Freight

How the CARES Act will affect supply chains

The law offers financial relief to businesses weathering COVID-19 disruption and attempts to keep freight and last-mile cargo moving.

By Morgan Forde • April 01, 2020

FMC creates teams to address coronavirus-related cargo challenges

The agency took a similar approach in 2016, partnering with representatives from port authorities, terminal operators, longshore labor, rail and other stakeholders.

By Matt Leonard • April 01, 2020

2M Alliance announces blank sailings on 21% on Asia-Europe trade

MSC will create a seasonal blank sailing program to match shrinking market demand due to the coronavirus. 

By Matt Leonard • March 30, 2020

Ocean carriers blank sailings on Transpacific, European routes as importer demand drops

Maersk announced three new blank sailings this week that would have served trade on European, Mediterranean and Transpacific routes.

By Matt Leonard • March 27, 2020

CSX says leaner operations, more tech will help reduce emissions 37% by 2030

The railroad seeks to meet this target by employing technology and operational strategies to increase fuel efficiency. 

By Emma Cosgrove • March 26, 2020

United, American Airlines begin cargo-only flights as rates double between Europe and US

As the number of global consumer flights dwindles, so does a large slice of the global airfreight capacity that existed in the belly of those passenger planes.

By Emma Cosgrove • March 23, 2020

Moody's: Transport faces 'high exposure' to COVID-19 disruption

A slump in cargo demand or viral outbreak among drivers puts trucking at risk. 

By Shefali Kapadia • March 20, 2020

XPO ends spinoff strategy in light of COVID-19 outbreak

CEO Brad Jacobs' January announcement that he would consider selling off parts of the business was a sign trucking M&A was healthy, but world events have conspired against further plans.

By Jim Stinson • March 20, 2020

DHL Global Forwarding declares force majeure, reserving the right to modify services

The group said all aspects of the ocean and air supply chains are "impossible to predict or control" in the current COVID-19 pandemic situation. 

By Emma Cosgrove • March 20, 2020

Ports shift operations, hours in coronavirus response

The Georgia Port Authority said it is temporarily suspending Saturday truck gate hours while Port Houston is reopening two terminals after an employee tested positive for COVID-19.

By Matt Leonard • UPDATED: March 25, 2020 at 9:22 a.m.

Maersk rolls out 'door-to-door' cargo insurance product

The insurance will cover loss or damage during end-to-end transportation of cargo, regardless of transport supplier.

By Morgan Forde • March 19, 2020

Trucking demand surges as retailers restock

Analysts said demand spikes and spot rate increases are "directly attributable" to the COVID-19 outbreak as retailers attempt to restock depleted stores. 

By Matt Leonard • March 17, 2020

Shippers see lower bunker fees as ocean freight demand, oil prices drop

The surcharge shippers pay is now much lower than anticipated and the extra cost to comply with the new IMO regulations will be put off until the economy steadies. 

By Matt Leonard • March 17, 2020

Struggling intermodal meets further headwinds with coronavirus

Intermodal had to compete with low spot rates in the trucking sector for all of 2019 and now must deal with a slump in demand caused by a pandemic.

By Matt Leonard • March 16, 2020

IGA looks to China operations for coronavirus guidance

Chinese supermarkets stretched to the limit by the crisis offer a glimpse of the challenges and solutions that grocers in the U.S. face.

By Sam Silverstein • March 16, 2020

Airfreight rates from China to US climb 27% in 2 weeks as demand surpasses capacity

Flight cancellations out of China have removed 5,100 tons of capacity from China per day on average, which has led to a 36% year-over-year decline in total airfreight capacity out of mainland China.

By Matt Leonard • March 12, 2020

EU travel restrictions to decrease transatlantic air cargo capacity

Though cargo-only flights are not restricted, removing belly cargo space from commercial flights will take a significant bite of out of market capacity on the affected routes. 

By Emma Cosgrove • March 12, 2020

Union Pacific to tackle emissions reduction with science-based targets

Railroads are one of the lowest-emissions freight modes available, but a longstanding close relationship with the coal industry complicates their record on climate issues. 

By Emma Cosgrove • March 11, 2020

Port of LA volume down 23% in February, further decline expected

The impact of the trade war with China was depressing volumes. Disruptions from novel coronavirus response efforts in Asia have driven levels down even further.

By Morgan Forde • March 10, 2020

XPO to acquire majority of Kuehne + Nagel's UK logistics assets

The deal gives XPO access to 75 of Kuehne + Nagel’s 83 logistics facilities in the country and a blue chip customer base in the e-commerce, technology, and food and beverage industries.

By Morgan Forde • March 10, 2020

NRF: Import bounce-back will take more time

NRF's tracker is now forecasting April imports will be down 3.5% year-over-year, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, while May and June are projected to be slightly more than 9% up. 

By Emma Cosgrove • March 10, 2020

CMA CGM expects normal operations to resume in China mid-March

CFO Michel Sirat estimated the phenomenon could bring down the carrier's 2020 total revenue by 2-3%, or $100 million. 

By Emma Cosgrove • March 09, 2020

Coronavirus adds hurdle for air cargo industry saddled with demand slump

Airfreight demand was down YoY for 2019 and the full impact of the COVID-19 outbreak won't show up until the February numbers are released next month, according to the International Air Transport Association.

By Matt Leonard • March 09, 2020

Chinese port calls trend toward normalcy

Figures from Clarksons Platou Securities, a maritime brokerage, suggest port calls have already surpassed 2019 levels.

By Matt Leonard • March 04, 2020

Blank sailings, demand drop could cost carriers a combined $1.9B

More blank sailings have been announced, but the pace has slowed and experts are optimistic.

By Matt Leonard • March 03, 2020