☕ Fall Cargoccino Kickoff: Ports, Playbooks & Pivots – 9.23.2025
Your first Fall serving of supply chain news, brewed for quick reads with your favorite drink.
Cargo Theft Costs Supply Chain Billions
Cargo theft has officially risen across the U.S., with ports, truck stops, and secured yards all affected. Electronics, food, and beverages are the most common targets, often stolen in organized operations. Insurers estimate losses in the billions, adding pressure to premiums and claims processes. Shippers are responding with more surveillance, route planning, and security protocols.
Read the full story
🌪️ South China Terminals Shut by Super Typhoon Ragasa
Terminals in Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Guangzhou have been closed for several days as Super Typhoon Ragasa moves through the region. Backlogs are expected to add four to five days of delay to exports bound for the U.S. and Europe. Cathay Pacific and other carriers have suspended flights, further tightening capacity. Forwarders warn that time-sensitive goods such as pharmaceuticals and e-commerce orders will be hardest hit.
Source: JOC
U.S.–Japan Agreement Adjusts Import Duties
Customs and Border Protection confirmed duty changes under the new U.S.–Japan trade agreement. The adjustments affect categories including autos, machinery, and electronics. Even small shifts in rates can change landed costs, sourcing models, and long-term contracts.
Importers tied to Japanese suppliers are being urged to review forecasts and update pricing models.
📦 FedEx Pivots Amid Tariff Pressures
FedEx reduced China–U.S. capacity by 25% after tariffs slowed volumes, but offset the decline with stronger performance in U.S. domestic shipping and Europe. Quarterly revenue rose 3% as new contracts in Europe and higher parcel demand in the U.S. added momentum.
Executives say the company is repositioning its network to capture growth outside of China. The strategy highlights how carriers are adapting quickly as trade lanes shift.
Lessons from Retail Giants: Dick’s, Target & the Athleisure Boom
Nike’s direct-to-consumer shift failed to replace lost wholesale business, while Target has struggled to maintain store identity and traffic.
Dick’s Sporting Goods, in contrast, has gained market share by executing consistently and leveraging scale. Analysts point to operational discipline and balanced partnerships as the differentiators. Retailers that maintain brand clarity while diversifying product and channel strategy are seeing the strongest results.
Listen here.
🌉 POLB: Vincent Thomas Bridge Closing for 16 Months
The Vincent Thomas Bridge, a key truck route between Los Angeles and Long Beach, will be closed until 2026 for structural repairs. The shutdown is expected to reroute thousands of daily drayage trips onto longer and less direct paths. This will add costs, travel time, and congestion on alternate corridors. Local communities are preparing for heavier traffic as freight detours through residential areas.
☕ What’s Brewing at BlueCargo? ☕
BlueCargo will be at JOC Inland, Sept 29 – Oct 1.
Our team will meet with importers, shippers, and Logistics Service Providers to show how our International freight audits automate billing disputes and protect transportation budgets.
We will also share how export auditing now complements our inbound and import expertise.
If you cannot attend, you can still book a discovery call to learn more.
MEET WITH THE TEAM AT JOC INLAND
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Where else is BlueCargo going in October?
- VMA25: International Trade Symposium - October 14-16
- NITL Engage Forum
Email us to book some time
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