The Weekly Freight Report for March 31st, 2022
The Top Headlines in Freight, Transportation, & Logistics from FLS Transport
The FLS Weekly Freight Report covers the week’s top news in logistics, transportation, shipping, and freight. This week’s report covers looming dockworker strikes at 29 west coast ports, crude oil inventory decrease, future battery supply shortage, a new partnership with plans to build a new charging ecosystem for EVs and the FAA evaluates the “line of sight” regulations for drones.
- DOCKWORKER STRIKE | Looming strike threatens cargo movement at 29 West Coast ports.
- RUDE CRUDE | A huge dip in barrel inventory impacts gas prices.
- BATTERY SUPPLY | Could this be the next supply chain disruption?
- EV + AUTONOMOUS | A new partnership works to create an EV charging ecosystem.
- DRONE POLICY | The FAA could approve drone delivery before too long.
Looming strike threatens cargo movement at 29 West Coast ports.
More than 22,000 union workers across 29 west coast ports could strike if contract negotiations don’t prove fruitful.
July 1 is a date that truckers, retailers, and logistics companies are paying close attention to since The International Longshore and Warehouse Union contract expires at the end of June.
If negotiations do not go well, expect more back-ups at the ports and slow cargo movement out of the ports. Read the full story on the contract negotiations and what retailers have done in preparation for this slowdown here.
A huge dip in barrel inventory impacts gas prices.
Energy Information Administration reported a 2.5 million barrel drop last week.
So what does this mean?
Supply is 13% below its 5-year average and gas prices could continue to climb.
Motor gasoline inventories also fell by 2.9 million barrels last week, putting even more strain on already tight inventory. To see the reasons behind the decrease, click here.
Could this be the next supply chain disruption?
How do you prevent a battery shortage in the US when demand for EVs goes through the roof?
One must consider increasing demand and the impact of obtaining raw materials, like cobalt, nickel, manganese and lithium, that are not found in the US.
Even with the problem of materials sourcing, there are many positives for companies to transition their fleets to EVs.
It’s estimated that 1 EV truck could generate $200,000 in savings over the span of the truck’s life. Learn more about cost savings and the possible battery shortage here.
A new partnership works to create an EV charging ecosystem.
ChargePoint and Gatik have joined forces to build an electrical charging network for short-haul EV trucks and autonomous trucks.
ChargePoint is a leading electrical vehicle (EV) charging network and Gatik is an emerging autonomous vehicle short-haul transportation company.
This partnership aims to help decarbonize the B2B short-haul logistics sector and help North American customers meet corporate sustainability goals. To see what the details of the plan will be, click here.
The FAA could approve drone delivery before too long.
Receiving packages, food, and more via drones are in our future. Last week the FAA reviewed regulations on drones operating beyond visible line of sight (BVLOS).
“Around the world, commercial drones are saving lives, making jobs more efficient, inspecting infrastructure at scale, and growing the economy,” said Lisa Ellman, Executive Director of the Commercial Drone Alliance.
Lisa Ellman also stated that the “report outlines a common-sense, risk-based, performance-based approach that balances safety with innovation, and will enable drone-based operations to scale in the US for the benefit of all Americans.”How soon could changes take place? Look here.
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