Logistics

The Supply Chain's Next Stop Is Full-Service Security Screening

April 3, 2013

Andrew Goldsmith, Vice President, Marketing Rapiscan Systems

Regardless of the goods that are being shipped - from electronics to pharmaceuticals to fruit - once released into the supply chain, they are immediately at risk. And the longer they are in transit, the more vulnerable those goods become - facing threats of terrorism, of theft, or even of a natural disaster. Until the cargo arrives safely at its final destination, there are an inordinate number of things that could jeopardize the supply chain from running smoothly.

Money May Be Short Now, But Carriers Haven't Lost Appetite for Large Ships

April 3, 2013

Drewry

Drewry's research shows that the average size of vessel deployed between Asia and North Europe now exceeds 10,000 TEUs for the first time. Orders for Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs) have been quiet recently, but the pace of growth in vessel sizes will continue to outstrip cargo growth for the foreseeable future.

Moeller-Maersk CEO Predicts China to Ramp Up Its Imports

April 3, 2013

Maritime Executive

The head of A.P. Moeller-Maersk A/S, owner of the world's biggest container shipping line, said China's efforts to boost domestic consumption and pare reliance on exports will help carriers as imports into the country may gain.

Canadian Freight Costs and Fuel Increases Marginal to Start 2013

April 2, 2013

Nulogx

Results published by the Canadian General Freight Index (CGFI) indicate that the total cost of ground transportation for Canadian shippers increased by .575 percent in January when compared with December results.

Defining Differences Between Reverse and Forward Logistics Operations

April 2, 2013

Industry Week

Among the numerous challenges to a successful reverse logistics initiative is determining and tracking the value of the returned unit.

U.S Agencies May Be Barred from Buying IT from Vendors Affiliated with Chinese Government

April 2, 2013

Computerworld

Certain U.S. federal agencies could be hindered from buying information technology systems made by companies with links to the Chinese government under the new funding law signed by President Barack Obama.

Is the Government Going to Sink U.S. Maritime Industry?

April 2, 2013

Maritime Executive

Congress and the Administration do not understand the relationship between the U.S. merchant fleet, the military and trade. This lack of understanding has created haphazard policies that are gutting the fleet and inhibiting the private sector's ability to recapitalize our aging maritime industry. The time for action is now. Congress and the Administration are considering budget proposals that, if unopposed, would destroy the U.S. maritime industry and hand over our maritime supremacy to foreign carriers.

North American Freight Index Returns to Typical February Freight Volumes

April 1, 2013

DAT

The DAT North American Freight Index showed a return to post-recession freight volumes during the month of February, following a record-setting January. On a year-over-year basis, freight availability declined 2.5%. Month-over-month spot freight declined 14% when compared to January's unusually high freight volumes.

Enterprise Innovation Through the Reverse Supply Chain

April 1, 2013

Bill Angrick, Chairman & CEO, Liquidity Services Inc.

Supply chain managers fight a tough battle in trying to meet management demands to decrease costs while creating efficiencies and implementing sustainability measures. Economic growth has improved but lacks the stability to provide companies comfort to budget for implementation of many of the innovations in their long- or short-term plan. However, companies can stagnate without taking the time to identify opportunities to innovate. With pressure to sustain its competitive edge, leading organizations are beginning to consider their reverse supply chain to find hidden value.

E-Invoicing, Slow to Catch on in Ocean Transportation, May Be Gaining Steam

April 1, 2013

Maritime Executive

In a digital age where a delay of seconds or one human error can be the cause of lost revenue, wasted resources or unhappy customers, good technology becomes critical to run a business. Twelve years after the ocean shipping industry adopted e-commerce tools that resulted in an average savings of $100,000 per year and hundreds of thousands of labor hours per week, the final steps in the shipping process - invoicing and payment - are still catching up.