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.
The FMCSA and ATA talk regulations at SMC3; Cummins has to pay tariffs to import its own engines; Canadian National and Canadian Pacific investing in Port of Vancouver; why protectionist rhetoric is roiling the markets; key takeaways from OPEC’s Vienna meeting.
Between 2008 and 2018 UPS will have invested more than $1 billion in alternative-fuel and advanced-technology vehicles and fueling stations.
Eye on Safety sponsored by SmartDrive …Safe Driver Week targets behaviors that often lead to accidents and other problems between trucks and cars.
As of late yesterday the Canadian dollar volatility began trending poorly throughout the night and into today, and the short-lived support fell.
Forward Air Corporation’s Board of Directors elected a new company president and chief executive officer as part of its succession planning process this week.
Expanding operations in Mexico and increased collaboration between power players Mexico and the United States are changing the way goods are moved both between Mexico and Asia and throughout North America.
Ag haulers are not only dealing with ELDs and hour-of-service uncertainty, but tariff talk is clouding the future outlook as well.
The lumber markets have not cooled off since we last covered them in March: futures prices are still breaking records because of a Canadian rail capacity crunch, and flatbed rates in the Southeast are climbing right along with them.
Mexico, Canada, and the EU announce retaliatory tariffs; Dow Transports still above 200 day average; the US asks OPEC for a production hike; DHL remains largest air freight forwarder; containership loses 86 boxes in storm off Australia; how China beats US steel tariffs.
U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., says he and others are “crafting” legislation requiring congressional authority over levying tariffs in response to President Donald Trump’s imposition of stiff steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada, Mexico and the European Union.
Given the raised possibility of getting pulled over and inspected, a lot of drivers are choosing to take some time off.
Oil, which helped drive a rally for stocks Wednesday, began pulling back ahead of U.S. supply data.
Hours of Service violations will be the biggest focus this year, but ELDs may hold their numbers in check.
It’s a four-year deal for the Teamsters, ending a walkout that didn’t even last 24 hours.
The US trade deficit in goods narrowed for the second consecutive month, but a decline in both exports and imports means less transportation to and from ports
One union agrees while the other walks, as CP is hit by a strike again. The government signaled it may not step in to end the walkout.
The rejection was of the final offer, not an agreement reached with CP’s unions. About 98% of the voters voted no.
One union agrees while the other walks, as CP is hit by a strike again.
The rejection was of the final offer, not an agreement reached with CP’s unions. About 98% of the voters voted no.
The U.S. government is looking to levy 25% added tariffs on auto exports, which could set off a spate of trade wars with countries like Germany, Japan, and South Korea.
The rejection was of the final offer, not an agreement reached with CP’s unions. About 98% of the voters voted no.
The curtains are coming down on the U.S.-China trade war, but all might not be well for the U.S., as the U.S. IP predation by Chinese companies seem to continue unabated.
No additional activities, but the groups will be pulled into one division.
The partnership with Ocada gives the supermarket giant a pathway to create its own delivery network as the grocery store wars escalate.
Eye on Safety sponsored by SmartDrive …Recent legislation has bipartisan backing, but can it progress in this Congress?
In the past, the same customer might have dealt with two segments of the same company, with no coordination.
The shale oil revolution has increased the intensity of fracking activity, and coordinating the delivery of sand, chemicals, and equipment to sites has become more complex. PropDispatch is a digital solution.
Dicom Transportation Group has joined the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA) in an effort to help shape blockchain standards across the transportation industry.
The first month of the second quarter is in the books. While the economy shows it is still going strong, there is some tempering in the freight market. Trucking companies are still uncertain with what lies ahead.
Everyone’s interested in who is a shipper of choice, and if they’re not they want to know how they can become one.
Mushroom supply has been constrained due to factors ranging from labor shortage, bad weather, and infrastructural investment need for growing the produce.
Kansas City Southern (KCS) (NYSE: KSU) announced today it has joined the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA).
One aspect of increasing driver retention is to recognize the strong correlation between turnover and quality hiring.
Mnuchin is running a full court press to make Chinese tariffs, aluminum sanctions, and NAFTA renegotiation the least disruptive as possible.
An aggressive plan to add tracks and people is seen as key to a turnaround.
Talks were with two key unions; ratification vote still necessary
An analyst says the company management is willing to accept “short term pain.”
Livestock farmers in the Midwest are facing hay shortage and record prices in the market, partly fueled by an extended winter season this year.
FTR expects overall intermodal traffic to grow 6% YOY despite capacity constrains in rail and some downside risks like NAFTA renegotiation.
The spot market is normalizing; XPO’s Brad Jacobs talks jazz and M&A; China COSCO’s purchase of OOCL might be held up; railroad Teamsters want NAFTA changes; weak spot rates for container ships pulling down contract negotiations; Xi looks for a way out of the trade war.
Fleet Complete’s IoT solutions are designed to offer fleets of all sizes and vehicle types the advantage of big data analytics.
In partnership with Reliance Partners …It isn’t easy, it isn’t quick, but having a safety culture in your company can pay some clear dividends.
The number is 175,000 out several years, against a base of a half-million.
PAM Transport, Inc., a top 100 largest For-Hire Carrier in North America, announced today that it has joined BiTA.
Regional manufacturing data from the Dallas and Richmond Fed suggests that manufacturing activity has cooled in March as the impact of tariffs has affected output
The threat of retaliatory tariffs on American agricultural products could hurt wheat exports, which are already struggling to compete on the international market. Railroad grains volumes in 2018 YTD are down, in many cases by double digits.
April 1st promises a surge of HOS violations; Uber pulls out of Southeast Asia; China starts trading oil futures; US Customs looks to upgrade their digital tools; Kansas City Southern hit by new tax bills.
Blockchain’s digital potential for the supply chain industry is gaining so much traction because of the inefficiencies of tracking goods through so many paper-based sources and multiple interfaces.
Volkswagen invests $25B in EVs; Tesla exposed to neodymium supply shocks; FedEx to announce earnings today; Union Pacific plans $127M capex in Arkansas; Maersk says Canadian container trade growth will outpace U.S. in 2018.
The global freight logistics industry is in the middle of a transition driven by a confluence of factors ranging from urbanization to the rise of e-commerce, and from automation to intermodal platforms.
Stock is down across the beer industry. The tariff costs to the industry will ultimately cost consumers.
Livingston International Inc., a leading provider of freight forwarding, customs brokerage and trade-consulting solutions, announced today its membership in the Blockchain in Transport Alliance.
Even with lower levels of automation, trucks could essentially work around the clock, but what will regulators do about the ELD hours-of-service rule?
Lumber prices are above $500 due to a convergence of high demand and tight supply. Eventually housing starts could be affected by rising material costs.
AT&T has expanded its fleet management portfolio to now include Geotab’s fleet tracking platform as part of the company’s Internet of Things (IoT) solutions.
Trump recently announced plans to implement tariffs on steel and aluminum imports beginning next week. This move should help bolster the US domestic steel industry, but comes with many unintentional consequences affecting transportation and the economy overall
Insurance & Risk Management presented by Reliance Partners … U.S. companies moving freight across the border need additional insurance to cover their Mexican drivers, even if it is only within the border zone
Used Class 8 truck prices increased 2% year-over-year in January, but fell 3% over December 2017, according to latest data from ACT Research.
Leading commodities, markets-data news, and blockchain expert joins FreightWaves as Executive Editor and BiTA’s Head of Member Engagement.
DLT Labs announced today that it has joined the Blockchain in Transport Alliance, a forum for the development of blockchain standards and education for the freight industry.
In all, 35% of Americans will purchase flowers this year, says the Society of American Florists, totaling some $2 billion in sales, and the most of them get to their destinations via the trucks.
Werner Enterprises (NASDAQ: WERN), a transportation and logistics provider, is pleased to announce its collaboration with the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA), an alliance formed to ensure standardization of blockchain technology in logistics and throughout the supply chain.
As capacity tightens, there are two ways fleets and shippers can go: they can add more capacity through acquisition or equipment purchases, or they can tap into existing capacity in a different way. That way might be boosting the rental and dedicated transportation markets.
We discuss our list of cities that made up our long-wait times for drivers and our methodology for how we came up with the list
Washington D.C., is often credited with killing the American truck driver and their ability to work. Now, we have ELD data to prove that, in-fact, Washington D.C. is where a drivers available hours go to die!
Shaw Industries Group, a leading global floor covering provider, has joined the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA).
Sabrewing’s battery-less, gas-electric hybrid can fly anytime, anywhere, over and around weather –- and can carry up to 3,000 lbs. of cargo up to 5,000 miles.
Fleet Complete, a provider of global IoT provider of mission-critical fleet, asset, and mobile workforce management solutions, has expanded its European operations with the acquisition of Ecofleet, a telematics provider in the Nordic and Baltic regions of Europe.
Truck costs from the Imperial Valley and Yuma areas are setting records, with some lanes to the East Coast breaking records. Though there is some mystery about the spike in the rates, it most likely can be boiled down a several reasons.
Logistics Plus Inc. (LP), a leading worldwide provider of transportation, logistics and supply chain solutions, is proud to announce that it has joined the Blockchain In Transport Alliance (BiTA) to help develop and set standards for blockchain technology within the transportation industry.
Call it the Internet of Things, the Sharing Economy, a result of the ELD mandate, or the emergence of blockchain-style applications, but we are witnessing a digital gold rush when it comes to developing technologies bent on improving supply chains.
TRAFFIX, one of Canada’s longest-serving third-party logistics specialist, based out of Milton Ontario with offices in Toronto, Montreal, Chicago, and Dallas, is proud to announce that they have joined the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA).
The compliance rate for ELDs among fleets sits at 86%, according to the latest rolling survey of 318 fleets by CarrierLists.
The American auto industry’s shift to electric vehicles over the next five years may represent an opportunity for Chinese EV makers to capture market share. Several companies have announced plans to expand into the U.S., which might represent a threat to Tesla.
RoadLaunch, a startup based out of Ontario, Canada, has developed a solution that digitizes the available capacity of trucks and trailers to make the process of getting freight quotes and managing fleets a seamless process.
Click through to the map that shows how North America’s infrastructure is already integrated, despite our political disagreements.
Mexico’s ambassador to the United States told CBS News there is a 50% chance that the end result of NAFTA negotiations will be termination of the trade pact.
Strong economic fundamentals in the U.S. and globally are driving the second-longest bull market since the 1920s. Could the driver shortage ultimately end it all?
