News

Blockchain panelist at SMC3 talk use cases, regulation, and crypto. JD.com opens up an automated warehouse that employs just four people but fulfills 200,000 packages daily. Amazon unveils plans to ramp up delivery services for their own packages. Volvo Trucks and FedEx demonstrate platooning technology in North Carolina. NFI and Penske are trialing Freightliner electric trucks. JP and Chad discuss all this and more on this week’s episode.

In a blockchain conference held this week in Amsterdam, a panel discussed the potential and impact of blockchain in the transportation and logistics industry.

Info-X Software Technology has joined the Blockchain in Transport Alliance to participate in the global alliance of businesses working to develop and educate on blockchain.

Kroger has plans to introduce driverless vehicles to the grocery industry this year, according to a Wall Street Journal article. The U.S. grocery giant announced a partnership with electric vehicle startup Nutro Inc. this week.

Both Dry Van Weekly Barometer and Reefer Weekly Barometer are predicting stronger contract pricing in coming months.

We pull out the key findings from Trucker Path’s 2018 Truck Parking Report to shine a little more light on the country’s parking problem.

Report asserts that developing the necessary infrastructure to fuel ocean vessels using natural gas would only result in “meager” reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

“Why does it take 18 years to build a bridge?” asks Long Beach executive director.

Understanding hours-of-service and ELD regulations and their exemptions can help fleets better manage driver’s time.

Shippers write to FMC in support of Georgia and South Carolina port authority proposal.

“Significant” increase in operational costs drives down expectations.

It all begins with a purchase order, say American Shipper webinar panelists.

Total value of cross-border trade between the United States and its partners in the North American Free Trade Agreement rose 11.3 percent year-over-year in April.

American Institute for International Steel: “The administration will probably celebrate the May data, but businesses and consumers will not.”

Major stock indices from around the world are down this week as the Trump administration continues to push the envelope on tariffs and trade.

Twenty-five percent duties on products originating in China scheduled to take effect July 6.

Drivers on the Triangle Expressway stayed in constant contact through wireless vehicle-to-vehicle communication technology.

Jensen is tapped as a commissioner; air cargo carrier announces leadership team appointments.

The Oregon-based railroad transportation and equipment manufacturer posted net earnings of $36.2 million for the quarter.

In 11th-hour decision, Chinese antitrust agency allows deal that will create third-largest container carrier.

Audits of Bitcoin transactions make it clear that a significant percentage of transactions are related to illicit activity, and the FBI is on the case. New technologies like cryptocurrency tumblers and coins like Monero are making it harder on law enforcement.

E-commerce giant Amazon.com, Inc. announced plans to push further into last-mile delivery services, in an effort to address the continued surge in online shopping and residential deliveries.

Economists say the impact could spread beyond the specific categories of imports and exports that may be subject to tariffs.

To successfully market a new or existing product, a company needs the right mix of product innovation, marketing, sales and promotional efforts. Some companies are finding that outsourcing some or all of these functions can provide many benefits over in-house teams.

This morning, new SONAR indexes went live, giving a detailed look into load transmission acceptance by equipment type and length of all, and adding employment data for various transportation modes.

Platform Science, a pioneer of integrated hardware and software solutions for commercial vehicles, announces the appointment of Chris Sultemeier as chairman of the board.

The FMCSA has posted a new infographic on its website, which it says it plans to update monthly.

Testifiers tell House committee the Chinese telecom giant poses competition and espionage-related concerns.

Sponsored by Reliance Partners…On the heels of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s announcement regarding the Solving for Safety Visualization Challenge, FreightWaves spoke with Reliance Partners’ John Seidl to learn more about risk management in the industry.

Becoming a “shipper of choice” is key to managing — even beating — any capacity crunch, according to Adam Robinson, marketing manager at Cerasis.

Daylight and encounter bans will be lifted at the start of October.

Acreage utilized at Ontario International nearly tripling in new 30-year lease.

The growth rate is the slowest since the first quarter of 2017.

The United Nations is exploring potential uses of blockchain technology in achieving its goals of reducing poverty, ending hunger and raising living standards across the globe.

Allen Sutherland named VP of law; Messer promoted to sales manager.

The Maritime Safety Act of 2018 would require access to timely weather forecasts and voyage data recorders to float free after an incident.

This morning, new SONAR indexes went live, giving a detailed look into tender rejections by equipment type and length of all, and adding employment data for various transportation modes.

Third-party supply chain provider NFI along with Penske Truck Leasing will take delivery of and test Daimler Trucks North America’s (DTNA) electric vehicles.

UPS opens $100M Paris distribution center, Boston prepares for traffic increases, and more on Today’s Pickup.

Volvo Trucks and FedEx demonstrated their truck platooning technology in North Carolina this morning, in conjunction with the North Carolina Turnpike Authority.

As Trump continues to ramp up protectionist tariff talk and suggesting that imported autos and auto parts will be next, the U.S. auto industry is collectively saying, thanks, but no thanks.

The US trade deficit in goods narrowed for the third consecutive month in May as improved export performance outweighed a modest rise in imports during the month.

XPO Logistics announced this morning that it will be adding augmented reality to its Ship XPO platform, giving end customers the opportunity to visualize how items such as sofas, beds and appliances, will look inside their home.

A united retail fuel industry thanked EPA and the Trump administration for hearing and responding to their concerns and proposing renewable fuel obligations.

American Trucking Associations says bill would provide “common sense” relief for drivers.

Electronic network connects air cargo carriers with postal providers.

Last-mile visibility startup will use the latest funds to increase its product offering and workforce.

The busiest seaport on the U.S. East Coast handled 551,117 TEUs in May, its fifth consecutive monthly record.

Austin-based freight broker plans to grow staff, space and reach.

Norwegian company aims to transform the way shippers, freight forwarders and carriers conduct negotiations.

Maritime Administration accepting applications for piece — or all — of $6.79 million.

CEO says intermodal equipment provider is “on track to meet the ambitious plans we set for ourselves.”

Brückner promoted to assistant vice president; Lengenfelder joins port marketing department.

As the future moves towards connected vehicles that are autonomous in nature, the current IT and cybersecurity act would not be applicable, needing a clearer definition on civil liability in case of accidents.

Arrive Logistics, one of the nation’s fastest growing brokerages with offices in both Austin, TX, and Chicago, has received a Series A round of funding led by Lead Edge Capital.

Michael Lewis, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Moneyball, The Blind Side, and The Big Short, has just been confirmed as a keynote speaker for MarketWaves18 at the Opryland Texan Resort & Convention Center this November.

The report examines economic trajectory through employment and GDP per capita measures of the 300 largest metro areas in the world that now account for nearly half of all global output.

The FMCSA and ATA talk regulations at SMC3; Cummins has to pay tariffs to import its own engines; Canadian National and Canadian Pacific investing in Port of Vancouver; why protectionist rhetoric is roiling the markets; key takeaways from OPEC’s Vienna meeting.

Cashflow Corner presented by TriumphPay …Market conditions might make the timing right for truckers set a more fuel-efficient vehicle speed.

Los Angeles/Long Beach terminals expect reforms to fees, appointments to be delayed.

Panelists from BiTA, IBM, Chain.io, and Morris, Manning, and Martin talked about blockchain use cases, the future of the technology, the regulatory landscape, and had different views on cryptocurrencies.

Both of the primary indices slipped, with one showing a significant year-over-year decline.

The men reportedly were crushed by slabs of Corian they were unloading from a truck.

Containership Alexander Maersk reportedly had to wait days before receiving permission to put the rescued people ashore in Sicily.

New pool of officers will fill positions on board U.S.-flag domestic and deep-sea vessels.

Why, when capacity is so tight, is Chicago of all places overheated?

It’s not just e-commerce: internet-connected consumer electronics devices and healthcare equipment are two growth areas for the complex business of reverse logistics.

Sales of new single-family homes beat expectations in May as a surge of sales in the South helped offset softness in other areas of the country. This serves as a sign that construction activity should remain strong, though other downstream industries face challenges.

By far the most significant partnership came last month when Kroger said it would work with U.K. online supermarket Ocado.

Since the volume of high-value, low-density goods grows faster than other parts of the goods spectrum, the outlook for global airfreight continues to be bullish, however, there are now some cautionary signals.

Think government regulations are just a drain on your finances? Think again. Today, savvy fleets are using government regulations such as the hours-of-service rules to their advantage — but how?

JD.com opened a completely automated warehouse near Shanghai, keeping up with its robust investment in technology to optimize and inject increased efficiency in its logistics processes.

Central Oregon Trucking Company has announced a new pay structure that paves the way for driver salary increases of up to $15,000 per year.

Office of Management and Budget report also proposes privatizing St. Lawrence Seaway.

Goal is to demonstrate viability of fast-charging yard tractors at Pier T.

Trax Technologies and Veraction managing more than $10 billion in logistics spend for over 300 customers.

The government is investing C$167 million in road and rail infrastructure projects to improve efficiency.

Ontario-headquartered firm focuses on fashion, footwear and action wear.

“Extraordinary visionary” grew business from one vessel to third-largest container shipping company in the world.

Jacques R. Saadé, founding president of the CMA CGM Group, passed away Sunday, June 24, 2018 at the age of 81.

Puthusseril testified that the Renewable Fuel Standard has succeeded because it allows fuel retailers to offer biofuel blends to consumers at a price that is less expensive than purely petroleum-based products.

Some fleets will now be able to use KeepTruckin ELDs to take advantage of the greater flexibility AOBRDs offer when it comes to driving mode and how much speed it takes to trigger it.

The Court declined to provide guidance on whether the ABC test as a means of determining whether workers are employees or independent contractors under some California wage and hour laws applies to pending cases or only those filed after the opinion was issued. What does it mean?

New bill introduced in the U.S. House asks for a slight reform in the HOS relaxation rules by extending the 150-mile exemption for ag and livestock haulers throughout the year.

The constant criticism by President Donald Trump of the United States Postal Service’s package delivery deal with Amazon is manifesting itself in other ways as the administration recommends restructuring the Postal Service, possibly into a privately held corporation.

At the Future of Transportation World Conference, Andreas Thellmann from Airbus explained the potential of air taxis being used in urban spaces to reduce congestion on the roads.

The Teamsters statement on the deal with UPS suggests Sunday deliveries are in the offing, and moving cargo from rail to the road.

Months after the start of hard enforcement, there are still some drivers who know little about their ELD.

The tentative “handshake” deal averts what could have been the largest labor strike in the United States in more than 20 years.

Traders on Wall Street apparently were unimpressed by FedEx’s earnings beat, selling the stock down 6.4 percent from Monday’s closing price.

Environmental study also will look at pros and cons of building a freight tunnel to connect New Jersey and Brooklyn.

About 20 companies will visit Ethiopia, Kenya, Côte D’Ivoire and Ghana next week as part of the President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa.

Freight Transport Association tells government: Give us the tools to keep Britain trading

Funding green-lighted for vehicle-processing center at Port of Nanaimo.

Freightliner cites environmental benefits of deal with Japanese carrier.

Railway tracking record C$3.4 billion capital program for 2018.

Most bills introduced now have little chance of passage, but this one may suggest something when reading between the lines.

A sweeping Office of Management and Budget report proposes converting the Postal Service into a privately held corporation and spinning off air traffic control functions from the FAA.

Roadrunner Transportation Systems (NYSE: RRTS) released its delayed 2017 10-K report this week.

At the Future of Transportation World Conference, ZapGo described its carbon ion battery solution that has the potential to charge an electric vehicle to full capacity in five minutes, while a Lithium ion battery takes hours to do the same.