Stuart Chirls

Stuart Chirls is a journalist who has covered the full breadth of railroads, intermodal, container shipping, ports, supply chain and logistics for Railway Age, the Journal of Commerce and IANA. He has also staffed at S&P, McGraw-Hill, United Business Media, Advance Media, Tribune Co., The New York Times Co., and worked in supply chain with BASF, the world's largest chemical producer. Reach him at stuartchirls@firecrown.com.
May - 2026 -
29 May
Stuart Chirls

Oakland exports lead imports in April

Cargo through the Port of Oakland was little changed from a year ago despite a decline in total vessel calls.

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Stuart Chirls

How rail mega-merger moved ahead, and STB avoided making history

The Surface Transportation Board gave conditional approval of the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern revised merger application, but asked for more information.

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28 May
Stuart Chirls

U.S. fines Maersk $1.9 million over detention charges

Maersk paid a $1.9 million fine to the Federal Maritime Commission for improper detention billing to non-contracting third parties.

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Stuart Chirls

STB conditionally accepts UP-NS rail merger application, wants more data

The Surface Transportation Board accepted the merger application from Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, on the condition that the partners submit more data for evaluation. 

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Stuart Chirls

Maersk denies report its vessel transited dangerous Mideast route

Maersk this week contradicted a consultant’s report that one of its vessels made a recent transit of a violence-plagued Mideast shipping route.

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27 May
Stuart Chirls

Rail freight rolls on in latest data

Surging intermodal helps lift U.S. rail freight traffic to another strong week.

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Stuart Chirls

UP refutes new AG claims, says it provided all answers in merger paperwork

Union Pacific refuted claims by the top law enforcement officials of six states that it omitted key data in its revised merger application with Norfolk Southern. 

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Stuart Chirls

WATCH: Port of Virginia CEO talks about tariffs, investment, and why her new cranes are the most unique among U.S. container hubs

New Port of Virginia CEO and Executive Director Sarah McCoy spoke with FreightWaves at the hub’s annual State of the Port event. 

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26 May
Stuart Chirls

Attorney Generals urge STB to reject new rail merger application

A group of Attorneys General are again urging federal regulators to reject the application for the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern transcontinental rail merger.  

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Stuart Chirls

World’s third biggest shipping line sees Q1 earnings crash

CMA CGM sees precipitous decline in Q1 core earnings as higher volumes failed to boost weak ocean rates.

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22 May
Stuart Chirls

Short line rail hits T&I truck benefits, costly safety mandates

An industry trade group says the new surface transportation legislation offers some rail-positive provisions, but expressed disappointment at inclusions favoring heavier trucks and expensive safety mandates.   

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Stuart Chirls

ILA’s McNamara enters International Maritime Hall of Fame

Long-serving International Longshoremen’s Association executive James McNamara inducted into the International Maritime Hall of Fame. 

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21 May
Stuart Chirls

AAR slams “hypocrisy” as Trump-backed rail safety measure is included in transportation funding bill

The Railway Safety Act opposed by railroads rode Trump’s backing to be included in surface transportation funding legislation.

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Stuart Chirls

Georgia ports volumes hit by higher costs, softer market

The Georgia Ports Authority said higher operating costs and a softer market were reflected in the latest container figures for the Port of Savannah. 

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Stuart Chirls

OmniTrax tabs Hoskins to lead transload

OmniTRAX appoints VP of transload to lead its network-wide expansion.

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Stuart Chirls

DoJ indicts Chinese container makers on price-fixing charges

The U.S. Justice Department has indicted four major Chinese shipping container manufacturers and seven executives in a global price-fixing conspiracy.

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20 May
Stuart Chirls

Rail on a roll as ag, metals, chemicals lead traffic

Rail freight posted another positive week as seven out of 10 categories improved from a year ago. 

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Stuart Chirls

Quarterly loss for Zim ahead of Hapag-Lloyd takeover

Ahead of a takeover by Hapag-Lloyd, Zim earnings were hit by a softer freight rate environment and weaker demand.

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Stuart Chirls

Truck dwell holds, rail up at LA-Long Beach

Southern California ports saw broadly steady container dwell in April across truck and rail.

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19 May
Stuart Chirls

Is peak season here? Trans-Pacific rates level in latest week

As the peak season nears, freight rates are expected to shift from their currently high fuel-cost baselines due to seasonal demand and fleet capacity management.

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Stuart Chirls

Maersk back in the Red Sea: Drewry

Maersk led a growing stream of brand-name vessels transiting the Suez Canal-Red Sea route, says consultant Drewry.  

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18 May
Stuart Chirls

Transportation bill sets $240B for major modes

The House released massive surface transportation reauthorization legislation that sets federal spending for infrastructure and services across a range of modes.

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Stuart Chirls

Could new Zim offer start bidding war? 

An investor’s surprise bid for ZIM Integrated Shipping Services would sweeten the buy price and keep the liner under Israeli control.

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Stuart Chirls

This autonomous ship mooring system really sucks – and that’s a good thing

The biggest port in northern China is using an autonomous vacuum berthing system that secures a container ship in 30 seconds.

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15 May
Stuart Chirls

The U.S. Navy wants to build 15 nuclear-powered battleships  

The Navy’s 30-year shipbuilding plan includes orders for 15 nuclear-powered battleships, dozens of autonomous vessels.

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Stuart Chirls

U.S. in partnership with leading shipbuilding nation

The United States and South Korea agreed to formally cooperate on  shipbuilding investment and development.

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Stuart Chirls

Evergreen profit sank 70% in Q1

Evergreen Marine Corp. saw first-quarter profit tumble 70% as higher container volumes were dragged by weaker shipping rates.

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14 May
Stuart Chirls

Trans-Pacific ocean rates remain above pre-war levels despite muted outlook

Ocean freight rates on the trans-Pacific remain above pre-war levels as retailers warn of tepid peak season gains. 

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Stuart Chirls

Lower revenue, higher costs drive Hapag-Lloyd to loss 

Hapag-Lloyd posted a loss in the first quarter as lower volume and weaker rates hit earnings.

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13 May
Stuart Chirls

Railroads cheer crime bill passage, want DoJ to gear up supply chain theft fight

House passage of a bill to fight retail crime won approval from a rail trade group, who called on the Justice Department to do more to fight supply chain theft.

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12 May
Stuart Chirls

U.S. charges ship operators in fatal Baltimore bridge collapse

The Justice Department is bringing criminal charges against the operators of a container ship that crashed into a Baltimore bridge in 2024, killing six people.  

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Stuart Chirls

Eyeing growth, chassis provider CCM appoints new SVP-General Counsel

Chassis provider CCM has expanded its management team with a new senior vice president/general counsel coming over from a major Japanese auto maker.

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Stuart Chirls

Top 10 ocean forwarder opens new U.S. headquarters

One of the world’s biggest ocean shipping forwarders officially opened its new U.S. headquarters in New Jersey.

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11 May
Stuart Chirls

CN: STB should reject ‘incomplete’ UP-NS merger application

Canadian National urged a U.S. regulator to reject the revised but still-incomplete merger application submitted by Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern.

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Stuart Chirls

Retail imports fuel 2nd best April for Port of LA

The Port of Los Angeles posted its second-best April ever as consumer-fueled volumes surged above year-ago levels.

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Stuart Chirls

U.S.-managed bulk ship attacked in Persian Gulf

A bulk carrier managed by a U.S. company was one of several vessels hit by suspected hostile fire in the Persian Gulf.

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08 May
Stuart Chirls

Trump wants shipping to go nuclear

The U.S. Department of Transportation has launched an initiative to explore powering cargo ships with onboard nuclear reactors.

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Stuart Chirls

More federal funding for Oregon container port — and it’s not in Portland

While Portland has struggled to keep the doors open at its lone container terminal, the Maritime Administration has awarded a grant to a similar project from a competing port.

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07 May
Stuart Chirls

Georgia Ports’ $5B bet: Rewriting supply chain logistics

The Georgia Ports Authority’s annual conference showcased supply chain solutions addressing global trade challenges.

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Stuart Chirls

Weaker ocean rates hit Maersk Q1 profit

Maersk said first-quarter profits fell as weaker rates undercut increased volumes in the ocean container business. 

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Stuart Chirls

McCoy new CEO, executive director of Virginia Port Authority

Sarah McCoy will lead the Port of Virginia as CEO and executive director after serving in an interim role this year.

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06 May
Stuart Chirls

U.S. rail freight stronger across the board

Freight on U.S. railroads from intermodal to grain showed breakout strength in the latest week’s data.

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Stuart Chirls

Panama container terminal bidding stacked against U.S. companies: Source

While Panama chased a Chinese terminal operator out of its ports, U.S. companies face long odds in bidding for those port concessions, a source says. 

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Stuart Chirls

New Georgia inland port poised to take 26,000 truckloads off the road

The Georgia Ports Authority has opened a new inland port it claims will convert 26,000 truckloads of freight to rail each year. 

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Stuart Chirls

CMA CGM container ship hit by missile in Strait of Hormuz

The United States paused military escorts of ships in the Strait of Hormuz after a missile attack on a French container vessel injured crew members Tuesday.  

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05 May
Stuart Chirls

Tradepoint Atlantic, MSC break ground on Baltimore container terminal

Developers break ground on a new Baltimore container terminal they hope will spur a sea change in mid-Atlantic intermodal transportation.

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Stuart Chirls

Marad’s Yi jumps ship as new ports trade group CEO

American Association of Port Authorities tabs Sang Yi, second-in-command at the Maritime Administration, as its new chief executive.  

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04 May
Stuart Chirls

Maersk ro-ro first U.S.-flag ship to safely clear Strait of Hormuz

A Maersk vessel under U.S. military contract made a safe exit from the Strait of Hormuz Monday, escorted by American warships.  

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Apr - 2026 -
30 April
Stuart Chirls

Make it make sense: Low demand, rising rates on the trans-Pacific

Ocean freight rates remain high despite low seasonal demand due to increased fuel costs amid ongoing Strait of Hormuz closure.

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Stuart Chirls

Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern file revised merger application

Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern say their updated merger filing to create the first transcontinental railroad makes an even stronger case for increased growth, lower shipper costs, and a more robust U.S. supply chain.

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29 April
Stuart Chirls

Anti-merger group launches as UP, NS prepare to refile application

As Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern prepare to file an updated merger application with regulators, rival railroads have launched a coalition aimed at stopping the proposed transcontinental tie-up. 

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Stuart Chirls

Uncertainty the new baseline, as the Port of Virginia plans to meet the moment

The Port of Virginia is in the midst of a massive buildout as it leverages its operating status and structural advantages to cement a ranking among the top American container ports.

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28 April
Stuart Chirls

Corman’s Broyles new chair of short line rail trade group

The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association has appointed Justin Broyles of R.J. Corman as the new chairman of its board of directors.

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Stuart Chirls

Trump extends Jones Act waiver for 90 days

The Trump administration has temporarily extended the Jones Act waiver, allowing foreign vessels to carry oil and gas between U.S. ports.

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27 April
Stuart Chirls

The Iran conflict sent Asia-US shipping rates soaring thousands of miles away. Here’s why.

The Iran war is making it more expensive to ship a container from Asia to the U.S., thousands of miles from the conflict.   

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Stuart Chirls

Source: UP-BNSF short line recommended for LA port rail contract

Alameda Belt Line, co-owned by Union Pacific and BNSF, will negotiate for the contract to provide switching services to the Port of Los Angeles-Long Beach.

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Stuart Chirls

Railcar lessor VP elected to freight infrastructure coalition board

Freight infrastructure group’s board adds new member, re-elects four to board.

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23 April
Stuart Chirls

First look: Union Pacific Q1 earnings

Union Pacific reported first quarter income improved from a year ago as improved pricing and higher fuel surcharge revenue offset a narrow decline in carload freight.

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22 April
Stuart Chirls

Intermodal rebounds in latest rail data

Intermodal freight rebounded in the latest weekly rail data to narrow the gap with year-ago volumes.

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Stuart Chirls

Why ‘grossly inefficient’ U.S. ports need automation, and the danger in a new Arctic sea route

America wants to make its maritime sector globally competitive again. But significant obstacles hinder development and expansion, says the chief U.S. ocean shipping regulator.

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21 April
Stuart Chirls

Trans-Pacific container rates rise, but there’s a catch

Persian Gulf vessel traffic still at a trickle as the U.S. presses a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

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Stuart Chirls

US has lost its maritime focus, says FMC’s DiBella

Global reach, transformational change and customer service: Chair Laura DiBella says this isn’t the Federal Maritime Commission you thought you knew.

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20 April
Stuart Chirls

FMC Chief: Ocean carriers knew war could increase fuel prices

The Federal Maritime Commission has again rejected a request by Maersk to waive the 30-day waiting period to implement emergency fuel surcharges. 

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Stuart Chirls

Green light for Strait of Hormuz shipping could take six months after war’s end

It could take six months from the time hostilities cease for insurers to clear Strait of Hormuz shipping for normal operations.

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17 April
Stuart Chirls

Commodities outrun intermodal in latest rail freight data

Commodity rail freight is powering ahead of year-ago levels while intermodal traffic limps along in the latest industry data.

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16 April
Stuart Chirls

One Big Thing will solve rail’s growth problem, says NS CEO

Norfolk Southern’s Mark George says the acquisition of the railroad by Union Pacific will speed up the movement of freight and spur  unprecedented growth across the U.S. rail network.

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14 April
Stuart Chirls

Average March volume was actually good news for the Port of Los Angeles 

A weaker March turned out to be a pre-season tuneup as the port of Los Angeles still managed to play up to the back of its baseball card.

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Stuart Chirls

Merged UP-NS would control half of all rail freight: BNSF CEO

A rival CEO warned the proposed merger of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, if approved, would give the transcontinental behemoth a commanding 50% share of all U.S. rail freight.

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13 April
Stuart Chirls

This U.S. state just banned public funding for port automation

Taxpayers won’t be funding automated container handling at two major West Coast ports. 

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Stuart Chirls

Red flags as busiest Asia-US trade lane hits OOCL results

Hong Kong-based Orient Overseas Container Line saw Q1 profits decline on weaker rates despite higher container volumes.

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10 April
Stuart Chirls

For $3 billion, ocean line expands fleet by 250,000 TEUs

A bullish Evergreen Marine has finalized an order for 11 ultra-large container ships worth $3 billion with two Asia builders.

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Stuart Chirls

Jaxport adds new direct China connection

CMA CGM and the Ocean Alliance have added a direct container service from China and Asia markets to the Port of Jacksonville.

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09 April
Stuart Chirls

Biggest US port getting a big check for fix-ups

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has allocated a record $131.8 million to the San Pedro Bay port complex, including $70 million for the Port of Los Angeles, to fund harbor maintenance, safety, and other projects.

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Stuart Chirls

Ocean rates rise as Hormuz makes fuel top concern

Ocean container operations are stable across a global market outside the Middle East amid sharply higher fuel costs and uncertain availability.

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08 April
Stuart Chirls

New tolls could add $1 a barrel to Hormuz oil

A plan to charge ships a toll to cross the Strait of Hormuz could further increase fuel prices; container ships trapped in the Persian Gulf have yet to move after the U.S.-Iran ceasefire.  

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Stuart Chirls

Grain, crude lead rail freight surge

Commodity rail freight continued to improve from a year ago despite weaker intermodal that dragged down overall traffic.

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07 April
Stuart Chirls

Trump budget boosts military shipbuilding spending by 242% to $65.8 billion

President Trump wants to increase federal spending for shipbuilding by 242%, to $65.8 billion, for battleships, submarines and other military vessels, according to documents released by the White House on Tuesday.

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Stuart Chirls

Best month in years marks broad US rail recovery

Analysis by the Association of American Railroads revealed that March marked a significant turning point for U.S. freight rail volumes.

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06 April
Stuart Chirls

Montreal port chief exits after just two years on the job

The chief executive of the Port of Montreal has departed after just two years on the job, amid soaring cost estimates for a major new container terminal project.

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Stuart Chirls

34,000 shipping routes diverted from Hormuz disruption: Report

Disruption in the Strait of Hormuz forced tens of thousands of vessel route diversions in the first month of the Iran war, indicating a significant and sustained shift in global shipping, according to visibility platform project44.

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03 April
Stuart Chirls

Maersk again turned down on request to fast-track emergency fuel surcharge

The Federal Maritime Commission for the second time declined to waive the 30-day waiting period to implement an emergency fuel surcharge Maersk says it urgently needs to recoup rising operating costs.

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Stuart Chirls

French container ship first major carrier to exit Strait of Hormuz

A 5,500-TEU container ship operated by CMA CGM of France marked the first transit by a major ocean line through the Iran-controlled Strait of Hormuz.

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Stuart Chirls

Rubio: China ‘bullying’ Panama by detaining ships

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused China of ‘bullying’ by detaining dozens of Panama-flagged ships at its ports. 

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02 April
Stuart Chirls

Strait of Hormuz closure pushes Asia-US ocean rates up 29%

Global repercussions of the Iran war are being felt throughout the supply chain, says an analyst, on sharp increases in ocean container rates.  

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Stuart Chirls

Mercedes-Benz sets $4B investment in plant served by Norfolk Southern

Norfolk Southern customer Mercedes-Benz is investing $4 billion in its Tuscaloosa County, Alabama plant by 2030.

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01 April
Stuart Chirls

Norfolk Southern inks Atlanta transload deal with short line operator

Norfolk Southern and Jaguar Transport Holdings are partnering on a multi-pronged deal to grow rail-served and transload customers in metro Atlanta. 

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Stuart Chirls

Intermodal rail edges ahead of carloads in flat week

Freight on U.S. railroads was flat in the latest week data, as intermodal barely edged ahead of commodities shipments.

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Stuart Chirls

Greenbrier, TTX unveil commemorative USA 250th boxcars

The U.S. freight car industry joined America’s 250th anniversary celebration, rolling out boxcars specially decorated to mark the semiquincentennial.

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Stuart Chirls

Trump mulls Iran exit without re-opening Strait of Hormuz; new attack on tanker

President Trump is reportedly considering a U.S. withdrawal from the Iranian conflict without re-opening the Strait of Hormuz.

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Mar - 2026 -
31 March
Stuart Chirls

DP World expands eastern Canada reach

DP World has opened a Montreal freight forwarding office as it expands its Canadian logistics network eastward.

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Stuart Chirls

CN made ‘inaccurate claims’ on rail merger data: UP exec

A Union Pacific executive disputed claims by Canadian National that it intentionally understated traffic it would take from rival railroads in its merger application with Norfolk Southern.

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Stuart Chirls

South Korean-owned U.S. shipyard gets first Navy contract

A Korean industrial giant will help design a new-generation supply ship for the U.S. Navy.

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30 March
Stuart Chirls

Autonomous railcar builder signs short line operator

Autonomous railcar builder Intramotev announced that it has signed a commercial agreement with another major shortline railroad operator.

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Stuart Chirls

U.S. ‘monitoring’ China retaliation against Panama ships

The Federal Maritime Commission said it is closely monitoring retaliation by China against Panama-flagged ships that could compromise the U.S. supply chain.

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27 March
Stuart Chirls

Iran war costing Hapag-Lloyd $40-50 million per week: CEO

Hapag-Lloyd’s CEO said that the war in Iran is costing the container carrier $40-$50 million per week for added fuel, insurance and other expenses.

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26 March
Stuart Chirls

$488 million in port grants offered by Marad

TheMaritime Administration announced nearly $489 million in funding aimed at revitalizing U.S. ports, shipyards, and maritime capabilities.

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Stuart Chirls

Hapag-Lloyd profits tumbled in 2025 despite carrying more cargo

Hapag-Lloyd said 2025 profits fell sharply and warned of a challenging year for shipping on higher costs and ongoing geopolitical risks.

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Stuart Chirls

Back to the future: New wind-powered ship joins trans-Atlantic service

CMA CGM has deployed the hybrid diesel-wind-powered Neoliner Origin to its trans-Atlantic rotations.

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Stuart Chirls

Imports fall 14.5% y/y at Port of Oakland

February import volumes fell by double digits at the Port of Oakland as export traffic led cargo activity.

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