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
Death of Seafarer Crushed in Ro-Ro Accident Leads to Renewed Calls for UK Code of Practice
A fatal accident on the ro‑ro vessel *Laureline* on 13 July 2024 left Able Seaman Alain Canete crushed between a moving trailer and the ship’s structure. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch found that crew members did not fully understand the new vehicle‑deck safety procedure, leading them to enter a danger zone while the tug driver was reversing. The investigation re‑issued a recommendation for a unified UK code of practice, echoing a similar call after a 2021 incident on *Clipper Pennant*. CLdN and Anglo‑Eastern have begun safety bulletins and blind‑spot camera trials in response.
MOVE 2026
MOVE 2026, the eighth edition of the commercial forum for auto, fleet, energy and tech leaders, will take place June 17‑18 at ExCel London. Organized by Terrapinn, the two‑day event will host over 300 world‑class speakers from automotive OEMs, fleet...
United Opens TSA Checkpoint for Premier 1K®, Polaris®, and Global Services in Houston
United Airlines has reopened a TSA checkpoint in Terminal C at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport for its Premier 1K, Global Services and Polaris travelers. The lane, previously reserved for families and passengers with disabilities, was repurposed amid severe staffing...
DP World Marks Container Record at Dakar Terminal
DP World celebrated handling its 10 millionth container at Dakar’s terminal, a milestone achieved since taking over management in 2008. Over the past 18 years the company has poured roughly $340 million into upgrades, boosting annual throughput from 265,000 TEUs to 850,000...
Airbus A350: The Gap Between Ambition and Reality
Airbus’s flagship A350 program has missed its delivery targets dramatically. While the company promised nine aircraft per month by the end of 2025, actual output averaged five per month, yielding only 55‑57 units instead of the planned 108. The shortfall...
Waymo’s Phoenix Fleet Now Shows Drivers After Years Driverless
Waymo's been in and around Phoenix since before 2020 and driving autonomously even in parts of Scottsdale and the surrounding cities for years. It is now very odd seeing a driver behind the wheel. I am sure there are loads of...
Busy Easter Ahead for London Stansted Airport
London Stansted expects around 1.5 million passengers between March 28 and April 12, with roughly 760,000 departures and 740,000 arrivals. Over the Easter weekend alone, traffic should top 400,000, making Good Friday the busiest departure day. The airport’s newly enlarged security hall is...
Why Smart People Believe Myths About Electric Cars
In this episode of Heat It, host Emily and producer Tracy dissect common myths about electric vehicles (EVs), revealing that both EVs and gasoline cars harm the environment but EVs become cleaner after about 1,500 miles of driving. They cite...
Some States Consider Tax Holidays as Gas Prices Continue to Rise
U.S. gasoline prices climbed to a national average of $3.96 per gallon, up from $3.72 a week earlier, prompting several states to weigh temporary gas tax holidays. Georgia has already suspended its fuel tax, while California, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland and...
Australia Urged to Swap Diesel for Electric Buses as Fuel Costs Soar
Diesel prices have surged past $3 per litre, prompting transport advocates to push for electric buses in Australia. Currently only about 1% of the nation’s 42,800‑bus fleet runs on electricity, while diesel‑powered buses consume roughly 530 million litres annually. Several states...
Mamdani Budget Funds Queensway, Dimming Hope for Reactivated Long Island Rail
Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s 2026 budget earmarks $43 million for the Queensway, a high‑line‑style park in Queens. The proposed park occupies the corridor that the QueensLink extension of the Long Island Rail Road would need to revive the Rockaway Beach branch. Advocates...
Councils Struggling to Plan Charging Infrastructure
Councils across England are grappling with the task of installing electric‑vehicle charging points that meet accessibility standards while contending with limited street space. More than half of local authorities flag the balance between accessible charge points and real‑world constraints as...
Off‑service Buses Speeding on Slip‑road Exits Endangers Safety
Since when can vehicles go more than 80km/h on a slip road exit to the highway? This SMRT bus almost gave me a heart attack. It feels like it’s becoming more common for off-service buses to speed. I understand everyone wants to...
United's Secret Houston Line Fast-Tracks Elite, Leaves Others Waiting
United Airlines Opens Hidden Houston TSA Checkpoint For Top Customers — Everyone Else Waits 4 Hours - View from the Wing https://t.co/UZk6lpgLQw
Incinity Adds AI Assistant to Invipo Traffic Management Platform
Czech developer Incinity introduced an AI assistant for its Invipo traffic management platform, allowing operators to query live network data via natural language within the existing interface. Demonstrated at Intertraffic 2026 in Amsterdam, the tool delivers instant answers on location‑specific...
Dayton Airport Auctions FedEx Plane Starting at $6,400
Just in case you're looking to purchase a plane, Dayton Airport is selling a FedEx plane via @liquidityinc' auction website. Current bid is $6,400. https://t.co/9aGEsWV6Tr
Toyota Vs. Tesla: What Manufacturing Mindsets Reveal About Quality and Culture
Toyota’s production system, honed at NUMMI, embeds built‑in quality, respect for people, and continuous improvement, turning a formerly failing GM plant into a benchmark for North American manufacturing. Tesla, after acquiring the same Fremont facility, pursued a speed‑first, heavily automated...
United Transforms CRJ‑200 Into Premium CRJ‑450, Cuts Seats
As demand for premium travel continues to surge, United is not resting on its laurels. Enter the CRJ-450, a lower-capacity CRJ-200 in disguise. Seat count drops by nine seats to 41 including seven First Class seats and four rows of...
Alba Tankers Gets New Owners
Denmark‑based shipping firm Alba Tankers has been acquired by Zeaside Capital Partners, which partnered with Danish and international investors to take control. The transaction adds Alba’s nine sub‑20,000 dwt vessels and its Gothenburg‑based commercial platform to Zeaside’s portfolio, giving the newly‑formed...
I've Used Waze for 10 Years—Here's Why I Refuse to Switch to Google Maps
Cory Gunther, senior author at Valnet, argues that Waze outperforms Google Maps by leveraging a crowdsourced network that reports police, accidents, potholes and other hazards in real time. He recounts a 2016 cross‑country trip where Waze rerouted him around a...
Global Rollout of Hydrogen Buses Advancing, World Platinum Reports
The World Platinum Investment Council reports accelerating global rollout of platinum‑based hydrogen fuel‑cell buses. New Flyer has secured 500 fuel‑cell engines (50 MW) for its Xcelsior CHARGE FC buses, while Portugal’s CaetanoBus is delivering 12 buses and building green‑hydrogen production and...
Designing Circadian Lighting for Rail: From Opportunity to Implementation
The article outlines how rail operators can move from the strategic case for circadian lighting to practical implementation. It recommends starting with station waiting lounges, then piloting tunable LED systems in first‑class carriages before scaling to standard class with optical...
What It Really Means: SKU Segmentation
SKU segmentation groups products by strategic role, letting firms tailor supply‑chain policies such as inventory, service targets, and capacity to each segment. By separating high‑volume, high‑profit, seasonal and low‑performing items, companies can balance cost, service and cash trade‑offs more effectively....
Over 25,000 Electric CLAs Registered in Europe
Mercedes‑Benz has registered roughly 25,500 all‑electric CLA models in Europe through February, with Germany leading at 9,600 units. Registrations have remained strong month‑over‑month, even surpassing typical post‑holiday dips, and about half of the sales are to business fleets. In contrast,...
Why Are 110 Certified Indian Ship Recycling Yards Frozen Out by Brussels?
The European Commission’s 15th edition of the European List of Ship Recycling Facilities names 41 approved yards, all outside South Asia, despite more than 110 Indian and 23 Bangladeshi yards holding Hong Kong Convention compliance certificates. South Asian facilities now process...
Are Parcel Lockers Becoming a Serious Supply Chain Play for Retailers?
Parcel lockers are moving from a niche convenience to a core component of retail fulfilment in the UK. InPost research shows 41% of consumers now receive parcels via lockers, with 115 million parcels processed annually, including 28 million returns. Retailers see lockers...
/file/attachments/orphans/IMG_0411copy_538478.jpg)
‘BLOODY SCARY’: Fire Chopper Crash Above Hout Bay Ends in Miraculous Escape
A yellow Huey firefighting helicopter operated by Kishugu Aviation clipped a cliffside above Hout Bay on March 25, flipped over and lost its rotors. The dramatic crash was captured on video, but pilot Mike Bothma escaped unharmed. The incident occurred...
Accelleron Books Its 10,000th Order for A100-L/A200-L Turbocharger Series
Accelleron has recorded its 10,000th order for the A100-L/A200-L low‑speed turbocharger series, a line first launched in 2009 and expanded in 2013. The turbochargers power marine two‑stroke engines ranging from 3,000 kW to 28,000 kW, covering bulk carriers, tankers, LNG ships and...
My Advice: If You Do Not Have TSA PreCheck®, Do Not Fly
At New York’s LaGuardia Airport, the author observed a stark contrast between the 15‑minute TSA PreCheck lane and a regular security line that stretched around Terminal B and crawled forward. The PreCheck lane was efficiently staffed by a mix of TSA...
Elon Musk Debuts Tesla Model S on Letterman, 2009
#ThisDayInTechHistory. March 26, 2009. @ElonMusk first presented the @Tesla Model S on the David Letterman Show. #AutomotiveIndustry #History. https://t.co/4AEPZO7x6K
Maraen Unveils £30m Port of Nigg Investment
Maraen announced a £30 million (≈$37.5 million) investment to build a new heavy‑duty quay and roll‑on/roll‑off capability at Scotland’s Port of Nigg. The funding follows the 2025 acquisition of Port of Nigg, Global Energy (Group) and Global Energy Services by Mitsui & Co. Europe...
Toyota Pledges $1 Billion to Boost Output at Two U.S. Plants
Toyota announced a $1 billion investment to expand capacity at its Kentucky and Texas plants, aiming to lift annual output by up to 200,000 vehicles. The move sparked a 3% rise in Toyota shares on the Tokyo market, underscoring investor confidence...
Aeromexico Returns to Quito with Four Weekly Flights
Aeromexico has reinstated its nonstop service between Mexico City and Quito, launching four weekly Boeing 737 MAX 8 flights. The inaugural return flight was marked by a ceremony attended by Quiport’s CEO Ramón Miró and Aeromexico’s North‑Latin America VP Pepe Zapata. The...
Verne, Uber and Pony.ai Team Up to Launch Europe’s First Robotaxi Service in Zagreb
Verne, the Croatian robotaxi startup, has joined forces with Uber and Chinese autonomous‑driving firm Pony.ai to launch Europe’s first commercial robotaxi service in Zagreb. The trio plans to scale to a fleet of thousands of Level‑4 driverless cabs, with Pony.ai...
VINCI to Acquire Nine Indian Highway Concessions for $1.8 B
VINCI Highways, the toll‑road arm of French construction giant VINCI, signed an agreement to purchase nine highway concessions in India from Macquarie Asset Management for roughly 150 billion rupees (about $1.8 billion). The deal, covering 700 km of key routes in Andhra Pradesh...
Rhenus Expands Britax Römer Partnership with Integrated European Logistics Solution
Rhenus Logistics has expanded its partnership with child‑safety brand Britax Römer by delivering a fully integrated European logistics network centered on its Wesel hub. The solution unifies ocean freight from China, inland waterway transport via Rotterdam, centralized warehousing, and road distribution...
Hyundai-Kia: EV Momentum Stalling Changes US Product Plans
Hyundai, Kia and Genesis are revising their U.S. electric‑vehicle lineups as sales momentum stalls and federal EV incentives disappear. The slowdown, coupled with higher import tariffs, has prompted the Korean automakers to delay or cancel several planned models and shift...
The Worst Airport in America
The Atlantic’s piece crowns Newark Liberty International as America’s worst airport, citing record‑high delays, two‑hour security lines, and abysmal food options. Data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics shows Reagan Airport leads in delays, while Newark ranks second for on‑time...
EPA Issues Temporary Nationwide E15 Waiver to Lower Gas Prices Amid Iran Conflict
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced a May 1‑May 20 emergency waiver permitting the sale of E15 gasoline across the United States. The move targets soaring pump prices—now near $4 per gallon—linked to the Iran war and seeks to boost domestic...
Chicago Delivery Robots Damage Bus Shelters, City Moves to Regulate
Chicago officials are responding after several autonomous delivery robots repeatedly collided with and damaged public bus shelters this week. The incidents have sparked a debate over urban robot safety and regulatory oversight.
AWG Invests $110M to Modernize Distribution Center
Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) is investing $110 million to modernize its Gulf Coast distribution center in Pearl River, Louisiana, adding advanced automation to boost order accuracy, service reliability, and weather resilience. Construction runs Jan‑Nov 2027 with automation installed in April, and...
Air China to Restart Beijing Delhi Service From April 21
Air China will restart direct Beijing‑Delhi flights on April 21, operating a thrice‑weekly Airbus A330 service that includes onward connections to the United States and Canada. The carrier becomes the fourth airline to launch routes after India‑China passenger flights resumed in November. Over...
NEW REPORT - EV Endgame: Stalling China’s Export Surge in Europe’s Southern Neighbourhood
A new ECFR report details how Chinese electric‑vehicle and battery firms are rapidly establishing production and sales footholds across Morocco, Turkey, the Gulf states and broader MENA region. The strategy is designed to capture emerging market share while sidestepping looming...
/file/attachments/2990/13861854_322737.jpg)
Bus Falls Into River While Boarding Ferry in Bangladesh, Leaving 24 Dead
A passenger bus carrying roughly 40 people capsized while attempting to board a ferry at Daulatdia in Bangladesh's Rajbari district, plunging about 30 feet (9 m) into the Padma River. Rescue teams recovered 22 bodies and confirmed 24 deaths, including women and...
How Lightfoot’s Plug-and-Play Fleet Technology Is Helping Businesses Stay Ahead of the Fuel Crisis
Lightfoot has turned its driver‑coaching hardware into a plug‑and‑play solution that connects to a vehicle’s OBD port without specialist wiring. The system delivers up to 15% fuel savings, translating to about $679 per vehicle per year at current diesel prices...
Air Canada CEO Criticized Again for Insufficient French After Crash
Following Accident, Air Canada’s CEO IS Under Fire For His Lack Of French… Again https://t.co/a09nMqmkuU
Truck Spot Rates Surge to Cycle High, Vans $2.97
Trucking spot rates hit new cycle high as the rally continues. $2.97 for vans. +$.14 in the past week. https://t.co/QVmlK0jug1
Swissport Drives Pharma Cold Chain Growth at EuroAirport Basel
Swissport’s cool+connect facility at EuroAirport Basel‑Mulhouse‑Freiburg has processed over 1,000 temperature‑controlled (RKN‑equivalent) containers since its February 2025 launch, with monthly volumes now reaching 200‑250 units. The growth underscores Basel’s emergence as a pivotal European gateway for life‑science air cargo. Integrated digital...
Global Trade Faces Fragmentation Amid Geopolitical Upheaval
From Liberation Day to the Strait of Hormuz, is global trade and world order going thru an upheaval? Will the world move go from bifurcation or trifurcation to fragmentation? Who will dominant? What would supply chains look like and operate...