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Trade alert
SUBSTACK
Trade Alert: Supply Chain Analysis & News
Lori Ann LaRocco connects trade data, industry
explain how supply chains work—and where they face disruption. Her analysis follows the links between raw materials, manufacturing, shipping routes, energy markets, and business costs, helping readers see the implications beyond the headlines.
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EXAMPLES OF LORI ANN'S SUBSTACK:
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U.S. Iran Sanctions Target Truck Makers, Rail Freight and Automotive Supply Chains
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Global Supply Chain Risks: The Sectors and Regions Most Exposed
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How China’s Pinglu Canal Could Reshape Global Supply Chains
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How a U.S. Diesel Export Ban Could Benefit China and Reshape Global Fuel Markets
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How El Niño will drive Intermodal in North America
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Inflation Brewing in the Warehouse & Trucking Seeing Freight Hangover
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Details of the Union Pacific and Norfolk Merger Explained
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Resilience Doesn’t Equal Security- Lloyd’s List
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Global Trade Keeps Getting Hit—and Keeps Moving
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Shipping’s New Normal: Slower Trade, Higher Costs, Bigger Profits
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Panama Canal Chief: ‘Every Drop of Water Counts’ as Prolonged El Niño Looms
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LORI ANN IS AN AWARD WINNING AUTHORÂ
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Explore Lori Ann’s books on Amazon.
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Norton Lilly International: A Legacy of 185 Years of Service (2026).
A commissioned work.
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Embracing Your Past to Empower Your Future (2024).
 Co-written with her daughter Abby Wallace, the mother and daugher worked with four prominent African American families whose ancestors were enslaved, to tell their story and how their loved ones influenced and shape the future of their descendants.Â
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Trade War: Containers Don't Lie, Navigating the Bluster (Marine Money, 2019).
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 Her best selling book, and the origin of the Containers Don't Lie name.
Dynasties of the Sea: The Untold Stories of the Postwar Shipping Pioneers (Marine Money, 2018)
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Opportunity Knocking (Agate Publishing, 2014)
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Dynasties of the Sea: The Ships & Entrepreneurs Who Ushered in the Era of Free Trade (Marine Money, 2012)
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Thriving in the New Economy: Lessons from Today's Top Business Minds (Wiley, 2010)
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The Architecture of Maritime Intelligence
LaRocco dissects the complexities of global trade by synthesizing raw data:
Maritime Routes
Tracking structural shifts in global shipping lanes, identifying transit delays at key chokepoints, and analyzing the impact of route diversification on total lead times.
Container Volumes
Deep-dive interpretation of port throughput across North American and Asian hubs, distilling volume fluctuations into actionable market sentiment and inventory trends.
Freight Rates
Monitoring the volatility of spot and contract rates. We analyze how capacity management and carrier alliances influence pricing across major oceanic trade corridors.
Logistics & Intermodal
Evaluating the health of intermodal networks, from drayage performance to warehouse capacity, ensuring visibility through every pipe of the supply chain.
Geopolitical Risk
Navigating the impact of trade policy, tariffs, and regional conflicts. We decipher how world events directly alter the flow of containerized trade.
Editorial Judgment
Applying decades of journalistic expertise to agnostic data sets. We filter the noise to highlight the critical narratives shipping leaders need to know.
Featured Substack Analysis
Lori Ann traces how sanctions on vehicle manufacturers, parts suppliers, and rail operators reach the transport networks supporting Iran's economy. The analysis connects industrial capacity, alternative freight routes, and the movement of trade.
September 30, 2026
A close look at how geopolitical conflict, trade policy, and extreme weather affect suppliers and transport routes. Lori Ann explains why companies need visibility beyond direct suppliers to understand exposure across manufacturing, energy, and consumer goods.
September 28, 2026
Lori Ann examines how a new inland-to-sea corridor could change freight routes, manufacturing connections, and access to international markets. The analysis explores the business implications of China's long-term investment in maritime infrastructure.
September 24, 2026
An examination of the potential trade-offs of restricting U.S. diesel exports, including refinery operations, global fuel availability, and opportunities for alternative suppliers such as China.
Explore free and paid posts on Substack; access varies by article.
Recent Reporting for gCaptain
Lori Ann's maritime reporting connects shipping markets and industry decisions to the wider supply chain.
September 25, 2026
How trade data, contingency planning, and lessons from earlier disruptions help importers and logistics providers adapt to tariffs and shifting trade routes.
September 18, 2026
Lori Ann examines how conflict, shipping bottlenecks, and canal constraints reshape carrier earnings, freight surcharges, and the costs facing cargo owners.
War Risk Claims Top $2 Billion as Shipping Attacks Spread Beyond Hormuz
September 3, 2026
Reporting on how vessel attacks and expanding risk areas affect marine insurance, shipping routes, and the cost of moving energy supplies.
Like What You’re Reading?
Subscribe to Lori Ann LaRocco's Trade Alert on Substack for ongoing analysis of global trade, supply chain risk, maritime logistics, and energy markets. Explore the free and paid subscription options and choose the level that's right for you.
Advisory & Custom Reports
Beyond standardized briefings, Lori Ann LaRocco deliver precision-engineered reports tailored to your specific organizational needs. Leveraging investigative rigor and an unparalleled network of maritime contacts, these custom reports translate complex geopolitical shifts into actionable intelligence, providing the clarity required to manage trade volatility in real-time.
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Start the Conversation
Whether you are interested in our tiered maritime newsletters—offering everything from basic summaries to executive briefings—or require a customized logistics report tailored to your specific investment or policy needs, our data intelligence provides the clarity to navigate today’s complex global trade environment.
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Loriannlarocco@containersdontlie.com