News

Merchants Fleet is continuing its electrification efforts, announcing it will order EV step vans from Xos.

Among Monday’s notes: Spot rates high from Columbus to Atlanta, Chicago a solid destination for carriers, and more.

“In the longer term beyond the mid-2030s, EVs are the biggest factor, but the 2030s are a long time away,” said Aaron Terrazas, director of economic research at Convoy.

Two bills in the Michigan Legislature are calling for freight train crews to consist of at least two people.

OMB’s 2022 agenda for regulatory agencies includes proposals from FMCSA on ELDs and carrier safety ratings.

Making freight and logistics activities sustainable in the Asia-Pacific region is anything but simple.

Cleanup, as well as search and rescue efforts, continue in the South after a deadly tornado outbreak (video forecast included).

As part of Daimler Truck, Torc Robotics faces less pressure than some startups to get driverless trucks to market.

Some public shipowners are turning toward more diverse fleets. Others are moving in the opposite direction.

Borderlands is a weekly rundown of developments in the world of United States-Mexico cross-border trucking and trade. This week: Port Houston’s trade in October jumps 51% to nearly $17 billion; automotive production in Mexico drops 20% in November; Mexico OKs another state to export avocados to the U.S.; and Constellation Brands will build an export brewery in Mexico.

A source familiar with the 96-year-old company said he is unsure whether CFL will file Chapter 7 or “liquidate outside of bankruptcy,” but that the LTL carrier has no plans to reorganize.

This week: Love’s distributes meals and OKC Thunder tickets to military families; a trucking insurance company announces its driver of the year; and the U.S. Postal Service asks for help answering letters to Santa Claus.

Tony Mulvey looks at the latest industry mergers and acquisitions on this episode of Great Quarter, Guys.

Canada is threatening to impose tariffs on U.S. exports and suspend provisions of the USMCA trade agreement over a proposed tax incentive for American-made electric vehicles.

California regulators want to use a combination of onboard monitoring devices to measure truck emissions.

Strong selling on Friday follows the disclosure that XPO’s founder, and chair of both companies, sold 3.2 million shares in each.

While decentralized trails seem like a win-win-win, one of the biggest concerns surrounding this model is the safety and integrity of the drug when it is shipped to the patient’s home. This direct-to-patient model relies on a robust logistics strategy to support product viability and security.

The Port of Savannah handled 6.7% more containers in November compared to a year ago, according to the Georgia Ports Authority.

All cell and gene therapies are composed of living cells with limited life spans, making it crucial that they are transported on time and in pristine condition.

Tender volumes decline but remain elevated compared to ‘normal years’ meanwhile rejection rates have found footing around 20%.

Nuvocargo offers an all-in-one services platform, including freight forwarding, customs brokerage, cargo insurance and trade financing.

Arkansas represent! On this show we’re talking to the University of Arkansas as well as J.B. Hunt’s Shelley Simpson about why the state is great for freight

At a high level, there are four restrictions: Don’t take our secrets, don’t take our employees, don’t take our customers, and don’t work in this industry at all.

Instead of discussing the current CPG news and freight data per my usual, for today’s newsletter I highlight the CPG industry trends I expect to see in 2022.  Trend No. […]

A compilation of the past week in social media images includes a Hawaiian blizzard, a South America shaky plane landing and Kentucky tornadoes.

California drayage company Orange Avenue Express alleges ocean carrier Hapag-Lloyd is forcing it to act as a storage facility for refrigerated containers.

Among Friday’s notes: Capacity starting to ease in Savannah, Lakeland’s outbound rejection rates recover, and more.

The proposed law could have widespread ramifications across the European Union –– and maybe even across the pond.

Daimler Truck now stands on its own, trading in Frankfurt outside the shadow of longtime parent Daimler AG.

You’re only as strong as your weakest link. Don’t let back-office issues bring down the rest of your supply chain.

Truck Tech is a weekly newsletter focusing on autonomous, connected and electric innovations in the trucking ecosystem for fleets.

A zero-emissions delivery pilot in Seattle showed electric cargo bikes could potentially replace delivery trucks, but plenty of work remains to achieve that goal.

Also on the podcast: The market for diesel exhaust fluid.

Canadian Pacific says it will work to get passenger rail service going between Baton Rouge and New Orleans should its merger with Kansas City Southern pull through.

Up to 4 feet of mountain snow with valley flooding possible is coming to parts of Oregon and California (video forecast included).

The container shipping surge shows no signs of letup, but the Southern California ports say they are slowly clearing out the backlogs.

Cambridge Capital’s Ben Gordon details the roots of his “scrappy underdog” mentality, past investments and FreightTech’s recent defining and not-so-defining moments.

Less-than-truckload carrier Yellow Corp reports the weakest revenue trends out of the public carriers providing fourth-quarter updates.

The increases, to take effect Dec. 26, will be highest among parcels in the 1- to 5-pound range.

The trucking industry is in need of new talent. But don’t expect sign-on bonuses to attract drivers in it for the long haul.

A Mississippi-based trucking company filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy on Tuesday, more than a year after its operating authority was revoked by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Ford owns 12% of electric vehicle startup Rivian, and while it is a direct competitor to Ford’s own ambitions of electric vehicle dominance, that stake could be the driving force in the automaker’s transformation.

Air Canada is deploying a new cargo jet to alleviate the cargo delays caused when flooding partially cut off the Port of Vancouver.

At issue was a test given to job applicants, with the higher rate of female failure viewed as a “disparate impact.”

Self-driving trucking company Embark plans to begin hauling freight for customers between Houston and San Antonio next year.

Among Thursday’s notes: TRAC spot rates fall between Dallas and Columbus, Nashville outbound tender volumes up 92%, and more.

Forward Air’s initiative to upgrade its freight mix to a heavier class of premium cargo was evident in November results.

Not only critical for the safety of seafarers on vessels, the terrestrial AIS data provides specific commodity and port information so trading decisions can be made.

The three companies have partnered to produce a more sustainable gondola car in anticipation of the eventual retirement of the existing fleet.

The unique design will improve port efficiency and increase capacity, according to Maersk.

Food delivery startup Sesame is using logistics to challenge the dominant, commission-based food delivery model.

AxleHire has expanded its final-mile delivery services for DTC shipper X Delivery with a Chicago service.

A Tuesday federal court ruling puts on hold the requirement that federal contractors be vaccinated against COVID-19 — and that ruling extends to Union Pacific, BNSF and Norfolk Southern.

Freight flow delays are likely over the next week as powerful snowstorms slam the Pacific Northwest (video forecast included).

The A321 passenger-to-freighter aircraft is only a year old. Now its sister, the A320, is transitioning to an all-cargo configuration too.

The low Christmas tree supply among high demand means shippers and customers are paying more.

Less known outside military circles, Robotic Research may pick up what’s left of platooning pioneer Peloton Technologies.

The number of ships waiting to berth at the Port of Vancouver reached 60 as congestion continues while rail service slowly recovers from storms.

Controversial plan to charge for containers lingering on terminals keeps getting delayed. Yet containers still linger.

An FMC shipper advisory recommends prioritizing container automation ahead of next year’s labor negotiations.

Ocean shipping reform legislation passed on Wednesday in the U.S. House as the Senate prepares companion legislation.

Tender volumes decline but remain elevated compared to ‘normal years’ meanwhile rejection rates have found footing around 20%.

Truck broker Landstar System announced Wednesday it will use 2021’s record performance to pay shareholders a $2-per-share special dividend.

During an initial trial of Convoy’s technology, CHEP was able to reduce empty miles by 50%.

Crowley wants to be “the most sustainable and innovative maritime and logistics company in the Americas by 2025,” says Alisa Praskovich, sustainability director at the company.

Cummins Inc. deals with multiple short-term supply chain glitches, but it could take two years to fix chip shortages, CEO Tom Linebarger says.

On WHAT THE TRUCK?!? we’re talking about the art of freight photography; we share a clever port solution; and learn what’s good in supply chain

Amazon is throwing more freighters into its air logistics operation as online sales soar.

The deal continues the trend of steamship lines adding logistics capabilities to their portfolios.

Among Wednesday’s notes: Rejection rates spike out of Nashville, KC outbound tender volumes up 44%, and more.

Federal investigators have charged a second man in connection with an ongoing probe into an alleged CDL scheme in Pennsylvania

“You’ve got to have your own technology to get your own data and control your destiny,” said Jim Best.

The FAA has greenlighted the Drone Racing League to take the lead on drone safety as the first-ever UAS event organizer and the newest member of the agency’s Partnership for Safety Plan.

Automation company Berkshire Grey has released the latest generation of its Robotic Product Sortation solution for e-commerce order fulfillment.

Digital RFPs allow shippers to award bids faster and perform far less manual labor, bolstering their bottom lines and allowing them to repeat the RFP process more often.

We wanted to develop a directory that could change with the day-to-day swings of the EV market as well as convey large amounts of data.

Electric vehicle technology is advancing rapidly, but some wonder whether the batteries can get the job done in harsh environments.

Supply chain delays are likely over the next week as strong snowstorms head to the Northwest (video forecast included).

A manager’s comments regarding possible closure of the facility if the Teamsters won is cited by an NLRB administrator as a reason for a new vote.

California, Texas and Florida were the most targeted states for cargo theft, with electronics and home appliances the main focus of thieves.

BP adds to wind power-based electricity generation with a foothold in U.S. electric vehicles through the purchase of startup Amply Power.

The World Shipping Council warns of too much government intrusion while taking heat for sky-high carrier profits.

GATX President and CEO Brian Kenney is retiring, and EVP Bob Lyons will succeed him.

In this issue, the problem with switching to just in case; trucking urban legends; spot rates near all-time highs; Zim is bearing gifts; and more.

Suppliers of the vital product report tight supplies but so far appear to have been able to meet their required deliveries.

We are expecting seasonal slowdowns and a lower sense of shipper urgency following the holidays to allow easing rate pressures, however, capacity constraints are expected to remain in place.

South Carolina Ports experienced an all-time high for the number of containers handled in November amid higher import volumes.

A legislative movement to give EU gig workers more protection could foreshadow a similar reckoning in the U.S.

CN and CSX received recognition for their action on climate change. UP has upped its targets and released a plan to reach them.

Qantas and Air Canada are pioneers in swapping older passenger planes from their fleets and turning them into full-time cargo haulers.

Efficiency is the key to keeping costs low and customer satisfaction high. This becomes more and more relevant as consumer expectations shift and strengthen in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

Meritor will commercially produce its electric powertrain with supply agreements for buses and plans for fuel cell applications.

Rob Hatchett, president of Fleet Intel, discusses the importance of having real-time driver pay data at your fingertips.

Two unions representing railroad employees want the federal court to make BNSF negotiate with the unions over implementing a COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

Ultimately, utilizing digital tools to manage spot transactions drives down both transportation and labor costs.

Among Tuesday’s notes: Headhaul Index in Dallas up 35%, two-week change for Outbound Tender Rejection Index, and more.

Growth throughout the supply chain accelerated in November with costs reaching all-time highs, according to the Logistics Managers’ Index.

Less-than-truckload carrier Old Dominion said share-taking efforts led to revenue growth ahead of its peers during November.

Even as container ship backlogs ease, the ripple effects will continue to pressure logistics operators, hampering their ability to move goods through supply chains.

CNGmotive’s solution for fueling locomotives provides potential to decarbonize rail using renewable natural gas.