New York is the first port of call for most container ships arriving at US east coast ports, due to its ability to handle ultra-large container ships and easy access to the Midwest. Factors that make NY attractive for the biggest carriers include the recent raising of the Bayonne Bridge,  improvements in its waterways, major capital investments and the imminent completion of the ExpressRail terminal in Bayonne.   Read about the recent arrival of the YM World at Freightwaves.

 

Three competing shipping giants have joined a tech venture to develop blockchain platforms for international supply chains.  They joined forces to remain relevant in the logistics industry, where players like Amazon have become leaders in cloud computing and international logistics for their own use, only to turn around and resell those services to the industry.  Read more about this trend at JOC.

Digital freight management systems may push traditional freight forwarders out of business. However forwarders offering 3PL services, provide added value because the complexity of certain supply chain services are not conducive to digitization. Cargo owners benefit from digital platforms by cutting out middlemen for point to point transport but still need logistics specialists to handle pre and post-shipment services.

To learn more about digital platforms and related block chain developments, click on below links:

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/forwarders-on-notice-as-new-tools-put-freight-in-hands-of-shippers

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/blockchain-technology-can-spur-seamless-and-efficient-international-trade

Some top tier office furniture manufacturers are attempting to expand their global footprint through direct sales offices and showrooms in other countries, rather than relying on foreign dealers. The trend among multi-national clients is to standardize their workplace environments worldwide in order to project their brand globally.  Therefore, many manufacturers are exploring ways to meet the needs of an increasing number of corporate clients searching for global solutions. Manufacturers are applying various strategies to fill the gap in their global coverage. The old world business model was to establish a global network of foreign dealers who provide an existing sales and operations mechanism. In an increasingly borderless world empowered by the internet, manufacturers are making more direct sales in other countries while operations are being handled by global logistics partners. Some manufacturers are even opening their own offices in multiple business centers around the world, in order to provide their multinational clients with local company stores, wherever their clients’ foreign offices are located. Click on the below link to read more about how a major European manufacturer is growing their global sales mechanism:   https://officerepublic.news/en/2019/04/royal-ahrend-reinforces-position-in-france/