Supply Chain Solutions Roundup | Put time back in your day

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OCEAN SHIPPING

Containers Piling Up at U.S. Rail Yards Add to Port Strains

To understand why more than 100 container ships are waiting to enter U.S. ports from Southern California to Savannah, Georgia, it helps to keep tabs on the congestion that’s building at another key junction of freight transportation: rail yards.

Thailand to Start Shipping Line to Boost Status as Logistics Hub

Trade-reliant Thailand plans to launch a national shipping company next year to bolster its trade capabilities, reduce transport costs and become a bigger player in global logistics as the Malacca bypass opens.

Nike warns of shortages as ocean congestion, Vietnam shutdowns hurt inventory

Nike's inventory increased 12% YoY as already lengthy transit times worsened and prevented the company from satisfying high consumer demand. It now takes Nike 80 days to move product from Asia to North America, compared to 40 days pre-pandemic.

AIR SHIPPING

Shanghai terminal closure further strained air cargo capacity in August

Air cargo demand continued its growth from pre-pandemic levels, with August volumes up 1% from 2019 levels, according to Clive Data Services. However, freighter suspensions in Shanghai added further pressure on already low air cargo capacity.

RAIL

U.S. rail and intermodal units are mixed, for week ending September 18, reports AAR

United States rail carload and intermodal volumes, for the week ending September 11 were mixed, according to data issued this week by the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

TRUCKING

Fuel Shortages Pile Pressure on Johnson as U.K. Crisis Escalates

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is under increasing pressure to do more to ease a supply chain crisis in Britain after pumps ran dry at some gasoline stations because of panic buying.

WAREHOUSE

Toymakers worry congestion will lead to holiday inventory troubles

Rising port congestion has toymakers worried their products won't make it onto shelves by the holiday season.

ECONOMY

Logistics Costs Are Rising After 4% Drop Last Year: Report

Overall logistics costs in the U.S. fell last year by 4% to $1.56 trillion, according to a report presented Tuesday at the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) annual conference. The drop was primarily driven by a 15% decrease in inventory carrying costs.

Shortages have created a 'traffic jam' in construction

The entire homebuilding industry is facing labor constraints and shortages — particularly of "engineered wood, windows, garage doors, paint and vinyl siding" — that were limiting the company's ability to keep up with real estate demand.

Supplier diversity importance grows, but hurdles remain

Companies have stepped up their efforts to work with more minority and women-owned businesses, with 53% of North American respondents in a Jaggaer-Tealbook survey saying supplier diversity is a "high priority."

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