News

Last week’s Transfix, project44 and Emerge deals herald a maturing FreightTech space.

New Omni-TMSTMA cloud-based platform helps dispatch productivity and load-movement visibility.

Hurricane Sam will make big waves in Atlantic shipping lanes, but should avoid landfall.

If the high court does not grant review and AB5 is implemented, the state’s trucking industry will look to a variety of solutions to be able to use independent contractors and still stay in compliance with the law.

Fueling the good times for drivers: a growing imbalance between the amount of loads available and the truckers who haul them.

AskWaves answers why rail industry observers like to keep track of the number of railcars in storage. Hint: It has to do with broader economic trends.

Borderlands is a weekly rundown of developments in the world of United States-Mexico cross-border trucking and trade. This week: Mexico reports 5,000-plus cargo thefts in first half of 2021; automotive supplier relocates to Texas, bringing 315 jobs; Mexico City-based last-mile logistics provider raises $7 million; and international customs broker expands near US-Mexico border.

Instapay, a factoring company, and its parent company Flexible Funding are seeking Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, according to court filings with the U.S. bankruptcy court in Fort Worth, Texas.

Craig Fuller explains why supply chains are so messed up!

Despite significant investments in digital transformation, the industry has struggled to get its grip on recent disruptions.

This week: XPO’s chief diversity officer describes the importance of its inclusion initiatives, UPS opens up its Fairway to the Future quiz in honor of the Ryder Cup and the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund celebrates a successful diabetes program with the CDC.

Del Rio port of entry could reopen as soon as Saturday, after being forced to close because of a migrant surge that disrupted operations.

Spot rate snap back signals that carriers are firmly in the driver seat with regards to pricing power.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has filed a lawsuit against BNSF over alleged sexual harassment at BNSF’s rail yard in Alliance, Nebraska.

Demand usually drives heavy-duty truck production forecasts, but the delta variant and a constrained supply chain are wrecking projections.

In addition to vaccines, the federal government hopes to use frequent testing as a tool to allow people to return to work, school and other daily activities. It’s already spending billions on tests.

A compilation of the past week in social media images features Northeast flooding, late summer Rockies snow and a white-knuckle helicopter landing.

Pilot Freight Services and Stevens Transport engaged in disability discrimination, according to separate lawsuits filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Companies spend more than 10,000 man hours rating invoices every year. Dynamic rating solutions can change that.

The logistics behind aborting a NASA space mission during launch; wheels coming off the supply chain with tire shortage; more

Trans-Pacific traffic snarl is bicoastal: More container ships waiting off Shanghai and Ningbo than Southern California.

Nike shoes may symbolize speed on the track, but its business has been slowed by shipping and production delays.

Can collecting carbon dioxide from ambient air combined with renewable energy create a cost-competitive, scalable, carbon-neutral fuel? Maersk is betting on it.

Worldwide Flight Services announced Friday it has acquired Pinnacle Logistics, a provider of cargo-handling services for the aviation market across the U.S.

Modern Shipper spoke to Matternet CEO Andreas Raptopoulos about his vision to bring drone delivery to cities around the world.

Matt Blois looks at how reshoring U.S. drug manufacturing can help solve drug shortages on this episode of Medically Necessary.

On this episode of Cyberly, Blythe Brumleve teaches the ins and outs of circular marketing.

Anthony Smith and Zach Strickland talk about breaking up the intermodal bottleneck on this episode of Freightonomics.

The New York City Council is taking yet another step to improve the pay and delivery conditions for 80,000 third-party delivery drivers.

Truck Talk is a weekly newsletter providing perspective and context on the week’s happenings in the trucking industry.

The company faces an optics challenge as many question the motive behind rate increases.

A FreightWaves survey reveals some of the best places for truckers to see eye-popping fall foliage.

Trucks release a lot of data. Two attorneys from the Benesch law firm discuss the ownership of that data on this week’s podcast.

This year ENERGY Transportation Group is No. 207 of 448, boasting 198% revenue growth over the past three years.

A new study has found that while online sales are driving up revenue for grocers, many are losing money on e-commerce and struggling with building a path forward.

Hurricane Sam will make big waves in Atlantic shipping lanes this weekend, gaining strength as it approaches the Caribbean.

“Currently, sustainable aviation fuel accounts for less than 0.1% of the world’s use of aviation fuel. We want to help our customers use more SAF,” said Anna Mascolo, president of aviation at Shell.

TFI International is working to hire more truck drivers at TForce Freight as it cuts salespeople amid a push to rebuild the UPS legacy operation.

Forager has engaged an investment banker and is running a sale process.

Port of New Orleans recorded mix results during August, which officials attributed to global supply chain issues.

Canada Border Services Agency officers back a deal that will bring a new four-year contract with additional pay. But there’s one catch: The retroactive agreement expires next year.

Temperature-controlled warehouse operator RLS Logistics adds another regional partner as it builds out a national footprint.

Western Star advances a family makeover with the second entry into its X-Series of vocational trucks.

FRA Deputy Administrator Amit Bose testifies on crew size and LNG by rail at his nomination hearing.

It’s vital to look both ways and make sure your vehicle will have enough space to fully clear the tracks before crossing. Also, be sure to roll up your landing gear to avoid getting stuck.

As visibility solutions have become more accessible, they have started to move from “perk” to “necessity.” This transition is expected to continue, getting another boost when the freight market cools down and regains equilibrium.

As the head cheese of Sargento Foods drivers, Duaine Conrad has set the example in how to avoid trouble on the road.

Elevated steel prices are driving railcar owners to scrap outdated equipment, according to a Greenbrier manager.

The Transportation Technology Center Inc. appoints a new president while truckers recognize TRAC Intermodal for its performance.

Opponents of the legislation were particularly focused on a law known as PAGA.

Honeywell hopes its new robot will cut back on warehouse injuries while making case picking more productive than ever.

Industrial warehouse operator Prologis Inc. said Thursday it was expanding a training program aimed at bringing 25,000 new workers to the logistics industry.

To lower its insurance rates and protect its drivers and product, cannabis distributor Bloom Farms turned to Azuga’s dashcams and specialty insurer QuadScore.

Additional periods of heavy rain and flooding could slow down truckers for another day in the Northeast.

Transportation procurement system will handle $4B worth of bids this year.

Feds are attempting to claw back funds from trucking company owners and reality TV stars who vied for PPP loans.

GoFor’s new strategy will use carbon offsets, EVs, smart packaging and more to make delivery carbon-negative.

Fleetmaster Express recently ordered 10 Volvo VNR Electric Class 8 trucks to transition from a diesel fleet to an electric one.

FedEx doesn’t operate any 747 freighters itself but is hiring Atlas Air to use jumbo jets on its behalf.

FMCSA Deputy Administrator Meera Joshi was told during the hearing on her nomination to become administrator that truck crash trends underscore the need for agency action.

Green shipping technology and fuels are costly and could remain that way until economies of scale and innovation advance — something that many shipping companies say will require government regulations.

Mammoth Freighters plans to produce 777 passenger-to-freighter conversions. A new deal makes it more mammoth.

Fuel hedging expert Elaine Levin explains her bullish outlook on price hedging and how it can help carriers lock in their fuel budget.

Renewable diesel is the hot new market in the fuels business. An expert discusses why.

“Where we will see increased regulation and scrutiny will happen not at the fleet operator level but will happen at the OEM level,” said Cole.

On the heels of a short seller’s takedown, Workhorse halts electric van deliveries and recalls units already in customer hands.

The naming of hurricanes was changed in the 1950s to simplify their tracking and improve communication of storm information.

Bed Bath & Beyond said it has become the first home goods retailer to list its products directly on DoorDash Marketplace, giving it the opportunity to reach more potential customers with same-day delivery.

Don Thibodeaux from FuelHub discusses how automating fuel-buying processes can save money.

FedEx integrates the Aurora Driver autonomous system on PACCAR trucks into its logistics operations on Dallas-to-Houston round trips.

SkyBitz executive Ken Moore explains how remote fuel storage tank monitoring works and why it can help reduce freight costs in a fireside chat at FreightWaves’ Fuel Buyers Summit.

What should prospective drivers know about Wellington Motor Freight? “That we are the best company to work for, period. We want to be the place that you spend the rest of your career with. Our culture is unrivaled. We don’t employ ‘just a driver,’ we have absolute professionals behind the wheel.”

2022 could be a busy year for the Surface Transportation Board if it decides to tackle a number of long-standing, hot-button issues.

Berkshire Grey has introduced a robotic shuttle put wall that it said will dramatically increase the capacity of warehouse operators to process e-commerce orders.

“The lower the carbon intensity of the fuel, the higher the value,” Megan Boutwell, VP of operations at Stillwater Associates, said about low-carbon fuel standards.

An employer’s ‘honest belief’ and good recordkeeping helps it win pregnancy discrimination lawsuit.

“If everything is streamlined and automated, your insurance costs will go down because your accidents will go down,” said Mitzel.

Scott Berhang, director of FreightWaves Academy, and Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, chat future fuel prices at FreightWaves’ Fuel Buyers Summit.

Stephen Jones of Argus Media is one of the company’s leading analysts. He shares the Argus view of the market at the FreightWaves Fuel Buyers Summit.

Sebastian Blanco and Grace Sharkey look at the surprising move Volta Trucks took to expand its product offering.

SPAC-sponsored autonomous software developer Embark Trucks is tapping industry experts for advice as its public debut nears.

Kaylee Nix explores how one company is deploying robotics strategy in every step of the supply chain on this episode of At Your Doorstep.

Truckers will face flooding rain and potential road closures the next two days from the Midwest to the Northeast.

Richie Daigle and Kevin Hill look at how to stand out in your sales strategy on this episode of Put That Coffee Down

Former government safety officials now have investments and profits to keep in mind as they help their companies chart a course for autonomous vehicles.

One of the largest container terminals in Southern California is testing a system for 24-hour cargo pickup.

Hai Robotics, a warehouse robotics firm from China that recently entered the North American market, has announced $200 million across two funding rounds.

Southern California ports would need two weeks with zero vessel arrivals to clear logjam — but the ships keep coming.

In this issue, port congestion sends truckers west, highway heroes, project44 makes its biggest buy to date and more

The company didn’t blindside anyone. But it didn’t please that many, either.

Demand for COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. has fallen substantially since a peak in early May. Now, boosters for older patients and a forthcoming requirement that large employers vaccinate or test workers could cause demand to rebound.

Premar Global Warehouse Logistics employed 16 Mexican nationals to work as merchandise checkers in San Diego for the equivalent of $3.38 to $5.61 per hour in pesos.

M&A in third-party logistics continues at a high rate. PLS Logistics Services announced it has acquired freight broker D&L Transport.

CEO Tim Strauss and Amerijet’s board kiss and make up. He will continue to run the company.

“With GCP as a partner, their strategic connections will allow us to build the technology that our FDPs are craving,” says the FRONTDoor Collective COO.

INRD’s expansion will benefit Indianapolis-area intermodal customers seeking access to the Asian market.

Port Houston saw a spike in imports and exports of steel and imports of general cargo during the month.

“You can’t fix things with some nifty perk. It takes the right people with the right attitude as a foundation.” That philosophy has helped Nussbaum Transportation land on the TCA/CarriersEdge Best Fleets to Drive For list for 2021.

“Our acquisition of Convey brings project44 all the way to the front doorstep,” says project44 founder and CEO Jett McCandless.

Jokr promises 15-minute grocery delivery. It has now added 3 more New York City boroughs to its delivery network.