XPO Logistics CEO Brad Jacobs did not mince words when he recently discussed the growing number of startups in the logistic services space and their investments in technology. “Just to put things in perspective, if you look at the top 50 startups and aggregate them all, that's still a fraction of what we spend on…
Dutch startup Fairphone is basing its business model on its ability to source components for its smartphones from ethically responsible suppliers and production sources throughout its supply chain. Fairphone 2 Photo courtesy: Fairphone By seeking to make its tiered suppliers' procurement sources as transparent as possible, the company hopes to set a new standard of supply chain…
The Panama Canal's $5.3 billion expansion should have a significant effect on the worldwide supply chain, while those who pay for shipping will likely see benefits in the long term. In the immediate future, the Panama Canal’s infrastructure upgrade will help to make shipping more efficient upon its scheduled completion this month. The main advantage…
Suppliers across the supply chain are feeling Apple's first drop in revenue since 2003, but some analysts say the pain may be shorted lived before the next-generation iPhone launches. In the immediate, a spate of bad news reflects an obvious slowdown in Apple's demand for components. Apple recently reported its first quarterly drop in revenue since…
The shipping capacity glut is at historical levels and pricing continues to plummet–but that did not stop CMA CGM SA and Cosco Holdings Co., two of the world's largest sea shipping companies, from opting to put even more mega container ships into service. Image courtesy: Cosco All told, CMA CGM recently added transpacific shipping routes…
Times are tough for container shippers that are facing bloated fleets and steep drops in pricing. In a recent report, shipping analyst firm Alphaliner said global container ship capacity will grow at the lowest rate ever recorded while shippers take bolder measures to reduce their fleet sizes. Global container ship capacity is expected to grow by only…
Suppliers are feeling the pinch of slackening demand for Apple's iconic iPhone, while the shortfall in sales growth could also affect component prices. Source: Apple As one of the world's most sought-after design wins, the iPhone is beginning to lose its luster as a supplier's goldmine as Apple struggles to maintain its share in the…
Shipping was not specifically mentioned in the landmark Paris climate agreement reached among 195 nations in December, but the industry still has a role to play in the reduction of CO2 emissions worldwide. While the agreement does not specifically cite international shipping, the International Chamber of Shipping said the global transport trade agencies will continue…
High-level mergers among the world's largest container shipping companies are reshaping the global ocean transport industry, as plummeting shipping prices and over capacity are prompting the sector to consolidate. However, the bad news for those paying to ship goods is that supply chain costs should eventually rise as the merger and acquisition activity reduces available…
As business and politics shift around the world, various ports are emerging as new (and sometimes surprising) mega-hubs. When you look under the surface, though, a handful of factors are driving the question of which ports will become major worldwide players by 2020. Infrastructure investment payoffs The emerging global shipping hubs have benefitted from significant…