CLIFF NOTES 

Top Logistics Headlines This Week

Domestic Freight Management

U.S. Continues To Experience Significant Capacity Shortage

The freight market continues to rise and the capacity crisis persists as industry veterans claim this is the strongest market they have ever seen. The capacity crunch can be tied to numerous factors including the driver shortage and unemployment rates below four percent. Rates also continue to climb as carriers increase pay to attract drivers. Read more here.

Rail Carloads And Intermodal Volumes Still Up

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported for the week ending June 16, 2018 that U.S. rail volumes remain strong. Through the first 24 weeks of 2018, total carloads were up 1.3 percent annually and intermodal units were up six percent. See more here. 

Europe Working Together As Cargo Volumes Grow Fast

European freight volumes are expected to increase 30 percent by 2030 and roads alone cannot handle that large of a cargo increase. Rail is expected to soon play a larger role in Europe's transportation industry as the mode is more affordable and efficient. For more information, please contact us today.

India's Largest East Coast Port To Implement Container Scanning

After an 88 percent jump in container handling capacity in 2018, India's largest deepwater port is installing a drive through x-ray container scanner. The scanner is expected to help the Krishnapatnam Port speed up the handling and inspecting of import containers while reducing transaction costs and manual work. See more here. 

Global Spot Container Rates Appear To Be Increasing

According to two primary spot rate indices, container freight rates appear to be increasing. The Shanghai Shipping Exchange's composite Shanghai Containerized Freight Index increased 9.3 percent over last week's rates. See more here.

Retail Consolidation

Walmart Reveals Most Popular Two-Day Shipping Items

Consumers Around The World Experience Out-Of-Stocks

It has been reported that global shoppers experience $984 billion worth of out-of-stocks with $144.9 billion in North America alone. Consumers are dealing with empty shelves, failure to find staff for help and in store price differences compared to ads in as often as 1-in-3 shopping trips. Read more about this here.