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The celebrations in China around Lunar New Year can throw a wrench into even the most resilient supply chains. Factories shut down, orders increase in anticipation, and transportation companies try to juggle the demand with a reduced workforce.  If you’re relying on goods manufactured in China—or simply shipping through ports in the country—we’ll show you what to expect during the Lunar New Year / Chinese New Year celebrations. We’ll also give you some ideas for mitigating the impact within your operation.   In this article What Is Lunar New Year When Is the Lunar New Year Celebration in China What Happens During the Lunar New Year How...

Air pollution is a significant problem in the state of California. The San Joaquin Valley and South Coast Air Basins experience some of the highest air pollution levels in the United States, according to data from the EPA. Of the ten most ozone-polluted U.S. cities, seven are located in the Golden State. Additionally, a 2021 air-quality report from the Environment America Research & Policy center ranked Southern California air pollution as the worst in the country. That same report quantified the number of days of elevated ozone and/or particulate matter in several population centers in California during the year 2020: Days of Elevated Ozone and/or...

Recent data from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics has confirmed what many consumers have already recognized at the cash register: Prices continue to rise for goods and services. 7.9% increase in Consumer Price Index Feb. 2021-2022 From February 2021 to February 2022, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose by 7.9%—the largest 12-month change since January 1982. . In other words, consumers are paying 7.9% more for goods and services than they were a year ago. What’s behind these sharp price increases? Basic economics of supply and demand. This balance was disrupted during the pandemic. As companies struggle to get their...

Empty dealership lots. Long waiting lists for new vehicles. Higher prices for both new and used cars. The semiconductor chip shortage hit the auto industry hard, impacting manufacturers, dealers, and consumers alike: Consulting firm Alix Partners has estimated that the shortage will cost the automotive industry $210 billion in lost revenue in 2021, $100 billion more than the firm’s initial estimates. AutoForecast Solutions projects that 11.3 million vehicles will be cut from production plans before the crisis is resolved. Additionally, some experts anticipate that shortages will last at least into 2023, with Cox Automotive estimating that it will take at least until 2025 for the...

As the freight industry looks to green technology for sustainable solutions, electric vehicle (EV) solutions were on full display at CES 2022. Alongside innovations in digital health, food tech, gaming, and smart home applications, companies exhibited heavy-duty battery-electrics and hybrids alongside lighter duty last-mile vans and even autonomous platforms for closed logistics ecosystems. Unlike some of technology that’s unveiled at CES, some of these EVs are not only already in production but also currently in commercial use. In other words, the EV tech displayed at this year’s CES was both strong in concept and reality. Ultimately, these entries offered new promise that EVs might finally...

A little while ago, we tackled the question, “Why is the supply chain so messed up?” Despite efforts from local officials, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and even President Joe Biden’s administration, there’s still significant congestion at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. For our part, we’ve been hearing from a number of shippers looking for drayage solutions to get their containers out of the ports. A few key statistics lay out the current state of affairs: 82% increase in average end-to-end transit time from China to the U.S. Due in large part to port congestion, U.S.–China ocean freight transit time has increased considerably,...