On August 31, 2016, Hanjin Shipping filed for bankruptcy protection. Ports refused to accept containers from the company or started charging exorbitant rates, out of fear they wouldn’t be compensated. The collapse of Hanjin Shipping is the largest container shipping bankruptcy in history, and its effect on international supply chains is poignant. Check out what…
Truck platooning happens when a fleet of trucks drives closely together with very little following distance between each vehicle. It is a way of maximizing the capacity of a road while also saving on fuel consumption. The University of Purdue aims to study truck platooning technologies to help industry partners with their research. Truck platooning…
The Port of Oakland reached an all-time high for container volume at the end of 2016. Growth continues to soar at the port, and loaded containers account for 52 percent of all volume. Check out what enabled the Port of Oakland to set the record and how other West Coast ports can recover and do…
The trucking industry is crucial to the success of the American economy. Shipping by truck is typically less expensive than air freight. In addition, trucks can reach more locations than container ships, rail cars, and other types of transportation. That’s why it’s not surprising that the freight truck industry is expected to grow dramatically over…
Chicago O’Hare International Airport is expanding its cargo capacity with a new state-of-the-art cargo center. This will strengthen the airport’s ability to handle large volumes of freight and will also provide economic growth for the city of Chicago. Take a look at why the project is happening and learn how Chicago and the surrounding region…
American Eagle Outfitters consistently innovates and looks for ways to incorporate technology into its business operations. This is true throughout the company’s manufacturing, distribution, and marketing departments. American Eagle Outfitters’ shares dropped at the beginning of 2017, but the company’s technology investments will help keep its operations running smoothly and aid in the company’s recovery.
Driverless trucks are undergoing testing in several states, and Ohio is creating the ideal testing environment with its “smart” road plan. The state plans to build this road over a 35 mile stretch. Take a look at what the state hopes to accomplish with this smart road.
Amazon is testing online grocery shopping and delivery in key cities, and Walmart and several other grocers have implemented online grocery shopping with store pickup programs. This is a grocery shopping trend that will continue in 2017. Check out why it’s booming and how it’s affecting retail logistics.
As technology improves, robots are poised to take over factory floors around the world. This includes tasks that go beyond basic repetition. Whirlpool is one brand that is turning to robotics in its manufacturing processes. The company has implemented several new robots this year and doesn’t have plans of slowing down.
At the end of 2016, cargo imports surged. Retailers had experienced strong holiday spending and were stocking up on inventory for 2017. The increased container cargo volume was a welcome change from the lows of 2016, when overcapacity and weak demand caused rates to drop to the lowest they had been in years. This even…