International

Group of nine container carriers has banded together for digital standardization.

Proeza Ventures, Industrious Ventures and Purple Arch Ventures have been added to Forager’s Series A round of financing, which initially closed in March and is now oversubscribed at $10.5 million.

Air Transport International will operate a big cargo plane for an express carrier in the Pacific region on a route in and out of Hong Kong.

Neptune Orient Lines will be renamed CMA CGM Asia Pacific Ltd.

A tip led investigators to the 90 bricks of cocaine weighing nearly 226 pounds.

Canada-based BRP’s third plant in Ciudad Juarez aims to meet demand for the company’s off-road recreational vehicles.

Danish shipping giant A.P. Moller -Maersk has reached an agreement to acquire Sweden-based customs brokerage to offer increased import clearance services to European shippers.

Deal comes at the backdrop of food delivery company GrubHub’s $7.3 billion acquisition last month by Just Eat Takeaway.

Borderlands is a weekly rundown of developments in the world of United States-Mexico cross-border trucking and trade. This week: Mexico among toughest countries for foreign investors; Houston CBP seizes animal bones, homemade soap; customs broker expands in Laredo; and GM, union disagree on Texas plant closure.

Truck drivers traveling in Texas will have to don face masks in public as part of Gov. Greg Abbott’s new COVID-19 mandate, issued on July 2.

Shacman Trucks plans to have five to six distributors in Mexico this year, as well as an assembly plant for Class 6-8 trucks by 2022.

The agreement will help small and midsize businesses in Mexico reach more than 220 countries and territories around the world, as well as customers in the United States within one business day.

AAL Shipping, an operator of “mega-size” project cargo ships, expects rebound for smaller U.S. import and export project cargoes in 2021, if COVID-19 pandemic subsides later this year.

Carrier recognizes ‘the importance of digitalization across the shipping industry.’

Truck driver charged with attempting to smuggle $20 million of marijuana from Canada to the U.S. told investigators he didn’t know about the drugs in his trailer, court document shows.

The Universal Postal Union’s (UPU) new regulations will see an increase in international inbound package rates across the U.S.

Work stoppage will impact operations at two port terminals.

Governments, container carriers and port authorities agree it’s about time communications among them were improved.

For Canada, United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) makes trading with the United States a bit more complicated. And it may create some headaches for the trucking industry.

Pilot Freight Services, which operated under a national franchise network for decades, now owns 90% of its offices and monitors for future acquisitions.

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) trade pact goes into effect Wednesday during one of the worst economic crises since the Great Depression.

German express carrier considers aircraft fuel, cleanliness and flight path for July 1 “perfect flight.”

TFI International grows U.S. specialty businesses with CT Transportation in second acquisition from bankrupt Comcar industries.

Port Laredo saw 33% fewer truck crossings in May, while the the Del Rio-Acuña port of entry fell 41%; the Brownsville port of entry declined 36%.

U.S. border officers find nearly 9,500 pounds of marijuana during a truck inspection at the Canada-U.S. border, the largest in five years.

Laredo, Texas-based Super Transport International is hauling everything from oilfield equipment and wind turbine blades to industrial biotrickling filters from Mexico to Canada.

CIO Claas Matthies is tasked by SAL Heavy Lift with implementing a digital strategy to streamline and improve the financial outcome for one of the most complex forms of ocean transport – project cargoes.

GS1 US has created data standards to help expedite the mainstream adoption of blockchain within the logistics industry.

Long Beach mayor taps ILWU officer Bobby Olvera Jr. to serve as commissioner.

Payouts begin flowing to truck drivers from Celadon Group’s Hyndman Transport months after forcing the bankrupt trucking company to court in Canada.

The new class of container ships is part of HMM’s quest to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

EU e-commerce regulation will bring “one of the most impactful changes.”

New DHL Express facility will benefit shippers across southern Germany with European and international freight deliveries.

An information digest summarizing the different keynote addresses from the virtual event.

Although “Containers Don’t Lie,” the story they are telling may not reveal the entire picture.

A truck hauling trash was caught with 418 pounds of marijuana in Detroit after crossing the Ambassador Bridge, the latest in a growing number of drug busts at the Canada-U.S. border

Maersk Container Industries donated services to apply artwork showcasing lifesaving work.

The Trump administration’s reported plans to re-impose tariffs on aluminum imports from Canada could threaten cross-border supply chains. Or is it just a negotiating tactic?

“Freedom of the Skies” is tempered by landing slots at airports, which are controlled by the governments the airports are in. In the high-stakes world of air cargo, landing slots are very valuable. Learn more in Darren Prokop’s commentary.

The global air cargo carrier has tasked Israel Aerospace Industries with converting the planes to all-cargo configuration.

Chapman Freeborn buys Arcus Air Logistics, a longtime provider of ad-hoc charters and on-board courier services to the European automotive industry.

Borderlands is a weekly rundown of developments in the world of United States-Mexico cross-border trucking and trade. This week: Mexican export factories back to work; Texas seaport awarded road improvement grant; Canadian company plans $26 million Texas distribution center expansion; $2.5 million in drugs found in mattress shipment from Mexico.

The Customs and Border Protection office in Buffalo reports a 4,000% jump in seizures of marijuana and other illegal drugs coming from Canada to the United States during the border closure to nonessential travel.

Digitization of forms and the use of blockchain will cut costs and time from the supply chain. Brian Aoaeh writes about those issues in India.

Chinese warehousing robotics startup Geek+ is the most funded startup in the world in its segment.

TFI International says it completed its acquisition of Gusgo Transport in a deal that adds a small Canadian container trucking and storage company.

Washington State Potato Commission wants you to get fries with that burger.

The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission has rolled out guidance on how the ocean shipping industry can collaboratively improve the flow of containers among ocean carriers, marine terminals, shippers and drayage truckers in San Pedro Bay during COVID-19 and beyond.

French 3PL FM Logistic reports strong organic growth in its recent fiscal year as European expansion progresses. The company didn’t issue annual guidance due to COVID-19 uncertainty.

Over 100,000 trucks moved across the U.S.-Canada border last week, a level of crossings not seen since it closed for non-essential travel in March.

The closure of the United States-Canada border to nonessential travel is disrupting Canadian consumers’ and small businesses’ reliance on “hacks” to get products from the U.S. — and that’s a good thing, says the CEO of A & A Customs Brokers.

GoFor Industries closes on C$9.8 million seed round as it aims to expand its on-demand delivery platform for construction industry into more North American cities.

The 1920 Merchant Marine Act authorizes the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission to investigate and penalize foreign governments with ocean shipping regulations that discriminate against U.S. trade.

Because of strained supply chains, will just-in-time delivery be used less by industry? Darren Prokop explores this topic in his latest commentary.

Clients can help support a hydroelectric power project in China and a forest protection program in Zimbabwe

The U.S.-Canada border will remain closed for nonessential travel for at least another month because of COVID-19.

Lori Ann LaRocco explains why intra-Asian trade is down and its affect on the United States.

Instead of whipping around at 500 mph, a broken Snap Back Arrestor rope simply drops to the ground

Logistics services provider is optimistic about African continent’s global freight potential, despite economic setbacks from COVID-19 pandemic.

Beacon is a UK-based digital freight forwarder – one of many that have vowed to disrupt the freight forwarding industry.

ENTREC begins soliciting offers for ENTREC Cranes and Heavy Haul in the U.S. and ENT Oilfield Group in Canada under creditor protection in both countries.

American Airlines Cargo has not slowed implementation of the IBS Software iCargo platform since last October, despite the upheaval from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Averitt, OmniTRAX, Duluth Seaway Port Authority and Port of Newcastle announce appointments

Borderlands is a weekly rundown of developments in the world of United States-Mexico cross-border trucking and trade. This week: Mission Produce to open vast avocado distribution center in Laredo; RCR Rail Co. marks groundbreaking for new Taylor Logistics Park; Daimler Trucks Mexico appoints first female plant manager in Saltillo; CBP seizes 577 of pounds marijuana from shipment of plastic scrap.

The master has been charged in connection with the overboard loss of 50 containers

TFI International acquiring Gusgo Transport, a small Canadian trucking company specializing in hauling and storing containers.

Murray Mullen, the CEO of Mullen Group, says the Canadian transportation and logistics company has “weathered the worst of this crisis” as it gears up for a rebound.

Gene Seroka reports worst May in more than a decade, predicts 15% of import cargo won’t return

The World Shipping Council says exemption for ocean container carriers from publishing essential terms of their service contracts with the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission is a step in the right direction.

The investment round was led by OGCI Climate Investments, a $1 billion+ fund that invests in solutions to decarbonize commercial transport.

Descartes Systems Group buys UK-based freight platform provider Kontainers in a deal worth up to $12 million to capitalize on as more transportation companies embrace digital solutions.

Data shows that such preferred carriers are four times more likely to win new loads and customers.

The Canada Border Services Agency reported a significant jump in truck drivers crossing the Canadian border from the U.S last week as freight volumes continued to rise.

Crews stranded during the pandemic have garnered media attention — “and that’s a good thing”

Canadian truck driver Randy James Ulch says anguish over systemic racism rings true in his native Canada and its trucking industry.

The new cargo inspection program at Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge aims to save time and money for trucks traveling to and from Mexico.

French carrier trumpets its resilience and agility during coronavirus crisis

Canada’s largest privately owned bulk carrier said combining its maritime activities in a single department will improve efficiency and better prepare it for a post-COVID-19 economy.

Berlin- and Paris-based startups are merging to become one of the largest digital trucking freight forwarding platforms in Europe.

Survey finds dearth of talent for handling the increasing pace of change in the industry.

Darren Prokop provides information on the USMCA, which goes into effect on July 1, 2020. How will the agreement impact trade and supply chains in the three countries?

Borderlands is a weekly rundown of developments in the world of United States-Mexico cross-border trucking and trade. US-Mexico cross-border trade faces hurdles; General Electric cuts 257 jobs at Texas plant; Laredo CBP seizes $1.6 million of meth hidden in tractor-trailers; Houston and Rotterdam ports launch PortXchange trial.

In the wake of COVID-19, businesses are looking to reshape and insulate their core sourcing processes from sudden disruption, even as consumers move online.

The transportation and warehousing sector improves as Canada’s economy adds a surprising 290,000 jobs in May in the latest Statistics Canada employment report.

For aircraft lessor GECAS, the “Big Twin” doesn’t refer to a large person. It’s a big twin-engine passenger plane that’s being turned into a cargo plane.

A recent study by the Institute of International Container Lessors found that traditional hot zinc sprays for refrigerated container steel frames keep them in top shape years longer than zinc-rich primer coatings and should be maintained by box manufacturers.

Canada Border Services Agency reports that cross-border truck traffic from the U.S. hit its highest level since late March. This is an encouraging sign as freight and trade slowly recover from COVID-19 falloff.

Two space-sharing alliances already have canceled 75 voyages through September

Third-party logistics services providers involved in international trade remain concerned about how their businesses will remerge post-COVID-19. They are addressing tough questions about what it will take in terms of staff, systems and office space to operate a successful company.

New guidelines from Transport Canada explain how and when truckers should use personal protective equipment to reduce the risk of getting or transmitting COVID-19

Cold storage consolidation remains hot. Lineage Logistics closes on Emergent Cold transaction, growing its already dominant global market share.

Global stewardship includes aim to be carbon neutral by 2050

A fiery crash briefly shut down Highway 401 near Toronto as trucks contend with recovering freight volumes and more dangers on the roads.

The global pandemic has strained relations between the U.S. and China. Will that cause the trade deal negotiated earlier this year to break down?

Australian authorities say pollution of marine environment could have been avoided

Alibaba.com has introduced three new services – a freight matching platform, financial services for small and medium-sized businesses, and virtual events connecting businesses with buyers.

Digital Container Shipping Association establishes internet of things standards for connectivity

Clearpath Robotics’ division closes Series C as it prepares to put more of its autonomous vehicles into additional warehouses and manufacturing facilities as demand grows during COVID-19 pandemic.

Sysco, Svitzer, Adnavem and AddSecure add industry all-stars

Borderlands is a weekly rundown of developments in the world of United States-Mexico cross-border trucking and trade. This week: Trucking sector wrestling with fragile freight rates and loose capacity; XPO Logistics to layoff 243 employees; Mexico’s auto manufacturers restarts factories, but a few are still waiting; World Trade Bridge officers intercept narcotics worth more almost $1 million.