News

With tight truck capacity, driver shortages, and doubts about NAFTA, how much will food prices rise?

February weather is going to be volatile, cold, and stormy as the Polar Vortex returns to North America. Plan accordingly!

“It’s fairly mind-blowing what’s happening in the industry right now,” says Chris Polk, An American Trucker podcaster.

Last Friday, the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA) decided to keep its standards intellectual property open, to encourage ease of adoption. 

With the PyeongChang Winter Games opening ceremonies on Feb. 9, we wondered what kind of logistics operation it takes to make the Olympic Games run smoothly? We break down some of the numbers from past Games in this infographic.

The impact of the government shut down; U.S. oil production; Lyft users ditching their cars; February weather forecasts–all this and more.

Although most federal agencies are furloughing workers, the free movement of freight should not be impeded by the government shutdown. However, research, policy, rule-making, and permit/grant application review processes are largely being suspended.

U.S. Chamber of Congress president, Thomas J. Donohue, is preparing for an uphill battle to push for a raise of the federal gas tax by 25 cents per gallon to help shape the debate about upgrading U.S. roads, bridges, airports and other infrastructure.

A group of leading environmental and maritime shipping organizations have called for the prohibition of transporting non-compliant marine fuels once the global 0.5 percent sulfur cap takes effect in 2020.

Global Logistics Properties, a provider of logistics facilities and solutions, marked the completion of its privatization process Monday by delisting from the Singapore Exchange.

U-Freight, an international freight forwarder and logistics services provider, said e-commerce growth has spurred growth in the air cargo market.

Intermodal pricing rose 4 percent in December compared with the same 2016 period, and that growth looks poised to continue into 2018, according to the latest Cass Intermodal Price Index.

Learning Machine Technologies, a leading global provider of blockchain-based records for institutions including MIT and the Republic of Malta, has joined the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA).

Back in November, KeepTruckin launched a petition drive asking FMCSA to provide a 2-hour exemption for long-haul drivers delayed at a shipper.

Domestic truckload pricing jumped 6.2 percent for the month compared to December 2016, the ninth consecutive month of year-over-year gains, according the latest Cass Truckload Linehaul Index.

The movement of goods is booming in Latin America (LATAM) and it is resulting in a significant rise in the number of commercial vehicles being sold in the region.

South Carolina is looking to increase the fines for driving slower than the average speed in the passing lane, and that is just one of the legislative bills working their way through state legislatures that will affect transportation.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has confirmed its plan to move its truck-making arm from Saltillo, Mexico, to Detroit, MI, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Chad Boblett has built not just a successful Facebook group, but also the largest professional online forum in the U.S. on rates and logistics in the freight industry

J.B. Hunt’s quarterly earnings call reports strong revenues and earnings, but gets a huge hand from tax reform

Outbound rates from the Great Lakes have held steady at the high prices reached during last September’s nationwide spike, but over the past 7 days, they’re trending upward again.

Bettina Warburg explains blockchain to a child, a teenager, a college student, and an expert in this video from Wired Magazine.

American Trucking Associations President & CEO Chris Spear took to Medium on Thursday to tout the benefits the trucking industry will see from passage of the new tax law, including noting an ATA survey that says 50% of fleets are planning wage increases or one-time bonuses.

Parcel volumes associated with e-commerce continue to show outstanding rates of growth, with both FedEx and UPS reporting strong U.S. domestic volumes, but the current strength is more than just the ongoing growth of e-commerce.

IBM and Maersk have teamed up to build blockchain solutions for the maritime container shipping industry, apparently focusing on automating costly import-export documentation.

The Class I railway revealed that for 2018, it is planning to invest between C$1.35 billion and C$1.5 billion in capital programs, and is expecting mid-single-digit revenues growth.

Really want to guess where HQ2 will end up? Follow the tech talent pool and logistics network.

The Texas-based rail logistics provider will utilize blockchain technology in a new cloud-based platform titled RAILChain.

The New Super 1 will sail between Japan, Hong Kong, China, Singapore and Vietnam, utilizing four vessels and a total rotation time of 28 days round.

The interim measures, developed from working groups with participation from airport stakeholders, aim to address factors that contributed to issues like ground equipment failures that occurred during a recent storm.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is finding itself increasingly in the mix as a regulatory agency for exports as well as imports, according to Megan Montgomery, executive vice president of […]

A Government Accountability Office report released Wednesday revealed that U.S. Customs and Border Protection airport officials have not verified licenses for some radiological imports and its processes do not ensure […]

The International Narcotics Trafficking Emergency Response by Detecting Incoming Contraband with Technology (INTERDICT) Act requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection to increase the number of chemical screening devices available to […]

NATSO was invited by the House Committee on Homeland Security to discuss the insidious and pervasive issue of human trafficking.

SCLogic, a leading provider of in-building logistics systems, announced today that they have joined the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA).

Mark Lambert, former co-president of a Maryland-based company specializing in nuclear materials transportation, was indicted for his alleged role in bribing officials connected with Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corp.

The U.S. Commerce Department has taken up antidumping and countervailing duty investigations into decorative ribbon imports from China on behalf of a Pennsylvania manufacturer of these products.

South Korea worked feverishly expanding roads and train services in anticipation of thousands of athletes and spectators and millions of items arriving from all over the world. Then North Korea decided it wanted to join the party. 

The long-awaited infrastructure plan from the White House is taking shape and could be part of President Trump’s State of the Union speech on Jan. 30, according to Reuters. CNN, however, reports that the plan will not likely be finished by that time due to the president’s travel schedule.

In addition to handling a record 2.2 million TEUs in 2017, South Carolina Ports Authority has various projects underway, some of which will be completed in 2018.

Pay particular attention to analytics-driven IoT platforms, computing at the edge, and data exchange brokerages (DEBs), as IoT influences everything from home security systems, to oil and gas exploration, to smart cities, to retail experiences, and beyond.

The temporary speed restriction in the western Gulf of St. Lawrence was lifted because there have been no sightings of North Atlantic right whales in the area of the slowdown […]

The Miscellaneous Tariff Bill Act (H.R. 4318), which has now moved to the Senate for approval, promises to eliminate $1.1 billion in import tariffs during the next three years and […]

Brexit has brought up various challenges that are set to impact the country, both economically and politically. In that regard, the scenes that unfold in the supply chain scenario is worrying and needs contemplation. 

The Lowell, Ark.-based intermodal and trucking provider recorded net earnings of $385.3 million on revenues of $1.99 billion for the fourth quarter of 2017, up 228 percent and 16 percent […]

Seabury Maritime PFRA appointed managing director, advisory; Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Ltd. selected next chief executive; and Truckstop.com named vice president of small and medium business sales.

China-based, state-owned shipping behemoth China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO) has acquired a 49% stake in a landlocked port under construction in Kazakhstan, the New York Times reports.

The American auto industry’s shift to electric vehicles over the next five years may represent an opportunity for Chinese EV makers to capture market share. Several companies have announced plans to expand into the U.S., which might represent a threat to Tesla.

Tropos Technologies’ electric vehicles are capable of hauling over 1,000 pounds and can be configured for cargo and last-mile delivery, perhaps making them an ideal alternative for local delivery.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is asking the Trump Administration to increase the federal fuel tax 25 cents per gallon.

The U.S. maritime regulator outlined a plan identifying certain regulations under its purview that are suited for reform or elimination, and has adjusted its penalty amounts in line with inflation.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is consulting with the USPS on the feasibility of implementing a bill aiming to combat illicit opioid imports.

If you’ve ever had your doubts about Elon Musk’s grand visions, you aren’t alone, but at some point maybe we should get on board the Tesla fan-wagon. Production issues are one thing, but they’re breaking new ground all over the world.

COSCO SHIPPING International announces several appointments; Hamburg Süd names global head of corporate communications; JAXPORT hires director, national container accounts; Logistyx Technologies names CEO; and Flexport appoints VP of people […]

More than a dozen shippers and intermediaries explained during a Federal Maritime Commission hearing Tuesday how carriers engage in punitive assessment of penalties for exceeding contracted detention and demurrage levels.

After a difficult adjustment period in July/August, CSX improved its performance on key metrics like train speed and dwell time, ending 2017 as an industry leader.

International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) has rented out as many as 60 data centers worldwide for the Bitcoin-dependent enterprises using the blockchain.

FreightRover, the freight exchange and streamlined payment platform, announced today that it has joined forces with other industry leaders in the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA).

Even though hyperloop has not yet been officially launched in mainstream transportation systems in the United States, it has piqued the interest of the Chinese government enough to consider a 16-man passenger pod system using the Maglev technology.

The recent mudslides in California have caused a number of travel concerns in California, including along Highway 101, which will likely remain closed until next week, California Department of Transportation officials said.

For fleets that spend time operating on load boards, the high spot rates are a blessing. For shippers, though, it’s been a challenging time as they have been forced to adjust to a new era in trucking.

In the last few weeks, there has been a lot of confusion in the driver community regarding the per diem, which has been eliminated for company drivers under the new Republican tax plan.

The bill would eliminate $1.1 billion in import tariffs during the next three years and increase U.S. manufacturing output by over $3.1 billion.

The biggest hurdle to overcome is the long-distance infrastructure of superchargers.

ZIM appoints chief digital officer; Schneider Packaging names executive vice president; A.N. Deringer selects director of consulting and a new senior trade advisor; and the Container Owners Association names board […]

Mudslides and a dead Pacific Northwest are contributing to high northbound rates coming out of Los Angeles, while extreme winter weather in the Northeast and freight backbuilds are keeping Chicago hot.

Craig Fuller, Managing Director of BiTA, says that blockchain-enabled smart contracts will facilitate more detailed, specialized transactions without the high fees of credit cards.

China’s $3B copper mining deal in Afghanistan, the largest foreign investment in the country’s history, is going nowhere. 10 years into a 30 year lease, supply chain problems are keeping any copper from being extracted at all.

Dutch company, Port Liner, has an innovative solution, introducing an autonomous electric barge for the European market beginning in Q3 of 2018.

Singapore-based blockchain startup LALA World has confirmed a joint development project with Bermuda-based cybersecurity firm, Verifiable Identity-Based Encryption (VIBE), to secure its blockchain-enabled banking system.

A combination of factors continued to drive dry van trailer orders as 2017 came to an end, with December orders up 38% year-over-year, according to FTR.

Though the Food Safety Modernization Act mandate has already been partially implemented with regard to large carriers and fleet agencies, the hard deadline for smaller fleets is up this year.

TraPac appoints new president and CEO; IANA installs 2018 board of directors and officers; the American Maritime Partnership elects leadership positions; and Odfjell names COO, global head of ship management […]

RoadLaunch, a startup based out of Ontario, Canada, has developed a solution that digitizes the available capacity of trucks and trailers to make the process of getting freight quotes and managing fleets a seamless process.

Regulations surrounding autonomous vehicles are taking different approaches in the U.S. and Europe, with Europe writing specific technologies into its laws.

The Chinese government is investing in the country of Georgia in a plan to potentially turn the country into a major export hub for Chinese goods.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is taking a survey of truck drivers’ commutes to and from work.

The recreational use of marijuana in California is now “legal”. The weed transport market is heating up but there is not enough capcity to haul the product 

Click through to the map that shows how North America’s infrastructure is already integrated, despite our political disagreements.

Last-mile delivery might get very interesting very soon. Boeing has unveiled a prototype “unmanned electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) cargo air vehicle (CAV) prototype” capable of hauling 500 pounds.

Based in Ashford, AL, Alabama Motor Express has joined forces with the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA) to help with the implementation of blockchain technology in the supply chain.

Losing your job is a painful experience, and buyers of transportation who can’t get things picked up and delivered on time lose their jobs.

Lost in the flurry of news yesterday from Walmart was a little nugget of information that will have profound impact on freight movements both within the Walmart supply chain and for carriers who transport goods to Walmart.

Direct ChassisLink now owns, leases, or manages about 136,000 marine chassis, as well as roughly 80,000 domestic chassis, for a total fleet of over 216,000 chassis, making it the largest […]

Michael Berzon, who spent his career helping companies enhance the efficiency of their supply chains, died Tuesday from complications associated with Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 77.

Spot container rates from Shanghai to Europe, the Mediterranean and the United States all increased since last week, according to the Shanghai Shipping Exchange’s Shanghai Containerized Freight Index.

FreightWaves had a chance to speak with Jason Schenker about what’s ahead for the freight and automotive industries, and what that means for our lives.

Indian economy is booming and the government is busy at work in improving its rail infrastructure to facilitate trade and reduce logistics friction across the country. 

FreightWaves, in partnership with the Georgia Tech Institute of Technology and the Blockchain in Transport Alliance, will be presenting the inaugural Transparency18 Future of Freight Conference, May 22-23, 2018, in Atlanta, GA, at the Georgia International Convention Center. The event promises to be unlike any previous trucking or logistics show.

For years, port trucking companies in southern California have used lease-to-own agreements with their drivers to avoid costs like fuel and insurance, re-classifying their employees as independent contractors. Now the city of Los Angeles has filed suit to put an end to the practice.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Automated Commercial Environment in-bond reporting will become mandatory for all carriers in August.

Have the good days of high rates ended? While not declaring an end to rising van spot rates, a blog post yesterday by DAT Solutions’ Matt Sullivan did note some indications that the rapid rise may be slowing.

Owner-operators have unique insurance needs, and it matters whether you have your own authority or are leased to a carrier. Either way, it’s important to understand what coverage you need and find policies that fit your budget.

With all the cheering from business over passage of the Republican tax plan, the next step in the tax reform journey has now begun: the real-world impact. And it could fundamentally change the way drivers are classified.

The value of Bitcoin may fluctuate, but the level of energy consumption needed to mine the currency is shooting straight up. This begs the question- will countries with cheap electricity reconsider this as they are forced to look at dirty forms of power? 

The value of Bitcoin may fluctuate, but the level of energy consumption needed to mine the currency is shooting straight up.

A new study acknowledged that Portland’s geography as a river port and marine industry consolidation pose challenges to the recovery of weekly transpacific container service.

The Canadian port handled 24.1 million metric tons of cargo in 2017, beating 2016 figures by 28 percent and exceeding the previous record high of 23 million metric tons that […]

Today prosecutors played a tape of former Pilot President Mark Hazelwood using the n-word and disparaging the citizens of Cleveland, Ohio, and Oakland, California. The other defendants asked the judge for separate trials, but he said a decision would have to wait.

National Treasury Employees Union National President Tony Reardon said that prospects of a pay freeze have been a deterrent for potential U.S. Customs and Border Protection field officers he has […]