The need to know
The need to know for the week ending 16th October 2020
The need to know from Reuters global network of journalists
China's imports, exports surge as global economy reopens
China’s imports grew at their fastest pace this year in September, while exports extended strong gains as more trading partners lifted coronavirus restrictions in a further boost to the world’s second-biggest economy.
Ships wait to unload at Port of Los Angeles as imports boom
Incoming cargo to the Port of Los Angeles is surging as businesses restock depleted inventories and retailers prepare for an early holiday season, the executive director for the nation’s busiest seaport said on Wednesday.
Container shipping group CMA CGM resumes online services after cyber attack
CMA CGM, the world’s fourth-largest container shipping group, said it has restored its online business services after a cyber attack last month paralysed activity.
Container shortage delays shipments of Brazil's record coffee crop
Coffee traders are struggling to ship cargos out of Brazilian ports because of a shortage of available containers or space in vessels to hold them, according to traders and analysts.
Amazon workers say Prime Day rush breaks virus safety vows - Bloomberg News
Amazon.com Inc AMZN.O has reinstated warehouse productivity quotas despite telling a judge it was suspending them during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing a court filing by company workers.
Amazon bets on Prime Day in Latin America to battle local rivals
Amazon.com Inc’s total sales have soared during the coronavirus pandemic, yet in Latin America, the world’s biggest online retailer is locked in a dogfight with local rivals as it rolls out its Prime Day event in Mexico and, for the first time, Brazil.
Amazon workers in Germany strike on 'Prime Day'
A German trade union called on workers at seven Amazon AMZN.O warehouses to go on strike on Tuesday to coincide with the global "Prime Day" promotion event that was postponed due to operational challenges from the coronavirus pandemic.
Green hydrogen, electric trucks 'ripe for investment' by EU recovery fund
Green hydrogen, low-carbon aviation fuel and electric trucks are among 55 clean technologies that can help the European Union to reach its goal of climate neutrality by mid-century, research by Capgemini Invent, part of Capgemini Group, showed on Wednesday.
Japan aims to set up commercial hydrogen fuel supply chain by 2030
Japan will seek to create a commercial hydrogen fuel supply chain by around 2030 to support reducing carbon emissions, Industry Minister Hiroshi Kajiyama said during a virtual hydrogen conference late on Wednesday.
Hyundai begins building electric vehicle hub in Singapore
South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Co started construction on a research and development centre in Singapore on Tuesday that will house a small-scale electric vehicle production facility.
Tata Group looking for stake in IPO-bound online grocer BigBasket – report
Salt-to-software conglomerate Tata Group is in talks with Indian online grocery startup BigBasket to buy a stake in the company, the Mint newspaper reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
Uber launches medicines delivery service in South Africa
Uber Eats’ South African unit on Thursday expanded delivery offerings, launching an app-based over-the-counter medicines service as it seeks to claw market share in the fast-growing online shopping sector in Africa’s most industrialised economy.
Logistics giant GLP plans $1.5 bln Vietnam investment to ramp up business
Asia’s biggest warehouse operator, GLP, is targeting a $1.5 billion investment in Vietnam over three years via a new venture to tap rising demand for logistics facilities in the Southeast Asian country, an executive at the Chinese-owned firm said.
Maersk to lay off 2,000 in business shake-up, lifts outlook on improving demand
The world’s biggest container shipping line, Maersk, said on Tuesday demand was recovering faster than expected and lifted its earnings outlook, while also announcing plans to cut 2,000 jobs as it streamlines to cut costs.
Biped robot maker Agility raises $20 million
Agility Robotics said on Thursday it raised $20 million in funding, in a round led by Silicon Valley venture capital firms DCVC and Playground, as two-legged robots start walking out of the lab and into the workplace.
From elsewhere around the web
US medical supply chains failed, and COVID deaths followed. [Associated Press]
Liner schedule reliability hits new low as rates peak. [Splash-247.com]
Amazon’s hustle to find truckload capacity amid COVID tumult saps brokerage push. [CCJ Digital]
DSV adds China-Europe trucking route as air, ocean alternative. [SupplyChainDive]
Equipment prices quadruple as Transpacific volume surge creates Asia container shortage. [SupplyChainDive]
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