Containers lost at sea spikes after a series of weather-related incidents
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Good morning. It’s Taco Tuesday. Prepare for a delicious dinner. 🌮
The World Shipping Council is noting the significant rise in containers lost in the sea after a particularly challenging winter of 2020-21. Average losses for the two-year period (2020-2021) were a staggering 3,113 containers, compared to 779 in the previous two-year stretch (2017-2019). This heightened loss can be attributed to catastrophic incidents such as the November 2020 loss of 1,800 containers in severe weather off of the container ship, ONE Apus.
Check out today’s featured article from G Captain for the run down on the latest Containers Lost at Sea report and what can be done to improve maritime safety. ☕️
Episode 11 Shipping Container GIF via GIPHY
Featured Article:
Survey Shows Worrying Increase in Number of Containers Lost at Sea | G Captain
“The number of shipping containers lost at sea has risen significantly during the pandemic thanks to an “unusually high” number of incidents, particularly in the winter of 2020-21, the World Shipping Council said in its latest Containers Lost at Sea report.”
Water Cooler Topics
🤖 First Class 8 Autonomous Trucks are launching via Locomation’s Autonomous Relay Convoy. The method will utilize one driver to pilot a lead truck while a follower truck operates behind, using the Locomation’s fully autonomous system. The lead truck will be equipped with technology augmentation, creating the convoy. Using the ARC, drivers should be able now to drive twice as far while maintaining the Department of Transportation’s hours of service regulations.
🚂 The Surface Transportation Board (STB) is cracking down on the nation’s four largest railroads. BNSF Railway Co., CSX Transportation Inc., Norfolk Southern Railway and Union Pacific Railroad companies are under fire for taking too long to supply the board with performance data reports and service improvement plans. Many experts in the industry believe that fines being issued to the railroads will not speed up the process - railroads claim that service failures result from drastic cost-cutting decisions made in light of the pandemic.
🇺🇸 President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better World initiative is gaining new traction at the G-7 after struggling to get off the ground last year. Cited as “ambitious economic legislation”, the project originally lacked enough G-7 partners to contribute financially. The Build Back Better World initiative is meant to be a direct alternative to China’s Belt and Road program. The U.S. hopes to renew interest in the plan in light of Russia’s actions in Ukraine proving that geopolitical risks are significant when countries are too dependent on one another.
Owner-operators place high value of ability to take their pets with them on the road
In a Truckstop.com survey conducted in light of National Take Your Pet to Work Week, independent owner-operators conveyed that taking their pet on the road with them was a key benefit in their chosen profession. A total of 56% of those surveyed reported that they travel with their pets - 66% of that portion claiming it was for companionship while 19% reported their pets were there for emotional support.
The findings also reported that 54% of those owner-operators surveyed would reconsider their profession if they weren’t able to have their pets with them. The most per-friendly states of the country to travel with your furry friends are Connecticut, California, Montana, Virginia, and Oregon.
FedEx’s plans to incorporate 2,500 electric delivery vehicles into its fleets begins with first 150 units
The General Motors technology startup BrightDrop has sent its first 150 electric delivery vehicles to FedEx Corp. signaling the beginning of the company’s mission to decarbonize last-mile deliveries
FedEx’s goal includes the transformation of its fleet into an all-electric, zero-tailpipe emission conglomerate by the year 2040. BrightDrop’s Zevo 600 delivery vehicle is the fastest product to go to market in General Motors history.
Leadership 🏆
FedEx’s new CEO outlines profit-boosting strategy as demand wanes | Supply Chain Dive”
FedEx is ramping up its pursuit of more profitable shipments and greater operational efficiencies as a surge in-home delivery demand over the past two years have cooled off, executives said on the company’s Q4 earnings call.”
Business Strategy 💡
Roadrunner rolls out new direct lanes and transit time improvements | Logistics Management
“Earlier today, Downers Grove, Ill.-based Roadrunner, a national less-than-truckload (LTL) services provider, with a focus on long-haul metro-to-metro shipping, said it has added five additional direct lanes to its service network.”
“You can never be "finished" creating a continuous improvement culture, but there are a few ways to determine whether you are on the right track.”
You Can’t Run a Business on Technology Alone | MHL News
“Robotics and automation need to complement the human workforce.”
Third-party supply risk 'key to survival' - Refinitiv report | Supply Chain Digital
“The American-British global provider of financial market data and infrastructure, Refinitiv, has published a paper on how 3rd party is a key to survival.”
Trade & Border Issues 🗺
China manufacturing imports down 30% - US logistics firms | Supply Chain Digital
“Logistics companies, including DHL Global Forwarding, says US orders with manufacturers in China are down by as much as 30%, as consumers shift spending from goods to services.”
Retail 🛍
Retail futures: How to harness data to revolutionize inventory management | CCJ Digital
“Covid-19 lockdowns accelerated a shift to online shopping that was already well under way.”
Safety 🦺
Nearly 1,300 CMVs Taken Out of Service on Surprise Brake Safety Day | TT News
“Commercial vehicle inspectors took 1,290 CMVs, or 14.1% of those inspected, out of service with critical brake-related violations on a special unannounced brake safety day operation conducted April 27, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance announced June 22.”
There's No Such Thing As Congestion. There's Just Government. | Real Clear Markets
“I recently took a trip from Brooklyn to Vancouver, Canada via the Newark Airport.”
Inflation 💸
All the recession warning signs this week | CNN
“It's the question everyone is asking: Are we about to enter a recession?”
Network Association 🤝
DB Schenker acquires USA Truck for $435M | Supply Chain Dive
“DB Schenker is acquiring USA Truck in a $435 million deal, the two companies announced Friday.”
Artificial Intelligence 🤖
Piece picking robots make their mark in logistics | Logistics Management”
“I’ve never seen so much interest, if not desperation, to improve fulfillment,” says James Lawton, vice president and general manager of robotics automation at Zebra Technologies.”
Cabin-Less Self-Driving Trucks Get the Green Light | IOT World Today
“Autonomous freight trucks with no driver’s cabin will be on American roads later this year.”
Delivery Drones Back in the Headlines | Trucking Info
“Amazon's latest drone design has propellers designed to minimize high-frequency soundwaves.”
Industry Forecast 📊
“The Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) and partners Kearney and Penske Logistics are out this week with the 2022 State of Logistics Report, looking primarily at 2021 data.”
2022 Truckload Roundtable: A slow return to stability | Logistics Management
“A year ago, at this time, the truckload (TL) market was booming. And, for good reason, due to various factors, including the pandemic stimulus driving increased consumer spending, elevated rates, and hyper-tight capacity.”
Insurance ✍️
“In shipping, documentation, freight insurance, terminal problems, and trucking shortages are just a few of the problems we face today.”
Fuel Tech ♻️
When it comes to cutting emissions, ICE is still holding some aces | CCJ Digital
“Some of the best interviews are the ones you least expect.”
TMS 💻
Transportation Software Sector Sees M&A Rise | TT News
“Technology-focused companies supporting the trucking and logistics sector have experienced a rise in merger and acquisition activity.”
Fuel ⛽️
Did corporate greed fuel inflation? It’s not biggest culprit | AP News
“Furious about surging prices at the gasoline station and the supermarket, many consumers feel they know just where to cast blame: On greedy companies that relentlessly jack up prices and pocket the profits.”
Quote of the Day:
“I never dreamed about success, I worked for it.”
— Estee Lauder, founder of Estee Lauder Cosmetics
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.