CLIFF NOTES 

Top Logistics Headlines This Week

Domestic Freight Management

Trucking Shortage: Buckle Up For Worsening Conditions

Trucking spot rates are 28 percent higher through March 23, 2018 than what they were in 2017, according to Bloomberg. Rates could continue to increase for a number of reasons, including the result of the economy's natural tendency to re-balance due to lack of supply and higher demand. See more here.

Produce Industry Updates Measures To Improve Transportation Practices

Demand for produce packaging in the United States is forecast to increase 3.2 percent annually to $6 billion in 2019. The produce industry has taken several steps to strengthen its safety practices with growing demand for greater supply chain efficiency. See more here.

Canadian Pacific Railway Strike Postponed

The Canadian Pacific railway strike that was scheduled to begin on April 21, 2018 has been postponed. Because the strike is not scheduled to occur in the near future, supply chain activities in Canada are expected to remain normal. See more here.

Shanghai Port Continues To Work Towards Solving Traffic Congestion

The world's busiest container port in Shanghai continues to battle severe congestion due to dense fog, higher-than-usual volumes and the aftermath of ocean carrier alliance changes. More than 100 container vessels are now waiting outside the port, where the average waiting time at berth went up 6.2 percent to 18.2 hours. See more here.

U.S. Bound Ocean Shipments See Small Slip In March 2018

March shipments, at 858,809, were down 0.2 percent annually, marking the first annual decline since February 2017. For the first quarter of 2018, Panjiva data indicated that shipments were up 6.9 percent annually at 2,816,997. See more here.

Retail Consolidation

Walmart Files Patents For Expanded Blockchain Use

Walmart is getting close to the possible implementation of blockchain technology in its supply chain. Walmart's vendor payment system patent proposes the creation of a network able to automatically conduct transactions on behalf of the customer. See more here.

New Dining In Trend Strains Food & Restaurant Supply Chains

A Cowen and Company study predicts that restaurant meal delivery will grow from $43 billion in 2017 to $76 billion in the next four years. Because of this, companies will need to shift their supply chain activities to meet this increased demand. See more here.