Coronavirus

Supply chain workers who are allowed access to airplanes, cargo ships and locomotive engines have been put through a rigorous battery of security checks. An even more select few who operate the planes, cargo loaders and port gantry cranes, and who perform important fueling and maintenance requirements, must remain healthy to keep medical supplies, food […]

The USPS received a $10 billion line of credit in the U.S. Senate version of the coronavirus relief bill. What will the U.S. House of Representatives do?

With the coronavirus on the rise worldwide, retailers are being forced to rethink their supply strategies and delivery options.

Demand to move goods during the pandemic crisis is high, but available air cargo space is low. Passenger airlines are finding a robust market.

Logan Miller of Morgantown, West Virginia, is getting a lot of attention for his dedication to making sure drivers don’t go hungry.

Carrier generates $815 million in cash with sale of stakes in eight port terminals.

On today’s Coronavirus Freight Market Update, we run through the headlines, break down what’s going on with unemployment and have a special interview with FreightWaves Founder and CEO, Craig Fuller.

With unemployment levels skyrocketing and a stimulus package on the table, Anthony and Zach are joined by Andrew Cox as they debate how the U.S. should handle the COVID-19 outbreak as a country economically, as a business, and as an individual.

Wallenius Wilhelmsen laying off 2,500 workers in the United States and Mexico, retiring and recycling about 15 vessels.

Social distancing will wreak havoc on trans-Pacific and Asia-Europe box volumes.

Critical cargo initiative launched to quickly process imports needed in the fight against the coronavirus.

Amidst the coronavirus pandemic, fleet wellness programs should focus their efforts on protecting drivers from the illness.

China opens its factories; 3.28 million U.S. workers apply for unemployment benefits; U.S. seeks to convince Saudi Arabia to end oil war.

Best February ever recorded despite challenges from coronavirus pandemic.

Airlines expected to increase use of truck capacity to move cargo around the country.

Airlines were among the big industry winners when the smoke lifted and Congress finalized a $2 trillion economic stimulus package to deal with economic fallout from the coronavirus.

Residents of Woodland, Washington, convert a high school along Interstate 5 into a rest stop for truck drivers during the coronavirus outbreak.

The pandemic may put pressure on U.S. rail volumes, particularly for commodities that support consumer goods, says an Association of American Railroads executive.

Research institute and drivers’ group want to hear from motor carriers and drivers about dealing with the coronavirus pandemic and what they would do differently next time

An exclusive interview with Nerijus Poskus, global head of ocean freight at Flexport.

The second-shift change will provide time to clean handling equipment to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

XPO increases paid sick leave by two weeks for employees affected by the coronavirus.

Darren Prokop writes about the key role that transportation in the war against COVID-19 – particularly trucks.

Murphy’s Law Distillery is supplying Canadian trucking companies with hand sanitizer as COVID-19 puts its artisanal alcohol business on hold.

The requests to waive the Federal Railroad Administration’s regulations on random alcohol and drug testing and on certain rail operations are due to social distancing recommendations and an anticipated reduction in staff because of COVID-19.

One of the world’s largest suppliers of disposable rubber gloves may resume exports to the U.S. after resolving forced labor concerns, Customs and Border Protection said.

International Maritime Organization secretary-general stresses that world trade during the coronavirus pandemic depends on the mariners who move goods.

CarrierDirect’s Ryan Schreiber has spoken with leaders in the logistics and transportation industries and gives recommendations about how to lead your company and help your employees and customers during these challenging times.

The coronavirus pandemic has caused a sharp drop-off in demand for tires and cars, causing manufacturers across North and South America to furlough workers and implement partial factory shutdowns.

Airlines and airports have a symbiotic relationship, but there is tension over airlines’ interest in waiving airport charges and taxes during the pandemic recession.

We discuss the different strategies FedEx and XPO use to build shareholder value.

The coronavirus pandemic is sparking debate about what consumers want — and when they want it.

The International Air Transport Association had sobering news about the financial prospects for airlines this year: a quarter-trillion dollars in lost revenue.

Unemployment, economics, and freight flows are the main topics on the Coronavirus Freight Market Update

“It’s important for us to keep the supply chain fluid” during the coronavirus pandemic, Executive Director Gene Seroka says.

All four major heavy-duty truck manufacturers now have suspended production for at least two weeks, with market leaders Daimler Trucks North America and PACCAR Inc. the latest to stop building trucks because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The contractor dismantling the capsized Golden Ray car carrier responds to vice president’s plea to help fight the spread of the coronavirus.

The logistics industry is the “always responder,” assisting society in preparations during the onset of a crisis, delivering goods during the crisis, and helping to rebuild and restock after everyone else is gone. Logistics professionals will sacrifice time with family and even put themselves in harm’s way to ensure that people have access to the necessary resources for survival and comfort.

Washington governor also asked Trump for hospital ship’s help during coronavirus pandemic.

Sysco said it has begun providing logistics services to retail grocery customers; supplying products to retail grocery customers; enabling small restaurants to start up home delivery operations and online order pick-up service; and distributing cleaning supplies to keep kitchens safe and virus-free.

Two unions’ petition to the Federal Railroad Administration contends that some Class I railroads have been slow to respond to calls for better workplace sanitation amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

FedEx is using its air-and-ground express network to delivery COVID-19 test specimens to labs, while UPS used its expertise to help the federal government set up the drive-through program

In partnership with Arrive Logistics… 3PLs are collaborating with their customers on business continuity plans.

Ports of Seattle and Tacoma still operating normally but handling less cargo.

J.B. Hunt announces $500 one-time bonus for drivers and field staff serving during COVID-19 pandemic.

“IT strength and capability” helping Orient Overseas (International) Limited service customers during coronavirus crisis.

Ocean shipping has functioned well during the outbreak but pressures are mounting.

How drivers are dealing with coronavirus, TQL layoffs and legal implications, staffing in a crisis and more on today’s podcast

While the decision to close the United States and Canadian border for non-essential travel will hopefully slow the spread of the coronavirus, this ban will not affect trucking and trade.

Petchem shippers are keeping inland barge owners busy, but upside could be temporary.

Boeing will stop making planes for two weeks at most of its plants to protect workers from the coronavirus.

Uber Freight has taken several steps to address industry needs during the COVID-19 pandemic, including offering truck drivers a $20 weekly food credit and cutting shipper costs with zero-profit relief loads.

Morgan Stanley upgrades its freight transportation industry view from “cautious” to “in-line.” The firm lowered its earnings expectations for the group.

Some countries are making it easier for airlines to adjust operations in response to the coronavirus crisis, but the airfreight community wants greater cooperation from governments.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative acknowledged, “the imposition of tariffs on certain Chinese imports has resulted in an overall decline in the availability of needed medical equipment and supplies.”

Supply chain disruption from coronavirus adds Navistar plant in Ohio to truck operations suspending production and pulling earnings guidance.

The Chinese government is using the reason “Acts of God” to void many contracts due to coronavirus. Darren Prokop explores whether that is hurting current trade and will impact trade in the future.

Emirates, a dominant carrier in international long-distance travel, is grounding almost its entire fleet in a concession to the lack of business because of the coronavirus.

Trucking capacity is the tightest it has been in 17 months thanks to the surging volumes, but all signs point to this being a short-lived event.

Rolling cuts are roiling the airline industry, which is seeking a federal bailout to stave off workforce reductions

Carriers and medical clinics struggle to develop protocols for drivers who have COVID-19

One of Canada’s largest transportation and logistics companies says it will temporarily lay off some employees, suspend dividend and slash executive pay as it braces for economic fallout to hit freight.

United Airlines’ executives and union leaders late Friday warned furloughs will begin soon unless the federal government enacts an emergency aid package for the airline industry and urged workers to tell their representatives to support the measure. Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines said it projects a $10 billion reduction in revenue for the second quarter, down […]

Alabama facility operating normally during coronavirus pandemic.

Advocates for rules exemptions characterize freighters as mission-critical for delivering medical supplies and feeding the public.

Dooner and The Dude are talking about what went down during week 1 of self quarantine in much of the USA. They cover layoffs hitting freight, XPO takes break up off the table, and airlines getting grounded.

Hall of fame induction and trade conference postponed until September.

The administration has not announced West Coast destination of Navy hospital ship being deployed to assist during coronavirus pandemic.

“Regulated entities remain obligated to comply with all filing requirements and deadlines,” the U.S Federal Maritime Commission said.

Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency issues guidance on critical industries as millions of Americans ordered to stay home.

Mexico was the U.S.’s largest trading partner in 2019, with more than $614 billion in two-way trade.

Airlines have less resources to handle certain types of cargo and their warehouses hours are being reduced because of cutbacks associated with the coronavirus.

Americold Realty Trust plans to keep all 183 cold storage facilities “open for business.”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the ports of entry remain watchful of fraudulent imports that take advantage of Americans during the COVID-19 crisis.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reiterates that “extraordinary” restriction does not apply to cross-border trade.

As trucks try to resupply stores across the U.S. and Canada, an issue of drivers’ health insurance when in a different country has arisen. Read this article to learn more.

Engine maker Cummins Inc. joined Volvo and Mack Trucks in suspending production because of the coronavirus pandemic . Cummins and trailer maker Wabash National also pulled their earnings guidance for the year.

Plus: Former UN Ambassador resigns from Boeing board; Tesla violates SF shelter-in-place rules

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Chicago O’Hare airport international mail facility find more counterfeit coronavirus test kits in parcel shipments from the U.K.

An airline bailout raíses questions of corporate welfare and could anger voters if they are left without jobs or suffer wage losses because of the coronavirus lockdown.

American Airlines transforms some planes for all-cargo service, filling up the lower deck for charter customers desperate to move goods because they can’t find available space.

The continuation of panic buying and restocking has swung the DHL Supply Chain Pricing Power Index violently to the upside. Carriers are now in dominant pricing power position for the first time since we began this series in September.

The latest news on the coronavirus impact on freight.

Union Pacific and Canadian Pacific each have employees who have contracted the virus, and they and those around them are in self-quarantine.

Blanked sailings blamed for two terminals scheduling one- and two-day suspensions of operations.

Approximately 30 former Lipsey Logistics employees say they were blindsided after they were called into a meeting and laid off without warning on Wednesday.

President Trump has signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act into law, which requires many employers to provide paid leave and expands FMLA for many employees.

The United States has plunged into a recession and imports may never recover, says the former Trailer Bridge CEO.

With increased volatility in international airfreight, Cargojet is bringing back planes to focus on the hot domestic market.

During a roundtable discussion, the CEOs of Convoy, Flexe and Flexport spoke about the coronavirus and the future of freight.

Key FreightWaves SONAR index pushes past post-Canadian National strike level as trucks continue to move loads.

Port Houston announced it was closing two terminals after an employee who worked at both sites tested positive for the coronavirus.

Americans for Free Trade, which represents more than 100 trade organizations, said eliminating existing U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods would boost the American economy by $75 billion during the COVID-19 crisis.

Listen to the podcast to hear a breakdown of the survey.

Halt of cruise voyages will slash HFO demand, a positive for cargo ships with scrubbers.

The coronavirus is an existential threat to the airline industry, Air Canada’s CEO says

Executive Director Gene Seroka said the coronavirus has not impacted landside operations.

A FreightWaves survey examines what motor carriers, drivers and shippers and receivers are doing to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Zach and Anthony discuss current economic trends in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, and what’s to come.