China Counters U.S. Port Fees
China has unveiled new maritime regulations that could sharply escalate tensions with the United States, signaling a tit-for-tat move in the ongoing trans-Pacific trade conflict. The updated rules empower Beijing to impose retaliatory port fees or even bar ships under U.S. services from Chinese ports, mirroring American measures set to take effect October 14. These […]
Rail Merger Sparks Debate
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern’s proposed merger has sparked a strong response from the Rail Customer Coalition (RCC), which represents shippers across manufacturing, agriculture, and energy. In a recent letter to the Surface Transportation Board (STB), the RCC cautioned that reducing the number of Class I railroads could restrict options, elevate costs, and compromise service […]
Reducing Risk in Contracts
A new Drewry analysis highlights how risk exposure in container shipping contracts has sharply increased. Even when shippers secure base rate reductions during bidding, carriers often introduce new fees later—like fuel surcharges or unexpected regulatory charges. Add in uncontrolled detention/demurrage, frequent blank sailings, and reduced capacity, and what looked like a solid deal can quickly […]
Fewer Crosstowns, Faster Freight
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern want to fix a major inefficiency in intermodal freight: the costly truck transfers across Chicago. Their $85 billion merger could create a coast-to-coast rail line that reduces crosstowns by routing lower-volume shipments directly between East and West Coast destinations. Today, up to 3,000 shipments per day are drayed between Chicago […]
Trans-Pacific Spot Rates Split
Trans-Pacific Spot Rates Split Spot market pricing on the trans-Pacific has entered a split reality. Rates from Asia into the U.S. West Coast and East Coast have risen overall since early September, but not evenly. Data from Xeneta shows mid-high spot rates surged by double digits in just a week, while mid-low rates saw only […]
Business As Usual – TLC’s Jameson Mielde On The View From Jamestown
Business As Usual – TLC’s Jameson Mielde On The View From Jamestown The latest TLC podcast unpacks a freight market in transition. Trucking supply and demand appear balanced, though this reflects soft demand rather than robust growth. Ocean imports have cooled after an initial tariff-driven spike, leading to downward pressure on ocean rates. In response, […]
US Boosts Critical Minerals
US Boosts Critical Minerals The U.S. Energy Department is injecting nearly $1 billion into domestic critical mineral infrastructure, a move set to reshape how and where high-value materials move across the country. With China no longer a reliable source for key inputs like lithium, rare earths, and specialty metals, the U.S. is repositioning its industrial […]
Private Fleets Face Tariff Turmoil
Private Fleets Face Tariff Turmoil Private trucking fleets are facing an unpredictable landscape as U.S. tariffs and trade negotiations reshape supply chains. Sysco, ranked No. 3 among private carriers, has leaned on its scale, partnerships, and a heavy domestic sourcing base to buffer volatility. Executives note that pandemic-era diversification—expanding supplier networks and moving sourcing closer […]
TLC Named an Inbound Logistics Top 100 3PL – Our 4th Consecutive Year!
TLC Named an Inbound Logistics Top 100 3PL for a Fourth Consecutive Year! Inbound Logistics has named The Logistix Company to its 2025 Top 100 Logistics Providers list for the fourth consecutive year! The honor highlights companies offering transformative supply chain technologies—spanning core systems like Transportation and Warehouse Management to cutting-edge AI, robotics, and data-driven […]
Tariffs Drag Down Imports
Tariffs Drag Down Imports U.S. container ports will see a 5.6% drop in 2025 import volumes, says the Global Port Tracker. Tariff shifts are the main driver. Retailers rushed goods in before duties hit, creating a mid-year spike but steep year-end declines. June rose slightly from May but fell sharply year-over-year. July likely marked the […]
