News

Tender rejections and spot rates also fall slightly.

Hong Kong has ratcheted up quarantine requirements on inbound pilots, escalating tensions with the U.S. and impacting the operations of express carriers UPS and FedEx.

Another strike at the Port of Montreal increasingly likely after longshoremen reject contract as seven-month truce expires. Railroads and trucking companies, meanwhile, brace for scramble to Halifax.

Heather Zumarraga talks about her new book ‘The Man’s Guide To Corporate Culture’ plus cyber risk, markets, more

Peter DeFazio, a top transportation lawmaker, wants the Federal Communications Commission to rethink adopting rules that experts say would hinder trucking automation.

A Miami-based insurance startup is offering gig workers the opportunity to purchase disability insurance that would protect them in case of income disruptions.

Even as the relationship between Ryder and Chanje was hitting the rocks, Ryder continued to do new deals with the supplier of electric vehicles and touted its role in the company’s green plans.

On this episode of Navigate B2B, Steve Ferreira talks about why the first round of container issues was only the beginning as Americans gear up for a third round of stimulus spending and look ahead to warmer weather.

Short line operator Vermont Rail System and legislators from Vermont and Massachusetts question how CSX and Norfolk Southern would handle joint ownership of Pan Am Southern because it would involve a competing short line railroad

If you look at the weekly Outbound Tender Volume Index (OTVI) map, you might think freight markets have reversed course and are retreating significantly. But this line of thinking is misguided. Tender volumes are coming down, but off an unnaturally high base. Volumes in most major markets remain above pre-storm levels.

This deal would have been Vista’s fourth attempt to exit its investment with transportation telematics provider Omnitracs, along with a second attempt to merge with the firm’s portfolio company, Solera, an automotive and insurance software company.

E-commerce and the increasing desire to conduct digital transactions are driving rapid change in the payments industry.

Earlier this week in The Stockout CPG-focused newsletter, I discussed the impact that China’s efforts to replenish its hog population was having on corn and soybean exports as well as […]

Major Canadian trucking and warehousing company Groupe Robert is making a large investment to build Quebec’s first 3PL automated distribution center for fresh and frozen foods.

Two bullish equity research reports this week on transportation stocks both highlight expectations around consumer spending and what that means for freight demand.

Also on the podcast: Did Joe Biden help boost the price of oil?

Kaylee Nix and Michael Vincent bring you today’s headlines, teach you how to win in your market space, and highlight some new tech to help drivers on this episode of Midday Market Update.

Diesel fell less than crude oil, signaling selling of crude as a financial asset more than diesel.

Truck Talk is a weekly newsletter where FreightWaves adds context, commentary and color to industry news and trends.

Last year it was personal protective equipment and ventilators. Now there is a shortage of semiconductor chips for autos and other components. The inability to meet needs at home during critical times is focusing attention on strengthening the domestic manufacturing base, and tax breaks are one way to help.

Truckers in Western mountains may hit occasional road closures due to ongoing snow and wind (forecast video).

Security measures and remote locations complicate the last mile. But some correctional systems are vaccinating inmates quickly.

In today’s edition, we highlight the news of XPO’s planned spinoff, trucking interests discussing zero-emissions vehicles and more.

Amtrak wants to establish passenger rail service between Mobile, Alabama, and New Orleans, but CSX, Norfolk Southern and the Port of Mobile have some reservations. Amtrak has filed a petition with the Surface Transportation Board to turn its plan into fruition.

The company moves to broaden its footprint and introduce services as it posts stellar fiscal 2021 third-quarter results.

Walmart plans to convert a Dallas store for online order pickup for customers.

Despite big obstacles, some correctional systems are vaccinating inmates quickly.

Smith sees no let-up in the demand for the company’s services.

“Robotics and automation are a way for industries such as manufacturing to remain competitive in ‘America 2.0.,’ but these advances in technology don’t come without risks,” said Mark Cuban.

The NLRB action is a gathering of earlier Teamsters actions against Universal, now pulled together in one filing by the government agency.

A GAO report links accurate data collection to motor carrier costs.

Instacart may wait until after the majority of Americans are vaccinated to go public so investors can better gauge the company’s growth potential, according to a report.

Investigators are searching for a motive after a warehouse employee fatally shot two co-workers at a Roundy’s distribution center in Wisconsin.

“Take some time each week to clean out the cab, and stay on top of it, just like you would your house. It’s a healthier atmosphere to be in if it’s clean,” says Reliance Partners’ Brian Runnels.

Sun Country normally flies to sunny destinations. But with Amazon as its cargo customer, it’s heading to Fairbanks, Alaska.

South Korean’s Hanwha Group plans to cut 50% of its holdings in Nikola as the electric truck startup seeks to sell $100 million in new shares.

Wabtec, short line operator Genesee & Wyoming and Carnegie Mellon aim to establish public-private institute that would research, demonstrate and commercialize advanced freight rail technology.

If digital freight matching were a dating app, trucker technophobia, FreightTech in Canada and more

Economic downtown spurs more freight-related job cuts across the Lone Star State.

February freight data from Cass shows a deceleration in the growth rates of shipments and expenditures. Recent weather events have only “coiled the spring” for a continuation of high demand and rising rates.

U.S. intermodal traffic on a weekly basis continues to show strength, rising last week by 22%, according to the Association of American Railroads. The increase comes amid higher U.S. retail sales in February year-over-year, despite a sequential decline.

“TJC has proven success partnering with companies in our industry, and their international expertise will provide a distinct advantage for sustained organic growth and future acquisitions around the world,” said AIT’s president and CEO.

More and more beneficial cargo owners (BCOs) are moving manufacturing and warehousing to Alabama.

Amazon has started testing Rivian electric delivery vans in San Francisco as part of its planned rollout of 10,000 electric vehicles by 2022.

In the funding announcement, Dutchie reported it acquired two cannabis retail technologies — software provider LeafLogix and retail platform Greenbits — for an undisclosed amount.

Truck driving can be stressful when carrying unusual freight. These are five fairly odd loads that have been lost.

The desire for supply chain software and technology that is tightly integrated and that works in tandem, through platforms and ecosystems, raises the specter of cybersecurity incidents that can very quickly metastasize.

Hiring and retaining drivers is an art more than a science.

With Malcolm Wilson, XPO’s chief executive officer for Europe, taking the lead as the CEO of GXO, the company expects the spinoff will create long-term value for its stakeholders.

“2020 has been exceptional, with stellar performance in the industry,” says Hapag-Lloyd CFO Mark Frese.

Truckers heading into the Sierra Nevada Thursday and Friday will have to chain up once again (forecast video).

In today’s edition, we highlight a new approach to driver compensation, the worst cloverleaf interchanges and more.

There’s no time for deliberation these days if you want to get high-value cargo shipped by air. It’s a strong seller’s market in the air cargo world. If you see it, book it and don’t worry about the price.

Fireworks could be stuck at sea by the time the Fourth of July rolls around. Blame massive port congestion and overloaded freight networks. The fireworks industry is asking the Biden administration to provide a fix, but what can it do?

Lawmakers hear from trucking on outlook for achieving zero-emission vehicle targets

After several weeks of events, Kyle Talor and Luke Falasca are back talking about freight market recovery following several rounds of winter weather in major markets.

On this episode of Freightonomics, Anthony Smith and Zach Strickland discuss whether inflation could pose a threat to a recovering U.S. economy.

Will hyperloop deliver freight at 700mph? Is this freight market a “dumpster fire” and more

As the freight world becomes more tech heavy, what matters the most for companies to digitize? Adam Robinson breaks it down on this episode of stackd.

On this episode of Point of Sale, Andrew Cox looks at how augmented reality technology can help retailers cut costs.

The Future of Ports 2021 event will take place virtually on March 18th, 7 PM, UAE time/8AM PT time.

No details disclosed, but Fourshore generally looks at companies valued at $10 million to $75 million

Nevada’s 2021 rail plan lays out how the state can leverage freight rail more often and utilize existing infrastructure in light of nearshoring and emissions reductions opportunities.

There is a direct correlation between stimulus checks and the surge in e-commerce spending, according to SEKO US.

After raising pay earlier in the year, Cargo Transporters has implemented a flexible pay package, allowing company drivers to earn paid time off and bonus payments on a prorated basis.

An American Transportation Research Institute study finds the cost to deploy and collect a vehicle-miles-traveled tax would be 300 times more than the current fuel tax.

Refraction AI discovered many last-mile AVs used a sensor system known as LiDAR, which was causing bottlenecks in deploying these vehicles into the real world.

Delivery software provider Onfleet is joining forces with Bond, an artificial intelligence platform, to offer e-commerce sellers an integrated solution that takes the customer from checkout to delivery in a single offering.

Great Lakes Petroleum Transportation of Alma, Michigan, which hauls crude oil, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The trucking company has 59 power units and 49 drivers.

“Our goal at FreightFlows is to make near-term market predictions to help vessel owners, traders, brokers and charterers have much better decision-making power in the international freight markets today,” said CEO Matt Morgan.

Truckers in the South will have to dodge many areas of tornadoes, severe winds and large hail Wednesday and Thursday (forecast video).

In today’s edition, we highlight how the boom times don’t negate the headaches among carriers, the impact of SPACs on FreightTech and more.

On this St. Patrick’s Day, truckers tell FreightWaves which cloverleaf interchanges bring them the worst luck.

Deutsche Bank’s Amit Mehrotra on how long import surge could last and upside potential for container, dry bulk and tanker stocks.

Port Houston is positioning itself as a viable option for handling more containerized imports from Asia.

The CBP’s final rule is seen as aiding the U.S. Postal Service in weighing which shipments fail to comply with a data preclearance directive.

“Today we are in the seventh month of a historic import surge driven by unprecedented demand by American consumers,” says Gene Seroka.

A DOT autonomous trucking technology study downplays concerns raised by the FMCSA.

In this issue, freight and diesel costing an arm and a leg, warehouse unicorns, the war on packaging and more

Companies that are normally competitors are making deals to share technology and manufacturing capacity to produce enough COVID-19 vaccines.

Reports of problems in the application process are widespread, but the PPP loans given out total more than $160 billion.

On this episode of Great Quarter, Guys, Seth Holm and Andrew Cox talk about the hot truckload market and give their predictions for the next quarter of 2021.

The fragmented industrial service facilities segment could become the apple of the eyes of big-money investors.

Kaylee Nix and Michael Vincent explore the failures of the Texas energy grid and learn about the benefits of two-way shipping contracts on this episode of Midday Market Update.

In an environment as hands-on as trucking, bridging the gap between the digital and physical worlds can prove challenging.

Census Bureau data showed a decline in February sales, but levels remain elevated from a year ago as new stimulus hits

The service will generate customized updates that include projected time out and port dwell times along with recommendations for shipping strategies from the project44 team.

Cargill’s announcement last week that it is making a nearly half-billion dollar investment in soybeans caught my attention because it suggests that one of the world’s largest food producers believes […]

A lawsuit in New York claims that rideshare company Via has refused to pay for and enter arbitration with drivers who believe they are employees and not independent contractors.

SPAC acquisitions are cropping up with more frequency, and we can only expect more deals to go through in 2021.

“Our goal is to empower brands and make it easy for them to scale. As these brands scale, the warehouses experience growth as well,” says Flowspace CEO Ben Eachus.

Truckers will have to dodge severe thunderstorms across several southern states, with good odds for tornadoes (forecast video).

Brands big and small want more control over the customer experience, including data and service, and technology firms and logistics providers can now offer brands an Amazon alternative. The tension between retailers and brands is nothing new, but the battle between them has never been this acute thanks to the likes of Shopify, ShipBob, XPO and others.

In today’s edition, we highlight the latest numbers for trailer orders, an investigative piece about a driver blowing the whistle on illegal activities, increased driver pay and more.

While the less-than-truckload market is experiencing a boom, it’s not without growing pains, according to Recon Logistics’ pricing and analytics expert Curtis Garrett.

The Baidu Apollo fleet consists of 500 vehicles, with open-road tests conducted in 30 cities around the world. The company’s Robotaxi service has carried 210,000 passengers and is available in Beijing, Changsha and Cangzhou, with plans to move into 30 more cities over the next three years.

The email came in stating we were under attack. All 30 servers were taken down and encrypted. Admin lost access to their Microsoft 365 accounts.

A pair of Canadian trucking companies in the Toronto area, Orbit Freight and Delta Carriers, shut down in close succession before their owner filed for personal bankruptcy.

Chicago Rockford and Cologne Bonn airports operate under the shadow of Chicago O’Hare and Frankfurt airports. But they are rising stars in the cargo arena and have decided to pool their resources.

Activist investor Ancora Advisors gains two seats on Forward Air’s board and endorses three others. The company’s former CFO has been brought on in a consulting role.