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
Nurminen Logistics Reports a Financially Robust 2025 Despite Weak Markets
Nurminen Logistics posted a solid 2025 despite weak macro conditions, growing net sales 4.4% to €109.4 million and delivering €18.3 million comparable EBITA. Rail became the engine of growth, with sales climbing to €78.2 million and representing 71.5% of group revenue after the Essinge Rail acquisition. The company improved its balance sheet, raising the equity ratio to 43.9% and cutting gearing to 14.2%, while operating profit fell to €14.6 million. Management is now targeting further expansion in continental Europe and Sweden through new rail routes and partnerships.
Utah Becomes Tenth Candidate State for the FAA’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program
Utah has filed a proposal to join the FAA’s Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) Integration Pilot Program, aligning with Arizona, Idaho, Oregon and Oklahoma. The state’s coalition partners include industry leaders Lockheed Martin, Joby Aviation and BETA Technologies to...
VLCC Rates – How High and for How Long?
The crude tanker market is experiencing a sharp surge, with VLCC spot hires topping $200,000 per day and one‑year time‑charter equivalents reaching $135,000. Baltic Exchange data show composite VLCC rates near $169,000 daily, while International Seaways (INSW) reported Q4 2025...
Russia's Invasion Wrecked the Iconic An-225, Now a Memorial
FYI, these are the horrible fatal wounds inflicted by Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine on the world’s greatest cargo aircraft, the Antonov An-225 Mriya. This is what we saw when we returned to the Hostomel airfield after the Russians were defeated...
Amtrak: New Strategy for Replacing Rolling Stock
Amtrak announced a revised rolling‑stock strategy that will standardize all long‑distance trains on single‑level cars, abandoning the earlier double‑deck proposal. The new procurement will invite competitive bids, aiming to deliver the first new passenger cars in the early 2030s while...
McLaren Racing Announces Etihad Airways as an Official Partner
McLaren Racing announced Etihad Airways as an Official Partner for its Formula 1 and United Autosports WEC Hypercar programmes starting in the 2026 season. The deal links the UAE’s national carrier with McLaren’s high‑performance racing platforms, emphasizing shared values of innovation...
India’s Big Plans for Its Dedicated Freight Corridor
India is fast‑tracking the 2,100‑km Dankuni–Surat Dedicated Freight Corridor, an east‑west rail link that will connect the manufacturing hub of West Bengal with Gujarat’s industrial belt. The Railway Board has ordered an updated Detailed Project Report with revised cost estimates,...
Abu Dhabi Launches First Autonomous Truck Pilot in MENA Logistics Sector
Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre has launched the Middle East and North Africa’s first autonomous‑truck pilot, partnering with Autotech and AD Ports Group within the Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD). The AI‑driven trucks are being tested on dedicated routes...
Electric Vehicles and Industrial Policy Could Transform African Economies
African nations sit atop a critical share of the world’s cobalt and other minerals essential for electric‑vehicle batteries, yet most of the value is still captured abroad. The author argues that proactive industrial policy—mirroring China’s use of special economic zones,...
Skyscanner Turns to ChatGPT with AI Flight App
Skyscanner has launched a new AI-powered flight planning app within ChatGPT, leveraging OpenAI's GPT‑4 model. The app lets users ask natural‑language queries and receive personalized flight options and pricing. Skyscanner serves about 160 million monthly users, positioning itself among the first...
Aviation Training and Operations Readiness Lead
Wing, Alphabet’s drone‑delivery arm, is hiring a remote Aviation Training & Operations Readiness Lead to steer its rapidly expanding flight‑operations program. The role will oversee training, operational evaluations, and the transition to Part 108‑compliant, highly automated deliveries across two continents. Reporting...
GEARWRENCH Releases 4 New Products for Automotive Diagnostics
GearWrench announced four new automotive diagnostic products, expanding its portfolio with a wireless 10‑inch tablet, a handheld 5‑inch tool, a high‑definition inspection endoscope, and a universal TPMS programmer with sensors. Prices range from $99.99 for the GWSCOPE to $2,249.99 for...
Why Airports Must Befriend Their Neighbours
Airports are being urged to treat neighbouring communities as strategic partners rather than obstacles. The article revisits the 1987 Brundtland Report, reminding readers that sustainability rests on three equal pillars—economic, social, and governance. While environmental measures dominate airport agendas, the...
Freight Traffic Starts Along New Budapest-Belgrade Line
Regular freight traffic began at dawn on 27 February along the new Budapest‑Belgrade railway, officially linking Hungary’s and Serbia’s capitals with modern infrastructure. The €4 billion line was largely financed by Chinese lenders, including the Export‑Import Bank, and built by Chinese‑Hungarian consortia....
MHI Names 2026 Innovation Award Finalists in Advance of MODEX
MHI announced the finalists for its 2026 Innovation Awards ahead of MODEX, after receiving 220 product submissions. Eight industry judges narrowed the field to three finalists in each of four categories: Best New Innovation, Best Robotics Innovation, Best IT Innovation,...
Seatrium Delivers Next-Generation Jack-Up
Seatrium has handed over a next‑generation wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV) to Maersk Offshore Wind after successful sea trials at its Singapore yard. The custom‑engineered ship boasts a 1,900‑tonne crane with a 180‑metre hook height, capable of installing 15 + MW turbines. It...
CMA CGM Fills Gap Between Japan and Europe
France’s CMA CGM has introduced Ocean Rise Express, a weekly direct service that links Japan and South China with North Europe. The route is operated solely by CMA CGM using a fleet of fourteen 7,000‑to‑10,000 TEU vessels, calling ports such as Kobe, Yokohama,...
PTE PREVIEW: Fabrizio Magliocca, Director of Business Transformation, Innovation & Quality, Aeroporti Di Roma
Fabrizio Magliocca, Director of Business Transformation at Aeroporti di Roma, outlined a five‑year plan that moves the airport beyond passenger volume to a predictive, connected, and people‑centric hub. The strategy hinges on AI‑enabled assistants, computer‑vision analytics, digital twins and a...
Arkema Will Highlight Lighter, More Efficient, and Sustainable Innovations in Specialty Materials at JEC World 2026
Arkema will use JEC World 2026 to showcase a suite of sustainable specialty materials, including recyclable Elium® resins, biobased Rilsan® PA11, and high‑performance Kepstan® PEKK and Zenimid™ polyimides. Demonstrations feature a boat hull component and a record‑breaking speed board that...
Waiting for the Next Cycle Could Sink Your Shipping Strategy
Shipping is undergoing a structural reset as geopolitics forces trade routes to shift, turning volatility into a permanent operating condition. The Red Sea crisis and sanctions on Russian energy demonstrated how quickly voyages lengthen and insurance costs rise, exposing owners...
Geospatial Platforms and Location Based Services: Powering NextGen E-Commerce and Retail Business
At GeoBuiz Summit 2026, a panel of geospatial leaders highlighted how location intelligence is becoming the backbone of next‑generation e‑commerce and retail. They discussed the use of trusted geospatial data, AI‑driven analytics, and platform integration to optimize store networks, site...
Regent Seven Seas Cruises Unveils New Multi-Day Land Programmes
Regent Seven Seas Cruises announced nearly 50 new multi‑day pre‑ and post‑cruise land programmes, rolling out on six ships beginning in 2026. The itineraries span Africa, Arabia, Alaska, Asia, Australia, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and North America, offering curated experiences...
Chinese Heavy-Haul Coal Traffic Plateaus
The Daqin Heavy‑Haul Railway reported that its 2025 coal haulage slipped to 390 million tonnes, a 0.54 % decline from 2024. December 2025 volumes fell 1.68 % year‑on‑year to 34.43 million tonnes, with a daily average of 1.11 million tonnes across 71 trains, half of...
Nio and Bosch Sign Strategic Cooperation Agreement
Nio and Bosch signed a strategic cooperation agreement during German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit to China, linking Nio’s three brands—Nio, Onvo and firefly—with Bosch’s automotive expertise. The pact covers drive‑by‑wire chassis, battery‑management systems and key components such as braking, steering, powertrain,...
New Chinese Entrant Into the Cape Sector
National Fortune Shipping Group, a Chinese firm incorporated in April 2025, announced the acquisition of two second‑hand capesize bulk carriers—NF Fortune and NF Future—at $18.5 million each. The vessels, the 177,200‑dwt Mikata and the 185,900‑dwt Ally, were built in 2005 and...
How San Jose Got Buses to Run Faster
San Jose rolled out LYT.speed, an AI‑driven traffic signal prioritization system, after a 2023 pilot halved red‑light wait times on two bus routes. The citywide deployment has cut bus travel times by roughly 20%, using existing bus transponders to predict...
Americans Demand Congress Fund Active Transportation In Next Infrastructure Bill — And Not Just The Bike/Walk Advocates
A coalition of more than 1,100 organizations, ranging from health groups to tourism boards, has urged Congress to protect the Transportation Alternatives Program and fund active‑transport infrastructure in the upcoming surface‑transportation reauthorization. The groups argue that sidewalks, bike lanes, and...
Why Retailers Can’t Afford a Bad Delivery Experience in 2026
Retailers now bear direct responsibility for delivery performance, as a UPS Capital 2025 report shows consumer blame shifting from carriers (39 % vs 83 % in 2022) to retailers. Fast delivery ranks above price for 31 % of shoppers, and 85 % of merchants...
Southeastern Gets Stuck in with New Floor Adhesive
Southeastern has replaced its two‑part epoxy floor system with Henkel’s single‑component Teroson MS 9320 SF adhesive for carpet and rubber flooring on train carriages. The new polymer adhesive is spray‑able, meets fire‑safety standards and eliminates on‑site mixing, cutting cure time to 3‑6 hours instead...
Free Flexport Atlas Maps Real Ocean Shipping Routes
Container shipping enjoyers will love Flexport Atlas, our new (free to use) interface for browsing the world's ocean network. Search any two ports to see all the actual routes available and their relative transit times. Still in Beta with...
White House Official Vows Renewed Airline Scrutiny
White House official vows 'new interest' in airline industry after he and his wife experience flight woes https://t.co/WpgFmU0doS
Routing Software Wins LNG Carriers on Crew-First Approach
Knutsen LNG France has selected Syroco Live, an AI‑driven routing platform, for fleet‑wide deployment after a successful 2024 trial on four vessels. The system promises to boost navigation safety, cut fuel consumption by roughly 10% and lower greenhouse‑gas emissions while...
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Puts American Airlines On Blast For Flight Delay: “I’m Going to Take a New...
White House Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair used X to publicly berate American Airlines after a 2.5‑hour delay caused by a hydraulic‑fluid issue and a separate flight that allegedly lacked a booked pilot for his wife. His post warned...
Petronas Carigali Taps Singapore Firm for Newbuild FPSO
Petronas Carigali awarded a 15‑year firm charter to Singapore‑based OceanSTAR Elite for a new‑build FPSO supporting the Sepat Integrated Redevelopment Project offshore Peninsular Malaysia. OceanSTAR will design, construct, install, operate and maintain the vessel, the third unit using its standardized...
Friday Reads for 27 February
The Friday Reads roundup for 27 February highlights several transport‑focused developments, from Greater Anglia’s expansion of its contactless payment zone to include Stansted Airport, to Milan’s inauguration of a Metrotram Line 7 extension ahead of the Winter Olympics. It also flags a...
The Creativity Suite. Episode 162: Alia Perspecta
Fathi Tlatli, president of DHL’s Global Auto‑Mobility sector, balances his corporate leadership with university teaching. He argues that lecturing forces him to refresh and articulate his knowledge, while his industry role provides real‑world testing for academic ideas. This dual perspective...
Traffic Launches the All-New Farizon SV Into Australia with a Bold ‘Vantastic’ Campaign
Farizon Auto, part of Geely Holding Group, has launched the all‑new Farizon SV electric commercial van in Australia through Jameel Motors, backed by Traffic’s integrated "Vantastic" campaign. The SV targets trades, fleet operators and last‑mile delivery services, offering electric performance...
Virgin Australia Flags Boost to Velocity Loyalty Program, Profit Jumps
Virgin Australia reported an 11.7% rise in half‑year pre‑tax earnings to $490 million, driven by strong leisure demand and a $200 million boost from its transformation programme. The airline’s underlying pre‑tax margin expanded to 14.8%, up 40 basis points, as fuel savings...
Hitting New Heights: Turkish Airlines Aims for 1,000 Aircraft by 2036
Turkish Airlines celebrated its 500th aircraft delivery in late 2025 and unveiled an ambitious plan to double the fleet to 1,000 planes by 2036. The airline’s growth has accelerated from 100 aircraft in 2006 to 400 in 2023, reflecting a...
MDS and DFRS Cooperate to Drive Vision Zero
Germany’s Mobility Data Space (MDS) and the pan‑European Data for Road Safety (DFRS) consortium have signed an agreement to exchange safety‑related traffic data from connected vehicles across the EU. The partnership enables near‑real‑time sharing of sensor‑derived incident information, supporting the...
Video of the Week: Inside the Engine Room - Lessons, Innovation and the Trent 1000 Reset
At the CAPA Airline Leader Summit, Rolls‑Royce senior VP Luke Mallows detailed the Trent 1000 programme reset, highlighting how early durability setbacks prompted a comprehensive redesign. The overhaul emphasized new materials, rigorous testing, and tighter airline‑OEM collaboration to restore reliability. Mallows...
Gogo Inc (GOGO) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Gogoro Inc. reported a record adjusted EBITDA of $59.9 million for 2025, driven by sharp margin expansion and a three‑fold rise in operating cash flow. Revenue fell 9.4% to $281.5 million as hardware sales softened, while battery‑swapping revenue grew 8.1% to $149 million...
How To Fly American Airlines’ Best Business (and First) Class Seats Within the U.S.
In March 2026 American Airlines will operate 2,016 domestic flights equipped with lie‑flat seats across its A321T, A321XLR, 777‑300ER, 777‑200, 787‑8, 787‑9 and select Flagship Suite aircraft. The compact A321T carries 30 First‑Class and 20 Business lie‑flat seats on four coast‑to‑coast...
Ontario International Airport Passenger Count 3.7% Higher in January as New Year Begins on a High Note
Ontario International Airport reported a 3.7% rise in January 2026 passenger volume, reaching 492,895 travelers. International traffic surged 64% to a record 66,281, while domestic numbers slipped 1.9% to 426,614. The airport added a new daily nonstop service to Boise...
Delfin LNG Pipeline Explosion Underscores Dangers of Fossil Fuel Infrastructure, Casts Doubt on Project Viability
On February 3, a 28‑mile gas pipeline belonging to the Delfin LNG project exploded near Holly Beach, Louisiana, creating an 80‑foot fire and injuring an operator who has filed a $1 million lawsuit. The blast occurred on a 50‑year‑old pipeline repurposed...
Feds Renew Wilson Logistics Waiver, Launch Training Data Inquiry
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has renewed Wilson Logistics' exemption allowing commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders to serve as team drivers without a front‑seat trainer, extending the waiver through February 2031. The renewal adds a 30‑day limit on...
Gunderson Marine & Iron’s McMurdo Docking Pier Arrives in Antarctica
Gunderson Marine & Iron’s McMurdo Docking Pier has reached Antarctica after a 9,159‑nautical‑mile, 69‑day tow from the Pacific Northwest. The structure, designed by Glosten for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, endured 30‑foot seas and route adjustments to avoid Southern...
NASCAR Announces Every Driver Will Compete In All-Star Race
NASCAR unveiled the 2026 All‑Star Race format, mandating the entire Cup Series field to start the two 75‑lap sprint segments before trimming to 26 cars for the $1 million final stage. The top 26 positions will be inverted after the first...
Toyota Is Testing a New SUV Based on the Electric Hilux BEV
Toyota has been spotted testing a camouflaged SUV in Thailand that shares its underpinnings with the newly unveiled ninth‑generation Hilux BEV pickup. The electric Hilux, slated for a European launch in April, features a 59.2 kWh battery delivering up to 257 km...
Pilot’s Widow Sues Boeing, GE Following UPS Crash
The widow of UPS pilot Dana Justin Diamond has filed a wrongful‑death lawsuit against Boeing, General Electric and maintenance firm VT San Antonio Aerospace. The suit, lodged on Feb. 25 in Jefferson County Circuit Court, blames design, manufacturing and upkeep failures...