[#311] Supply Chain in Numbers - Nov 10, 2025
Deep Dives
Explore related topics with these Wikipedia articles, rewritten for enjoyable reading:
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Commercial driver's license
17 min read
The article discusses a potential 17% purge of CDL holders due to new FMCSA regulations on non-domiciled CDLs and English proficiency requirements. Understanding the CDL system, its federal requirements, and the regulatory framework would give readers valuable context for why these changes could cause such massive disruption to trucking capacity.
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Suez Canal
17 min read
The article references the Suez Canal's recovery from a 'regional crisis' that began in late 2023 (Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping). Understanding the canal's history, strategic importance, and the economics of this vital trade chokepoint provides essential context for why a 10% tonnage increase is significant news for global supply chains.
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Automated storage and retrieval system
13 min read
The Macy's warehouse story mentions AutoStore and Knapp automation systems in a 2.5 million square foot facility. This Wikipedia article explains the technology behind modern warehouse robotics, which is transforming retail fulfillment and represents a major capital investment trend in supply chain infrastructure.
Welcome to “Supply Chain in Numbers.” This newsletter tracks significant numbers from the supply chain world. Five prominent numbers are published every Monday. If you have any feedback, please send it to me.
17% of CDLs might get purged
Most extensive Capacity Purge in History Coming. Freight is on the brink of a historic capacity purge: up to 600,000 drivers (≈17%) could exit as weak volumes, tighter fraud controls, and new FMCSA rules on non-domiciled CDLs and English proficiency squeeze supply. Expect a wave of carrier/broker failures, stricter capacity, and COVID-like spot-rate spikes; larger, well-capitalized fleets with compliance muscle are positioned to gain as wages/bonuses rise to attract qualified drivers. Highway notes rising “fraud” flags reflect better detection in its adaptive system, but any flag can still lock carriers out of brokerage freight, raising execution risk for smaller operators. [Freightwaves]
5,000 UPS trucks with AC
UPS will retrofit 5,000 of its boxy, brown trucks with air conditioning in delivery areas with the hottest weather. UPS is committed to adding 28,000 air-conditioned delivery trucks in its current national contract. The 5,000 retrofits will help expedite that. The first 2,000 vehicles readied under the agreement will be retrofitted by June 1, 2026. Air conditioning will be added to all 5,000 delivery trucks by June 1, 2027, and dispatched to the Teamsters’ hottest delivery areas, mainly in Southern and Southwest states. [Reuters]
5 extra flights from APAC to Paris
FedEx has added five extra flights per week from Asia Pacific to its European hub at Paris CDG Airport in response to growing demand on the lane. Three of the additional flights will operate to Paris from FedEx’s Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport base, while the other two will operate from Changi Airport in Singapore. The express firm said that the expansion of capacity on its services between Asia Pacific and Europe reflects recent growth on the trade lane. FedEx cited IATA statistics showing 30 consecutive months of trade growth and a 13% year-on-year increase in August. FedEx now operates 26 weekly flights connecting the Asia Pacific and Europe. [Air Cargo News]
4,400 ships transited in four months
The Suez Canal Authority is reporting its first significant increase in ship traffic since the regional crisis began in late 2023, with October marking the highest monthly return rate in nearly two years. 229 ships transited the canal last month, ...
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