In global commerce, the supply chain acts as the circulatory system, ensuring the flow of goods and products to meet the demands of businesses and consumers alike. However, recent events have presented significant challenges that threaten to disrupt this flow, calling for a swift and strategic response from businesses worldwide. Challenges at Sea: Ocean...Read More
At Edward J. Zarach & Associates, we always keep a keen eye on developments that affect international trade, supply chains, and our valued clients. As of June 12, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has made a significant move by adding two Chinese companies to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Entity...Read More
Edward J. Zarach & Assoc. heartily welcomes the new labor agreement inked between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA). As a critical six-year accord, this development ushers in an era of increased efficiency and productivity at the West Coast ports, significantly enhancing the supply chain dynamics. Included...Read More
The logistics industry is a behemoth of different people, services, industries and networks, all working together to support every facet of international trade and the supply chain. Maintaining relationships, staying on top of emerging trends and technologies, and meeting the present and future thought leaders of our industry often takes us out of the office....Read More
In the ocean freight industry, efficient communication and coordination play a significant role in ensuring smooth cargo movement. However, recent reports have highlighted some issues faced by shippers and carriers, including a lack of transparency and inefficient communication, leading to detention and demurrage (D&D) disputes [1][2]. At Edward J. Zarach & Associates, we understand the...Read More
Once again, the supply chain is watching China and the zero-COVID policy that slowed transportation to a crawl earlier this year. Currently, only Ningbo is experiencing severe disruption, but as more cases in Shanghai come back positive and more areas in the city are locked down, the delays will likely compound and hit hard. It’s...Read More
After a thirty-day cooling-off period between the railroad unions, the current labor contract will expire at 12:01 AM ET on Friday, September 16th. Though it’s a good sign that ten of twelve unions have already reached a tentative agreement, the two largest – the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and the International Association of...Read More
The usual fluctuations in the logistics market are typically cyclical throughout the year, especially in years with minimal fluctuations and no elections. In those standard years, peak season is a clearly defined section of the year when massive quantities of cargo depart from manufacturers and warehouses to journey toward the retailers gearing up for the...Read More
A number of different factors came together to create a shortage of chassis this summer, including trade issues that were implemented as retaliation against China as far back as early 2020. Alongside the pandemic, record levels of imports and shortages of warehouse space kept chassis at local warehouses under the containers as they were used...Read More
Rail services are backed up across the United States. It would be a simple enough matter to blame the port congestion for this cargo bottleneck, but our rail system infrastructure began failing before these supply chain woes. Although, overloaded ports don’t help, considering we’re short on engines, equipment, and personnel. This isn’t a matter of...Read More
