News

FourKites said it had a banner year in 2020 as more companies sought out the real-time supply chain visibility company.

Vessels are backed up on both ends of the Suez Canal as tugs work to free the ultra large container ship Ever Given.

California’s container-ship traffic jam is slightly less jammed but import pressure remains high. One analyst warns the worst may be yet to come.

TuSimple, the self-driving truck startup backed by fleets, suppliers and manufacturers, filed on Tuesday to become a public company.

STB Chair Marty Oberman shares the board’s views on two proposed acquisitions: CSX’s acquisition of New England short line Pan Am Railways and Canadian Pacific’s merger with Kansas City Southern.

Rates slide but by how much; Maersk sets goal to eliminate spot freight in five years; are we over online grocery delivery; more

Criminals are trying to sell fake COVID-19 vaccines to desperate governments and citizens, threatening trust in the real health care supply chain.

Parcel initiatives are expected to bring in $24 billion in new net revenue by 2020, the agency said in releasing its 10-year reorganization plan.

The Port of LA will use tax funds for repairs needed to address its booming business.

Rail technology provider Wabtec plans to acquire Nordco as Wabtec eyes the railcar mover market and the technologies associated with it.

On this episode of Midday Market Update, Kaylee Nix and Michael Vincent look at the first-mile logistics market and hear about a flurry of recent acquisitions.

As the number of places where product flows increases, naturally, smaller, more frequent inventory replenishment runs are created. Whether it’s middle-mile solutions from DC to store or DC to DC or it’s home delivery, the location of endpoints is dispersing and the size of shipments is decreasing.

BorgWarner’s acquisitions in electric components and systems position the Tier 1 supplier to grow its electrification revenue to 45% from 3% by 2030.

Automation will mitigate exposure created by process errors and duplication of efforts by integrating disparate systems.

USA Jet Airlines, a small cargo operator, is converting old MD-88s into freighters. Airlines gave up on this plane, so why is anyone investing to reuse these aircraft?

The company buys products directly from a manufacturer and distributes those goods throughout more than 250 micro-fulfillment centers. With its contracted driver network and a flat fee of $1.95, goPuff promises 30-minute delivery 24/7.

Electronic payments provider Relay Payments announces Old Dominion Freight Line is the latest carrier to join its platform.

The publicly traded Class I railroads expect rail volumes to improve this year despite severe winter weather curtailing operations in February.

URB-E believes its electric bike that pulls an 800-pound capacity cargo container can replace a single delivery van in cities, reducing emissions and improving last-mile and on-demand delivery networks.

Hear discussions on multi-modal optimization, customer relations, sales insights, market insights, pricing strategies and much more.

If many fleets procrastinate to avoid a disruptive transition, there could be a shortage of equipment.

Trent Broberg, the former COO of Truckstop.com, has been named CEO of ACERTUS, a technology-focused automotive logistics firm.

FreightWaves Ratings is FreightWaves new review/rating site of commercial products for the freight industry.

Truckers in the South will hit periods of blinding rainfall and possible road closures the next few days (forecast video).

MyCarrier is scaling a white-labeled LTL TMS with a unique distribution model.

In today’s edition, we highlight Truckstop.com’s latest acquisition, Saia’s new facility in the Northeast and more.

Carol Tomé has blown through UPS like a whirlwind. Will there be long-term blowback?

The Women in Trucking Association selected honorees for their significant career accomplishments and efforts to promote gender diversity.

Some data had been suggesting a decline was likely but the survey showed a small upward movement.

Kevin Hill discusses the balance needed to be successful in sales on this episode of Put That Coffee Down.

Ocean carrier ZIM just released record results and confirmed huge gains for contract rates. So why did its stock sink?

UK electric van and bus startup Arrival adds to Charlotte, North Carolina, presence with second US microfactory targeted to fill UPS order.

The world’s largest shipping line says it has changed its ways and is no longer playing the spot market, instead going steady with long-term partners.

Nuvocargo recently updated its platform to include bilingual tracking features and more visibility for cargo shipments in Mexico.

Have time to catch a NASCAR race while on the road? These are five tracks that are very accommodating to truckers.

We’re learning how air cargo K9s work ahead of the Third-Party Canine Cargo Program and more

One of the Kalitta cargo companies is trying to stop a small Mexican airline from providing cross-border service between Mexico and the U.S., a market that it serves too. It doesn’t want free trade in transport services because it might cut into its business.

1997: “Comparing our project to the Panama Canal is to confuse an apple with an orange,” New York lawyer Don M. Bosco said. “Our competition won’t be the canal. Instead, we intend to take significant business from the 3,000-mile U.S. landbridge system.”

As COVID-19 restrictions eased across the county, the number of Americans ordering groceries online dropped in February, led by a decrease in the over-60 age bracket.

“Ethnic communities have been overlooked in the online and retail space. We believe the opportunity to provide these fast-growing communities access to exciting and affordable groceries is tremendous,” said founder and CEO of Weee!

Less-than-truckload carrier Saia announces the addition of its 20th facility in the Northeast in just the last four years. The LTL market continues to garner incremental investment dollars as demand rises.

Load board adds more enterprise-level automation to its compliance offering.

Perch is helping smaller brands pool their resources to lower logistics costs and better compete on Amazon’s vast marketplace.

The LTL brokerage business is much smaller than that of truckload, but its profitability increased during the quarter.

The soon-to-be parent of Navistar increases electrification investment to $1.9 billion by 2025 and says 80% of its brands’ trucks will be electric by 2030.

U.K. delivery company Deliveroo has set its IPO price range, giving the Amazon-backed company a nearly $12 billion valuation.

Truckers in the Rockies and Cascades will have to chain up this week as snowstorms keep coming (forecast video).

Newbuild-to-fleet ratio now 15.3%, up from 9.4% in mid-2020. But orders are not high enough yet to wave red flags.

Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern executives outline the benefits and the rationale behind CP’s proposed acquisition of KCS.

A customs broker can help navigate cross-border freight. But companies should know what to look for in a customs brokerage.

Canadian railway Canadian Pacific plans to merge with Kansas City Southern in a deal worth $29 billion.

Borderlands is a weekly rundown of developments in the world of United States-Mexico cross-border trucking and trade. This week: Supply chain issues halt more automakers; GrubMarket acquires Texas produce wholesaler; WDSrx opens pharmaceutical warehouses in Texas, Nevada; and Peak-Ryzex announces partnership with distributor, logistics firm.

Import volumes are growing rapidly into secondary ports as shippers scramble to build inventory. What are some of the short- and long-term implications to domestic transportation providers?

John Schneider will give a portion of the album sales to the St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund, a nonprofit organization that helps over-the-road drivers and their families when they have experienced an illness or an injury that keeps them off the road.

FedEx and UPS have invested billions of dollars to replicate the favorable characteristics of B2B traffic for B2C. The long battle seems to be turning in their favor.

In today’s edition, we highlight red-hot transportation stocks on Wall Street, a steep decline in diesel prices and more.

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.