Coronavirus Freight Industry

A look into the quantity of freight transported between North American borders last year.

2020 US rail traffic has declined due to the coronavirus outbreak. 

Trailer Bridge’s Indie Bollman describes the company’s efforts to remain engaged with staff and provide opportunities for growth amid a restricted work environment.

FreightWaves partnered with Redwood Logistics to assess the current state of the manufacturing industry and assess where it is headed in the new year.

The railroads say they are ensuring their networks keep running as coronavirus cases surge in the Midwest. Meanwhile, union members want the railroads to be more consistent in their responses to the pandemic.

CDC data show transportation workers can be at increased risk for infection.

Pfizer is laying the logistics groundwork for what is considered the largest-ever vaccine distribution campaign.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is optimistic for a Phase 4 COVID relief bill signed by the end of the year.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the transportation sector is back on the rise.

The U.S. is experiencing an import surge.

A new supply chain is emerging. Here’s a dive into supply chain recovery and adaptation, pre- and post-COVID.

Credit agency raises flag on long-term funding issues.

Mullen presided over rollouts of HOS, Drug/Alcohol Clearinghouse.

Emergency exemption for all of U.S. extended through September 14.

Logistics providers are worried that new emergency measures to combat a COVID resurgence in Victoria, Australia, will hamstring deliveries of imports and exports.

Trade has been destabilized by the pandemic. Can trade credit insurance help de-risk trade to a degree and help solidify supply chains?

OOIDA warns suspending federal excise tax would hit Highway Trust Fund.

Trump opposed CARES Act loan in May unless agency raised rates it charged Amazon

Possible fines range from $13,000 to $130,000.

COVID-19 emergency HOS exemption extended another 30 days

Carriers must continue random drug testing at 50% rate.

Truck drivers traveling in Texas will have to don face masks in public as part of Gov. Greg Abbott’s new COVID-19 mandate, issued on July 2.

Expiration pushed to Sept. 30 as need for new drivers continues.

Drivers with expired licenses given relief until September 30

Move aimed at preventing possible container transportation emergency.

Read the full story, here.

Mullen not expecting the issue to “go away any time soon”

15.6 million masks from FEMA going out to trucking, maritime, rail sectors.

Opponents of increasing size standards for trucks fear permanent changes post-pandemic.

Pennsylvania Turnpike cites surge in e-commerce as a factor.

FMCSA’s Mullen scheduled to meet with White House officials, according to source.

Carriers shift to road experience as entry-level applications drop off.

Is meat the new toilet paper? What’s the connection between consumer spending and the freight market? We provide answers and recap FreightWaves LIVE @HOME in this week’s lineup of podcasts!

“Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta” star allegedly spent $1.5 million on things such as jewelry, child support

Recommendations include electronic invoicing, advance appointments, emergency sick leave.

“Substantial” federal funding needed to maintain service, board chairman warns.

Selection from private sector feeds speculation of potential privatization of federal agency.

ATA intermodal group alleges $1.8 billion in haulage overcharges

Nearly 80% of owner-operators and small fleets do not have plan in place, ATRI finds.

Trump says meeting with administration officials “will work out well.”

Watchdog report lists “priority issues” requiring agency attention.

Supplies from FEMA follow calls by industry and lawmakers for more COVID-19 protection.

Trump and Republicans at odds over using pandemic as bridge to transportation funding.

Triple the number of vessels at anchorage increases risk of oil spill.

“More work to do” as FMCSA closes in on 900,000 total registrants.

Temporary change could leave carriers vulnerable to disqualified drivers.

Group says more coordination needed to address insufficient supply of masks, hand sanitizer.

Sector makes up 3% of $342 billion worth of COVID-19 payroll protection loans.

Learn more at SONAR.FreightWaves.com.

On today’s show: PPP, economic recovery, economic impact payments, SONAR powered freight flows, more.

Less-than-containerload services offer forwarders and their shippers an alternative to more expensive air freight and full-container transport services, industry experts say.

Pandemic pressures on tourism, oil and textiles squeeze Caribbean cargo demand.

The Supply Chain Intelligence Center pinpoints trouble spots on the nation’s highways and ports to U.S. humanitarian relief providers responding to the health crisis.

Good news for box carriers: Freight rates haven’t collapsed. Bad news: Volumes have.

Lobby group puts tab for restoring 231,000 U.S. bridges at $164 billion.

States must submit plan detailing use of technology that supports social distancing.

Knowledge test training course no longer needed for third-party examiners.

Retail coalition cautions federal government about potential dangers to easing restrictions on Interstates.

Cargo flows face worst hit in a century but have potential to bounce back fast.

Truck drivers would be eligible for COVID-19 “pandemic premium pay” under the proposal.

No collapse yet for ocean container spot rates. In fact, they’re up.

Plunging demand on land has yet to be fully felt by ocean shipping

Coalition says legislation would help ensure flow of new drivers.

Feds okay food trucks while Arizona opens long-shuttered highway facilities.

Carriers slash even more ocean services in bid to prop up rates as demand crumbles.

Read the full article to learn more.

Drivers may receive more warnings, fewer walk-around inspections for violations.

States allowing 100,000-lb. trucks making a difference for resupplies during COVID-19.

Canceled sailings surge, schedule reliability sinks and import demand evaporates.

As most of the transport sector suffers, crude-tanker owners haul in boatloads of cash.

CEO David Jackson details Knight-Swift’s preparations for coronavirus and its drivers’ dedication through these unique circumstances.

More booking cancellations equal more ocean-service cancellations equal more delivery uncertainty.

An in-depth look at coronavirus risks to Panama Canal transits.

Three-month waiver helps clear path towards CDL for learner’s permit holders.

Some believe Capesize rates will remain depressed. Others see light at the end of the tunnel.

In the times of COVID-19, logistics companies are stepping up to help the industry in ways they can.

Congress expected to approve package that could help avoid permanent shutdowns

Social distancing will wreak havoc on trans-Pacific and Asia-Europe box volumes.

DMV closures causing loss of estimated 25,000 to 45,000 new drivers per month

An exclusive interview with Nerijus Poskus, global head of ocean freight at Flexport.