☕ Cargoccino is our bi-monthly post delivering bite-sized logistics industry news so you stay informed while enjoying your favorite drink.☕
Milton to hit Florida Ports
Hurricane Milton, a Category 4 storm, threatens Florida’s west coast with storm surges up to 15 feet, particularly endangering the Tampa Bay area. As the hurricane approaches, local authorities have issued evacuation orders, and efforts to clear debris from Hurricane Helene are underway to prevent additional hazards. Florida’s emergency response teams are in full force, with over 200 healthcare facilities evacuated and shelters open while federal support is mobilized to aid impacted areas.
ILA and USMX Face Automation Roadblock
Despite reaching a tentative wage agreement, the ILA and USMX have unresolved challenges regarding automation, job rules, and jurisdiction, with negotiations expected to resume soon. The USMX is pushing back against the ILA’s demands to restrict automation, critical for port growth, as both sides brace for tough talks ahead of the January 15 deadline. Federal pressure on wages complicates these already complex discussions.
Year-Round Inventory Optimization
Retailers should prioritize inventory management throughout the year, not just during the holiday season, to meet consumer demands and remain competitive. By leveraging AI, businesses can improve stock allocation, reduce excess inventory, and address sustainability challenges, ensuring they maintain customer loyalty and reduce their carbon footprint. Effective inventory management drives profitability and sustainability year-round, positioning retailers for success beyond the “golden quarter.”
Source: SupplyChain Brain
U.S. Port Volumes in Q4 2024
As Q4 2024 begins, U.S. ports are navigating significant shifts in cargo volumes. Ports like Los Angeles, Houston, and Georgia reported strong year-over-year growth, driven by inventory replenishment and potential East and Gulf Coast labor disruptions. Oakland, Virginia, and Jacksonville also saw moderate gains, while the Port of Long Beach is preparing for potential diversions due to ongoing labor strikes. These trends highlight the evolving maritime landscape, offering supply chain managers valuable insights as they strategize for the year-end and into 2025.
NiTL Engage
The NITL Engage Conference, NITL being a leader in representing Shippers' interests, kicked off on Monday, October 7th, with FMC Chairman Dan Maffei as a Speaker. After an overview of the commission's ongoing work, the Ocean Committee initiated discussions on shippers' key challenges. Tuesday’s topics included geopolitical turbulence, the role of AI, and also sustainability in the supply chain. At the core of all these discussions was one crucial recurring element: the VALUE of the supply chain.
☕ What is Brewing at BlueCargo? ☕
BlueCargo is growing stronger and stronger, with 98% of discrepancies successfully resolved within 15 days.
👥 Where can you meet with the BlueCargo team next?
╰┈➤ High Point Market, in North Carolina, October 25th, with a Fireside Chat on Optimize Your Freight Costs: Insights for Furniture Businesses, with Alexandra Griffon, CEO and co-founder at BlueCargo
╰┈➤ PI Apparel Supply Chain 24, Beverly Hills, November 18 and 19th with Chair of Think Tank Alexandra Griffon, CEO and Co-Founder at BlueCargo
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