Global Supply Chains Face Bottlenecks Amid Port Delays Labor Gaps

Global Supply Chains Face Bottlenecks Amid Port Delays Labor Gaps

This Logistics Management podcast features JLL expert Rich Thompson discussing global supply chain challenges like port congestion and labor shortages, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Thompson advises businesses to diversify sourcing, improve inventory management, and optimize logistics distribution to build more resilient supply chains. He emphasizes proactive strategies to mitigate disruptions and enhance operational efficiency in the face of ongoing uncertainties. The interview provides valuable insights for navigating the complexities of the current global logistics landscape and building a more robust supply chain network.

01/28/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
Read More
Global Customs Labs Share Pandemic Best Practices

Global Customs Labs Share Pandemic Best Practices

Facing the global challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Customs Organization (WCO)'s network of customs laboratories, the BRLR, held an online meeting to share experiences and best practices, and to discuss how to better support its members. The meeting highlighted the challenges faced by the BRLR during the pandemic, shared best practices such as optimizing laboratory processes, developing rapid detection methods, and strengthening information sharing. It also looked forward to the vision of building a stronger global customs laboratory network in the future.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More
US Service Sector Rebounds Strongly ISM Shows Vshaped Recovery

US Service Sector Rebounds Strongly ISM Shows Vshaped Recovery

The ISM report indicates strong growth in the US services sector in March, with the PMI reaching a new high and all 18 industries showing expansion. Experts attribute this to vaccine distribution, pent-up demand, and relaxed restrictions, though future growth may slow. Despite challenges from COVID-19 variants, the services sector is expected to lead the US economy towards recovery. This robust performance signals a positive outlook for the overall economic rebound, driven by increased consumer spending and business activity within the service industries.

01/30/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
Read More
Indias Maritime Sector Struggles Disrupt Global Supply Chains

Indias Maritime Sector Struggles Disrupt Global Supply Chains

The COVID-19 outbreak in India has severely impacted the maritime industry, leading to port inefficiency, crew shortages, infrastructure disruptions, and trade contraction. This poses significant challenges to the global supply chain. Although India is gradually lifting restrictions, the full recovery of the shipping industry remains uncertain. The world needs to proactively address potential risks arising from this situation. The consequences include delays, increased costs, and potential disruptions to the flow of goods worldwide. Monitoring the situation closely and implementing mitigation strategies are crucial.

02/02/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
Read More
Pandemic Spurs Ecommerce Surge Overwhelming Logistics Firms

Pandemic Spurs Ecommerce Surge Overwhelming Logistics Firms

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a surge in residential deliveries and a decline in commercial deliveries, creating operational challenges for delivery giants like FedEx and UPS. Package volume limitations, network adjustments, and cost control have become crucial. Amazon faces similar issues and is striving to restore fast delivery speeds. The logistics industry needs to adapt to the new e-commerce normal and find alternative solutions to manage increased demand and shifting delivery patterns. This includes exploring innovative approaches to last-mile delivery and optimizing supply chain efficiency.

02/04/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
Read More
Global Supply Chain Disruptions Challenge Multimodal Transport

Global Supply Chain Disruptions Challenge Multimodal Transport

The Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) reported a significant decline in intermodal volume in Q1 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with total units down 6.7% year-over-year. While domestic containers saw growth, trailers and international containers experienced substantial drops. The pandemic-induced manufacturing shutdowns and decreased imports exacerbated the challenges for trailer transport. The future outlook remains uncertain, with an estimated 15% decline expected for the full year. The industry needs to proceed with caution and adapt to the evolving situation.

02/04/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
Read More
World Customs Organization Balances Crisis Response and Global Opportunities

World Customs Organization Balances Crisis Response and Global Opportunities

At the 7th Annual Conference of International Organizations, the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO) shared WCO's strategies for responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuring the stability of the global supply chain. He emphasized the importance of international cooperation and called for strengthened collaboration in areas such as digital transformation, e-commerce development, and disaster management to jointly address global challenges. The WCO's efforts highlight the crucial role of customs organizations in facilitating trade and ensuring security during times of crisis.

02/03/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More
Global Customs Body Enhances Vaccine Distribution with Data Tools

Global Customs Body Enhances Vaccine Distribution with Data Tools

The World Customs Organization (WCO) has passed a resolution to expedite the cross-border flow of COVID-19 vaccines. From a data analyst's perspective, this highlights the importance of data-driven supply chain optimization. This includes demand forecasting, transportation optimization, inventory management, risk monitoring, and performance evaluation. The goal is to improve the efficiency, security, and equity of the vaccine supply chain, ultimately contributing to a global immunization barrier. Data analysis plays a critical role in ensuring vaccines reach their destinations quickly and safely.

02/03/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More
Key Strategies for Global COVID19 Vaccine Distribution

Key Strategies for Global COVID19 Vaccine Distribution

This paper delves into the challenges and opportunities facing supply chain leaders in the context of global COVID-19 vaccine distribution. Based on Gartner's research, the article highlights ten key strategic considerations for vaccine distribution, including last-mile agility, data-driven decision-making, ethical responsibility, innovation opportunities, balancing standardization and flexibility, risk management, open collaboration, and end-to-end integration. The aim is to provide a reference for relevant decision-makers navigating the complexities of vaccine supply chains and optimizing distribution strategies during the pandemic.

02/03/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
Read More
China Unveils 19 Measures to Cut Logistics Costs, Boost Efficiency

China Unveils 19 Measures to Cut Logistics Costs, Boost Efficiency

This article provides an in-depth analysis of the '19 Guidelines for Transportation and Logistics,' focusing on its objectives, content, and significance in promoting cost reduction and efficiency improvement in the logistics industry. It emphasizes the accuracy of policy direction, the clarity of key tasks, and how the proposed measures can assist the industry in addressing pain points and challenges, ultimately leading to optimized resource allocation and healthy economic development.

07/28/2025 Logistics
Read More