The need to know
The need to know for the week ending 4th September 2020
The need to know from Reuters global network of journalists
Delivering super-cooled COVID-19 vaccine a daunting challenge for some countries
Getting a coronavirus vaccine from manufacturing sites to some parts of the world with rural populations and unreliable electricity supply will be an immense challenge, given the need to store some vials at temperatures as low as minus 80 degrees Celsius (-112 Fahrenheit), Deutsche Post warned on Tuesday.
Maersk to cut jobs in major reorganisation
Maersk (MAERSKb.CO) will cut jobs in a major shake-up that will affect a third of the shipping giant’s staff as it seeks to integrate its seaborne container and in-land logistics businesses, it said on Tuesday.
Walmart unveils membership service with free delivery, no lines
Walmart Inc (WMT.N) on Tuesday unveiled the perks of its new membership program, Walmart Plus, which will grant subscribers unlimited free delivery, fuel discounts and no checkout lines.
Walmart's Flipkart starts wholesale e-commerce service in India
India’s Flipkart launched an online wholesale service for mom-and-pop stores and other small businesses on Wednesday, as the Walmart-owned firm seeks to better compete with Amazon and other players in a battleground market for e-commerce.
Some customers miss out as M&S launches food delivery with Ocado
Britain’s Marks & Spencer (MKS.L) made the first deliveries through its new online food shopping joint venture with Ocado (OCDO.L) on Tuesday, though the launch was marred for a “very small number” of customers whose orders were cancelled.
Amazon receives U.S. regulatory approval to start drone delivery trials
Amazon.com Inc’s drone service has received federal approval that will allow the company to begin testing commercial deliveries through its drone fleet, the e-commerce giant said on Monday.
Amazon Japan submits improvement plan to regulators: Asahi
Amazon Japan has submitted a plan to the country’s fair trade regulator on how it will improve practices suspected of violating anti-trust rules, the Asahi Shimbun reported on Friday.
China will build 1-2 hub airports for cargo carriers by 2035 - state planner
China’s state planner said on Friday the country would aim to build one or two hub airports for cargo carriers by 2035, in the latest move from authorities to boost the development of the country’s air cargo industry.
DP World, Canadian fund to invest further $4.5 billion in port terminals
Global port operator DP World and Canadian pension fund Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec announced Thursday a $4.5 billion (C$ 5.89 billion) investment in their global portfolio of ports and terminals.
Britain 'absolutely confident' will keep supply chains moving after Brexit: transport minister
Britain is “absolutely confident” it will keep supply chains moving regardless of the outcome of negotiations with the European Union on a future trade agreement post Brexit, transport minister Grant Shapps said on Friday.
Lukashenko considers re-routing Belarusian cargo after sanctions: Belta
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Tuesday that he was ready to re-route Belarusian cargo from Baltic ports to Russian ports in response to sanctions imposed by Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, the Belta news agency reported.
Chile threatens striking truckers with security law after breakdown in talks
The Chilean government on Monday threatened to invoke a state security law to penalise striking truck drivers blocking arterial routes and damaging supply chains after talks between the two sides broke down.
The Hut Group launches $1.22 billion London float
E-commerce firm The Hut Group confirmed its intention to float on the London Stock Exchange on Thursday, in potentially the biggest listing of a British company since 2013 and the first major London listing since the COVID-19 crisis.
General-Atlantic backed Wish confidentially files to go public
General Atlantic-backed e-commerce firm Wish said on Monday it has confidentially submitted paperwork with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to go public.
Brazil logistics company Hidrovias could raise up to $876 million in IPO
Brazilian logistics company Hidrovias do Brasil SA plans to raise up to 4.7 billion reais ($876.05 million) in an initial public offering, according to a securities filing on Wednesday.
From elsewhere around the web
What Will it Really Take to Move Supply Chains Out of China? It Starts with Mapping. [Supply & Demand Chain Executive]
eBay, UPS enter into enhanced tie-up. [FreightWaves]
Pandemic accelerates cool chain flows, but pushes up costs, reveals survey. [The Loadstar]
August intermodal loadings best in US since late 2018. [FreightWaves]
Carriers follow through with capacity discipline and blank more sailings. [The Loadstar]
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