News

Snowstorm heading to Denver, Midwest freight market this weekend.

Darren Prokop writes about the key role that transportation in the war against COVID-19 – particularly trucks.

After huge gains, FreightWaves OTVI has its first down day since the end of January.

The eastern U.S. railroad promotes Vanessa Allen Sutherland to EVP and chief legal officer.

Murphy’s Law Distillery is supplying Canadian trucking companies with hand sanitizer as COVID-19 puts its artisanal alcohol business on hold.

The requests to waive the Federal Railroad Administration’s regulations on random alcohol and drug testing and on certain rail operations are due to social distancing recommendations and an anticipated reduction in staff because of COVID-19.

CIE works to create a safer, more durable chassis.

Wingcopter is a German-based startup that manufactures drones that attain maximum speeds of 150 mph with a 75-mile range.

One of the world’s largest suppliers of disposable rubber gloves may resume exports to the U.S. after resolving forced labor concerns, Customs and Border Protection said.

International Maritime Organization secretary-general stresses that world trade during the coronavirus pandemic depends on the mariners who move goods.

KlearNow is an on-demand customs clearance platform that helps companies navigate customs by leveraging AI technology.

China-to-U.S. box rates are losing steam after last week’s rise.

Once America’s largest merchant ship, oil tanker, icebreaker and research vessel.

Plan was to buy crude oil for Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

CarrierDirect’s Ryan Schreiber has spoken with leaders in the logistics and transportation industries and gives recommendations about how to lead your company and help your employees and customers during these challenging times.

“The impact of these nuclear verdicts, as well as higher insurance costs, could send more carriers out of business,” said Zach Strickland.

The coronavirus pandemic has caused a sharp drop-off in demand for tires and cars, causing manufacturers across North and South America to furlough workers and implement partial factory shutdowns.

Airlines and airports have a symbiotic relationship, but there is tension over airlines’ interest in waiving airport charges and taxes during the pandemic recession.

Optimizing the supply chain is the Holy Grail of shipping, but many companies go about it the wrong way. Shipping expert Phil Ramsdale details some best practices.

Want more? SONAR users get exclusive access to the detailed breakdown and insights. Learn more at SONAR.FreightWaves.com!

Directive from Transport Canada has similarities to the U.S. HOS waiver — but with more rules, including a requirement for carriers to provide notice in advance.

Traffic bottlenecks and highway congestion have practically evaporated during the coronavirus pandemic, allowing freight to get to its destination much faster, according to the American Transportation Research Institute and traffic data provider INRIX.

Company sees some degree of leniency on the road.

The coronavirus pandemic is sparking debate about what consumers want — and when they want it.

The International Air Transport Association had sobering news about the financial prospects for airlines this year: a quarter-trillion dollars in lost revenue.

Waiver is valid for CDL and CLP holders through June 30.

Unemployment, economics, and freight flows are the main topics on the Coronavirus Freight Market Update

A final rule that goes into effect in June calls for freight rail carriers involved in higher-risk operations to provide employee training to safeguard against terrorism-related incidents.

“It’s important for us to keep the supply chain fluid” during the coronavirus pandemic, Executive Director Gene Seroka says.

P.A.M. Transportation says it has temporarily laid off approximately 75 employees as auto plant closures increase.

Idle equipment can be placed in service to respond to COVID-19 emergency.

All four major heavy-duty truck manufacturers now have suspended production for at least two weeks, with market leaders Daimler Trucks North America and PACCAR Inc. the latest to stop building trucks because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The contractor dismantling the capsized Golden Ray car carrier responds to vice president’s plea to help fight the spread of the coronavirus.

The logistics industry is the “always responder,” assisting society in preparations during the onset of a crisis, delivering goods during the crisis, and helping to rebuild and restock after everyone else is gone. Logistics professionals will sacrifice time with family and even put themselves in harm’s way to ensure that people have access to the necessary resources for survival and comfort.

Washington governor also asked Trump for hospital ship’s help during coronavirus pandemic.

Sysco said it has begun providing logistics services to retail grocery customers; supplying products to retail grocery customers; enabling small restaurants to start up home delivery operations and online order pick-up service; and distributing cleaning supplies to keep kitchens safe and virus-free.

Tensions are high in Washington over a massive plan to blunt the economic impact of the coronavirus, with many lawmakers worried that loans or grants amount to a slush fund for airlines and other industries.

“This agreement will help our farmers and ranchers by maintaining export markets, which will reduce the overall impact of an outbreak to our agriculture industry,” USDA said.

Capacity already strained in some western U.S. freight markets. Developing snowstorms could make it worse.

Traffic data tracked by Inrix is indicating much quicker commute times for those on the roads during rush hour as more workers stay home. Plus, J.B. Hunt to pay bonuses, GE cutting its workforce, and St. Christopher’s Truckers Relief Fund facing a critical time.

“Vessel-sharing is the backbone of the global liner shipping network,” John Butler, the World Shipping Council’s president and CEO, said.

Two unions’ petition to the Federal Railroad Administration contends that some Class I railroads have been slow to respond to calls for better workplace sanitation amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

FedEx is using its air-and-ground express network to delivery COVID-19 test specimens to labs, while UPS used its expertise to help the federal government set up the drive-through program

Total headcount falls to its lowest level amid continued declines in U.S. rail volumes.

In partnership with Arrive Logistics… 3PLs are collaborating with their customers on business continuity plans.

Appointments part of strategic plans in Illinois and Indiana; service center manager tapped in Texas.

The new tomato inspection rules are part of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s deal with Mexican growers to suspend its anti-dumping investigation into the produce.

Optimizing the supply chain is the Holy Grail of shipping, but many companies go about it the wrong way, and it starts with not understanding the process.

States are closing non-essential businesses and manufacturers are shutting down, creating uncertain freight flows now and in the immediate future.

Ports of Seattle and Tacoma still operating normally but handling less cargo.

Anthony Levandowski, considered a pioneer in the development of autonomous transportation technology, has pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges in California, according to multiple press reports. Lewandowski pleaded guilty to […]

J.B. Hunt announces $500 one-time bonus for drivers and field staff serving during COVID-19 pandemic.

But attorney Gaines notes that there are some parts of the rules that might be confusing to some.

Toyota and Hino, its heavy truck subsidiary, are offering few details on an Asian heavy-duty truck fuel cell program that complements Toyota’s Oceans 10 project with Kenworth Truck Co. in the U.S.

The Class I railroads would need to ensure that Amtrak can meet FRA’s on-time performance metrics for the routes they share with Amtrak.

“IT strength and capability” helping Orient Overseas (International) Limited service customers during coronavirus crisis.

Ocean shipping has functioned well during the outbreak but pressures are mounting.

How drivers are dealing with coronavirus, TQL layoffs and legal implications, staffing in a crisis and more on today’s podcast

While the decision to close the United States and Canadian border for non-essential travel will hopefully slow the spread of the coronavirus, this ban will not affect trucking and trade.

Petchem shippers are keeping inland barge owners busy, but upside could be temporary.

Boeing will stop making planes for two weeks at most of its plants to protect workers from the coronavirus.

The St. Christopher Truckers Relief fund relies on the Mid-America Trucking Show to raise money for needy drivers.

Only 1% of trucks covering six model years are expected to have an elongated battery cable that can chafe and lead to an underhood fire.

Family-owned Beaver Express Services notified 160 company drivers and 100 part-time and full-time independent contractors Monday that the LTL carrier is ceasing operations after 77 years.

Uber Freight has taken several steps to address industry needs during the COVID-19 pandemic, including offering truck drivers a $20 weekly food credit and cutting shipper costs with zero-profit relief loads.

Morgan Stanley upgrades its freight transportation industry view from “cautious” to “in-line.” The firm lowered its earnings expectations for the group.

Freight Management Systems (FMS) has created a new web-based TMS solution that brings in open API to extend and function within any brokerage operation.

Zach Strickland discusses accelerating reefer volumes on the Carrier Update presented by PowerFleet, then Andrew Cox and Anthony Smith talk about weekly jobless claims potentially spiking in the near future […]

Brian Aoaeh is a contributor of commentaries to FreightWaves. Last week he wrote Commentary: Supply Chain Caucus established in U.S. House of Representatives. That spurred an idea to write the […]

Some countries are making it easier for airlines to adjust operations in response to the coronavirus crisis, but the airfreight community wants greater cooperation from governments.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative acknowledged, “the imposition of tariffs on certain Chinese imports has resulted in an overall decline in the availability of needed medical equipment and supplies.”

UNIX Line’s tanker, Zao Galaxy, discharged the contaminated water overboard in early 2019 during a voyage between the Philippines and California’s Port of Richmond.

Snowstorm clipping three Northeast high-volume freight markets in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

FourKites has announced a virtual sustainability summit, plus a teen helps out truckers, suppliers are getting stuck with food, and what will be the impact on truck drivers?

Treasury Secretary Mnuchin stated the US unemployment rate may reach 20% in the short term if significant fiscal stimulus action was not taken. We estimated whether the modern economy could reach such levels.

Supply chain disruption from coronavirus adds Navistar plant in Ohio to truck operations suspending production and pulling earnings guidance.

The Chinese government is using the reason “Acts of God” to void many contracts due to coronavirus. Darren Prokop explores whether that is hurting current trade and will impact trade in the future.

A truck driver rolling through Nebraska carrying toilet paper to the shelves may have encountered an unpleasant fact – a rest stop he or she was planning to use might […]

Starsky Robotics believed it had a viable path to autonomous trucking, but investors didn’t agree and the startup ran out of money.

Likelihood of economic recession could set stage for reauthorization in September.

Combination of new drivers plus food movements means they are “doing high fives.”

Emirates, a dominant carrier in international long-distance travel, is grounding almost its entire fleet in a concession to the lack of business because of the coronavirus.

As I sit in my home barred from travel, I watch the news and coronavirus updates. In light of the multiple closings of cities, the panic at the sight of empty grocery store shelves; something leaps out to me, “Thank God for the Truckers!” As we float in these turbulent, uncharted waters, and we see unprecedented economic moves to protect us from the impact of the virus, one thing is truly taken for granted — the Individual Trucker — working with their dedicated Operations people servicing the supply chain.

America self-quarantines, layoffs expected for freight industries, tips to keep your freight sales team engaged and so much more!

However, there is one constant that has always remained; trucking is one of the most honorable professions in the world. A truck driver does nothing for themselves. They are always doing something for somebody else be it a shipper, a receiver, a dispatcher, or for others on the road.

This week: US-Mexico supply chains intact despite coronavirus; border agents foil drug smuggling attempts worth $2.7 million; Port Houston reopens container terminals following positive coronavirus test; Pharr Bridge Business Park opens 100,000-square-foot distribution center.

A lawsuit, seeking class action status, was filed against TQL over its recent data breach.

Trucking capacity is the tightest it has been in 17 months thanks to the surging volumes, but all signs point to this being a short-lived event.

Rolling cuts are roiling the airline industry, which is seeking a federal bailout to stave off workforce reductions

Carriers and medical clinics struggle to develop protocols for drivers who have COVID-19

Store managers will get bonuses early and regardless of performance.

Leverage shifting carriers’ way

One of Canada’s largest transportation and logistics companies says it will temporarily lay off some employees, suspend dividend and slash executive pay as it braces for economic fallout to hit freight.

COVID-19 priorities may require “non-emergency” waiver for drivers and carriers.

United Airlines’ executives and union leaders late Friday warned furloughs will begin soon unless the federal government enacts an emergency aid package for the airline industry and urged workers to […]

Alabama facility operating normally during coronavirus pandemic.

Advocates for rules exemptions characterize freighters as mission-critical for delivering medical supplies and feeding the public.

Dooner and The Dude are talking about what went down during week 1 of self quarantine in much of the USA. They cover layoffs hitting freight, XPO takes break up off the table, and airlines getting grounded.