Heatwave reduces load levels on navigable rivers in Europe

Barcelona, ​​July 10, 2025.- A summer heatwave has lowered water levels for crucial shipping lanes across Europe, driving up costs and stalling cargo moving through the Rhine and Danube rivers.

Reuters reports that temperatures peaked at 95 degrees Fahrenheit in Budapest, Hungary by the start of July, after the region received just 17% of its normal rainfall for the previous month, marking its driest June since 1901. The resulting low water levels mean that cargo ships transiting the Danube River have only been able to operate at 30-40% capacity, prompting ship operators to impose surcharges on cargo owners as high as 100% for vessels that aren’t fully loaded.

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France proposes new fee on cheap online orders from Temu and Shein

Barcelona, ​​May 5, 2025.- According to Supply Chain 24/7 magazine, French government officials are pushing to add a small handling fee to low-cost items bought online from outside the European Union. The move is aimed at curbing the surge of packages arriving from companies like Temu and Shein, which are mostly shipped from China. The proposal, announced during a visit to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport on April 29, would apply to all non-EU countries, including the UK and the U.S., and could take effect as early as 2026.

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How to Make the Supply Chain More Cost Efficient

For companies looking to start trying to save costs, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) has shared what it has seen when working with operations leaders across sectors. It has outlined five areas which should be central to any operation:

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IRU: only 6.5% of truck drivers are under 25 years old, while the number of professionals over 55 continues to increase

The shortage of truck drivers is alarming, with only 6.5% under the age of 25. The global average is 44.5 years, and 3.4 million are expected to retire in five years.

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