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Shipping Challenges in 2025

The year 2025 is shaping up to potentially be a wild ride in container shipping. From potential strikes to looming increased tariffs and Chinese New Year, there's a lot to keep an eye on. Let's break down the key challenges and see how they might impact your supply chains. East Coast Showdown: The ILA Contract Negotiations The International Longshoremen's Association (ILA)…

East Coast Strike: A Deeper Dive into the Standoff

The ongoing strike by dockworkers on the U.S. East Coast has brought maritime trade to a standstill, leaving many to wonder: why hasn't a resolution been reached? While it appears counterintuitive, several factors incentivize both the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) to prolong the strike. Why the Strike Drags…

Proposed De Minimis Imports Rule and the SHOP Safe Act

On Sept. 13, the Biden administration announced new actions to “crack down on de minimis shipments with unsafe, unfairly traded products.” Under current law, imported items are eligible for a de minimis exemption that allows shipments of foreign goods valued at $800 or less to avoid tariffs and undergo little to no inspection. Over the last 10 years, shipments entering the…

Navigating the Waves: Spot Rates vs. Contract Rates in Ocean Shipping

The shipping industry is buzzing. Rates are climbing, carriers are thriving and shippers are feeling the pinch. Is it 2020 all over again? While the current market may feel familiar, understanding your options is key to navigating these turbulent waters. Let’s dive into the difference between spot rates and contract rates to help you make informed shipping decisions. Spot…

Canadian Railroad Impasse, Shipping Issues for Q3

On August 22, Canada’s two biggest railroads, Canadian National Railway (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), locked out their workers after failed labor talks with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference on a new collective bargaining agreement for some 9,000 conductors and engineers. Sticking points are rest rules, labor availability and the railroads’ desire to shift…

Supply Chain Update: A Closer Look at Containerized Ocean Freight and Its Impact on the Housewares Industry

The global supply chain remains a complex and ever-changing landscape. As we navigate these fluctuating waters, staying informed about key developments in containerized ocean freight is crucial to making informed decisions and maintaining efficient operations. Regulatory Landscape: Recent rulings by the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) have sought to address…

Supreme Court Decisions Curtail Agencies’ Reach

Three summer 2024 decisions from the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) will have a major impact on administrative law. SCOTUS repealed Chevron deference in Loper Bright v. Raimondo; extended the statute of limitations to challenge a rule in Corner Post v. Board of Governors; and limited agencies’ administrative law courts while upholding the right to a jury trial in…

Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

With so many new employee-relations regulations now being issued by the U.S. Dept. of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, National Labor Relations Board, and even the Federal Trade Commission (i.e., the non-competes ban), it would be easy to overlook important new regulations from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) that could impact a…

Why Shipping Rates Are Soaring (and When Relief Might Come)

If you thought the days of skyrocketing ocean shipping rates were behind us, think again. Just when shippers hoped for a post-pandemic reprieve, a perfect storm of factors once again pushed prices upwards. Here's the lowdown on what's happening and what to expect: Capacity Crunch: Not What We Expected Before the Chinese New Year in 2024, the outlook seemed promising for…