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
BW Epic Kosan Expands Use of GIT Hull Coatings
BW Epic Kosan (BWEK) has deepened its partnership with graphene‑based GIT Coatings, applying the biocide‑free hull coating to five LPG carriers and a sixth vessel currently in dry dock. A year‑long case study showed hull roughness fell to 60‑70 μm, delivering roughly a 6% out‑of‑dock power gain versus the previous system. Building on those results, BWEK adopted the next‑generation XGIT‑FORCE™ coating, which recorded an average roughness of just 38 μm in 2026. The collaboration combines the coating with proactive cleaning and advisory services to boost fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
Angelo State Gets FAA Air Traffic Training Designations
Angelo State University’s commercial aviation program earned FAA approval for both the Enhanced Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) and the Control Tower Operator Partnership Program (CTO‑P), making it the 12th U.S. school and the first in Texas to hold...
New Companies Join PAVE UK to Promote Self-Driving Education
Wayve, Uber and Nissan have joined the Partners for Automated Vehicle Education United Kingdom (PAVE UK) initiative, expanding its roster of industry partners. The trio plans to launch autonomous‑vehicle trials in London later this year to showcase the technology and engage...
Sofia Receives First of Its Next Fleet of Metro Trains
Škoda Group has handed over the first five of an eight‑train order worth €65 million (about $70 million) to Sofia’s Metropoliten EAD. The 80‑metre, four‑car units can carry over 580 passengers and feature air‑conditioning, regenerative braking and step‑free boarding. Designed from Škoda’s...
Peninsula Clean Energy Installs 92 EV Chargers at a California Affordable Housing Community
Peninsula Clean Energy has equipped the new 179‑unit Middlefield Junction affordable‑housing complex in North Fair Oaks with 92 electric‑vehicle chargers—76 Level 1 and 16 Level 2 units. The deployment is part of the utility’s EV Ready program, which has rolled out over...
Malacca’s Pegoh Plant Ramps Up to 30,000 EVs a Year, Marking Southeast Asia’s New Assembly Hub
EP Manufacturing Berhad’s Pegoh plant in Malacca has shifted from pilot runs to full‑scale production, targeting up to 30,000 electric vehicles a year. The first locally assembled MG S5 EV rolled off the line in March 2026, and Chinese brands...
EU Aid Plane Delivers Critical Supplies to Congo Ebola Epicenter as WHO Heads to Kinshasa
A European Union cargo plane delivered masks, gloves, boots and medication to Bunia, the heart of the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in Ituri province, as WHO Director‑General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus traveled to Kinshasa. The United States increased its assistance by $80 million,...
Waymo Deploys 100 Ojai Robotaxis in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Phoenix
Waymo began offering free rides in its purpose‑built Ojai robotaxi to select riders in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Phoenix, deploying an initial fleet of 100 vehicles. The minivan‑style Ojai, built by Zeekr and retrofitted in Arizona, uses Waymo’s sixth‑generation...
Sweden to Supply Ukraine Up to 20 Gripen Jets, 16 Equipped with Meteor Missiles
Sweden announced a package that includes 16 donated Gripen C/D fighters armed with long‑range Meteor missiles and a purchase option for up to 20 Gripen E/F aircraft funded by a €2.5 billion EU loan. The deal, unveiled at Uppsala Air Base,...
VinFast Elevates Founder’s Son to Chairman as Global EV Push Accelerates
VinFast announced that Pham Nhat Quan Anh, the 33‑year‑old son of founder Pham Nhat Vuong, will assume the chairmanship of its board, replacing Le Thi Thu Thuy. The move comes as the Vietnamese EV maker pours capital into overseas markets while grappling with...
USPS Secures $10 B Last‑Mile Deal with DHL eCommerce, Expanding U.S. Delivery Network
The United States Postal Service has signed a multi‑year $10 billion contract with DHL eCommerce to provide last‑mile delivery across 170 million U.S. addresses. The deal, announced Thursday, aims to broaden USPS’s revenue base while giving DHL a nationwide footprint without adding...
CV Industry Showing Resilience, Not Much Impact of Fuel Price Hike on Demand: Ashok Leyland MD
Ashok Leyland’s Managing Director Shenu Agarwal said the Indian commercial‑vehicle (CV) market remains resilient despite the West Asia war and a modest fuel‑price increase of about ₹7 (≈ $0.08). A 10% GST reduction that began in October and an ageing heavy‑duty...
Cabless Trucks Expand in Ohio with Remote Human Oversight
EASE and Einride expand cabless semitruck operations in Ohio “However, the trucks will still have human oversight. A remote operator will monitor them from off-site and can intervene when needed. The companies say that setup helps keep operations running safely...
Delhi Government Plans to Operate Two Hydrogen Fuel Buses in Tie-Up with NTPC: Delhi Minister
The Delhi government announced plans to operate two hydrogen‑fuel‑cell buses in the capital, partnering with state‑owned NTPC Limited, which will provide the vehicles under its corporate social responsibility program. The Delhi Transport Corporation will manage day‑to‑day operations through a Gross...
Uttar Pradesh to Deploy Electric Buses for Jewar Airport Connectivity Ahead of Launch
Uttar Pradesh announced the deployment of 110 electric buses to link the upcoming Noida International Airport in Jewar with surrounding cities, aiming for full service by the airport’s June 15 launch. The plan is part of a broader rollout of 500...
Russia Unveils Arctic Truck that Climbs Walls and Crosses Rivers
Uralvagonzavod unveiled the DT‑3PM, a light articulated tracked all‑terrain vehicle, at the Gas.Oil.Technologies expo in Ufa. The prototype can haul up to 3.5 tonnes, transport 17 passengers, reach 50 km/h on land and 5 km/h in water, and operate from –50 °C to +45 °C....
Ontario to Designate Toronto Island Airport Special Economic Zone After Land Takeover
Ontario passed legislation allowing the province to take over the Toronto Islands and designate Billy Bishop Airport as a special economic zone. Premier Doug Ford plans to expand the runway to accommodate jets, targeting a jump from two million to...
Flightpath: Airlines on the Radar
American Airlines will begin installing SpaceX’s Starlink satellite Wi‑Fi on 500 narrow‑body A321XLR and A321neo aircraft in early 2027, joining a growing roster of carriers that rely on low‑Earth‑orbit connectivity. Avianca is launching daily Fort Lauderdale‑to‑Barranquilla and Fort Lauderdale‑to‑Cali routes...
Reverse Logistics Gains Momentum: Battery Recycling & Circularity Challenges Highlighted
This week's Reverse News is out with news on battery recycling, challenges for circularity, CEVA and DHL Supply Chain embracing reverse logistics and more - https://t.co/22CkJDwb0X
‘Pay to Play’ Is Back as Shippers Face a ‘Brutal Shipping Environment’
Forwarders warn that spot container rates on transpacific and Asia‑Europe trades are climbing sharply, with some carriers posting fixed‑at‑kind prices of $6,000‑$6,500 per 40‑ft container. The surge is driven by high demand, tight capacity, and the imminent reset of bunker...
Kyivstar, Uklon Launch Ukraine's First Live Testing of Autonomous Vehicle Technology
Kyivstar, a Veon subsidiary, and Ukrainian ride‑hailing platform Uklon have launched the country’s first live autonomous‑vehicle test. The pilot deploys onboard LiDAR, sensors, real‑time 5G connectivity and telemetry, with remote human operators acting as a transitional control layer. This marks...
Five Good Things: Trucking Expands Veteran Support Through Partnerships and Memorial Day Initiatives
The commercial trucking sector highlighted a series of community‑focused initiatives over Memorial Day weekend. Hyundai pledged $100,000 to Folds of Honor, doubling its 2025 contribution, while Kumho Tire signed a long‑term pact with the Georgia Veterans Service Foundation to serve...
Jony Ive’s Funky Ferrari
Ferrari unveiled its first electric vehicle, the Luce, with industrial designer Sir Jony Ive contributing to its radical styling. The car’s futuristic, non‑traditional look has sparked a split among enthusiasts, with many praising its boldness while others criticize its departure...
AvTalk Episode 372: Just because You Can, Doesn’t Mean You Should
In this episode Ian Pechnick and occasional co‑host Gabe Lee discuss recent aviation news, including the controversy over a YouTuber reverse‑engineering NTSB cockpit‑voice‑recorder spectral data, the China Eastern A350 brake‑failure incident at Shanghai’s jet bridge, and the delayed delivery of...
Rates Spike on Horizon as Pressures on Liner Networks Tighten
South African Association of Freight Forwarders researcher Jacob van Rensburg warns that freight rates could rise sharply in the coming weeks as the Global Supply Chain Pressure Index (GSCPI) climbs and carriers regain pricing power. Historical data show carrier profits...
TGV-M Receives ERA Authorisation
Alstom's next‑generation TGV‑M high‑speed train received European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) authorisation for placing into service. The first two trainsets will be delivered in June, entering a pre‑commercial testing phase on French tracks this summer, with passenger service slated...
Sub-£15k Fiat Panda and Citroen 2CV EVs "95%" Certain for UK
Stellantis announced that its revived Fiat Panda and Citroën 2CV will debut as electric city cars from 2028, built at the Pomigliano plant in Italy and priced around €15,000 (approximately $16,300). European chief Emanuele Cappellano said there is a 95%...
Karsan Announces 18-Metre Hydrogen Bus and New Battery Developments, with 424 E-Buses Delivered in Italy
Karsan announced new battery and charging upgrades for its electric bus line at the Next Mobility Exhibition in Milan, confirming 424 e‑buses delivered in Italy and 101 more in production for 2026. The company unveiled a next‑generation NMC battery with...
Why Is the Strait of Hormuz Important?
The Strait of Hormuz carries roughly 20.9 million barrels of petroleum liquids each day, about one‑fifth of global oil consumption and a quarter of all seaborne oil trade, plus over 20 % of LNG shipments. Because the corridor links major Gulf exporters...
Joby Reports First Flight of the Latest Version of Its Superpilot™ Autonomy Suite
Joby Aviation announced that the newest iteration of its Superpilot™ autonomy suite completed a flight on a modified Cessna 208, marking the most advanced version yet. The system, acquired from Xwing in 2024, builds on six years of autonomous operations...
BYD Updates Philippine Lineup with Sealion 7
BYD unveiled the Sealion 7, a high‑performance electric SUV, in Manila through Ayala’s ACMobility. The model pairs dual‑motor all‑wheel drive delivering 523 hp and a 0‑100 km/h sprint in under five seconds with an 82.6 kWh lithium‑iron‑phosphate battery that promises more than 500 km of...
Robot Talk Episode 158 – Autonomous Robot Deliveries, with Ahti Heinla
Starship Technologies, led by co‑founder and CEO Ahti Heinla, has scaled its AI‑powered delivery robot fleet to over 2,700 units. The company reports more than 10 million fully autonomous deliveries across streets and sidewalks, handling varied weather and pedestrian traffic. Heinla,...
‘Helrom to Be Liquidated’
German intermodal rail operator Helrom announced liquidation after filing for a second insolvency earlier this week. The company, which transports semi‑trailers on rail, has been unable to continue operations due to chronic under‑capitalisation and cost‑management failures, even though market demand...
CCI Dismisses Complaint Against Rapido over Alleged Predatory Pricing, Says No Abuse of Dominance
The Competition Commission of India dismissed a complaint against Rapido’s parent, Roppen Transportation Services, finding no prima facie abuse of dominance or predatory pricing. The regulator noted that most grievances related to transport licensing and the Motor Vehicles Act, not...
Korea Launches Call for UAM Pilot Project Proposals
South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) has opened a public call for regional urban air mobility (UAM) pilot projects, running from May 29 to July 28. The agency will award up to 1 billion KRW (about $770,000) to...
FAA Allocates $523 Million to Modernise Airport Infrastructure
The FAA has earmarked more than $523 million for airport infrastructure modernization, awarding 332 grants across 43 states. The grants fund runway, taxiway, apron, and terminal projects, with the largest single award of $70 million to Dallas‑Fort Worth International Airport. Transportation Secretary Sean...
Arizona Becomes First State to Put Vehicle Registrations in a Digital Wallet
Arizona has upgraded its proprietary Arizona Wallet app to let residents upload and store vehicle registrations, titles, and insurance directly on their smartphones. The move follows the state’s earlier rollout of digital driver’s licenses in Apple, Google, and Samsung wallets....
Pressure Builds for Pan-African Alliance
At the AFRAA Stakeholders Convention in Johannesburg, African Airlines Association chairman George Kamal called for a continent‑wide airline alliance to address fragmented networks that curb competitiveness and intra‑African cargo flows. He highlighted that only about 28 % of intra‑African routes are served...
Interesting Times: Why Are We Still Driving?
In a recent "Interesting Times" episode, Ross Douthat interviews transportation writer Andrew Miller about the looming reality of driverless cars, especially Waymo’s expanding autonomous fleet. The conversation highlights potential safety gains, reclaimed commuting time, and the cultural shift away from...
Summer Air Travel Could Be Rough. Here’s How Travelers Can Prepare.
Summer air travel is shaping up to be unusually disruptive, with on‑time arrivals in 2025 hitting their lowest level since 2014. The U.S. PIRG Education Fund reports that one in 12 flights arrived at least an hour late and airlines...
Episode 158: Autonomous Robot Deliveries - Ahti Heinla
In Episode 158, host Claire Asher talks with Ahti Heinla, co‑founder and CEO of Starship Technologies, about the company’s fleet of autonomous delivery robots that have completed over 10 million deliveries across Europe and the United States. Heinla explains how the...
Drone Detection Technology Installed at Lithuania’s Palanga Airport
Lithuanian Airports installed a next‑generation drone detection system at Palanga Airport to counter unauthorized UAV activity as passenger numbers surge. The technology uses radio‑signal scattering antennas to pinpoint a drone’s location, altitude, trajectory and operator in real time, operating 24/7....
Ferrari Unveils Luce, Its First All‑Electric Luxury Model with 1,035 Hp
Ferrari has revealed the Luce, its inaugural all‑electric vehicle, a five‑seat, four‑door luxury sedan that produces 1,035 horsepower and promises up to 329 miles of range. The model, designed with Silicon Valley firm LoveFrom, signals a strategic pivot toward electric...
OM in the News: Delta’s Pilot Scheduling Headaches
Delta Air Lines is grappling with a pilot‑scheduling crisis that has pushed its domestic cancellation rate above the industry average. Cancellations tied to pilot availability now represent 35% of mainline flight cancellations, up from 7% in 2024, and the airline...
Habib Turki Elected Next IRU Secretary General
Habib Turki was confirmed as the International Road Transport Union's next secretary general at its Geneva AGM, taking over from Umberto de Pretto on 1 August. Turki arrives from the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, where he led the Tourism Services Department...
STB Halts Review of Union Pacific‑Norfolk Southern Merger, Extending Deal Timeline
The U.S. Surface Transportation Board announced Thursday that it is pausing its review of the proposed Union Pacific Corp. and Norfolk Southern Corp. merger, ordering the railroads to submit additional information by July 27. The move adds uncertainty to one of...
Waymo Registers 577 Robots in Texas, Leaving Tesla's 42 Behind
Waymo has registered 577 autonomous vehicles in Texas, more than 13 times Tesla's 42 robotaxis, according to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. The disparity underscores Waymo's lead in the state’s emerging robotaxi market and raises questions about Tesla’s rollout...
Toyota Shelves Lexus Electric Saloon Project Amid Weaker EV Market – Report
Toyota has cancelled the development of the Lexus LF‑ZC electric saloon, pushing the projected mid‑2027 launch back indefinitely and shifting engineering effort toward sport‑utility vehicles and other body styles. The shelved model would have used gigacasting, a process that casts...
$800 Million Allotted to Revamp U.S. Blue Water Bridge Plaza
The Michigan Department of Transportation has earmarked $800 million to modernize the U.S. side of the Blue Water Bridge plaza, the nation’s busiest commercial crossing after it overtook the Ambassador Bridge with 2.1 million truck trips last year. Phase 1, completed last year, relocated...
Conestoga vs Flatbed Shipping for Weather-Sensitive Cargo
Choosing between a flatbed and a Conestoga trailer hinges on whether weather exposure is acceptable. Flatbeds offer maximum loading flexibility at the lowest rate but leave cargo vulnerable to rain, dust and road debris unless manually tarped. Conestoga trailers retain...