Supply Chain Research

Freight forwarders operating on U.S. inbound seaborne routes are facing a slowdown in growth after shipments were broadly unchanged in April and a 6% drop in shipments from China. From a profitability perspective that makes a disciplined perspective to competition more important than ever. Seven of the 12 forwarders tracked by Panjiva saw a year-on-year drop in profitability in 1Q, including CH Robinson and Panalpina. CH Robinson took a more conservative approach in April with a 1% rise in volumes, though its U.S. competitors saw significant declines including UPS (down 25%), Fedex (10%)...