Today's Transportation Pulse
Hormuz minesweeping could delay oil flow for weeks
A preliminary U.S.-Iran agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz includes a minesweeping phase that may take 40‑50 days, using conventional minesweepers and advanced underwater drones to locate up to 1,000 Iranian naval mines. The delay could hold tens of millions of barrels of oil, while daily vessel traffic remains at 12‑15 ships.
Also developing:
Subscriber Update – Boeing 737 Production and Deliveries
Boeing recorded 16 first flights of the 737 MAX through March 11, showing the assembly line is still operating at a normal rate. However, only three MAX aircraft were delivered in March, leaving thirteen completed jets in inventory awaiting a wiring repair. The wiring issue has not slowed production but is causing a delivery bottleneck. Historically, similar wiring problems have been resolved quickly once the root cause is identified.
Conn. Lawmakers Propose Easing Electric School Bus Deadlines
Connecticut lawmakers have introduced a bill that eases the state’s zero‑emission school‑bus deadlines, moving the 100% target to 90% by July 1 2040 and keeping an all‑alternative‑fuel requirement for July 1 2035. Distressed municipalities would need only 50% zero‑emission buses by 2035, reaching full...
Volatile Shipping Market Drags Down OOCL’s 2025 Financial Results
OOCL’s 2025 results were hit by a volatile shipping market, heightened trade tensions and new US tariffs. Revenue slipped 9.3% year‑over‑year to $9.7 billion, while EBIT and net profit plunged 42% and 41% respectively, each landing at $1.5 billion. Despite the earnings...
Advanced Air Mobility Takes Off Under the FAA’s eIPP, While Intellectual Property Tensions Rise
On March 9, 2026 the U.S. DOT and FAA unveiled the Advanced Air Mobility and eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), selecting eight multi‑state projects to begin real‑world operations by summer 2026. The program gives manufacturers a structured pathway to fly in national...
Charles Leclerc Said New F1 Cars Are Like Mario Kart, So Ferrari Did the Only Right Thing
Formula 1’s 2026 technical package introduced driver‑activated overtake and boost modes, sparking on‑track battles like those at the Australian Grand Prix. Charles Leclerc likened the new boost to a Mario Kart mushroom, prompting a wave of similar comments from peers such as...
Oil Price Spike Won’t Slash Consumer Goods Volume
We've been looking at scenarios on the total volume of goods pumped through the economy, based on current geopolitical developments: Our general view is that the impact of high oil prices isn't as dramatic as one would initially fear in...
Lucid Announces Midsize EV Platform, Says Profitability Lies with SUVs
Lucid unveiled a new midsize electric‑vehicle platform designed to underpin three upcoming SUVs priced below $50,000, marking a strategic push into the high‑volume midsize SUV segment. The first two models, the Earth and Cosmos, will offer distinct size and sportiness...
New-Car Affordability Challenges May Drive Used-Vehicle Demand
Used‑vehicle auction prices climbed 4% year‑over‑year in February 2026, with luxury models rising 4.1% and electric vehicles 1.8%. Rising auction costs are prompting major dealers such as AutoNation and Sonic Automotive to rely heavily on self‑sourcing through trade‑ins, lease returns...
New Xpeng G6 Now at UK Retailers Nationwide
Chinese EV maker Xpeng has launched its new G6 electric coupe‑SUV across all UK retailers. The model features an 800 V electrical architecture and a lithium‑iron‑phosphate battery that can charge from 10‑80 % in about 12 minutes, delivering up to 326 miles WLTP...
MEDIA ADVISORY: AMAC Kicks Off 2026 AMAC Economic Opportunity & Policy Forum in Washington, DC — Nation’s Aviation Leaders Converge...
The Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) will host its 2026 Economic Opportunity & Policy Forum in Washington, DC, from March 18‑20. The three‑day event gathers aviation leaders, policymakers, and small‑business owners to discuss Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concessions...
American Airlines Makes Payment Change some Will Appreciate
American Airlines has expanded its AAdvantage program to let members redeem miles for gift cards from retailers such as Target, Sephora, Chipotle and Starbucks. The new portal offers cards ranging from $10 to $50 at an approximate value of 0.7...
Jones Act Waiver Sparks Shipping Policy Clash Amid Global Tensions
Stand by for the brawl between the pro-Jones Act supporters @AMPmaritime and those who favor repeal @CatoInstitute over this proposed Jones Act waiver. Whenever there is a shipping crisis, you can count on this issue to be raised and @SecretaryWright should...
Rivian's R2 SUV Priced Above $50k Until 2027
Electric-vehicle shoppers will have to wait until at least 2027 for Rivian Automotive Inc. to sell an SUV for less than $50,000. Rivian’s long-promised R2 midsize SUV will start at $57,990 when deliveries begin this spring, the EV maker said Thursday....
Staged Rollouts Become Safety Evidence
Vehicle software updates are shifting from a single release mindset to staged rollouts that serve as safety evidence. Emerging regulations such as UN Regulation 156 and ISO 24089 require a software update management system, and a progressive rollout with measurable health gates...
Globalist Mole Inside Administration Sabotaged Strait of Hormuz
Not gonna sugar coat this and do not care if it costs me my new Pentagon press credentials and access to this administration. The left smeared my name in a major WAPO hit piece and the right can do the...
Rivian's Decade: AI-Driven Autonomy Redefines Humanity
Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe: "The next 10 years will be the most important period in human history." The full interview: 2:45 Rivian’s big 2026 moment 4:23 The origin of Rivian 6:25 The pivot that changed Rivian 7:21 Rivian’s core mission 9:06 Obsessing over details 9:57 Why R2...
Making Bus Systems Safer for Women in Brazil and Beyond
On International Women’s Day, ITDP highlighted the pervasive gender‑based harassment women face on Brazil’s public transport, citing a Think Olga survey where 99.6% of women experienced harassment and 64% encountered it on buses, subways or trains. The organization calls for...
Pilots Tackle Information Overload in Captains Speaking
Dealing With Information Overload as a Pilot - Captains Speaking Ep. 27 #aviation #airplane #pilot #pilotsofinstagram #mentourpilot
USITC Probes USMCA Auto Rules’ Impact on Industry Competitiveness
The U.S. International Trade Commission has opened a fact‑finding investigation into how the United States‑Mexico‑Canada Agreement’s automotive rules of origin affect U.S. competitiveness, especially for advanced and electric vehicles. The probe follows two earlier biennial reports that highlighted mismatches between...
How to Optimize Warehouse Storage Design for Maximum Efficiency
Optimizing warehouse storage design hinges on maximizing vertical space, selecting the right layout, and integrating advanced material‑handling technologies. Extending rack heights, adding mezzanines, and complying with NFPA 13 clearance rules can double usable floor area. Choosing a U‑shaped or I‑shaped floor...
Airfares Rise as Jet‑Fuel
Airfares are beginning to climb as jet-fuel prices surge following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, pushing airlines to raise fares and fuel surcharges while warning of more increases if the conflict drags on. Carriers say travel demand remains strong,...
JetBlue Expands Fort Lauderdale Flights With More Frequencies
JetBlue announced a major schedule expansion at Fort Lauderdale‑Hollywood International Airport, adding daily year‑round service to Jacksonville and Cartagena and increasing frequencies to Dallas‑Fort Worth and Tampa. The airline will double flights on the Dallas and Tampa routes, moving from...
European Light Vehicle Production and Sales Decouple as Chinese Imports Take Off
European light‑vehicle production fell 3.9 % in 2024 while sales rose 4.6 %, breaking a decade‑long production‑sales alignment. Imports from China have surged, now accounting for 1.37 million vehicles in 2025 and projected to hit 1.53 million by 2030, especially in the economy segment....
Reverse Logistics - the Key To Parcel And E-Commerce Deliveries
Reverse logistics has become as vital as forward delivery amid the surge in e‑commerce shipments. Handling returns now demands specialized processes to manage cost, legal exposure, and brand reputation. Retailers and logistics providers must strengthen compliance with data‑privacy, intellectual‑property, and...
Tankers Burning and Insurers Walking Away: The Global Economic Fallout of Trump’s Iran War
The United States and Israel’s February 28 strikes on Iran triggered an immediate retreat by major maritime insurers, who canceled or sharply repriced war‑risk coverage for vessels transiting the Persian Gulf. Premiums surged by more than 1,000%, making tanker voyages...
Daimler Truck Vs. Traton: The Trough Reveals It All
Daimler Truck and Traton SE are grappling with a steep contraction in global heavy‑truck demand, especially across Europe. Despite the downturn, Traton posted a 32% surge in orders, driven by aging fleets and high utilization, while Daimler Truck is concentrating...
Shipping Workers All at Sea
World Business Express examines the fallout from the Trump administration’s plan to suspend a century‑old U.S. shipping law, allowing foreign tankers to move fuel between U.S. ports amid rising oil prices and tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. The episode...
Beware of Basic Economy Fares
Travelers chasing the lowest online fare often encounter basic economy tickets that appear cheap but come with significant restrictions. These fares typically exclude seat selection, limit baggage, offer no refunds, and may forfeit frequent‑flyer mileage accrual. For roughly $30 more...
Blue Yonder Expands Agentic AI and Mobile Experiences for Industry-Specific Supply Chain Execution
Blue Yonder unveiled an expanded suite of agentic AI tools and role‑specific mobile applications for its end‑to‑end planning and execution platform. The release adds AI agents for retail, manufacturing, transportation, warehouse and customer service functions, plus mobile allocation, operator and...
Hormuz Disruption Threatens Global Fertilizer and Food Security
The Strait of Hormuz isn’t just about oil and gas. It’s about fertilizer. It’s about the supply chains that feed the world. Disrupt them, and the consequences show up months later—smaller harvests, tighter grain supplies, and higher food prices.
Ravi Teja Alchuri — Engineering Trustworthy AI for Production-Scale Fleet Systems
Ravi Teja Alchuri, Director of Technology at Assured Techmatics, explains that deploying AI in fleet telematics requires rigorous architectural discipline, governance guardrails, and system‑level trust to operate reliably at production scale. His platform supports over 100,000 drivers and vehicles across...
Stadler to Supply 7 More Battery Trains to ÖBB to Phase Out Diesel in Regional Austrian Rail
ÖBB has placed an order for seven additional FLIRT Akku battery‑electric trains from Stadler, slated for delivery in 2028. The units will replace diesel‑powered services on the Kamptalbahn and Erlauftalbahn lines in Lower Austria starting in 2029. Each train combines...
Avianca Cargo Introduces A330F Link Between Bogota and Caracas
Avianca Cargo launched a weekly Airbus A330F freighter between Bogotá and Caracas on March 7, providing up to 60 tonnes of maindeck capacity. The service adds 7 tonnes of belly cargo on passenger flights, creating a combined 67‑tonne weekly offering. The airline also...
Saudia Cargo Moves to Extend Sea – Air Options
Saudia Cargo has broadened its partnership with the Saudi Ports Authority and ZATCA to launch sea‑to‑air logistics corridors from the western‑coast ports, starting with Jeddah Islamic Port. The initiative enables containers to move under a single customs declaration, dramatically cutting...
The Path to Building Connected Communities
Crafton Tull planners Dave Roberts and Julie Luther Kelso, together with Laneshift founder Ryan Hale, argue that building connected communities requires both physical infrastructure and a supportive culture. They highlight walk audits and immersive experiences as tools to convert abstract...
Richmond Council to Consider Lime’s Future in Contract Vote
Richmond council will vote next week on whether to replace Lime with Forest as the borough’s sole dockless e‑bike operator. Lime logged more than 1.5 million trips in 2025, operating a fleet of about 500 bikes. Officials recommend Forest based on...
Fatal Hit-and-Run Crashes Reach Record High: AAA
A new AAA Foundation report shows hit‑and‑run crashes hit a record high in 2023, accounting for nearly 15% of all police‑reported crashes. Pedestrians and cyclists were disproportionately affected, with one‑in‑four pedestrian fatalities and a similar share of cyclist deaths involving...
How Mars, Meta, Patagonia and L’Oréal Are Tackling Scope 3 Emissions: GreenBiz26
At GreenBiz26, sustainability leaders from Mars, Meta, Patagonia and L’Oréal detailed how they are measuring and cutting scope 3 emissions, which account for up to 90% of corporate carbon footprints. Mars reported a 16.4% supply‑chain emissions reduction since 2015 and launched...
Renewables Become Only Viable Exit Amid Global Energy Crisis
Renewables are the only exit strategy: Day 12 (updated) impact of the Israel and US attack, tracking Force Majeure, surcharges, and the explosive inflation behind the headlines FORCE MAJEURE IMPLICATIONS >Shell: FM on all LNG cargoes from Qatar >QatarEnergy: Pretty much totally down,...
How to Unpair Your Phone From Genesis Infotainment
There's a lot to like about the modern Genesis auto design, but with its own infotainment system, it's not so easy to unpair a smartphone. Here's how to do it, step-by-step: https://t.co/OWRZSA580N #cars #auto #genesis @genesisUSA https://t.co/e93ONmrk4Z
FedEx Introduces Reusable Shipping Boxes for B2B Shipments
FedEx has launched a reusable shipping box system for B2B shipments, created with Returnity. The collapsible containers hold up to 50 lb, survive roughly 50 reuse cycles, and fit existing FedEx sorting equipment. FedEx says the solution can slash packaging costs...
Diesel Spikes 32%, Threatening Higher Consumer Prices
Gas prices are up 22% in the past month, but that's for regular unleaded. Diesel is up 32% -- and that's a pass-along price that can impact what we pay for lots of goods.
90% of Remaining Hormuz Traffic Still Flowing
The Straights of Hormuz are closed? Know~Bull Logistics, Leaders, Innovators, Tech 90% of the 20% that was the volume through the straight is still moving. https://t.co/E7omInSzX4 https://t.co/X0ENIOnzx7
Emirates Bans Passenger, Leaves Family Stranded in Dubai
Emirates banned a passenger over his ticketing behavior, which is fair enough. The issue is that he's now stranded in Dubai with his family, with limited options to get out. Should the airline make an exception? https://t.co/lwwbgG0iYL
Saudi Pays Record Tanker Rates to Ship Red Sea Crude
Saudi Arabia is booking more and more super oil tankers at sky high rates (>$450,000 a day vs pre-war levels of $100,000 a day) to shift crude from the Red Sea into global markets.
Chios Lion Images Show July 2024 Attack, Not Recent
🚨CHIOS LION 🚨 Anyone seeing images of the Houthis attacking the tanker Chios Lion in the Red Sea, this is a PAST attack. This took place off Yemen on July 14, 2024. I have a story from @gCaptain linked below:...
Suggesting a Jones Act Episode for Odd Lots Listeners
@TheStalwart @tracyalloway Have you thought about doing an episode on the Jones Act? I could see Odd Lots listeners being interested in it, maybe having some opinions.
Passenger's Armrest Abuse Sparks Fight, Miami Diversion
Frontier Passenger Used A Stranger As An Armrest — Then Touched His Wife, Started A Fight, And Forced A Miami Diversion - View from the Wing https://t.co/Oogk2Q2LgW
Trump Tells Oil, Shipping to Prep For
The Trump administration has told U.S. oil companies and shipping groups to prepare for a potential waiver of the Jones Act https://t.co/X46i7aSDwu
NHTSA Forum Highlights Growing Support for Zoox AVs
This week, I joined @NHTSAgov Administrator Jonathan Morrison, @TechTekedra, and @chris_urmson for a discussion at the @NHTSAgov National AV Safety Forum. Thank you @USDOT, @SecDuffy, and everyone else involved for your continued support of @Zoox and the future of AVs...