Today's Transportation Pulse
U.S. and Iran Sign Interim Deal to Reopen Strait of Hormuz, Easing Oil Flow
The United States and Iran signed an interim peace memorandum that began normalizing traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil conduit previously shut down by conflict. President Trump warned that strategic petroleum reserves were draining fast, with Cushing, Oklahoma inventories slipping to just above 20 million barrels, the lowest level in years. Analysts say the reopening could reshape global supply chains as shipping resumes.
Also developing:
Collaboration Key to Enhancing Intermodal Experience for Passengers
SITA’s new white paper argues that collaboration and data sharing among airports, airlines, rail, maritime and city transport authorities is essential to eliminate breakdowns at intermodal transfer points. It highlights that fragmented handovers cause passenger stress, operational blind spots and revenue loss. The paper proposes a modular, interoperable framework that leverages existing systems and pilots high‑traffic corridors to provide real‑time journey visibility and coordinated disruption management. By aligning operators around shared data, the industry can turn disruptions into informed choices and improve loyalty.
What It Really Means: Balancing Demand and Supply
Balancing demand and supply is the cornerstone of effective supply‑chain planning, ensuring forecasts align with production capacity and inventory. When gaps arise, firms resort to costly “heroics” such as overtime, expedited freight, or excess stock, eroding margins. The article outlines...
As War Rages, Multimodal Demand Surges on Asia-Europe Landbridge
Major ocean carriers are rerouting Gulf‑bound cargo to land‑based corridors after the Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed by the ongoing war. Maersk now ships to Salalah, Khor Fakkan and Jeddah, then secures trucking capacity to move goods into the Persian...
Waberer’s Rail Freight Subsidiary Wins Major Contract with BMW
PSP Rail, the rail freight arm of Hungary’s Waberer’s International, has landed a long‑term contract with BMW to move finished vehicles from the automaker’s Debrecen plant to European seaports for export. The agreement, running through 2031, will initially replace a...
VIDEO: MacGregor Launches New Balanced Lashing System for Containerships
MacGregor has launched a Balanced Lashing System that equalises forces across a containership’s lashings, addressing the chronic issue of upper‑lashings bearing most of the load. By incorporating proven elastic elements, the system can boost deck payloads by up to 10%...
US Transit Fleets Have Bought Over 8,000 Zero-Emission Buses
U.S. public‑transit agencies have collectively funded, ordered, or deployed 8,116 full‑size zero‑emission buses as of July 2025, marking a 16% year‑over‑year increase. Small‑vehicle zero‑emission buses added another 1,400 units, growing 20% in the same period. California remains the clear leader, operating...
Cargo Diversions, Escalating Price War Threaten Latin American LNG Supply
The ongoing Middle East conflict is forcing LNG vessels originally slated for Latin America to reroute to higher‑paying markets in Europe and Asia. Spot prices at key Latin American terminals have risen 15‑20% month‑over‑month, yet remain below the premiums offered...
ÖAMTC Flugrettung and Airbus Sign Long-Term Framework Contract for H135, H140 and H145 Helicopters
ÖAMTC Flugrettung and Airbus Helicopters have signed a long‑term framework contract covering the H135, H140 and H145 models. The deal builds on ÖAMTC’s role as launch customer for the H140, which will enter EMS service in 2028. ÖAMTC currently operates...
Air Transport Europe Orders Airbus H135 and H140 Helicopters
Air Transport Europe (ATE), a Slovak‑Czech HEMS operator, has signed a contract with Airbus Helicopters for one H135 and one H140. The H135 will join ATE’s existing fleet equipped with the Helionix digital avionics suite and a 4‑axis autopilot, while...
DRF Luftrettung Expands Fleet with Order for Four Additional Airbus H145 Helicopters
German HEMS provider DRF Luftrettung announced an order for four additional Airbus H145 helicopters, expanding its fleet to become one of the largest H145 operators in Europe. The new aircraft complement the existing 50‑plus H135 and H145 helicopters deployed across...
ADAC Luftrettung and Airbus Sign Framework Contract for H135, H140 and H145 Helicopters
ADAC Luftrettung and Airbus Helicopters have signed a long‑term framework agreement covering the H135, H140 and H145 models. The deal expands ADAC's fleet, which already includes 60 Airbus helicopters operating from 37 stations and handling roughly 50,000 missions annually. The...
Facing Heavy Losses, Honda Cancels Its Three US-Made Electric Vehicles
Honda announced the cancellation of its three U.S.-made electric vehicles—the Honda 0 SUV, Honda 0 sedan, and Acura RSX EV—after projecting losses of $5.1 billion to $7 billion for the fiscal year. The decision stems from a mix of trade‑war tariffs, the end of the...
Freight Economy Sees Familiar Uncertainty as New Pressures Emerge
The freight economy faces renewed uncertainty driven by three new pressures: a Supreme Court ruling that struck down the White House’s IEEPA tariffs and introduced a 10‑15% Section 122 duty, the United States and Israel’s joint military operation against Iran,...
IATA Announces New AI Initiatives to Support Air Cargo Operations
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) unveiled three AI‑focused initiatives aimed at modernising air cargo operations. The first is AI Subject Matter Expert (AI SME), a mobile and web app that lets users query IATA cargo and safety manuals in...
Google Maps Is Getting an AI ‘Ask Maps’ Feature and Upgraded ‘Immersive’ Navigation
Google Maps unveiled two major upgrades: a Gemini‑powered conversational "Ask Maps" feature and an "Immersive Navigation" experience with 3D visuals and detailed lane guidance. Ask Maps lets users pose natural‑language queries about charging stations, venues, or multi‑stop trips, delivering personalized...
Google Maps Gets Chatty With a New Gemini-Powered Interface
Google has rolled out “Ask Maps,” a Gemini‑powered conversational feature in the mobile Google Maps app, initially available in the United States and India. The tool lets users ask natural‑language questions, receive AI‑generated itineraries, and get personalized venue suggestions based...
ROHM’s TRCDRIVE Pack, HSDIP20 and DOT-247 Silicon Carbide Molded Power Modules Now Available Online
Japanese semiconductor firm ROHM has launched online sales of three new silicon‑carbide (SiC) molded power modules: the TRCDRIVE pack, HSDIP20, and DOT‑247. The TRCDRIVE pack delivers 1.5‑times higher power density than conventional SiC modules and integrates a top‑mounted gate‑driver board...
Beijing - Pyongyang Passenger Services Resume
Direct passenger rail service between Beijing and Pyongyang resumed on March 12, ending a six‑year hiatus caused by the Covid‑19 pandemic. The two‑coach addition to the K27/K28 overnight trains departs Beijing four days a week, transfers at Dandong, and continues...
☕ Morning Briefing — Thursday, March 12, 2026
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps struck the Thai‑flagged cargo vessel Mayuree Naree in the Strait of Hormuz, killing three crew members and igniting fears over neutral shipping in a key oil chokepoint. In response to the resulting price surge, President...
On-Demand: How a 3PL Automated to Meet New Productivity Needs for a Global CPG Leader
Howard Tenens Group partnered with Ocado Intelligent Automation to automate a global consumer‑packaged‑goods (CPG) client’s operations within a shared 3PL warehouse. The selective automation deployment was rolled out while other tenants continued unchanged, leveraging software‑driven insights to boost productivity and...
Frankfurt Sees Healthy Cargo Traffic in February
Frankfurt Airport handled 159,362 tonnes of cargo in February, a 4.8% year‑on‑year increase. The month followed January’s 177,270 tonnes, up 1.7% YoY, while total 2025 cargo reached 1.99 million tonnes, a 2% rise. The airport noted that after a stagnant first...
Traffic Fatalities Are Going Down. What Happens Next Matters.
The National Safety Council estimates traffic fatalities fell 12% in 2025, leaving roughly 37,810 deaths or 1.14 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. Major cities mirrored the trend: San Francisco reported a 42% year‑over‑year drop, New York City recorded its lowest death count...
323. AI, Government, and the Future of Urban Mobility
In this episode, host Grayson Brulte talks with Gabe Klein, a former U.S. Joint Office of Energy and Transportation executive and co‑founder of Adapt Impact and CityFi, about the shifting landscape of electric vehicle (EV) and autonomous vehicle development as...
Flatbed Rates Surge Nationwide After Regional Spike
Flatbed rates continue to firm across the US. A few weeks ago, we saw the rate pops concentrated to the rust belt and Texas. Now we are seeing sharp flatbed rate increases take over most of the country. Map: shows...
Dnata on Track with New Handling Facility at Zurich
Air services provider dnata announced that construction of its new Cargo Centre at Zurich Airport is well advanced and remains on track for an early‑2027 opening. The facility will raise dnata’s freight handling capacity in Zurich by 50%, from 60,000...
Zambia Railways Signs Locomotive Upgrade Contract
Zambia Railways (ZRL) has signed a $20 million contract with Worldwide Rail and Mining Solutions to overhaul six GT‑type 2.68 MW diesel freight locomotives, boosting fuel efficiency, reliability and extending service life. The vendor‑financed, deferred‑payment structure ties repayment to revenue generated by...
Box Ship Hit in Gulf as Fuel and Surcharges Spike Costs
The containership Source Blessing was hit by shrapnel 35 nautical miles north of Jebel Ali, igniting a small fire but leaving the crew unharmed. The incident marks a widening of attacks beyond the Strait of Hormuz, prompting carriers to suspend...
Introducing the Reimagined CLEAR App: Win the Day of Travel From Home to Gate
CLEAR (NYSE:YOU) unveiled a reimagined mobile app designed to streamline the entire travel journey from home to gate. The flagship "Know When to Leave" feature uses personal preferences, airport patterns, and traffic data to advise the optimal departure time. Integrated...
French Aviators Might Have Beat Lindbergh Across Atlantic
Two weeks before Lindbergh, two French aviators may have already crossed the Atlantic. In Part 2 of my Miles Ahead series, we follow eyewitness reports in Newfoundland that suggest the lost aircraft L’Oiseau Blanc may have reached North America. Listen now. #WhiteBird #AviationHistory...
Wide-Beamed Bristol
Here’s a peek at the recovery vessel. She’s not especially yar, but is very wide of beam, with clean spaces and, definitely, ship shape and in Bristol fashion https://t.co/pP9vklQCLt
Joby Starts Flight Tests of Its FAA-Conforming Aircraft
Joby Aviation announced the first flight of its FAA‑conforming eVTOL, N547JX, to begin Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) testing. The aircraft, built to FAA‑approved designs, will later host FAA pilots at Joby’s Marina, California facility for rigorous certification flights. The launch...
Intermodal’s Cycle Persists, Yet Remains Freight Backbone
Intermodal is cyclical — but still essential. On Talking Transports, I speak with @stglogistics' CEO Geoff Anderman about restructuring, rail trends, the UP–NS merger, cost discipline & preparing for freight recovery. 🎧 Listen: Apple: https://t.co/BFGLBPxVbm Spotify: https://t.co/qSsGXCEHTb iHeart: https://t.co/t1eLhkFXoB https://t.co/eCb5WV066Z: https://t.co/eA06OJWsu4 Bloomberg Terminal: https://t.co/Ju1Vv2LsIE #Freight #Intermodal #Rail...
From Crowded MATS Line to Modern Trucking Evolution
The line to get into MATS in 2000 The US trucking scene has evolved a lot in the past 25 years https://t.co/cIoMImK7Xe
Early Work Begins on Lower Thames Crossing in Preparation for Tunnelling in 2028
Pre‑construction activity for the Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) has begun, with archaeologists, ecologists and engineers preparing sites in Essex and Kent ahead of the 2028 tunnel drive. About 1,000 ha of new wetland and scrub habitat will be established to support...
Port Firefighters Quell Two Tanker Blazes at Once
Look at that, having proper firefighting capability in a port can actually extinguish not one, but two ship fires simultaneously.
Denver Airport Illegally Solicited Gift Cards for TSA
Denver Airport Asked Passengers To Drop Off Gift Cards For TSA Screeners — That Is Illegal - View from the Wing https://t.co/xuXYrsYhrJ
Hydrogen Ship Fuel Requires Design-Based Safety Measures, DNV Study Finds
DNV’s multi‑year study commissioned by EMSA finds hydrogen‑fuelled ships require a design‑based safety framework, emphasizing secondary enclosures for every hydrogen‑carrying component, even those on open decks. The report highlights that tiny leaks can quickly form ignitable clouds, and hydrogen’s low...
Iranian Threats Freeze Hormuz Shipping, Spiking Insurance Rates
Last week, shipping ground to a halt due to the threat of attacks based on Iranian past actions. This caused insurance to reset and increase its levels. This week, it is the actual attacks and threats that are holding the ships...
Strait of Hormuz Blockade Halts Global Shipping
Good point. There s no viable workaround for the Strait of Hormuz. Ships and supply chains are at a standstill.
Q4 2025 Major Trucking Earnings Roundup
Q4 2025 earnings reveal a deepening freight recession, with most major truckload carriers posting net losses or sharply reduced profits. Regulatory enforcement of stricter CDL and language standards is accelerating capacity exits, tightening the spot market and offering a potential rate...
Iran Claims Tanker Attack, Shipping Risks Surge Globally
Iran says it hit an American tanker. If true…. Iraq has spent the last few days upping the danger for ships. The global risk keeps increasing for ships, crew, and cargo. The Strait of Hormuz and no safe movement...
Flatbed Rates Surge While Reefer Cools, Van Stays Steady
Spot rate momentum is currently mode-specific: Reefer (slight cooling) - seasonality factors Van- stable Flatbed - very strong https://t.co/1SCZy23TF9
SA Recorded Less than 17K E-Vehicle Sales in 2025
South Africa recorded about 16,700 new‑energy‑vehicle sales in 2025, representing roughly 4 % of the 422,103 passenger cars sold that year. Hybrids dominated the segment, accounting for nearly three‑quarters of NEV registrations, while fully electric models remained a niche for higher‑income...
Denver Airport Asks Travelers to Tip TSA Amid Shutdown
Amid a partial government shutdown, Denver Airport is asking passengers to bring grocery store and gas station gift cards for TSA agents. While well intentioned, what a sad state of affairs... https://t.co/387QJl1j5T
True Supply Chain Strategy Unites Sourcing, Logistics, Technology
Think you have a supply chain strategy? Many firms really have disconnected decisions across sourcing, logistics and technology. That’s not strategy. Here’s how to fix it: https://t.co/fUqesUBg4h #SupplyChainStrategy #Logistics https://t.co/AAJT7UeiiX
Riyadh Air Reveals 15 New Global Routes: See All Flights Now
Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s flagship carrier aligned with Vision 2030, has submitted an initial network for the 2026 summer season, outlining 15 prospective routes across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. The airline already operates daily non‑revenue flights to London...
Key Takeaways From RAeS Commercial Aviation Summit 2026
New on the @AeroSociety YouTube channel -'Highlights from the RAeS Commercial Aviation Summit 2026' #avgeek https://t.co/KpdnfYbYlA
Iran Leverages Hormuz Attacks to Force US Concessions
The Strait of Hormuz remains essentially closed to ship traffic because of Iran's attacks. Every Iranian attack is a negotiation. Iran knows it has leverage and is trying to end this war on favorable terms. Only way out is for...
Supply Chain Layoffs Spread Across Warehouses, Factories and Rail Terminals
A wave of supply‑chain layoffs has swept across the United States, affecting roughly 4,000 workers in recent weeks. The biggest cuts came from SK Battery America, which shed 958 jobs (about 37% of its staff) and First Brands Group, which...
Gulf of Aden Swarms with VLCCs, No Houthi Attacks Yet
There are so many VLCCs oil tankers in the Gulf of Aden right now that one could walk from Djibouti to Socrota island wihtout getting their feet wet. (... and no, contrary to some social media posts, the Houthis have...