Tag Archives: trucking

Felixstowe congestion could lead to $2bn of stranded imports

Posted on October 13, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Container shipping is all messed up in the UK. A recent report claims that shippers cannot get their container cargo delivered on time. And the reason is not the driver shortage, or is it?

Apparently there is also a shortage of space for empty containers, and the empties have to be taken to a different place from where they are delivered. Some ports are refusing empty containers.

When you put that with the ‘blanked’ sailings, where ocean shipping lines simply omit a port from their rotation for a given voyage, it’s impossible to predict when your cargo will arrive. The nightmare has arrived.

By Charlie Bartlett, European Correspondent 13/10/2021

Felixstowe congestion could lead to $2bn of stranded imports, says report – The Loadstar

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Posted in Logistics, Shipping, Supply Chains

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Shippers face tough choices in the US trucking market as costs escalate

Posted on September 23, 2021 by | Leave a comment

It’s a good time for larger shippers to consider a dedicated fleet, according to this consultant. The driver shortage and inability for carriers and 3PLs to offer good schedules are making it hard to book a good service. It certainly throws cold water on trying to forge a long term (say, annual) contract with a carrier.

There are roadblocks in forming a dedicated fleet, too. Trucks are in short supply, due to the chip shortage among other things. and if you don’t have trucking logistics specialists now, you have to set up a whole logistics department, with knowledgeable dispatchers and logistics managers. Not all firms will be able to pull that off. So there are pluses and minuses for a dedicated fleet.

I think firms need to think strategically and decide where they need to be with their customers five or more years in the future. Then once a strategy is chosen, they need to commit the resources and money they need to get the new strategy up and running in a measurable way, so they can be sure service to customers is really improved, and economically for the firm.

By Ian Putzger, Americas correspondent 23/09/2021

Shippers face tough choices in the US trucking market as costs escalate – The Loadstar

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Posted in Logistics, Trucking

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Trucking Carriers head west for a modern-day gold rush — of freight

Posted on September 20, 2021 by | 2 comments

Apparently trucking carriers are rushing to carry loads from the West Coast to inland America. It’s because the rates are much higher for Eastbound freight.

And carriers looking to carry loads back to the West Coast are having trouble finding them. The rates there have not risen much.

Look at the excellent chart in the article, showing the recent changes in rates to and from the West Coast from Dallas.

Zach Strickland, FW Market Expert & Market Analyst Saturday, September 18, 2021

Carriers head west for a modern-day gold rush — of freight – FreightWaves

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Posted in Logistics, Supply Chains, Trucking

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