How INRIX Fleet Data Can Help Customers Understand Supply Chain Implications of a Massive Dockworker Strike

As the U.S. faces a potential strike by 45,000 dockworkers from the International Longshoremen's Association, the looming work stoppage threatens to significantly disrupt the nation's supply chain. This strike could halt operations across 36 ports on the East and Gulf coasts, handling about half of the goods that flow in and out of the country. As a result, businesses are bracing for potential price hikes, delays, and shortages of goods.

How INRIX Fleet Data Can Assist in Navigating Supply Chain Disruptions

Fleet movement data from INRIX provides valuable insights into how such a massive strike could impact supply chains, particularly at key nodes like seaports, distribution centers, and retail stores. Here's how customers can leverage INRIX's fleet data to anticipate and mitigate the effects of a port shutdown:

1. Real-Time Fleet Tracking

INRIX tracks the movement of trucks and freight vehicles across the nation, offering real-time data on traffic patterns, congestion, and delays. During a strike, this data can highlight immediate disruptions at port locations, such as delayed or stalled trucks that are unable to load or unload goods. By analyzing these patterns, companies can quickly adjust their logistics plans and reroute shipments to alternative ports or transportation hubs, minimizing downtime.

2. Supply Chain Bottleneck Identification

Ports are a crucial entry point for a wide range of consumer and industrial goods. A strike that halts operations can create bottlenecks not only at the ports themselves but also along the supply routes leading to and from these locations. INRIX fleet data enables businesses to monitor truck traffic in and around affected ports and anticipate how the delays will cascade throughout the supply chain. For example, a backlog at a seaport could mean significant delays in goods reaching distribution centers, which in turn impacts retailers. Identifying these bottlenecks early allows businesses to plan for alternative solutions, such as securing inventory from other regions or using different transportation routes.

3. Impact on Retail and Distribution Centers

Using INRIX's Trip Plus product, investors can gain a quick understanding of how supply chain disruptions are impacting fleet activity around key shipping nodes. This ability to track fleet movement at any of our 450 publicly traded tickers, or thousands of private POI locations, investors can quickly track trip counts to company specific locations. Using these insights from key retail and distribution hubs, investors can determine whether a specific company or location is experiencing an impact to their supply chain/inventory.

4. Insights into Regional Differences

Not all ports, regions and even companies will be affected equally by the strike. By leveraging INRIX data, businesses and investors can compare fleet activity across different areas to identify less congested routes or ports, that may still be operational, or even impacts to regional companies or business key distribution centers.

5. Collaboration with Logistics Providers

Logistics providers can use INRIX data to communicate more effectively with their customers about potential delays and route adjustments. Whether it's rerouting trucks to alternative ports or rescheduling deliveries based on fleet congestion data, logistics providers can better serve their customers by offering data-backed solutions that minimize disruptions.

Preparing for a Strike: A Data-Driven Approach

With the potential for a prolonged strike that could impact supply chains for weeks, businesses need data-driven solutions to navigate the challenges ahead. INRIX fleet data provides the actionable insights necessary to make informed decisions, anticipate delays, and even invest accordingly. By understanding how fleet movements are affected at critical points like seaports and distribution centers, businesses and investors can stay one step ahead.

As the situation unfolds, companies that rely on real-time fleet data will be better positioned to adapt to changes in the supply chain and maintain a competitive edge during a challenging time.

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