News

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 […]

“It is on that legacy, the people of Huntsville have responded, a legacy project that will impact our state and city for years and decades to come,” says Mayor Tommy Battle.

Trucking and logistics have grabbed a share of the spotlight this year at the Consumer Electronics Show this week in Las Vegas. None, though, has grabbed more attention than Toyota’s E-Palette concept and alliance that includes such big names as Amazon, DiDi, Mazda, Pizza Hut and Uber.

Most of this research is being done in other states, far away from this part of the U.S. Places like California, Detriot, Singapore, and Pittsburgh are fast becoming the new epicenter of research in this sector.

Mexico’s ambassador to the United States told CBS News there is a 50% chance that the end result of NAFTA negotiations will be termination of the trade pact.

The Commerce Department has set preliminary countervailing duties on imports of uncoated groundwood paper from Canada, which is commonly used for printing newspapers.

The warehouse provider is delisting from the Singapore Exchange on Jan. 22 as part of a $16 billion Singapore (U.S. $12 billion) privatization deal.

Can our huge trade imbalance finally catch up with us and throw cold water on our flaming hot economy?

CSX appoints executive vice president of operations; the Port of Seattle welcomes new commissioners and names commission president; Damco Distribution Services appoints president; and Yodel names chief executive officer.

As a result of its recent investigations, the Commerce Department has set antidumping duty rates on carbon and alloy steel wire rod imports from South Africa and the Ukraine.

U.S. companies must use IRS Form 5713 to report operations in or related to countries participating in international boycotts unsanctioned by the U.S., and to report the receipt of boycott […]

FreightWaves’ readers made the past year a great one for our young brand. Today, we take a fond look back at your favorite articles from 2017.

A lot has been spoken about how the freight industry is sluggish on the uptake with regard to adopting technology, but the truth is, the industry needs a better understanding of demographics than it does technology.

Jim Johnston, longtime president and CEO of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), has passed away following a year-long battle with lung cancer, the association announced Monday evening.

Celadon’s turnaround team is bringing back generous vacation time and cash bonus incentives to recruit drivers for its tweener business. 

Strong economic fundamentals in the U.S. and globally are driving the second-longest bull market since the 1920s. Could the driver shortage ultimately end it all?

Ashlee Vance, who wrote a popular biography of Musk in 2015, observed Musk’s ability to get the most out of his engineers. He asks them “to do the impossible.”

The lawsuits allege that the companies purposely classify their drivers as independent contractors to avoid obligations to pay employee benefits, including unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation and a minimum wage.

Jim Johnston, who served as president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association since 1974, died Monday after a year-long battle with lung cancer.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s Deputy Administrator Daniel Elwell will serve as acting administrator, following the end of Administrator Michael Huerta’s term.

French liner carrier CMA CGM has appointed 20-year company veteran Ludovic Renou to president of CMA CGM America, based in Norfolk, Va.

Consumer demand, a dwindling inventory of sites suitable for warehouse development, and intensified two- and same-day shipping are keeping warehouse prices at record levels.

FLS Transportation Services, Limited (FLS), a North American third-party provider of logistics solutions and transportation management services, is the latest 3PL to become a member of the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA).

The push-pull of technological innovations in transport and communications is nothing new. It’s all a matter of how the technology is adapted and brought into the current marketplace’s way of doing business.

On Friday, the U.S. Department of Labor published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that expands the ability of associations to offer health insurance plans.

Uberization has been a hot term to describe digital transactional brokerage. But a bigger, untapped opportunity might be available in the market 

Concerns are arising in the EU about the West’s waning influence in Eastern Europe as rampant Chinese investment increases, including the $1 trillion One Belt, One Road project to streamline trade.

The era of autonomous trucking is surely coming, but it’s more important for brokers and shippers to get a handle on data than worrying about what the distant future looks […]

Transportation management services and logistics technology provider Transplace has named Frank McGuigan chief executive officer.

The U.S. trade deficit surpassed analyst expectations in November, rising 3.2 percent month-over-month to $50.5 billion, according to the U.S. Commerce Department.

SkyBridge Arizona, which will be the nation’s first international air cargo hub to house both Mexican and United States customs, will operate out of the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport.

A new report from real estate management and research firm JLL revealed that 4.6 million square feet of industrial space is under development across Houston, the Houston Chronicle reported.

Mangbang CEO Wang Gang believes there is plenty of available opportunity in the Chinese freight market for his company develop technological solutions to solve freight issues.

In the developed countries of the West, autonomous driving technology is widely touted as the thing of the future. Move halfway across the globe to one of the densest and the world’s second most populated country, the idea of self-driving vehicles might still be a distant dream.

Tesla is taking pre orders for its Semi, asking for $20,000 each. Participating in such an exercise is likely to end in disappointment

The shift away from fossil fuels has attracted mayors in the state of Hawaii to commit to renewable transportation sources, according to an article written by Honolulu mayor Kirk Cameron with Dawn Lippert.

The company that purchased Trucker Path last week is now looking to raise funds through an ICO and Ripple makes a stir in the cryptocurrency world.

The popular parking and roadside amenities app Trucker Path changed ownership last week. Here is why Renren made the purchase. 

Truckers in the U.S. deserve better pay, but despite what many think, it’s not the fault of the carriers that they are not getting it. The system is broke and needs to be overhauled. 

The worst kept secret in the industry is that demand is in excess of capacity in every mode of truckload trucking, and has been for several months. 

The Trump administration wants to open up nearly all of the outer continental shelf to offshore drilling. That means more energy production, more economic growth, and more truckload miles.

1.4 million returns on National Returns Day, Jan. 3, a fifth consecutive annual record, up 8% from prior year.

Carriers will have an amazing opportunity to participate in RFPs during this bid cycle. Before investing a ton of time, we discuss how best to think of the opportunities

Ever since the United Kingdom pressed for divorce with the European Union, the far-reaching implications have been studied with great interest. Trade is just one of those.

According to ACT Research, preliminary North America Classes 5-8 net order data show the industry booked 58,800 units in December, bringing the full-year net order tally to 543,400. That is an 11% improvement over November and 35% above December 2016.

Known as a “bomb” cyclone, winter storm Grayson has caused delays and closures for shippers and carriers all along the Eastern seaboard as ice, snow and wind could prevent operations […]

The merger forms an intermodal drayage operation with over 1,300 power units in most key markets east of the Rockies, according to a joint statement from the newly combined firms.

Smart cities plan to roll out the latest in transportation technology to help keep their towns clean and safe.

MSTS has become the newest member of BiTA and promises to revloutionize the world freight payments.

EVA Airways announces president and the Port of New Orleans CEO is appointed to advisory council of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

Consulting firm The Tioga Group in February will present recommendations to the West Coast Marine Terminal Operating Agreement (WCMTOA) for potential modifications to the PierPass program, which was created to […]

A weather bomb hit the East Coast over the past two days and it has left a mark that will take shippers several days from which to recover.

How rapidly the autonomous truck becomes a common sight on local roads and interstate highways – both in the U.S. and abroad – depends on numerous factors. Maybe we should check ourselves at the propaganda and hype-machine door.

Realtor.com is calling for 7% growth in single-family housing starts for 2018, with activity concentrated in the Southern and Western regions of the country. 

Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison subsidiary Hutchison Ports has acquired 50% of TMA Logistics BV, the Handy Shipping Guide reports.

Covenant Transport has offered unprecedented signing bonuses to team drivers, demonstrating the challenges in hiring team drivers and the opportunity afforded them if they are successful 

In today’s market carriers have more leverage than ever, and are going to start holding shippers accountable.

A holiday week did little to slow the rising tide of rates as 2017 came to a close. According to DAT Solutions, national spot rates for van and refrigerated loads reached their highest point of the year.

Recently, there were a couple of Facebook posts from owner-operators asking for advice on where to look for new insurance. One poster said their insurance company was dropping them because their “maintenance scores” were too high. What, they asked, did that mean?

“The main objective was to develop a solution that was able to help the customer gain a competitive advantage by getting more out of their assets,” says Victor Perez, president & CEO, of Alchemy IoT on its asset intelligence solutions.

The Permian Basin is breaking production records but drillers cannot find enough drivers to haul the crude, equipment, and crew.

U.S. railroads originated more than 2 million carloads and intermodal units in December 2017, a 4 percent increase from the same month a year ago, according to the latest data […]

CSIS appoints Scholl chair; IICL elects 2018 board leadership; Suddath Cos. names marketing vice president; and BASS picks North American sales vice president.

The China Aerospace Science and Industrial Corporation (CASIC) has begun development of a Supersonic transportation technology, which would shatter Musk’s initially proposed 745 mph design should it come to fruition. Advantage China.

While the Chinese economy went from marginal to the global leader in trade in just 40 years, its political position was primarily quiet. Now China’s participation is paramount to global peace and development.

Electric car manufacturers need cobalt for their batteries, a metal that’s scarce, subject to geopolitical threats, and mined by children.

This year shippers will abandon low-tech brokers en masse as digital freight solutions reach their tipping point.

U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, announced he will step away from Congress at the end of his current term.

The USDA releases a statement claiming 2017 was the third best year ever for US agricultural exports which helped to spur domestic freight markets as well.

The respective heads of the Senate Finance Committee and House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee have announced that they will not seek reelection at the end of their current terms.

According to U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, full implementation of positive train control (PTC) systems across the nation’s vast rail network is a top priority of the Department of Transportation […]

Peloton announced that vehicles equipped with its platooning technology have covered over 1,000 miles in Florida testing.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) will become the system of record for all statements on Jan. 6, except for reconciliation statements, which will be deployed […]

Local industry experts cite increased throughout at the Port of Jacksonville, strong trucking levels and e-commerce fulfillment as motivators behind a strong 2018, according to a report from local media […]

After finding merit in a claim from West Fraser Mills, Commerce is decreasing that firm’s duty rate from 18.19 percent ad valorem to 17.99 percent ad valorem, and the “all […]

Will the enormous investments in energy grid infrastructure required by Tesla’s Semis be priced into the cost of their cars and trucks? And how will the Semi cope with surge pricing at times of peak demand?

Block Array LLC, a Chattanooga, TN-based startup, today announced its membership to BiTA – the Blockchain in Transport Alliance.

Stifel presented reasons why it doesn’t make sense for Home Depot to buy XPO Logistics, but they still think there’s a 31% upside on XPO Stock over twelve months.

The sharing economy is generally organized around a technology platform that facilitates the exchange of goods, assets, and services between people across a varied and dynamic collection of sectors.

Oil prices finished 2017 above $60 a barrel for crude, surpassing their highest level in more than two years. Delivery of light, sweet crude for February was up 1% to $60.42 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude was up 71 cents to $66.78 a barrel.

The latest weekly and monthly DAT Trucking Freight Barometers are continuing to surge strongly into even more positive territory, and proving our September prediction that “the ‘fall surge’ is happening for the first time since 2007,” has come to pass.

The cargo-focused airport in Belgium will invest in airfreight handling facilities in 2018, the airport announced, with an additional 50 million euros invested in future cargo services, according to local […]

Tesla is now accepting orders for its Tesla Semi in three European countries. The different dynamics of the European freight market represent some different challenges for the company.

The location will be the first foreign trade zone warehouse facility in the Team Worldwide global network, and could serve as a regional or national distribution center, the company said […]

The warehouse and logistics services provider has opened a 355,000 square-foot warehouse and office facility in the continually-expanding Dallas Metroplex area for contract logistics and freight management support, the Crane […]

Accelerating global trade growth translated into record import volumes for many major U.S. container ports in 2017, welcome news for ports in the U.S. Southeast, many of which are beginning […]