As the year draws to a close, it’s a great opportunity to reflect on the dynamic and often challenging world of supply chain management. project44 has been at the heart of many of these conversations, offering crucial insights and proprietary data.
We’re revisiting some of the key moments where project44’s expertise made headlines. From unexpected weather disruptions to evolving global logistics trends, these highlights not only illustrate the industry’s complexities but also project44’s role in navigating them with agility and innovation.
Read on for what I consider to be six can’t-miss stories where project44 data and expertise was featured front and center.
1. Video: Jett McCandless Discusses Red Sea Disruptions
Bloomberg
Our Founder and CEO, Jett McCandless, appeared on Bloomberg News to discuss the impact of the Red Sea conflict on the supply chain industry. He accurately predicted that carriers would start levying additional surcharges to cover the cost of having to reroute around Africa. Watch the full interview to see what Jett predicted the impact these disruptions would have on end consumers and his recommendations for how businesses can prepare for when these situations inevitably arise again.
2. Video: How the Panama Canal’s Drought Is Threatening Global Supply Chains
Wall Street Journal
This Wall Street Journal video highlighted project44’s unique data showing the impacts of Panama’s drought on canal operations – and ultimately, global supply chains. Key findings featured in the video included the wait time for non-booked vessels passing through the canal increased 280% since June and wait time increased from an average of approximately 2.5 days to an average of approximately 9.5 days.
3. Winter weather stymied on-time deliveries in days before Christmas
Supply Chain Dive
In this article, project44 data reveals a significant drop in on-time deliveries in the Midwest around Christmas 2022. The disruption, caused by severe winter weather, saw delivery rates fall from 74% to 37%, contrasting with the generally efficient delivery performance earlier in the peak season.
4. UPS Strike Would Cause ‘Massive’ Harm to US Economy
Bloomberg
Though UPS and Teamsters ultimately reached an agreement in labor negotiations earlier this year, such a strike could have led to massive disruptions in the U.S. economy, including significant losses and reduced consumer and business confidence. project44’s Bart De Muynck cited the possibility of shortages, increased shipping prices, and longer delivery times, emphasizing the critical role of UPS in the U.S. parcel volume and GDP.
5. West Coast port labor issues persist from Los Angeles to Seattle, with supply chain frustration mounting
CNBC
project44 data highlights significant supply chain issues at West Coast ports, including increased container wait times. The data reflects the impact of labor disruptions on the ports’ efficiency, indicating a shift in cargo handling and potential longer-term implications for the global supply chain.
6. Podcast: Logistics Matters
DC Velocity
project44’s Carson Krieg discusses the resilience and adaptability of supply chains during the peak holiday shipping season, highlighting how shippers and logistics providers have learned from past disruptions to improve agility and reliability. Krieg emphasizes the importance of strategic preparation, such as distributing inventory effectively and leveraging data for better decision-making, to ensure timely delivery and maintain consumer confidence.
From extreme weather disrupting deliveries to significant shifts in global logistics trends, we’ve witnessed the industry’s resilience and agility in 2023. As we move forward, these insights pave the way for more strategic and robust supply chain solutions. What an eventful year it’s been!