Transportation & Distribution

Container Shipping Lines Sign Up With Alibaba to Offer Online Booking

February 22, 2017

Two container shipping lines, France's CMA CGM and Israel's Zim, have signed up with Alibaba to allow customers to book space on their vessels through the Chinese e-commerce giant, in a bid to boost sales as the sector battles a severe downturn.

Postal Service Says It Lost $200M Over Holiday Season

February 22, 2017

Los Angeles Times

The U.S. Postal Service says it lost $200m during the year-end holiday season, despite a strong quarter of package shipping and expanded use of vote-by-mail in the November presidential election.

How Self-Driving Trucks, Intelligent Highways Are Changing Transportation Logistics

February 21, 2017

Industryweek

No matter what products they make, how many they make, or how often they make them, all U.S. manufacturers share a common goal: They need to get their products to their customers, on time, and the familiar litany of trucks-trains-boats-and-planes (and sometimes, pipelines) remains the way that goods get moved. At least that's the case in early 2017. Within a year or two, maybe not so much.

For Trucking Regulation, It's a Foggy Road Ahead

February 21, 2017

Robert J. Bowman, SupplyChainBrain

GPS technology can tell a commercial trucker all about routes and traffic conditions. But when it comes to predicting the regulatory landscape, the road ahead is a lot less clear.

On the Rails: Growth in Asia's Slower Lane

February 16, 2017

Air Cargo World

Last October the British and Chinese governments agreed to allow more than double the number of passenger flights between the two nations and threw the door open to unlimited cargo flights. To date, however, no air carrier has availed itself of the opportunity. Instead, rail, as well as rival ground-based modes, have risen in popularity.

KANE Helps Club Store Chain Implement Cross Dock Strategy

February 15, 2017

Challenge: A major U.S. club store chain wanted a solution for more efficient cross docking.

Port of Oakland Spends $600M on Expansion

February 14, 2017

Maritime Executive

The U.S. Port of Oakland is spending $600m on new facilities to increase trade volume.

Fedex Fulfillment to Challenge Amazon for SME E-Commerce Services

February 14, 2017

Air Cargo World

FedEx Supply Chain has announced the launch of FedEx Fulfillment, a service designed to meet the shipping needs of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and to challenge to Amazon's dominance of the e-commerce sector, the company says. FedEx Fulfillment delivers orders across multiple channels, including websites and online marketplaces, and manages inventory for participating retailers.

40 Percent of Shoppers Want Same-Day Delivery, Study Says

February 14, 2017

MultiChannel Merchant

The availability of same-day delivery is still catching up with demand as retailers seek new ways to combat Amazon, according to a new study from L2 on the omnichannel fulfillment landscape and customer expectations. This could be an opportunity area for retailers as delivery partners can make same-day a reality across a wider swath of the country than Amazon, which covers 27 U.S. markets at present.

China's E-Commerce Boom Can Be Tour Road for Couriers

February 13, 2017

San Francisco Chronicle

Zhang Heng barged through an exam-room door, surprising a doctor and a patient. He didn't have time to knock. In Zhang's business, every second counts.

Transportation & Distribution

The latest news, analysis, services and systems regarding transportation and distribution and their impact on global supply chains. Today’s companies are shipping and delivering perishables and manufactured goods faster and farther around the world than ever before through transportation and distribution solutions. New technologies that provide information during local and global shipments via air, ground and sea are transforming the way companies do business - and allowing them to stay ahead of the competition in their industries. As these services continue to evolve, businesses are discovering new ways to increase efficiency and cut costs. Learn how companies are using transportation and distribution solutions to power their supply chains.