Global Gateways

Oil Tankers Are Queuing Off China's Coast in Rapid Rebound

June 2, 2020

Queues of tankers have formed off China’s busiest oil ports as the vessels wait to offload crude for refineries that are quickly ramping up production amid a rapid rebound in fuel demand.

Global Food Exports Get Paralyzed by Problems for Ports

Global Food Exports Are Paralyzed by Problems at Ports

April 14, 2020

Bloomberg

The port backups that have paralyzed food shipments around the world for weeks aren’t getting much better. In some places, they’re getting worse.

Ship Crews Stuck in Lockdown Strain Global Supply Chains

April 8, 2020

Bloomberg

Port restrictions and canceled flights are straining the ability to replace seafarers on board ships, further weakening global supply chains already snarled by the coronavirus pandemic.

There Aren’t Enough Containers to Keep World Trade Flowing

March 19, 2020

Bloomberg

A shipping container shortage that’s left everything from Thai curry to Canadian peas idling in ports may be about to get a whole lot worse as China steps up its precautions on incoming vessels.

Warning Bells Sound for U.S. Economy As Virus Squeezes Ports

March 12, 2020

Bloomberg

While the global economy is reeling from the spreading coronavirus, seaports — which handle a hefty 90% of all world shipping — are a bellwether for trade.

Italy’s China Chill Runs Deeper Than Fears Over the Coronavirus

March 2, 2020

Bloomberg

Almost a year after Italy broke with its U.S. and European partners to sign up to China’s influence-extending Belt and Road initiative, relations between Rome and Beijing risk deteriorating rather than getting closer.

EDITOR'S Q&A

Port of Oakland Outlook: A Conversation With New Executive Director

January 2, 2020

Robert J. Bowman, SupplyChainBrain

In naming new executive director Danny Wan, the Port of Oakland drew from among its ranks — Wan has served for 13 years in a variety of advisory and executive management roles, including port attorney. In this conversation with SupplyChainBrain, he outlines his vision of the port’s future.

The New Global Trade Environment

October 30, 2019

ALOM

Here's a roadmap for sourcing across borders during uncertain times.

The Canal of Death Is Now an Economic Gateway for Eastern Europe

October 29, 2019

Bloomberg

The region that straddles the Danube in Romania and Bulgaria has made it a bread basket for centuries. But after years of corruption and political upheaval, it’s finally plugged into the world economy thanks to the EU’s open borders and money.