Podcast: Agri-Food for Thought Ep 8 - Global Supply Chain Situation

Sheer Logistics Acquires CargoBarn

Sheer Logistics, a premier provider of 4PL/Managed Transportation Services, value-based logistics, freight brokerage, TMS technology and Integration Platform as a Service (IPaaS) solutions purpose-built for mid-market companies, today announced the acquisition of CargoBarn, a tech-enabled third-party logistics provider (3PL) based in Atlanta, GA. CargoBarn provides full Truckload freight brokerage, expedited, drayage, and other specialized services. The acquisition will enhance Sheer's existing 3PL and freight brokerage offerings through the addition of CargoBarn's diverse and complementary customer portfolio, extensive carrier network, highly experienced sales and operations teams, and geographic footprint...

Cargill Shares Outcome of the World’s First Wind-Powered Ocean Vessel’s Maiden Voyage

Cargill today revealed exciting results of the six-month test period of the Pyxis Ocean, underscoring the potential for the wind assisted propulsion technology in moving the shipping industry toward renewable energy use. The MC Shipping Kamsarmax vessel retrofitted with two WindWings® -large solid wind sails developed by BAR Technologies - - has achieved performance consistent with what was predicted which is equivalent to an average of 3 tonnes of fuel per day.

“We are encouraged by the results and have learned a great deal about...

Two US-flagged Maersk Ships Turn Around in Red Sea After Explosions

Shipping company Maersk said on Wednesday two U.S.-flagged vessels transiting the Bab el-Mandeb strait northbound had turned around after seeing explosions nearby.

The vessels and crew were unharmed and were being escorted back to the Gulf of Aden by the U.S. Navy, Maersk said.

Maersk Says All Vessels Due to Transit the Red Sea Will Be Diverted For ‘Foreseeable Future’

Despite warnings from the U.S. and other countries to cease attacks, the Houthi rebels show no signs of stopping. Shipping company Maersk says that as the situation continues to evolve and “remains highly volatile,” they have made the decision to divert all Maersk vessels that are due to transit the Red Sea/ Gulf of Aden for “the foreseeable future.” Vessels that were due to travel through the Red Sea will continue to be diverted south around the Cape of Good Hope.

“We understand...

Hapag-Lloyd Continuing to Explore Solutions As Attacks on Red Sea Vessels Continue

Hapag-Lloyd is just one of the shipping and container transportation companies dealing with the fallout of the ongoing Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea. The German company confirmed earlier this week that they would be diverting its vessels away from the Suez Canal/ Red Sea until at least January 9. Now the company has released a new update, confirming that they are continuing to avoid the Red Sea route “for the safety of our crew and cargo.”

As SeafoodNews previously reported...

Maersk Pauses All Transit Through the Red Sea/ Gulf of Aden Following Attack on Vessel

Logistics company Maersk announced on Tuesday that they will be pausing all transit through the Red Sea/ Gulf of Aden “until further notice.” The decision follows an attack on the company’s vessel, the Maersk Hangzhou, which occurred on December 30.

“An investigation into the incident is ongoing and we will continue to pause all cargo movement through the area while we further assess the constantly evolving situation,” the company said in a statement today. “In cases where it makes most sense for our customers...

US-led Forces in Red Sea will be Defensive ‘Highway Patrol’

The longer container lines detour from the Red Sea around the Cape of Good Hope, the more vessel capacity will be soaked up, and the higher freight rates will go. Rates are already rebounding. New surcharges just announced by ocean carriers imply freight costs are headed higher still.

Container lines have a perfectly valid reason to avoid going through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait from a corporate governance perspective: They cannot guarantee the safety of their seafarers, ships or cargo due to indiscriminate attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels...

Oil Up 2% Ahead of Fed Meet as Middle East Conflict Rages 

Oil prices rose more than 2% on Wednesday ahead of the keenly watched meeting of the U.S. central bank for clues on interest rate policy, while the conflict in the Middle East remains in focus.

Brent January crude futures were up about 2.5%, or $2.08, to $87.10 a barrel by 1316 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures gained roughly 2.8%, or $2.24, to $83.26 a barrel.

The Fed, which will end its meeting on Wednesday, is widely expected to hold rates steady...

RLS Logistics New Jersey Cold Storage Warehouse Expansion Opens

RLS Logistics, a leading cold chain solutions provider, announces the opening of its expansion at its Newfield, NJ cold storage warehouse. The expansion has brought capacity for all teams at this campus.

"We are excited to bring cold storage capacity to our Newfield cold storage warehouse. This development provides growth opportunities not only in our cold storage business but also in our direct to consumer fulfillment and cross docking warehouse business units," said Russell Leo, CEO of RLS Logistics.

Their New Jersey 3PL warehouses offer frozen and refrigerated shippers looking for...

United Natural Foods Deploys New Zero-Emission Refrigerated Delivery System 

United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE: UNFI) (the “Company” or “UNFI”) today announces that it is taking its next steps toward a zero-emissions future by deploying two battery-electric semi-trucks and five regenerative electric refrigerated trailer systems. UNFI is deploying the trucks and trailers in the Sacramento and Gilroy, California markets, just in time for the peak holiday selling season.

UNFI worked with Penske Truck Leasing to secure two, class-8 electric trucks, which include the Freightliner eCascadia, and the Volvo VNR Electric models. Both vehicles are well equipped...

Sysco Breaks Ground on New Facility in Mesa, Arizona

$102 Million Investment Will Bring 257 New Jobs and a 353,600 Square Foot Facility to the Community
MESA, Ariz., Oct. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sysco Corporation, the leading global foodservice distribution company, held an event today to celebrate the groundbreaking of its new 353,600-square-foot facility, Sysco Arizona East.

Attendees at the event included Sysco executives as well as:

• Mayor John Giles, City of Mesa,
• Arizona State Representative Neal Carter District 15,
• Arizona State Representative Lorena Austin District 9, and
• Arizona State Representative Seth Blattman District 9...

Lineage Celebrates Opening of Next-Gen Automated Cold Storage Facility in Collaboration with JBS

Lineage, one of the world’s leading temperature-controlled industrial REITs and integrated solutions providers, today celebrated the grand opening of its newest facility in Windsor, Colorado. Built for long-time customer JBS USA, a leading global food company, Lineage developed the facility to support the distribution of products to JBS customers.

The next-generation, fully automated facility in Windsor expands Lineage’s network of strategically located automated facilities worldwide. Lineage’s automated warehousing solutions combine cutting-edge technology, applied sciences and innovative thinking to create greater efficiency, improve...

Lineage Acquires Eight Warehouses and Other Assets from Burris Logistics

Lineage Logistics announced that it has acquired eight facilities from Burris Logistics, a temperature-controlled food distribution firm.

Lineage said the addition of the new eight new cold storage warehouses will add just shy of 1.3 million square feet of capacity and about 115,000 pallet positions across facilities in Lakeland, Florida; Jacksonville, Florida; McDonough, Georgia; Edmond, Oklahoma; New Castle, Delaware; Waukesha, Wisconsin; and Federalsburg, Maryland.

The transaction represents Lineage’s third proprietary deal with Burris. Lineage acquired both its Lyndhurst, Virginia and Haines City...