Ever Given and the Suez Canal: A list of affected ships and what delays mean for shippers

Carriers with hundreds of thousands of TEUs of cargo capacity are stuck, and when they move, port congestion will worsen.

By Matt Leonard • Updated March 30, 2021

Schneider's plan to reduce carbon with focus on intermodal

Intermodal offers a road to sustainability, but it's a challenge for the speedy delivery consumers want and expect.

By Amanda Loudin • March 25, 2021

Nike's imports drop 39% amid port congestion, straining inventory

The YoY drop in February came after the retailer faced weeks-long delays, affecting the timing of wholesale shipments.

By Matt Leonard • March 24, 2021

Kansas City Southern, Canadian Pacific agree to $29B deal

The combined rail networks will create the first such service to stretch across Canada, the United States and Mexico.

By Matt Leonard • March 22, 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

Imports spike at ports across US, Hapag-Lloyd warns of terminal congestion

The Port of Los Angeles said dwell time is still too high, after slight improvements during the busiest February on record at the gateway.

By Matt Leonard • March 17, 2021

Congress takes on truck driver shortage, reboots bill to permit under-21s to haul interstate loads

Proponents of the DRIVE-Safe Act applaud its ability to bring young drivers into the workforce, but opponents express safety concerns.

By S.L. Fuller • March 16, 2021

Yeti tests Port Houston in bid to avoid congestion

Along with the port change, Yeti has also increased its use of cross-docking for its imports to help cut down on lead times and is exploring faster shipping lanes out of Southeast Asia.

By Matt Leonard • March 12, 2021

Big Lots to add 2 distribution centers to speed replenishment of palletized, big and bulky inventory

The retailer faces extended lead times with inventory stuck in-transit in a clogged ocean freight network.

By Matt Leonard • March 11, 2021

A tumultuous year of ocean shipping prompts a rethink of contracts

Negotiations are taking place earlier than usual, with greater interest in two-way commitments and tiered pricing. But a focus on resiliency and capacity comes at a cost to shippers.

By Matt Leonard • March 10, 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

Knight-Swift focuses on drop trailers, pools to 'ebb and flow' in volatile market

Flexibility could help ease stressed supply chains, the CEO said. That's one reason the carrier is expanding its fleet of trailers, not tractors.

By S.L. Fuller • March 9, 2021

Foot Locker cites port congestion for nearly 24% drop in inventory

The retailer is working with its vendors to find alternative routings, and it expects its inventory position to improve this quarter, an executive said.

By Matt Leonard • March 8, 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

Shippers consider redirecting cargo away from congested California ports

Switching cargo from Southern California to the Northwest Seaport Alliance can especially make sense for inland-point intermodal moves to the Midwest, one expert said.

By Matt Leonard • March 5, 2021

FMC, lawmakers meet to discuss container practices, whether carriers violate Shipping Act

One commissioner said legislation and modernization to the Shipping Act might be necessary to resolve ongoing container issues.

By Matt Leonard • Updated April 9, 2021

Inventories drop with no signs of softening demand: ISM

Shortages in ocean freight, corrugated boxes, gloves and dozens of other products are pushing up the prices for many commodities.

By Matt Leonard • March 3, 2021

Coronavirus beams trucking, supply chain into an automated future

XPO Logistics shipped five times more units using robotic technology in 2020 than it did in 2019. 

By Jim Stinson • March 3, 2021

FMC: Injecting more containers won't solve supply chain woes

Two commissioners — a Republican and a Democrat — call for cooperation among supply chain stakeholders.

By Daniel B. Maffei & Louis E. Sola • March 2, 2021

Why interest is growing in private fleet conversion

J.B. Hunt and other trucking firms have seen their pipelines fill, as companies realize transport may be better off in the hands of specialists.

By S.L. Fuller • March 2, 2021

Wayfair cites ocean shipping disruption, port congestion for in-stock issues

The retailer expects it could take a "few months" to get back to the in-stock levels it usually tries to maintain, one executive said.

By Matt Leonard • March 1, 2021

Crocs: Redundancy in ocean freight contracts takes priority over cost

The footwear brand's logistics director said a turbulent market with high consumer demand proves container shipping is a commodity, not a service.

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 26, 2021

Winter storms squeeze capacity, drive spot rates up 20 cents

Long-haul deliveries and outbound volumes dropped in Texas markets, but analysts said effects may be just a "blip" on the long-term freight market radar.

By Shefali Kapadia • Feb. 25, 2021

No rate relief in sight for ocean shippers as Lunar New Year passes

If consumer spending doesn't fall off during 2021, the ocean shipping industry could be in for a busy and record-breaking year, one analyst predicted.

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 23, 2021

Tyson to use real-time data for visibility in warehouse shipments, volume

Data is helping Tyson identify its highest dwell times by facility — its own and those belonging to customers — as well as informing what mitigation actions to take.

By S.L. Fuller • Feb. 23, 2021