Weekly Logistics News Headlines: Factory Closures, Trucking Recruitment, Severe Weather
Chinese Factories Amid Latest Lockdown in Zhejiang Province
Newly detected COVID-19 cases in Zhejiang Province have prompted lockdowns and strict containment measures throughout the region. As a consequence, many factories in the heavy manufacturing district have temporarily closed. These closures are the latest in a long line of supply chain disruptions. The Loadstar reports that cases have also been reported in a number of other Chinese provinces.
Import Volume at LA Tapers Ahead of 2022
The latest numbers show that containerized import volume through the Port of Los Angeles has declined in the final quarter of 2021. FreightWaves reports that November imports were down 13 percent from October. According to the story, the decline comes not due to a drop in demand but an increase in congestion – there are now more than 100 vessels waiting at sea for space at either LA or Long Beach.
White House Pushes Truck Driver Recruitment Plan
The Biden administration has released its plan to recruit and retain truck driving talent. The so-called Biden-Harris Trucking Action Plan proposes a 90-day effort to rapidly grow the nation’s driver pool. The plan targets military veterans and women for new apprenticeship programs and quicker CDL qualification processes.
Supply Chains Disrupted by Nationwide Severe Weather
A bizarre string of December storms has posed challenges for supply chain operators throughout the United States. Lightning storms, derechos, and even tornadoes tore through the Midwest and parts of the South. Rainfall and cold blanketed the West Coast. Now, potent snowstorms threaten the Pacific Northwest over the coming weekend.
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