Borderlands: Canada

Truck stop-travel center operator returned to core business in q4, CEO said.

U.S. private equity firm Platinum getting Canada’s largest customs broker for undisclosed sum

Microdea is an Ontario-based company that digitalizes documentation and automates back office processes to make them more efficient, seamless, and less wasteful.

Jack Cooper Transport Company has announced its intention to stop yard management operations and lay off 425 employees at its Louisville, Kentucky terminal.

Stockpiles in the country are building up. Also: more hints on the price of fuel in a post IMO2020 market; Russia’s lack of assistance to OPEC

Ken Husband drove a tanker truck 2,000 miles from Alberta to the Canadian capital, Ottawa, because he says the Trudeau government is hurting the oil industry. “What’s this country going to live on, apples and maple syrup?” he says.

TFI International Inc. wants to expand its last-mile business with the assets of U.S. courier BeavEX, which is seeking bankruptcy protection.

Canopy Growth says retail availability of its recreational cannabis productions have increased as it reported record revenues on the newly legal Canadian market.

The largest Canadian freight brokerage purchased a 3PL concentrated in the Southeastern United States.

A convoy of more than 150 trucks is trekking 2,500 miles from Alberta to Canada’s capital, Ottawa, to push for more pipelines and less regulation of the energy regulation

“It’s all about the cost savings, and, by the way, we’re also using the lowest emission option.”

Descartes Systems Group (NASDAQ: DSGX) has completed its acquisition of Management Systems Resources according to a Descartes press release.

Food delivery startup Zomato is mobilising its last-mile workforce to move towards mechanical and electric bikes for delivery – a move that the company believes would drastically reduce its carbon footprint.

Aurora Cannabis revenues have jumped since the legalization of recreational marijuana in Canada. The company is ramping up production to meet the needs of Canadian consumers who contend with frequent shortages.

Radiant Logistics (NYSE: RLGT) achieved record revenue of $260.9 million in the company’s fiscal second quarter (the fourth quarter of 2018).

Brie Carere of FedEx.

Crude prices are stuck in a $50-$55 range for WTI, as news that would drive prices higher inevitably gets offset soon after by something pushing it lower.

Around a foot of snow coming to the Olympic Mountains this weekend, but Seattle metro area could also see its share. Bitterly cold winds, too,

Genesee & Wyoming, Inc. (NYSE: GWR) beat fourth quarter revenue consensus estimates by $4.89 million. Revenue was expected to decrease by 0.2 percent year-over-year (Y/Y), but it increased 0.7 percent Y/Y from $571.6 million to $575.6 million, according to Seeking Alpha. GWR also beat fourth quarter consensus earnings per share (EPS) estimates of $0.89 by $0.11 to $1.00.

The key benchmark OTRI sounded the alarms about weaker markets, but other indicators were telling a different story.

All-in rates on the way out as new surcharge formulas on the way in as ocean carriers work on ways to share cost burden with customers.

Trucking Freight Futures are designed to offer market participants a chance to offset their risk in the trucking market. Stocks edge up as dollar advances. Amazon adds “transportation and logistics services” to the long list of industries and services it views as competition.

Ryder System, Inc. (R: NYSE) presented its Service Excellence Awards to top-performing carriers at its ninth annual Mexican Carrier Recognition Event in Mexico City on January 17. The event – reported in a press release by Ryder on January 29 – recognized 20 Mexican carriers for their excellence in service in Ryder’s international supply chain.

Also in this report: a rebound in the market helped by OPEC production cuts; ExxonMobil grows big on the U.S. Gulf Coast.

The Hershey Company, one of the largest chocolate manufacturers in the world, is promoting environmental sustainability in its cocoa supply chain.

Americans have become used to buying fruit and vegetables year-round. But it wasn’t always that way, and improved transportation is the key to year-round produce.

FreightWaves adds violations, fuel spread, and more rail data to SONAR platform

Dam collapse could pinch amount of ore heading to water; container crane falls on ship in Canada; Australian port tries to go clean.

Profitability will lag in high growth markets like Brazil and India, but aftersales services in NAFTA and the EU will drive profitability growth.

Missing USDA data on wheat stockpiles has traders reacting cautiously.

On the third day of trade talks at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, David Carlyle said the U.S. government shutdown is having an impact on the U.S. economy.

Slowdown headed for U.S. import volumes as largest exporter sees economy weaken ahead of prolonged holiday.

A company that’s been doing it, a company that says it’s going to be doing it and a company that is being affected by others doing it: that was the theme on three calls about precision railroading.

Event in Vancouver to also discuss US trade policy, China dispute.

More than a foot of snow could fall in parts of the Northeast this weekend. Areas of ice, too, in major cities.

Significant snow, ice, wind to slam some big cities this weekend. Could take days to thaw out.

Gig economy companies contend with Supreme Court ruling that mandates full time workers to be considered as employees and not contractors; oil supply reduces after Saudi Arabia’s drastic production cut; government shutdown strains supply chains across the country.

 Container volumes remain strong, but delays mean fewer overall pickups; drivers also not pleased with new fees for flipping containers.

Airbus (AIR: EURONEXT) broke ground for its new A220 manufacturing facility in Mobile, Alabama on Wednesday. The newest airliner in Airbus’ product line, the A220 is designed to revolutionize the market for 100-150 seat aircraft.

Arctic air heading to Midwest and Northeast this weekend. After rebounding, longer period of super cold weather could begin later this month, spreading to other regions of U.S.

The market for lumber slowed considerably in the second half of 2018 as the Chinese economy lost momentum and trade disputes with the U.S. persisted.

A current rail attorney who was with the STB for many years wonders whether it has ever broken free of the changes envisioned by the Staggers Act.

Dry van rates hit air-pocket last month and lose altitude; but other indicators of freight economy still looking up.

“You don’t want to start a trade war with China for the same reason you don’t fight a land war with Russia: They will ‘out-suffer’ you.”

U.S. Chamber of Commerce president Tom Donohue threw down $25,000 for ideas on how to pay for infrastructure. And told Washington to open back up.

Jim Vena, protege of vaunted rail executive Hunter Harrison, seen as likely helping boost UP’s move to greater efficiency.

Record intermodal shipments on the rail for the second year in a row has deep implication for the trucking market into 2019. Trucking will benefit, at least partially, from Norfolk Southern’s latest decision.

A new rule in Mexico will boost demand for ultra low sulfur diesel. Also: the Saudis pull back from the U.S. and why it isn’t a big deal.

Forager is building a digital freight marketplace to automate elements of cross-border logistics.

Joplin, Missouri-based Contract Freighter Inc (CFI) will “assume responsibility” for Chicago-based freight transport company, Optimal Freight, at the start of the New Year. Financial details of the transaction are not available at the time of writing.

The ELD mandate, tough to find drivers, going the last mile, precision railroading…the most intriguing stories of 2018.

Even the Port’s director agrees something needs to be done; East Coast port notches new record; ATA crows about California victory.

Bison Transport operates twin 53-foot trailers in Canada, and generally has lower rates of incidents than with single trailers.

Europe’s council of ministers has decided to cut carbon emissions from trucks by 30% by 2030, but some industry associations say this is too much too fast.

Other highlights: Drones wreak havoc, Amazon goes to school

Facial recognition will be tested next year on the Peace Bridge that connects the U.S. and Canada as a possible solution to speed up commercial border crossings.

Routeique will bring its expertise in end-to-end supply chain management to the Alliance.

Trucking companies will already be aware of the difficulties of recruiting reliable staff and according to Jackfruit Systems those difficulties will get worseover the coming decade. So the development of Fleet Operate will help match available drivers to cargo ready for transportation.

European Union regulations will change on the 1 January next year as monitoring of carbon emissions will allow the EU to understand which trucks are the most polluting and to introduce carbon penalties for the worst polluters.

From driver health concerns to snow build-up on equipment, braving the winter months often requires carriers to plan in advance. Spireon hosted a webinar in collaboration with FreightWaves earlier this week to offer carriers tips on how to best prepare their drivers and their fleets for winter weather.

Volvo will put an electric powertain in its popular VNR regional tractor. Test vehicles will begin operating next year and commercial units will be available in 2020.

The two sides traced out an agreement that would involve a commitment by China to increase purchases of American goods and services by $1.2 trillion over the next several years.

Keeping track of a week-long series of events that on the surface should be driving prices higher.

Walgreens also testing same-day deliveries with multiple providers.

Also in the pickup: the sad state of interstate 81; farmers and truckers in the news; Saia’s fourth-quarter status report

FMCSA has made public the denials of 10 exemption requests from its ELD rule, including OOIDA and nine smaller groups that were formally rejected earlier this year.

If you don’t answer, if you don’t look into their eyes, you lose.” 

It seemed like the stuff of posturing and hot air. It was hard to see anything substantive changing from the weekend meetings of the G20 nations in Argentina. Will something more than kicking-the-can come from the concessions?

Oregon produces about 6 million Christmas trees each year, more than any other state in the U.S.

Also in the pickup: Morgan Stanley index, and a move back to sailing across the ocean.

Canada Post workers in Montreal back to work following order to end strike. Here’s a look at the aftermath of the strike.

A dicey delivery season looms.

The Canadian government this evening put an end to a Canada Post strike that has disrupted deliveries during the peak holiday season.

This morning Fleet Complete, a global leader in connected vehicle technology and software, announced that it had been acquired by the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, a large fund with $193.9B in assets.

The strikes would end the day after the Governor General signs the legislation.

Canada is working to finalize an ELD rule for truckers in that country. The rule would closely mirror the U.S. regulation, with a few significant differences.

The Canadian Parliament is still considering legislation but the union is pushing back.

The government signaled a day earlier it was prepared to take such a step.

This week’s headlines bring us an array of reasons to be grateful for the coverage of FreightWaves and What the Truck?!? U.S. and China face last chance to avoid Jan. 1 tariff hikes, but don’t get your hopes up, Freight.Tech25: In spite of rocky year, Tesla shocks the world and places third. Freight.Tech 25: Silicon Valley money and the network effect lead Convoy to #4, Battery and design woes continue to torment e-scooter startup Lime (with special guest Casey Larkin), Major Thanksgiving snowstorm to delay truckers out west: flooding in some valleys. Then, they play another round of Big deal little deal?Finally, they spend 5 Good Minutes with Marissa Ash from Transfix.

Dangerously cold arctic air heading to the Northeast for Thanksgiving. Record temperatures with harsh winds.

A variety of weather-related issues will impact the movement of freight heading into the Thanksgiving holiday.

Also today: going to jail for bogus CDLs; ecommerce driving the Canada Post labor dispute.

The union also rejected binding arbitration, though Canada Post did not explicitly ask for that.

The deadline is 5 p.m. November 19.

The union lays out in surprising detail what it is seeking.

The two sides have been negotiating for a year, and e-commerce is a big part of the basis for the standoff.

The year 2018 has been a big one for Nikola Corporation, and investors continue to line up to support the hydrogen-electric truck startup. Next year might be even bigger.

The U.S.-China trade war has brought misery to the thriving U.S. lobster industry, which is now feeling the heat of an additional 25% tariff that Beijing slapped on its live and processed lobster exports to China.

TFI International the Montreal, Canada-based transport and logistics company, has made two significant personnel announcements this week, including a new executive vp of U.S. Truckload.

Brakes were also the biggest cited factor in Roadcheck Week earlier in the year.

New group floats alternative blockchain solution for container trade.

FreightWaves adds improves mapping and watchlist features while adding rail data.

Intermodal services firm to boost presence in consumer goods sector with acquisition of LTL consolidator and brokerage.

As it continues work toward disrupting the traditional diesel-powered truck market in North America, Nikola Motor Company is eyeing another continent for its hydrogen-electric tractor: Europe.

While most of the new trade deal with Mexico and Canada is an update to NAFTA, there is a paragraph inserted into the agreement that could disrupt cross-border trade via truck.

The project is expected to allow for easier freight movement in the area, especially for trucks moving eastbound from northern Mississippi.  

FreightWaves discussed how the midterm elections impact the economy at large, and specifically how it pertains to freight. What are the implications to the economic indicators regardless of the winner?

Canada’s largest railroad boosts intermodal and refrigerated service offering with acquisition of major trucking company.

Ryder System (NYSE: R) reported record total revenue and record operating revenue for the third quarter. Both total and operating revenue grew across all business segments, which the company attributed to new business and higher volumes.

Nor’easter will drench major cities in the Northeast and New England this weekend. Flooding and wind damage possible.