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
Contract to Improve the Operation of the Zaragoza Railway Network
Adif awarded a €41 million contract to modernise traffic‑management systems on the Zaragoza railway network, focusing on the Embid de la Ribera section of the Madrid‑Zaragoza‑Barcelona Iberian‑gauge line. The project upgrades electronic centralisation facilities, control, signalling and telecommunications across multiple stations, boosting reliability, safety and operational efficiency. It underpins the Mercancías 30 freight strategy and the Algeciras‑Zaragoza Rail Motorway, part of a €650 million corridor investment. Expected outcomes include higher freight capacity, reduced road congestion and progress toward decarbonisation.
Fuel Surcharge Set to Rise as Jet Fuel Costs Climb
Cathay Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau: • can expect the fuel surcharge to rise due to increase in price of jet fuel
Maintenance of Railway Lines in the Czech Republic, Costs Reduced by 33%
Správa železnic, the Czech railway infrastructure manager, announced that recent tenders have cut maintenance costs by up to 33%, delivering more than €13.8 million in savings. The biggest reduction occurs on the Vsetín‑Horní Lidč line, where the bid fell from €23.4 million to...
Data of the Week: Portugal Limits Track Access Charges Increase for Freight
Portugal’s transport regulator has trimmed the freight track access charge increase for 2025 from a projected 21.25% to 2.4%, raising the average fee to €1.47 per kilometre. The amendment also sets a 12.33% compound annual growth rate for 2026‑2028, with...
AOC Announces Price Increase Due to Middle East Crisis Impacts
AOC, the Swiss‑based supplier of specialty formulations, announced price increases of up to €450 (US $521.83) per tonne for its unsaturated polyester, vinyl‑ester and Neoxil® products. The hikes affect customers in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India and will take...
Utah Chosen as Future Flight Testbed
Utah’s Department of Transportation, together with a coalition of public and private entities, has been chosen by the FAA as one of eight sites for an eVTOL integration pilot program. The initiative, called uFLY: America’s AAM Crossroads to the West,...
Charing Infrastructure Expands in Pennsylvania with NEVI
Pennsylvania is rolling out 12 electric‑vehicle charging projects along its major roadways, backed by $54 million already committed through the federal NEVI program. To date the state has installed 30 public chargers—the highest NEVI‑funded count in the nation—and has 53 more...
Equinor to Supply Bio-Methanol to Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s Vessels
Equinor has signed a two‑year agreement to supply ISCC‑EU certified bio‑methanol to Wallenius Wilhelmsen for its new dual‑fuel vessels. The fuel, produced at Tjeldbergodden and blended with biogas certificates, will be delivered at Zeebrugge and Antwerp and claims a 95 % CO₂...
New Mechanisms for Solidarity Lanes
On March 6, the European Commission, Romania, Moldova and Ukraine reconfirmed their commitment to the Solidarity Lanes that keep Ukraine’s export‑import lifelines open. The partners pledged to advance the Danube Action Plan 2.0, boosting safe navigation, port coordination and rapid response on...
5 Questions for Rail Baltica’s Freight Future
Rail Baltica’s first phase, a €15.3 billion standard‑gauge corridor linking Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to Poland, is slated for completion by 2030. The project aims to move up to 9.2 million tonnes of freight annually by 2046, with bulk cargo dominating the...
Automotive World Magazine – March 2026
The March 2026 Automotive World roundup highlights a wave of profit pressures across major OEMs, with Ford’s $8 bn EV‑related loss and Stellantis posting its first annual net loss. European manufacturers such as Mercedes and Volkswagen are cutting costs amid low volumes...
Investigation Finds Russian Military Veterans Aboard Sanctioned Oil Tankers
An OCCRP investigation uncovered that Russian oil tankers sailing the Baltic Sea have been crewed with two extra Russian men listed as supernumeraries. These individuals lack maritime credentials and are tied to the Wagner Group, Russian paratrooper units, or the...
Researchers Develop Improved NMC Battery Pack for Electric Buses
European consortium SIERRA, backed by €8 million Horizon Europe funding, is developing a nickel‑rich NMC battery pack tailored for electric buses. The project targets Technology Readiness Level 6, demonstrating a lightweight, high‑performance pack with advanced multiscale modelling, one‑shot manufacturing, and integrated cooling....
Bharat Taxi Service Will Expand to All Big Cities, Talukas in Next 2-3 Years: MoS Cooperation
The Indian government announced that the cooperative‑run ride‑hailing platform Bharat Taxi will be rolled out to all major cities and talukas within the next two to three years. Launched last month by Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, the service currently...
New MG 4X Crossover Brings Semi-Solid-State Batteries
MG unveiled the 4X, a chunkier crossover sibling to the MG 4 hatchback, featuring a refreshed design and a semi‑solid‑state battery pack. The 53.95 kWh battery is rated for a 317‑mile CLTC range, though real‑world figures may be lower. Measuring 4.4 m...
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European Airlines Are Rolling Out New Rules on Personal Items—Here's How to Make Sure Yours Won't Get Checked
The European Union has passed legislation prohibiting airlines from charging passengers for personal‑item bags and carry‑on suitcases, while setting strict size limits—15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 inches for under‑seat bags and a 39.3‑inch length with a 15‑lb weight cap for suitcases. All EU carriers must...
Cathay Pacific Says Surcharge to Rise as Fuel Prices Jump During Mideast War
Cathay Pacific announced it will raise fuel surcharges as jet fuel prices doubled in March following the Middle East conflict. The airline still expects to grow passenger capacity by about 10% in 2026, backed by an 11.9% revenue increase and...
New £45,000 Jaecoo 8 Is Brand's Largest, Plushest Car Yet
Jaecoo has unveiled its flagship 8 SUV, a six‑ or seven‑seat plug‑in hybrid that will launch in the UK in May. The model arrives in two trims – Luxury at £45,500 and Executive at £47,500 – and is powered by...
Cathay Rewards Staff with 11‑week Bonuses After $1.38B Profit
Cathay Group’s employees will receive over 11 weeks of bonuses & a salary increase this year after the group reported a full-year 2025 profit of US$1.38 billion (HK$10.8 billion) driven by higher capacity, load factors & strong cargo demand.
Commercial Readiness Confirmed for Alfa Laval’s Ammonia Fuel Supply System as FAT Wraps Up
Alfa Laval has completed a certified factory acceptance test (FAT) for its FCM Ammonia fuel supply system, earning class certification from China Classification Society and confirming commercial readiness for ammonia‑fueled two‑stroke engines. The test validated hardware integration, control logic, safety...
Grimaldi Euromed and FS Logistix Join Forces for Sea-Rail Links
Grimaldi Euromed and state‑owned FS Logistix signed a memorandum of understanding to launch sea‑rail connections, initially linking the Adriatic ports of Ancona and Venice with intermodal terminals across Italy and Europe. The partnership will use Grimaldi’s short‑sea Ro‑Ro network and...
Ford Explorer with LFP Battery Starts at €39,990
Ford Europe has launched an updated Explorer electric SUV featuring a larger 58 kWh LFP battery, boosting WLTP range to 444 km. The powertrain now delivers 140 kW and 350 Nm of torque, while the list price remains €39,990 in Germany. Additional upgrades include...
Press Release: Tokyo Motor to Exhibit Hydrogen and Fuel-Cell Technologies
Toyota announced its participation in the 25th International Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Expo in Tokyo from March 17‑19, 2026, where it will display its latest hydrogen and fuel‑cell technologies. President Mitsumasa Yamagata will present partnership initiatives aimed at building a...
Beyond Trade Policy: What the BIS Connected Vehicle Rule Really Demands From Automotive Software Teams
The U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security’s Connected Vehicle Rule, effective March 2025, focuses on software provenance rather than merely restricting Chinese or Russian components. It requires manufacturers to file Declarations of Conformity backed by defensible documentation that proves where each...
EPMB Launches Local Assembly of MG S5 BEV in Malaysia
SAIC Motor’s MG brand has begun local assembly of the S5 battery‑electric vehicle in Malaysia through a partnership with EP Manufacturing Bhd (EPMB). The Alor Gajah plant will assemble up to 2,000 units this year from imported CKD kits, leveraging...
What’s New in the North Wales Train Timetable?
Transport for Wales is launching a sweeping timetable overhaul for North and West Wales in May, adding roughly half as many new services on the North Wales Coast Line and introducing an hourly clock‑face pattern. The changes include direct Manchester...
Nio Enters Thai Market with Firefly BEV
Chinese EV manufacturer Nio has launched its Firefly compact battery‑electric vehicle in Thailand, the brand’s second Southeast Asian market after Singapore. The rollout was supported by a distribution agreement with Thonburi Blue Sky, the Thai importer that also handles Mercedes‑Benz....
Vietnam Vehicle Market Declines 9% in February – VAMA
Vietnam's wholesale vehicle market slipped 9% in February 2026, registering 15,665 units, a dip attributed to fewer working days during the Lunar New Year. Despite the monthly decline, the first two months of the year saw a robust 38% increase...
Ferry Routes Face 12.5% Fare Rise Due to Losses
Assistant Commissioner for Transport Louisa Fung, on the upcoming 12.5% price hike on six island ferry routes: “Both ferry service operators have been struggling financially. Setting aside government subsidies under special assistance measures, the six routes would record a loss of...
Shaping the Industry’s Next Transformation
Air cargo has shifted from a supplemental service to a core component of global trade, with airlines treating freight as a strategic business unit. Industry veterans stress that long‑term success hinges on trusted partnerships, disciplined operations, and policy alignment rather...
Air India Express Aircraft's Nose Wheel Faces Malfunction at Phuket Airport — Here's What We Know
Air India Express’s Hyderabad‑Phuket Boeing 737‑Max 8 suffered a nose‑wheel malfunction during its March 11 landing at Phuket International Airport, prompting the runway’s temporary closure. The aircraft touched down at 04:24 UTC, and both nose wheels detached, but no passengers or crew were injured....
Iran Conflict Already Costing Global Tourism $600 Million Per Day, WTTC Warns
The World Travel & Tourism Council warns that the Iran conflict is wiping out roughly $600 million in international visitor spending each day. Airspace closures and flight cancellations are disrupting the Middle East’s role as a critical aviation crossroads, affecting hubs...
PTE Preview: Sara Solis, Circular Economy Lead, Royal Schiphol Group
Royal Schiphol Group’s circular economy lead, Sara Solis, outlines how the airport embeds circular principles—avoidance, low‑impact choices, lifespan extension, and material recovery—directly into design, procurement and operations. She highlights that upstream decisions in construction and asset design generate the biggest...
Geely Auto Beats BYD Sales in First 2 Months of 2026 to Become China’s Top Carmaker
Geely Auto overtook BYD as China’s top carmaker in the first two months of 2026, delivering 476,327 vehicles, a modest 1% increase year‑over‑year. BYD’s sales plunged 35.8% to 400,241 units after a partial withdrawal of a purchase‑tax incentive. Geely’s EV...
3PL Culture and Fulfillment Experience
In this episode, Kevin interviews Michelle Harris of Our Service Works (OSW), a Dallas‑based 3PL that evolved from outsourced customer care to a full‑service fulfillment operation. They discuss how OSW carefully selects carriers—evaluating performance data, technology integration, and support—to enhance...
EREVs May Be Interim Tech, but It’s a Long Interim
Extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) combine electric drive with an on‑board ICE generator, delivering up to 1,000 miles of total range while offering 100‑200 miles of zero‑emission travel. China has validated the model, selling roughly 2.4 million units in 2025 and expanding...
Mansion House Station Named After Unbuilt Location
Ever wondered why “Mansion House” underground station on the District Line is not in fact at the Mansion House but a considerable walk away? Well the station was planned to be there, but the location was changed when the necessary...
Princess Cruises Announces 2028 World Cruise: 115-Day Global Voyage Visiting 49 Destinations
Princess Cruises unveiled its 2028 World Cruise aboard the 2,000‑guest Coral Princess, a 115‑day, 36,000‑nautical‑mile itinerary that touches 49 ports in 24 countries across five continents. The voyage features a maiden call to Mossel Bay, South Africa, and includes 39...
Accelerating 4D Imaging Radar with Vision 4DR
Cadence introduced a 4D imaging radar solution that couples its Vision 341 DSP with the Vision 4DR accelerator to handle the heavy FFT workload inherent in high‑resolution MIMO radars. Adding elevation to range, velocity and azimuth creates a massive data...
INTERTRAFFIC: Q-Free and Sony Partner to Advance Satellite Road Charging
Q-Free and Sony Semiconductor Solutions have formed a strategic partnership to integrate Sony’s low‑power GNSS technology into Q-Free’s battery‑powered on‑board tolling units. The collaboration creates a scalable, wiring‑free platform that enables precise, distance‑based road user charging and supports fleet management...
Airbus Exceeds 2025 Delivery Target, Ships 793 Jets
Airbus delivered 793 aircraft in 2025, topping its revised target as supply chain constraints eased. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/03/airbus-delivered-793-aircraft-in-2025.html
Gulf Air Devises Creative Plans to Restart Flights
With Bahrain airspace closed for 11 days now, Gulf Air has had to fully ground its operations. Here's how the airline is getting creative with relaunching flights. https://t.co/eG4hqpdjJP
Allison and DTNA Expand Partnership for M2 106 Plus Truck
Allison Transmission and Daimler Truck North America have broadened their collaboration by adding two fully automatic gearbox options to the Freightliner M2 106 Plus medium‑duty truck. The 3414 Regional Haul Series transmission, paired with a Cummins X10 diesel, will start production in...
Cosco Halts Balboa Port Use After Hutchinson Takeover
China’s Cosco shipping. Suspends its use at Panama’s Balboa port. Because of takeover of CL Hutchinson’s terminals.
Blind Engineer Invented Cruise Control for Steady Driving
#WhyThingsWereInvented? Ralph Teetor who was blind invented the 'Speedostat' in the 1950's, later known as cruise control, to provide himself with steady speeds during car trips. (Terrifying Myths and History) #Automation #Innovation #Invention https://t.co/qeRwceRkxl
Continental Tyres Chosen by All Top 10 EMEA EV Makers
Continental announced that its original‑equipment tyres equipped all ten of the highest‑volume electric‑vehicle manufacturers in the EMEA region for 2025, extending its reach to 17 of the top 20 global EV makers. The company credits early investment in low rolling...
Lufthansa Pilots Schedule Two‑day Strike, Causing Major Disruptions
Lufthansa pilots are planning on going on a two-day strike on Thursday and Friday. Here's the reason for this strike, and what disruptions we can expect. https://t.co/QEncl5Rgyl
Cargo Ship Struck by Unknown Projectile in Hormuz
DUBAI, March 11 (Reuters) - A cargo vessel was hit by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in a fire onboard and prompting the crew to evacuate and request assistance, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade...
Why Free Buses Aren’t Exactly Free
Mayor Zohran Mamdani of New York City has pledged to make all bus rides free, a move that would shift the roughly $5.47 per‑ride cost into the city’s general fund, potentially costing over $600 million annually. The proposal echoes similar fare‑free...
BMW 5 Series Achieves 1200 Km on One Tank
All Screenshots are not fake. My BMW 5 series can indeed run 1200 km on a full tank. https://t.co/ZYsPhQBJaE