It’s no secret that the decline of cable television has given rise to a new entertainment behemoth: streaming platforms. The resulting power struggle forced network executives to rethink the wheel to attract more viewers than their competitors, and in turn, more advertising revenue. One of the tactics that’s taken centerstage is based upon the age-old […]

PICTURE THIS…It’s 1973. You’ve just arrived at your health-conscious Uncle Larry’s house for the weekend—and are less than enthused when you hear all about the new superfood blender that your uncle won in a raffle at his gym. He then proceeds to offer up one of his “World Famous Larry-aids,” which is loaded with fruits […]

In today’s interconnected world, where goods are sourced globally, a dark and omnipresent shadow looms in the background: forced labor. Forced labor generates an estimated $150 billion (USD) in profits and affects over 27 million laborers (about the population of Texas). To avoid this treacherous and complicated pitfall, it is crucial for the logistics, transportation, […]

Issue Date: January 19, 2022 Quote of the Issue: “We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.” –  Martin Luther King, Jr.  Adios Coming for the USMCA? ShapLight Focus: Congress is pressuring the Biden Administration to bolster US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) enforcement efforts— especially with Mexico— on labor, agriculture, telecom, […]

Issue Date: December 8, 2021 Quote of the Issue: “…too many of us now tend to worship self-indulgence and consumption. Human identity is no longer defined by what one does, but by what one owns.” –  Jimmy Carter.  Demanding Times for Import and Consumer Demand Forecasters ShapLight Focus: US household debt rose to an all-time high […]

Issue Date: October 14, 2021 Quote of the Issue: “If I had a dollar for every time I got distracted, I wish I had a puppy.” –  Anonymous.  Drewry Forecasts Steamship Industry Profits of $300B for 2021 ShapLight Focus: Hapag-Lloyd made $3.3B in the first 6 months of 2021 while Cosco put $10.5B on the board […]

Issue Date: September 7, 2021 Quote of the Issue: “Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.” –  Aristotle  Ocean Supply Chain’s so Darn Freaky, It’s Hurting our GDP ShapLight Focus: The US economy grew 6.5% in Q2 2021, but that figure fell well short of economists’ predictions of 8% growth due to supply chain […]

Issue Date: July 14, 2021 Quote of the Issue: “There was never a night or a problem that could defeat sunrise or hope.” –  Bernard Williams Record Carrier Profits Amid Market Chaos and Dysfunction ShapLight Focus: Ocean carrier profits have already exceeded all of 2020 and are projected to eclipse $100B by the end of 2021, […]

Issue Date: May 26, 2021 Quote of the Issue: “Here comes the sun, and I say, it’s all right.” –  George Harrison Who Says the Suez is Done Wrecking Progress for Global Shipping? ShapLight Focus: An estimated 40% of all global ocean bookings were delayed or rolled in May; although there are no recorded statistics for […]

Issue Date: April 22, 2021 Quote of the Issue: “Fear is, I believe, a most effective tool in destroying the soul of an individual—and the soul of a people.” –  Anwar Sadat Suez Pushes Market to Worst Allocation ‘Ever Given’ ShapLight Focus: In March 2021, there were 3.02 million TEUs of ocean imports; this is 50.5% […]