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Ascent Global Logistics News Update

CLIFF NOTES 
Top Logistics Headlines This Week

Domestic Freight Management

Trucking & Super Bowl Sunday

Trucking and Super Bowl Sunday

Super Bowl Sunday is just days away but truck drivers have been busy transporting game-day treats far in advance of this week. The Minnesota Trucking Association projects that Americans will consume roughly 100 truckloads of popcorn, 350 truckloads of potato chips, 668 truckloads of avocados, 1,562 truckloads of chicken wings and 36,166 truckloads of beer this Sunday. Click here to see more.  

Atlanta Intersection Named Top Trucking Bottleneck

Atlanta Intersection Named Top U.S. Truck Bottleneck 

The American Transportation Research Institute has issued its annual Top Truck Bottleneck List and the intersection at I-285 and I-85 in Atlanta claimed the number one spot once again for the third year in a row. Intersections in Fort Lee (New Jersey), Chicago, a second intersection in Atlanta and Los Angeles completed the top five list for the most congested areas. Click here to read more. 

International Freight Forwarding
March GRI

March GRI

Please note that the Trans-Pacific Eastbound Trade carriers are planning a General Rate Increase (GRI) in the amount of $20/CBM, $40/MT, $900/20', $1,000/40', $1,000/40'HQ and $1,265/45', to become effective March 1, 2018. Ascent Global Logistics will continue to work diligently with carriers to mitigate this GRI in support of our clients.

USDA Changes to Miscellaneous and Processed Product Import Manual

USDA Makes Changes to Miscellaneous and Processed Product Import Manual

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently made a series of changes to one manual that provides regulations for imported processed articles of plant and nonplant sources that might introduce exotic pests or parasites into the United States. Some changes include reorganizing requirements into subsections, shortening tables, removing redundant language and more. Click here to access the manual. 

 Chinese New Year

Reminder: Chinese New Year

Please remember that the Chinese New Year (CNY), which will occur from February 16-21, 2018, is quickly approaching. Importers should be working with suppliers to finalize any pre-holiday bookings as soon as possible. The CNY holiday will cause origin operations to cease during the official holiday dates with the potential to impact production and shipping for up to one month.

Retail Consolidation

Walmart Extends OTIF to Truckload Suppliers

Walmart Announces Plans to Extend OTIF Requirements

Walmart announced this week that it plans to extend the OTIF (On Time In Full) initiative to both full and less-than-truckload shippers. Suppliers that do not meet the new delivery requirements will incur fines equal to three percent of the cost of goods sold. Click here to read more. 

How Blockchain Could Potentially Change Retail

Could Blockchain Revolutionize Retail?

Some industry analysts believe that blockchain could be the next big disruptor to retail by improving customer trust and transparency, reducing counterfeit goods and creating a more transparent supply chain. Click here to read more. 

Statistic of the Week

+9%

The annual increase in air freight demand during 2017, compared year-over-year, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This was the strongest reported annual expansion since 2010.

See Full Data and Infographic

Upcoming Events

Catch up with the Ascent Global Logistics team at the below upcoming event: 

TPM Annual Conference 
Long Beach, CA - March 4-7, 2018 

International Holiday Calendar

International Holiday Calendar 1.31.18.png


Please remember that the Chinese New Year (CNY), which will occur from February 16-21, 2018, is quickly approaching. Importers should be communicating with suppliers to ensure orders are approved and bookings are made well in advance. Additionally, please note that carriers typically suspend select services due to a decrease in volumes during the CNY holiday.

The CNY will cause origin operations to cease during the official holiday dates with the potential to impact production and shipping for more than one month. If urgent airfreight bookings are needed, please contact your local Ascent Global Logistics representative. 

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