July 2012

The logistics industry has yet to climb back to the profitability it hit in 2007–the precipice from which it dropped during the recession. According to the report’s author and industry analysts, it may be a while until the overall industry hits full stride again.

The less-than-truckload (LTL) market is a dichotomy. Privately held LTL carriers are far and away hauling more freight at better rates, providing those carriers with far better margins than their publicly held counterparts.

The $300 billion for-hire truckload (TL) sector is by far the largest slice of the overall motor carriage market and the engine that drives the U.S. trucking industry.

In a collective effort to stem the flow of eroding freight pricing, ocean carriers are now competing on the two major global trade lanes—EU-Asia and the transpacific—by focusing on value rather than rates. Indeed, all the major players are telling shippers that the general rate increases (GRIs) will not be jeopardized by competition offering deep discounts this year.

As the freight transportation sector ebbs and flows, one constant before, during, and after the Great Recession has been the railroad industry.

So far this year, it has been tough to find a silver lining in the clouds around the air cargo sector.

Adoption rates for transportation management systems (TMS) hover around 37 percent, yet the systems have proven to be game-changing, cost-saving freight facilitators. If you’re still dragging your feet, here’s some food for thought.

Our transportation law expert provides shippers with a refresher course in the basic legal principles relating to claims for cargo loss and damage.

More savvy lift truck fleet managers are realizing that buying, renting, or leasing practices set the tone for future savings.

The growing number of supply chain certification programs now available opens up new opportunities for managers looking to advance their careers. But before embarking on any program, the experts advise, make sure that it has value to current and potential employers.

From 2010 to 2020, China’s aggregate household income will increase by more than $3.2 trillion. Income increases in India will total $1.4 trillion during the same period. This is definitely impressive, but hardly the whole story. In fact, rises of similar significance are expected in a host of “non BRIC” countries—emerging markets that should be on the radar screens of most global companies and, by implication, most supply chain executives.

Not long ago, the price for a barrel of crude was $110, and a gallon of regular gasoline would set you back nearly $4. While consumers wished for relief, politicians hunted scapegoats on Wall Street.

If you’ve been keeping one eye on ocean fuel (“bunkers”) pricing as I have, you know that the slowdown in the economy has had a pleasing effect on fuel prices.

“Mom, can you change the time on my watch?” “Sure…bring it over, it should only take a few seconds.”