International

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.

Crude-by-rail is big growth driver for quarter as rail remains key outlet for Canadian crude.

Revenue forecasts were reached only because of a one-time tax event. But by almost any other standard, it was a strong quarter.

Since its launch, Convoy has been innovating with technological solutions aimed at reinventing the way freight moves across the country. To help fulfill that mission, the company is now expanding beyond its Seattle, WA, roots to a second office located in Atlanta.

West Coast ports post strongest volumes ever; Norfolk Southern is moving to Atlanta; flatbed tender rejections stay down; expect electric trucks in 2020; pregnant XPO Logistics warehouse workers suffer miscarriages; E2open buys Inttra; Iraq produces more oil but can’t rebuild.

The industry clearly is moving in the direction of precision railroading being the “way to go.” Now it’s time to figure out the possibilities and the hurdles.

Railroad sees more appliance and brown paper freight moving off road transportation to rail.

Railroad sees better volumes in energy and other bulk freight, with road-to-rail opportunities coming next year.

In partnership with Reliance Partners …A Canadian research team is trying to better understand factors that impact driver’s health, safety, and wellness.

Lithium is going to be in there, the industry wants cobalt out or lowered, and a few other metals are lining up to take its place in the next generation of batteries.

Santa Ana winds on Monday knocked out power across parts of California, killed one person, and continue to pose risk of spreading wildfires.

Michigan-based asset-light logistics provider aims to boost western U.S. presence with latest acquisition.

Syfan Logistics, a third-party logistics and transportation company, has joined the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA).

Howard Green is best on fights between the serial CEO and his boards, activist investors, and proxy wars, but there’s a lot in the book for railroad buffs who want to know more about Harrison’s signature philosophy, precision scheduled railroading.

Additional container volumes coming into Vancouver will help spur growth as CP looks to existing assets for capacity.

Calgary got blasted with record-breaking early season snowfall earlier this week. Reinforcements were called to help clear roads. Travel, transportation delayed or stopped.

It’s still the peak part of the season for tropical cyclones, and right now four of them are churning over the oceans. One of them will likely hit areas just devastated by a typhoon less then a week ago.

The United States – Mexico – Canada Agreement (USMCA) protects multinational oil and gas companies’ investments in Mexico from incoming President López Obrador.

Newly launched venture called Transmission aims to bring low-cost ELD product to drayage and intermodal motor carrier.

A quick round-up of what you need to know about maritime today, but didn’t have time to learn about, yet.

A roundup of economic data releases and events over the past month, and view of trends worth watching in October. Freight demand conditions remained generally solid during the month, though international trade and housing remain trouble areas. Supply within trucking looks to be expanding, and hires in the industry continued to climb

Concerns over a global trade war have eased this morning, as Canada agreed late Sunday to join a trade deal between the US and Mexico. The deal makes modest revisions to the previous North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and clears up some of the uncertainty surrounding the trade environment.

On Thursday night at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Kenworth Truck Co. introduced its newest long-hood tractor, the W990.

The partnership will be a joint effort in discovering the next generation of connected car capabilities for businesses of any size.

Walmart brought blockchain technology to the forefront now three times.

Nasdaq listed technology firm Ideanomics (NASDAQ:SSC) has formed a joint venture with APMEN Trade Tech Co Ltd., to streamline ports in the Asia Pacific by using blockchain and artificial intelligence in the Port of Shanghai, currently the world’s busiest port.

We see falling demand for oil, lumber, and wheat out of Canada in the future due to a combination of market forces. Canadian Pacific Railroad appears to be especially exposed to this freight recession.

FreightWaves Associate Editor John Paul Hampstead spoke to Andrew Davis, VP and Equity Investment Analyst at T. Rowe Price about the deal.

Scientists have warned such rebuilding efforts are futile as sea levels rise and storms wear away the coast line.

The challengers have the enormous advantages of brand identity and manufacturing infrastructure. 

Freight Alley, the Mid-South region that includes Tennessee, the Carolinas, Alabama, and Georgia plays an enormous role in the national logistics network

Over the years, Punjabis have consolidated their stand as one of the most dominant trucking communities in India. Migration and a different rulebook seems to have little effect in making their presence felt in the U.S.

The increasing use of last mile services to delivery heavy and bulky items is throwing yet one more factor in the tight market for drivers.

Most of the gains that helped customers came in the first 25 years after the Staggers Act that deregulated the system. Since then, the gains have not been in service.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to 140 mph with higher gusts, and Florence is now a category 4 hurricane and expected to worsen.

FreightWaves spoke with the American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN) to learn how drivers can use their resources to help ahead of Hurricane Florence.

Latest update from the National Hurricane Center sees the storm reaching major hurricane status later today.

Speaking at the American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) 2nd Annual Economic Summit on Thursday in Washington, DC, ATA President & CEO Chris Spear touted the accomplishments of the association but told attendees now is not the time to become complacent.

The monthly numbers of ACT and FTR on class 8 builds set new records; a Goldman Sachs report tries to measure the number of scrubbers that will be used for meeting IMO2020 standards.

Cashflow Corner presented by TriumphPay …It doesn’t matter if you believe the driver shortage is real or not, if you need a driver, you need a driver. So how do you get one?

Across the region, governments are making preparations. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency, activating members of the National Guard.

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.

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

It appears we’ve upset the Journal of Commerce. Electric bike-sharing companies need to look at the Chinese bike debacle before aggressive expansion. Five years in, China’s Belt and Road looks like a giant debt trap. ATRI makes the case for more HOS flexibility. JP and Chad discuss all this and more on this week’s episode.

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.

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).

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

The core of the trade pact, which allows American companies to operate in Mexico and Canada without tariffs, remains the same.

China is witnessing a lot of investment in the logistics facility space, as real-estate price surge and an ecommerce boom is heating up the market.

President Donald Trump highlights new deal with Mexico involving automobile trade

Transpacific container rates post gains; United States and Mexico try to reach an agreement on the automotive trade; what Amazon did last week; Lloyd’s of London rethinks marine insurance; Mexico City’s new airport has uncertain future; tanker market faces added pressure from US-China spat.

The impact of Nordstrom’s anniversary sale on logistics costs, college football and freight, drone deliveries in Canada, and much more in Today’s Pickup.

Africa’s beer consumption is far below that of Western markets and growing fast, with one forecast suggesting it could account for 40% of global volume in the next decade.

The trade tariffs spat between the U.S. and the rest of the world is having consequences at home, as importers and consumers have to contend with the rise in product prices in the country.

Senator Bob Corker (R-TN) spoke to FreightWaves about his efforts to rein in what he called the Trump administration’s abuse of authority in imposing tariffs on the United States’ allies and trade partners.

How can something as simple as a little public shuttle, shuttling less than two miles back and forth, get complicated? When it’s an autonomous shuttle.

Uber spins off Uber Freight as separate business unit. The Toys ‘R’ Us bankruptcy leaves retailers anxious to pick up the slack for the holiday shipping season. Maersk and IBM take their blockchain platform live as they seek additional partners. The shipbreaking industry where workers die on the shores of Bangladesh. JP and Chad discuss all this and more on this week’s episode.

In today’s pickup: is there too much focus on OR? Also, Old Dominion had a solid July, and there’s a proposal for a new interstate highway.

Nikola Motor Company raised over $100 million in August, and the company’s CEO Trevor Milton expects its $200 million C round to be oversubscribed. Nikola boasts a $1.1 billion pre-money valuation.

Ford will launch a new SUV in China as part of their growth plan, while Uber Freight is spinning off as a separate business unit from Uber under the direction of Lior Ron.

XPO’s Last Mile business in Canada previously had been serviced out of retail stores. Now it has its first facility.

Canada, Mexico, China, and the European Union are among those who have instituted retaliatory tariffs on cranberry imports coming from the United States. FreightWaves spoke with Kellyanne Dignan, Ocean Spray’s Director of Global Corporate Affairs, who provided the company’s perspective on the issue.

Starting this week U.S. sanctions against Tehran on sectors like automotive and aircraft are set to return following Trump’s decision in May to pull out of the nuclear agreement with Iran.

A letter from two U.S. Senators has spurred CVSA to begin looking at its role in enforcing a rule on truck underrides.

The next big thing is food. Not just food, but hot food, and not just hot food but hot–delivered–food.

The U.S. truckload operations of TFI are mostly at CFI and Truckload America, and both had stronger quarters.

COSCO shipping came under a cyber attack this week, which reinforces the need for comprehensive cybersecurity regulations within the maritime industry as the future moves towards port automation and autonomous shipping.

NAFTA trade talks are back on the table, with Canada and Mexico hoping to ward off potential auto tariffs that could be levied by the U.S. if the agreement turns out to be unfavorable to its interests.

The summer truck shows reflect a lot that’s good about trucking: fellowship, pride and contributions to the community

The statistics on 2018’s spot brake check day on trucks and buses are remarkably similar to what was found in 2017.

In spite of fuel surcharge adjustments, Marten today reported a 49.9% improvement in net income to $13.7 million, or 25 cents per diluted share, for Q2 that ended June 30, 2018, from $9.1 million, or 17 cents per diluted share, for Q2 of 2017.

Amid the Moroun’s lawsuits and the ad appealing to President Trump on “Fox and Friends,” ground is being broken in Detroit this week, and construction on the Gordie Howe International Bridge is anticipated to begin this fall.

The agreement will cover around 25% of the global economy, and, according to Bloomberg, by some measures the largest free trade area in the world.

Theresa May and Donald Trump have patched things up; US warehouse capacity tightest in decades; transpacific container rates moving up quickly; Canadian Pacific and its two unions reach a mutually beneficial deal; Lufthansa Cargo offers spot capacity on its app.

Tesla wants to build a huge China plant to avoid tariffs; dry bulk carriers find favorable rate environment as countries re-source commodities; Honeywell adds an executive to reconfigure its supply chains; container rates from China to the North America spike as maritime lines take advantage of trade war fears.

Survey data in both the manufacturing and service sectors continued to point to strong economic growth at the end of the 2nd quarter. Details in the survey responses continue to suggest that high transportation costs, labor shortages, and tariff uncertainty remain significant issues in the economy.

As Trump continues to ramp up protectionist tariff talk and suggesting that imported autos and auto parts will be next, the U.S. auto industry is collectively saying, thanks, but no thanks.

The US trade deficit in goods narrowed for the third consecutive month in May as improved export performance outweighed a modest rise in imports during the month.