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Freight levels have dropped from last year, but panelists at the ACT Research conference this week said they have simply returned to more normal levels.

The moves include a new vice president of customer care, chief transportation officer, acting chief executive and port director, board chairman, and global head of ocean procurement and tradelane management.

In partnership with Reliance Partners …Before autonomous driving systems are commercially available, it is essential to not just work on functional safety but also on cyber security, so as to ensure that the vehicle is completely safe to drive around once deployed.

It’s been about 50 years since a truck maker has successfully entered the Class 8 market in North America and lasted, said Dominik Beckman, director of marketing and dealer operations for Hino Trucks. So what makes Hino think it can do that now?

A fold-down ramp is just one of the innovations Morgan Corp. has introduced recently at it looks to build truck bodies to match the growing demands of e-commerce last-mile operations.

The plan, which includes more than $650 billion in federal funding, would be the Democratic presidential hopeful’s “top budget priority” should she be elected in 2020.

Navistar’s Steve Gilligan discussed several technological opportunities for truck makers, including autonomous and electric trucks, during this week’s ACT Research conference.

Emmanuelle Verger and Rick Revoir are tapped to take the helms.

Sen. Susan Collins criticizes the president’s Transportation Department budget for offering “no path forward after the FAST Act expires.”

Italy’s buy-in on major project boost China’s place in world maritime trade, but Western powers decry what some call ‘vanity project.’

The Office of Foreign Assets Control said Stanley Black & Decker failed to effectively stop a Chinese subsidiary’s illicit exports to Iran following acquisition.

(SOURCE: SHUTTERSTOCK) By TCA Vice President of Government Affairs Dave Heller & TCA Manager of Government Affairs Kathryn Sanner As March comes to a close, the timeline for Congress to […]

The Senate Finance Committee said in “coming weeks” the panel’s chairman will introduce a bill allowing Congress to stop Section 232 duties after they are imposed.

Petitions from the American Kitchen Cabinet Alliance allege that wooden cabinets and vanities from China are unfairly subsidized and dumped on the U.S. market.

Port container volumes, railroad volumes, and truckload volumes are all down year-over-year.

Washington insiders say maritime cyber attacks in the U.S. and around the world lack attention and funding.

On a call with freight procurement intelligence company, Beroe, Inc., the firm discusses its outlook for global road freight growth of 4 to 5 percent.

More than three dozen locations on several Midwestern rivers remain flooded, and there’s no end in sight this week.

Fortna, a supply chain automation design and implementation company, announced today that it entered into a recapitalization agreement with private equity firm Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P.

Trucks designed to haul freight on highways are becoming much more sophisticated in China. Thanks to standardization, trucks now have the ability to do drop and hook, according to Perkins. Trucks are also being upgraded to more modern emissions systems.

Noatum to dramatically increase global footprint.

The Series C financing was led by China Merchants Capital, with participation from Shenzhen Capital Group, New Alliance Capital, Harel Insurance Investments and Financial Services, and Phoenix Insurance Company.

A Mexican government agency says Kansas City Southern (NYSE: KSU) and two other national rail lines have the opportunity to fix rail rates on certain routes serving much of the country’s industrial production.

Volkswagen partners with Amazon Web Services, to streamline data coming from its different manufacturing and logistics processes, and create actionable information to improve production flexibility and increase vehicle quality.

Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) announced it has opened its proprietary Detroit Connect platform to third-party telematics service providers.

British Member’s of Parliament are debating up to 16 different alternatives to Theresa May’s version of Brexit, as the Prime Minister works hard behind the scenes to gain support for her deal and a third meaningful vote.

Ryder System, Inc. (NYSE: R), a commercial fleet management company, announced the appointment of Scott T. Parker as executive vice president (EVP) and chief financial officer (CFO) to succeed Art Garcia, who announced his retirement in September 2018.

Telematics is projected to triple by 2025.

Today’s Pickup: March 27, 2019

CEO Frank McGuigan promises “a collaborative, high-tech workspace that attracts high-potential talent and is a place where employees can thrive.”

Scott Parker will succeed Art Garcia, who is retiring at the end of April.

India-based logistics startup Delhivery has secured $413 million in new funding with Japan’s SoftBank leading the round.

Canadian cross-border trucking and logistics firm to establish new business based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and plans additional locations in the United States.

Several logistics and transportation software providers claim to have machine learning capabilities, but in many cases, the results don’t match the hype.

ACT Research is forecasting 335,000 truck orders in 2019, but a sharp dropoff in 2020.

Representatives of organized labor told a House subcommittee on Tuesday that the U.S., Canada and Mexico should get back to the negotiation table.

Rate increases are slowing and could even turn negative later this year, although fleet profits should remain strong for much of the year.

The $6 million project is expected to reduce diesel-related air pollutants by 45 tons annually.

Proposed legislation seeks to piggyback U.S. maritime industry to gas export boom, but bill lacks loan guarantees behind the ‘70s heyday.

TransX’s business includes truckload, LTL, intermodal, warehousing and freight forwarding, will continue to be based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and operate independently.

The European Commission said the restrictions on traders of football merchandise across the continent violated antitrust regulations.

The South Korean liner carrier’s announcement does not mention former leader C.K. Yoo, who told employees he was resigning in February.

Hapag-Lloyd is still working on a solution to transship the damaged containers to customers.

Ashley Coker (SOURCE: SHUTTERSTOCK) With less than nine months to go before the ELD mandate’s full compliance phase kicks in, TCA Vice President of Government Affairs Dave Heller is urging […]

The International Transport Forum says its “views are grounded in data, evidence and economic research with the objective to foster efficient transport solutions that serve citizens.”

Cross-border drivers like new wage structure, carrier executive says.

Service first FAA-sanctioned drone flight for routine, contractual deliveries.

A few feet of snow will make travel treacherous in parts of the eastern California mountains mid-week.

U.S. maritime’s economic contributions may be at risk if Chinese tariffs remain in place.

The collaboration between magniX, a Seattle electric motor startup, and Harbour Air Seaplanes will transform the company’s seaplanes into a zero emissions commercial fleet.

The debate over how many crew members should operate a freight train is back in the spotlight again as federal and state officials push to mandate crew size for the freight railroads.

Hosts Chad Prevost and John Kingston spoke with Greg Feary, Todd Tranausky, Addison Armstrong, and Kevin Hill about all things happening in freight this week.

Clarity in the Brexit debate is no nearer for businesses after Parliament has taken control of the process and is attempting to find a consensus. But what does Brexit mean today following the MPs attempt to wrest control from Theresa May?

“Empowerment is not giving your people the ability to make decisions. Empowerment is the giving your people the ability to mistakes” – Steve Hitchcock, COO of Duncan and Son Lines

“We’re looking at finding ideas and turning them into billion-dollar companies and working with key leaders in the industry to help them take advantage of the technologies.”

The largest freight railroad network in the U.S. still has several tracks out of service after Midwest flood damage. At least one other company also suffering losses.

There are plenty of conflicting data points on the direction of the economy, which might suggest that everything may be just fine in the near term.

Private equity and venture capital are major forces consolidating transport & logistics and bringing technology into the industry.

Sen. Wicker and Rep. Garamendi plan to reintroduce a bill to guarantee fixed percentages of all LNG and crude oil travel on U.S.-built, crewed and flagged vessels.

Uber Technologies Inc. has confirmed reports that surfaced over the weekend about its acquisition of Middle East on-demand cab hailing rival Careem for $3.1 billion, signaling its market domination in the region.

Your weekly fuel report has arrived. More information available exclusively for SONAR users.

Flip a switch. Seems easy enough, but for those fleets that think that’s all they have to do with their ELD come December 16, 2019, they may quickly find their truck driver sitting idle, which is why now is the time to start the transition from a legacy AOBRD.

According to data released Tuesday by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the total value of U.S.-North American freight flows increased 7.8 percent to $1.23 trillion.

Uber has confirmed speculations of its acquisition of Middle East on-demand cab hailing company Careem, with the company now becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Uber. The transaction is expected to be completed by Q1 2020.

The service will allow passengers to pay fares with their iPhone instead of paper tickets or transit cards.

A U.S. trustee has asked the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to appoint a Chapter 11 trustee to oversee the operations of IPS Worldwide.

OOIL and Yang Ming see better revenue growth, but bottom line results diverge as finance and fuel costs hit results.

OOIL reported a profit attributable to equity holders of $108.2 million in 2018 compared to $137.7 million the previous year despite higher operating profits and revenues.

Port authorities want European Union leaders to better recognize “cross-border connectivity” that seaports project across the continent.

An association chairman is stepping down and a COO, chief legal officer and sales manager are joining teams in Chicago, Scottsdale and London.

Efforts to end-run U.S. sanctions against the Assad regime continue through elaborate petroleum transport schemes by vessel with Iran.

The 16,500-square-meter facility is located within a three-mile radius of all six container ports at Busan New Port and less than 10 miles from Gimhae International Airport.

Although it’s still early yet, there are indications that Cyclone Veronica may have adversely affected freight infrastructure along Australia’s north west coast – where some of the world’s largest iron ore export ports are located.

The Turkish port operator is one of the finalists trying to become the operator of one of the largest and most automated terminals in the U.S.

Chris Henry, Program Manager, TCA Profitability Program (SOURCE: SHUTTERSTOCK) “Empowerment is not giving your people the ability to make decisions. Empowerment is the giving your people the ability to mistakes” […]

It was largely a further slide down the slippery slope for the Shanghai Shipping Exchange’s China Containerized Freight Index, week ending March 22. Rates on nearly all seaborne containerized routes were down compared to the week before. Rates were also largely down on the benchmark containerized routes as compiled by Drewry Maritime Advisors.

More drama in the UK Parliament as three junior ministers join 30 Tory rebels to hand the Conservative Government yet more defeats in the Brexit process.

The fifth-largest container carrier wants to be “number one for quality” and increase digital initiatives.

Shippers are buying far more than LTL these days, McReynolds says.

John Garamendi (D-CA) asserted energy exports are tied to US shipbuilding and national security.

Hwy Haul is a freight logistics startup that uses data science and optimization algorithms to connect carrier capacity with freight volumes over a digital trucking marketplace.

Canadian National (CNR) finalized its acquisition of trucking and transportation provider TransX, months after announcing plans to purchase the company.

Drone Delivery Canada’s expanded offering brings C$10 million – a month after announcement of long-range Condor model.

As the British Parliament votes on the Government’s motion for the Withdrawal Agreement, Prime Minister Theresa May heads for another defeat as Parliament is expected to take control of Brexit in today’s votes.

Coaching drivers—with video—is the best way to improve safety in your fleet. Not only will you experience fewer collisions (and near collisions), but you’ll experience savings throughout your fleet and an improved safety culture. Download this free eBook to learn how to make coaching a part of your safety culture. And if you’re already coaching, take it to the next level with the 15 bonus tips included in this free eBook

The company also announced the opening of a manufacturing facility in San Francisco’s Mission District that will soon have the capacity to produce several thousand sensors a month.

Nikola Motors is setting up its hydrogen truck manufacturing plant in Arizona, which is expected to roughly bring  about 2,000 jobs by 2024.

Southwest surfed the volatility in petroleum markets and maintained a strong financial position by aggressively hedging jet fuel.

Southwest surfed the volatility in petroleum markets and maintained a strong financial position by aggressively hedging jet fuel.

Changing trading patterns have seen volumes at the port of Gioia Tauro decline. Its only remaining customer, MSC, is expected to successfully conclude more than two years of talks to acquire the facility in the coming weeks.

Up to a few feet of snow this week will be added to enormous totals already measured across the Sierra Nevada this year. Great for skiers, bad for drivers.

The Women In Trucking (WIT) Association has announced five finalists for its fifth annual Distinguished Woman in Logistics award.

In partnership with Dutch multinationals, Maersk will test the second-generation biofuels on the 18,000-TEU Mette Maersk, which will sail 25,000 nautical miles.

CEO Rodolphe Saadé said the shipping line is reinforcing its efforts to “develop ever more efficient and environmentally friendly vessels.”

Here’s your weekly snapshot of how the markets are doing!

Ohio raises diesel and gasoline taxes; YRC’s rank and file get their hands on a new collective bargaining agreement; Uber’s IPO approaches; warehouse automation growing rapidly; Vietnam’s logistics growing 14-16% CAGR.

Uber is in talks with Middle Eastern on-demand cab hailing rival Careem for an acquisition deal that is expected to be made public this week.

Big data is opening up opportunities for shippers of all sizes, and used properly, it can help reduce shipping rates and improve customer service.

Container carrier trade association says an OECD International Transport Forum report should be disregarded by European regulators looking at shipping regulation.

World’s biggest shipping line trials a backhaul voyage with biofuel in a bid to get jump on 2050 target for shipping industry to go zero carbon.