Biden Administration Reaches Deal to Prevent Rail Strike

Biden Administration Reaches Deal to Prevent Rail Strike

To avert a supply chain disruption, President Biden established a Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) to mediate the railway labor dispute. The PEB will submit a report within 30 days, offering solutions for both parties. Experts believe a full-scale strike is unlikely, but supply chain risks persist. This event highlights the importance of supply chain stability, requiring collaborative efforts from all stakeholders. The PEB's intervention aims to facilitate a resolution and prevent potential economic consequences stemming from a railway shutdown.

01/28/2026 Logistics
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Biden Administration Steps In to Prevent Rail Strike Safeguard Supply Chains

Biden Administration Steps In to Prevent Rail Strike Safeguard Supply Chains

The Biden administration signed an executive order establishing a Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) to mediate the labor dispute between major US freight railroads and labor organizations representing 12 railroad unions. This action aims to prevent potential supply chain disruptions. The PEB will investigate the dispute and submit recommendations for resolution within 30 days. The goal is to ensure stability for the US economy by facilitating a fair agreement and averting a potential strike that could significantly impact the nation's supply chain.

01/28/2026 Logistics
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Union Pacific Faces STB Scrutiny Amid Lean Strategy Challenges

Union Pacific Faces STB Scrutiny Amid Lean Strategy Challenges

Union Pacific Railroad (UP) plans to implement "Unified Plan 2020," introducing the concept of "Precision Scheduled Railroading" (PSR). The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has expressed concerns, urging UP to learn from CSX's experiences and avoid service disruptions. UP has pledged to proceed with the transformation steadily, aiming to improve efficiency and service levels. This transition is crucial for the future of the rail transport industry, and careful management is essential to prevent negative impacts on shippers and the supply chain.

Tiktok Trend Boosts Short Snowboard Sales in Snow Sports Market

Tiktok Trend Boosts Short Snowboard Sales in Snow Sports Market

The viral success of BootSki, a short ski board, on TikTok highlights the potential for niche innovative products to achieve growth through content-driven e-commerce. However, TikTok Shop's new shipping regulations place higher demands on fulfillment time. Cross-border sellers need to improve their warehousing and logistics efficiency to seize this opportunity and convert traffic into sales. This necessitates a focus on optimizing the entire supply chain to meet the platform's requirements and capitalize on the viral product trend.

10point Checklist for Efficient Bill of Lading Review

10point Checklist for Efficient Bill of Lading Review

The Bill of Lading (B/L) is a crucial document in international trade, and its accuracy directly impacts customs clearance. This article delves into ten key aspects of B/L review, including verifying the number of copies, carrier identification, on-board notations, mode of transport, and consignee information. By highlighting these critical areas, this guide helps you mitigate risks and ensure the safe and efficient arrival of your goods. Focus is given to avoiding discrepancies and ensuring compliance to facilitate smooth international freight operations.

Guide to Ocean Bills of Lading for Global Trade

Guide to Ocean Bills of Lading for Global Trade

This article provides an in-depth analysis of the various classification standards for international ocean bills of lading. These standards include factors such as whether the goods are loaded on board, the cleanliness of the bill of lading, transferability, mode of transport, content complexity, and validity. The characteristics and application scenarios of each type of bill of lading are detailed, aiming to help readers comprehensively master ocean bill of lading knowledge, avoid trade risks, and enhance the professionalism and security of international trade operations.

Bangladesh Enhances Trade Efficiency with Wcobacked Study

Bangladesh Enhances Trade Efficiency with Wcobacked Study

The World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) Global Trade Facilitation Programme (GTFP) held a strategic dialogue with the National Board of Revenue (NBR) of Bangladesh in February 2021 to strengthen Bangladesh's Time Release Study (TRS) capabilities. The meeting reviewed Bangladesh Customs' TRS experience and developed a future action plan to improve clearance efficiency and promote trade facilitation. The aim is to streamline processes and reduce the time required for goods to be released from customs control, ultimately boosting trade competitiveness.

Rising Shipping Costs Squeeze Crossborder Ecommerce Profits

Rising Shipping Costs Squeeze Crossborder Ecommerce Profits

The peak season for cross-border e-commerce is approaching, with freight rates soaring across the board, reaching $2000 for the US West Coast. Shipping companies are announcing price adjustments, and reduced capacity is exacerbating the situation. Cross-border sellers face increased cost pressure and need to plan inventory in advance, optimize supply chains, increase product premiums, adjust pricing strategies, expand sales channels, and strengthen cost control to meet the challenges and maintain profits. Early preparation and strategic adjustments are crucial for navigating the rising costs.

01/04/2026 Logistics
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Stbs New Rules Aim to Ease Rail Freight Rate Disputes

Stbs New Rules Aim to Ease Rail Freight Rate Disputes

The US Surface Transportation Board (STB) has introduced two new rules to streamline railway freight rate dispute resolution, including a voluntary arbitration program and Final Offer Rate Review (FORR). However, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) strongly opposes these rules, citing “fatal flaws” in FORR and arguing the arbitration rules are “backwards.” Whether these new regulations will bring relief to shippers remains challenging, and shippers need to carefully assess the implications. The future impact of these regulations is uncertain amidst ongoing debate and potential legal challenges.

01/16/2026 Logistics
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CPKC Merger Approved Transforming North American Rail Freight

CPKC Merger Approved Transforming North American Rail Freight

The U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) has approved Canadian Pacific Railway's (CP) $31 billion acquisition of Kansas City Southern (KCS), marking a new era for North American rail freight. The merged CPKC will be the first railway connecting the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, fostering trade growth, reducing highway congestion, promoting investment and job creation, and improving transportation efficiency. This merger reshapes the North American freight landscape by creating a single-line service across the continent, offering shippers new options and enhancing competition in the rail industry.

01/16/2026 Logistics
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