‘State of Freight’ for April: Overcapacity, weak spot rates
FreightWaves’ ‘State of Freight’ webinar suggests the freight market could remain flat for most of 2023.
FreightWaves’ ‘State of Freight’ webinar suggests the freight market could remain flat for most of 2023.
Volvo Group reported record sales and deliveries in the first quarter, projecting a positive note as the first truck manufacturer to release financials.
A large European pulp and paper company issued a profit warning as “the whole packaging market is currently weakening.”
A case involving the theft of expensive freight may have led to a legal precedent benefiting brokerage liability.
In the most recent year of fully available data — 2020 — only 21 states improved the conditions of their roads and bridges, according to Reason Foundation.
Truckload carrier Marten had a first quarter in which it drove more miles than last year but made less money.
United Airlines posted a quarterly loss and said cargo sales fell more than a third from a year ago, but was optimistic about strong travel demand the remainder of the year.
Nikola Corp.’s hopes for a zero-emissions trucking future may be realized without the startup being part of it.
Logistics real estate operator Prologis believes headwinds facing the supply side will prop up occupancy and rents into 2024.
Warehouse operator Prologis reported first-quarter results in line with expectations Tuesday.
J.B. Hunt missed first-quarter expectations Monday as weak intermodal and trucking trends plagued the quarter.
J.B. Hunt Transport Services missed analyst expectations for the first quarter on Monday.
TA expects to be bought by BP next month, but spurned suitor Arko is continuing to hone its offer for the truck stop giant.
Predictive maintenance analytics for autonomous trucks could provide a reverse benefit for human-driven trucks.
A large European paperboard and pulp producer warns of deteriorating demand in another sign of intensifying global economic weakness.
Financially struggling Nikola Corp. wants shareholders to double the company’s authorized shares so it can pay its loans in stock.
Artificial intelligence, not magic, allows Merlin to operate small aircraft without a human pilot.
Delta Air Lines made less money from cargo during the first quarter than a year ago — or any quarter in between. Similar results are expected when other airlines report results.
Driverless trucks have special needs that only humans can perform at terminals where they will drop and hook loads.
Many industries are enjoying high profits from historic inflation. The furniture industry isn’t one of them. Thank the supply chain crisis.
Triton International entered an agreement to be acquired for $13.3 billion by Brookfield Infrastructure Partners.
Four former executives at Polar Air Cargo were indicted on charges of defrauding the company through an elaborate kickback scheme.
Food price inflation is outstripping Albertsons’ sales growth. It’s another challenge for the grocer that’s looking to merge with Kroger.
Volvo posted unexpectedly strong preliminary sales and earnings in Q1, reversing a dour projection made just months ago. (Photo: Volvo Group)
Lidar maker Ouster sued Chinese rival Hesai alleging patent infringement, a situation the company has experienced as a defendant.
Using the company’s platform, Repowr Connect, shippers, fleets and 3PLs can share their available assets with other network members, helping parties find on-demand capacity.
Companies that resemble an Expedia for airfreight are making their portals more accessible to logistics customers outside their home countries. Agents are watching for potential conflicts of interest.
ASL Aviation has several airlines that support express delivery companies and e-commerce retailers. It plans to serve them with drone delivery too.
Team drivers for Cromex Inc. of Villa Park, Illinois, say they were stranded for three days in a hotel room, more than 1,000 miles from home, after the owner failed to deliver on his promise to pay drivers and set them up in a new truck.
Truck safety advocates and labor are at odds with big business over a request to loosen regulations for driverless trucks.
Pilot is replacing its CEO and CFO, and TA says a key date has passed in its pending sale to BP.
“We are looking to empower these independent contractors and truly treat them as owners of their businesses,” Luke Denny, co-founder and CEO, told FreightWaves.
First-quarter numbers from container lines Cosco, OOCL and Evergreen show lingering upside from the tail end of the boom.
Rail car manufacturer Greenbrier posted gains in its second fiscal quarter net income amid revenue increases for its manufacturing, maintenance and leasing business segments.
A Florida-based trucking company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection recently, owing truck drivers back wages.
Proterra Inc. and Ouster Inc. are just two of many technology startups and growth-stage companies struggling financially.
Kodiak Robotics was shooting for easier maintenance of its autonomous trucks but it made them appear more normal in the process.
The debt rating of Ryder, already in investment-grade territory, was upgraded by S&P Global Ratings this week.
“TrueTMS carries a price point that is affordable for a one- to 20-truck operator to purchase,” says T3 Tech’s George Thellman.
DFI Systems’ president says soaring lumber prices, the costly decision to move the company’s headquarters during the COVID-19 pandemic and the inability to find new investors was the perfect storm that forced him to lay off 90 workers, including truck drivers, in late March.
Costco’s sales report for March is evidence that U.S. consumers are spending their money on essential items and not discretionary ones.
When John heard his trailer was missing, he was able to track the stolen property using his LandAirSea GPS and lead authorities to the thief. He saved the trailer, $300,000 worth of material and likely his reputation with his customer.
Walmart doubles down on omnichannel.
Corrugated box demand is tracking below 2022 levels – which was a poor year for the industry. Meanwhile, many companies’ costs remain elevated.
Teamsters representing workers at Sysco are on strike, while separately, the union was voted out of a warehouse in Wisconsin.
Whether you’re a startup looking to gain an edge or an established firm trying to ride the waves, you’ll find data here to help you make informed decisions.
The trend in container shipping is summed up by the adage, “The higher you climb, the further you have to fall.”
Cummins used the occasion of a visit from President Biden to announce more than $1 billion of investment in its plants.
It has been a year since I wrote “Why I believe a freight recession is imminent.”
Trimble’s U.S. strengths have been combined with Transporeon’s overseas presence through a $1.98 billion acquisition.
Aurora Innovation says being “feature complete” on its autonomous truck software puts it on target for driverless runs in 2024.
TravelCenters of America has again rejected a takeover bid by convenience store operator Arko and plans to sell itself to BP.
Interstate Health’s CEO explains how addressing the needs of both truckers and travelers can make a highway care network work.
TuSimple plans driverless trucking on a commercial basis in Arizona next year – without a manufacturing partner.
“Our growth and potential were being hindered by manual processes and limited visibility into workflows,” US Cargo Brokers founder Adam Konopko said. “After adopting Ditat’s TMS, US Cargo experienced a complete transformation.”
Nikola Corp. wants to raise $100 million through a public stock offering. Dilution-fearing investors drove shares to an all-time low.
The suit by the California Trucking Association and OOIDA against California’s AB5 independent contractor law will add an argument that succeeded elsewhere.
Settling multiple distractions surrounding TuSimple was Cheng Lu’s priority when he returned as CEO in November.
In the latest back-and-forth between Arko and TA, Arko cites a specific financing amount it can obtain, arguing its bid to acquire the truck stop operator is superior to BP’s.
It’s been three months since TuSimple fired a quarter of its workforce. Three of those who survived the cuts talked with FreightWaves.
The California Air Resources Board is welcoming comments on its proposed Advanced Clean Fleet rule, which would move up the ZEV mandate from 2040 to 2036.
Rail car manufacturer FreightCar America is eyeing opportunities to manufacture tank cars that would carry nonflammable materials should its competitors be busy manufacturing DOT-117 tank cars.
Federal guidance from 2019 suggested driverless trucks could skip electronic logging devices. Will that hold up?
Even with multiple investigations to close, TuSimple has three years worth of money to run its autonomous trucking business.
TravelCenters of America has again rejected a bid by convenience store operator Arko, which revealed itself as the late bidder competing with BP.
“[Navix] understands their customers’ problems, the value proposition and how to apply the technology to solve them,” said Rob Estes, chairman and CEO of Estes Express Lines.
Radiant Logistics said Monday it has completed a financial restatement process that resulted in very minor changes.
Convenience store chain Arko has been identified as the previously unknown bidder for TravelCenters of America.
Echo Global Logistics has held true to the same goal since its inception almost 20 years ago: Make transportation management simpler.
A Miami-based trucking company and freight brokerage, which also owns a CDL training school, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Consumers are buying food instead of “stuff.”
Transportation secretary takes on lawmakers’ concerns on truck and rail issues while defending his department’s $145 billion fiscal year 2024 budget request.
Directors of TravelCenters are recommending that shareholders reject a new acquisition bid made by an unidentified company.
Temperature-controlled warehouse operator RLS Logistics has planted a flag in the Midwest.
Some 455 truck drivers who worked under the banner of Flagship Transport haven’t heard from their employer in a week.
Union Pacific is the latest railroad to set an agreement with several unions granting workers paid sick days.
Newtrul has built a marketplace focused on integrity, compliance and credibility.
Knight-Swift Transportation said it’s not backing away from M&A opportunities following its $808 million purchase of truckload carrier U.S. Xpress.
“We have been here over a decade and have deployed thousands of systems using this technology. We are bringing this level of experience with robotics that is just unmatched in this market,” said Mujin Director of Sales Josh Cloer.
DSV is rapidly building up its logistics infrastructure in Arizona, an emerging market for semiconductors and electric vehicles.
The deal to sell itself to Knight-Swift ends a struggle at U.S. Xpress that lasted several years and included the failed Variant initiative.
App-based companies fighting AB5 in California got a second court win last week as a three-judge panel cited statements by AB5’s author in its ruling.
In a first-quarter earnings preview, Deutsche Bank analyst Amit Mehrotra said he expects an in-line type quarter but voiced some concerns.
“To get ahead of the curve on stringent climate disclosure requirements proposed by the SEC and [the ISSB], shippers need to transition from manual data gathering and estimations of their scope 3 carbon footprint to tools that efficiently and accurately provide emissions reports in real time,” said Convoy Corporate Sustainability Analyst Kiana van Waes.
The FedEx Ground unit flexed its muscles in the third quarter with strong operating income and cost-reduction prowess.
FedEx Express is aggressively scaling back air operations to save money as shipping demand crumbles.
Tanker capacity for diesel is already tight amid war fallout. With very few ships on order, future transport capacity could fall short.
Volume weakness persists at FedEx, but cost reductions are acting as strong offsets.
At March’s FreightWaves “State of Freight” webinar, a slightly positive key indicator is really the only bullish sign anybody can find in the market.
The investment firm Hestia is seeking major changes in Pitney Bowes’ global e-commerce strategy.
TuSimple co-founder Xiaodi Hou says his ouster was retaliation for failing to support a pay package for the rehired CEO whom he replaced.
R&R Express announced Wednesday it has acquired Denver-based carrier Load to Ride.
Gatik will move grocery loads autonomously from Kroger’s Dallas distribution center to its area grocery stores, starting with safety drivers.
Hyzon has some clouds on the near horizon, but at CERAWeek, its CEO detailed the growth the company hopes to achieve.
Freight reservation aggregator Freightos issued its first earnings report as a public company. Reducing losses continues to be a challenge in a difficult economy.
TuSimple co-founder Xiaodi Hou quit the board at the autonomous trucking startup as the company investigated him for employee poaching.
IAG’s cargo division has convinced management to use larger passenger jets on some short-hop routes to capture more cargo business.
A three-judge panel has reversed a lower court ruling that California’s Proposition 22 was unconstitutional.
Shipping line Zim could face net losses in the quarters ahead, yet it has a hefty cash cushion to soften the blow.
Estes Forwarding Worldwide announced it has acquired trade show logistics provider Legacy Logistics.