International

This week Borderlands: Nearshoring draws more U.S. logistics investment to Mexico; Volkswagen issues temporary work stoppage at plant in Mexico; commercial auto supplier TitanX expands Mexican factory; and a truck driver in Texas dies in a collision with a freight train.

The partnerships with the two truck carriers for intermodal service will create new business opportunities for all three companies, CPKC officials said during the company’s first-quarter 2023 earnings call.

Not to be outdone by CPKC, CN said it is partnering with Union Pacific and Grupo México to provide a new, cross-continent intermodal service that will seek more truck-to-rail conversions.

This week in Borderlands: $102M cold storage warehouse planned for Houston area; auto parts supplier opens $34M plant in Mexico; steel manufacturer, distributor expands Texas operations; and CBP seizes $21M worth of fentanyl in green beans shipment.

This week in Borderlands: Production and exports of Mexican-built cargo trucks soared in March; Walmart is closing a logistics facility in Fort Worth, Texas; Target announced three distribution centers in Texas; and Maersk opened a global service center in Mexico City.

Commercial operations at a Texas border bridge have been suspended temporarily as U.S. border agents assist with migrant processing.

Two Canadian cities are taking an aggressive stance against illegal truck parking and storage in their communities.

This week in Borderlands: LG Energy Solution is building a $5.5 billion EV battery plant in Arizona; a France-based auto parts maker opens a $147 million plant in Mexico; Nuevo Leon opens a $100 million “peripheral” highway; and an Arizona port of entry opens cold storage rooms.

The port of entry in Laredo, Texas, regained the No. 1 spot among the nation’s 450 international gateways for the first time in three years.

Computer issues have led to long lines for Mexican cargo truckers at a Texas border port of entry.

Chinese automaker Jetour announces $3B electric vehicle assembly plant in Mexico.

This week in Borderlands: RXO invests $30 million and expands its logistics operations in South Texas; the Mexican state of Nuevo Leon is investing $22 million to expand a border bridge; Packwell is set to build a resin logistics center at Port Houston; and RK Logistics Group opens a Texas distribution center.

This week in Borderlands: Mexico recorded 237 cargo thefts the first two months of 2023; Port of Lazaro Cardenas will receive a $322 million investment; Penske Logistics is laying off 152 workers in Fort Worth; and a Texas contract manufacturer expands its logistics facility and trucking fleet.

Federal investigators in California recently ordered two separate logistics operators to pay more than $1 million in back wages to Mexico-based warehouse workers.

Tesla’s new electric vehicle plant in Mexico could increase cross-border trade with the U.S. by $15 billion annually, officials said.

This week in Borderlands: Truck driver salaries in Mexico averaged $4,400 in 2023; Phillips Industries opens a new plant in Mexico; Arcadia Cold Storage firm eyes Southwest distribution market; and Fr8Tech launches freight matching for LTL services in Mexico.

Lawmakers in Canada are working to keep trucking companies with poor safety records off the roadways.

Mexico’s heavy-duty truck manufacturers exported 12,702 vehicles to the U.S. in February.

This week in Borderlands: Mexico starts 2023 as top U.S. trade partner; construction for new Texas commercial port of entry begins; transporter closes Texas terminal and cuts 60 jobs; and Kansas logistics company leases Texas distribution center.

Shipping line NYK says operating Nippon Cargo Airlines is too expensive and plans to sell it to another Japanese carrier.

DHL Express recently began cargo flights out of a $55 million cargo facility at Felipe Angeles International Airport in Mexico City.

This week in Borderlands: Houston export terminal lets Temco capitalize on grain demand; $10M FAST lanes completed at World Trade Bridge; Spearpoint Logistics to open distribution hub in Texas; and Port Houston’s terminal container yards receive upgrade.

Kuehne + Nagel had a highly profitable year in 2022 despite macroeconomic headwinds, but results fell considerably in the fourth quarter along with transport demand.

Tesla has confirmed that its next electric vehicle factory will be near the Mexican city of Monterrey.

Canada has allocated $46 million in funding to recruit and train up to 2,600 new truck drivers and other transportation related jobs.

Agility is losing lucrative contracts to manage logistics parks in Kuwait after the government decided not to renew its agreement with the company.

This week in Borderlands: Nearshoring creates booming demand for border logistics facilities; Ascend reserves capacity in Volvo’s autonomous lane in Texas; ZF Group announces $250M expansion in Mexico; and Port of Brownsville posts record cargo volumes in 2022.

Experts predict more nearshoring of manufacturing to Mexico in 2023, especially for supplies of components used in green technologies.

This week in Borderlands: Exports of Mexican-built Class 8 trucks hit 15,221 in January; railroad cargo thefts drop 21% year over year across Mexico; fuel and lubricants distributor expands into South Texas; and rare insect intercepted in shipment at Otay Mesa port of entry.

More than 43,500 people in Turkey and Syria have died as a result of the Feb. 6 earthquake, which the United Nations is calling a “once-in-a-generation disaster.”

HMM acknowledged that “freight rates in most key trade lanes have been under downward pressure since H1 2022.”

This week in Borderlands: The Port of Corpus Christi finishes 2022 with a new tonnage record; Emergent Cold Latin America acquires Mexico-based Qualianz; J&J Snack Foods is opening a major logistics hub in Dallas; and CBP seizes more than $5 million worth of meth hidden in a shipment of radishes.

This week in Borderlands: Xcell Logistics sees big opportunities with cross-border trade; BMW to invest around $800M in Mexico in EV push; sensor-maker announces new factory in Mexico, creating 700 jobs; and Careismatic Brands moves into major distribution hub in Dallas.

Rail shippers see Transport Canada’s amendments to collect more freight rail data as a good start, but they maintain that more can be done.

The railway said it moved 2.29 million metric tons of Canadian grain and grain products in January, setting a monthly record.

If Mexico wants to attract more foreign manufacturers, experts say the country must take big steps to stay ahead of the global competition.

This week in Borderlands: Port Laredo ranks No. 1 for U.S.-Mexico agricultural trade; RJW Logistics to open shipping hub near Dallas; major logistics facility set for Nuevo Laredo; and Japanese air conditioning manufacturer investing $300M in Mexico.

Authorities in Mexico reported more than 8,000 incidents of stolen cargo trucks and trailers in 2022.

“Terminal and infrastructure investments are a crucial element of our strategic agenda and India is one of our key growth markets,” Hapag-Lloyd CEO Rolf Habben Jansen said.

This week in Borderlands: Houston’s MacroFab raises $42M to capitalize on nearshoring shift; Tesla expected to begin production of Cybertruck in Texas in 2023; Nike to open a major logistics center in Dallas; and Dana Inc. to open a new factory in Mexico.

Annual volumes at the Nova Scotia port exceeded 600,000 twenty-foot equivalent units for the first time in its history.

BoxC’s data-sharing initiative with the FDA showcases the growing need for government regulators to work with supply chains to fix operational inefficiencies.

Mexico exported 157,522 heavy-duty trucks to the U.S. in 2022, an 18% year-over-year increase.

This week in Borderlands: Port Laredo was the No. 2 gateway for international trade in November; Tesla acquired a massive logistics center near Houston; the Port of Brownsville set a record for steel cargo tonnage; and First Call Logistics launched a Texas logistics hub.

Influential logistics provider Flexport says it will reduce its staff by 20% in the face of a looming global recession.

Mexican authorities reported a total of 1,181 cargo theft incidents across the country in November.

This week in Borderlands: Canada remains top US trading partner ahead of Mexico; Texas group acquires heavy-haul carrier United Vision Logistics; GM plans to expand electric vehicle production in Mexico; and Chinese manufacturer announces first plant in Mexico.

Locus is expanding its workforce and solution offerings for Mexico’s booming e-commerce market.

This week in Borderlands: Xometry CEO predicts expanded manufacturing in US; Costa Rica pushes to join USMCA trade pact; Texas port in negotiations for large-scale green ammonia plant; and $900K in meth seized at Laredo port of entry.

Freight forwarder MTM Logix recently received a private equity investment aimed at capitalizing on companies nearshoring to the Americas.

Trade between the U.S. and Mexico will continue to expand in 2023 as more factories and logistics operations move south of the border.

This week in Borderlands: Mexico won’t prohibit double tractor-trailers; Mexican government delays ban on genetically modified corn; Arizona border port of entry project receives $8M; and B.I.G. Logistics acquires Mexican customs broker and 3PL.

This week in Borderlands: Production, exports of Mexican-made trucks soar in November; Penske Logistics to open major facility in Houston; ShipMonk opens e-commerce fulfillment center in North Texas; and $100M worth of meth seized at border checkpoint.

The German national railway is looking to sell off its DB Schenker logistics business if it can get a good price.

Electric vehicle maker Tesla will reportedly soon announce its first automotive assembly plant in Mexico.

Texas has set up state-run checkpoints to stop and inspect random commercial vehicles coming from Mexico.

This week in Borderlands: USMCA panel rules in favor of Mexico, Canada over US; Lineage Logistics unveils plans for Texas cold storage facility; Mexico extends deadline again for Carta Porte tax document; and Volkswagen halts production of Jetta and Taos models.

This week in Borderlands: Mexico proposes to modify its truck driver hours-of-service rule; two logistics providers expand operations into New Mexico; an auto parts supplier expands in Mexico, creating 600 jobs; and $8.3 million worth of meth was seized from a truck at the Laredo port of entry.

The blockchain-enabled global platform TradeLens will go offline by the end of the first quarter of 2023.

Borderlands is a weekly rundown of developments in the world of U.S.-Mexico cross-border trucking and trade. This week: Mexico mulls using the National Guard to combat cargo theft; a Texas […]

A weaker-than-normal shipping season is hurting Cathay Pacific Cargo’s ability to recover from the pandemic.

Two U.S. senators said Mexico’s plan to stop importing yellow corn violates its trade deal with the United States.

Policies affecting cross-border shipping, like the Complemento Carta Porte, are often a thorn in the side of shippers, but they can be streamlined with the right 3PL partner.

This week in Borderlands: Automotive logistics provider expands into Mexico; Tesla negotiating with Texas officials for a $365 million lithium refinery; El Paso explores high-tech shuttle to move freight; and automotive parts supplier to build second factory in Mexico.

Canadian government official introduces new legislation that represents the culmination of multiyear efforts to address port funding and railway safety needs.

Ed Aldridge is retiring from CMA CGM America, and Uffe Ostergaard is leaving Hapag-Lloyd.

This week in Borderlands: Exports of Mexican-made trucks jump 17% in October; Pilot Freight Services expands in Texas; Trade X launches a platform for auto imports/exports in Mexico; and U.S. Border Patrol agents halt smugglers using trucks to transport migrants.

“Container demand is expected to be under downward pressure due to considerable uncertainties,” HMM said in its third-quarter earnings release.

Mexico stayed the top U.S. trade partner for September, accounting for more than $67 billion in cross-border commerce.

This week in Borderlands: A cyberattack disrupts Mexico’s transportation systems; Heniff Transportation acquires a Texas tanker carrier; Bendix expands in Mexico and the CBP seizes $24 million in drugs the border.

Cargo continued to dominate the passenger side at Korean Air during the third quarter.

Cargojet is better protected from an economic downturn than airlines handling general air cargo because of e-commerce and deep partnerships.

Investors behind Vietnam’s first domestic cargo airline, IPP Air Cargo, have grounded operations before ever taking off.

This week in Borderlands: $83M bridge expansion project targets expanding Mexico trade; Volkswagen invests $763M in its Mexico plant; Texas border checkpoint receives $165M for expansion; and the Port of Harlingen awarded grant to improve dock.

Maersk is a giant in the ocean shipping industry. It is also heavily investing to grow its all-cargo airline.

Mexico’s Congress approved a bill Wednesday to end daylight saving time in most states, potentially affecting cross-border trade.

California and Mexico sign a toll revenue-sharing plan to help fund a new border crossing south of San Diego.

“At MSC, we want to continue to improve towage service efficiency and expand Rimorchiatori Mediterranei, building on the impressive work of the Genoese families that have developed the company the past 100 years,” MSC CEO Soren Toft said.

This week in Borderlands: Mexico considers banning double tractor-trailers; New Mexico announces $72M air cargo facility; Texas seafood importer sues government for blocking shipment; and trucker receives nine-year prison sentence for drug smuggling.

South Florida Container Terminal has ordered 12 electric, emission-free, rubber-tired gantry cranes and welcomed the launch of CMA CGM’s Medgulf service at PortMiami.

Unifor, Canada’s largest union, opposes a federal supply chain task force’s recommendation to curb workers’ ability to go on strike.

An overview of Day 2 of F3: Future of Freight Festival.

An overview of Day 1 of F3: Future of Freight Festival.

Mexico is considering ending daylight saving time, which could add time and money to cross-border freight shipments.

An overview of F3: Future of Freight Festival and the key speakers.

This week in Borderlands: Texas fleets seek foreign drivers to solve labor shortage; Nuvocargo names new head of engineering; Union Pacific-sponsored training center to open in New Mexico; and Mexican resident pleads guilty in double-brokering scheme.

Mexico ranked as the United States’ top trading partner in August, accounting for $70.3 billion in cross-border commerce according to the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau. It […]

The Learnship Sprint program is designed to teach employees industry-specific language to increase workplace productivity.

China-based Zongteng Group has acquired a large cargo jet to enhance its global e-commerce logistics distribution capabilities.

This week in Borderlands: new customs requirements in Mexico complicate the trade industry; U.S. rail manufacturers accuse China and Mexico of unfair import pricing; the Port of Corpus Christi partners with Mitsubishi for an ammonia plant; and FedEx offers discounted rates to shippers in Mexico.

Canadian railway CN says it is positioning assets and adding more horsepower in order to keep the network fluid during extreme winter weather.

CEO Rolf Habben Jansen said the SM SAAM S.A. acquisition is part of Hapag-Lloyd’s strategy to build “a robust and attractive terminal portfolio.”

This week in Borderlands: This week: US challenging Mexico’s import ban on corn; Sprint Transport set to build new headquarters in Texas; FleetPride acquires Sam & Sons Truck Equipment; and Laredo border officers seize narcotics worth $11.5M.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association has asked for a halt to the U.S. border vaccine mandate.

Hurricane relief trucking is filled with chaos and disruptions to normal operations and requires specialists that can handle the massive surges and lack of forward planning.

This week in Borderlands: Mexico truck makers break an export record in August; trucks moved $44 billion in U.S.-Mexico cross-border freight in July; Kia announces a $408 million expansion to grow its operations in Mexico; and an autonomous vehicle technology maker plans a factory in Mexico.

FreightWaves founder and CEO Craig Fuller outlines how FreightWaves SONAR pointed to the global freight recession months ago.

This week in Borderlands: Tesla proposes $375M lithium refinery for EV batteries in Texas; PGT Trucking expands border operations; Lineage Logistics signs lease at Houston ColdPort; and Otay Mesa port of entry receives $150M federal grant.

Senior executive says “strategic assets along the supply chain are a key part of Hapag-Lloyd’s Strategy 2023.”

This week in Borderlands: Mexico’s auto production rises 31% in August; Mission Produce and NatureSweet enter 3PL partnership; Automated bookkeeper for trucking gets backing from Google; and CBP makes largest meth seizure in Del Rio’s history.