Business

The Senate Commerce Committee approves pick for assistant secretary for aviation and international affairs.

Combined carload and intermodal shipments have grown 4 percent year-over-year through August.

A Norfolk Southern executive suggested that the company’s management will have a lot to talk about on its next quarterly earnings call.

Is there a way to protect consumers in the multi-billion dollar counterfeiting black market?

CargoX used a smart contract-powered bill of lading to reduce transfer and payment times to four minutes. FreightWaves spoke with CargoX’s CEO Stefan Kukman by phone.

Advent Intermodal Solutions (www.adventintermodal.com), a leader in information technology and cloud-based software solutions for port and terminal operators and landside logistics, has joined the Blockchain in Transportation Alliance (BiTA).

ITL, a Chicago-based company specializing in warehousing and logistics, recently became a member of the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA).

xChange is helping container lines reduce their dead miles, by providing them with one-way container moves or SOCs from 2500 locations across the world.

Box volumes grew 2.1 percent year-over-year in July after a revised 3.3 percent increase the previous month.

Port has a new chairman of the board; logistics companies in the United States and Europe fill roles.

A joint venture between three longtime project and heavy-lift cargo vessel operators has received the governmental approvals to get under way.

Coverage of three companies were launched with a “buy” rating, while three of them got “hold” ratings.

Survey data from the manufacturing sector improved significantly in August, in a sign that activity continues at a strong pace after robust growth in the 2nd quarter.

Wipro Limited, a leading global information technology, consulting and business process services company, has joined the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA).

The Blockchain Research Institute (BRI) and Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA) today announced a new partnership to improve coordination, cooperation and governance within their respective memberships.

Offshore oil drilling across the East coast could end up destabilizing the fishing industry which brought in more than $500 million last year. Building offshore wind power farms could be a better alternative as it would keep the oceans clean while producing energy.

The economic roundup is a monthly summary of the various factors that affect freight demand and supply in the economy. Data releases in August showed an economic that was performing generally well, but softness in housing and trade are likely to impact freight demand.

Drones may someday soon become a primary delivery method of last-mile, but they likely won’t be the only solution, as flexibility in methods will be key to successful delivery.

Grafton & Upton Railroad unloads wood pellets at its Massachusetts facility and represses broken pellets into whole ones before transferring them to trucks.

The European Commission is committed to review its quota system to import hormone-free beef into the trade bloc.

Peter Stefanovich of Left Lane Associates, an M&A advisory firm for the transportation industry, talked to us about the current outlook for M&A and why now is the perfect time to sell.

Two shipments of pineapples also contained nearly 200 pounds of cocaine.

Marketing executive says reforms to trade deal take uncertainty from local customers.

Private equity group Summit Partners has acquired cloud-based TMS provider MercuryGate, and wants to bring the platform to Europe after fixing implementation issues.

Consumer expectations with regard to last-mile delivery have been evolving rapidly, and businesses need to look towards technology to address those needs.

Maersk is taking notice of the coming regulation that will impact the quality of the fuel burned on ships, and has the potential to kick back into the diesel fuel market. Also: an underride decision, a revealing quote out of China.

Just how a Deerfield, IL, company became so important to the industry is a long story that starts with the teletypewriter, a macaroni-twisting machine and its namesake and founder, Edward Kleinschmidt.

ELDs are one part of the overall telematics picture that fleets can utilize to greater efficiency, according to a new survey of fleets.

The Icelandic shipping company benefited from higher volumes but encountered headwinds from changes in currency exchange rates.

Powell returns as chief technology officer; Gingsjo promoted to head project management services.

Ecommerce in Indonesia supports 4 million jobs today, with McKinsey expecting the number to reach 26 million in the next five years. All that the country needs right now is a strong logistics network and surplus skilled labor.

According to a survey by PwC, 84% of respondents are actively involved in blockchain. The Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA) could be the industry’s answer to the ever-pressing question of standardization—after all, 45% of the survey’s respondents believe that the issue of trust could delay blockchain.

With a vision of bringing “trucks, trailers and goods online,” KeepTruckin continues to innovate and invest in technologies that improve the lives of drivers.

Maersk foresees a $2 billion increase in fuel costs due to sulfur-emissions cap; U.S. consumers might witness increase in car prices after U.S.-Mexico deal; Indonesia is seeing a tremendous growth in ecommerce; German car manufacturers are facing a battery production crisis.

Logistyx Technologies (www.logistyx.com), a leading developer of Transportation Management Execution™ shipping software, today announced it has joined the Blockchain in Transportation Alliance (BiTA).

Regional surveys from Federal Reserve districts were mixed during the month, as softening conditions from the Philadelphia and Kansas City districts were offset by improvements in the Richmond and New York regions. Commentary from the regional surveys suggests tariffs, labor shortages, and the inability to find trucking capacity are curbing economic activity across the board, though growth remains generally positive.

Technology firms aim to ease process of managing multiple carriers in regional markets.

Global demand for air cargo grew at its slowest pace in more than two years.

The 3PL’s strong financial results were fueled by strong Asia trade and increasing volume in the region.

Load-matching start-up CargoX recently closed a $60 million funding round.

North American trading bloc seeks rewrite with auto industry facing brunt of changes.

LaneAxis is looking to drive efficiency in the trucking network by using blockchain to help shippers connect directly with carriers without brokers or 3PLs.

After remaining flat in 2015-16, the average fleet fuel economy for the nation’s top fleets improved in 2017, according to research conducted by the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE).

ELD compliance has had ‘significant impact’ on trucking industry

Economy on pace to reach Trump administration goal of 3 percent annual growth.

Focused on intermodal haulage, the company aims to open the market to more small truckers.

Applications come from throughout the United States, Hong Kong and Guam.

The Class I railway says it will meet deadlines for installation of wireless communication system.

Appointments take place from California to the Midwest to Florida.

China has toyed with the concept of bike-sharing but met with disastrous results due to an unsustainable business model and excessive dumping of bikes on the streets. The U.S. bike-sharing startups could take a leaf out of their book and improvise accordingly.

John Henry, director of sales for ZED Connect, explained to FreightWaves how the evolution of the company is developing to deliver vehicle data solutions centered around what its parent company Cummins knows best – engines.

This campaign seeks to increase transparency in programmatic ad buying and support the ways the company’s brands earn consumer attention.

U.S. Xpress placed an automated robocall to a driver, seeking to recruit him to join their company. The result? A lawsuit in federal court.

Drewry’s Philippe Salles says the role of supply chain finance platforms will be instrumental in the digital transformation of shipping.

The voyage is being withdrawn due to China’s National Day holiday.

CBP collected feedback on its joint Air Cargo Advance Screening program with the TSA.

Investment will be used for research and development, product innovation and hiring.

Cameron and Hacegaba named co-leaders; Born’s contract extended; and Doorley promoted.

The Florida port set a record for July as it moves forward with channel dredging project.

California Democrat fervently believes an efficient transportation infrastructure improves the economy and environment.

The investment round values Uber at $72 billion, according to The Wall Street Journal.

President Donald Trump highlights new deal with Mexico involving automobile trade

A package of weak data on both housing starts and home purchases indicates that housing and construction remains one of the few areas of weakness in the economy in the 3rd quarter. This has put some downward pressure on freight demand, as the movement of building materials, furniture, and appliances is influenced by the strength of the housing market.

Joe DeLorenzo, director of the Office of Enforcement and Compliance for FMCSA, went through some of the common problems the agency is seeing since the ELD mandate went into effect, and there have been plenty.

Excluding one-offs, net profit increases 70.1 percent in tough environment.

Container throughput climbed another 7.9 percent from the previous monthly high set last year.

The grants will fund 408 infrastructure projects at 226 U.S. airports.

A staid and technology-averse industry is in the process of changing thanks to new entrants.

While technology startups have jumped into trucking with the latest and greatest solutions, the old guard, if you will, has not been sitting idly by. This week at the Great American Trucking Show in Dallas, C.H. Robinson is showing drivers its Navisphere apps and how they can help drivers and small fleets find freight success.

Ports of LA and Long Beach have reduced emissions by replacing diesel-run equipments with zero-emission engines; oil prices rise over signs of U.S. sanctions on Iran; warehousing workers salaries have seen good increases over the last three years.

The latest round of talks between the U.S. and Mexico on a potential bilateral pact is set to continue this weekend.

Third-party logistics providers say they can help deal with truck and driver shortages.

The blockchain-backed digital documentation was used for a shipment of clothing from China to Slovenia.

Company owners charged with worker safety violations that contributed to the deaths of two employees.

The Swedish port handled about 152,000 cars during the first six months of 2018.

The Coast Guard is prepared to conduct port assessments as quickly as possible to restart cargo deliveries after the storm.

Tax and regulatory cuts boosted the return of manufacturing jobs to American shores, but a trade war could change that.

Salesforce, the original SaaS unicorn and the world’s leading customer relationship management platform, announced that it has joined the Blockchain in Transport Alliance.

Sharelogis Trade Services China Ltd, the leading China-based provider of logistics services and supply chain solutions, announced that it has joined the Blockchain in Transport Alliance.

The concept involves storing a multitude of various types of data within a distributed ledger network, including information about a given package’s destination, its movement and transportation plans for shipment units.

ATA says recruiting, retaining drivers is industry’s biggest challenge.

Average carbon dioxide emissions from ocean container transport fell 1 percent from 2016 to 2017.

The logistics software company says acquisition will enhance its ability to collect and leverage real-time information.

HCI Equity Partners says in amended filing it may enter transaction to help Roadrunner’s balance sheet.

Uber Freight continues to gain scale as the company doubles-down on the business

By offering truck drivers and dock workers micropayments to upload data to the blockchain, Fr8 Network is changing the calculus of technology adoption and pushing the transportation industry forward.

As real estate prices are over the roof, the number of people willing to enter the housing market is at a record high. The mismatch needs to be addressed – possibly by better zonal regulations and technology injection in construction methods.

A mileage-based user fee pilot program using Azuga technology is helping to prove the viability of mileage-based vehicle taxes.

Once blockchain technology reaches a tipping point—with or without tokens—there should be another infusion of funding in the digital ad startup space and, as a result, innovation.

Maersk plans to make extra capacity available to shippers on NYSHEX

Commentary from NCBFAA’s Megan Montgomery: Landmark move cumulation of 30 years of trade modernization support from FMC.

The logistics software solutions provider adds 22 companies and grows profits by more than $8.5 million.

Commerce determines imports from Canada, China, Greece, India, South Korea and Turkey have hurt U.S. producers.

The revamped Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism will adopt several changes as its rollout ramps up in FY 2019.

Cannata, Schiller and Tierney join leadership team; Vekshin tapped to lead charter cargo operations.

Slync, an intelligent platform redefining multi-party interaction, automation, and collaboration throughout the supply chain , has agreed to a multi-year partnership with FreightWaves, the leading data and content source for the freight market.

Serve.io has developed technology protocols using blockchain, which it believes can inject transparency in supply chains and cut out middle-men and exorbitant platform fees within the system.

Cashflow Corner presented by TriumphPay …If you are a smaller company – be it a carrier, owner-operator, broker or shipper – are you really safe from a cyberattack? Here’s what you can do to protect yourself.

The starting left tackle for the Jets has invested in FreightWaves, part of a large technology-oriented portfolio.

American Association of Port Authorities will testify additional duties would reduce competitiveness.