Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a fun and relaxing holiday.
2024 is kicking off right where 2023 left off: with lots of risk and uncertainty in ocean shipping, as several of the news items below highlight.
What lies ahead in the world of supply chain and logistics? Everything from the known knowns (e.g., ongoing labor constraints, growing roles of AI and sustainability) to the unknown unknowns. That’s what makes this industry so challenging and exciting at the same time.
Are you ready? Let’s get started…
- Maersk Pauses Transit Through Red Sea Until Further Notice After Attack on Ship (MarketWatch)
- Red Sea activity down nearly 20% after containership exodus (Lloyd’s List)
- U.S., Allies Give Houthis Ultimatum: Stop Ship Attacks or Face Consequences (WSJ – sub. req’d)
- Fresh surcharges pile up for Asia-Europe shippers amid Red Sea attacks (JOC – sub. req’d)
- Saving the Panama Canal Will Take Years and Cost Billions, If It’s Even Possible (Bloomberg)
- Retailers Are Bracing for Their Postholiday Returns Hangover (WSJ – sub. req’d)
- Kenco Acquires The Shippers Group
- Warehouse Availability Surges to Highest Level Since the Pandemic (WSJ – sub. req’d)
- CARB gives another month to register in ‘smog check’ system (CCJ)
Since I’m still in quasi-vacation mode, I’ll save my commentary for next week.
Have a happy weekend!
Song of the Week: “The Tower” by Future Islands
