Know What's Happening in Transportation
Know What's Happening in Transportation
DMCI and Japan's Taisei win $287M NAIA subway spur contract
Infrastructure firms D.M. Consunji Inc. and Taisei Corp. secured a P16.06 billion (≈$287 million) contract to build the NAIA spur line of the Metro Manila Subway. The award includes $20.2 million and ¥7.03 billion (≈$45 million) in foreign‑denominated payments and required an extra P66.18 million (≈$1.2 million) to cover inflation after a two‑year bidding delay.
Also developing:
Mandel AI, a Y Combinator‑backed startup, secured $3.9 million in seed funding to launch an AI‑driven supply‑chain coordinator. The platform sits atop existing email and ERP systems, using specialized agents to read supplier messages, reconcile purchase orders and invoices, and act autonomously. Early customers in aerospace, pharma and industrial sectors have already processed over $1 billion in material spend through the system. The solution aims to replace manual spreadsheets and email chains, enabling a single procurement manager to handle hundreds of supplier interactions around the clock.
Private ownership can be an edge in freight. On Talking Transports, I speak with Jarrett CEO Mike Jarrett about staying debt-free, focusing on culture, navigating market volatility & why tech supports — not replaces — relationships. 🎧 Listen to Episode 131...
U.S. trucking fleets are still lagging behind top performers, with many averaging 6 mpg while leaders like Mesilla Valley Transportation achieve 10 mpg or higher. Aerodynamic drag—responsible for roughly half of highway fuel consumption—offers the biggest upside, especially through gap‑reduction, under‑body panels,...
The 2026 Toyota bZ Woodland is a new electric crossover that blends wagon styling with SUV ground clearance. It comes with a single 375‑hp dual‑motor AWD powertrain and a 67 kWh battery delivering an EPA‑rated 260‑mile range (281 miles without all‑terrain...
American Airlines has upgraded its digital platform to provide real-time explanations for flight delays and cancellations via its mobile app and website. The enhancement integrates self‑service tools that let passengers instantly rebook, track baggage, and claim vouchers, all within a...
The U.S. House passed H.R. 2247, the Airmen Certificate Accessibility Act, allowing pilots to present FAA‑issued airman and medical certificates digitally or on paper during inspections. The legislation mandates the FAA to develop authentication methods and issue a final rule...
Toronto‑based Beachman Motor Co. assembles all‑electric, retro‑styled motorcycles using mostly Chinese‑made components, employing about a dozen staff in a scaled‑down plant. The flagship Beachman ’64 retails for roughly $4,400 USD and targets urban commuters seeking a simple, design‑forward ride. After a...
The Tesla Cybertruck has become the only pickup to earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick+ designation for 2026, meeting the institute’s newly tightened crash‑test and crash‑avoidance criteria. Updated IIHS rules now require strong rear‑seat protection and...
Flighty has rolled out an “Airport Intelligence” update that adds real‑time alerts for airport disruptions and operational changes. The iOS‑only app now streams pilot‑grade data—including METAR weather reports, TAF forecasts and NOTAM notices—for more than 14,000 airports worldwide. AI‑driven explanations...
The ongoing Iran‑Israel conflict has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to trap offshore‑wind components fabricated in the United Arab Emirates. Projects in the UK’s Norfolk waters and several German‑Netherlands North Sea farms, each slated to power millions of...
Delta Air Lines has extended its suspension of flights to Tel Aviv until at least September 5, citing ongoing Middle East security concerns. The carrier also postponed the launch of its planned Boston‑Tel Aviv route, now delayed indefinitely. Service from New...
Ukraine launched a massive drone strike on Russia’s Ust‑Luga Baltic port, igniting storage tanks at Novatek’s oil‑product facilities and forcing a halt to crude loadings of roughly 450,000 barrels per day. Russian defenses intercepted 389 drones, the highest number recorded...
Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced the company is working on a new vehicle that will be "way cooler than a minivan," signaling a potential entry into the full‑size family EV segment. The tease follows the gradual phase‑out of the Model...
EFT has teamed with Bharat Skytech Pvt Ltd (BSPL) to launch the EFT BHARAT brand, localising production of its E610P agricultural drone in India. The partnership includes the transfer of production moulds for key components, enabling ‘Make in India’ manufacturing, distribution,...
Shipbuilder Damen and Windcat have launched the Windcat Amsterdam, the first Elevation series commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV) in European waters. Built at Damen’s Ha Long shipyard in Vietnam, the vessel serves as a floating base for offshore construction, commissioning and maintenance,...
Shipbuilder Damen and Windcat have launched the Windcat Amsterdam, the first Elevation series commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV) in Europe. Built in Vietnam, the ship serves as a floating base for offshore energy projects, housing up to 120 personnel for...
Prodensus and SONAR have announced a strategic integration that embeds SONAR’s real‑time spot rates, contract rates and lane scores directly into Prodensus’s AI‑driven freight RFP platform. The combined solution cuts the typical RFP response window from hours to under five...
Beond Airlines, the Dubai‑based premium leisure carrier, announced three new routes to London Heathrow, Paris Charles de Gaulle and Moscow Sheremetyevo, all launching in mid‑December 2026 with three weekly flights each. The services will route through Dubai World Central because...
The U.S. House approved H.R. 3410, the Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act, mandating the FAA to draft new rules within a year that would permit civil aircraft to exceed Mach 1 over U.S. airspace without generating ground‑level sonic booms. The legislation also...
United Airlines entered the final week of contract negotiations with the Association of Flight Attendants on March 24, aiming to reach a tentative agreement by March 27. The cabin crew, more than 30,000 strong, have been without a new contract...
Baker Hughes has been awarded a contract to provide gas compression and power generation equipment for ST LNG’s proposed 8.4 million‑tonne‑per‑annum offshore export terminal off Matagorda, Texas. The deal includes two LM6000PF turbine‑driven centrifugal compressor trains and three NovaLT16 turbine generator...
The 2026 Bangkok International Motor Show drew heightened attention amid a global energy crunch, with visitor numbers expected to surpass the 1.6 million recorded in 2025. Thailand showcased more than 30 global brands, many unveiling models that will be produced locally...
London’s Vision Zero plan is evaluating a new charge on sport‑utility vehicles (SUVs) to curb road‑safety risks. City Hall data shows SUVs are 77% more likely to kill a child and disproportionately cause pedestrian fatalities. The number of SUVs in...
Marlink’s March 25 technical bulletin reports a 50% jump in GNSS interference incidents across its maritime fleet, driven by jamming and spoofing in the Middle East and other high‑traffic corridors. The disruptions threaten vessel navigation, satellite antenna tracking, and broadband connectivity....
Air Arabia, the UAE‑based low‑cost carrier, has begun operating Panasonic Avionics' Ku‑band multi‑orbit inflight connectivity (IFC) solution across its Airbus A320 family fleet. The system uses Gilat’s Sidewinder electronically steerable antenna to switch between Panasonic’s geostationary satellite network and Eutelsat...
Transit agencies are confronting a severe labor crunch, with 96% reporting shortages and 84% lacking bus operators. STAR Transit has launched the Guiding Star Mentorship Program in partnership with the International Transportation Learning Center to provide regional mentors for new...
AT&T, together with Boldyn Networks, has activated cellular service in additional tunnel segments of the MTA’s 4/5 lines between Bowling Green and Fulton Street and the Crosstown G line between Bedford‑Nostrand and Hoyt‑Schermerhorn. This rollout follows earlier go‑live in the Joralemon...
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is extending its Transit Screens @ Libraries program across the Greater Boston area, installing real‑time transit displays inside community libraries. Powered by open‑source software from the agency’s Technology Innovation Department, the screens can run on inexpensive Raspberry Pi...
On March 22, a Port Authority fire truck collided with Air Canada Express Flight 8646 on LaGuardia’s runway 4, killing both pilots. The National Transportation Safety Board traced the accident to a 20‑second window of “task saturation” where a single controller...
New Jersey Transit will begin offering paid overnight parking at its West Side Avenue and Liberty State Park Hudson‑Bergen Light Rail lots. Daily tickets cost $30 and monthly permits $345, both priced below nearby garage rates. Sales start April 15...
The FAA sent a Jan. 21 letter confirming that land acquired with Airport Improvement Program funds at Whiteman Airport remains obligated for airport use for its useful life unless the agency releases it. Los Angeles County is moving forward with...
Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) launched two multilingual accessibility tools: “I Speak” pin‑back buttons for staff and QR‑code decals on buses directing riders to a language‑help webpage. The agency distributed 1,500 buttons covering 12 languages, reflecting that 30% of its...
Bolt has tightened its driver safety protocols in South Africa by prohibiting driver profile sharing and imposing immediate permanent suspensions for violators. The company now conducts identity‑verification checks multiple times a week and has upgraded monitoring systems to flag irregular...
Lloyd’s of London says war risk insurance premiums for commercial vessels have surged to 7.5% of a ship’s value following the outbreak of the Iran conflict. Insurers warn that the cost for the most hazardous voyages could approach 10%, dramatically...
STV has been awarded a statewide traffic engineering contract by the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) under a new task‑based agreement. The firm will serve as prime consultant, handling everything from preliminary traffic studies to construction‑phase assistance. Services include traffic...
Euronext has launched container freight futures and selected Xeneta’s Global Container Price Index (XSI‑C) as the underlying benchmark. The index is praised for its real‑time data, comprehensive coverage of carriers and trade lanes, and focus on 40‑foot containers. Its independence...
The UK government is proposing a pay‑per‑mile duty on electric vehicles to replace traditional road tax. The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) estimates the scheme could impose about £260 million (≈ $330 million) in annual compliance costs, including £75 million (£95 million) for...
Delta Suspends VIP Airport Help For Congress — But Lawmakers Still Don't Have To Fly Like You - View from the Wing https://t.co/qkUTxmKrpX
Devall Diesel Services of Sulphur, La., unveiled the Barge Power Pack, a fully mechanical, 150‑173 hp Tier 3 engine system designed for hazardous‑duty barge operations. Powered by FPT’s NEF67MNT, the unit eliminates electrical components, removing ignition sources in explosive atmospheres. Certified Class 1...
NYK has equipped the coal carrier Pirika Moshiri Maru, serving Hokkaido Electric Power, with a compact plant cultivation rack called PUTRACK. Developed by Plants Laboratory, the system uses water‑saving hydroponics and modular racks that adapt to limited ship space. It...
US demands. Iran demands. Will there be resolution? If so, how long to achieve? And if not? In the meantime, what about maritime and the Strait? https://t.co/H96YCgv7lV
Japan Airlines (JAL) and Luxembourg‑based Cargolux announced a new codeshare on the Narita‑Luxembourg route, deepening a partnership that dates back more than three decades. The agreement also grants JAL capacity on interline flights from Tokyo Narita to Chicago O’Hare, complementing...
Turkish Airlines is upgrading inflight connectivity on more than 100 narrow‑body aircraft by deploying Anuvu’s Dedicated Space AI‑powered network management and the new Modman‑D modem. The upgrade delivers roughly a nine‑fold increase in throughput, four times faster upload speeds and...
First Group‑backed Lumo is set to launch an open‑access service on the West Coast Main Line between Stirling and London, using refurbished Class 222 diesel multiple units. After convincing the Office of Rail and Road, the operator secured four scarce train...
Which countries are most dependent on fertilizer through the Straits of Hormuz. More on this in the Chartbook Top Links today. https://t.co/r2Cnz3sGtS
Honda Motor Co. and Sony Group have scrapped their joint Afeela electric‑vehicle project, ending development of the first‑ and second‑generation models. The decision comes as Honda faces $15.7 billion in EV‑related charges and a broader EV overhaul, while Sony Honda Mobility...
EcoNavis Solutions installed its Eco Boss Cap on a second Kaizen vessel, the 32,491 dwt bulk carrier YC Fortitude, following the July 2025 retrofit of the 31,807 dwt general cargo ship SYFC Araya. After six months of operation, Kaizen reported fuel savings between 2.2% and...
The Connecticut Department of Transportation unveiled its draft 2027‑2030 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, outlining over 380 projects funded by $4.5 billion in federal, $932 million in state, and $45 million in local dollars. About $1.1 billion of the plan is earmarked for transit, including...
TransloadX, a New England transload and logistics firm, filed with the Surface Transportation Board to lease two dormant CSX branch lines in Maine—a roughly 18‑mile Bangor‑Bucksport route and the Waterville‑Augusta spur. The Bangor‑Bucksport line has sat idle since a paper...
Uklon, a Kyivstar subsidiary owned by the Veon Group, has launched a new Travel service that lets users book domestic and international bus tickets directly within its app. The feature extends Uklon’s existing portfolio of ride‑hailing, delivery, and ad‑tech offerings,...
