Top Logistics News Stories of 2022

In an annual tradition, LM Group News Editor Jeff Berman has taken an exhaustive review through the myriad logistics- and supply chain-related news reported, written, and posted by the Logistics Management editorial staff over the course of the calendar year in an effort to create this list below.

This list is not based on page view analytics to forge a “most popular” list. Berman observes that this list represents the articles that best put into perspective the rollercoaster of events that best tell the stories of 2022. “Like the past few years, to be sure, this list could have been a top 40 or top 50, rather than a top 10. These are the articles that point to some of the key developments, trends and themes of 2022,” he said.

1.) FedEx announces formal succession plan, with Fred Smith to shift to Executive Chairman

An official change at the top of the org chart is coming for Memphis-based freight transportation and logistics services bellwether FedEx, with the company announcing that effective June 1, Frederick W. Smith, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, will transition to Executive Chairman, and Raj Subramaniam, President and Chief Operating Officer, assume the position of President and CEO-elect.

2.) Importance of logistics and the supply chain in the State of the Union address is not a surprise

Given the onus on supply chain and logistics, at both a national and global level, it is not all too surprising that the State of the Union speech by President Joe Biden was replete with key directives and positions focused on our sector, which, as is well-known, has been under a spotlight for the last two years.

3.) US DOT rolls out $2.9 billion in available funding for infrastructure grants

Taking steps to put the recently-passed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law into action, the White House and the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) said this week that $2.9 billion in funding is now available through a combined NOFO (notice of funding opportunity). DOT said that this NOFO meshes three discretionary grant programs into a single Multimodal Projects Discretionary Grant and reducing the burden for state and local applicants while also increasing the pipeline of what it calls “shovel-worthy” projects.

4.) U.S. Senate signs off on Postal Service Reform Act

Following approval by the U.S. House of Representatives on February 8, the Senate followed suit in also signing off on the Postal Service Reform Act—legislation that is focused on augmenting the financial health of the long-beleaguered United States Postal Service (USPS).

5.) Railroad service issues are examined at STB hearing

The hearing, entitled “Urgent Issues in Freight Rail Service,” was comprised of feedback from executive-level officials, including operating and human resources officials, of BNSF Railway Company, CSX Transportation, Inc., Norfolk Southern Railway Company, and Union Pacific Railroad Company. 

6.) Biden floats possibility of dropping China tariffs

One issue, which prior to the pandemic was high on many stakeholders’ list, is tariffs, something that has since been ostensibly left to the wayside. But, now, there is a chance that could be changing based on some comments made by President Biden.

7.) Port Tracker report points to ongoing slowing of imports, with retailers’ inventories at high levels

The Port Tracker report issued by the National Retail Federation and maritime consultancy Hackett Associates observed that retail container port volumes are expected to see declines off of record monthly volumes posted earlier this year.

8.) U.S. logistics business costs rise by 22.4% to $1.85 trillion in 2021, new report says

American supply chains are out of sync while adjusting to short-term changes in demands. But logisticians continue to seek long-term solutions to supply chain issues, an authoritative new report predicts, with U.S. business logistics costs rising by a whopping 22.4% to $1.85 trillion last year. That represents 8% of 2021’s $23 trillion Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

9.) Presidential Emergency Board issues recommendations focused on rail carriers-unions labor issues

The Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) appointed by President Biden—and focused on resolving a labor dispute between Class I rail carriers and 12 U.S.-based rail labor unions on reaching labor accord—issued recommendations to help further quell further rail-related supply chain disruptions. 

10.) White House, industry associations press ILWU and PMA to get a new labor contract done

Even though the current contract has expired, the ILWU and PMA said on July 1 that negotiations on a new deal will continue to move forward.