Logistics Jobs

Looking for a new career or perhaps looking to hire your next superstar? Then check out our logistics jobs board.

Our featured job posting this month is for a senior level Vice President of Business Development for a privately held 3PL.

Solar powered cargo

According to a report on Businessgreen.com, Nippon Oil Corp. and Nippon’s NYK line are collaborating on building a solar powered cargo ship.

Japan’s biggest shipping line Nippon Yusen KK and Nippon Oil Corp have confirmed they are working to install solar panels on top of a 60,000 tonne car carried intended for use by auto giant Toyota.

Solar panels have been used on container ships before to generate power for auxiliary systems, but the new 40KW array is expected to represent the first time the sun’s energy has been harnessed to help drive a ship’s engines.

I wonder, if once completed, they will immediately implement a solar surcharge.

The high cost of fuel – The tipping point

Let’s face it, there is absolutely no bigger topic in the world of logistics than the current price of fuel.

With the price of crude oil recently down from it’s high of $140 per barrel, the cost of gasoline now just under $4.00 per gallon, and the price of jet fuel causing airlines to jettison aircraft, reduce jobs, and eliminate unprofitable lanes, at what point will high energy prices cause companies who outsource manufacturing to offshore locations start bringing manufacturing back closer to home?

According to a report by MIT’s David Simchi-Levi, the tipping point for many companies to start looking at “nearshoring” is directly tied into the price of oil. Once oil reaches a certain threshold, companies may benefit by sourcing closer to home. Although the manufacturing unit costs are in many cases higher, those costs are offset by the increased shipping costs from offshore locations.

Many of the customers I currently deal with are still manufacturing all or at least a great majority of their products in China, especially those companies dealing in retail goods. However, over the past couple of months I have seen a slight increase in companies requesting quotes for transportation out of Mexico and South America. These companies are mostly looking to benchmark South America based supply chains and the corresponding total landed cost of goods with their current China based supply chain.

Drop us a comment and let us know if the high cost of fuel has warranted a look into “nearshoring” options within your company. We would be interested to know.

Bored with freight?

No matter how much you love something, you are bound to have an off day where you just don’t want anything to do with it.

For me, today was that day. I love logistics and have made it my career, however today it was the last thing I wanted to do. I don’t know if it was the recent string of customer complaints, dealing with endless billing issues, the conference calls, and meetings that did me in, but today I was bored with freight…Anyone else ever have those days?

Back at it again tomorrow.

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