News

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore has rescinded the bunker supplier and bunker craft operator licenses of Transocean Oil Pte Ltd, MPA Singapore said in a statement Monday.

The Houston-based tank barge operator performed better than expected during the quarter as several tailwinds more than offset the negative impacts from hurricanes, according to president and chief executive officer […]

Japan was the leading market for U.S. beef exports in terms of volumes and value during the month, despite its recent duty rate increase on imports of frozen U.S. beef.

Tuesday morning, Pilot’s army of defense lawyers got their chance to re-frame the case as one of government overreach, where federal prosecutors relied on dubious witnesses to tar Pilot’s executives with guilt-by-association. 

A combination of slowing economic growth, burdensome tax policy, and weak infrastructure is crippling Brazil’s transportation and logistics industries. 

UPS (NYSE:UPS) today said it has joined the Blockchain in Trucking Alliance (BiTA), a forum for the development of blockchain technology standards and education for the freight industry.

As 2017 winds down, many carriers are taking a hard look at their tax situation. Is there anything they can do now that can reduce their tax liability? There is, and it comes in the form of equipment purchases.

The price of diesel fuel jumped last week, rising 6.3 cents per gallon to $2.882. The increase follows a rise in oil prices and a 20-cent jump in fuel taxes in California, that went into effect on Nov. 1.

As the trial date later this month quickly approaches, Waymo LLC is starting to feel some additional heat from U.S. District Judge William Alsup as details of Waymo v. Uber begin to surface, ARS Technica reports.

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), which represents shipowners’ associations covering more than 80 percent of the world’s maritime fleet, says the elimination of carbon emissions from oceangoing vessels is […]

The Jacksonville, Fla.-based Class I railway may be backing away from its previously announced plans to develop an intermodal rail terminal neat Rocky Mount, N.C., according to multiple media reports.

Florida’s leading perishables seaport also welcomed the first shipment of Colombian Hass avocados into the United States on Monday.

The French ocean carrier reveled its nine future 22,000-TEU containerships, all of which are slated for delivery in 2020, will be equipped with engines that will run primarily on liquefied […]

Through the third quarter of 2017, Berkshire Hathaway-owned Class I railroad BNSF posted an operating income of $5.3 billion, a $462 million (9 percent) increase over the first three quarters […]

Fuel theft and fuel card abuse is a constant problem, but finding $300 worth of abuse on a $5,000 monthly fuel bill is not easy. That’s where Fueloyal believes it can help.

A study commissioned by the U.S. Grains Council and National Corn Growers Association found that U.S. grain exports exports supported $55.5 billion in economic output in 2015, with the top […]

Air Menzies International gains new CEO; Kalmar appoints senior vice president, global terminal operators; VARGO hires systems engineer; and Wen-Parker Logistics adds new member to its board of directors.

On Monday in Chattanooga, federal prosecutors presented their opening arguments in the conspiracy and fraud trial of former Pilot Flying J employees Mark Hazelwood, Scott Wombold, Karen Mann, and Heather Jones.

Argus Transport Canada, a technology-driven Montreal based trucking and 3PL today announced it has joined the Blockchain in Trucking Alliance (BiTA).

Toyota unveiled a new fuel-cell car at the Tokyo Motor Show wearing an airless tire concept from Sumitomo. There are a number of airless tires used in specialized applications, despite issues with weight and rolling resistance.

SmartDrive Systems, which is already among the leaders in video-based safety systems, is adding sensors as an option for fleets to help detect drowsy and fatigued driving. The company made the announcement at the recent American Trucking Associations Management Conference & Exhibition in Orlando, Fl.

In the early days of trailer tracking, companies were simply looking for missing trailers. But technology has advanced, and trailer tracking is trying to keep pace. Now, the data generated by trailers can rival that of tractors, and properly managing that data could generate more revenue potential for carriers than ever before.

Iowa is teaming with seven other Midwestern state DOTs to build an accurate, real-time information system on where available parking spots are located.

The U.S. trade deficit totaled $43.5 billion for September, a 1.7 percent increase from August, as rising exports were offset by an even higher increase in imports.

Combined U.S. carload and intermodal originations rose to 2.2 million units last month, up 3.1 percent compared to October 2016, according to data from the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

The global third-party logistics provider recorded net profits of 17.8 million Kuwaiti dinars (U.S. $58.8 million) on revenues of KD 358.5 million for the quarter, increases of 17.4 percent and […]

The private equity firm’s purchase of the 4 million-square-foot industrial real estate portfolio reportedly includes warehouses, distribution centers and other industrial sites.

The independent tanker company recorded a net loss of $28.1 million or the third quarter of 2016 due primarily to an oversupply of tonnage coupled with new vessel deliveries, according […]

One of the fundamental problems with freight hauling in India is the apparent difficulty in decoding the logistical cacophony that exists across all levels in the industry. Digital freight management tools and marketplaces have sprung up in recent times, but are still in a nascent stage.

Jeff Mason joins FreightWaves as Managing Director. Jeff was previously with ATA, where he ran Transport Topics and TIA where he served as Chief of Staff. Prior to joining industry associations, Jeff ran the trucking content and media businesses of Randall Reilly. 

MTC Logistics appoints chief information officer, general managers and plant manager; while the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) elects new officer team.

“Uberization” has become a huge buzzword in the 3PL industry, but the business models of the digital brokers using apps is unlikely to have an impact on the way the industry operates. The technology of smart contracts, however, is a game-changer. 

The on-demand trucking service trend has hit France, as Convargo is now seeking to become that country’s “Uber of trucking,” TechCrunch reports. The company, which pitched itself as “a marketplace for shippers and carriers,” has raised $19 million in a Series A round of funding.

The push for autonomous vehicles is gaining more traction as it is provides an easy solution to the worsening driver shortage. Greg Nichols, writing for ZDNet, says the obvious reason is that “millennials don’t want to drive trucks.”

Amazon has written a provision into the National Defense Authorization Act that could funnel huge amounts of Department of Defense procurement through their platforms, giving them even more leverage over suppliers.

ITS Logistics announces they have joined the Blockchain in Trucking Alliance. This will allow ITS Logistics to play a role in creating a common framework and standard for blockchain technology as it proliferates into the freight and logistics industry.

Conditions are still not satisfactory for rail shippers, even after the Agricultural Transportation Working Group sounded the alarm on what they call problematic and deteriorating rail service provided by the one of the nation’s four major rail carriers.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) SmartWay program has recognized 48 carriers, retailers, manufacturers and logistics companies with its SmartWay Excellence Awards.

The Republican tax plan has officially been unveiled, and it includes a permanent corporate tax rate cut from 35% to 20%. The $1.5 trillion plan also includes the shrinking of the number of tax brackets to just four and eliminates the alternative minimum tax. It does not change the pretax treatment of 401K plans, as had been discussed previously.

With less than two months left before the ELD mandate goes into effect, statistics coming from ground zero on the compliance of carriers to the proposed rule are far from satisfactory.

With no agreement to diffuse the long-running trade battle between the United States and Canada over softwood lumber, the U.S. Commerce Department said it will proceed with imposing antidumping and […]

Carrier consolidation and the deployment of larger containerships, coupled with lagging infrastructure has created significant issues for North American terminals, according to a new report from consulting firm AlixPartners.

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

The PortMiami Perishables Committee, which represents the region’s bustling fruits and vegetable import industry, has asked the nation’s top agricultural official to intervene in turning back significant federal treatment fee […]

The third-party logistics provider saw its net profits drop despite revenues increasing 12.8 percent as it absorbed debt and expenses from recent acquisitions.

Given a shift in focus to include growing partner government agency (PGA) controls, perhaps the term “customs broker” has become a misnomer in terms of the realities of the job, […]

Less-than-truckload (LTL) holding company YRC Worldwide Inc.’s net income tumbled 78 percent from the third quarter of 2016, although the company did manage to boost revenues and lower its outstanding […]

The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has set up a new page on its website to provide the public with updates on its regulatory reform initiative.

Maersk Container Industry selects new chief executive officer; Glander International Bunkering appoints managing director of its Norway office; and Gebrüder Weiss names country manager, air and sea Germany.

The more individuals participating in a marketplace, and the more money that is being transacted in that marketplace, the more predictive that marketplace becomes. That’s why trucking remains one of the best indicators of economic activity. Here is what the weekly DAT Barometers for dry van, reefer, and flatbed are saying.

This is what being “deep in production hell” looks like. Yesterday Tesla reported wider-than-expected losses of $671M for the third quarter, the largest quarterly loss in the company’s history, which comes right on the heels of a $336M loss in Q2.

Sayfullo Saipov, the 29 year old Uzbek immigrant who has been charged with using a Home Depot rental truck to kill 8 people in Manhattan on Wednesday, was a CDL holder who had attempted to start multiple trucking companies in the U.S.

The Alliance for Driver Safety & Security, aka the Trucking Alliance, has adopted four technologies that the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety says is critical to reducing large truck crashes.

C.H. Robinson, a world-leading third-party logistics (3PL) provider, announced today that it has joined the Blockchain in Trucking Alliance (BiTA) to influence the development of blockchain standards and applications in the transportation business.

Using onboard video cameras can not only reduce risky driving behaviors, they can also lead to a significant decrease in insurance premiums, with one fleet reporting it saw its insurance premiums drop 55%.

An FMCSA pilot program to study the impacts of allowing drivers more flexibility in determined when they rest is being welcomed by many in the industry.

Former Tesla shareholder Daimler seems intent on upstaging the upstart with its own electric truck program, reports Bloomberg. Weeks before Tesla is set to unveil its own electric vehicle, Daimler introduced its own model, the E-Fuso Vision One.

The Jacksonville, Fla.-based Class I railway will not be moving forward with a project that would have allowed the tunnel, which connects to the Port of Baltimore, to accommodate double-stacked […]

Driven by top line sales growth and a booming e-commerce market, the roll-up trucking and third-party logistics provider reported the highest revenues, net income and cash flow of any quarter […]

The National Waterways Foundation (NWF), in cooperation with the U.S. Maritime Administration (MarAd), released a study that examined the economic impacts of unscheduled lock outages and highlighted the benefits associated […]

The terminal and port services provider subsidiary of Watco Cos. has also signed a deal with the Port of Catoosa for sole operation of the main dock at the Oklahoma […]

E-commerce giant Amazon currently has operating fulfillment centers in three other Georgia cities: Jefferson, Lithia Springs and Union City.

The Port of Oakland’s board of port commissioners names board secretary; and Selandia Ship Management appoints chairman.

Trucking operators may soon turn to a computer program to send drayage trucks to and from port terminals and elsewhere.

Riskpulse, the leader in providing weather risk analytics for supply chains, has issued a retrospective report discussing how they advised their customers during the historic 2017 hurricane season.

Arrive Logistics, a top 75 U.S. transportation brokerage, headquartered in Austin, Texas, announced today they have joined the Blockchain in Trucking Alliance (BiTA). Arrive Logistics is the fastest growing freight broker in the United States.

Unlike in the United States or Europe, shipping across Brazil is a hassle since there aren’t a lot of comprehensive cross-country providers with transparent processes for pricing, standards and tracking mechanisms. Intelipost is set to change that by providing SaaS solutions for managing logistics providers under one roof.

Even with rates rising – both contract and spot – and capacity tightening, attracting drivers still remain a primary concern for fleets. Driver pay is increasing, but outside influences are still hurting the recruitment efforts.

Two bills introduced in the U.S. House last week could potentially change the classification of port truckers, requiring them to become employee drivers.

P.B. Industries (PBI) has joined the Blockchain in Trucking Alliance (BiTA), an Alliance to create a common framework in order to assist members and industry participants with their organization’s decision to develop and adopt blockchain technology. 

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has reduced accidents 7% in New York since implementing a driver training program using virtual reality, according to Work Truck Online. The program, delivered by Virtual Driver Interactive (VDI), is called Virtual HD and has been used by USPS since 2015.

During an Oct. 30 hearing, members of the House Committee on Homeland Security received testimony regarding port security from representatives of the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard and […]

Total intermodal volumes increased 6.3 percent during the third quarter of 2017 with the seven high-density trade corridors tracked by IANA collectively up 5.2 percent, according to recent statistics from […]

Container carrier reliability stood at just over 72 percent in September, marking the third straight month of declines, according to Lars Jensen, chief executive officer and partner at SeaIntelligence Consulting.

The Hong Kong-based containership leasing giant has also appointed Bing Chen to serve as its next chief executive officer, effective January 2018, following the retirement of co-founder and longtime CEO […]

Jack Hellmann, chairman, president and CEO of short-line and regional railroad operator Genesee & Wyoming, said the company is continuing to evaluate various acquisition and investment opportunities across its global […]

Seaspan names new chief executive officer; Wen-Parker Logistics appoints key account manager and director of finance; and ContainerPort Group President passes away.

Rolls-Royce envisions a future of autonomous cargo and naval vessels controlled from futuristic shore facilities. Click through to watch their sci-fi style film about how a Finnish shore control center responds to losing contact with one of its ships.

DAT Solutions has joined the Blockchain in Trucking Alliance (BiTA). The Alliance is promoting blockchain technology and standards in the transportation industry. DAT operates North America’s largest digital freight marketplace.

FleetPal is looking to help smaller businesses with a comprehensive directory for truck maintenance solutions. “The idea of FleetPal is to bring everyone together on a single platform – the truck repair vendors, truck parts vendors, fleet owners, and the drivers themselves,” says Milko Valnev, co-founder.

Agriculture industry representatives are still waiting for a response from the U.S. Department of Transportation regarding a delay for agricultural carriers concerning electronic logging device (ELD) rule enforcement.

Heightened tensions in the South China Sea over territorial disputes threaten $5T in shipping and $1.2T in US-only imports and exports.

Chances are pretty good you got into trucking to make money. Some carriers, though, continue to suffer through lean year. They are always running short of money, and can never seem to get ahead. Their problem may be their hauling rate.

FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) took a tumble in August, the firm said, dropping to a negative 6.7 reading. Most of the decline was due to the short-term fuel cost increases because of disruptions due to Hurricane Harvey.

There are some things that money can’t buy. For everything else, there’s Mastercard even for blockchain as reported by ZDNet. This opens up new opportunities for merchants and financial institutions alike to apply this technological trend to their own e-commerce-related foray into cloud-based solutions.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has awarded a second $213 million contract to Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Co. to carry out the remaining dredging of Charleston Harbor’s entrance […]

In other news, China COSCO Shipping’s tanker unit, COSCO Shipping Energy Transportation, will order 14 tankers, according to a report from maritime news outlet Splash 24/7.

The $10 million gateway facility at O’Hare Northeast Cargo Center joins DHL’s two other Chicago facilities as the German forwarder expands its operations in the U.S. Midwest.

NYK Line and “K” Line got back into the black during the six months ended Sept. 30 after posting losses in the same 2016 period, while MOL’s earnings took a […]

Californians are about to see huge increases in the fuel taxes they pay at the pump. California’s Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, was signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown (D) in April and will begin taking effect this Wednesday with a 12 cent jump in the gasoline base excise tax and a 20 cent spike in the diesel fuel base excise tax.

Dole, Driscoll’s, Golden State Foods, Kroger, McCormick and Company, McLane Company, Nestlé, Tyson Foods, Unilever and Walmart are teaming up with IBM Blockchain to identify vulnerabilities in the food supply chain in order to prevent the effects of tainted food before they occur.

eCapital, a leading supply chain financial services provider, announced today that it has been selected as the newest member of the Blockchain in Trucking Alliance (BiTA). BiTA was formed by experienced tech and transportation executives to create a forum for the development of blockchain standards and education for the freight industry. View member companies here.

Last Friday afternoon, Stifel Financial Corp.’s John Larkin hosted a conference call with Blockchain in Trucking Alliance (BiTA) Founder Craig Fuller, President Chris Burruss and 228 industry participants to discuss how BiTA will work as a forum to create standard protocols and procedures for supply chain participants as the industry shifts to blockchain over the next 3-5 years.

In the tussle to improve conditions of the freight marketplace for both the carrier and shipper community, a lot has been left to be desired for the truck driver fraternity. A community-driven application named Road Hunter is now trying to take center stage – helping truckers on the road with essential information on truck stops, fuel stations, repair shops, and even weather updates.

The trailer portion of EPA’s Phase 2 greenhouse gas regulations will be on hold following a federal appeals court hearing on Friday. The court, with the support of EPA which did not challenge the ruling, stopped implementation of the rule that affects trailers.

Between Amazon’s rapid growth and unpredictability, third-party logistics providers say it is definitely a looming concern as to whether the e-commerce giant will be a threat to their business in […]

The North Atlantic port handled 573,458 TEUs in September, a 15.2 percent increase from 12 months prior, back when 18,000-TEU ships were not able to sail beneath the Bayonne Bridge.

Germany’s Finance Ministry said in a document that a complete or partial sale of Schenker AG, the logistics arm of state-owned rail operator Deutsche Bahn, could be taken up again, […]

Chicago-based freight broker and third-party provider Echo Global Logistics recorded a net income of $2.4 million on revenues of $509.5 million for the quarter, according to the company’s most recent […]

The Jacksonville, Fla.-based asset-light provider of integrated transportation management solutions recorded earnings per share (EPS) of $1.01 for the quarter, surpassing the street consensus estimate and Q3 2016’s EPS of […]