Ukrainian shipping seafarers back in action after prime minister gives go-ahead
Good morning! If you live near a beach, today is the day to make some time to visit. It’s National Beach Day.
And to those who aren’t anywhere close… it’s safe to celebrate another day.
The United Nations-supported shipping program dubbed the Black Sea Grain initiative is underway as of last month - an initiative between Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey as the flow of goods are able to move safely again through the Black Sea. The Ukrainian Prime Minister is now allowing sea workers back to their posts after months of requiring all males to assist in fighting the war against the Russian invasion of the country. Food insecurity is still a worry for the region, and there’s a lot of work to be done in order to catch up.
Check out today’s featured article from Splash 24/7 to read about the Ukrainian seafarers being back in business and what the Black Sea Grain initiative could mean for the global supply chain after months of stagnancy. ☕️
Featured Article:
Plans primed to get more Ukrainian exports moving | Splash 24/7
“The Ukrainian prime minister has given the go-ahead for locals to work as seafarers abroad, a significant fillip to crewing levels which have been hit hard in the six months since Russia invaded Ukraine, leading to a mass mobilization of all men to help in the war.”
Peak Season 🎄
Lead contractor in peak season pay dispute campaign is cut off and sued by FedEx Ground
FedEx Ground is biting back.
After several weeks of publicly putting pressure on the shipping giant, Patton Logistics CEO Spencer Patton, one of FedEx Ground’s largest contractors, has been served with a lawsuit and cut off from any further work agreements with the company. Patton has been the face of a growing group of contractors who are advocating for better pay amid the strain of shipping in an inflation era, especially before peak season. There was a warning of a shipping halt on what was coined “Purple Friday” - November 25th - if an agreement couldn’t be met between contractors and FedEx Ground.
FedEx Ground responded with the lawsuit, claiming that Patton Logistics only made up of 0.5% of the total routes in their network and that his threat held little weight to their plans during peak season, but also included “permanent injunctive relief and monetary damages” in their lawsuit.
Spencer Patton has said that standing up to a company as large and as powerful as FedEx Ground has always carried the risk of a lawsuit in retaliation, coining the situation a “David v. Goliath scenario.” Nevertheless, he has stated that he and his company are not afraid of the lawsuit filed against his company and have suggested that suing the contractors may not be in FedEx Ground’s best interest in the long run.
Scale ⚖️
US Justice Department axes CIMC & AP Moeller merger, cites antitrust law
The U.S. Justice Department is stepping in between China International Marine Containers (CIMC) and AP Moeller, Maersk’s refrigerated container maker, as the two companies prepare to join together in a $987.3 million absorption announced back in September 2021. The deal, now defunct due to the DOJ’s interference, had significant regulatory challenges to overcome and threatened the overall resiliency of the global supply chain.
The merger would’ve combined two of the only four shipping container companies in the entire world, putting 90% of the shipping container production squarely in the pockets of the Chinese-owned and controlled business entities.
Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter, head of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division, warned that if the deal had been completed, it would’ve eliminated all competition and resulted in more expensive and lower quality supply chains across the board.
Leadership in the Supply Chain 🏆
🎤 Volkswagen is making moves. In an exclusive interview with Supply Chain Brain, Volkswagen Trucking CEO Christian Levin spoke with reporter Rafaela Lindeberg about the challenges that lay ahead for the automaker. Levin talks about the heavy-truck sector’s heavy leaning toward battery-electric powered vehicles and what is required by businesses and politicians to create the necessary conditions needed for a full-scale implementation. (Supply Chain Brain)
🌾 The Great Lakes are having a moment. Grain is the star of the show as 514,000 tons of the stuff is hauled through the St. Lawrence Seaway - an almost 40% increase between March 22 through July as compared to the same time in 2021. Grain shipments fell stagnant due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the push to utilize the Great Lakes shipping lanes instead has served at least 27 different countries. (G Captain)
♻️ Looking forward to a cleaner future? Cummins sure hopes so. The engine manufacturer is focusing on a zero-emission goal, working to transform fleets with new-age technology that will comply with incoming regulatory standards for the trucking industry. The company’s investments include a whopping $1 billion spent per year on researching upcoming technological advancements that will lead to zero emissions by 2050. (Fleet Owner)
More to consider…
You’ve probably heard the news: California has officially banned the sales of gas-powered vehicles by 2035, but what will this mean for the U.S. economy? California’s already-strained power grid has dissenters of the regulation worried - including engineers and economists. Other blue states are likely to follow in California’s footsteps (Washington, New York, & Massachusettes have already announced similar regulatory stances) and with California already carrying the weight of the nation’s agriculture production, many are worrying that the crackdown will negatively impact the transfer of crops and livestock to the rest of the country. (AMAC - Association of Mature American Citizens)
Kroger Grocery Store, a favorite among suburban and city families alike, has announced two new delivery facilities to their network. Both Nashville, Tennessee and Maywood, Illinois have welcomed the plans for facilities that should improve the company’s e-commerce capabilities and work hand-in-hand with its Forest Park, Georgia & Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin robotic customer fulfillment centers. (Supply Chain Dive)
Whispers “It’s free real estate.” Inflation has caused the mortgage rates to sky-rocket from their lows and now, potential homebuyers are feeling shy. With homeowners now also deciding to delay renovation projects, small business owners are feeling the heat. Businesses that specialize in this type of work are being forced to adapt as their client pool grows smaller. (AP News)
Electric Vehicles 🔋
New York Aims to Join California In Setting National Auto Policy | Real Clear Markets
Real Clear Market’s contributor, Andrew Wilford, writes about the recently introduced New York Senate bill that would fall in line with California’s recent law to ban the sale of gas-powered vehicles in the state by 2035.
How Amazon is giving Rivian an edge in the EV industry | CNBC
CNBC contributor, Andrew Evers, writes about Amazon’s EV-maker Rivian following Tesla’s lead in grabbing a large chunk of the electric vehicle market.
Some Automakers Didn't Take Climate Change Seriously. California's New Gasoline Car Ban is Making Them Face Reality | Time
Time contributor, Alejandro De La Garza, dives into the current nationwide scramble among automakers who are facing down the looming regulatory wave of banning gas-powered vehicles in the coming decade.
Cash is king for EV makers as soaring battery prices drive up vehicle production costs | CNBC
CNBC contributor, John Rosevear, writes about the growing costs of electric vehicle production amid the inflating demand and government-backed push to implant more EVs on the roads.
Ports 🚢
JAXPORT Deepening Means Boost for CargoBarn | DC Velocity
DC Velocity divulges the necessary push for CargoBarn in the port of Jacksonville, Florida - a freight brokerage technology system meant to facilitate food shippers coming to the port.
Supply chain industry needs to be more aggressive in hiring talent, says Port of Los Angeles | CNBC
CNBC shares a video showing Port of Los Angeles’ port director, Gene Seroka, sharing his thoughts about talent and hiring initiatives in the supply chain industry.
Industry Forecast 📊
'Definite weakness in the market', as spot rates continue rapid tumble | The Loadstar
Loadstar contributor, Mike Wackett, writes about the signs of market weakness popping up in Drewry’s WCI index this week.
Retail 🛍
Annual e-tailing update: Growth, with a muddled future | Supply Chain Management Review
Supply Chain Management Review contributor, Larry Lapide, shares their thoughts regarding the evolution of consumer-based e-commerce over the last two years of wild growth.
Trucker’s Lounge 🧢
Packer pups: Canine companions make life on the road more entertaining for driver | The Trucker
The Trucker contributor, Dana Guthrie, shares the story of Mary Peterson Norton, a Green Bay Packers-loving truck driver who loves to be behind the wheel with her four puppies.
TechForce showcases real technicians' stories to attract new recruits | Fleet Maintenance
Fleet Maintenance staff writes about the TechForce Foundation’s movement to share real technician’s stories to combat the technician labor shortage plaguing the industry.
Diversity 🤜🤛
ATA Group Advances Trucking Diversity Initiative | Transport Topics
Transport Topics Staff Reporter, Conner D. Wolf, dives into the American Trucking Association’s push to diversify the trucking industry.
Company Culture 🎉
What managers should know about 'quiet quitting' | CNN Business
CNN Business contributor Jeanna Sahadi shares the real definition of the now viral phrase “quiet-quitting” and what managers of companies should actually look for if they’re worried about employee disappointment in the workplace.
Business Strategy 💡
Achieving Maturity in Risk Management Takes Years | Logistics Viewpoints
Logistics Viewpoints contributor, Steve Banker, explains why supply chain risk management can be a difficult task to tackle and how some of the most successful companies utilized the strategy while navigating the challenging pandemic years.
Local food banks are a great way to handle overstock | Back The Truck Up
Back The Truck Up’s contributor, Rooster, writes about the excess product and where it can go instead: local food banks.
Block Chain ⛓
Can Blockchain Cut Its Ties to Cryptocurrency? | Supply Chain Brain
Supply Chain Brain's contributor Robert J. Bowman asks the question: are Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies destroying the good name and purpose of blockchain technology?
Sustainability ♻️
Shipping must have 'well-to-wake' emissions standards, says WSC | The Loadstar
Loadstar technology editor, Charlie Bartlett, dives into the World Shipping Council’s push for well-to-wake emissions standards for the shipping industry.
Fuel ⛽️
HDT Fact Book 2022: Attention Shifts Away from Diesel Trucks | Trucking Info
Trucking Info contributor, Deborah Lockridge, writes about the growing and fundamental movement toward battery-powered transportation instead of gasoline-based and what this shift could mean for environmental and social goals across the board.
Diesel Supply Below Average in Northeast | Transport Topics
Associated Press contributor, David Sharp, shares with readers about the depleting diesel and oil supplies in the northeast of the United States and the growing concern that it will continue to shrink as weather constraints disrupt the supply chain.
Network Association 👏
Top 100 Private Carriers Expand Fleets Despite Challenges | Transport Topics
Transport Topics’ Managing Editor, Seth Clevenger, shares the interesting trend that all of the top 100 carriers are holding true to: expanding fleets, despite significant challenges and constraints.
Meta Platforms enters grocery delivery arena with WhatsApp service | Freight Waves
Freight Waves contributor, Jack Daleo, writes about the new What’s App delivery service launched in India, JioMart.
US Economy 🇺🇸
The rent crisis on Main Street just took a turn for the worse | CNBC
CNBC contributor, Eric Rosenbaum, writes about the growing inflation issues for business owners trying to make rent payments.
International ☢️
European power prices shatter records as energy crisis intensifies | CNN Business
CNN Business contributor, Julia Horowitz, writes about the current energy crisis racking Europe and the growing fear as the months ahead signal a cold winter.
The Workday Dash is an aggregation of articles regarding the transportation logistics, trucking, and supply chain industries for July 31, 2025, from iLevel Logistics Inc.