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US ports need more than 0 billion from investors Consolidation in the shipping industry is complicating efforts to secure US port investments. LONG BEACH — Even with government help, US ports still need more than $100 billion over the next five years to handle growing volumes and bigger ships. Private-sector investors are willing to close the […]

How to weather unpredictable disruptions in ocean shipping Some issues in ocean shipping — such as the lack of space availability in the run-up to Chinese New Year — are so predictable, you can plan for them. There are other situations that are not so predictable, like weather events and carrier mergers, acquisitions, and bankruptcies. […]

Snarled distribution networks hamper Puerto Rico relief Hurricane Maria ravaged roads and bridges on Puerto Rico, forcing first responders to utilize inflatable rafts or climb mudslides to deliver aid. Two weeks after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, logistical challenges continue to plague recovery efforts in the US commonwealth, even as aid streams toward the island. […]

Shining light on supply chain visibility gaps The modern supply chain is complex, global, multi-modal — and full of visibility gaps. These gaps cost companies money, time, and reputation, as they are forced to operate with limited knowledge. In response to these challenges, managers have begun incorporating digital solutions that provide real-time visibility into a […]

Trade deficits with China widen despite higher import demand Photo credit: Shutterstock.com When China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001, Western governments and companies agreed to give Beijing low-tariff access to their markets in exchange for the promise of one day opening up China for its own companies. Since then, politicians in Europe and […]

Cut-throat competition leaves little room for China factories to clean up China’s anti-pollution drive is continuing. China’s low cost manufacturers are fiercely competitive and exist on wafer thin profit margins with little room to invest in more environmentally friendly production practices, placing them directly in the path of Beijing’s increasingly vigorous anti-pollution inspectors.Manufacturers have had […]

Singapore’s GLP storms into Europe with .8 billion acquisition One of Europe’s largest logistics property develpers, Gazeley, will be acquired by expansion-minded GLP. Credit: Gazeley GLP will take its first step into Europe with the acquisition of logistics platform Gazeley for $2.8 billion as the logistics developer continues to aggressively expand its global property portfolio […]

New tech solutions target supply chain visibility Shippers now have a pay-per-use solution to track and monitor their containers across the China-Europe rail route. Credit: Arviem New supply chain visibility solutions were this week unveiled in two areas, China-Europe rail and the cold chain, where there has been a gaping hole in the ability of […]

Thailand targets infrastructure, manufacturing upgrades CHON BURI, Thailand Chon Buri — Although wild elephants still roam some nearby rain forests, the sweeping landscape of Thailand’s massive Hutchison Laem Chabang Terminal is dominated by state-of-the-art, rail-mounted gantries managed from a Hutchison port control tower on computer screens by well-trained technocrats.  Welcome to Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor, […]

China approves US-focused SF Express-UPS joint venture The packages SF Express staff load for the US are set to expand under a new joint venture with UPS. Credit: SF Express China’s Ministry of Commerce has approved the planned joint venture of courier giants UPS and SF Express that will initially focus on delivery services from […]