Retailer inventory levels, container line peak season strategy and a tentative end to USWC docker impasse

In this episode host and producer Mike King explores the implications of the tentative west coast docker contract deal, the likely impact of lower water levels on the Panama Canal, retailer inventory stocks, whether there will be a shipping peak season in 2023, and just what container lines will do with the huge number of newbuilding vessels due for delivery over the next 18 months.

Guests

Jessica Dankert, Vice President Supply Chain, Retail Industry Leaders Association, (RILA)

Jan Tiedemann, Head Analyst, Alphaliner

Episode in more detail

‘Tentative’ agreement reached with US West Coast dockers (2.29)

Retailers rejoice (5.01)

Why west coast has lost some traffic for good (6.36)

Strike on US East Coast? (8.51)

More shipping disruptions looming (10.26)

Non-China sourcing options (12.30)

Crime holds back Mexican sourcing (15.33)

US retailer inventory levels (17.11)

The influence of the expanded Panama Canal locks on West to East drift in US logistics (20.51)

Liner strategy for low water levels in Panama (23.32)

The demise of the trans-Atlantic trade (29.06)

Where will lines deploy all the new ships?

How carriers are cutting out carbon (35.39)

Slow steaming to improve service levels (38.22)