Articles
Global Economy

Against All Odds, Trade Going Strong
“Resilient” seems to be the key word to describe global trade today. Despite myriad challenges—the aftermath of the pandemic, inflation, the war in Ukraine, a rocky stock market—global trade is persisting at strong levels, according to the latest DHL Trade Growth Atlas, published by DHL and the NYU Stern School of Business. The report maps […]
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Higher Transport Rates on the Horizon
Fuel surcharges, market forces, and easing truckload growth rates are driving up parcel and LTL rates, says Cowen/AFS’s 2022 Freight Index.
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Reshoring Now: Boom or Bust?
The 2021 Reshoring Index from global consulting firm Kearny reports US companies are relying more heavily on manufacturing from low-cost countries (LCC), but sentiment is quickly changing.
Read MoreShipping Lines Skip a Beat
Global ports lost more than one-third of their expected capacity to ship containers in 2021, causing economic trouble for some smaller developing nations, among others, finds research commissioned by the Global Shippers Forum (GSF). The study, which was conducted by MDS Transmodal, identifies the extent of capacity restriction in 2021 that resulted from scheduled port […]
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E-commerce Growth: Slower but Hefty
Even as growth slowed from 2020’s pandemic-fueled explosion in activity, the global e-commerce market still grew a robust 19.9% in 2021, according to Transport Intelligence (Ti). Indications are growth will slow but remain hefty. Ti’s market sizing and forecast data and analysis shows a projected annual growth rate of 11.8% in the global e-commerce logistics […]
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Russia-Ukraine Supply Chain Strain
The commodities markets are the industry category that is experiencing the greatest strain as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to a Dun & Bradstreet briefing report released in March 2022. The report, which assesses the global business impact of the crisis, focuses on the businesses and countries that work with Russian and […]
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The Georgia Connection(s)
The essence of logistics is making connections. No surprise, then, that Georgia—a state where connectivity is a way of life—is a shining star on the logistics land (and air and sea) scape.
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Canada-U.S. Trade: Connections
The tight relationship between the United States and its northern neighbor makes cross-border trade seamless and efficient. Logistics professionals leverage these connections to keep goods flowing and supply chains humming.
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U.S. Trade Ups and Downs
Exports and imports of goods and services in the United States decreased 12.3% to $4.9 trillion in 2020, the largest nominal decrease since 2009, according to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce. Exports decreased by 15.7% while imports decreased by 9.5%. Total trade decreased as well, representing 23.6% of gross domestic product in 2020, […]
Read MoreGlobal Trade Plateau?
Order volumes in Western economies have grown significantly, but momentum may be slowing, finds a new report.
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Brexit Baffles Freight Forwarders
Most freight forwarders doubt they can handle changes to the United Kingdom’s trading relationship in 2021, including new customs documentation and procedures, according to a study by the British International Freight Association. Key findings from the report reveal: Lack of understanding: More than half of freight forwarders say they have no knowledge or need to […]
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Supply Chains Need Long-Term Resilience
Before COVID-19 struck, supply chains were praised for their just-in-time capabilities. Now entirely new levels of supply chain resilience are needed, according to the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals’ (CSCMP) 2020 State of Logistics Report. In 2019, the U.S. economy achieved 2.3% growth, and the logistics sector grew to $1.65 trillion in expenditures. Productivity […]
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Florida Sets the Future
The Sunshine State is a strategic and economic powerhouse, driving companies’ logistics success and setting the stage to play an even more substantial role in the coming years.
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Asia’s Economic Rebound
About 43% of businesses say that the majority of their global supply chains are dependent on China, and most say they won’t be able to visit those suppliers until June 2021 at the earliest (see chart), according to a study from technology platform Flexport. Asia was the first region to endure COVID-19 and reopen its […]
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USMCA: A Bright Light for Shippers
Many businesses around the country are suffering due to the economic impacts of COVID-19. Small and mid-sized businesses especially are being hit hard, with thousands in survival mode. Furthermore, declines in exports and global commerce are affecting the logistics and transportation sectors. However, there may be some light at the end of the tunnel.
Read MoreTipping the Scales on International Trade
Several key events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. presidential election, and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) implementation, can directly impact international trade in 2020, according to DHL’s survey of U.S. small and mid-sized businesses. DHL’s key findings include: Pullback on international business outlook: 49% of respondents say COVID-19 has caused them to take a […]
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China’s Road to Restoration
After reporting no new cases of COVID-19 in March 2020, people are going back to work in China—but companies still face a slow return to production. Not only do China’s original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) face many challenges in resuming their production capacity, but global manufacturers also feel the impact of shortages in their supply chains. […]
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Disruptions in Today’s Economy: How Can Supply Chains Prepare?
How can we better prepare to minimize the risks that disruptions present and mitigate their impact? Here’s how to build a more flexible and agile supply chain.
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Flexing Muscle on China Trade Compliance
The Trump administration is using a novel approach—e-commerce shipment enforcement—to ensure that China complies with Phase 1 of the U.S.-China trade deal signed in January 2020. Trade compliance intersects with billions of dollars of e-commerce shipments in Operation Mega Flex, which the Department of Homeland Security outlined in late February 2020. Mega Flex targets what […]
Read More10 Ways to Prepare for Global Trade Disruption
Finished goods importers are especially vulnerable when unexpected disruptions take place. These suggestions can help you through what is shaping up to be a trying 2020.
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