Supply Chains in Crisis

Russia’s War Puts Shipping’s Tentative Recovery in Jeopardy

March 10, 2022

Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine has the shipping industry bracing for new shocks to its labor force, which relies on experienced crew from both countries.

Can Europe Weaken Putin’s Power Over Global Energy?

March 9, 2022

Bloomberg

The war in Ukraine has already revealed that the modern financial system can be weaponized in ways never before seen. Now the same might be true of the energy transition.

War in Ukraine Triggers Global Food Emergency

March 9, 2022

Bloomberg

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine means the food inflation that’s been plaguing global consumers is now tipping into a full-blown crisis, potentially outstripping even the pandemic’s blow and pushing millions more into hunger.

Buckle Down: No Relief From Supply Chain Woes Anytime Soon

March 7, 2022

Robert J. Bowman, SupplyChainBrain

Global supply chains are unlikely to see relief from congestion, disruption, labor shortages and skyrocketing costs anytime soon.

War Shocks Ripple Across One of the World’s Busiest Trade Lanes

March 2, 2022

Bloomberg

Putin’s assault on Ukraine, and retaliatory steps designed to paralyze the Russian economy, are heaping new disruptions on supply chains that never recovered from unprecedented shocks caused by the pandemic.

Russian Invasion Smothers Supplies From World’s Breadbasket

March 2, 2022

Bloomberg

After years of growing increasingly reliant on cheap and abundant wheat supplies from Russia and Ukraine, the world’s grains buyers are being forced to hunt elsewhere as flows from both countries dry up.

Record Lead Times Show More U.S. Inflation in Supply Chain Mess

March 2, 2022

Bloomberg

The supply squeeze on the U.S. economy tightened further in February, indicating no relief for domestic producers and pointing to persistent inflationary pressures.

VIDEO

Watch: Is the Supply Chain About to Fail Again?

March 2, 2022

Robert J. Bowman, SupplyChainBrain

Ben Ruddell, director and professor in the School of Informatics, Computing and Cyber Systems at Northern Arizona University, offers a perspective on whether we can expect another wave of shortages of essential products on store shelves this year.

Omicron Ripping Through Cargo Ships May Exacerbate Shipping Woes

February 28, 2022

Bloomberg

Omicron is ripping through cargo ships, raising concerns that a surge in cases, coupled with China’s tightened quarantine requirements for vessels, could delay supply chain stabilization for the shipping industry.

Narrow Window to Clear Clogged U.S. Port Hinges on Demand Waning

February 25, 2022

Bloomberg

The bottlenecked ports in Los Angeles face a narrow window between now and midyear to clear container backlogs before another import surge and union-contract talks threaten to stall progress moving record volumes of cargo through the busiest U.S. gateway for trade.