MSS, Inc. a leader in personalized third party moving-related specialty services did well in managing the unexpected lumber crisis and associated increased crating costs beginning in the Spring of 2021. MSS continued to monitor the situation in May 2021, and over the course of the year saw many ups and downs. One year later in May 2022 during the beginning of the peak move season, rates were at tier 4 which is a 12.18% increase over the base rate of tier 1. Over the next few months the rate varied between tiers 2 (+4.19%) and tier 3 (+8.18%) increases. In this past October the rates .... (Full info at Read More)

At the end of November, FIDI FOCUS provided information that helped to clarify the prohibition in the EU sanctions regarding the “legality of moving household goods across Russian borders, after concerns were raised by Affiliates and non-Affiliates about trucks being held up at the Finnish border.” They provided an excerpt of the related prohibition and submitted that the wording indicates it does not apply to items for “personal use” and therefore household goods as well. (More at: FIDI FOCUS, “FIDI clarifies rule on HHGs delays at Russian borders,” 22nd November 2022)

The U.S. Senate today followed suit of the House-passed bill and voted 80 to 15 in favor of the labor agreement mediated by the emergency board put in place several months ago. This action by congress prevents a national rail shutdown during this holiday season with a major impact on the U.S. economy, as one third of the country’s cargo is transported via rail. (See The Hill, "Senate votes to avert costly rail strike" by Alexander Bolton and Karl Evers-Hillstrom, 12/01/2022)

Freightwaves reported yesterday that “Biden urged Congress to pass a bill that would compel the railroads and the unions to adopt the new agreement,” while even now four of the 12 rail unions still have not ratified their labor agreements. At the same time, more than 400 state and national trade groups also asked congress to take action to avoid a strike(with a deadline on Dec. 9) that would cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars. (See more at: Freightways, “Biden calls on Congress to prevent rail strike …” by Joanna Marsh, 11/28/22)

Freightways reported that Mexico’s transportation ministry announced on Tuesday that their servers experienced a cyberattack and responded with investigations and activated their cyber contingency plan. The ministry also delayed issuing commercial truck operators’ permits, license plates and driver’s licenses through the end of December which is likely to negatively impact transportation. (See more at: Freightways, “Cyberattack disrupts Mexico’s transportation systems” by Noi Mahoney, 11/06/22)

Since the invasion of the Ukraine earlier this year, thousands of Russians have flocked to relocate to Belgrade, Serbia. Bloomberg has reported this week that 2,321 small businesses have been registered and setup by the Russian immigrants so far this year compared to a total of 158 in 2021. More and more of these new arrivals are looking to purchase property instead of renting with potential long term plans. As a result of the increased market demand, rental prices have more than doubled in Belgrade.   (More at: Bloomberg, “Russians Find Refuge … “, by Misha Savic & Rodney Jefferson, 11-1-22)

‍