Congestion, capacity and complexity all concerns for cross-border logistics Against a backdrop of global trade uncertainty, ALSC Global 2025 highlighted some challenges and opportunities presented by cross-border automotive logistics. James McLoughlin
Maersk raises profit forecast as global container volumes increase Shipping firm Maersk has increased its forecast profit for the full year, expecting global container volumes to rise by 2-4% in 2025 compared to last year. Megan Kelly
How Trump’s Panama Canal threat could reshape the automotive supply chain In his inauguration speech, second-term US president Donald Trump promised to “retake” the Panama Canal, claiming it was operated by China. Megan Kelly
Analysis: Automotive logistics providers are experiencing increasing cost pressures Cost pressures across automotive logistics are escalating as OEMs prioritise profitability to finance EV transitions and counter rising competition. Daniel Harrison
A highly competitive logistics landscape is squeezing margins and stifling investment The automotive logistics sector is characterised by a high degree of industry fragmentation. Put simply, that means there are an unusually large number of companies competing for a small share of the overall pie. This industry characteristic underpins many of the challenges the sector faces now and into the future. Daniel Harrison
Maersk: Container volume to rise, Red Sea disruption continues Shipping company AP Møller-Maersk has raised its outlook for the global container market volume growth for the full year, despite supply chain disruption caused by the situation in the Red Sea which is now expected to continue at least until the end of the year. Megan Kelly
Port of Baltimore fully restored as last bridge debris is removed The port of Baltimore could reopen as early as this weekend as the last piece of steel bridge has been removed from the Fort McHenry Federal Channel, following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March. Megan Kelly
Private equity and logistics firms eye up DB Schenker Deutsche Bahn has received several confirmed bids for its logistics division DB Schenker, according to the parent company. Megan Kelly
US Coast Guard opens alternate channel at Baltimore bridge site The US Coast Guard has opened an alternate channel for vessels at the site of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore port. Megan Kelly
Maersk opens Tijuana logistics facility for cross-border services (Updated April 10) Maersk is leasing a 30,000 sq.m cross-dock warehouse in Tijuana, Mexico that offers cross-border logistics services for the automotive industry, alongside the technology and retail sectors. Marcus Williams
Baltimore port likely to be closed until May after bridge collapse The Francis Scott Key Bridge at Baltimore port, Maryland, collapsed into the Patapsco River on 26 March after being struck by a cargo ship, setting off an emergency response and a search and rescue effort. Megan Kelly
Anders Lund Kristensen takes up CCO role at Copenhagen Malmö Port Copenhagen Malmö Port has appointed Anders Lund Kristensen as its new chief commercial officer (CCO). He will take up the role at the beginning of March this year, replacing Sune Norup Christensen, who has moved on to a new role in the shipping industry. Marcus Williams
Maersk opts for land bridge due to Panama Canal drought Container shipping line Maersk has changed its services due to the ongoing drought affecting the Panama Canal and is instead opting for a ‘land bridge’ to mitigate disruptions. Megan Kelly
Red Sea blog: Live updates Houthi attacks on vessels passing through the Red Sea are increasing, causing container ship and ro-ro operators to reroute vessels to avoid danger. Follow Automotive Logistics’ live blog below for the latest updates. Megan Kelly
Greater collaboration is needed for the switch to a specialised EV supply chain The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is introducing an entirely new, specialised supply chain for inbound, outbound and service parts logistics. To make the transition successful there needs to be more collaboration and communication between the sectors, according speakers at this year’s Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain Global conference in Dearborn, Michigan. Megan Kelly
How Volvo Cars made sustainability a way of working OEMs are on a race to achieve supply chain sustainability goals over the next two decades, but Volvo Cars may be miles ahead. Head of inbound logistics and packaging Sean Bricknell explains how sustainability in logistics has moved beyond pilot to become a way of working at Volvo. Megan Kelly
Volvo Cars uses renewable fuels in ocean freight Volvo Cars is reducing the CO2 emissions in its supply chain by 84% switching to renewable fuels for its ocean freight, as it becomes the first OEM to switch all intercontinental container shipments to more sustainable fuels. Megan Kelly
Taking the smoke out of the chain Vehicle makers are working with logistics providers to make the movement of parts and finished vehicles in Europe more sustainable. Malcolm Ramsay looks at localised battery supply, the use of etrucks and use of more rail Malcolm Ramsay
Vincent Clerc replaces Søren Skou as CEO of Maersk Søren Skou is retiring as CEO of AP Møller-Maersk at the end of this year and will be replaced by Vincent Clerc, currently CEO of the shipping giant’s Ocean and Logistics division. Clerc will take up the new role as of January 1, 2023. Marcus Williams
Stronger logistics accelerate Mexico’s recovery This session at Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain Mexico focuses on how carmakers such as Volkswagen and logistics providers are improving logistics in Mexico to ensure the region remain a major competitive force in the North American and global industry.
Volkswagen strives for strong logistics for a stronger future in Mexico Carmakers and their suppliers of parts and logistics services are making some sizeable investments in Mexico following two years of Covid disruption. Those investments are essential to build flexibility and resilience into the supply chain for the future of the Mexican car industry, including producing electric vehicles. Marcus Williams
Maersk opens battery logistics warehouse in the Czech Republic AP Moller-Maersk is pushing forward its development of integrated logistics services with the opening of a 14,000 sq.m warehouse for handling batteries for electric cars (EVs) in Teplice, in the north of the Czech Republic. Marcus Williams
JCB signs up Maersk and Unipart Logistics for parts handling JCB has signed two major contracts with logistics providers Maersk and Unipart Logistics for global parts management. Marcus Williams
A hire purpose for US automotive logistics According to the American Trucking Associations (ATA) there was a record shortage of 80,000 freight drivers in the US last year, a deficit that could reach 160,000 by 2030. ATA has stated that the transport sector needs to recruit a million new drivers over the next decade. Marcus Williams
Never waste a good crisis – opportunities to improve supply chain resiliency Greater supply chain control and visibility, along with prioritising resiliency and communication are among the key lessons for GM’s head of supply chain, and top executives from DB Schenker and Syncreon.
Mitigating risk across global automotive supply chains Reducing risk and disruption in global logistics is now the daily business of major OEMs like Stellantis and Agco, with a focus on improving control in the upstream supply chain.
Maersk pulls out of Russian terminal business and looks to Malaysia APM Terminals (APMT), which is owned by AP Moller-Maersk, is pulling its business out of Russia, with the divestment of its 30.75% share in Global Ports Investments (GPI), Russia’s biggest container terminal operator. Marcus Williams
Watch: The supply chain heroes of net carbon zero Logistics leaders from Yazaki, Maersk and Höegh Autoliners discuss strategies for achieving carbon neutrality across the automotive supply chain
Watch: Charging up battery logistics at Volkswagen Volkswagen Group is building its own gigafactories in Europe, and Matthias Braun is helping to define the logistics. Hear how the OEM and logistics providers like Maersk and Orbis are redefining standards and processes during this panel discussion in Munich.
Watch: Just-in-time for a new era – can supply chains become more resilient and still stay lean? Toyota’s Leon van der Merwe makes it clear that lean and just-in-time principles are as relevant for the OEM today as ever. But hear why for aspects of the approach are changing both for Toyota, 3PL Ceva and data systems expert E2Open.
Delivering emissions cuts in the face of disruption Disruption to the automotive supply chain is now a daily event but that does not mean efforts at greater sustainability have been pushed to the back burner. As Malcolm Ramsay discovers, logistics providers are getting results from imperative economies that also cut emissions Malcolm Ramsay
Automotive logistics in Russia is in tatters Already debilitated by the impact of Covid, the Russian automotive market was hoping for better times ahead, but the invasion of Ukraine and the consequent sanctions imposed on Russia have undermined production and sales, and hit the logistics providers hard Automotive Logistics
AL FVL Spring 2022 Digital Edition - Sailing towards a more sustainable supply chain The spring digital edition of Automotive Logistics and Finished Vehicle Logistics magazine is out now. It features interviews with Toyota and Volvo, as well as an overview of activity at the European vehicle handling ports Automotive Logistics
Navigating continuous disruption across global supply chains Experts from North American tier supplier American Axle, premium freight supplier Quick and container shipping and logistics giant Maersk talk about how to reduce risk, including network redesigns, modal shifts, data management and advanced planning.
Rethinking the semiconductor supply chain Executives from Nissan North America, electronics supplier Johnson Electric and semiconductor association SEMI Americas discuss the longer-term strategies required to make the automotive semiconductor supply chain more stable and secure.
Holding back the tiers: The automotive supplier perspective Automotive supplier Benteler, diversified aftermarket distributor First Brands Group together with Maersk outline strategies specific to mitigating risk for automotive tier suppliers.
Communication and creativity are crucial to withstand supply chain turbulence The automotive industry has faced a perfect storm of troubles over the last 18 months. Namely, a year of global shutdowns resulting from the coronavirus pandemic, bottlenecks, labour shortages, and a deficit in semiconductors. This has shone a light on the once inconspicuous drudgery of logistics providers who make the commercial world go around. Jason Dunn
Maersk embraces sustainable shipping with latest investments AP Moller-Maersk has signed a deal with Hyundai Heavy Industries to build eight ocean-going container vessels that will be able to run on carbon-neutral methanol and low sulphur fuel. Marcus Williams
Covid outbreaks causing congestion at ports in China Congestion is worsening at the Chinese ports of Ningbo and Shanghai as restrictive measures introduced to control the spread of coronavirus slow throughput at container terminals. Marcus Williams
Watch: Scaling up battery and electric vehicle supply chains Sales and production for electric vehicles are growing fast, as new vehicle and battery plants come on line. In this panel discussion at Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain Live, global experts from Volvo Cars, Gefco and Maersk share insights on the logistics challenges and advantages in building efficient and nimble EV supply chains.
US rail: tracking in the right direction Shifts in consumer preferences, including more SUVs, have left the American rail industry struggling to catch up – but providers are investing in new technology and equipment Karen McCandless
Q&A: Sulaiman Pallak, GM Middle East and North Africa In the absence of a production hub, OEMs operating in the Middle East must import both vehicles and parts. GM’s head of purchasing and supply chain for Africa and the Middle East tells Automotive Logistics about the challenges and opportunities in the region Victoria Johns
Fresh floes: What does the Northern Sea Route mean for automotive logistics? Arctic waters warmed by climate change promise a fast new route for cargo transport. Automotive Logistics looks at its potential for flows of automotive parts and vehicles Vladislav Vorotnikov
Easing off the gas: Is the shipping industry ready for Sulphur 2020? A new rule to cut sulphur emissions, coming into force next year, will require operational changes by ports and shipping lines. But some parts of the world are far from ready Gavin du Venage
Revealed: AL Awards Europe winners 2019 The Automotive Logistics Europe Awards, now in their second year, were presented at the Kesselhaus at Motorworld, as part of this year’s AL Global Munich conference Christopher Ludwig
Centre of the world: How the Middle East is growing in importance for automotive With vehicle sales on the rise and multiple free trade zones under development, the Middle East is attracting greater attention from the automotive industry than ever before Manik Mehta
Zim joins TradeLens to boost digitalisation Global container shipping provider, Zim Integrated Shipping Services, has signed up to the TradeLens digital business platform, a service based on blockchain technology to provide secure shipping data and make global trade more efficient. Steve Garnsey
Fighting for space at Europe’s ports European vehicle-handling ports faced a squeeze on space last year for several reasons, including wild fluctuations in distribution patterns caused by WLTP implementation. But the situation is now improving, because of investment in infrastructure and digital technology Marcus Williams
Smarter about spot loads Logistics technology company Loadsmart promises to automate full truckload shipments to the benefit of both shippers and carriers Joanne Perry
