Surface

While there is strong communication between motor carriers and railroads in the domestic intermodal market, those links don’t yet exist between railroads and international shippers.

If the Southern California inland point intermodal surge continues into the “danger zone,” then importers might do well to consider taking advantage of alternate routings in the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada, says analyst Larry Gross.

The South Carolina-based company has nearly doubled the number of doors at a Kentucky service center, the latest in a series of expansions planned in the US LTL sector.

Resolving the free time clock question to bring inland port moves in line with rail moves to major US cities could unleash even more business and take additional trucks off the highway.

Higher daily shipment counts at less-than-truckload carriers in January and February underscore the impact of Yellow’s collapse last July.

The nationwide drayage provider is looking for opportunities to expand its footprint and fill in its network.

Drivers arriving at the Landers terminal have complained about multi-hour delays picking up import containers over the past four months, causing shippers to wait longer for their cargo.

Shippers seeking more flexible supply chains are turning to transloading, and not just for containerized imports, speakers at TPM24 said.

TRAC Intermodal is investing in its fleet and positioning equipment in inland markets that saw the worst chassis shortages in 2021 and 2022, CEO Daniel Walsh told TPM24.

Although the port is losing some intermodal service to the Midwest, demand is surging to core inland cities within the Southeast US.

The purchase of American Pacific gives IMC two new locations in California as US imports from Asia increase after a lackluster 2023.

The second-largest US less-than-truckload provider reported a slight increase in shipments in February, and improving US manufacturing may herald stronger demand ahead.

The railroads say more vessels calling Houston translates into heavier volumes that will help intermodal services from the port gain traction this time.

Changing shipping requirements and competitive pressures are reshaping US less-than-truckload networks and LTL terminals themselves at an unprecedented rate.  

The offer made by CEVA in January appeared to be a done deal, but GXO’s competing bid delivered a 26% premium on the CEVA offer and was swiftly accepted by Wincanton’s board.

Amid growth in US infrastructure spending, the heavy-haul transport segment is calling for better synchronization among state transportation departments when it comes to oversized transport requirements and permitting processes.

Using layers of technology from digital documents to artificial intelligence to tracking devices, shippers can detect and even head off the growing threat of cargo crime, experts say.

Simpson will become the first woman to take the top job at J.B. Hunt, something many in the industry expected to happen after she was named president 18 months ago.

APM Terminals will make more slots available for retrieving import containers at its Port Elizabeth site as truckers say delays in booking appointments are worsening.

As California-based RK Logistics’ high-tech customers move east to new markets, the logistics provider is following by buying New York-based On Time Trucking. 

The leadership change atop the largest US truckload provider will likely come as a “significant surprise” to the market, according to one industry analyst.

The US LTL producer price index rose 2.6% in January from December, while the equivalent truckload measure fell 2.6%, underscoring differences between the sectors.

The railroad told shareholders in a lengthy proxy statement that CEO Alan Shaw is on the right path and urged investors to trust in his vision for the company rather than vote to replace him.

Under final guidelines for detention and demurrage billing, only the shipper or consignee can be on the hook for such charges and bills must be sent within 30 days.

While the two companies have a partnership dating back 35 years, the latest transaction strengthens the relationship between the largest intermodal provider in North America and one of the continent’s top intermodal shippers.

Railroad officials informed Georgia and South Carolina port authorities earlier this week, giving them a one-month notice that service will no longer be offered to Chicago, Cincinnati and Louisville.

Increased driver adoption of apps in the truckload industry was driven in part by now-shuttered broker Convoy, whose technology was relaunched Thursday by forwarder Flexport.

A new 228,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution facility near Laredo’s World Trade Bridge will help Ryder scale operations for cross-border shippers.

Many US truckload customers engaged in annual bids and contract talks are still looking for rate cuts, but the potential for a market turnaround is tempering behavior.

In addition to pushing for a leadership change, Ancora Holdings also said NS should not invest so heavily in intermodal under its current strategy and criticized the railroad for changing 180 train schedules last year to prioritize container and trailer business.

More accretive “tuck-in” deals that expand carrier niche services and coverage appear likely if the Fed cuts US interest rates and freight demand improves. 

Shippers will have another domestic intermodal option between Mexico and the US as cross-border intermodal growth outpaces the overall North American market.

A Mexican trucking association launched a strike Thursday, adding to the uncertainty cross-border shippers face in the fast-growing market.

The first shipments of hay were loaded into Evergreen containers at the inland hub and moved by Union Pacific to the Pierce County Terminal in Tacoma for shipment to China.

The Journal of Commerce Truckload Capacity Index fell to 2018 levels at the end of 2023 as truckload carriers kept cutting into their fleets to lower costs. 

The long-awaited decision also seemingly puts to rest the question as to whether the FMC has authority on issues that extend beyond US ports.

After the latest round of bidding, the largest US truckload operator has now acquired 25 Yellow facilities, bringing it closer to having a nationwide LTL network. 

Yield and rates are rising at some of the biggest LTL carriers after a strong finish to 2023, although lower fuel surcharges may pull gains down to mid-single digits.

CloudTrucks’ acquisition of Shipwell’s brokerage division signals the importance of giving drivers direct access to loads through the technology platform they use to run their business.

The failure of Mexican customs clearance systems at a national level this week snarled supply chains and may warn of future problems as US-Mexico trade grows.