CLIFF NOTES 

Top Logistics Headlines This Week

Domestic Freight Management

Van Rates Rise As Q1 Ends

Van rates rose last week as shippers closed their financials for Q1 2018. The national average flatbed rate increased to a record-setting 101 loads-per-truck. See more here.

Spot Truckload Capacity Tightens, Total Loads Jump 3.5%

The number of trucks on the spot truckload freight market could not keep up with shipper demand during the last week of March. Rates and load-to-truck ratios increased, compounding the truckload capacity shortages. See more here.

How To Ensure Compliance With Generalized System Of Preference (GSP) Re-authorization

With the President signing into law H.R. 1625 on March 23, 2018, GSP has now been extended retroactively from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2020. The effective date of the “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018” is April 22, 2018, when the program will be updated to reflect the GSP duty status of approximately 5,000 tariff items. See more here.

Air Freight Rates Flatten Off In March But Are Still Ahead Of 2017 Levels

While airfreight rates flattened off in March compared with a month earlier, Asia shipping rates continue to track ahead of last year’s levels. The latest figures from TAC Index show that airfreight rates on service from Hong Kong to North America in March increased by 26.3% year-over-year. See more here.

TBA Software Improves RTG Operations At World-Leading Ocean Freight Terminal

TBA has integrated its Yard Crane Scheduler (YCS) into the operations of one of the largest RTG terminals in the world, resulting in a 10% increase in production. By automating the task of setting ranges for RTG machines, the terminal provided conditions for dispatchers to work proactively to prevent bottlenecks. See more here.

Retail Consolidation

New Changes To OTIF That Impact Walmart Regional Distribution Centers

OTIF requirements changed from 1 day Must Arrive Before Date (MABD) to a 2-day window (MABD + 1 day early). This change applies immediately to Walmart retail distribution centers (RDCs), and will go into effect for purchase orders with a MABD on or after March 31. See more here.

Study: Nearly Half Of Online Orders To Be Delivered Within Two Hours By 2028

Retailers are rethinking their logistics operations to create a faster purchasing journey. Retailers are also considering retrofitting stores to double as online fulfillment centers in an effort to make their supply chains more efficient. See more here.