The Logistics Lifeline | Feb 2024

Welcome to February’s edition of the Logistics Lifeline. We created this newsletter for companies and individuals that want to keep up with the fast pace of an ever-changing market.

Below you will find a monthly recap of the supply chain topics we’re watching, including essential aspects of drayage, container management, distribution and fulfillment, network transportation, technology, and what it takes to join the team at ITS.

Get up to speed with rail ramp and port conditions with January’s US Port/Rail Index

All ports are operating at normal levels. However, we anticipate potential shifts in conditions due to the redirection of containers to unscheduled ports across the US Gulf/East Coast. The convergence of Lunar New Year restocking activities and the rerouting of vessels to circumvent the Suez Canal is expected to put additional pressure on West Coast ports. Get more in-depth with January’s index.

The freight recession, the trucking industry, and the outlook for 2024

“Paradoxically, everyone in the transportation industry wants less supply and more loads, but no one wants to go out of business.”

We got together with our Senior Vice President of Transportation Manny McElroy to bring you a comprehensive look at the freight and transportation market. Read on to learn more about what happened in 2023, what’s happening now, and what it all means for 2024.

ITS Logistics invests over $30M to join digital visibility platform race

“ITS Logistics is entering this digital arena with its container management and visibility platform ContainerAI. The platform, which is free for clients, offers a full tech stack of digital data that shows a client’s full supply chain from origin to destination.”

We’ve officially launched our container management and visibility platform, ContainerAI. Learn more about the innovative solution that’s been saving our customers millions in assessorial fees.

A retailer’s guide to successful logistics in 2024

“2024 has the potential to further shake consumer confidence and be another bumpy year of uncertainty, with geopolitical disruptions currently looming over the Red Sea.”

2023 came with its challenges — excess inventory, tightened consumer spending, mixed economic signals. Learn more about the challenges retailers face in 2024 and some of the supply chain strategies that can help.

Planning for peak season: what worked and what didn't

“Every peak shipping season provides an opportunity to learn and better prepare for what comes next. There are always opportunities to dig deeper, even in longstanding and established operations.”

The 2023 peak season faced challenges like shipping bottlenecks, labor strikes, and rising fuel costs, leading to a "slowcession" in the logistics industry. Learn about effective strategies and get a glimpse of what's coming in 2024 with Ryan Martin, President of Distribution & Fulfillment, and Zak Urrutia, VP of Distribution & Operations.

Let’s talk about returns management

“Well-designed return policies build customer loyalty and trust with shoppers, which is what makes offering perks like free returns or 'keep it' policies worth it in the end; it’s about embracing the silver lining of an inevitable situation.”

Thanks in part to tightened return policies, there was a $73 billion drop in returns in 2023. Learn more about some of the returns management strategies that can help prevent returns, recover revenue, and cut down on reverse logistics costs.