Monument Economics Group

For his 4th installment in his Beauty of Logistics series, Dr. Paul Kent has released part 1 of a 2 part paper titled: "Logistics Reimagined: Advancing the Intelligent Logistics System." Dr. Kent harnesses existing and emerging technologies to advance his Intelligent Logistics System (ILS) concept to tackle inefficiencies and challenges across global supply chains. By leveraging IoT, AI, Blockchain, Digital Twins, and PiChain, the ILS enhances efficiency, fosters transparency, and drives sustainability—ushering in a new era of logistics innovation. He demonstrates its application in a hypothetical scenario inspired by Brazil’s soybean logistics. Part 1 can be accessed here: https://bit.ly/4aDUHzm. Part 2, coming soon, will delve into the challenges and opportunities for implementing the ILS at scale, exploring technical and financial barriers, such as data integration complexities, cost recovery mechanisms, and stakeholder alignment. Part 2 will also introduce the concept of a centralized technology management platform—the "system of systems"—to coordinate multiple ILS components. Prior articles from Dr. Kent’s For the Beauty of Logistics Series can be found at megconsulting.com.

Dr. Kent, for the third straight year, was the primary contributor to the Freight and Supply Chain Chapter of the US Bureau of Transportation Statistics 2024 Annual Report (read here: https://bit.ly/40CRBs1). Some of Chapter’s highlights include: ·???????The U.S. freight system moved 20.1 billion tons of goods valued at $18.7 trillion in 2023. Trucking remained king, hauling 64.5% of the weight and 72.5% of the value. ·???????Short hauls? Trucking dominated trips under 100 miles, accounting for 75% of ton-miles. Long hauls? Rail took the lead on routes between 1,000–2,000 miles, with 37.8% of ton-miles. ·???????In 2023, U.S.–Mexico trade rose 2.4% to $798 billion, overtaking U.S.–Canada trade ($772.9 billion) as the top bilateral partner for the first time. Meanwhile, U.S.–China trade fell 16.8%, underscoring evolving trade patterns. ·???????The Liner Shipping Connectivity Index ranked the Port of New York and New Jersey as the top U.S. port for connectivity in 2023, with a score of 517—up from 506 in 2022. Meanwhile, West Coast ports like Los Angeles and Long Beach saw declines to 276 and 233, respectively, reflecting shifting dynamics. ·???????East Coast ports handled 63.8 billion kilograms of Asian imports in 2023, surpassing the West Coast’s 55.0 billion kilograms for the second straight year. Over the past decade, East Coast ports achieved a CAGR of 5.5%, while West Coast ports saw a decline of ?0.3%, emphasizing a long-term shift in containerized trade flows. While this year’s data showcases remarkable trends, next year’s story may reflect ripples from recent disruptions: potential East Coast dockworker strikes, vessel re-routings avoiding the Red Sea, and drought-related navigation constraints on the Panama Canal. The U.S. coastal gap could narrow—or shifting trade patterns may surprise us again. For a deep dive, the full report and a treasure trove of transportation statistics across all modes are available at https://www.bts.gov/tsar and https://data.bts.gov/, respectively.

Dr. Paul Kent has released the third paper of his For the Beauty of Logistics series. In it, he examines Honduras’ recent decision to withdraw from the World Bank’s forum for international arbitration, known as ICSID. Dr. Kent examines the impact of the withdrawal on current and future investment projects and highlights the critical need for diversified arbitration options to maintain investor confidence, with potential ramifications for other countries considering a similar decision. The article is available in both English and Spanish: https://lnkd.in/gEaA_2FV

Dr. Paul Kent's second paper in his For the Beauty of Logistics series is out, and in it, he explores a unique setting for port development to serve Gaza: one that seeks to balance Israel's security needs with Palestinian sovereignty aspirations. The paper presents five port options according to their locations: inside Gaza, on the border, and outside Gaza. The favored option, the South Gaza/Kerem Shalom plan, entails an autonomous Palestinian port to be constructed in Egypt, adjacent to Gaza’s border. This port will be connected to the existing Kerem Shalom border crossing terminal via a dedicated 10-km port truck corridor. Then, Kerem Shalom will be expanded and turned into a logistics hub and special economic zone connected by rail to the West Bank. The chosen port solution not only addresses security concerns, but also holds promise for significant economic improvement, offering hope for Gaza and a stable peace for this war-torn region. Read the full paper here: https://lnkd.in/gzvZxAFU The For the Beauty of Logistics series, authored by Dr. Paul Kent, consists of short papers that aim to showcase how the principles of logistics can enable groundbreaking advancements, optimize processes, and revolutionize our understanding of complex systems. The first paper of the series, “From Nobel Laureates to the Cellular Supply Chain: Unveiling Logistics Concepts to Foster Wider Understanding of Scientific Research”, can be accessed here: https://lnkd.in/gTNSdSpJ

In the wake of the Key Bridge collapse in the bustling port of Baltimore, many are forecasting what this means for the global supply chain. Governing.com's Jared Brey, reached out to various industry leaders while reporting on this matter including our own Dr. Paul Kent. Read Dr. Kent's insights here: https://lnkd.in/gViAuaWy.