Mississippi River Drought Threatens US Supply Chains

Mississippi River Drought Threatens US Supply Chains

Drought conditions have lowered the Mississippi River to its lowest level in a decade, causing waterway closures, hundreds of stranded vessels, and hindered agricultural product transport, leading to soaring freight costs. Concurrently, US imports are projected to fall to a near two-year low, reflecting weakened demand and ongoing supply chain challenges. The combination of extreme weather events and slowing global demand is exacerbating economic uncertainty. The low water levels are severely impacting the ability to move goods along this vital waterway.

12/29/2025 Logistics
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Suez Canal Reopens Amid Global Supply Chain Challenges

Suez Canal Reopens Amid Global Supply Chain Challenges

The Suez Canal reopening eased some pressure, but the backlog of ships will impact global supply chains. Companies should pre-book slots, optimize transport routes, strengthen supply chain collaboration, and, in the long term, diversify, digitalize, regionalize, and green their operations to enhance resilience and address future challenges. The congestion caused by the incident highlights the fragility of global trade and the need for businesses to proactively manage potential disruptions to their supply networks. This proactive approach is crucial for mitigating risks and ensuring business continuity in an increasingly volatile global landscape.

Arcbest Adopts Spacebased Pricing As LTL Costs Rise

Arcbest Adopts Spacebased Pricing As LTL Costs Rise

ArcBest's adoption of 'space-based pricing' in the LTL industry signals a shift towards more granular operations. This move aims to address the 'dimensional overload' issue caused by e-commerce, standardize industry practices, and improve transportation efficiency. Shippers need to focus on optimizing packaging to cope with cost pressures. The LTL industry may be entering a new era of transformation. This pricing model is designed to more accurately reflect the space occupied by shipments, leading to fairer pricing and potentially incentivizing more efficient packaging practices.

Freight Forwarders Adopt New Strategies to Mitigate Risks

Freight Forwarders Adopt New Strategies to Mitigate Risks

This article shares common challenging issues and handling experience in freight forwarding, covering aspects such as order cancellation/consolidation, responsibility attribution, port operations, and re-allocation. It aims to help freight forwarding practitioners improve their business capabilities and avoid potential risks. The content provides practical insights and actionable strategies to navigate complex situations and ensure smooth operations. By learning from real-world examples, readers can enhance their problem-solving skills and minimize potential losses in their daily work.

Customs Data Discrepancies Challenge Global Trade Accuracy

Customs Data Discrepancies Challenge Global Trade Accuracy

Discrepancies between customs declaration data and actual packing are common challenges in foreign trade exports. This paper addresses this issue by proposing solutions such as emphasizing early estimation, establishing a comprehensive packing process, and communicating promptly with customs brokers. The aim is to help foreign trade companies skillfully mitigate risks and successfully complete exports while maintaining compliance.

Freight Forwarders Tackle Port Congestion Container Shortages

Freight Forwarders Tackle Port Congestion Container Shortages

This paper delves into common issues in the freight forwarding industry: 'carrier-imposed container locks' and 'overbooking'. It analyzes the underlying causes and potential losses, offering corresponding strategies. It emphasizes that freight forwarders should strengthen internal management, improve document accuracy, communicate proactively, flexibly adjust transportation plans, and seek professional assistance to resolve crises. By implementing these measures, freight forwarders can mitigate risks associated with container locks and overbooking, minimizing disruptions and financial impacts.

Guide to Recovering Unpaid Export Goods

Guide to Recovering Unpaid Export Goods

This article focuses on the return of exported goods due to unsettled payments. It details the operational procedures and precautions, including ensuring ownership, notifying the shipowner, seeking cooperation from the consignee, and estimating the costs after the goods are returned to the country. The aim is to help exporters minimize losses in such situations. It covers practical aspects of handling returned shipments and mitigating financial risks associated with non-payment in international trade.

Export Clearance Challenges Highlight Unconventional Trade Practices

Export Clearance Challenges Highlight Unconventional Trade Practices

This paper delves into the operational modes and potential risks of grey operations in export trade, such as buying customs declarations, commercial inspection clearance, 'package container', 'package warehouse', and 'green channel'. It aims to help companies understand industry secrets, avoid risks, and achieve compliant operations. The analysis provides insights into these practices, highlighting the vulnerabilities and legal implications associated with them, ultimately advocating for ethical and transparent trade practices to mitigate potential financial and reputational damage.