Port Pressure, Brake the Chaos, & Rail vs. Road
Good morning! Today’s supply chain shuffle features left-behind cargo, highway crackdowns, and a classic trucking vs. rail feud:
?? Maersk is playing "cut and run"—port congestion in East Asia and Africa is so bad they’re leaving some shipments behind to keep schedules moving. If your freight’s on board… fingers crossed.
?? Vail is done with I-70 shutdowns and is pushing for stricter enforcement on truckers, tougher penalties, and more lane restrictions. If you haul through the Rockies, expect less leeway and bigger fines.
?? Railroads want truckers to pay up. They’re lobbying Congress to hike truck taxes, arguing the industry is unfairly subsidized while rail companies foot their own infrastructure bills. Toll Wars incoming?
Another day, another round of supply chain chaos. Stay sharp, stay flexible, and let’s get moving. ??
“A goal is not always meant to be reached; it often serves simply as something to aim at.” -Bruce Lee, martial artist and actor
Maersk Faces Port Congestion Challenges, Warns of Delays
Maersk is struggling with major port bottlenecks across East Asia and Africa, forcing them to resort to "cut and run" tactics—meaning some shipments might get left behind to keep schedules moving. Ports like Shanghai, Ningbo, Singapore, and Mombasa are seeing massive backlogs, long wait times, and equipment shortages.
Suez Canal diversions have only made things worse, shifting more cargo through transshipment hubs like Singapore & Tanjung Pelepas, where premium rates are now the norm.
A truckers’ strike in Bangladesh added fuel to the fire, jamming up Chittagong and Colombo, though congestion is slowly easing.
?? Why It Matters: If you're moving freight through these regions, expect delays, higher rates, and last-minute reroutes. And with Maersk leaving cargo behind to stay on schedule, some shipments may be stuck in limbo.
?? Hot Take: Shipping logistics right now feels like Tetris—except the blocks keep disappearing mid-game.
Vail Pushes for Stricter Trucking Laws to Cut Down I-70 Closures
Vail is done with I-70 shutdowns and is pushing for tougher enforcement on truckers. The town’s mayor just sent a letter to Colorado’s governor calling for stricter traction laws, higher fines, and better lane restrictions to keep commercial vehicles in check.
?? The numbers?
? 161 hours of closures in 2024
?? $300M+ in economic losses
?? Blocked emergency routes & stranded drivers
To fix this, Vail is backing Senate Bill 69, which would add third-party chain-up stations and boost awareness of traction laws. They're also pushing for better signage and more aggressive enforcement.
?? Why It Matters: If you haul through Colorado’s mountain passes, expect stricter rules, bigger fines, and fewer second chances.
?? Hot Take: Vail’s had it with truck-related delays, and they’re ready to drop the hammer. Follow the rules or pay the price—literally.
Rail vs. Road: Who Pays for America’s Highways?
Railroads are pushing lawmakers to hike truck taxes, arguing that the trucking industry benefits from billions in subsidies, while rail companies foot their own infrastructure bills.
The issue? The gas tax has been stuck at 18.4 cents per gallon since 1993. With more fuel-efficient and electric vehicles on the road, the Highway Trust Fund is running on empty—set to run out by 2028 and rack up a $135B deficit by 2031.
The debate? Rail wants a weight-based Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) tax, making heavier trucks pay more per mile. Trucking groups say they already cover 45% of the fund, despite only making up 10% of highway miles traveled.
?? Why It Matters: If new taxes hit, expect higher costs, more regulations, and tighter margins—especially for heavy haulers. Meanwhile, EVs might finally have to chip in for road use.
?? Hot Take: Toll Wars are coming. ???? With the Highway Trust Fund running on fumes, truckers could be the first target for new taxes. If weight-based fees roll out, freight costs are going up—fast.