What retail executives are saying about widespread supply chain bottlenecks

From air shipping to ship charters to price increases, industry players are managing chaos at ports and throughout the global production network every way they can.

By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 26, 2021

Shanghai airport terminal closure leads logistics firms to expect cargo delays

China has implemented strict measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, leading to strains on already-limited air cargo capacity out of the country.

By Max Garland • Aug. 23, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Peak season management

Higher peak season surcharges are one risk for shippers to manage this year.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

Tight ocean market, peak preparations drive strong demand for airfreight

But capacity is tight, and there are "no signals that the inter-continental passenger market is going to recover anytime soon," Clive Managing Director Niall van de Wouw said in a statement.

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 17, 2021

Customs workers in Canada reach agreement, end slowdown that threatened supply chains

The four-year tentative agreement applies to nearly 9,500 border services officers and follows work-to-rule actions by Canada Border Services Agency employees that began Friday.

By Max Garland • Updated Aug. 9, 2021

DHL Express takes step toward zero-emission logistics with 12 electric aircraft

The company will use the electric aircraft for regional feeder routes starting in the U.S., primarily for the Southeast and West Coast.

By Max Garland • Aug. 5, 2021

'You can pay or you can wait': How retailers are navigating a shipping crisis

Consumer demand came raging back this year. The supply chain wasn't ready for it, and now retailers, brands and consumers are paying the price.

By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 3, 2021

Shippers struggle to land carrier space despite preparing for peak early

The looming capacity crunch and other challenges throughout the order-to-delivery process mean retailers not already preparing for peak will have a bumpy holiday season, experts say.

By Max Garland • July 29, 2021

Levi's diverts freight to East Coast amid 'challenge in Long Beach'

The decision was one of several actions Levi Strauss took to mitigate supply chain disruptions in Q2, according to CEO Chip Bergh.

By Edwin Lopez • July 12, 2021

Lower inventories offset rising transport costs in 2020: report

A lack of inventory may have caused supply chain challenges, but it also led to a 15% decrease in logistics costs in 2020, according to CSCMP's Annual State of Logistics Report.

By Edwin Lopez • July 8, 2021

Airfreight demand returns to pre-pandemic levels, but capacity could take longer to materialize

The transpacific lane won't be the first to benefit from the return of passenger planes and belly capacity. Freighters expect their services will be in demand into next year.

By Matt Leonard • July 8, 2021

HB Fuller leans on 'strong supplier relationships' to navigate shortages, tight freight market

Strategizing for a "ship stuck in the Suez is exactly what they're set up to do," an executive said of its supply chain team.

By Matt Leonard • July 1, 2021

JFK seeks to modernize 'inefficient cargo operation' with new facility for airfreight handling

The $145 million project will develop a 350,000 square-foot facility that includes modern technology, such as an automated vertical racking system.

By Edwin Lopez • June 29, 2021

USPS considers setting longer benchmarks for 32% of first-class packages

The agency said the changes would support increased package volumes, create network efficiencies and allow for more transportation time for long-distance delivery.

By A.B. Brown • June 28, 2021

Wilmington Air Park, once abandoned by DHL, is brought to life by Amazon Air

Wilmington grew its cargo volume by nearly 289% YoY in 2020, according to an analysis of government data by researchers at DePaul University

By Matt Leonard • June 14, 2021

Low capacity keeps airfreight rates high between Asia and US

Prices from Hong Kong to the U.S. reached $8.07 per kilogram as of Monday, which is down from a mid-May peak but more than double 2019 rates.

By Matt Leonard • June 10, 2021

Brands turn to air cargo as inventory delays continue

The companies behind brands such as Levi Strauss and Tommy Hilfiger said they are expediting more shipments to keep up with sales.

By Edwin Lopez • June 8, 2021

Sea-to-air conversions drive up airfreight rates on Transpacific

Tight capacity and volatility in the air cargo market leads many shippers to seek longer-term contracts with their carriers.

By Matt Leonard • May 10, 2021

DSV's Agility M&A builds scale, clout in fragmented forwarding market

DSV feeds its appetite for acquisitions with a deal valued at more than $4 billion.

By Shefali Kapadia • April 28, 2021

Ceva Logistics adds guaranteed airfreight capacity in volatile market

Shipper demand for sea-to-air conversions reduced airfreight capacity and increased rates in the aftermath of the Suez Canal blockage.

By Matt Leonard • April 22, 2021

5 freight technologies send supply chains on a greener path

A growing level of shipper interest, along with pressure from the public and regulators, is driving carriers to invest in more sustainable delivery options.

By Matt Leonard , S.L. Fuller • April 21, 2021

Photos: A look at how UPS eVTOLs could shake up logistics

A small, electric aircraft that can take off and land vertically at distribution and sortation centers will enable faster delivery speeds.

By S.L. Fuller • April 15, 2021

Shippers assess impact to cargo as Ever Given is freed from Suez Canal

Ikea confirmed it has containers on ships waiting to pass through the Suez Canal and said it "will consider all supply options available to secure the availability of our products."

By Matt Leonard • March 29, 2021

FedEx Express rates expected to remain elevated for next 12 months

The logistics company plans to increase the capacity of its Express network over the next year, putting seven parked planes back into operation and launching new services. 

By Matt Leonard • March 19, 2021

Tight ocean market, extended lead times push shippers to airfreight

Air cargo demand has rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. But capacity remains down with many passenger planes grounded, and pricing is unstable.

By Matt Leonard • March 9, 2021

FedEx to convert parcel fleet to EVs by 2040, eyeing a carbon neutral future

The announcement is part of a broader $2 billion investment focused on clean energy, carbon removal and electrification.

By A.B. Brown • March 5, 2021