Tanker Rates Surge
Tanker Rates Surge Spot rates for VLCCs from the Persian Gulf to China shot up 50% last week. The jump came after the US struck Iran’s nuclear facilities on June 21. Then Tehran’s parliament backed plans to seal the Strait of Hormuz. Owners now earn over $57,000 per day, up from about $21,000 on June […]
Tariffs Slam LA Imports
Tariffs Slam LA Imports Port of Los Angeles imports sank 19% in May, dragging the U.S.’s busiest trade hub into a freight funk driven by tariff chaos and seasonal softness. Executive Director Gene Seroka warned that the steep drop, compounded by up to 145% tariffs on Chinese goods, is already impacting retailers’ seasonal planning. With […]
Rising Risk: Cargo Fraud
Rising Risk: Cargo Fraud Cargo theft is becoming more complex and lucrative, with Q1 2025 data from CargoNet revealing a 42% increase in the average loss per incident, even as overall thefts declined. Traditional straight thefts are giving way to strategic and fraud-based crimes, including contact scams and identity theft. Key theft categories now include […]
Trucking Regs Get Axed
Trucking Regs Get Axed The U.S. Department of Transportation has proposed a sweeping rollback of federal trucking regulations, targeting over two dozen rules viewed as outdated, redundant, or costly. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy framed the move as a “common-sense” campaign to cut bureaucratic waste and empower truckers. Key changes include eliminating labeling requirements for rear-impact […]
Dispersing Yellow’s Legacy
Dispersing Yellow’s Legacy Seven more former Yellow Corp. terminals were sold following a court ruling. These include a $10 million site in Pontiac, Mich., and a $1.55 million location in Maine. Buyers range from Moon Star Express affiliates to regional distributors like Baldor. Each move highlights the industry’s scramble for scarce LTL infrastructure. Saia’s acquisition […]
Long Beach Cargo Surge
Long Beach’s Cargo Surge The Port of Long Beach posted its best April ever, processing 867,493 TEUs — up 15.6% from last year — thanks largely to a surge in frontloaded imports. As shippers scrambled ahead of anticipated tariff hikes in the simmering U.S.-China trade standoff, empty container volumes also spiked by 23%, driven by […]
Tariff Truce, Rate Tension
Tariff Truce, Rate Tension The recent 90-day pause in U.S.-China tariffs, reducing duties from 125% to 10%, has introduced both relief and complexity for the trans-Pacific freight market. A new 30% baseline tariff—still higher than pre-2025 levels—hasn’t yet sparked a surge in shipping demand, but analysts expect a rebound as inventory levels shrink and manufacturers […]
US – China Tariff Truce
US – China Trade Truce After years of tariff volleys, China and the U.S. reached a limited trade détente that substantially reduces many of the most recent tariff hikes. Effective this week, the U.S. cuts duties on Chinese imports from 145% to 30%, while China trims its rates from 125% to 10%. These changes apply […]
DOT Week 2025
DOT Week, 2025 DOT Week 2025, happening May 13–15, marks a crucial checkpoint for the trucking industry, as state and federal inspectors zero in on safety compliance across highways in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. This year’s enforcement blitz emphasizes tire integrity, accurate logging through ELDs, and strict HOS compliance. Roadside inspections will focus on […]
USPS & UPS Rates On The Rise
USPS & UPS Rates On The Rise UPS Mail Innovations is raising prices across its network in reaction to cost hikes from the U.S. Postal Service. As detailed in a recent customer letter, account-specific rate increases—some reportedly as high as 40%—are now in effect. On May 11, UPS will also impose a $1.75 per-package surcharge […]
