Global trade at the crossroads: Risks from geopolitics, inflation loom

U.S. importers remain heavily reliant on Chinese producers and the relationship between the two nations continues to deteriorate. Globalization is in retreat. The super-lean “just-in-time” inventory model may never recover. The outlook for future fuel costs is ominous.

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Air cargo spot rates keep falling with no sign of a peak season turnaround

Air freight spot rates fell 9% YoY in September as capacity growth continued to outpace demand, according to a news release from Clive Data Services last week.

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U.S. suppliers halt operations at top Chinese memory chip maker

China’s memory-chip industry is already facing a shortage of U.S. parts and labor. The Wall Street Journal reports that some of America’s leading chip-equipment manufacturers are pulling workers from China’s largest chip maker because of new restrictions on semiconductor exports.

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Amazon ends field tests for delivery bot Scout

Amazon is ending its field tests of autonomous delivery robot Scout. The company is “reorienting the program” after certain aspects failed to meet customer needs, according to a spokesperson.

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Volkswagen warns of production shift from Germany over gas shortage

Volkswagen AG is exploring ways to help its broad supplier network in Europe counter a shortage in natural gas, including making more parts locally and shifting manufacturing capacity.

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FMC proposes tighter container billing standards

Ocean carriers and marine terminals would be subject to stricter — and potentially costlier — billing requirements when they charge shippers for late containers under a proposal by the Federal Maritime Commission.

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Electric vehicle charging stations get green light across U.S.

All 50 states have been approved for EV charging stations covering 75,000 miles of highway, the U.S. transportation department announced on Sept. 27

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Supply chain effects from Hurricane Ian could linger for weeks

The risk to manufacturing, agriculture and distribution sectors in Florida is rapidly intensifying as powerful Hurricane Ian takes aim at the state’s southwest coast. But the economic ripple effects are likely to be felt well beyond the storm zone.

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Ocean carriers up blank sailings to brace for softening October demand

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