FedEx

Operations to vary depending on pilot markets.

Pilot underway in Dallas-Ft.Worth market.

On Wednesday at the Texan Gaylord Resort and Convention Center, following MarketWaves18, members of the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA) met to receive updates on the organization’s progress toward data standards, hear announcements, share feedback, and learn about the work being done by BiTA’s think thanks.

While transportation was not a front-of-the-ticket issue for politicians in the midterm elections, FreightWaves Managing Editor Brain Straight reported on some significant developments when it came to funding.

Trump going the wrong way on trade, FedEx founder says

Higher rates ahead for FedEx shippers.

Continuing efforts to fight what he says are unfair trade practices, the administration of President Donald Trump announced the U.S. will pull out of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) treaty, which sets how much can be charged for international shipping.

Deal for Australian freight forwarder and customs broker to increase exposure to growing regional economy.

BNSF announced that former chief executive Matthew Rose will retire from a his role as executive chairman of the largest freight railroad in the U.S. effective next April, and more in Today’s Pickup.

As peak season nears, EnVista’s Senior Project Manager Mark Taylor gave FUEL 2018 attendees his best tips to navigate the sea of surcharges that lies ahead.

FedEx, the giant US courier company, proactive adopter blockchain technology and BiTA member, has joined Linux hosted open-source project Hyperledger to further advance the use of distributed ledger in logistics, and transportation.

Transportation services firm misses first quarter estimates as company accelerates pay raises and bonuses.

Parcel giant UPS announced today that it expects to hire about 100,000 seasonal employees to support the anticipated surge in package volume that will begin in November and continue through January 2019. 

Truckers are not singing the blues in Memphis (except on Beale Street): It’s currently the number one headhaul market in the U.S.

Amazon is scaling up its asset side on both last mile delivery and linehaul, pursuing a low-cost strategy of leased vehicles, independent contractors, and power-only deals with enterprise carriers.

Ford will launch a new SUV in China as part of their growth plan, while Uber Freight is spinning off as a separate business unit from Uber under the direction of Lior Ron.

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

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.

Shrugging off any potential disruption due to trade war, FedEx Corp. executives were upbeat about the outlook for 2019 for both the general economy and FedEx’s operating units during its fiscal 2018 fourth-quarter and year-end earnings call on Tuesday.

As blockchain technology works its way into the transportation ecosystem, there is remains plenty to learn about its potential, but its success will depend on multiple parties working together.

Amazon and the US Postal Service have grown package volumes and profits together in a mutually beneficial relationship.

Trucking’s environmental progress since the first Earth Day; Volvo Trucks shares battery tech across brands; US oil exports to Europe jump on Brent/WTI spread; BNSF and Union Pacific offer $25k signing bonuses; FedEx links Guangzhou and Memphis; how China is buying Europe.

Shippers are anticipating continued volume increases, tighter capacity, and further rate increases according to a Morgan Stanley survey.

China approves drone package delivery; driver pay is up 15% in 3 years; Hapag-Lloyd has a plan to switch to low sulphur fuel; Trump gears up for fight with Amazon; Barclay’s thinks WTI crude will drop to $51 this year.

Long-haul trucking is the most challenging duty cycle for a battery-electric vehicle to perform, given the long distances required at freeway speeds with a heavy payload in tow.

New 12 month price targets for FedEx stock range from $260-$310, representing 20% of the company’s value and reflecting uncertainty about how the parcel carrier will improve margins and find synergies with TNT.

President Donald Trump is blaming a “very sick individual or individuals” for a series of bombings in Austin, TX. Trump said during an Oval Office meeting Tuesday with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that the situation is “terrible.” “This is obviously a very sick individual or individuals,” he says, and authorities are “working […]

Transport stocks outperforming broader economy; FedEx adds robots to distribution centers; Knight-Swift picks up a 400 truck fleet; CMA CGM turned around in 2017; Union Pacific’s drones monitoring workers cause union trouble. 

Volkswagen invests $25B in EVs; Tesla exposed to neodymium supply shocks; FedEx to announce earnings today; Union Pacific plans $127M capex in Arkansas; Maersk says Canadian container trade growth will outpace U.S. in 2018.

On top of creating a Godzilla-size footprint across the world, Amazon has also put together a string of strong quarters, 11 to be exact. How significant is their disruption into the carrier space?

Transport stocks were not immune to the big sell-off on Wall Street on Monday, with the Dow Jones Transport Index falling 336.77 points to 10,350.41, a 3.15% fall on the day.

FedEx, in association with BiTA, is looking to create more transparency and data security in logistics operations through blockchain technology.

FedEx Corp. will accelerate pay increases for hourly employees this year as part of its response to the new tax law and expected benefits from it. The company will also make investments in facilities in Indianapolis and Memphis.

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

51% of all returns occur in January, when Americans will send back $30B of unwanted gifts. Reverse logistics represent a huge cost increasingly eaten by retailers, while 3PLs stand to make big margins.

This afternoon FedEx announced its Q2 earnings for fiscal year 2018, which exceeded analyst expectations. FedEx cited higher base rates, volume growth, and cheap fuel as factors in the company’s performance.

One of the big mysteries around hours of service is personal conveyance. When can a driver use a vehicle for personal reasons without it counting against their driving time? The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is now attempting to clarify that usage through regulatory guidance.

UPS faces a major strike threat from 1,300 disgruntled aircraft mechanics, but the good news is that most Christmas e-commerce orders are already onshore.

FedEx and UPS are squeezing e-commerce shippers with more expensive DIM pricing, accessorial fees, and tough rate negotiations. 

FedEx Express has announced the second planned purchase upgrading its feeder fleet–a more powerful Cessna that can haul twice the freight and fly faster than the old Caravan 208s.

Elon Musk has delayed the public unveiling of the Tesla semi, citing issues with the Model 3 production rollout and a focus increasing battery production to help Puerto Rico, Musk tweeted late on Friday.

An unlikely alliance has formed between FedEx and UPS over a common problem. Their respective chief executive officers co-wrote an editorial in the Wall Street Journal in an attempt to get the attention of Trump administration and policy makers regarding needed industry reforms.

FedEx Freight announced that drivers at its Croydon, PA, facility have voted to leave the Teamsters Union. This comes just two weeks after drivers in Charlotte, NC, did the same.

Google Glass, those futuristic glasses created by Google a few years ago are back. Discontinued after meeting with only minor success despite great introductory fanfare, they have now made a reappearance with a focus on corporate America.

According to research from KPMG and HfS Research, more companies than ever are outsourcing their supply chain and logistics services as the job of moving product becomes more complicated. 

Walmart is testing a program where store associates will deliver online purchases, which could have a major impact on package delivery companies. Also, Waymo is testing a self-driving truck and monthly freight index climbs.

FedEx said it was victimized by the massive cyber attack on Friday that hit businesses in an estimated 100 countries. Also, more venture capital money is flowing into trucking and 3-D printers may be altering the movement of freight in the near future. 

While most people assume that drones will someday be making home deliveries, there are other possibilities including droids and even mobile parcel lockers. Whatever method or combination of methods are chosen, though, last-mile delivery may never be the same.

Amazingly, there’s one area of the country where more than 80% of the nation’s freight travels through on its way to its final destination. It’s not Chicago, New York or Dallas. It’s not even in the center of the U.S. Meet Freight Alley.