West Coast Ports Strike Deal to Avoid Supply Chain Disruption

West Coast Ports Strike Deal to Avoid Supply Chain Disruption

The Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) reached a tentative agreement on a six-year contract, bringing stability to West Coast ports. This agreement alleviates concerns about supply chain disruptions. However, long-term challenges such as automation, infrastructure, and efficiency remain. Continued cooperation between all parties is necessary to ensure the competitiveness of the ports and meet trade demands. The agreement signals a positive step towards long-term stability but requires ongoing commitment to address underlying issues.

11/03/2025 Logistics
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Key Factors in Selecting a Reliable Freight Forwarder

Key Factors in Selecting a Reliable Freight Forwarder

Choosing a reliable freight forwarder is crucial for a company's supply chain. This guide offers a comprehensive selection process across nine dimensions: reputation assessment, professional qualifications, responsiveness, cost transparency, service quality, contract terms, technical support, continuous learning and development, and multi-party comparisons. It aims to help businesses find suitable partners, ensuring smooth international trade operations. Selecting the right freight forwarder will optimize logistics, reduce risks, and contribute to overall supply chain efficiency, ultimately benefiting the company's international business endeavors.

11/03/2025 Logistics Encyclopedia
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Crossborder Ecommerce Grapples With Bill of Lading Risks

Crossborder Ecommerce Grapples With Bill of Lading Risks

Cross-border e-commerce sellers face significant risks associated with delivery without original bills of lading. This paper provides a comprehensive prevention strategy from six aspects: contract signing, payment method selection, carrier selection, cargo tracking management, proper document storage, and risk awareness enhancement. It aims to help sellers build a robust risk prevention system and ensure the security of cross-border trade funds. By implementing these strategies, sellers can mitigate potential losses and protect their financial interests in international transactions.

11/03/2025 Logistics Encyclopedia
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Fedex Pilots Approve Strike Vote Threatening Global Supply Chains

Fedex Pilots Approve Strike Vote Threatening Global Supply Chains

FedEx pilot union leaders have approved a strike authorization vote as contract negotiations with the company stall. The strike threat stems from long-standing labor disputes over issues such as pay and working conditions, potentially impacting global supply chains and the economy. All parties need to respond rationally and actively seek solutions to avoid a strike. The authorization vote does not guarantee a strike, but it significantly increases the pressure on FedEx to address the union's concerns and reach a fair agreement.

11/03/2025 Logistics
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Full Analysis: Background, Significance, and Charging Standards of LSS Low Sulfur Surcharge

Full Analysis: Background, Significance, and Charging Standards of LSS Low Sulfur Surcharge

The LSS (Low Sulfur Surcharge) was introduced in 2015 due to international environmental regulations mandating vessels to reduce emissions in specific areas. The increased cost of using low sulfur fuel has led shipping companies to implement this new fee. Different freight forwarders may quote LSS fees differently, so shippers should clarify this when requesting quotes. Additionally, the LSS surcharge is generally considered part of the ocean freight costs, with varying responsibilities for shippers depending on the terms of the contract.

07/21/2025 Logistics
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Understanding Freight Rates and Charges in the Maritime Industry

Understanding Freight Rates and Charges in the Maritime Industry

This article discusses the meanings of freight rates and transport costs and their relationship. The freight rate is the price charged by carriers for transportation services, impacting the supply-demand balance in the shipping market. In contrast, transport cost is the remuneration paid by users according to the transportation contract, linked by a multiplicative relationship. Understanding the fluctuations in freight rates and their effects on transport costs helps shipping companies and cargo owners manage costs and make better business decisions.

07/28/2025 Logistics Encyclopedia
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TD Cowenafs Index Highlights Trends in Truckload Parcel and LTL Markets

TD Cowenafs Index Highlights Trends in Truckload Parcel and LTL Markets

The TD Cowen-AFS Freight Index unveils the latest trends in the trucking, parcel, and LTL transportation markets. Spot market trucking shows optimistic signs, but contract rates lag. Parcel pricing adjustments are effective, leading to intense competition. LTL pricing remains firm, but carrier pricing discipline is weakening. The index provides freight companies with crucial insights for strategic planning, operational optimization, and enhanced profitability. It serves as a valuable benchmark for understanding market dynamics and making informed decisions in a rapidly evolving transportation landscape.

01/15/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Logistics Sector Embraces Digital Shift Via Freight Platforms

Logistics Sector Embraces Digital Shift Via Freight Platforms

Network freight platforms are a key driver of digital transformation in the logistics industry. This article analyzes the definition and value of network freight platforms, as well as three typical transformation models: contract logistics, transportation companies, and platform-based enterprises. It emphasizes the opportunities and challenges of embracing network freight and looks forward to its future development trends, aiming to provide a reference for logistics enterprises to transform and upgrade. The adoption of these platforms is crucial for staying competitive in the evolving logistics landscape.

09/28/2025 Logistics Industry Insights
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Guide to Streamlining Air Cargo with Charter Flights

Guide to Streamlining Air Cargo with Charter Flights

This article details the processes, responsibility divisions, and key considerations for air cargo charter and block space agreement (BSA) transportation. It covers charter application, contract signing, transport documents, escort arrangements, tonnage utilization, liability, and cost settlement. The characteristics of BSA are also briefly described. This aims to provide a practical guide for professionals involved in air freight operations, particularly concerning full aircraft charters and securing guaranteed space on scheduled flights. The guide focuses on ensuring smooth and efficient cargo transportation while clearly defining responsibilities and financial aspects.

09/26/2025 Logistics Encyclopedia
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Procurement Leaders Adopt Four Key Strategies for 2025 Challenges

Procurement Leaders Adopt Four Key Strategies for 2025 Challenges

In the face of a complex and volatile procurement environment, procurement leaders need to master four key strategies: Diversification to build a resilient supply chain, value analysis and cost modeling to optimize costs, AI and data-driven insights to empower decision-making, and automated contract lifecycle management to enhance efficiency. Embracing change and building a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable supply chain is critical to winning in the future. These strategies enable organizations to navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities in the evolving global landscape.

11/03/2025 Logistics Industry Insights
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