After midnight on October 1, the port workers from The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) launched a strike, effectively halting operations at key ports stretching from Maine to Texas. This work stoppage follows months of tense negotiations with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), which represents the shipping ports. Unfortunately, the inability of both sides to... Read more »
Effective September 15, 2024, the Chinese government has opted to restrict exports of a metal, Antimony. Antimony is used in everything from ammunition to batteries, but is also a key component of the widely used flame retardant, Antimony Trioxide (ATO). Prices are expected to rise even higher following this decision. The trading price of... Read more »
By this point in the year 2021, the bottlenecked and congested ports, backed up rail lines, and pinched trucking capacities are nothing new, and most of us have adapted and gotten used to longer lead times, delays, and skyrocketing costs. After emerging into the post-pandemic world, there was hope that these logistical nightmares would begin... Read more »
Last week a 1,300-foot container ship became wedged in the Suez Canal in Egypt, causing massive disruption to the already squeezed global ocean shipping industry. More than 10% of world trade is said to pass through this canal, as it greatly shortens the route between continents. The blockage is estimated to have cost $10 billion... Read more »
As companies return to work from the holidays, major delays at U.S. ports around the country continue to cause supply chain headaches. This persistent port and rail ramp congestion and container chassis shortages were a problem heading into the new year, and there seems to be no end in sight. The excessive detention and demurrage... Read more »
The trade war isn’t the only thing in the news that is hindering exports and imports with the United States. The Export-Import Bank of the United States hasn’t been able to reach a quorum, causing United States manufacturers to be severely weakened in foreign markets until recently. The Export-Import Bank of the United States is... Read more »
