Global Trade & Economics

What an Unpredictable Year Means for Freight Costs in 2021

December 20, 2020

Although projections indicate that maritime trade will recover and expand next year, it's becoming clear that disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic will have a lasting impact on the industry.

Beirut Explosion Destroys Tonnes of Lebanon’s Food Stocks

What Happens When Tycoons Abandon Their Giant Cargo Ships

December 18, 2020

Bloomberg

COVID-19 has wrought havoc everywhere, but in the nominally regulated shipping industry it’s fueling a worrying practice: the abandonment of ships, cargo and seafarers with no way to get home.

U.K. Businesses Plead for Time to Avoid Brexit Cliff Edge

December 15, 2020

Bloomberg

As trade talks have come down to the wire, companies have to try to adapt for life beyond Dec. 31 without knowing the fundamental rules of engagement.

VIDEO

Watch: The ‘New World Order’ for Business in 2021

December 13, 2020

Robert J. Bowman, SupplyChainBrain

Rod Robertson, a partner with Briggs Management, describes a radically different environment in which businesses will sink or swim in the coming year.

VIDEO

Watch: How the Biden Administration Will Affect Trade and Supply Chains

December 10, 2020

Robert J. Bowman, SupplyChainBrain

Abe Eshkenazi, chief executive officer of the Association for Supply Chain Management, discusses the expected impact of the incoming Biden Administration on international trade, reshoring and supply-chain sustainability.

How Biden Could Change Trade With Europe and Transpacific Regions

December 10, 2020

Ron Atapattu, SCB Contributor

Although no definite plans have been laid out by the Biden team, there are certain scenarios worth considering now.

Brexit Stockpiling Frenzy Fuels Chaos in Cross-Channel Trade

December 10, 2020

Bloomberg

The split from the European Union is fueling an increasingly frenzied demand for goods, creating traffic snarl-ups at ports and highways on both sides of the English Channel and leading to at least one major factory shutdown.

Fidelity Calls for Urgent Action to Help 400,000 Stranded Seafarers

December 10, 2020

Bloomberg

Fidelity International is calling for urgent action to address the humanitarian crisis and supply-chain risks caused by the more than 400,000 seafarers who are stranded aboard vessels and a similar number who remain ashore with little prospect for work or pay.

VIDEO

Watch: Can We Dismantle Barriers to Foreign Trade?

December 9, 2020

Robert J. Bowman, SupplyChainBrain

Brian Pomper, executive director of the Alliance for Trade Enforcement, details the major foreign-trade barriers that will confront the incoming Biden Administration.