by Ryan Markiewicz | Oct 4, 2024 | Global Logistics Alerts
10/4/24 Update: Port Workers Agree to End East & Gulf Coast Strike
US dock workers and port operators reached a tentative deal that will immediately end a crippling three-day strike that has shut down shipping on the U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast, the two sides said Thursday. The tentative agreement is for a wage hike of around 62% over six years, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters, including a worker on the picket line who heard the announcement. That would raise average wages to about $63 an hour from $39 an hour over the life of the contract.
Logistics Plus still expects delays and congestion due to the three-day shutdown. Please remain patient as our team works to mitigate delays and charges.
JP Morgan analysts have said the strike would cost the U.S. economy around $5 billion daily. The strike affected 36 ports – including New York, Baltimore and Houston – that handle a range of containerized goods. Economists have said the port closures would not initially raise consumer prices because companies had accelerated shipments in recent months of key goods. However, a prolonged stoppage would have eventually filtered through, with food prices likely to react first, according to Morgan Stanley economists.
For more information, please visit https://www.reuters.com/world/us/ship-queue-grows-us-ports-dockworker-strike-enters-third-day-2024-10-03/
by Ryan Markiewicz | Oct 3, 2024 | Berlin's Wall
I’d be remiss to take a Great Lakes cruise and not mention the Edmund Fitzgerald. Those of you old enough will know the story well. I doubt many of our younger friends have even ever heard of it.
The SS Edmund Fitzgerald was a Great Lakes freighter that sank in a severe storm on Lake Superior on November 10, 1975. The ship, which was one of the largest freighters operating on the Great Lakes at the time, tragically went down with all 29 crew members, and their bodies were never recovered.
The Fitzgerald had a storied career, but it’s best known for the mysterious circumstances surrounding its sinking. On the night of the disaster, the ship encountered a powerful storm with winds reaching hurricane force and waves as high as 35 feet. Though the exact cause of the sinking remains unknown, several theories have been proposed, ranging from structural failure to flooding caused by hatch cover problems.
Gordon Lightfoot immortalized the ship’s story in his ballad “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” which brought widespread attention to the tragedy. It remains one of the most famous shipwrecks in the history of the Great Lakes.
I guess being in the logistics business, it’s good for all of us to remember how the world moves and the dangers involved.
And here is the song (click the image below) – it’s worth the listen.
by Ryan Markiewicz | Oct 2, 2024 | News
The Logistics Plus (LP) Japan team is excited to announce the opening of a new office in Osaka, Japan! As Logistics Plus aims to strengthen and expand its global network, the Osaka office will work alongside the existing Tokyo, Japan office to offer domestic and global logistics services.
The Osaka office will provide the various logistics solutions that are listed below:
- Total Logistics & Supply Chain Management
- Freight Forwarding
- Trucking
- Warehousing
- Courier Shipping
- Customs & Compliance
- Reverse Logistics
Osaka, located in the Kansai region of Japan, is a vibrant metropolis known for its rich history and dynamic culture. Being known as the City of Merchants, Osaka is the central business hub in Western Japan and is a gateway to many business opportunities both domestically and globally. Additionally, Osaka is one of the three major cities in Japan (Tokyo-Osaka-Nagoya).
Tom Park (Branch Manager)
Email: tom.park@logisticsplus.com
Logistics Plus Osaka, Japan
Namba-Sky-O 27F, 5-1-60 Namba,
Chuo-ku, Osaka, 542-0076
For any requests involving the Osaka or Tokyo offices, please email lpjops@logisticsplus.com. We thank you for all current business and future opportunities, and we look forward to assisting you.
by Ryan Markiewicz | Sep 30, 2024 | Berlin's Wall
Well, though the trip has been nice, today is the first day that we got to see something that felt very different from everyday life*.
*Note: Derek made a very good point: He said, “Why would you think a Great Lakes cruise would be so different when you LIVE on one of the Great Lakes?”. Good point 🤪
Duluth was nice but not so different from other small Great Lake port cities.
Lake Superior is BIG, but you really can’t tell how big. Lake Erie is pretty big too.
Thunder Bay had a nice hiking trail, but it was not that different from Allegheny Park or the Adirondacks.
Silver Islet was kind of like a walk through Presque Isle.
All nice. Just not all that different from home/close to home.
But Mackinac Island was VERY different. A cool, unique place. No cars. Mostly horses and bicycles. Home to about 600 people year-round, but a beautiful summer/fall resort area. Famous for their Mackinac Island fudge (as good as advertised) and a beautiful piece of land that we took an 8 mile bike ride all around. And there is the world-famous Grand Hotel (with the longest porch in the world-660′ long), which is a pretty incredible place. It is very elegant and cool.
It’s a pretty remote place, but it’s worth visiting.
Here’s where we are on the map
This is the Arch Rock. Millions of years old.
These are the only taxis available on the island
And these are the only traffic jams
The Grand Hotel
Tonight we head for Algoma, Wisconsin (all I know about that is that it’s near Green Bay 🤪)
Onward!
by Ryan Markiewicz | Sep 28, 2024 | Berlin's Wall
Here’s where we are for Day 2.
Day 2 in Thunder Bay
Took off from Duluth yesterday.
As on all cruises, the first thing they do is to give everyone a safety briefing. These are important since (as we all know) sh*t happens sometimes, and it’s good to be prepared. So, most guests pay some attention but not full attention since they are more excited than worried.
I’m guessing that’s why not too many folks laughed when the Safety Director gave the following instructions:
“In case of emergency you will hear seven short blasts followed by a long blast.
When you hear that, no matter where you are on the ship, go directly to your muster station.
Do not go back to your cabin. Do not look for your loved ones. They can always be replaced at a later date”.
At least I thought that was funny as hell 🤪
Visiting some remote spots in Canada like Thunder Bay and Silver islet. Some cool history here. Mostly hiking through forests and relaxing.
Silver Inlet, for instance, has 250 residents. And that’s in the summer. In the winter, nine hardy folks stay here.
Welcome to Thunder Bay!
And here is our ship at anchor, from Silver Islet.
Just hoping I can get the Bills game on my iPad tomorrow night hahahahaha
Page 23 of 35« First«...10...2122232425...30...»Last »
