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Container ports play a crucial role in global trade, handling millions of twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) annually. In 2024, the Port of Los Angeles retained its position as North America's busiest container port, with over 9.3 million TEUs, while the Port of Long Beach followed closely with 8.7 million TEUs. The rankings, published on AJOT.com, highlight shifting trade flows, the resilience of major gateways, and the impact of major disruptions, such as the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore.

Rank Port State 2024 TEUS Data/Date 1 Port of Los Angeles CA 9,375,735 2024 2 Port of Long Beach CA 8,788,718 Jan-Nov 3 Port of New York/New Jersey NY/NJ 7,290,743 Jan-Oct 4 Port of Savannah (GA ports) GA 5,103,417 Jan-Nov 5 Port of Houston TX 3,799,573 Jan-Nov 6 Port of Virginia VA 3,499,639 FY 2024 7 Port of Vancouver BC-CA 3,200,415 Jan-Nov 8 Port of Seattle-Tacoma (NWSA) WA 3,035,986 Jan-Nov 9 Port of Charleston SC 2,299,125 Jan-Nov 10 Por…

With the recent ILA-USMX labor negotiations behind us, the focus now shifts to their impact on supply chains and port operations. Brian Lynch, Transportation Sector Leader at EY Americas, discusses the effectiveness of pre-strike mitigation efforts, the long-term competitiveness of U.S. ports, and the role of automation in the industry.

Supply Chain 24/7: Looking back, how effective were the pre-strike mitigation efforts in minimizing disruptions to supply chains?

Brian Lynch: Leading companies put mitigation actions in place well in advance of the pending ILA strike date. Supply chain variability stemming from the global pandemic forced companies to become more agile and, in some cases, more risk-averse.

Companies have been able to dust off playbooks from the pandemic, from the 2023 ILWU (West Coast) labor actions and the October 2024 ILA labor action to minimize disruption.

SC247: Do you think the resolution can allow people to go back to b…

Over the past 12 hours, significant shifts have occurred in international trade involving the United States, Canada, Mexico, and China. Here's a quick rundown of the latest news.

United States, Canada, and Mexico Reach Temporary Agreement

President Donald Trump has agreed to postpone the imposition of a proposed 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico for 30 days. This decision follows negotiations with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. As part of the agreement, Mexico will deploy 10,000 National Guard troops to its borders to combat drug trafficking and illegal immigration into the U.S. Similarly, Canada will increase its border security measures to prevent the flow of fentanyl into the United States. This pause aims to provide all parties with additional time to negotiate a more comprehensive trade deal and avert an immediate conflict.

China Retaliates Against U.S. Tariffs

In response to President Trump's imp…

Whether your company is a big or small player in terms of shipping volumes, and regardless of your chosen transportation modes (road, rail, ocean, air), the health of your bottom line depends in no small part on the competitiveness of your ocean freight prices.

As you will know, though, if you are active in freight and shipping management, your freight prices depend on many variables. So, how can you be sure you’re getting the best freight rates possible? The answer is to benchmark your freight, of course.

At Logistics Bureau, we want to help you with that, so we’re publishing this brief guide to help you if you haven’t already included freight benchmarking in your management strategies or want to benchmark more effectively than you are now. In addition, it will imbue you with some knowledge about best practices—and the secrets to ocean freight-benchmarking success.

Key Triggers for Freight Review

Before diving into benchmarking specifics, it’s crucial t…

The U.S. has imposed new tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China, sparking concerns about rising costs, supply chain disruptions, and potential retaliation from trade partners. Here's what you need to know:

The New Tariffs A 25% tariff has been placed on imports from Mexico and Canada. A 10% tariff applies to Canadian energy products. A 10% tariff targets goods from China. The tariffs take effect on February 4, 2025. Key Supply Chain Implications

1. Increased Costs for Manufacturers and Retailers

Many U.S. companies rely on materials, parts, and finished goods from Mexico, Canada, and China. Higher tariffs mean increased costs for businesses sourcing from these countries, which could be passed on to consumers.

2. Potential Disruptions in Automotive and Energy Sectors

3. Supply Chain Diversification Accelerates

Companies will likely accelerate efforts to diversify suppliers and reduce reliance on tariffed imports. This could lead…

The U.S. is set to implement 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico and 10% on items coming from China on Saturday, Feb. 1, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Friday.

Leavitt, when asked whether there would be any exceptions, said the full list would be available on Saturday.

“The president is intent on ensuring that he effectively implements tariffs while cutting inflation and costs for the American people,” Leavitt said. “If the president at any time decides to roll back those tariffs, I’ll leave it to him to make that decision. But starting tomorrow, those tariffs will be in place.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada will react in a “forceful but reasonable” way.

“If the president does choose to implement any tariffs against Canada, we’re ready with a response—a purposeful, forceful but reasonable, immediate response,” Trudeau reportedly told reporters on Friday, according to the Globe and…

China has overtaken Japan to claim the top spot in global ship ownership rankings, with a fleet valued at $255 billion, according to the latest Veson Nautical report. Rising demand for bulkers and container ships, combined with strong market conditions, helped push China ahead.

Japan now holds the second spot, even as its fleet value grew to $231.3 billion. The country remains dominant in LNG, LPG, and vehicle carriers and has shown steady investment in key maritime sectors.

Greece retains third place with the world’s most valuable tanker fleet, worth $71.3 billion. The U.S. remains in fourth place, largely thanks to its cruise industry, which accounts for $58.6 billion of its total fleet value of $116.4 billion.

Singapore, South Korea, and the U.K. hold spots five through seven, with fleet values rising in LPG, offshore support vessels, and tankers. Norway drops to eighth place, Switzerland reenters at ninth due to MSC’s container investments, and Germa…

Supply chain leaders can’t afford to sit back and wait when it comes to tariff changes. According to Gartner, new tariffs could shake up global trade for years, not months, and businesses that adapt will have a better shot at coming out ahead.

“Enterprises should recognize tariff volatility as a multiyear, dynamic event,” said Suzie Petrusic, Senior Director Analyst in Gartner’s Supply Chain practice. “Chief supply chain officers (CSCOs) who recognize this reality should continually evaluate opportunities to invest in strengthening their operations and attract outside investments from geopolitical actors and ecosystem partners.”

The key, according to Gartner, is planning ahead. CSCOs must consider different scenarios, including policy shifts, countermeasures, and potential de-escalations. Waiting too long—or reacting too quickly—could put companies in a difficult position.

“CSCOs who anticipate that current tariff volatility will persist for years, rathe…

As President Donald Trump starts to enact his tariff plans, the global supply chain is bracing for significant challenges. These tariffs, aimed at reshoring manufacturing jobs and reducing reliance on foreign suppliers, could drive up costs and force shifts in sourcing and production strategies. 

Rising Costs and Inflation Risks

Tariffs have historically led to increased supply chain costs. According to Gartner, 40% of organizations reported up to a 10% rise in costs during the 2020 U.S.-China trade disputes, with 25% seeing even higher impacts. “Although a far cry from percentages previously touted, a 10% U.S. tariff on Chinese imports will nonetheless increase electronic component pricing and have a disruptive impact upon the entire electronics supply chain,” said Richard Barnett, Chief Marketing Officer at Supplyframe.

Electronic components, particularly printed circuit boards (PCBs), heavily rely on Chinese production. Barnett explained that China…

Not long after President Donald Trump announced earlier this week that the United States would implement 25% tariffs on U.S.-bound imports from Canada and Mexico, effective February 1, he subsequently said that the nation would also levy a 10% tariff on U.S.-bound imports from China.

A Reuters report indicated that the impetus for the tariffs on China is due to fentanyl is being sent from China to the U.S. via Mexico and Canada.

In posts made on his Truth Social platform in late November, Trump said that, effective January 20, when he takes office, he would sign an Executive Order, calling for a 25% tariff on all U.S.-bound imports from Canada and Mexico, as well as an additional 10% tariff on all U.S.-bound imports from China.

Earlier this week, Trump directed federal agencies to study trade relationships with China, Canada, and Mexico, the three largest U.S trading partners, he made it clear he would implement new, or incr…

Sea freight prices could drop by as much as 25% within a few months if Red Sea attacks are controlled, DP World's deputy chief executive told Reuters. The shipping giant emphasized the impact of disruptions caused by Houthi attacks on vessels, which have forced companies to reroute ships around Africa, significantly increasing costs.

Since November 2023, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi forces have targeted over 100 ships in the Red Sea. According to the report, these attacks have created widespread safety concerns and led to rising freight prices as companies avoid the area. Narayan believes stopping these attacks would allow vessels to resume using the Red Sea and Suez Canal, cutting transportation costs. “If we can stabilize the region, we could see prices falling by 20 to 25% within the next two to three months,” he said.

To address the disruptions, the U.S. has taken action against entities linked to the Houthis. On January 17, the U.S. sanct…

A new study by Descartes Systems Group highlights how supply chain leaders rely on technology to manage rising global trade complexities. Of the 978 leaders surveyed, 74% see technology as a critical part of their growth strategy, with this number increasing to 88% for companies forecasting over 15% growth in the next two years. Key challenges cited include tariffs, trade barriers, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical uncertainty.

Global trade intelligence was identified as the most valuable technology for the next two years, with 36% of respondents ranking it first. This was followed by global trade analytics (27%) and supply chain mapping (26%). Industries such as manufacturing, wholesale, finance, and retail ranked global trade intelligence as the leading tool for adding value to their operations.

“For companies in diverse industries, global trade has become much more complex, with many new challenges to traditional business operations,” said Jackson W…