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Helpful Articles - Industry News

The transportation industry plays a vital role in everyday life, moving everything where it needs to go—people, supplies, raw materials, equipment, finished goods, etc. Given how reliant we are on the industry, it’s no surprise that it’s exerted a significant impact on the environment. Between 1990 and 2020, greenhouse gases attributed to the transportation sector increased more in absolute terms than any other sector, according to EPA data. Many in the transportation industry—and specifically logistics—have turned their eyes toward greener, more sustainable solutions. Perhaps that’s not so surprising for an industry that’s always been focused on efficiency. After all, more efficient solutions are also often...

It was a textbook case of supply and demand. That's what drove industrial real estate rents sky-high in greater Los Angeles in 2022. And the effects may ripple all the way down the supply chain to shippers moving freight through the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.   To sum up exactly what happened: Where industrial real estate—including warehouse space—was concerned, 2022 was a landlord's market with very few vacancies. As a result, rent in Los Angeles rose in 2022, both for new tenants and existing tenants. Additionally, to compensate for inflation, some landlords added consumer price index (CPI) increases on top of rent...

The transportation sector is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gases, making up 27% of total GHG emissions in the U.S., according to the EPA. As the industry looks toward greener solutions, two directions have emerged.   Many are looking to battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) to reduce fleet emissions. However, there's another strong entry in the zero-emissions category: fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), powered by hydrogen.   We previously took a look at the rise of electric semis. In this article, we'll take a look at hydrogen-powered medium- and heavy-duty trucks—as well as their advantages and drawbacks—as this technology continues to develop.   Advances in...

As a California-based freight forwarder, Approved keeps close tabs on the state’s environmental initiatives. Three new regulations have emerged that will directly impact truck and engine manufacturers as well as fleet owners, with wide-ranging implications for the transportation industry as a whole.   To keep you in the loop, we’ve summarized these initiatives below. We’ll share what they’re about and how they might affect the way you do business. We’ll also discuss the environmental impact of these regulations, which have the potential to significantly improve air quality in California. Finally, even if you’re not operating in California, some of these initiatives have already been adopted...

The celebrations in China around Lunar New Year can throw a wrench into even the most resilient supply chains. Factories shut down, orders increase in anticipation, and transportation companies try to juggle the demand with a reduced workforce.  If you’re relying on goods manufactured in China—or simply shipping through ports in the country—we’ll show you what to expect during the Lunar New Year / Chinese New Year celebrations. We’ll also give you some ideas for mitigating the impact within your operation.   In this article What Is Lunar New Year When Is the Lunar New Year Celebration in China What Happens During the Lunar New Year How...

Air pollution is a significant problem in the state of California. The San Joaquin Valley and South Coast Air Basins experience some of the highest air pollution levels in the United States, according to data from the EPA. Of the ten most ozone-polluted U.S. cities, seven are located in the Golden State. Additionally, a 2021 air-quality report from the Environment America Research & Policy center ranked Southern California air pollution as the worst in the country. That same report quantified the number of days of elevated ozone and/or particulate matter in several population centers in California during the year 2020: Days of Elevated Ozone and/or...