CLIFF NOTES 
Top Logistics Headlines This Week

Domestic Freight Management

Trucking Strongest in More than a Decade

Growth in manufacturing, construction and consumer spending is causing U.S. freight volumes to soar, straining available capacity. Industry analysts say the freight market is the strongest it has been since 2003 and deceleration is unexpected in the short term. Click here to read more.  

Blockchain to Transform Trucking?

Many believe blockchain, a technology that stores information across a shared digital network, could revolutionize payment, record keeping, tracking, monitoring of temperatures and weights, load-matching, supply chain transparency and more. Click here to read the complete analysis. 

Golden Week & Blank Sailings 

The Golden Week holiday will begin this Sunday, October 1 and is expected to have a considerable impact on logistics networks across China. Most factories and businesses will be closed during the holiday and many carriers have announced sailing cancellations during week 41 (October 8 – October 14). This could amplify space related issues throughout October. It is encouraged to place bookings as early as possible to avoid capacity challenges.

November 1 GRI 

Please note that Trans-Pacific Eastbound Trade carriers have announced 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 November 1, 2017. Ascent Global Logistics will continue to work diligently with carriers to mitigate this GRI in support of our clients.

Picketing Causes LA Terminal to Temporarily Close

A labor dispute caused operations to halt at the Global Gateway South terminal in Los Angeles yesterday, September 28. The picketing by the ILWU Local 63 was reportedly in response to recent organizational changes for superintendents.

Retail Consolidation

NRF Launches Consumer View Quarterly Report

The National Retail Federation (NRF) recently debuted a new quarterly report, Consumer View, which analyzes a wide range of consumer shopping behaviors. The Fall 2017 edition examines shopper's perceptions of technology and compares ecommerce vs in-store habits along with many more retail statistics. Click here to access the report.

Walmart Tests Smart-Home Delivery

Walmart has announced that it is testing a new delivery program that would allow workers to enter homes and unload groceries into a consumer's refrigerator. The technology allows customers to remotely open doors and watch a livestream of the delivery via cell phones connected with home security cameras. Click here to read more.