COVID-19: A Shipper’s Resource Guide

Your guide to reliable shipping resources during the coronavirus pandemic

Original | COVID-19: Shipper's Guide

For helpful information for shippers and logistics professionals, check out our guide.

The transportation industry continues to play a critical role in keeping America moving — delivering medical supplies, food and beverages and other essential goods needed to fight COVID-19 and to keep families healthy and safe.

As we navigate our way through this unprecedented time, staying informed of the current developments related to your business and your supply chain can be overwhelming. That is why we have expanded our guide of trusted sources for the latest news pertaining to major areas of business, freight transportation, logistics and supply chain management.

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 and helpful resources for shippers and logistics professionals, check out the following web pages.

Industry-Specific Resources

LOGISTICS AND INTERMODAL

Intermodal Association of North America (IANA)
https://www.intermodal.org/coronavirus-resources
IANA’s COVID-19 web page provides a variety of resources dedicated to the Intermodal industry, including:
 
  • General Resources
  • Personal Protective Equipment Suppliers
  • American Logistics and Network Resources
  • Federal, State and Local Resources

Inbound Logistics
https://www.inboundlogistics.com/cms/covid-19-content/
Inbound Logistics, a magazine dedicated to supply chain and logistics management, created this resource hub to help you and your business with mission-critical, real-time data, as well as evergreen supply chain guidance. You’ll find resources, tips, insights and feel-good stories about what companies are doing to help fight the pandemic.

Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA)
https://www.tianet.org/urgent-updates/
TIA’s COVID-19 Resource Center provides a wealth of information, including daily updates and real-time, interactive maps that show current freight disruptions by state. TIA also provides ways to stay connected and stay informed via social media, podcasts, as well as ways to reach out to local and federal government to let your voice be heard.


RETAIL

Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA)
https://www.rila.org/coronavirus-resources-for-retailers
RILA is actively monitoring the status of the COVID-19 outbreak and is working with key government officials, agencies and health organizations tasked with overseeing the response to COVID-19. Find the following information pertaining specifically to the retail industry:

  • Press Room and News
  • Open for Business – A Blueprint for Shopping Safe
  • State and Local Resources
  • Environmental Compliance and Sustainability Resources
  • Federal Agencies and Public Health Resources


FOOD AND BEVERAGE 

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-during-emergencies/food-safety-and-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19
The FDA offers a comprehensive collection of resources for those in the food industry, including a Q&A section focused around the pandemic and its impact on the food supply chain.

Produce Marketing Association (PMA)
https://www.pma.com/topics/emergency-management
PMA is bringing the fresh produce and floral industries together to provide open discussion and support during the pandemic. Download fact sheets, stream videos and access key information and coronavirus resources specific to:

  • Grocery/Retail
  • Trade & Labor
  • Foodservice
  • Grower/Shippers
  • Supply Chain Transportation
     

AGRICULTURE AND GRAIN

National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA)
https://imis.ngfa.org/members/n/COVID-19_Updates/ngfa/News/COVID-19_Updates.aspx?hkey=85178898-8bf7-4520-9299-b9348fa2641f
Find NGFA news, links to federal and state agencies, plus public health resources for grain, feed and related commercial businesses.


LUMBER

North American Wholesale Lumber Association (NAWLA)
https://www.nawla.org/page/covid-19
Find a wide range of helpful government and educational resources related to the lumber industry here. You will also find letters from NAWLA president, Tom Le Vere, offering his perspective on the state of the industry.

Shipping by Rail

Association of American Railroads
https://www.aar.org/covid-19
The Association of American Railroads “Railroads and COVID-19 Response” page details how railroads are keeping workers safe and keeping critical goods moving. Additional information includes:

American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association
https://aslrra.org/web/Safety_Compliance/COVID-19/web/Safety/Communicable_Disease/Communicable_Disease_Landing.aspx
The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association has a COVID-19 Updates page dedicated to providing the latest COVID-19 information relevant to its short line railroad members. Resources on the page include:

Union Pacific Railroad
https://www.up.com/customers/pandemic/index.htm
Union Pacific Railroad offers a Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Union Pacific Customers page, a central repository for the information customers need during the pandemic. This includes:

  • Rail network status updates
  • Links to commercial updates
  • Instructions for activating notifications
  • Quick links to contact Union Pacific

For additional updates related to Union Pacific's services during COVID-19, visit their LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter pages. 

U.S. Ports

Ports are playing a big role in keeping goods moving during the COVID-19 pandemic. For helpful information related to our nation’s ports, including operations, access and vessel activity, visit the following websites:

Northwest Seaport Alliance

Port of Seattle
https://www.portseattle.org/news/updates-ports-covid-19-response

Port of Tacoma
https://www.portoftacoma.com/news-releases/2020-05-29/port-tacoma-response-covid-19

Port of Long Beach
https://www.polb.com/business/covid-19-information/#covid-19-overview

Port of Los Angeles


Port of Oakland

https://www.portofoakland.com/port-of-oakland-updates/

Port of Houston
https://porthouston.com/port-houston-is-open-for-business-and-operating-normally/

Additional Sources

The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
https://www.cisa.gov/transportation-systems-sector
The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is the agency that deemed railroad workers and truck drivers "Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers.” This means that even during shelter in place orders, railroad and motor carrier employees are able to do the important work for which they are responsible. The CISA also has a Transportation Systems Sector page with a section devoted to freight rail and highway and motor carriers.

U.S. Department of Transportation
https://www.transportation.gov/coronavirus
The U.S. Department of Transportation coronavirus page provides a summary of the actions each of its agencies (including the Federal Railroad Administration and Federal Highway Administration) is taking in response to COVID-19.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/businesses-employers.html
While not specifically railroad related, businesses may also want to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Resources for Resources for Businesses and Employers page, which provides:


Learn More

If you have any questions about how to keep your supply chain running, even in times of crisis, get in touch.

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