Logistics companies race to adapt to shifting supply chains

Carriers in ocean, air cargo, rail and trucking are launching new services and tweaking their networks amid evolving global trade flows.

By Max Garland , Alejandra Salgado , Kelly Stroh , Larry Avila • Dec. 11, 2023

CN to buy Iowa Northern Railway as US biofuels market booms

The railroad is handling increased grain volumes as more shippers choose to send their products to Midwest processing facilities.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 8, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

Inside the trends affecting logistics management

Congestion may have eased, but shifting rates, economic uncertainty and labor negotiations across transportation modes present new challenges.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

Union Pacific plans Phoenix intermodal terminal to lure regional shippers

The new service would provide a rail option that connects the Southwest U.S. to Southern California’s top ports.

By Larry Avila • Dec. 5, 2023

Intermodal shippers to get another US-Mexico option in January

J.B. Hunt and BNSF are teaming up with Grupo México Transportes on a rail and truck service linking multiple cross-border markets.

By Edwin Lopez • Nov. 14, 2023

JB Hunt, BNSF’s new service seeks to convert just-in-time shipments to intermodal

The trucking and rail giants are promising up to 95% on-time delivery for goods shipped on their joint Quantum service.

By Larry Avila • Nov. 10, 2023

Union Pacific boosts connectivity between Mexico and Southeastern US

The new rail service will better connect Mexico's industrial markets with destinations in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina.

By Larry Avila • Oct. 24, 2023

US ports by volume: How maritime cargo trends are stacking up

The amount of containers handled at 12 major gateways can help show how the economy is faring. Use this tracker to dig into trends by seaport, coast and month.

By Alejandra Salgado , Edwin Lopez • Updated Dec. 1, 2023

Government shutdown would largely spare trucking regulators

While Congress' inability to fund the government by Oct. 1 could affect air traffic and some rail workers, trucking agencies have their own source of funds.

By David Taube • Sept. 29, 2023

Union Pacific speeds up cross-border intermodal transit times

Railroads are seeking competitive advantages like faster service to secure business from the rising nearshoring wave.

By Larry Avila • Sept. 26, 2023

Canadian National, Norfolk Southern add US-Canada intermodal service

The railroads’ joint venture will provide connections from Kansas City and Atlanta to several points across Canada beginning Oct. 2.

By Larry Avila • Sept. 19, 2023

STB proposes reciprocal switching rule in push for improved rail service

The new rule would provide shippers a path to switching shipments to another nearby railroad if service levels are not adequate.

By Edwin Lopez • Sept. 7, 2023

Norfolk Southern says train backlog recovery may take weeks

The railroad reported that a defect in its vendor software caused its systems to become unresponsive.

By Larry Avila • Sept. 1, 2023

Norfolk Southern outage could lead to weeks of disruptions

The railroad is still investigating the cause of the Monday outage, but does not believe it was a cybersecurity incident.

By Larry Avila • Aug. 30, 2023

CSX CFO downplays UAW strike threat

Auto manufacturers are key customers for freight rail operator CSX, but CFO Sean Pelkey is betting that any strike would be “short lived.”

By Chris Gaetano • Aug. 23, 2023

Smarter rail shipping: 3 key areas to drive efficiencies

Rail shippers face pressure to drive efficiencies and conserve costs, but how? Here are 3 optimization opportunities. 

Aug. 21, 2023

4 supply chain insights for the second half of 2023

Experts gave tips on economic metrics to watch and how to assess producers’ readiness to nearshore during the live event “Supply Chain Outlook: Trends and Risks To Watch."

By Edwin Lopez • Aug. 9, 2023

Railroads, car haulers scramble to meet auto delivery demands

Automakers have complained of delayed vehicle deliveries to dealerships. Rail carriers say they are fixing the problems, while trucking tries to seize an opportunity.

By Larry Avila • Aug. 2, 2023

CPKC, CSX to create rail corridor connecting Mexico, Texas and the Southeast U.S.

As part of the deal, the railroads would acquire or operate portions of the Meridian & Bigbee Railroad track between Mississippi and Alabama.

By Kelly Stroh • June 30, 2023

How JB Hunt and Schneider National are adjusting to intermodal uncertainty

Representatives for the carriers say their surplus containers will remain parked until demand recovers.

By Larry Avila • June 27, 2023

Batteries on freight trains could be tapped to support the power grid in emergencies: study

Berkeley Labs says mobile storage batteries are a possible resource to assure grid reliability in the future.

By Patrick Cooley • June 16, 2023

Union Pacific, BNSF launch new intermodal services at Port Houston

The rail carriers say added capacity will get consumer goods to market faster, and offer more routing opportunities from one of the nation’s fastest growing ports.

By Larry Avila • June 7, 2023

Georgia Ports Authority to build rail hub in Gainesville

The new inland terminal is expected to handle 60,000 containers per year and is set to begin construction in January 2024.

By Alejandra Salgado • May 17, 2023

Hub Group says CN rail alliance to accelerate intermodal, shipping speed

President and CEO Phil Yeager says the new cross-border service is drawing interest from customers and could reduce costs.

By Larry Avila • May 12, 2023

Costco, Walmart join Biden administration’s supply chain data exchange

Fifty-three companies representing the end-to-end supply chain are now part of the Department of Transportation’s Freight Logistics Optimization Works initiative. 

By Sarah Zimmerman • May 11, 2023

CPKC ‘ready to compete’ as rivals plan US-Mexico intermodal service

The head of the newly-formed railroad promises shippers "superior service" as other carriers team to vie for business south of the border.

By Sarah Zimmerman • May 1, 2023