⏰ Wake up and keep up!

Rise and grind, hustle fam. From fires in Maui to Trump’s indictments, it’s safe to say it’s been one heck of a week. Who would have thought that Yellow going out of business would be the cherry on top of all of that?

TRANSPORTATION

According to experts, the disruption in the LTL market post-Yellow is likely to last months, while freight and carriers experience a “reset”. This pricing “reset” is expected to raise the rates from 5%-15%; and companies that heavily relied on Yellow will pay a higher price. So far the collapse of Yellow has shook the ground beneath its competitors by tightening LTL capacity, increasing prices, and impacting delivery schedules.

John Janson, vice president of global logistics at apparel importer SanMar says, “We’ve seen one-day lanes turn into two- to three-day lanes, and two-day lanes turn into four- to five-day lanes.”

TRADE

After the Biden administration announced new tariffs on can-making metal imported from Canada, China, and Germany, food companies say it may lead to higher prices for certain canned foods. With Canada’s products being subject to the lowest tariffs (5.29%), China’s products being the highest (122.52%), and Germany’s rates being in between (7.02%).

“No tariffs will be imposed on the shiny silver medal that is widely used for cans in food, paint, aerosol products, and other containers.”

— The Commerce Department

NEWS

During Muai’s first deadly wildfire in 100 years, south of the islands, a hurricane’s strong winds fueled flames that took the lives of 111 people.

FIRE UPDATE

Lahaina fire: 90% contained, 2,168 acres burned.
Olinda fire: 85% contained, 1,081 acres burned.
Kula fire: 80% contained, 202 acres burned.

The toxic aftermath of exploding gas stations and propane tanks has left much debris, a smell of toxic fumes, contamination on the land, and soon-to-be contamination in the water. Even as the fire retreats, the danger remains for Maui residents as they return to the their neighborhoods.

“We are going from one natural disaster to the next.”

— Newsha Ajami, a water expert at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

LOGISTICS

The second major US container gateway, Port Houston, joins PortChain’s growing network for vessel arrival software. The Portchain’s data-sharing platform will allow it to digitally agree with its ocean carrier customers on vessel arrival times.

This new deal makes Houston the second US operating port to use PortChain, joining South Carolina Ports. Both US ports have joined Copenhagen-based Portchain’s growing global network of container terminals and shipping lines in a product it calls Portchain Connect.

That product is intended to improve the process of coordinating vessels, calls through what Portchain Chief Commercial Officer Thor Thorup called a “digital handshake.”

WEEKLY RECAP

In case you missed it, this past week we sat down and chatted with Anthony Gomez — a 26 year old who flipped face masks into a medical supply warehouse EMPIRE!

Anthony shares his story on how a rare medical illness disrupted his soccer career, but jump started his journey to becoming a CEO at RapidShips LLC. He also mentions how being hungry played a vital role in his networking process, incidentally putting him at the right place at the right time to land his first client, Gary Vee!

WHAT’S NEXT

TRIVIA ANSWERS

As promised, below are the answers to Thursday’s Trivia questions:

Who might a truck driver call a “bumper sticker”? A tailgater

As truckers have lots of different slang, what might a trucker call a cop? A bear

Established on November 11, 1926 and stretching 2,448 miles across the US, what famous highway is also known as the Will Rogers Memorial Highway? Route 66

This is a trucking term used for a logging truck. What is it? Toothpicks

If something happens to your truck, what would be handy to have with you, especially in the dark? A flashlight

“Dreams don’t work unless you do.”

Goodbye for now,

Rahmel Wattley

Remember, if you smell something burning 🔥 it’s only your desire 🙌🏾