Today's Transportation Pulse
Logistics costs dip to $2.4 trillion as volatility becomes the new normal
The 2026 State of Logistics Report finds U.S. logistics expenses fell to $2.4 trillion, or 7.8% of GDP, down from $2.6 trillion in 2025. The study declares supply‑chain volatility a permanent condition driven by uneven global growth, tighter finance, geoeconomic shifts, labor constraints and energy price swings.
Also developing:
By the numbers: US IDFC partners with Chubb on $20B maritime reinsurance plan
Dangote Refinery Starts Direct Jet Fuel Deliveries to Ethiopian Airlines, Boosting African Supply
Nigeria's Dangote Petroleum Refinery has begun direct jet‑fuel deliveries to Ethiopian Airlines, marking its first airline‑specific export. The move comes as the refinery runs at full capacity, leveraging surplus output to meet rising demand across Africa and Europe.
RoshAi Rolls Out Level‑4 Autonomous Trucks for Ports and Mines, Targets $6 M Revenue
RoshAi announced the commercial rollout of retrofit‑ready Level‑4 autonomous trucks for ports and mining operations, projecting operating revenue of ₹50 crore ($6 million) this fiscal year. The move addresses India’s acute driver shortage and expands high‑level autonomy beyond road‑way commuting.
This '70s Motorcycle Truly Has Become A Modern Classic Collector's Item
The 1970s Yamaha RD350 has transitioned from a popular street bike to a sought‑after collector’s item, with recent auction results highlighting its rising value. A 1975 model sold for $6,200 in 2024, while a 1973 example fetched just under $5,500...
Shoffr Launches Delhi Pilot in 72 Hours Using AI‑generated Code
Shoffr, a Bengaluru‑based mobility startup, rolled out a pre‑booked city‑ride pilot in Delhi NCR in 72 hours after an AI model wrote the core code in four hours. The rapid launch highlights how generative AI can compress product cycles for...
FAA Implements 25‑Cent‑per‑Pound Launch and Re‑entry Fees, Capping at $30K
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has activated a fee of 25 cents per pound of payload for all launches and re‑entries, with a $30,000 cap for 2026. The structure will rise to $1.50 per pound and a $200,000 cap by 2033,...
Geneva Dry High Sets the Stage for Splash Singapore Debut
After a record‑breaking Geneva Dry conference, the organizers are rolling out the inaugural Splash Singapore on September 24 at Singapore’s Fairmont Hotel. The event follows a no‑presentation, no‑selling format, gathering senior shipowners, managers and charterers for candid, unscripted dialogue. Highlights include a...
Costamare Confirms Boxship Newbuild Spree Backed by COSCO
Greek container ship owner Costamare announced a 16‑vessel new‑build programme in China, securing long‑term charters with COSCO Shipping that generate about $2.8 billion of contracted revenue. The order includes twelve 9,200‑teu boxships slated for delivery between Q3 2028 and Q2 2030 on 15‑year...
What Happens When You Don't Bed Your Brakes The Right Way
When new brake pads are installed, the pad face and rotor must be "bedded" to lay down a thin, even film of material. Proper bedding—often using the 30‑30‑30 method—takes about 30 minutes and prevents uneven wear, judder, glazing, and brake...
Ardmore Lines up Tanker Newbuilds in China
Ardmore Shipping, listed in New York, has contracted China’s Wuhu Shipyard to build two 40,500‑dwt product and chemical tankers at $44.9 million each, with options for two more vessels on identical terms. The ships, built to full IMO 2 specifications and fitted...
Euroseas Details Expanded Newbuild Programme
Euroseas announced four additional feeder vessel orders in China, raising its new‑build programme to ten ships worth roughly $500 million. The contracts include two 1,800‑TEU vessels at $32.5 million each and two 2,800‑TEU high‑reefer ships at $46.5 million each, with deliveries slated between...
AI Road Safety Cameras Are Fuelling a Surge in Driver Fines. Are They Fair?
AI-powered road safety cameras have been rolled out across Australian states, generating more than 400,000 traffic infringements in their first year—184,000 in Western Australia, over 130,000 in New South Wales and about 114,000 in Queensland. Penalties start at A$550 (≈$360)...
Spirit Dug Its Own Grave
Spirit Airlines, once a pioneer of ultra‑low‑cost travel, collapsed after its aggressive ancillary‑fee model and contemptuous customer culture alienated passengers. Legacy carriers copied its stripped‑down fare structure while retaining superior service, eroding Spirit’s price advantage. Repeated regulatory fines totaling over...
Can An Active Fuel Management (AFM) Disabler Cause Engine Damage?
Active Fuel Management (AFM) disablers prevent GM trucks from entering cylinder‑deactivation mode, shielding lifters from wear and eliminating common AFM‑related failures. The devices are plug‑and‑play, but they sacrifice 2–3 MPG of highway fuel economy and can introduce a parasitic battery drain....
CER Wants More EU Funding for Railway Investments
The Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) is urging the European Parliament to allocate more predictable, long‑term funding for rail in the 2028‑2034 multi‑annual financial framework. CER wants the Connecting Europe Facility to reach at least €100 billion (about...
Are Michelin Pilot Super Sport Tires Any Good? Here's What Drivers Say
The Michelin Pilot Super Sport, aimed at high‑performance cars like Porsche and Ferrari, has earned strong driver approval. Tire Rack’s database, covering 12 million miles, shows the tire scoring "Excellent" in four of five categories and a "Good" treadwear rating. Online...
Tesla Reaches 10 Billion FSD Miles — Is There’s a Magical Milestone for Autonomy
Tesla announced its Full Self‑Driving (Supervised) fleet has surpassed 10 billion miles, logging about 29 million miles per day by late April—double the rate at the start of the year. The company cites a crash rate of one serious incident per 5.3 million...
Travel Restrictions Hit Tour Buses
Thai bus operators are pressing the government to lift a ban on public‑sector business trips and speed up a domestic travel co‑payment scheme, arguing that the recent 2.06‑billion‑baht ($58 million) transport subsidy overlooks the tour‑bus sector. The subsidy, intended for freight...
Large Cargo Ship Near Hormuz Reports Being Attacked, In First Escalation Since April 22
A large cargo vessel near the Strait of Hormuz reported being attacked by multiple small craft, marking the first escalation in the waterway since a similar incident on April 22. The northbound carrier, likely the Pasargad 11, was struck off Sirik,...
Rant: Saving Spirit Was Cheap, Letting It Fail, Expensive
Spirit Airlines ceased operations after a $500 million government loan was rejected, ending a low‑cost carrier that kept fares low on dozens of routes. The Department of Justice blocked a JetBlue‑Spirit merger, citing competition concerns, and the bailout would have cost...
Why Did Car Brands Ditch Traditional Door Handles?
Automakers have embraced hidden, flush door handles to shave drag and boost electric‑vehicle range, a trend popularized by Tesla and copied by brands like Toyota and Nissan. The design offers a sleek, futuristic look but can freeze in cold weather...
Ukraine Hits Two Tankers at Novorossiysk and Three Vessels at Primorsk
Ukraine’s security forces used long‑range drones to strike two shadow‑fleet tankers at the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk and three vessels—including a Karakurt‑class guided‑missile corvette, a patrol boat, and another tanker—at the Baltic port of Primorsk. The attacks demonstrate Ukraine’s...
Global Carmakers Desperately Want to Be More Chinese
The Beijing International Auto Exhibit, now twice the size of its 2024 edition, displayed roughly 180 new vehicles, underscoring China's dominance in the automotive sector. Chinese manufacturers are outpacing foreign rivals in electric‑vehicle technology and autonomous‑driving showcases. Global OEMs are...
Can You 3D Print Gaskets That Actually Work?
The article examines whether TPU‑based 3D‑printed gaskets can replace factory parts in older cars. It explains that TPU can tolerate up to roughly 80 psi and 240 °F, making it suitable for low‑pressure, low‑temperature applications such as water‑pump and valve‑cover gaskets. High‑heat...
YouTuber Crowdfunds $22m in Attempt to Buy Spirit Airlines After It Shut Down Overnight
Spirit Airlines halted all flights on May 2, 2026, leaving 44 million passengers stranded. In response, YouTuber “Hi There Hunter” launched the Spirit 2.0 campaign to raise funds and purchase the airline’s assets before private‑equity firms intervene. The crowdfunding effort quickly amassed $22.8 million...
Spain’s $73 400‑mile Train Beats US Airline Gouging
While domestic airlines gouge passengers, in Spain you can go 400 miles (the distance between SF/LA, Chicago/Minneapolis, or DC/Charlotte) in 3 hours for just $73. We’ll do anything but provide rail service to this country.
Emirates President Sir Tim Clark on Resilience, Innovation, and the Future of Aviation
Emirates, operating 270 wide‑body jets and about 150 daily flights, rebounded to 87% of its network within four days after the US‑Israel‑Iran conflict halted Gulf air traffic. Sir Tim Clark credited a highly integrated Dubai aviation ecosystem, advanced technology, and...
Trump Says U.S. Will Help 'Guide' Stranded Ships From Strait of Hormuz Starting Monday
President Donald Trump announced "Project Freedom," a U.S. effort to guide hundreds of stranded vessels and roughly 20,000 seafarers out of the Iran‑blocked Strait of Hormuz starting Monday. The initiative follows Iran’s effective closure of the waterway after the Feb. 28...
AAdvantage Business Loyalty Account: Get 10,000 Miles For Joining (Code BNS10K)
American Airlines is offering a limited‑time promotion that grants 10,000 AAdvantage bonus miles to businesses that enroll in the AAdvantage Business loyalty program using promo code BNS10K before Dec. 31, 2026. To qualify, accounts must have five active travelers and generate at...
Viking Owns The Brand. AmaWaterways Owns The Product.
Viking has long dominated the American perception of river cruising, but AmaWaterways is rapidly overtaking it in product quality and fleet growth. In April, AmaWaterways announced a plan to expand its fleet to more than 50 ships by 2032, adding...
NTSB Leak: China Eastern 737 Crashed After Both Engines Were Shut Off Inflight
In March 2022 a China Eastern Boeing 737 crashed, killing all 132 aboard. The CAAC has withheld a formal report, citing national security, but a recent NTSB FOIA release reveals that both engines were shut off, autopilot was disengaged, and...
Bhutan's New Gelephu Airport Set to Open 2029, Expanding Access to Remote South
King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck led the launch of Gelephu International Airport, slated to open in 2029 with a capacity of 123 flights daily. The new gateway aims to open Bhutan's remote southern region to tourists while maintaining its high‑value,...
Uber May Penalize Drivers for Early Pickups
I reserved an Uber for my ride to the airport this morning. I was ready about 20 minutes early and then I got a message from my driver saying that he was here early. So I came out and got...
Bridger Pipeline's Saskatchewan Route Sparks Local Backlash
He's going to be really upset when he finds out that the proposed Bridger Pipeline goes through Saskatchewan before crossing into the US. All the smartest people. https://t.co/eOKiSNnfh4
IMO Sets Up World’s Largest Emission Control Area in North‑East Atlantic
The United Nations International Maritime Organization formally adopted a new Emission Control Area (ECA) for the North‑East Atlantic, the world’s largest, imposing stricter sulfur, nitrogen oxide and particulate limits on ships. The measure, backed by ICCT research, is projected to...
Tesla Feels Like a Supercomputer, Never Needing Gas
It’s hard to understand what the other 39% are thinking. Once you drive a Tesla, it’s like driving an all-seeing sensor with a super computer behind the scenes doing all the decision making, driving and navigation. Also, you never have...
Electric Car Rollout Vulnerable to Governmental Control
Perfect time for the push to get everyone into electric cars which can be shut down/limited by our glorious overlords
Tesla Launches Chinese‑made Model 3 in Canada at $29,000, Slashing Price by Half
Tesla has begun shipping its Shanghai‑built Model 3 Premium Rear‑Wheel‑Drive to Canada at a list price of $39,490 CAD (≈$29,000 USD), nearly 50% lower than the previous entry‑level price. The move follows Canada’s reduction of tariffs on Chinese EVs to 6.1%, reversing a...
Design Shines, Function Falters in 2026 Prius Nightshade
There's a lot to like about the 2026 @Toyota Prius PHEV Nightshade, but there are also a lot of issues I bumped into during a week of driving. Has design finally overtaken function with this iconic Toyota vehicle? Maybe so......
Pilots Cut Engines Before China Eastern 737 Crash, Report Suppressed
Pilots Shut Off Both Engines Before China Eastern 737 Crash — China Cites “National Security” To Withhold Report - View from the Wing https://t.co/r0Bmfap30g
Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern Revive $85 B Coast‑to‑coast Rail Merger as STB Starts 30‑day Review
Union Pacific Railroad and Norfolk Southern Railway filed an amended $85 billion merger application, restarting a Surface Transportation Board review that begins a 30‑day clock. The railroads say the deal will cut shippers’ costs by $3.5 billion annually, while a newly formed...
Fuel Price Surge Threatens Airlines Amid Political Blame War
"The Fuel Price Crunch that's turning into a Disaster for Airlines" Trump admin and its war just killed Spirit Airlines but they (and some Dems) are desperately trying to blame the Biden Admin for enforcing the law without fear or...
When Private Rail Was Praised Over Government Incompetence
I'm so old I remember when people validated the 'private sector' because the government can't do rail.
Paul Newman Raced At Le Mans Only Once — And Came In Second In His Porsche 935
At the 1979 24 Hours of Le Mans, actor Paul Newman made his sole start, co‑driving Dick Barbour Racing’s Porsche 935 to a second‑place overall finish and a class win. Despite a costly pit‑stop wheel seizure, the trio of Newman, team...
Chinese Cart Assistant Moves Using Simple Foot Tilt
Next-Gen Cart Assistant from China Moves with a Simple Foot Tilt by @RealXavier011 #Innovation #EmergingTech #Technology #Tech https://t.co/gPLuPz3iSU
Spirit's Collapse Reveals Future Airline Industry Trends
We’ve dropped the paywall on last week’s deep dive from @theaircurrent as Spirit Airlines approached the end. Even with the demise of the carrier there’s insight here to understand what’s next. https://t.co/bf8E8VchqB
Airline 2050: Beyond the Seat – Building the Future-Ready Airline
At the CAPA Airline Leader Summit, executives argued that airlines must move beyond seat‑centric revenue models toward a platform approach built on operational excellence, financial resilience, trust, and strategic partnerships. Allegiant’s turnaround through predictive maintenance, Aegean’s liquidity‑driven COVID recovery, and...
Tow Drivers Likely Safe From Automation for Decades
Saw a Waymo on a tow truck yesterday. And realized these tow truck drivers may still have a job 20 years from now.
Airline Collapse and Wild Prices Demand Travel Regulation
As other airlines die and ticket pricing goes haywire we need to start the conversation about re-regulating air travel.
Africa’s Aviation Capacity Jumps 13.7% as Middle East Turmoil Reroutes Global Traffic
IATA data released this week shows Africa’s total aviation capacity grew 13.7% in 2026, with Eastern Africa posting a 24.3% surge. The jump comes as airlines reroute around the Middle‑East crisis, positioning Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Ghana and Nigeria as the...
Houston Demolishes Avenida South Garage, Leaving Convention‑Center Hotels Short on Parking
Houston First announced that the Avenida South Garage adjacent to the George R. Brown Convention Center will be demolished on Monday, requiring all vehicles to be removed by 5 p.m. Sunday. The closure forces hotels in the district to rely on...