Issue Date: March 23, 2021 Quote of the Issue: “Gratitude, like faith, is a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it grows.” –  Alan Cohen.  Paying More for Less Reliability with Freight Services ShapLight Focus: US importers paid $5.19B in freight services during February 2021, up from $1.95B in February 2020 2021 YTD carrier […]

Issue Date: February 15, 2021 Quote of the Issue: “Being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional.” –  Roger Crawford Transpacific Imports Driving Volume Surge and Port Congestion Woes ShapLight Focus: 2.8M TEUs of containerized cargo were imported into the US in January 2021; this is the second highest total in history As ports […]

Issue Date: January 15, 2021 Quote of the Issue: “You can’t calm the storm, so stop trying. What you can do is calm yourself. The storm will pass.” –  Timber Hawkeye US Domestic: Port and Rail Congestion Crippling Service Levels ShapLight Focus: Dray carriers are requiring bookings at least 12 days in advance for Savannah, Norfolk, […]

Issue Date: December 2, 2020 Quote of the Issue: “Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another steppingstone to greatness.” –  Oprah Winfrey US Trucking Landscape: Ready to Mobilize for Vaccine Transportation ShapLight Focus: The domestic trucking industry employs nearly 3.5M Americans In coordination with Operation Warp Speed, the US […]

Issue Date: November 4, 2020 Quote of the Issue: “Every storm runs out of rain.” –  Maya Angelou US Trucking Landscape: Truck Driver Shortage in Spotlight during Surge ShapLight Focus: Women comprise only 6% of the current truck driving labor force According to the American Transportation Research Institute, the top trucking industry concerns for 2021 and […]

Issue Date: October 14, 2020 Quote of the Issue: “There’s something to be said for sitting still and letting things clear, the way morning fog burns off the lake.” –  George Witte FTL Trucking Landscape: Record Rates per Mile ShapLight Focus: In October, FTL trucking rates hit a national average of $2.44 per mile, the highest […]

Issue Date: July 14, 2020 Quote of the Issue: “A winner is a dreamer who never gives up.” –  Nelson Mandela Government Corner: WHO Cares? ShapLight Focus: The U.S. Trade Representative has (USTR) announced additional 25% duties on $1.3B in French luxury goods (including make-up and handbags) to take effect in January 2021 should France and […]

Issue Date: June 25, 2020 Quote of the Issue: “Don’t ever make decisions based on fear. Make decisions based on hope and possibility” –  Michelle Obama US Alcohol Sales: Wine and Spirits Proving to be “Essential” for Americans ShapLight Focus: US alcohol sales have been 20% higher or more year-over-year for 8 straight weeks with wine […]

After nearly 25 years, on July 1, 2020, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) will be officially replaced by the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Now that the implementation of the USMCA has arrived, it is more important than ever to make sure you and your supply chain are ready for the changes. These modifications will […]

As of May 27, 2020, the United States Trade Representatives (USTR) has published 32 rounds of Section 301 exclusions covering Lists 1, 2, 3 and 4a products. The exclusions include more than 2,000 possible items that, if produced in Mainland China and imported into the United States, may be eligible for an exclusion from the […]