Newsletter – October 27, 2021

OCEAN FREIGHT UPDATES

Long Beach/Los Angeles ports announce new measure to clear cargo

lloydsloadinglist.com
The ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles are to introduce a surcharge for import containers that dwell on marine terminals in a bid to improve cargo movement amid congestion and record volume.
Under the new policy, the ports will charge ocean carriers for each container that falls into one of two categories. In the case of containers scheduled to move by truck, ocean carriers will be charged for every container dwelling nine days or more. Read more here.

Drive for 24-hour operation struggling to gain traction in US ports

theloadstar.com
The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are hardly rocking around the clock. Container terminal operators are sceptical that the measure can help whittle down the congestion on the docks as ships continue to pile up outside the harbour.
Alarmed by supply chain disruptions, the US government decided it had to make changes, a move that has been labelled an act to “save Christmas”, and the most tangible outcome so far on the marine side has been the decision to open container terminals at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach around the clock in order to move containers faster off the congested docks. Read more here.

GROUND AND RAIL FREIGHT UPDATES

U.S. driver shortage worse than ever: ATA

trucknews.com
The U.S. trucking industry is short about 80,000 drivers today – an all-time high – and if current trends continue, will be short 160,000 drivers by 2030.
The figures come from the latest analysis by the American Trucking Associations (ATA). ATA chief economist Bob Costello discussed the report with media, saying the numbers should come as a warning that the supply chain issues seen today could be permanent in the future due solely to a lack of drivers. Read more here.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS – GOVERNMENT UPDATES

6 charts show the effects of Vietnam’s lockdowns on supply chains

supplychaindive.com
Vietnam may have ended one of its longest lockdowns in the pandemic era on Oct. 1, but supply chains are still reeling from the effects.
Four months of increasing restrictions meant to abate a deadly pandemic took a toll on the country’s people, economy, and business partners. Canceled orders and product delays became the norm for U.S. businesses with suppliers in Vietnam, as COVID-19 cases overwhelmed the country. The country has since reopened, but manufacturers are now concerned of a new labor shortage after thousands of migrant workers—many of whom lost their jobs during the lockdowns—left the country once restrictions were lifted. Read more here.

Industry Leaders & Analysts Expect the Global Chip Shortage to Extend into 2023

supplychain247.com
In late 2020, a worldwide automotive semiconductor supply bottleneck developed and rapidly evolved into a global chip shortage.
Currently, market watchers estimate the event will cost the vehicle sector $110 billion in revenue this year.
The crisis, now affecting 160 industries, is predicted to negatively impact consumer electronics availability this holiday season. Read more here.