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 9, 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 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