The Daily Dash is a quick look at what’s happening in the freight ecosystem. In today’s edition, we look at a request by the Self-Driving Coalition, good news about the Ever Given and more.
The High Five
1. A group representing makers of self-driving cars and trucks wants the Biden administration to reconsider its recent order mandating that manufacturers and operators of automated vehicles promptly report data involving certain crashes that occur while the automation technology is engaged. John Gallagher from Washington
2. Big M&A deals are starting to roll in for the publicly traded truckload carriers. After months of management teams saying they would look to deploy their strengthening balance sheets on accretive acquisitions, the fruit is finally shaking loose from the tree, with the nation’s largest TL carrier making a big splash. Todd Maiden’s analysis
3. The logjam of containers and ships at the Port of Yantian in China has noticeably improved in the 13 days since COVID-related safety restrictions were lifted and terminals resumed full-scale operations, but cascading delays could impact the peak holiday shipping season. Eric Kulisch with more
4. The hot warehouse automation trend continues, with more investor money flowing into the space and a possible new unicorn on the horizon. Hai Robotics, a Chinese company that expanded into the U.S., is reportedly working on a $150 million fundraising round that would place the pre-money valuation of the company at $1.3 billion. Brian Straight’s story
5. The Ever Given finally is on the move again. Egyptian officials apparently were just as happy to see the once-stuck container ship sailing again as the vessel’s operator, Evergreen Marine, and shippers with cargo aboard the 20,000-TEU ship. Kim Link-Wills with more
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