Patent Pending: Target's plan for a store-fulfillment manager

Supply chain innovators apply to patent what they see as important tools for the future. Sometimes they're brilliant. Sometimes they're funny.

By Matt Leonard • June 5, 2020

Airfreight capacity falls 42%, 'damaging' global supply chains

The drop has resulted in longer shipping times and higher costs for companies moving cargo by air.

By Matt Leonard • June 5, 2020

Amazon Air's fleet expansion is a bid for logistics domination

The company announced plans to add an additional 12 aircraft to its fleet, bringing its total size to 82 planes by the end of 2021.

By Matt Leonard • June 4, 2020

Transplace acquires parcel TMS provider ScanData

Transplace presents its integration of ScanData's PTMS as a value-add for shippers, a step toward integrating their online business with traditional freight management. 

By Morgan Forde • June 4, 2020

Knight-Swift sees potential for 'acute tightness' in capacity for Q4

Fewer carriers will mean a scramble to find trucks for goods and could push up spot market rates.

By Jim Stinson • June 3, 2020

Kansas City Southern attempts to get pandemic cuts to 'stick'

From executives to engineers, the coronavirus has taught Kansas City Southern that it can move freight with fewer people. 

By Emma Cosgrove • June 3, 2020

Alibaba integrates freight procurement into B2B e-commerce site

Shippers using Alibaba's platform will be able to compare rates on ocean and air shipments, and track them in real time. 

By Matt Leonard • June 2, 2020

DP World joins Maersk blockchain platform TradeLens

DP World CEO Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem said the operator joined TradeLens in order to reduce costs and provide better information to shippers.

By Emma Cosgrove • May 28, 2020

Rail companies cut capacity as volume slides 20%

Rail volume is expected to increase in the coming weeks as auto plants reopen across the country.

By Matt Leonard • May 27, 2020

Ocean carriers restore sailings but not enough to indicate a rebound

Analysts and carriers expect additional blank sailings and reductions through the quarter, leaving shippers in an uncertain transportation environment. 

By Matt Leonard • May 26, 2020

FAA exemption allows cargo to travel in passenger seats

Airlines for America, a trade association, filed for the exemption April 23, arguing it would open up more capacity for airlines to transport critical medical supplies.

By Matt Leonard • May 22, 2020

Truck movement increases with help from CPG, food volumes

FourKites' Glenn Koepke warned fleets should not expect sudden jumps in loads, and industrial volumes will likely remain down through Q3. 

By Shefali Kapadia • May 20, 2020

Experts: 3 ways coronavirus has shifted supply chains' focus

Practitioners from across the industry came together at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to discuss how the pandemic is affecting their operations. 

By Matt Leonard • May 20, 2020

Coronavirus adds to complications heading into hurricane season

Analysts anticipate risk to manufacturing and expect reduced trucking hours at ports to have a knock-on effect on cargo movement. 

By Matt Leonard • Updated May 21, 2020

Uber Freight teams up with Oracle as enterprise partnerships for digital brokers grow

Uber Freight's growing list of TMS integrations shows some recognition that brokerage is not a function where shippers have traditionally demonstrated much loyalty.

By Emma Cosgrove • May 15, 2020

FMCSA issues final rule on HOS

The changes promise flexibility and speed but miss the mark on allowing a break to stop the clock on the 14-hour driving window, experts said.

By S.L. Fuller • Updated May 15, 2020

Cass: April volume hits 'recessionary levels,' capacity cuts remain open question

The shippers left on the market are benefiting from lower spot rates, but capacity cuts will be one indicator that market pricing could swing back in favor of carriers.

By Matt Leonard • May 14, 2020

Maersk plans for 140 blank sailings, up to 25% volume drop in second quarter

The idle fleet grew to 9.4% (2.2 million TEUs) in the first quarter, which Maersk said was the "highest record in more than 10 years."

By Matt Leonard • May 13, 2020

Union Pacific cites pandemic, trucking market for end of cold chain service

Executives called refrigerated transportation "a long term growth opportunity" earlier this year, but say the COVID-19 pandemic meant the business could no longer sustain itself.

By Matt Leonard • May 12, 2020

Uber Freight partnership gives rideshare drivers entry to a challenging open market

As spot rates sag, the broker is teaming with Ryder and CloudTrucks to help CDL holders rejoin the trucking industry.

By S.L. Fuller • May 11, 2020

Amazon Freight expands to 48 states, furthering control of its logistics network

The majority of carriers and brokers viewed Amazon's entry to freight hauling negatively, fearing it would push down dry van spot rates. 

By Jim Stinson • May 7, 2020

Gatik responds to online grocery demand, adding autonomous reefers for Walmart, retailers

The company has seen average delivery runs per day increase 30% to 40% as grocery demand has grown due to the coronavirus pandemic, Gatik's CEO said.

By Morgan Forde • May 7, 2020

Rail carriers cut capacity as intermodal volume drops 17% in April, the largest fall since 2009

CSX, Kansas City Southern, Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific all mentioned reducing train starts as a result of falling demand during April earnings calls. 

By Matt Leonard • May 7, 2020

Coronavirus hit XPO revenue in Q1 despite demand surge from some shippers

The company's revenue fell in its transportation and logistics segment, but it did see some customers looking for capacity to cover a surge in demand.

By Matt Leonard • May 5, 2020

As trucking demand craters in April, rates follow

The shippers still moving loads stand to benefit from lower spot rates as the market swings in their favor.

By Matt Leonard • May 5, 2020