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Supply
Chain by the Numbers |
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- Dec. 8, 2022
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US Falling in Industrial Robot Density; Teslsa Semi Finally Sees Commercial Release; Ocean Container Shipping Rates in Freefall; China Export Volumes Tumbling |
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1000 |
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That’s how many industrial robots South Korea had per 10,000 manufacturing workers in 2021, according to the World Robotics 2022 Report released this week from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), an industry trade group. That once again places Korea tops in the world in terms of this measure of “robot density,” far ahead of number 2 Singapore, with 670 robots per 10,000 production workers. What about the US? It fell from seventh place last year to the ninth spot this year, with 274 robot units, up from 255 the previous year, with that increase not keeping pace with other countries in the top 10. China, for example, moved to fifth place in density, surpassing the US for the first time, with 322 units. The rest of the top 5 were Japan (399) and Germany (397). |
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| That was the significant drop in China’s export shipments in November versus the prior month, the biggest drop since February 2020, when a nationwide COVID-induced lockdown ground economic activities to a halt. Now, the current dip is partly attributable to on-going lockdowns in the country related to COVID, and partly to a weak global economy that has reduced demand for Chinese made goods. Chinese exports just to the US fell even more, dropping 25% from the year prior in November for the fourth straight month, accelerating from a 13% decline in October. The International Monetary Fund now expects the global economic growth rate to slow to 2.7% in 2023, down from 3.2% projected earlier this year and the 6% growth seen in 2021, as inflation and higher interest rates reduce economic activity. |
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$1430 |
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That was the spot rate to ship a 40-foot ocean container from Asia to the US West Coast last week, as prices for container shipping remain in free fall. That according to the Freightos Baltic Index, which fell 26% for Asia to US West Coast lanes from the week before. It’s even worse for carrier lines moving boxes to Europe, where rates to ship a 40-foot container are approaching just $1000. Maersk’s Asia Pacific market newsletter this week describes the slump in container spot rates as “dramatic” and said it was “adjusting” its network “to match the new reality,” the Loadstar.com web site reported. But rates are not done falling, some industry watchers say. For example, Lars Jensen, CEO of consulting firm Vespucci Maritime, believes the present course for the market is for spot rates to reach the bottom after the Chinese New Year, which starts on January 22. |
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That is how many miles the higher end Tesla Semi truck can go with a full trailer on a single battery charge. That according to CEO Eon Musk, who confidently promoted the range during the commercial launch of the electric truck at a major event last Friday. It’s been a long haul for the Tesla Semi, first announced in 2017, with a stated expectation then for a commercial launch in 2019. It took three years past that, but who’s counting? Tesla also says the truck will go up hills with speed. As part of the presentation, Tesla played a video of a Tesla Semi blowing by a traditional truck on an uphill grade. Also at the launch event came news that PepsiCo is receiving the first vehicle. The truck has a centered seat for the driver, who will use touch screen displays on either side for relevant information, rather than the usual wall of gauges and controls inside a normal truck. The cab is large enough that Tesla says it will allow a driver to change clothes standing up – a small but probably welcomed feature for many truckers. The cost? $180,000 to $200,000 for the high end model, but tax credits are available.
