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Fertilizer Company Launches Autonomous, Zero-Emission Vessel

Fertilizer Company Launches Autonomous, Zero-Emission Vessel

In an effort to reduce its reliance on diesel trucks, Norway-based fertilizer company Yara International has developed the first autonomous, zero-emission cargo ship. The Yara Birkeland is fully autonomous in piloting as well as port operations, allowing the vessel to dock, tether, and begin the cargo transfer process on its own. Yara relies on diesel […]

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Plastic Pallets Stack Up Sustainability

Plastic Pallets Stack Up Sustainability

What’s in store for the pallet industry, and how will it affect retailers’ sustainability goals? Jeff Pepperworth, president and chief executive officer at iGPS Logistics, a national plastic pallet pooling services provider, shares his outlook. Q: What’s the state of the plastic pallet industry at the moment? Right now, the industry is robust. We see […]

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NOTED: The Supply Chain In Brief-July 2021

Green Seeds Leonard’s Express adopted a new source of alternative energy for its national fleet of long-haul diesel trucks by using the SPI Energy Reaction System. The system alters the chemistry of combustion by reusing the exhaust gases that are being wasted. To reduce pollution and noise disturbance, GEODIS invested in a green fleet for […]

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IN BRIEF: New Services & Solutions-July 2021

Technology BookYourCargo launched the Digital Drayage Platform to provide shippers with instant quotes and shipment visibility. Featuring machine learning engines, the platform integrates API/EDIs with existing third-party software platforms. Customers and vendors can search and compare rates by location, move type, and driver availability through access to a mobile device app. Shippers gain end-to-end digitization with […]

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People Aren’t Going Anywhere

People Aren’t Going Anywhere

Although automation helps shippers meet unprecedented demand for faster and cheaper delivery, people are essential for a well-functioning network, says a Coyote Logistics report. As supply chains grow increasingly complex, technology is more efficient at sifting through large data sets in real time and running scenario analyses. However, people aren’t going anywhere (see chart). No […]

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Vertical Focus | Energy, Oil & Gas

Vertical Focus | Energy, Oil & Gas

Offshore Wind Project Isn’t a Breeze President Biden recently approved the Vineyard Wind project—the first major U.S. offshore wind farm—off the coast of Massachusetts. The project, which would generate up to 800 megawatts of electricity from 62 giant wind turbines, is expected to produce enough electricity to power 400,000 businesses and homes in New England […]

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Smart Clothes Hit the Rack

Smart Clothes Hit the Rack

Will warehouse workers suit up in electronic clothing? Possibly. MIT researchers released a line of smart clothes that can track physical movement, and Fudan University researchers in China unveiled state-of-the-art electronic textiles that can produce visual displays. This is all happening as wearable devices continue to streamline supply chain operations and provide critical feedback in […]

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Designers Cultivate Plant-Based Leather

Designers Cultivate Plant-Based Leather

Fashion designers branch out to plant-based textiles in response to growing demand for sustainable and cruelty-free products, and as supply chains seek to lower their carbon footprint. These leather alternatives are heating up: Cactus: Fast fashion company H&M is partnering with Mexico-based Desserto to create a new collection, including shoes made from cactus leather. Desserto […]

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Cisco Snags Top Supply Chain Spot

Cisco Systems earned the number-one spot in Gartner’s ranking of the 2021 top 25 supply chains. The technology company’s agility and strength in environmental, social, and governance initiatives helped prioritize critical infrastructure for hospitals and vaccine research, Gartner says. Four new companies on this year’s list include Dell Technologies, Pfizer, General Mills, and Bristol Myers […]

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Supplier Information Still a Concern

Supplier Information Still a Concern

The pandemic revealed widespread problems with supplier information on a global scale. While many procurement leaders responding to the 2021 Supplier Information Study, commissioned by Tealbook, had initially vowed to invest in supply chain resiliency, almost a year after the pandemic they still grapple with issues surrounding poor supplier information: Agility: Nearly all respondents agree […]

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Hailing Robotaxis for Delivery

Hailing Robotaxis for Delivery

Cruise, GM’s autonomous vehicle arm, was mainly focused on launching an autonomous ridesharing service, but may use its "robotaxis" for delivery services instead. It recently added Walmart as an investor in an extended fundraising round that grew to $2.75 billion, and had completed a delivery pilot with DoorDash in San Francisco even before the pandemic. […]

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Target Practices Faster Fulfillment

Target Practices Faster Fulfillment

Instead of using carriers to ship all its online orders, Target is building its own team of dedicated delivery personnel to get packages to customers’ doors even faster, helping the retailer compete with its e-commerce rivals, says a CNBC report. The new approach involves three companies that Target acquired: Grand Junction, Deliv, and Shipt. Target […]

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Amazon Delivery Drivers, Assemble!

Amazon Delivery Drivers, Assemble!

Amazon shoppers may soon have the option to have their orders assembled upon arrival, says a Bloomberg report. The e-commerce giant is testing the premium service as online furniture and housewares sales continue to soar and shoppers get more comfortable making big-ticket purchases online. Amazon currently offers scheduled at-home delivery to a particular room, but […]

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Vertical Focus | Textiles

Vertical Focus | Textiles

Dawn of the Deadstock To address pandemic-induced material shortages, economic volatility, and environmental concerns, many retailers are working to make their supply chains circular. These initiatives help the cause by reviving deadstock material—unused fabric that fashion brands typically store or destroy. Here’s how some retailers are bringing their deadstock to life: Queen of Raw: This […]

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NOTED: The Supply Chain In Brief-June 2021

Good Works Oversize air freight transportation provider Volga-Dnepr Airlines operated three charter flights to India from China, Ireland, and Germany to aid the nation during its COVID-19 crisis. Volga-Dnepr delivered more than 200 tons of medical equipment, including oxygen-storing and cryogenic containers, to various regions that experienced oxygen equipment shortages. IAG Cargo and its sister […]

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT | Cargo Security

GT 1210 Solution: ORBCOMM’s system combines asset tracking capabilities with cargo and door sensors. The trailer tracking device identifies door opens, route deviations, and loaded/unloaded status. Real-time alarms protect cargo from theft and tampering. The solution includes a customizable application with dashboards and analytics. IntelliScan Image Capture and Retrieval: Spireon’s cargo sensing technology complements its […]

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IN BRIEF: New Services & Solutions-June 2021

Technology Trucker Tools Book It Now automated load-booking is now live within MercuryGate‘s transportation management software platform. Shippers who work within the MercuryGate application can select and populate available shipments in the Trucker Tools Mobile Driver app. The shipments are then visible to approved and available truckers as a Book It Now load on their smartphone. Manhattan […]

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Scan Global Logistics and TransGroup Transition to One Brand

Scan Global Logistics (SGL) and TransGroup have become one organization under one name: Scan Global Logistics. The brand transition is a step toward a stronger global presence and will provide customers access to an extensive logistics network. The rebrand aligns with SGL’s strategy to integrate competitive and agile companies. TransGroup’s 525 full-time employees and 43 […]

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John Haber

The Future of Warehouse Workers

Warehouse employment has reached new highs as e-commerce sales are higher than any previous point in time. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, total U.S. e-commerce sales for 2020 increased 32.4% from 2019. In comparison, total e-commerce sales in 2019 increased 14.9% from 2018. Indeed, the COVID-19 pandemic has driven much of the existing current […]

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