Moving products and services efficiently from one place to another requires logistics management. The same supply-chain management strategy is used in global logistics-only the number of variables is amplified. One of the best definitions of business logistics is “the process of planning, implementing, and controlling the effective and efficient flow of goods and services from the point of origin to the point of consumption.” The word “logistics” dates back more than 100 years, though we tend to equate the term now to the modern processes and technologies that have expedited materials management and distribution. The advantages to developing effective global logistics are many: new revenue opportunities from new markets is the most obvious, but there may also be increased economies of scale, and lower cost sourcing for everything from components to labor. Centralizing global production is one of the best ways to lower per-unit costs and resource budgets. The challenge comes in establishing relationships with international supply-chain partners, and/or building a global sales organization. It’s not enough to put all the pieces in place; it must be done in a way that maintains quality control across longer transit distances and transit times, and that delivers products to the end user at a reasonable value. The longer the supply chain, the more vulnerable it might be to damage or delivery interruptions caused by weather, equipment failure or other obstructions. While global logistics can be modeled, analyzed, visualized, and optimized with sophisticated simulation software, this is a procedure that will always be more reliant on human resources than machines to get the job done.

U.S. Trade Rep: EU Must Decide Response to New Greenland Tariff Threats

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Saturday it is up to Europe to decide whether it wants to raise… Read More

AirBridgeCargo Reports 31-Percent Tonnage Surge For First Five Months of 2016

Haylle Sok 10:41 AM  6/29/2016

AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC) is reporting a 31-percent year-on-year increase in tonnage for both the month of May 2016 and for… Read More

FMC Chair Urges Ocean Carriers to Accept ‘Straight Line’ to VGM Compliance

Peter Buxbaum 9:33 AM  6/28/2016

With the implementation date for new container weighing requirements around the corner, Mario Cordero, chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission,… Read More

Groups Call for Federal Investigation of Utah Plan to Finance Oakland Coal Export Terminal

Peter Buxbaum 8:11 AM  6/28/2016

Conservation, health, and good government groups are calling for U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to investigate alleged legal and ethical… Read More

South Carolina Ports Authority’s Announces SOLAS Approach

Haylle Sok 7:27 AM  6/28/2016

The South Carolina Ports Authority filed a rule in its Marine Terminal Operating Schedule (MTOS) outlining its process for adherence… Read More

World Bank Report: Least Developed Countries Lag in Logistics Progress

Haylle Sok 6:00 AM  6/28/2016

Progress in logistics performance has slowed for the first time since 2007 for the world’s least developed economies, while emerging… Read More

Philadelphia Port Conducts Mexican Inbound Trade Mission

Haylle Sok 5:04 AM  6/28/2016

The Philadelphia Regional Port Authority (PRPA) is enjoying positive developments and generating useful leads as a result of its recent… Read More

FAA Finalizes Drone Rules

Haylle Sok 8:41 AM  6/27/2016

The Federal Aviation Administration has finalized the first operational rules for routine commercial use of small unmanned aircraft systems, also… Read More

Maersk Will Reshuffle Vessels and Services as Part of Panama Canal Strategy

Peter Buxbaum 7:40 AM  6/27/2016

The inauguration of the expanded Panama Canal will prompt an increase in vessels and services by the world’s largest container… Read More

Inaugural Transit of the Expanded Panama Canal

Haylle Sok 7:12 AM  6/27/2016

Early yesterday morning, the inaugural transit of the Panama Canal expansion began with the transit of neopanamax vessel COSCO Shipping… Read More

Fuel Saving Device to Cut Transportation Costs

Andrew Spence 4:18 AM  6/27/2016

A device to cut fuel use by 10 to 15 percent while reducing the exhaust emissions of internal combustion engines… Read More

NFIB Asks Federal Court of Appeals to Review NLRB’s Joint Employer Standard

Peter Buxbaum 4:33 AM  6/25/2016

The National Labor Relations Board new joint employer standard would make small businesses liable for unlawful labor practices committed by… Read More