#supply-chain-volatility
(49 articles)Geopolitical Volatility Tops 2027 Supply Chain Risk Outlook
The Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM) has identified geopolitical volatility as the primary supply chain trend shaping the 2027 outlook. This elevation of geopolitical risk to the top of
Intermodal Conversion Becomes Necessity as Carriers Face Volatility
The freight industry is experiencing a fundamental shift where intermodal conversion has transitioned from a tactical option to a structural necessity. J.B. Hunt's disclosure of its fourth consecutive
Supply Chain Volatility Expected Through 2027, Industry Warns
Industry stakeholders are signaling that supply chain volatility will remain a structural challenge through 2027, not a temporary disruption. This outlook suggests that supply chain professionals shou
Treat Your Supply Chain Like a Portfolio: Why Flexibility Matters Now
Harvard Business Review research highlights that modern supply chains face constant disruption from tariff conflicts, export controls on critical materials, geopolitical realignment, and regional conf
Shipping Stocks Rally on Strait of Hormuz Disruptions
Disruptions at the Strait of Hormuz are prompting a rally in shipping stocks, with STX Green Logis surging 8%. This reflects market expectations that route constraints will increase vessel demand and
UNCTAD Warns of Rising Shipping Costs and Market Volatility
The UN Trade and Development organization (UNCTAD) has issued a warning about turbulent conditions in global shipping markets, highlighting increasing uncertainty, volatility, and rising costs. This a
Air Shippers Abandon Long-Term Contracts for Short-Term Flexibility
Air freight shippers are rapidly shifting away from long-term fixed contracts in favor of shorter three-month agreements, reflecting growing uncertainty in global logistics markets. Xeneta data shows
Liner Profits Surge Amid Geopolitical Disruption, Uncertainty
Ocean liner carriers are experiencing significant profit increases driven primarily by geopolitical disruptions rather than operational excellence or strategic execution. Hapag Lloyd's recent earnings
Trans-Pacific Rates Surge Despite Weak Demand, Supply Crunch
Container freight rates from China to North America's West Coast have soared to nearly double their 12-month average at $8,446 per forty-foot equivalent unit (FEU), while Mediterranean routes have col
Rising Diesel Costs Could Trigger Q4 Capacity Exodus
Diesel fuel costs are creating a structural profitability squeeze for carriers that could accelerate capacity exits heading into fourth-quarter peak season. While spot linehaul rates are trading 40% a
DSV Stock Plunges 5% on Road Transport Challenges
DSV experienced a sharp stock decline exceeding 5% to reach a 17-month low following mounting challenges in its road transport operations. The company's performance deteriorated even as the broader tr
TFI International Stock Drops as Freight Costs and Geopolitical Risks Mount
TFI International, a major North American transportation and logistics provider, experienced a significant stock decline exceeding 5% as market concerns over escalating freight costs and mounting geop
Supply Chain Pressures Ease But Hormuz Disruption Looms
The GEP Global Supply Chain Volatility Index reveals a temporary easing of supply chain pressures in July, signaling short-term relief for struggling logistics networks and procurement teams. However,
Ocean Freight Market Surges: What Shippers Need to Know
The ocean freight market is experiencing unexpected strength and volatility, bucking conventional forecasts and creating both challenges and opportunities for shippers worldwide. This surge reflects s
Air Cargo Demand Splits Across Verticals, Market Divergence
Air cargo markets are experiencing differentiated demand trajectories across major verticals, signaling a shift away from uniform capacity pressures toward sector-specific dynamics. This divergence re
Freight Markets Show Persistence: Tender Rejections Spike Above 14.5%
The U.S. freight market continues to operate under significant capacity constraints despite stable demand, with tender rejection rates surging to 14.5% in the week leading up to Labor Day, the sharpes
AI Boom Creates Two-Speed Asian Air Cargo Market
Asia's air cargo export market is entering peak season with starkly divergent dynamics driven by AI infrastructure demand and regulatory headwinds. Taiwan's export orders reached a historic monthly re
Tender Rejections Spike 14%: Labor Day Demand Tightens Freight Market
The U.S. freight market is experiencing renewed tightness ahead of the Labor Day holiday, with tender rejection rates climbing above 14%, a faster pace than the same period over the past three years.
Trump's Canada Trade War Threatens North American Supply Chains
The Trump administration is escalating trade tensions with Canada through the threat of tariffs and trade restrictions, with fentanyl trafficking cited as a primary justification. This represents a si
Container Rates Decline as Trans-Pacific Spot Prices Fall 2%
The Drewry World Container Index fell 1% this week to $4,473 per forty-foot container, driven by declining spot rates on trans-Pacific and Asia-Europe trade lanes. While the moderation in rates offers
2026 Logistics Report: Why Supply Chain Volatility Is Here to Stay
The 2026 State of Logistics Report signals a fundamental shift in how supply chain professionals should interpret market turbulence. Rather than cyclical fluctuations that historically trend toward eq
Supply Chain Pressures Ease, But Hormuz Strait Risks Loom
Global supply chain pressures showed modest improvement in July according to GEP's Supply Chain Volatility Index, signaling a temporary reprieve from earlier constraints. However, this short-term easi
Truckload Rates Hit Records Amid Volume Decline
According to DAT's July Truckload Volume Index, contract rates for both dry van and reefer (refrigerated) services have reached record levels, despite an overall decline in truckload volumes. This cou
Supply Chain Pressures Ease, But Strait Disruption Looms
The GEP Global Supply Chain Volatility Index indicates that overall supply chain pressures moderated in July, suggesting a near-term respite from the acute constraints that characterized earlier 2024.
Supply Chain Eases in July but Strait of Hormuz Risk Looms
The GEP Global Supply Chain Volatility Index indicates that global supply chain pressures moderately eased during July, suggesting a temporary reprieve from the acute constraints that characterized ea
DHL Express Expands Time-Definite Services Amid Market Volatility
DHL Express is strategically expanding its time-definite air freight offerings in response to ongoing supply chain volatility and uncertainty. This capacity and service expansion reflects the carrier'
Project Cargo Summit 2026: Managing Logistics Volatility
The Project Cargo Summit 2026 represents an industry-wide effort by heavy lift and project forwarding specialists to develop strategies for navigating persistent market volatility while identifying co
Expeditors Q2 Beat Masks Analyst Divide on Air Freight Sustainability
Expeditors International delivered a record second-quarter performance with adjusted EPS of $2.03, driven by strong airfreight volumes. However, the real story lies in the stark disagreement among equ
Transform Supply Chain Volatility Into Regional Competitive Advantage
Supply chain volatility, once viewed purely as a risk factor, is increasingly recognized as an opportunity for organizations to build regional competitive advantages. Companies that proactively manage
LatAm-N. America Airfreight Capacity Drops Post-World Cup
The World Cup created a temporary surge in airfreight capacity between Latin America and North America, but the tournament's conclusion triggered a sharp capacity rebalancing that is now pressuring fr
ONE Raises Profit Outlook 200% Despite Iran War Fuel Costs
Ocean Network Express (ONE), a joint venture of three major Japanese container carriers, significantly raised its full-year profit guidance to $900 million from $300 million, a 200% increase, followin
Air Cargo Market H2: Iran Tensions & AI Demand Drive Volatility
The air cargo market faces a pivotal second half driven by two countervailing forces: ongoing geopolitical instability in the Iran region and surging demand for AI-related equipment and components. Th
Air Cargo Rates Fall Despite Rising Fuel and Middle East Tension
Global air freight rates are contracting despite structural headwinds that typically support price increases. The Freightos Air Index shows rates retreating to approximately $2.82 per kilogram from Ma
Tariffs Drive Supply Chain Volatility, 3PLs Report Rising Costs
Third-party logistics providers are reporting continued operational disruption driven by tariff uncertainty and policy changes. The volatility is forcing 3PLs and their customers to constantly reasses
UPS & Logistics Stocks Amid Rising Global Shipping Risks
The article addresses growing concerns about geopolitical threats to global shipping networks and positions UPS alongside other logistics providers as investment considerations for a riskier operating
Air Cargo Rates Decline as Fuel Costs Rise, Pressuring Margins
Air cargo markets are entering a period of conflicting pressures: while spot rates are beginning to soften, with the Baltic Air Freight Index falling 3.1% in the week to July 20, carriers face intensi
AI Data Center Boom: Freight Demand Bubble or Structural Growth?
The freight market is experiencing a significant structural divergence driven by the accelerating build-out of AI data centers and supporting infrastructure. While traditional consumer-facing sectors
Transpacific Rates Rally Amid Tariff Uncertainty & Inventory Buildup
The transpacific trade lane is experiencing significant rate volatility driven by a divergence between declining sales-to-inventory ratios and rising absolute inventory levels in the United States. Ac
Air Cargo Rates Could Jump 15% in 2026 Amid Iran Conflict
A renewed conflict between Iran and the United States is forcing a structural reassessment of 2026 air cargo pricing, with freight rate benchmarking firm Xeneta revising its forecast from a 5-10% decl
Tariffs and Iran tensions force LA port to abandon shipping traditions
The Port of Los Angeles achieved record throughput in June with 1 million TEUs, signaling strong near-term demand amid global trade uncertainty. However, Port Director Gene Seroka indicated that visib
Short Sellers Target Manufacturing as Supply Chain Stress Mounts
Short-sellers are intensifying their bets against manufacturing companies in June, signaling growing investor skepticism about the sector's ability to navigate persistent supply chain stress. Accordin
Businesses Build Buffer Stocks as Supply Volatility Persists
The GEP Global Supply Chain Volatility Index reveals a structural shift in corporate procurement behavior: businesses are deliberately accumulating safety stock across their supply chains in preparati
Asia Pacific Shippers Brace for Rising Demand and Lingering Volatility
A Dimerco survey of Asia Pacific shippers reveals a mixed outlook characterized by rising cargo demand expectations tempered by persistent supply chain volatility. The research captures shipper sentim
Asia Pacific Shippers Forecast Rising Cargo Demand Amid Volatility
A new Dimerco survey indicates that Asia Pacific shippers anticipate higher cargo demand in coming periods, yet acknowledge persistent supply chain volatility as a defining operational challenge. This
Firms Build Buffer Stocks as Supply Shortages Persist
Businesses worldwide are deliberately accumulating buffer stocks in response to persistent supply chain disruptions and anticipated future volatility, according to the GEP Global Supply Chain Volatili
Manufacturers Build Buffer Stock Amid Persistent Supply Chain Disruptions
The GEP Global Supply Chain Volatility Index reveals a significant industry trend: manufacturers are proactively building buffer inventory levels to insulate their operations from persistent supply ch
Businesses Build Buffer Stocks Amid Persistent Supply Shortages
Global businesses are actively increasing buffer stock levels in response to persistent supply chain disruptions and heightened expectations of future volatility, according to GEP's Supply Chain Volat
Companies Build Buffer Stocks Amid Persistent Supply Shortages
The GEP Global Supply Chain Volatility Index reveals that businesses across multiple sectors are proactively increasing buffer stock levels in response to persistent supply shortages and expectations
UPS and Global Logistics Firms Face Rising Shipping Risks
This investment analysis piece highlights growing operational and market risks facing UPS and other major global logistics providers as shipping headwinds intensify. The article positions logistics eq