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 9, 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 4, 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 3, 2020

High fuel costs, overcapacity and contract delays threaten ocean shipping in 2020: report

Shippers have some leverage to push for pricing transparency, but many carriers' ability to survive current fuel prices and freight demand will depend on whether they can successfully implement price increases.

By Morgan Forde • March 2, 2020

FedEx adds on-demand customs brokerage to Freightos

The partnership includes new digital services for multi-modal rate management and sales; air pricing, quoting and ebooking; and customs brokerage.

By S.L. Fuller • Feb. 28, 2020

TQL cyber breach is latest example of the industry's vulnerability to hacking

The cyberattack compromised its carrier portal, potentially granting access to, "carrier accounts, including, in many instances, tax ID numbers and bank account numbers," according to the company's website.

By Morgan Forde • Feb. 28, 2020

Coronavirus renders nearly 9% of container shipping fleets inactive

Two million TEUs of capacity is now inactive, surpassing the previous record for blank sailing seen during the great recession.

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 28, 2020

Maersk secures $5B in credit tied to emissions progress

The carrier aims to cut carbon emissions by 60% per cargo moved by 2030. ​

By S.L. Fuller • Feb. 27, 2020

Ports of LA, Long Beach agree to jointly tackle pain point: visibility

The ports plan to involve stakeholders from shipping lines, cargo owners and drayage to address issues related to gate velocity, cargo predictability and chassis availability. 

By S.L. Fuller • Feb. 26, 2020

Revenue concerns spread outside China with coronavirus cases

The difficulty in predicting the spread of the disease makes it especially challenging for companies to make plans and seek alternative suppliers.

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 26, 2020

Canadian National calls back furloughed staff, normal operations will take weeks

The railroad is still monitoring the network for further disruptions, said CEO JJ Ruest in a statement.

By Emma Cosgrove • Updated March 3, 2020

Shippers turn to air freight as Chinese factories come back online

The coronavirus outbreak led to a downturn in demand, but as commercial airlines cut capacity, carriers and freighters see an opportunity.

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 24, 2020

Are US railroads ready for post-coronavirus volume spikes?

Union Pacific CEO Lance Fritz said shippers need to take some responsibility for the flow of freight if they want speedy service after effects of the COVID-19 outbreak fade and China imports regain full strength. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Feb. 21, 2020

Coronavirus: A lesson in supply chain risk management

Companies are finding workarounds as COVID-19 cases and heightened e-commerce demand continue to disrupt supply chains.

By Matt Leonard • Updated June 21, 2022

Maersk suspends 2020 earnings guidance

Beyond COVID-19, other economic factors may be exerting greater than expected pressure on shipping volume, as Maersk reported less than 1% loaded volume growth in 2019.

By Emma Cosgrove • Updated March 20, 2020

Maersk expands US warehousing network with $545M acquisition

The move supports the carrier's goal of transporting customer goods "from factory floor to store door," and increasing its end-to-end service market share in North America.

By Morgan Forde • Updated April 2, 2020

Carriers report reefer, truck shortages in China's stalled supply chains

One logistics company recommended booking trucking services two days in advance as a result of the driver shortage.

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 19, 2020

Gucci shuffles inventory to minimize coronavirus impact

It's not the only retailer figuring out what the coronavirus outbreak will mean for its China-based retail operation as companies choose to close storefronts as a precaution.

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 14, 2020

Canadian National shuts down eastern network as pipeline protests persist

The railroad told customers Thursday it had begun to shut down its eastern network, threatening freight movement in Canada and the U.S. Midwest. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Updated Feb. 14, 2020

Maersk's new CFO brings M&A experience to shipping giant

Patrick Jany joins the shipping giant from Clariant, a company that highlights its work to create a sustainable supply chain, and where mergers and acquisitions fell under his purview.

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 12, 2020

XPO cuts brokerage headcount nearly 20%, credits automation

Revenue for XPO's brokerage division was down 14% year-over-year for 2019, but the company is finding cost savings by automating the process.

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 11, 2020

NRF: Coronavirus could cause 13% import drop at US ports

Before the outbreak, the National Retail Federation predicted February imports would be 1.54 million TEUs. The forecast has slid to 1.41 million.

By Morgan Forde • Feb. 11, 2020

Trucking companies blame slow manufacturing for rough 2019 volumes

Landstar expects the weak trucking environment to continue in the coming months and said "it is difficult to predict the economic environment in the back half of 2020."

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 6, 2020

Cummins cuts inventory by $400M anticipating truck production downturn

Private fleets are "awash in excess equipment,” according to ACT Research. Cummins' CEO said Tuesday he expects heavy-duty truck production for North America to be down 40% year-over-year in 2020.

By Emma Cosgrove • Feb. 5, 2020

East Coast ports see growth in 2019 while West Coast imports fall

The Port of Long Beach saw the largest decline with an 8% year-over-year drop in imports. Savannah saw the most growth at 7%.

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 3, 2020