Port of Oakland shut gates for 3rd night in a row while truckers protest CA AB5 law
Good morning! It’s Friday AND National Hammock Day. So after work, make sure to prop those feet up and relax. 💤
California’s AB5 law has many truckers livid. Approximately 70,000 drivers have had their owner-operator status threatened by the regulatory move by Sacramento, and many truckers have taken to protesting at the gates of the West Coast’s largest shipping ports. Notably, the Port of Oakland shut down all operations for the day. Currently, the California trucking industry relies heavily on contract work, argue the protestors.
Check out today’s featured article from AJOT to read about the protests at the West Coast’s third busiest port and what can be expected in the days/weeks to come if the trucker protests continue at its gates. ☕️
Protesting Hey Arnold GIF via GIPHY
Featured Article:
California port closes gates for third day amid protests - AJOT.COM
“California’s third-busiest port shut down some of its gates and marine terminals for a third day Wednesday as truckers protesting a gig-work law that could take 70,000 drivers off the road blocked access to the operation.”
Water Cooler Topics
📲 The market’s demand for smartphones was fallen slightly to the wayside, and the semiconductor suppliers that have been voicing fears of a shortage now have an oversupply of chips. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, an Apple supplier of semiconductor chips, said in its second-quarter earnings call that the company expected the semiconductor supply chain would need a few more quarters to re-balance itself. With most manufacturers' inventories increasing, it isn’t all good news. “Demand continues to exceed our ability to supply,” says Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s CEO C.C. Wei. Semiconductor suppliers have noted that they will be heavily-monitoring purchasing patterns of consumers over the next few quarters to avoid any further miscalculations in the forecast.
⭐️ Just outside of Odessa, Texas, leaders at the Summit Industrial Park (SIP) are strategizing methods for improving operations for the fast-paced oil and gas market in the area. SIP, a subsidiary of Sumitomo Corp. of America (SCOA), provides last-mile logistics for products needed at regional oil and gas companies. The company is implementing a state-of-the-art warehouse management system (WMS) through the supply chain technology firm Made4net - this technology integrated with SIP’s proprietary enterprise resource planning system is expected to assist the company to track and invoice shipments for a variety of clients at a quicker pace. Speeding up service at the firm will allow SIP to serve customers and manage its own business more accurately and efficiently.
🇷🇺 The Nord Stream pipeline system is back in operation after a brief respite, delivering Russian gas flow into Europe, which is under the massive strain of reduced supplies. Much of Europe worried that Russian President Vladimir Putin would keep the pipeline turned off, so the move gives the continent much relief. However, the control of the pipeline still leaves many unsure of the future. The European Union is stockpiling natural gas in preparation for the winter months while they are currently experiencing its worst energy crisis in many decades. Gas shipments from Russia to Europe have been stifled for months, and industry experts are worried that without Russian natural gas, Europe would suffer massive power outages over the wolf winter months.
Vendors now have more opportunities for supply chain financing
The corporate supply chain finance market grew globally to a whopping $1.8 trillion in 2021 - a 38% increase from 2020. This supply chain finance growth may be a result of skyrocketing interest rates, as the factoring programs available in the market can provide suppliers with a cheap source of cash up-front.
The growth also may signal a widening chasm of financial stress upon supply chain companies, who are less able to finance their own operations without assistance from outside sources.
Warehouse artificial intelligence is growing smarter by the day
Researchers at Rochester Institute of Technology are reporting the smart robots in the warehouse are only getting more intelligent - some even reporting that they expect robots to soon understand the “right of way” in busy warehouse aisles. Smart technologies are becoming an increasing priority for warehouses, integrating methods of artificial intelligence. such as LiDAR sensors.
Currently, most warehouses have a blend of autonomous and human-operated equipment. To keep this mixture effective, robots will need to begin to recognize humans and communicate with other robots as operations are performed.
Leadership 🏆
My Lessons in Interviewing Supply Chains to Admire Award Winners - Supply Chain Shaman
“In business conversations, the term supply chain excellence rolls off the tongue frequently in meetings, but what does it mean? My insight? There is no standard answer.”
Transportation Insight Unveils Beon Digital Logistics Platform | SupplyChainBrain
“No supply chain has been sheltered from the slew of logistics challenges over the past two and a half years, but small and medium-sized businesses have been hit especially hard.”
Top Talking Logistics Posts & Episodes – Plus Indago Highlights (Q2 2022) - TalkingLogistics
“It’s halftime. Unlike the Super Bowl, there are no funny commercials or halftime shows to keep us entertained.”
“Like many individuals working in supply chain roles today, I got here by accident. Fresh out of college with a background in public relations, I responded to an advertisement in a newspaper and got my first job in transportation, as Manager of Public Relations for a less-than-truckload carrier.”
Getting stuck on the title | Seth’s blog
“The brand name, the first name, the label…”
Regulations ⚖️
French shipping billionaire slams lawmakers’ windfall tax plan | AJOT.COM
“The billionaire head of shipping giant CMA CGM SA pushed back against a plan by some French lawmakers for a windfall tax on excessive corporate profits to fund measures to soften the impact of inflation on households.”
What Should Biden’s Energy Policy Be? | City Journal
“The right energy strategy for today’s uncertain conditions doesn’t pick favorites”
Electric Vehicles 🔋
Ford reassures investors it has the battery supplies it needs for ambitious EV goals - CNBC
“Ford Motor said Thursday that it has secured 100% of the battery supplies needed to deliver electric vehicles at a rate of 600,000 per year by the end of 2023.”
Electric Shipping Sooner Than Expected - More than Shipping
“As discussed on More Than Shipping of late, there is a large movement in the shipping industry to move towards a carbon neutral future. While may organizations forge the path forward, an incredible number of obstacles still lay in the way.”
Amazon is starting to deliver packages with Rivian electric vans - CNBC
“Amazon is starting to roll out some of the electric delivery vans that it developed in partnership with Rivian, the companies announced Thursday.”
Ports 🚢
Congestion Causes Cargo ‘Seesaw’ at Ports of Savannah and Charleston - G Captain
“The rivalry for maritime commerce between Charleston and Savannah dates back for centuries, well before containerization turned into intermodalism.”
Diversity 🤜🤛
WIT: Women Make Up Less Than Half of Most Roles in Trucking - Fleet Management - Trucking Info
“About 46% of companies involved in transportation have a formal diversity, equity and inclusion policy in place, and another 18% are in the process of developing one, according to Women In Trucking Association’s latest gender diversity data presented by WIT President and CEO Ellen Voie and WIT Strategy Advisor Brian Everett.”
Maintenance & Repair 🧰
The value of ASE certifications | Fleet Maintenance
“ASE’s SVP of Communications explains what professional-level credentials mean for maintenance technicians and the businesses that employ them.”
Inflation 💸
'It Has To Change': Small Business Owners Sound Off On Crushing Inflation - Common Sense
“They survived the pandemic lockdowns. But the owners of gas stations, hardware stores and restaurants aren't sure they'll survive this.”
Most Americans Think The Economy Is Currently In A Recession - Tippin Sights
“Americans believe the economy is in recession and are taking steps to make do with their paychecks, which haven’t kept up with inflation.”
Industry Forecast 📊
Our most read logistics stories of H1 2022 | Supply Chain Dive
“Fulfillment, ocean shipping regulation, congestion, and middle mile were among the trending topics in logistics for the first half of the year.”
“The Index of Global Trade Health shows a 6% decline in global supply chain activity in the second quarter.”
Economic Downturn is Top Risk For Companies | Material Handling and Logistics
“Other risks include energy price inflation and key material shortages.”
Business Strategy 💡
SAP report: supply chains shifting to 'just in case' model | Supply Chain Digital
“SAP UK report shows that, in the face of supply disruption & uncertainty, most organisations are moving away from just-in-time inventory to just-in-case.”
“Kearney’s survey found those companies are just six percent of respondents to this 30th annual report.“
Supply chain 'needs structural change', says Apex Logistics | Supply Chain Digital
“Supply chain disruption is caused by poor infrastructure and too many firms doing the same thing, says Rex Paschall, Freight Director at Apex Logistics.”
It’s time to end pay by the mile - Truck News
“No conversation about safety would be complete without a look at how we pay our drivers.”
Trade & Border Issues 🗺
Can Globalization Be Rejuvenated? | by Yossi Sheffi | MITSupplyhain | Jul, 2022 | Medium
“Globalization — in particular, international trade — is under attack on so many fronts that its future viability is being called into question.”
Shortages 🛒
Cruise Industry Recovery Runs Into Labor Crisis - G Captain
“Andrea Mather’s plans for a long-awaited summer cruise around the Hawaiian islands with her financial analyst husband unraveled after her booking with Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America was canceled due to a staffing shortage.”
Fuel ⛽️
Real fuel savings requires balance and a basis in science | Commercial Carrier Journal
“Have you ever been asked to sell a placebo to the trucking industry?”
Gas Prices Are Falling, but Companies Don’t Want to Lower Prices Too Much - Business Insider
“The average price of a gallon of gas is back below $4.50, but the recovery on Americans' wallets has been slow.”
Owner-Operators 🚛
California poised to enforce AB5 despite driver concerns | Transport Dive
“The state of California is poised to begin enforcement of its AB5 labor law, rejecting calls from the trucking industry for a delay to give drivers and carriers more time to comply.”
Low Rates, Rising Fuel Costs Threaten Independent Drivers | Transport Topics
“The high-demand environment over the past two years was met with a rise in independent truckers, but increased headwinds threaten that trend.”
Artificial Intelligence 🤖
The unsinkable potential of autonomous boats - Vox
“Autonomous boats are now crossing oceans.”
American Politics 🇺🇸
Politics, Not Economics, Motivates Semiconductor Subsidies | Cato at Liberty Blog
“Amidst mounting pressure from the Biden administration and led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the Senate last night began a final push to fast‐track $76 billion in new taxpayer subsidies for domestic semiconductor manufacturers.”
Quote of the Day:
“Lean forward into your life. Begin each day as if it were on purpose.”
―Mary Anne Radmacher, author
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.