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
Boeing’s Certification Logjam Begins to Break with FAA Approval of 787 Upgrade
Boeing secured FAA approval for increased maximum take‑off weight (iMTOW) variants of its 787‑9 and 787‑10 wide‑bodies, the first major certification since the 737 Max 8200 in 2021. The 787‑9 gains 10,000 lb, reaching 571,500 lb, while the 787‑10 adds 14,000 lb to 574,000 lb. These weight increases translate into up to five metric tons more payload and 310‑430 nautical miles extra range. The clearance signals a thaw in Boeing’s certification backlog and bolsters its product appeal.
After Hackers Hit an Iowa Company, Cars Around the Country Failed to Start
Intoxalock, a leading provider of ignition interlock devices, suffered a cyberattack on March 14 that crippled its calibration and installation systems. The outage prevented monthly calibrations, putting an estimated 7‑10% of Connecticut users and thousands nationwide at risk of vehicle lockouts....
Drive My Car: Turning Parking Spots Into Steady Cash Flow
In this episode, Alan Lazowski of Laz Parking and Rob Zeritsky of Parkway Corporation discuss how parking is a critical, cash‑flow‑rich infrastructure asset that underpins everything from sports arenas to hospitals. They explore the industry's evolution, highlighting the shift toward...
Study: Retailers Struggle to Serve Impatient Consumers as Fulfillment Costs Rise
Retailers worldwide are feeling the squeeze as global logistics and fulfillment costs have risen more than 20% over the past three years. At the same time, 66% of shoppers now bounce across two or more channels before buying, fragmenting the...
Survey: Trucking Fleets Face “Procurement Paralysis” Due to Shifting Business Climate
A Fleet Advantage survey reveals that nearly half of U.S. heavy‑duty trucking executives are stuck in "procurement paralysis" as shifting tariffs and low‑emission engine mandates create uncertainty about new truck purchases. The indecision has forced fleets to keep older trucks...
Car Prices Are High, But Automakers Have A Plan That Might Help
U.S. new‑vehicle prices have surged, with the average sticker now around $50,000 for 2026 models. The climb is driven by larger, heavier designs and a cascade of cost pressures from housing to fuel. As households tighten budgets, demand for entry‑level...
AirBaltic Partners with InterLnkd to Launch Dynamic Inflight Shopping Experience
Latvian carrier airBaltic has teamed with InterLnkd to embed the AirMall digital marketplace into its Starlink‑powered Skynet Wi‑Fi portal, creating the first global, dynamic inflight shopping experience. The platform gives passengers access to more than 20,000 brands on their personal...
Gulfstream Delivers 200th G600 Aircraft
Gulfstream announced the delivery of its 200th G600 business jet, a model first delivered in August 2019. The fleet has accumulated more than 197,000 flight hours, 87,000 landings and set 95 city‑pair speed records, including a 7‑hour‑42‑minute Aspen‑to‑London City run....
Report Misused to Push Oil Sands Expansion, Ignoring Key Data
New Pipeline Report Misused by Danielle Smith to Justify Oil Sands Expansion Economists Peter Tertzakian and Mark Parsons (atbfinancial) ignore key variables that undermine, perhaps negate, projected gains. Was it intentional? You decide. #abpoli #ableg https://markhamhislop.substack.com/p/new-pipeline-report-misused-by-danielle
Empty Detroit TSA Reveals Broken System, Congress as Pawns
TSA in Detroit was virtually empty at McNamara. Didn’t see the agents I usually see. Had a quick convo about how effed up the situation is and Congress is still getting paid and for the second time this year, they’re...
MODEX 2026: Swisslog to Showcase Flexible, Scalable Warehouse Technologies
Swisslog used MODEX 2026 to unveil AgileStore, a 4‑way roaming pallet shuttle designed for high‑density, flexible storage, and its SynQ orchestration platform that unifies WMS, WES and WCS functions. The AgileStore system can travel forward, backward, laterally and vertically, allowing...
Delivery Bugs Revealed Zipline’s True Product‑market Fit
Keller Rinaudo Cliffton from Zipline thought making the drones would be the hardest part. It was only 15% of the problem. The company spent 9 months figuring out delivery for one hospital. Weeks of all-nighters. Building inventory software in a...
US-EU Clean Freight Crests $100/T for First Time
Refined product shipments on medium‑range tankers from the US Gulf to Europe broke the $100 per tonne barrier for the first time in nearly two decades, reaching $108.08/t on a Worldscale 545 voyage. The surge is linked to Iran's de‑facto...
Australian Airports Facing Unfavourable Market Conditions: Airspace Disruption, Soaring Airfares, and Heightened Risk of Jet Fuel Shortage
Australian airports are confronting a perfect storm of market pressures, including severe airspace disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict and sharply rising airfares. While Asian and North American hubs have capacity to absorb some diverted traffic, the loss of...
LaGuardia Airport Reopens After Fatal Runway Collision
LaGuardia International Airport reopened at 2 p.m. on March 23 after a fatal runway collision forced a half‑day ground stop. The incident left more than 600 cancellations and over 100 lingering delays at the airport, while the national system logged 3,206 flight...
Radiate Engineering & Design Introduces FlyBlocks – a Production-Ready Structuralairframe Platform for Long-Range VTOL UAV Applications
Radiate Engineering & Design AG of Zurich launched FlyBlocks, a production‑ready structural airframe platform targeting professional B2B VTOL UAVs focused on long‑range missions. The modular system includes three scalable models—VT‑14, VT‑22 and VT‑30—covering MTOW from 5 kg to 28 kg and ranges...
Port of Lázaro Cárdenas Formalises Contract for Terminal IV Development
Mexico’s Lázaro Cárdenas port has formalized a Partial Assignment of Rights contract with Porter Lázaro Cárdenas SA de CV to build and operate a new Multi‑Purpose Terminal IV. Signed on Jan 26, 2026 and registered Feb 26, the terminal will serve cabotage, mineral...
Electric Trucks Take to the Road as Demand for Petrol-Free Cars Surges
Australian startup New Energy Transport completed its first electric long‑haul delivery from Sydney to Canberra, targeting a fleet of 20 electric trucks by the end of next year. The 290 km run cost about $33 in charging—roughly a third of a...
This New TSA Wait Time Tool Is Better Than The MyTSA App
A new browser‑based TSA wait‑time tracker built by Zach Griff offers checkpoint‑level data for about 19 U.S. airports, including PreCheck and CLEAR lanes where available. Unlike the MyTSA app, which provides only airport‑wide estimates, this tool pulls live feeds directly...
Allegiant Introduces Flexible Travel Policy Amid Ongoing Government Shutdown
Allegiant Air launched a "Travel with Confidence" policy that lets passengers change or cancel eligible flights without fees through the end of the current government shutdown. The flexible option applies to both new and existing bookings and requires customers to...
Steadicopter Launches Dedicated UAS Academy to Train GlobalOperators and Technicians on Advanced Rotary UAV Missions
Steadicopter, a developer of rotary unmanned aerial systems, announced the launch of its Steadicopter UAS Academy, a global training program for operators, mission commanders and technicians. The curriculum emphasizes the unique capabilities of rotary UAVs—persistent hover, precision deployment and flexibility—across...
3 Additives that Protect High-Mileage Engines (and when to Use Them)
The article outlines three engine additives—Zinc Dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP), Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS₂), and Polyetheramine (PEA)—that can extend the life of high‑mileage engines. It explains how each compound forms protective films, reduces friction, or stabilizes combustion under demanding conditions. Practical product recommendations...
Iran's Control of Hormuz Threatens Global Trade
The Straits of Hormuz and maritime generally is THE story of the war with Iran. Iran cannot be left in charge of the Straits and choke the world. I recorded a special episode of Invested with @AmiDaniel1, founder & CEO...
Roadrunner: One‑Wheel Biped Redefines Micro‑Mobility
Meet Roadrunner 🏁 A new wheeled biped that stands, balances on one wheel, and adapts in real time. A glimpse of where micro mobility is going. More stable. More accessible. More human. Small device, big shift. 🤖 @rai_inst #Robotics #MicroMobility https://t.co/ZlMiuMkoTi
Brussels Trains Disrupted After Suspicious Bags Found at Midi Station
Brussels‑Midi, the city’s main railway hub, was evacuated on Monday evening after police discovered suspicious bags, halting all train movements between 5:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. A joint police and army bomb‑disposal unit inspected the packages and declared them harmless, allowing services...
Hanwha’s US Shipyard Builds One Ship Yearly, Korea Weekly
"The Hanwha Philly shipyard delivers around 1 ship a year. A South Korean Hanwha shipyard delivers 1 a week." https://t.co/OwUFfT0mmc
Son at LGA; Flight Attendant Ejected Survives
My son is at LGA right now. Here’s the view. It’s sad what happened. I can’t believe it happened. So happy to hear the flight attendant who was ejected from the plane survived. https://t.co/2KY0wwxweb
American Airlines Tells Passenger That It Takes No Responsbility For Returning Her Bag With a Wheel Missing… The DOT Says...
A passenger discovered a wheel ripped off her checked bag after flying with American Airlines. The airline replied that the damage constituted “normal wear and tear” and refused compensation, pointing to its baggage liability policy. However, the U.S. Department of...
Supply Chain Flaws Become Visible only During Crises
We don’t find out we have a supply chain problem when everything is fine; we find out when we’re in a crisis and the shelves are empty. https://t.co/I0LD02tiAd
NY Jet Crash Kills Two; Trump Sends ICE to Airports
Two dead in New York jet collision, Trump deploys ICE to strained US airports https://t.co/HmjG2ChYUq
Airports Facing Financial Challenges
U.S. airports are confronting a perfect storm of financial strain, operational disruptions, and aging infrastructure. A recent fatal collision at LaGuardia highlighted safety concerns amid a Department of Homeland Security funding lapse that left TSA agents unpaid and caused long...
Human ATC Errors Cost Lives; Automation Needed
Unpopular opinion: Today two pilots lost their lives because we have an air traffic control system inherently vulnerable to human error. Even great humans make mistakes sometimes. Machines should be issuing clearances, not human controllers.
Overconfidence Fuels New Crises in Air Travel
It's been a long time since I've seen widely shared feelings of invulnerability turn into parallel crises like we're now seeing in air travel.
Fatal Incident Prompts Hyundai to Issue Immediate Stop-Sale Order
Hyundai has issued an immediate stop‑sale on the 2026 Palisade Limited and Calligraphy trims after a tragic accident in which a child died while a second‑ or third‑row power seat was folding. The recall covers roughly 68,500 vehicles and stems...
Politicians' Stress-Testing Risks Lives, Must End
Would the LGA crash or last year's Reagan crash that killed 67 have happened if ATC wasn't so stressed? I don't know. I do know politicians are stress-testing vital systems with our lives. Enough is fucking enough. This is no way...
ICE Shows Up, TSA Lines Still Drag On
ICE Deployed To 13 Airports — But Agents Are Mostly Standing Around As TSA Lines Stretch For Hours - View from the Wing https://t.co/wKBwn8Bo8l
Major Flight Cancellations: How Capital One Miles Saved My International Trip Home
The escalation of conflict in the Middle East led to unprecedented airspace closures, grounding Emirates flights and stranding an estimated one million passengers. One traveler, en route from London to Australia, saw a 35,000‑mile Emirates award disappear and faced a...
Jet Fuel Costs Double, Sparking Airline Crisis
Jet fuel prices have DOUBLED to over $200/barrel since the Iran war. Asian airlines and energy suppliers face MAJOR SHORTAGES. SIGNS OF A MAJOR CRISIS ARE APPEARING: Thousands of flights have already been canceled AIRLINES SHOULD SEND A BILL FOR DAMAGES TO...
60 Minutes Catches Up to America’s Shipbuilding Crisis Long Flagged by Maritime Industry
A 60 Minutes segment highlighted the widening gap between U.S. shipyards and Asian rivals, underscoring a long‑standing shipbuilding crisis. South Korean conglomerate Hanwha announced up to $5 billion to expand Philadelphia’s Philly Shipyard, aiming to boost annual output from under two...
Focusing on Human-Centered Innovation: A Conversation with Karli Sage
Karli Sage, VP of Supply Chain Management, Technology and Engineering at Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, is championing "human‑centered innovation" by deploying warehouse automation, drones, collaborative robots, and decision‑intelligence software that serve employees first. She emphasizes that technology should simplify...
Caterpillar and Fortescue Extend Command for Hauling Agreement for Western Australia Mines
Caterpillar has renewed its MineStar Command agreement with Fortescue’s Chichester Metals and FMG Solomon to supply and operate autonomous haulage software at three Western Australian mines. The extension continues a decade‑long deployment that began in 2012, reinforcing safety, reliability and...
The Bumpy US Air Travel Recovery?
The U.S. Department of Transportation released its 2025 T‑100 airline traffic data through December, and AirInsight’s forecasting model shows domestic passenger volumes rebounding strongly but losing momentum. While year‑over‑year growth remains positive, the model struggles to shed pandemic‑era assumptions, indicating...
Asheville Regional Airport Begins TSA Support Drive
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) announced a community‑driven support initiative for its Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers who are working without pay due to the ongoing partial federal government shutdown. Approximately 96 TSA team members at AVL are affected, prompting the...
SWISSPORT’S MATCHBOX PLATFORM ACHIEVES ISO 27001, 27017 AND 27018 CERTIFICATIONS
Swissport’s Matchbox, a cloud‑based travel document validation platform, has earned ISO 27001, ISO 27017 and ISO 27018 certifications, confirming its information‑security, cloud‑security and privacy controls. The platform already validates more than four million passengers with 100% accuracy on inadmissible traveler...
BlueOval SK Delays Layoffs at Kentucky Battery Plant
Ford and SK On are winding down their $11.4 billion BlueOval SK battery joint venture, prompting a delay in the planned layoffs at the Glendale, Kentucky plant. The initial cut of roughly 1,500 workers, slated for mid‑February, has been pushed back, with...
For CSX, Drones Are An Important Item In The Toolbox
CSX has turned drones from a proof‑of‑concept into an enterprise‑wide asset, now operating over 250 unmanned aircraft across its rail network. More than 350 employees hold FAA Part 107 certifications, enabling eight departments to leverage aerial data for inspections, mapping and...
Mayor Moreno, Regional Leaders Share Details of Master Plan for Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
Mayor Helena Moreno and regional leaders unveiled the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) Master Plan, a ten‑year roadmap to accommodate projected growth to 8.6‑9.7 million departing passengers. The plan calls for a second terminal, 10‑15 new gates, upgraded roadways,...
TWO PILOTS DEAD AT LAGUARDIA AS TRUMP BLOCKS TSA FUNDING
An Air Canada Express flight collided with a fire truck on LaGuardia’s runway, killing both pilots and injuring 42 people. The incident occurred as an overburdened air traffic controller attempted to clear the vehicle amid a staffing shortfall that leaves...
Port of Gioia Tauro Secures Funding for 5G Network Development
The Port Authority of the Southern Tyrrhenian and Ionian Seas secured roughly €2 million (about $2.2 million) from Italy’s Fund for Technological Innovation and Digitalization to build a private 5G network at the Port of Gioia Tauro. The project, which earned a top‑score...
Source Logistics Selects IFS Softeon WMS, Supported by Alpine Supply Chain Solutions, to Accelerate Rapid Nationwide Expansion
Source Logistics, a fast‑growing 3PL with 25 warehouses and over 5.8 million square feet of FDA‑ and SQF‑compliant space, has selected IFS Softeon’s warehouse management system to power its nationwide expansion. The Softeon platform offers multi‑tenant architecture, strong API integration and...