Christmas shopping crisis: Supply chain and logistics expert available

Christmas shopping crisis: Supply chain and logistics expert available

An expert from RMIT University is available to talk to media about the global supply chain crisis.

Associate Professor Vinh Thai

Topics: Australia Post, Christmas expectations, empty shipping containers, COVID-19 economic recovery

“If you’re thinking about ordering items for Christmas, do so as early as possible.”

“I have no doubt customers in Australia will experience a shortage of products for this Christmas and pay a higher price, especially those that require chips.

“The current shortage of supply is largely due to a shortage of empty sea-going containers, as most consumer products such as electronics, clothing, and white goods are transported in these containers.

“Increasing supply capacity requires investment in infrastructure and this takes time.

“A logjam of sea-going containers is not unprecedented, but this has been exacerbated by a perfect storm of other factors:

  • Lockdowns disrupting workplaces along the supply chain,
  • a reduction in port workers and vessel crews,
  • infected cases at ports and terminals triggering the closure of facilities
  • more people are staying and working from home, resulting in money that would normally be spent on holidays is being spent on electronic goods for work and entertainment
  • Industrial action at parcel delivery companies
  • A mismatch of working times between Australian truck drivers and ships at sea.

“There is currently a backlog of empty containers at container parks in Australia, which desperately need to go back to the high-exporting countries but have no ship to take them.

“The economic recovery in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic will be slowed down due to current supply chain issues.

“Think about switching to alternative products available in the market, shop local, or think about how to celebrate the festive season differently.

Associate Professor Vinh Thai, an expert in supply chain and logistics from RMIT University’s School of Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain, and founder of the Australian Maritime Logistics Research Network (AMLRN)

 

For interviews contact RMIT Communications, news@rmit.edu.au or +61 439 704 077

17 November 2021

Share

17 November 2021

Share

  • Society
  • Business
Engage

Related News

Test tubes containing blood samples

RMIT collaborating with industry to deliver life-changing outcomes

RMIT will collaborate with six small-to-medium enterprises and consortiums to help solve health, social and environmental issues, thanks to the latest round of grants given under the Federal Government’s Cooperative Research Centres Projects Grants (CRC-P) scheme.

news-futureskills-1220px.jpg

Education and skills for the future: insights from sector leaders

Government, university and industry leaders discuss the skills we need for the future amid critical shortages in key industry sectors.

SPD-1220px.jpg

ASX 200 companies lack transparency on sustainable sourcing practices

Just 11% of the ASX 200 listed companies comprehensively disclosed how sustainable their sourcing practices were in 2022, according to a new index that could help Australians make more informed purchasing and investment decisions.

A man and a women shaking hands with planes in the background

Leidos aviation scholarship takes off with RMIT Aviation Academy

Leidos Australia and RMIT University have launched a new aviation scholarship that will support budding pilots to complete their studies and commence their flying career.

Show more
aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

More information