Supply Chain Research

International trade volumes are surging as supply chains restock and hedge against future disruptions. U.S. seaborne imports of containerized freight jumped 16.0% year over year in the first half of September, up from a 6.0% increase in August. A 20.6% surge in imports from China was the primary driver and contributed to the surge in freight rates seen as logistics firms completed the first round of peak season imports. There was also a 13.9% increase in imports from Europe resulting from an increase in consumer goods demand. The latter included a 49.9% rise in imports of furniture and i...