International

Best February ever recorded despite challenges from coronavirus pandemic.

Airlines expected to increase use of truck capacity to move cargo around the country.

The second-shift change will provide time to clean handling equipment to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Murphy’s Law Distillery is supplying Canadian trucking companies with hand sanitizer as COVID-19 puts its artisanal alcohol business on hold.

Wingcopter is a German-based startup that manufactures drones that attain maximum speeds of 150 mph with a 75-mile range.

One of the world’s largest suppliers of disposable rubber gloves may resume exports to the U.S. after resolving forced labor concerns, Customs and Border Protection said.

International Maritime Organization secretary-general stresses that world trade during the coronavirus pandemic depends on the mariners who move goods.

KlearNow is an on-demand customs clearance platform that helps companies navigate customs by leveraging AI technology.

Directive from Transport Canada has similarities to the U.S. HOS waiver — but with more rules, including a requirement for carriers to provide notice in advance.

“It’s important for us to keep the supply chain fluid” during the coronavirus pandemic, Executive Director Gene Seroka says.

Washington governor also asked Trump for hospital ship’s help during coronavirus pandemic.

“This agreement will help our farmers and ranchers by maintaining export markets, which will reduce the overall impact of an outbreak to our agriculture industry,” USDA said.

“Vessel-sharing is the backbone of the global liner shipping network,” John Butler, the World Shipping Council’s president and CEO, said.

The new tomato inspection rules are part of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s deal with Mexican growers to suspend its anti-dumping investigation into the produce.

Ports of Seattle and Tacoma still operating normally but handling less cargo.

“IT strength and capability” helping Orient Overseas (International) Limited service customers during coronavirus crisis.

While the decision to close the United States and Canadian border for non-essential travel will hopefully slow the spread of the coronavirus, this ban will not affect trucking and trade.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative acknowledged, “the imposition of tariffs on certain Chinese imports has resulted in an overall decline in the availability of needed medical equipment and supplies.”

UNIX Line’s tanker, Zao Galaxy, discharged the contaminated water overboard in early 2019 during a voyage between the Philippines and California’s Port of Richmond.

The Chinese government is using the reason “Acts of God” to void many contracts due to coronavirus. Darren Prokop explores whether that is hurting current trade and will impact trade in the future.

This week: US-Mexico supply chains intact despite coronavirus; border agents foil drug smuggling attempts worth $2.7 million; Port Houston reopens container terminals following positive coronavirus test; Pharr Bridge Business Park opens 100,000-square-foot distribution center.

One of Canada’s largest transportation and logistics companies says it will temporarily lay off some employees, suspend dividend and slash executive pay as it braces for economic fallout to hit freight.

“Regulated entities remain obligated to comply with all filing requirements and deadlines,” the U.S Federal Maritime Commission said.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the ports of entry remain watchful of fraudulent imports that take advantage of Americans during the COVID-19 crisis.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reiterates that “extraordinary” restriction does not apply to cross-border trade.

Citing a deterioration in market conditions, XPO announces that it is no longer looking to spin-off its separate business units.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Chicago O’Hare airport international mail facility find more counterfeit coronavirus test kits in parcel shipments from the U.K.

Blanked sailings blamed for two terminals scheduling one- and two-day suspensions of operations.

The United States has plunged into a recession and imports may never recover, says the former Trailer Bridge CEO.

With increased volatility in international airfreight, Cargojet is bringing back planes to focus on the hot domestic market.

The U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control adds five U.A.E. companies to SDN List for facilitating embargoed Iranian oil sales.

The micromobility segment has arisen as an alternative transit option across major cities, and companies in the segment will need to be tactical in their approach to profitability.

Freight keeps on trucking as the United States and Canada prepare to shut down their shared border to non-essential travel as early as Friday night to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Key FreightWaves SONAR index pushes past post-Canadian National strike level as trucks continue to move loads.

Port Houston announced it was closing two terminals after an employee who worked at both sites tested positive for the coronavirus.

Americans for Free Trade, which represents more than 100 trade organizations, said eliminating existing U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods would boost the American economy by $75 billion during the COVID-19 crisis.

The coronavirus is an existential threat to the airline industry, Air Canada’s CEO says

Executive Director Gene Seroka said the coronavirus has not impacted landside operations.

SeaIntelligence Consulting CEO says impact from pandemic could total about 10% of global volumes.

USNS Comfort will be dispatched to New York Harbor; USNS Mercy will be sent to West Coast site.

While USDA and FDA staff and resources become constrained by the coronavirus, the agencies continue to work with industry to protect the health of the food supply chain.

The Trump administration notified Congress that it will begin bilateral trade agreement talks with the East African country.

It’s not exactly “Extreme Makeover,” but passenger airlines are flipping their planes into cargo haulers. Desperation breeds innovation.

Deal would allow goods to continue to flow between the U.S. and Canada to preserve vital cross-border trade relationships.

Office operations that remain open implement CDC guidance to protect employees from spreading or contracting COVID-19.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says supply chain must keep moving as the province bans large public gatherings and closes restaurants – but leaves key openings that should help freight demand amid coronavirus pandemic.

The COVID-19 outbreak is jeopardizing half of all American jobs, Moody’s reports. Plus, United’s CEO says the outbreak is worse than 9/11; U.S. factories face closures; and Seattle cargo terminals shut down.

The coronavirus is becoming an existential threat to the airline industry and companies are taking drastic steps to minimize financial losses.

“With ongoing challenges posed by the coronavirus, there is real concern about these fees being assessed when there are equipment issues beyond the control of the shipper or motor carrier,” 67 trade associations told the Federal Maritime Commission.

For fleets that run throughout the day and need high utilization, hydrogen fuel cells offer great value for investment, while also creating zero emissions.

The Canadian government leaves crucial openings for the movement of goods and U.S. citizens as it introduces an extraordinary travel ban because of coronavirus.

Coronavirus has strained supply chains and had a huge impact on the movement of freight.

Borderlands is a weekly rundown of developments in the world of United States-Mexico cross-border trucking and trade. This week: Walmart opens new distribution center to meet e-commerce demand; border officials lobby for funding of new truck and railway bridges; two Texas seaports receive $39 million for improvements and expansion; Mexican manufacturing association creates coronavirus prevention task force.

New travel restrictions between the U.S., U.K. and Ireland will further inhabit the flow of freight into the U.S.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control added Russian oil company overseas affiliate TNK Trading International in Switzerland to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List.

North American trade agreement clears last major hurdle, but more immediate questions loom about the free flow of freight between Canada and the U.S. amid talk of tighter border controls.

The Commerce Department’s Census Bureau and Bureau of Industry and Security believe an upcoming proposed rulemaking may resolve the regulatory confusion for required export data.

American Association of Port Authorities and Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association among organizations canceling meetings.

Cross-border freight executive says “supply chain must remain intact” as Canadian government looks at placing more restrictions at the border with the United States.

“Right now, I believe most ocean carriers and marine terminal operators are acting responsibly and fairly in these challenging conditions,” FMC Commissioner Daniel Maffei said.

Drones can speed up delivery times dramatically, but for the technology to be commercialized, a number of regulatory hurdles need to be cleared.

Coronavirus is having an impact on many industries. One of those impacted is the global seafood industry.

Charters between Germany and China rise as logistics provider readies for “whatever happens” in coming weeks.

New report highlights the industry’s efforts to recruit and retain drivers as it warns that vacancies will swell above 25,000 in Canada.

Airlines are getting hammered by falling demand and now will lose much of the trans-Atlantic market entirely for a month as the U.S. bans travel from Europe.

“As an industry representing brands and retailers, we do not tolerate forced labor in our supply chains,” said five large U.S. apparel and footwear associations.

Lingering effects from tariff battles with China also contributed to decline in February.

Cross-border trucking and logistics firm isn’t cheering for the pandemic. But for the moment, freight volumes are increasing in Canada and the U.S. even as fears over fallout loom on both sides of the border.

Supply chains are a major source of carbon emissions. Switching to alternative fuel powertrains and improving equipment utilization levels can help reduce footprint.

DCSA publishes recommendations ahead of International Maritime Organization compliance deadline.

Trump administration reminds U.S. exporters of semiconductors and other technologies that it views the Chinese telecom equipment manufacturer as a continued security threat.

The companies that control the bulk of ocean cargo opearte under different rules than most companies. Read Darren Prokop’s explanation of why that is…

Canadian trucking and logistics company reports record fourth-quarter revenue and slim profit as its upstart brokerage office in Charlotte helps offset trucking weakness.

Airforwarders Association Executive Director Brandon Fried said minimizing threat of illegal drugs requires freight forwarders to “know your customer.”

Global law firm HFW and Southeastern Freight Lines announce promotions.

Like Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Executive Director Rick Cotton, Evangelos Marinakis may have come into contact with scores of people.

Although the number of new coronavirus cases in China is dropping, shipping lines are still canceling sailings in response to expected low demand.

“China has continued to embrace a state-led, mercantilist approach to the economy and trade, despite WTO members’ expectations,” the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said in its annual report to Congress.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announces Rick Cotton is under quarantine and some port authority staffers will be tested.

CNBC’s Lori Ann LaRocco writes about the ramping up of manufacturing in China, and the subsequent ramping up of cargo headed to the U.S. via ships.

XPO announces deal to buy the majority of Kuehne + Nagel’s U.K. contract logistics segment. The deal comes shortly after XPO announced plans to divest units.

The fake Oral-B toothbrush heads, which arrived at Philadelphia airport from Turkey, were likely made in “unsanitary facilities with substandard materials,” U.S. Customs and Border Protection said.

Borderlands is a weekly rundown of developments in the world of United States-Mexico cross-border trucking and trade. This week: Mexican trucking officials discuss cross-border goals; CBP finds $590,000 of meth in shipment of stone items; Mexican automotive industry’s 2019 foreign investment: $3.9 billion; Helion targets car and heavy-duty truck dealers around Dallas.

A forum on dual-trailer trucks, to discuss the economic benefits and road safety, was held in Mexico’s Senate Wednesday through Friday.

Steel giant working to restore normal operations “as quickly as possible” as trucking companies report disruptions in freight from Canadian facility.

Trucking company says the shutdown of the Saskatchewan facility from purported ransomware attack will have a “significant impact” on operations.

JAXPORT hosts seminar on the often misunderstood and misused International Commercial Terms.

Spin works with local governments to receive permits for using e-scooter shared mobility across city streets, rather than aggressive expansion by flouting city rules.

Airfreight demand from China is still lower than normal this time of year, but it is finally picking up as the coronavirus scare gradually subsides. The new dynamic is reflected in higher cargo rates.

The test in Customs and Border Protection’s Automated Commercial Environment will be the third between the Fish and Wildlife Service and relevant importers since May 2016.

Airlines are taking it on the chin from the coronavirus. To balance revenues with expenses, airlines are cutting schedules. Lufthansa and United Airlines have taken cost-cutting even further.

“In 2020 both governments expect to implement low-cost, high-impact strategies to simplify customs and immigration screening and reduce wait times,” the U.S. State Department said.

Brian Aoaeh explores the vulnerability of supply chains in an interconnected world that is threatened by a potential pandemic.

From small, medium to large, Drone Delivery Canada has an automated flying machine for multiple transport applications.

CEO of Canadian logistics software provider says China’s surprise recovery may signal a better prognosis for supply chains around the world.

The 2019 Protecting America’s Food and Agriculture Act provides funding to help Customs and Border Protection close a shortfall among its agriculture specialist ranks over the next three years.

Canadian National CEO JJ Ruest still expects the company will meet 2020 targets despite a significant hit from rail blockades.

project44 has introduced the industry’s first carrier onboarding service level agreement (SLA) that promises shippers a significant reduction to their time-to-value.

The UN Human Rights Council has developed a database identifying companies that conduct business with Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

Baltimore terminal reduces working hours; Georgia ports brace for volume dive