Rates

Shipping Line News Blank Sailings Up Dramatically Container Volume Asia to US East Coast Ports (2023) Container Volume Asia to US West Coast Ports (2023)

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The Haunting Rise of Cargo Thefts 

The Haunting Rise of Cargo Thefts

In a world already fraught with frightening freight challenges, shippers are now grappling with a bone-chilling new threat that haunts their every waking moment—a rising number of cargo thefts. Statistics reveal a total of 566 incidents documented this year, marking a spine-tingling 56% year-over-year increase. These thieves, driven by an insatiable appetite for cash, target […]

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How to Crack the HTS Code on Product Classification

HTS-Codes

It’s no secret that the decline of cable television has given rise to a new entertainment behemoth: streaming platforms. The resulting power struggle forced network executives to rethink the wheel to attract more viewers than their competitors, and in turn, more advertising revenue. One of the tactics that’s taken centerstage is based upon the age-old […]

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The Clean, Green, Pollution-Fighting Marine Machines

GRI | Sustainability

PICTURE THIS…It’s 1973. You’ve just arrived at your health-conscious Uncle Larry’s house for the weekend—and are less than enthused when you hear all about the new superfood blender that your uncle won in a raffle at his gym. He then proceeds to offer up one of his “World Famous Larry-aids,” which is loaded with fruits […]

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Breaking the Supply Chains: How to Combat Forced Labor & Protect Your Business

How to Combat Forced Labor

In today’s interconnected world, where goods are sourced globally, a dark and omnipresent shadow looms in the background: forced labor. Forced labor generates an estimated $150 billion (USD) in profits and affects over 27 million laborers (about the population of Texas). To avoid this treacherous and complicated pitfall, it is crucial for the logistics, transportation, […]

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The Problem with Ocean Freight and Air Cargo Rates

Issue Date: January 19, 2022 Quote of the Issue: “We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.” –  Martin Luther King, Jr.  Adios Coming for the USMCA? ShapLight Focus: Congress is pressuring the Biden Administration to bolster US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) enforcement efforts— especially with Mexico— on labor, agriculture, telecom, […]

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Supply Chain Buckles Under Consumer Demand

Issue Date: December 8, 2021 Quote of the Issue: “…too many of us now tend to worship self-indulgence and consumption. Human identity is no longer defined by what one does, but by what one owns.” –  Jimmy Carter.  Demanding Times for Import and Consumer Demand Forecasters ShapLight Focus: US household debt rose to an all-time high […]

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