News

Total intermodal volumes gained 4.5 percent during the second quarter of 2017, with international traffic being the primary driver, rising 5.6 percent, according to recent statistics from the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA).

Truckload, intermodal and logistics provider Schneider National reported a net income of $46.5 million for the second quarter of 2017, or $0.27 per diluted share, an increase of 5.2 percent, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016.

Although carload volumes dropped 0.6 percent for the month, a 5.6 percent increase intermodal traffic spurred continued growth in overall rail volumes in July 2017, according to the Association of American Railroads.

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey names new executive director and board of commissioners chairman, Foss Maritime hires chief commercial officer, and ATA names executive director of the Intermodal Motor Carrier Conference.

A successful test of Hyperloop One’s technology has given rise the possibility that intermodal freight may someday be moved using the technology.

A USA Today investigation into port trucking operations in California has led to three U.S. Senators sending letters to national retailers demanding they crack down on trucking companies and their alleged unfair labor practices directed at drivers.

Autonomous vehicles are alive and well, and now crossing borders. While many states have yet to authorize the testing of autonomous vehicles, a demonstration took place Monday between Michigan and Southern Ontario.

U.S. Rep. Martha McSally, R-Ariz., has filed legislation that reauthorizes the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism program for the first time in 11 years and aims to increase security and cut down wait times at ports of entry.

United States gross domestic product increased 2.6 percent in the second quarter of 2017, more than double the revised 1.2 percent growth rate the previous quarter, according to the “advance” estimate from the Department of Commerce.

The Hong Kong-based containership lessor’s net earnings fell 22.4 percent for the quarter from the corresponding 2016 period, while revenues fell 8.8 percent thanks to lower average charter rates for vessels that were on short-term charters.

After getting the Virginia Port Authority’s financial house in order, VPA Executive Director and CEO John Reinhart is implementing an aggressive capital expenditure program that will expand capacity and add new berth space for large containerships.

Amid sluggish freight rates and oil prices, overcapacity issues, and the Baltic Dry Index pointing to a looming slowdown in global trade growth, finding innovative ways to solve repositioning problems is now a major part of a wider effort to reduce costs in the container-shipping industry.

According to a report published by Josh Sandbulte in the Wall Street Journal, USPS has been picking up the tab for Amazon’s package delivery.

U.S. to send coal to Ukraine Ukrainian-owned company Centrenergo PJSC will purchase American thermal coal this winter. EC clears PSA terminal acquisition The European Commission has approved the acquisition of joint control over PSA DGD of Belgium by Terminal Investment Ltd of Switzerland and PSA of Singapore. Port Elizabeth Terminal & Warehouse v. Port of […]

Contract pricing, which has affected second-quarter earnings for a number of 3PLs, remains weak according to the latest data from FTR.

South Carolina Ports Authority has applied for federal approval and funding for a new marine highway to eliminate trucking congestion in the Charleston port area, according to local news source The Post and Courier.

The recent “Petya” cyber attack involving Danish shipping giant A.P. Moller-Maersk should serve as a stark reminder to all companies in the global shipping industry to reexamine existing systems protections and contingency plans.

A Miami-based arbitration board rejected a demand by Spanish-led Grupo Unidos por el Canal consortium for $192.8 million to cover cost overruns during the construction of a third set of locks for the 102-year-old waterway, Reuters reported.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has appointed Bradley F. Hayes to the position of executive director of trade relations in the Office of the Commissioner.

The Baltic Exchange said it plans to close its freight derivatives platform Baltex on Dec. 29, following a recent announcement by LCH Clearnet that it would end its freight derivative clearing services by the end of the year.

The independent containership owner’s net income for the quarter fell 54.7 percent year-over-year to $20.2 million, resulting from the effects of South Korean ocean carrier Hanjin filing for insolvency in the third quarter of last year.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has proposed a $54,000 civil penalty against St. Louis-based Carboline Co. for allegedly violating federal hazardous materials transport regulations.

Net earnings attributable to Kirby Corp. fell 33.8 percent year-over-year during the quarter to $25.8 million, despite consolidated revenues rising 7.2 percent to $473.3 million, according to the tank barge operator’s most recent financial statements.

The Seattle-based e-commerce giant is holding its first “Jobs Day” on Wednesday because it says it has over 50,000 roles to fill across its U.S. fulfillment network.

   The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission has received nine ocean transportation intermediary license applications and changes for review.     The FMC received a non-vessel-operating common carrier/ocean freight forwarder license application from BGA Group International Freight Forwarders Corp., Miami (Carlos G. Medina-Luque, president).    The agency received NVO/ocean freight forwarder license applications from Area World Logistics, […]

   The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission has received nine ocean transportation intermediary license applications and changes for review.    The FMC received non-vessel-operating common carrier license applications from Oriental Cargo Forwarders, National City, Calif. (Alexander Y. Tiu, vice manager); and Shipping International, Oakland, Calif. (Mehdi Bolourchi, president).    The agency received NVO/ocean freight forwarder license applications […]

The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission has received nine ocean transportation intermediary license applications and changes for review.

   The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission has received nine ocean transportation intermediary license applications and changes for review.     The FMC received non-vessel-operating common carrier license applications from Canfleet Logistics Ltd., Vancouver, British Columbia (Monica H Yen, president); DS Logistics Global, Santa Fe Springs, Calif. (Susan W. Lee, president); and United Harbour Logistics, Ontario, Calif. (Phuong “Jay” […]

   The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission has received nine license applications and changes for review.    The FMC received non-vessel-operating common carrier license applications from Gulf Premier Logistics, Houston (Dee Chase-Unno, vice president); J.B.R. Marine, City of Industry, Calif. (XiuJi Zhang, president); Simple Logistics, Jamaica, N.Y. (Hea Seong Jeong, president); and Worldwide Cargo Services, Lawrence, N.Y. […]

The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission has received nine ocean transportation intermediary license applications and changes for review.

The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission has received nine ocean transportation intermediary license applications and changes for review.

The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission has received nine ocean transportation intermediary license applications and changes for review.

FMC reviews 9 OTI license applications

   The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission has received nine license applications and changes for review.     The FMC received non-vessel-operating common carrier/ocean freight forwarder license applications from A&E Logistics, Chicago (Alison Chan, president); Baggio USA, Miami (Marco Maraschin, assistant secretary); Bonaberi Shipping & Moving, Hyattsville, Md. (Tse E. Bangarie, president); C&C Group, Doral, Fla. (Claudia E. Quintero, president); […]

The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission has received nine ocean transportation intermediary license applications and changes for review.

The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission has received nine ocean transportation intermediary license applications and changes for review.

The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission has received nine ocean transportation intermediary license applications and changes for review.

The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission has received nine ocean transportation intermediary license applications and changes for review.

The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission has received nine ocean transportation intermediary license applications and changes for review.

The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission has received nine ocean transportation intermediary license applications and changes for review.

   The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission has received nine ocean transportation intermediary license applications and changes for review.     The FMC received non-vessel-operating common carrier/ocean freight forwarder license applications from AG International Cargo Corp., Miami (Maria C. Reyes, president); and Baggio USA, Miami (Marco Maraschin, assistant secretary).    The agency also received received applications for […]

American Airlines Cargo appoints managing director, global and key accounts – cargo sales; USA Truck names vice president of safety and risk management; and Transnet National Ports Authority selects chief executive.

Looking to diversify its export business, the Pacific Northwest port is helping send cattle to Vietnam as part of the country’s “glass of milk per child per day” program that aims to ease childhood malnutrition.

CSX CEO E. Hunter Harrison promised “precision scheduled railroading” under his watch, but significant service problems by the railroad and the outcry from shippers seeking relief has pressed the U.S. Surface Transportation Board into taking action.

Japanese ocean carriers NYK, MOL and “K” Line all recorded year-over-year revenue growth in their container segments for the quarter ending June 30, 2017, thanks to rising freight rates.

The 1998 Ocean Shipping Reform Act mandated that non-vessel-operating common carriers publish the services that they offer and make sure the information is electronically accessible, and NVOs have been fighting the burdensome process ever since.

Responding to an unquenchable thirst among worldwide consumers for wine, beer and spirits, express carrier UPS said it has recently expanded its global delivery services for liquor.

Fukuoka, Japan-based Eco Marine Power is preparing for sea trials of solar panels which it has designed in the form of multiple rigid sails to be placed topside on bulk vessels.

A push in on to go electric with more countries planning a ban on sales of gas and diesel cars. Few, though, address commercial goods movement specifically, which is primarily handled by diesel-powered trucks. So what happens to the diesel truck?

“K” Line names managing executive director; Virgin Atlantic Cargo appoints managing director; Crane Worldwide Logistics selects vice president, global specialized solutions; and Hill Dickinson hires legal director for its growing shipping practice.

One comic character in the Hollywood film “Prince of Persia” said that there are only two things that are permanent in this world – death and taxes. For some, proposed border taxes may sound like punishment for not supporting American-made products.

Survey results released last week by the National Safety Council tell a sobering tale of just how tired American workers are, and how that fatigue could be impacting safety on the job.

Echo Global Logistics, Inc. (NASDAQ:ECHO) on Friday announced a rise in revenue for the second quarter, but the resulting $245,000 loss for the quarter and a tough environment for supply chain logistics companies led to a sell-off of its stock on Friday.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union, which represents port workers up and down the U.S. West Coast, has completed voting on a proposed extension to its existing labor deal and early indications are that the extension will be approved.

While eclipses don’t normally cause traffic problems, officials are warning drivers for heavier-than-normal traffic and stopping vehicles as the path of the Great American Eclipse on Aug. 21 will follow closely with several major interstates.

There is a new option that companies are flocking to quickly raise capital: an ICO – initial coin offering. But there are inherent risks in doing so, and they may be too great to overcome for transportation firms.

While a proposal to increase minimum insurance levels is off the table for now, that hasn’t stopped advocates from pushing carriers to increase those limits above the current minimum of $750,000, which was set in 1983.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union, which represents dockworkers up and down the U.S. West Coast, has completed voting on a proposed extension to its existing labor deal and early indications are that the extension will be approved.

Shippers trust carriers to move their goods, but how do they know the carrier they have chosen can get the job done? A new Cerasis blog post lists the 12 data points every shipper should monitor when choosing a less-than-truckload (LTL) carrier.

Orient Overseas International Ltd., parent of Hong Kong-based container carrier OOCL, posted revenues of $1.41 billion for the second quarter of 2017, up 23.8 percent from the corresponding 2016 period.

Total value of cross-border trade between the United States and its partners in the North American Free Trade Agreement rose 9.4 percent year-over-year in May to $98.2 billion.

Since last week, rates from Shanghai to the U.S. West Coast have surged 37.6 percent, from $1,226 per FEU to $1,687 per FEU.

A total of $17.2 million in cargo was reported stolen from the United States and Canada during the second quarter of 2017, down from $31.5 million for last year’s second quarter, according to supply chain security firm CargoNet.

Kansas City Southern names VP of sales and marketing for the energy and short line relations business unit, and VP of intermodal relations, while Delta Airlines appoints vice president of Delta Cargo and V.Group names CEO and chief commercial officer.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Thursday released its newest schedule for delivering the remaining post-release capabilities in its new umbrella information technology system, the Automated Commercial Environment.

A host of carriers have reported earnings with mixed results. Knight Transportation, UPS, Landstar Systems and Covenant were among the carriers reporting.

A ride-sharing company could be the perfect fit to solve the last-mile delivery problems of e-commerce. Here’s why a Walmart acquisition of Lyft could be the edge it needs to overcome Amazon.

Minority growth has been on the rise in the trucking and logistics industry in the recent years, and predictions show no signs of stopping. Drawn in by the attractiveness of middle-class wages and promising opportunities for professional growth, minorities have been steadily increasing the supply of long-haul truck drivers.

Following years of complaints from the trucking industry that carriers are unfairly penalized for crashes that are not the driver’s fault, FMCSA is launching a 2-year demonstration program that allows carriers to dispute the findings of a crash.

The European Union’s competition watchdog said Belgium and France have until the end of 2017 to take the necessary steps to remove the tax exemption.

The Atlanta-based parcel giant recorded a net income of $1.38 billion on revenues of $15.75 billion for the quarter, as its U.S. Domestic Segment thrived from growing demand for e-commerce deliveries.

Crowley Logistics has been awarded a multi-year, $2.3 billion contract to provide transportation and related services supporting U.S. Department of Defense activities in the U.S. and Canada.

The east lane of the Panama Canal’s Miraflores Locks will be closed from 10:00 p.m. on Monday, July 31 until 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 10, according to a statement from the Panama Canal Authority (ACP).

The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners elects new board president, vice president, and secretary; MacroPoint hires chief financial officer; and Union Pacific appoints board member.

Autonomous trucks, it turns out, may not be coming for the truck driver’s job after all. While many are predicting the demise of the worker due to automation, a leading expert on robots says that it will be many years before robots achieve the machine learning capabilities to operate amongst humans.

Paccar reported strong earnings yesterday, in particular growing its parts revenue 8.8% year-over-year for the second quarter, showing the power of aftermarket support.

California Assembly Bill No. 398, otherwise known as The California cap and trade extension, has become but a blip in the news cycle, since the law was passed. The bill extended the state’s cap and trade program that aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions until 2030. But it could mean much higher fuel prices.

Representatives from the air cargo industry told House lawmakers Tuesday that the current method and number of data elements supplied to CBP’s Air Cargo Advance Screening program are sufficient.

Fueled by a 15 percent increase in income from railway operations and a record operating ratio, Class I railway Norfolk Southern’s earnings during the quarter shot up 23 percent to $497 million, according to the company’s most recent financial statements.

Association of American Railroads President and CEO Edward Hamberger called on the Surface Transportation Board to withdraw pending proposals he says are not consistent with the deregulatory goals outlined in the Staggers Rail Act of 1980.

Bremen-based shipping company Harren & Partner reached a deal with “K” Line, Tokyo to acquire SAL Heavy Lift on Thursday.

The air cargo industry is urging Capitol Hill lawmakers to keep up pressure on the Transportation Security Administration to expand its freight screening capabilities through the use of third-party explosive detection canine teams.

The seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index stood at a reading of 138.5 in June, down 4.3 percent from the prior month’s reading of 144.7, according to the American Trucking Associations.

Crowley names vice president of international business and development, ClearMetal appoints vice president of supply chain management, Anacostia Rail Holdings names vice president of its Pacific Harbor Line subsidiary, and Forward Air elects board members.

Justin McDaniel’s custom truck shop, Outlaw Iron, has been dealing with a lot of “sarcastic comments and a lot of negative comments” since Sunday when a truck the company sold was found to be carrying illegal immigrants in the trailer, 10 of whom died.

After a start to earnings season that saw both J.B. Hunt and C.H. Robinson miss expectations, transport stocks received a boost as both Werner Enterprises and Swift Transportation reported better-than-expected reports.

Embark Trucks has announced a $15 million round of fundraising and a collaboration with Peterbilt Motors. The funding was a collective effort spearheaded by Data Collective, reported TechCrunch.

While the industry continues to argue of the value of electronic logging devices (ELDs), it turns out that some of the data they generate can be very useful to carriers and their drivers. Keep Truckin has compiled some of the data its ELDs have collected and done a deeper dive, coming up with valuable insights into roadside inspections, of all things.

Four of the defendants in the Pilot Flying J federal fraud trial have reached plea deals with prosecutors, according to documents filed Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee.

Trucking and logistics provider Werner Enterprises’ net income for the second quarter of 2017 shot up 27 percent year-over-year to $23.2 million on the back of improved freight volume metrics, according to the company’s most recent financial statements.

The American Waterways Operators has released a study documenting the contribution of the U.S. tugboat, towboat and barge industry on the nation’s economy.

U.S. freight volumes across all modes will see 2.8 percent growth in 2017 followed by a 3.4 percent average annual increase through 2023, according to forecasts from the American Trucking Association’s Freight Transportation Forecast 2017.

Launched in November 2015, BCG xChange aims to make it more efficient for ocean carriers to reposition empty cargo containers and has now introduced a new feature allowing users to track the full journey of those containers.

Trailer orders for the month of June exceeded orders taken in May of this year, according to the latest data from FTR. It was the seventh month that orders have exceeded those of the previous month.

Paul Svindland’s appointment as the new CEO of Celadon Group has been enthusiastically by many, including investors who have pushed up the company’s stock in recent weeks. But, Svindland faces many challenges in the weeks ahead.

Just a week after hitting a record high and signaling good things for the market, the Dow Jones Transport Average (DJT) tumbled last week, falling 2.79%. What’s in store for this week?

J.B. Hunt has acquired Specialized Logistics Dedicated for $136 million. The move expands the firm’s access to last-mile distribution services.

Kansas City Southern posted record second quarter revenues of $656 million, a 15 percent year-over-year jump, fueled by carload volume growth in four out of the Class I railroad’s six major commodity groups.

The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved the FY2018 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill, which allocates $6.2 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers, up $190 million from FY2017 and $1.2 billion from the president’s budget request.

The new weekly service is being supported by three dedicated vessels providing direct transits through the Panama Canal between Miami and a handful of cities in Ecuador and Peru.