Package Pivot, Tariff Tag Shock, & Carnival Cruise Brawl
Good morning from The Workday Dash — where the earnings look good, the shopping carts look scary, and the cruise ships look like WWE arenas. 📦🛒🚢
Here’s what’s making waves today:
🔹 UPS beat Wall Street expectations for Q1... but is still cutting 20,000 jobs and closing facilities.
🔹 Temu’s “cheap deals” are coming with not-so-cheap import fees thanks to new tariffs.
🔹 And Carnival Cruise Line? They’re handing out lifetime bans after a terminal brawl that would make WrestleMania proud.
Because in supply chain and logistics, sometimes it’s not just the freight that needs to be handled carefully.
“Do what you love and success will follow. Passion is the fuel behind a successful career.”
UPS Beats Earnings, Plans Major Job Cuts Amid Amazon Volume Loss
UPS just beat Wall Street expectations for Q1 — but don’t let the headline fool you.
✅ Adjusted EPS hit $1.49 vs. $1.38 forecast
✅ Net income rose 6.6%
✅ Domestic and international package revenue stayed strong
✅ Supply chain solutions dipped (thanks to the Coyote business sale)
But here’s the real news:
UPS plans to cut 20,000 jobs (about 4% of its workforce) and shut down 73 facilities by the end of 2025, mainly to offset the loss of Amazon shipping volume. The company expects $3.5 billion in cost savings, but a $400–$500 million restructuring hit in the short term.
Why You Should Care:
If you're in freight, warehousing, trucking, or brokerage, take note: major carriers are getting leaner. Networks are shrinking. Competition for freight (and jobs) is only going to get tougher.
🔥 Hot Take:
When UPS trims 20,000 jobs after beating earnings, it’s not just a pivot — it’s a freight survival warning. Tighten your belts, or get squeezed out.
Temu Prices Spike as Tariffs Hit U.S. Shoppers
Thanks to new tariffs from the Trump administration, Temu is now passing hefty import fees onto U.S. shoppers:
✅ A $23 pack of shorts? Now over $56 after fees
✅ Gadgets priced at $5? Hit with $8+ import charges
✅ Only "local" warehouse items dodge the new costs
Shoppers are venting hard on social media, and some are paying more in import fees than in merchandise. Analysts are already calling it a "trade embargo on both sides." Meanwhile, TikTok Shop seems untouched — for now.
Why You Should Care:
If you’re in transportation and logistics, this isn’t just about pricier checkout carts. It’s a sign that freight patterns are shifting — fast. Expect less direct-from-China shipping, more pressure on Vietnam, Mexico, and domestic sourcing, and lighter container volumes hitting U.S. ports.
🔥 Hot Take:
Temu’s not the only one paying up — the whole supply chain’s getting slapped with the bill for a trade war nobody can cash out of.
Carnival Cruise Brawl Leads to Lifetime Bans
Carnival Cruise Line just banned nearly 30 passengers after a full-on brawl broke out while disembarking the Carnival Jubilee.
✅ Shoving, punching, chaos inside the terminal
✅ One arrest made, 24 people now permanently banned from Carnival cruises
✅ Incident turned over to U.S. Customs and Border Protection and local law enforcement
The ship had just wrapped up a week-long Caribbean cruise with stops in Mexico and Honduras — but clearly, not everyone came back relaxed.
Why It Matters:
If you’re in transportation and logistics, passenger terminal chaos isn't just a PR issue — it can delay port operations, tie up Customs, and even impact nearby cargo and freight traffic. Ports are interconnected. One bad incident can jam up everything from cruise passengers to container moves.
🔥 Hot Take:
When port security is busy breaking up cruise ship brawls, don't be surprised when your freight is stuck waiting in line too.
The Workday Dash is an aggregation of articles regarding the transportation logistics, trucking, and supply chain industries for July 18, 2025, from iLevel Logistics Inc.