Industry News

News from JOC Journal of Commerce

• FMC rule giving contract filing relief to carriers takes effect June 15, 2020
  [caption caption="The FMC final rule concludes a two-year process into an application filed by the World Shipping Council. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com."][/caption]Container lines will no longer be required to file ‘essential terms’ of contracts with cargo owners with the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) under a rule formally adopted by the regulatory...
• FMC’s detention-demurrage proposal divides shipping industry October 31, 2019
  [caption caption="Shipping industry stakeholders are debating who should bear the financial cost when certain events inside a terminal prevent the timely pickup of containers. Photo credit: Ari Ashe/JOC.com."][/caption]The container shipping industry remains far apart on whether the Federal Maritime Commission’s (FMC's) proposed rule on detention and demurrage will resolve or...
• Piracy and corruption stalk West Africa supply chains April 7, 2016
  ACCRA, Ghana — Senior maritime and transport officials in Ghana identified piracy and corruption as central challenges in the development of an efficient port and supply chain network in West Africa. Incidents of piracy and armed robbery were singled out by Richard Anamoo, director general of Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority,...
• Pirates attack two container ships in Southeast Asia August 24, 2015
  [caption]Maersk Lebu. Credit: Fotoflite[/caption]Underscoring Southeast Asia’s new role as the world’s piracy hot spot, pirates attacked six vessels, including two container ships, in the straits of Malacca and Singapore Friday and Saturday Authorities believe the same group, comprising four to five perpetrators armed with knives, were behind all six incidents, according...
• Balancing costs and threats of piracy June 19, 2015
  When it comes to piracy, carriers must balance the speeds and routes their vessels take with crew safety and delivering maximum efficiency to clients. Typically, ships move at slower than their maximum speeds to reduce fuel usage and increase savings for both carriers and customers alike. While these benefits are tangible,...
• Global piracy declines but hot spots remain June 12, 2015
  Shippers have plenty to worry about — including volatile pricing and cargo delays — but piracy should be less of a concern, as the number of incidents has been falling since 2010. The general decline can be attributed to renewed international efforts to combat piracy. Pirate attacks targeting container vessels fell...
• MSC container ship, bulk carrier attacked off Indonesia March 23, 2015
  [caption align="left"][/caption]A Mediterranean Shipping Co. container ship and a bulk carrier were attacked in separate but possibly related incidents off the coast of Indonesia, according to the intergovernmental anti-piracy office ReCAAP. The two incidents, which are reported to have happened within hours of each other, involved ships sailing eastbound in the Straits...
• ISIS could bring piracy back to Mediterranean, officials say February 26, 2015
  Militants loyal to ISIS could bring Somali-style piracy to the Mediterranean, threatening the world’s largest trade lane, European officials warn. It’s been 200 years since pirates operated in the Mediterranean, but recent developments in North Africa suggest the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria could launch attacks on commercial and passenger...
• Maritime piracy falls to eight-year low January 15, 2015
  Maritime piracy fell to an eight-year low in 2014 as a continuing decline in attacks off Somalia offset a surge in ship hijackings in Asian waters. Attacks against small tankers off South East Asian coasts saw global hijackings rise to 21 in 2014 from 12 in 2013, according to the International...
• Weekly wrap-up: ILWU-PMA talks, 2M’s FMC approval and intermodal issues October 11, 2014
  Events on the U.S. West Coast dominated on JOC.com this past week, as labor negotiations between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association could finally be heating up. Five of the Top 10 stories on JOC.com in the past week focused on the issue. This round of...
• Report: Rise in West African piracy requires new industry approach October 5, 2014
  With piracy in West Africa on the rise, a newly released report highlights how pirate attacks in the Gulf of Guinea are far more violent than in Somalia and less-focused on ransom, requiring the industry to take a different approach to curb attacks. The set of standards, a 12-page document entitled...
• Weekly wrap-up for July 19: ILWU talks skew import volumes, Horizon faces debt crisis July 19, 2014
  While it is obvious that beneficial cargo owners shipped early this year through the West Coast in anticipation of the July 1 deadline for contract negotiations between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and waterfront employers, reports of cargo surges at Canadian and U.S. East Coast ports in May and...
• European shipowners press lawmakers on security plan June 20, 2014
  European shipowners are asking the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers to endorse a maritime security plan aimed at safeguarding ships around the globe. The European Commission and the European External Action Service joined forces to write the security plan earlier this year. Today, the European Community Shipowners Association asked...
• Container ship crew held by pirates finally freed June 9, 2014
  Eleven sailors from the Malaysia-flag container ship Albedo held hostage for more than three years by Somali pirates have arrived safely in Kenya, according to mediators who helped secure their freedom, Al Jazeera reported. The 1,066-TEU vessel, which had a 23-man crew when it was attacked, was hijacked about 1,500 kilometers off...
• Poseidon Marine Security launches ProtectaDeck February 4, 2014
  Manchester - UK – Poseidon Marine Security has launched a global marketing campaign for its new product ProtectaDeck, an anti-piracy barrier for the shipping industry to protect vessels and oil rig platforms from the increased number of piracy attacks throughout the world . ProtectaDeck prevents intruders from boarding, is inexpensive, as well...
• Japan's New Anti-Piracy Law Set to Take Effect November 27, 2013
  Japan’s new anti-piracy law will take effect on Saturday, 17 days after it was enacted by the Diet, the nation’s parliament, the transport ministry announced this week. The new law will allow private armed guards to board Japanese-registered oil tankers and other cargo ships in waters off Somalia and elsewhere. Under the...
• India Arrests US Anti-Piracy Vessel, Crew October 21, 2013
  Ten crew members and 25 security guards aboard a ship engaged in anti-piracy services were arrested in Chennai Oct. 18 after they failed to produce proper documents allowing them to carry weapons, Indian authorities said. The MV Seaman Guard Ohio is owned by Washington-based AdvanFort International, and flies the Sierra Leone...
• IMB Reports Decline in Global Piracy But Rise Off Nigeria October 18, 2013
  Global piracy has fallen to a seven-year low, but attacks off the coast of Nigeria have surged by a third, the International Maritime Bureau said. There were 188 piracy incidents in the first nine months of 2013, down from 233 in the same period last year, and the number of hostages...
• Japanese Government Adopts New Anti-Piracy Bill October 17, 2013
  The Japanese government adopted a new anti-piracy bill at a cabinet meeting this week that would allow private armed guards to board Japanese-registered oil tankers and other cargo ships in waters off Somalia and elsewhere. The government will seek to have the bill enacted during an extraordinary session of the Diet,...
• Belgium Arrests Alleged Pirate Boss in Movie Sting October 15, 2013
  A suspected Somali pirate chief has been arrested in Belgium after he was lured to the country by police posing as filmmakers who wanted him to star in a documentary about his exploits. Mohamed Abdi Hassan, known as “Afweyne” or “Big Mouth,” allegedly has pocketed millions of dollars in ransom payments...

News from Lloyd’s List – Containers

• Questions after 1,900 containers lost from ONE boxship December 3, 2020
  The loss of containers from ONE Apus could be the largest weather-related loss since more than 500 went overboard from...      Related StoriesPandemic stalls energy efficiency gainsAvance Gas confident of sustained market strength in 2021Shipowners’ Club reveals first deductibles increase in two decades 
• Vehicle carrier deliveries to drop in coming years December 3, 2020
  Orders for vehicle carriers will be very low in the 2020-24 period compared with the previous five years, according to...      Related StoriesBiden likely to maintain China tariffs, but Iran sanctions may endBiden likely to maintain tariffs on China tariffs, but Iran sanctions may endLloyd’s List aids the search for carbon clarity with Decarbonisation Survey 
• Top 10 flag states 2020 December 3, 2020
  While the rankings did not change in 2020 on the previous year, with Panama still leading, most flag states in...      Related StoriesBunker suppliers act as banks cut capital amid looming credit crunchWeekly briefing: Containerised freight supply chain ‘broken’; sanctions-busting tanker salesFrom the News Desk: Will pandemic change the perception of seafarers? 
• China’s shipping groups criticise EU carbon trading scheme December 3, 2020
  A recent industry seminar organised by the China Shipowners’ Association, the China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry and BIMCO...      Related StoriesQuestions after 1,900 containers lost from ONE boxshipPandemic stalls energy efficiency gainsAvance Gas confident of sustained market strength in 2021 
• Weekly briefing: Containerised freight supply chain ‘broken’; sanctions-busting tanker sales December 2, 2020
  Pent-up demand for containerised goods is outstripping supply and capacity in the logistics chain, leading to soaring rates, backlogs, congestion...      Related StoriesBiden likely to maintain China tariffs, but Iran sanctions may endBiden likely to maintain tariffs on China tariffs, but Iran sanctions may endVehicle carrier deliveries to drop in coming years 
• Ship leasing and more stable US leadership inject confidence into Hong Kong maritime December 2, 2020
  The recent Lloyd’s List Hong Kong Ship Finance & Law online forum heard that Hong Kong is well prepared to...       
• Use of LNG as marine fuel faces challenges December 2, 2020
  Vikrant Bhatia, chief executive of KC Maritime Hong Kong, questioned the viability of LNG as a green fuel. ‘The only...      Related StoriesBiden likely to maintain China tariffs, but Iran sanctions may endBiden likely to maintain tariffs on China tariffs, but Iran sanctions may endVehicle carrier deliveries to drop in coming years 
• Shipping welcomes seafarer key worker resolution December 2, 2020
  The UN’s General Assembly has called on governments to designate seafarers as key workers. The IMO has urged that they...      Related StoriesQuestions after 1,900 containers lost from ONE boxshipPandemic stalls energy efficiency gainsAvance Gas confident of sustained market strength in 2021 
• Søren Toft takes the helm at MSC December 2, 2020
  A year after standing down from the world’s largest carrier, former Maersk executive board member Søren Toft is taking up...      Related StoriesQuestions after 1,900 containers lost from ONE boxshipPandemic stalls energy efficiency gainsAvance Gas confident of sustained market strength in 2021 
• ONE boxship loses containers in Pacific December 1, 2020
  The Singapore carrier has suffered its second container loss in less than a month. Panama-flagged One Aquila reported a similar...      Related StoriesQuestions after 1,900 containers lost from ONE boxshipPandemic stalls energy efficiency gainsAvance Gas confident of sustained market strength in 2021 

News from Container Management

• Drewry: Exotic fruits to drive future reefer trade growth December 3, 2020
  Future reefer shipping growth will come from accelerating trade in exotic fruits according to Drewry, with new technology lengthening potential shipping distances and opening up markets where discretionary spend is rising. Growth in the reefer shipping trade has largely been driven by soaring demand for proteins into swine flu-ravaged Asia, but this trend is expected […]
• Søren Toft starts as MSC CEO December 3, 2020
  Søren Toft has begun his tenure as MSC’s chief executive officer, helping to oversee the company’s global cargo businesses including ocean liner and logistics. He will also be a member of the board of directors of Terminal Investment Ltd (TiL), the terminals business which is majority-owned by MSC. Before joining MSC, Toft served as chief […]
• Nokia to digitalise crane monitoring systems at Pelindo 4 December 2, 2020
  Nokia has deployed a crane monitoring system for Pelindo 4 Indonesia, utilising a crane-mounted IP/MPLS router to stream 24/7 real-time data over LTE. In partnership with Kurnia Energy Engineering (KEE), the 7705 Service Aggregation Router–Hm has been deployed, which extending IP/MPLS services over cellular and WLAN networks on all the cranes across the Makassar Container […]
• Navis launches N4 as a cloud-based service December 2, 2020
  Navis has announced the launch of its N4 terminal operating system (TOS) as a service (SaaS) to allow its customers to seamlessly move terminal operations to the cloud. The N4 SaaS aims to provide customers a complete package as terminals of all sizes begin to explore the potential of cloud-based solutions and plan to move […]
• Hamburg Port Consulting to study the redevelopment of Beirut Port December 1, 2020
  Hamburg Port Consulting and Munich-based management consultancy Roland Berger are to jointly conduct a strategic study for the redevelopment of the Port of Beirut, following the disastrous explosion at the Lebanese hub in August. The partners are preparing a comprehensive proposal with options for a new approach in its needed reconstruction and in the operations […]
• DP World responds to critical remarks made by Djibouti’s President Guelleh December 1, 2020
  DP World has responded to scathing comments made by the Republic of Djibouti’s president, Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, about the Djibouti Port dispute and its investments at the Port of Berbera. Guelleh, in an interview with Africa Today, claimed that DP World has refused talks with the Djibouti government and are not interested compensation for the […]
• Bidding process opened for new deepwater container terminal in Poland November 30, 2020
  Companies interested in the development project of the 2m teu capacity Deepwater Container Terminal in Świnoujście, Western Pomerania in Poland, have been asked to submit offers before January 28, 2021. The Szczecin and Świnoujście Seaports Authority has opened the procedure and intends to select the land lease holder and future terminal operator in the first […]
• Port of Rotterdam aims to embark on 100 pilot projects in 2021 November 30, 2020
  PortXL, the Port of Rotterdam’s accelerator programme, aims to initiate 100 innovative pilot projects in the port over the next year in partnership with the local sector. Many entrepreneurs who had just started out, as well as established businesses within the port area, have been dealt a serious blow by COVID-19. The innovation programme, entitled […]
• Shipping associations ask Jeff Bezos to take a stand for stranded seafarers November 27, 2020
  A group of international shipping associations has penned an open letter to Amazon boss Jeff Bezos, calling on him to take a stand for stranded seafarers. BIMCO, Intercargo, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and Intertanko met virtually to discuss the continued lack of international recognition of seafarers as key workers despite 90% of global trade […]
• Federal Maritime Commission escalates monitoring of global shipping alliances November 27, 2020
  The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued letters to the three global carrier alliances requiring that certain carrier-specific trade data currently filed with the Commission quarterly, must now be submitted on a monthly basis. Shippers have recently complained about the lack of export container availability and considerably high freight rates on trans-Pacific trades, while the […]
• Ports of Felixstowe and Harwich set out joint bid to establish Freeport November 26, 2020
  Public and private sector leaders have set out their joint vision for a new Freeport on the east coast of the UK, focusing on the Port of Felixstowe and Harwich International Port, both owned by Hutchison Ports. Freeport East is seen as a potential strategic hub, linking UK importers and exporters and suppliers and customers […]
• Pusan Newport Company upgrades CyberLogitec TOS November 26, 2020
  Pusan Newport Company has upgraded to a new version of CyberLogitec’s terminal operating system (TOS), OPUS Terminal, to enable advanced features with an added module. The advanced module feature was developed by CyberLogitec based on years of experience and research in TOS and aims to improve operational efficiency when planning terminal yard operations and container […]
• Maqta Gateway and TruKKer collaborate on digital truck bookings November 25, 2020
  Maqta Gateway, the digital arm of Abu Dhabi Ports, and TruKKer, the region’s largest digital truck booking marketplace, have agreed to work together on digital truck booking services through Maqta’s logistics platform Margo. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) enables Maqta Gateway to fully integrate Margo with TruKKer’s fleet of onboarded truck drivers and trucks situated […]
• GCT Vanterm goes live with Navis N4 as part of US$160m modernisation project November 25, 2020
  Global Container Terminals (GCT) Vanterm has gone live with Navis N4 via remote assistance, marking the last of four GCT terminals to go-live with N4 in North America. Located in the inner harbour, GCT Vanterm operates in naturally occurring deep water and is considered one of the most productive terminals in the Port of Vancouver. […]
• APMT sets all-time record in Santa Catarina and Ceará November 24, 2020
  APM Terminals (APMT) Pecém has set two consecutive records this year, despite the pandemic, with a best-ever September performance and then bettering itself with a best-ever October result. The Ceará-based terminal handled 41,000 teu in September and then 46,705 teu in October, increasing its throughput by 7.9% year-on-year to total 309,051 teu for the first […]
• New AI port optimisation engine secures almost US$1m in seed funding November 24, 2020
  eYard, a new cloud-based artificial intelligence (AI) power optimisation engine that helps container terminal operators to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency, has raised €800k (US$950k) in a new round of funding. The financing was led by Mundi Ventures, an international Venture Capital fund, with participation from Hamburg-based NLA, and two global maritime groups. Financing […]
• Carrier Transicold uses CO2 injection option to extend shelf life of perishables November 23, 2020
  Carrier Transicold has launched a new CO2 injection option for its EverFRESH active controlled atmosphere system for refrigerated containers to help better preserve low-respiring, high-value perishable cargo. The new option allows the container to be pre-charged with CO2 at the start of the voyage and automatically add more over the course of the trip. As […]
• PSA Sines awards contract for expansion works November 23, 2020
  PSA Sines, the concessionaire for Sines Container Terminal (Terminal XXI) in Portugal, has awarded the contract for the first phase of its expansion to Mota-Engil, Engenharia E Construção, Sa / Etermar – Engenharia E Construção. This project includes the construction of another 204 m of quay at the transhipment hub, providing the terminal with a […]
• IMO approves controversial draft amendments on shipping emissions November 20, 2020
  Environmental groups have lashed out at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) after it approved controversial draft amendments to the MARPOL convention, which they claim will fail to bring about a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the shipping sector. Campaigners believe that the text violates the initial IMO’s GHG strategy by failing to reduce […]
• Maersk profits jump in Q3 spurred by capacity management and demand recovery November 20, 2020
  Maersk improved profitability across its business and delivered strong cash flow despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, growing EBITDA by 39% to US$2.3bn in the third quarter. Although revenue dropped by 1.4% to US$9.9bn, the improvement in performance was based on stringent cost control, capacity management, a focus on customer offerings with greater uptake […]

News from CN – Container News

• Gemadept’s Cai Mep terminal on track for long-awaited opening December 4, 2020
  Gemalink International Port (GIP), Vietnam’s largest deep-sea terminal, is on track to open in the first quarter of 2021, after receiving its last pair of ship-to-shore container cranes. GIP is a new container terminal being built in Vietnam’s Cai Mep port, at an investment cost of US$120 million. South Korean equipment maker Doosan Heavy Industry […]
• Covid-19 case forces Hapag-Lloyd vessel to quarantine December 4, 2020
  A crew member of Hapag-Lloyd's container ship Nordic Hong Kong has tested positive for Covid-19 in Brazil. As a result, the Brazilian health authority has instructed the 3,400TEU vessel to perform a 14-day quarantine. Nordic Hong Kong is deployed on the German carrier's Conosur Service and Hapag-Lloyd has published the following schedule recovery plan for […]
• Covid vaccine trials wake fuel market up December 3, 2020
  Fuel market sentiment has received a boost from signs of improving demand from Asia’s large crude oil importers, as well as news of successful Covid-19 vaccine trials that may help contain the global pandemic and revive oil and fuel demand, according to the Marine Bunker Exchange (MABUX). The World Bunker Index MABUX demonstrated firm upward […]
• Seafrigo consolidates its presence in Le Havre December 3, 2020
  The Seafrigo group is strengthening its presence in the Port of Le Havre area by setting up a facility located at the Seafrigo Logistics Park. The logistics facility near Le Havre’s Red Bridge will comprise of two warehouses whose construction began last September. Each warehouse, designed for the storage of dry products, will cover an area […]
• ONE Apus may have lost a quarter of its cargo December 3, 2020
  An Ocean Network Express (ONE) vessel that reported a container stack collapse, on 30 November, may have lost up to 25% of its cargo as images of the collapse show a catastrophic event, with almost all of the forward cargo stacks affected. A consultant master Mariner with experience on container ships told Container News that […]
• MSC cargo lost in Maersk boxship stack collapse incident December 3, 2020
  At least 27 containers have been lost and 90 have been damaged from the 2011-built Maersk vessel, Seroja Lima, due to the heavy weather in the Atlantic ocean, on 20 November, when the ship was sailing from Suez to New York. Seroja Lima is deployed on the America service of the Maersk's 2M Alliance partner, […]
• Container logistics AI solution raises almost US$1 million in funding December 3, 2020
  eYARD, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) solution for container terminal operators, has raised €800,000 (US$970,000) in a new round of financing, which has been led by Madrid-based Mundi Ventures VC, with the participation of German Next Logistics Accelerator (NLA) and two maritime groups with a global presence. The latest round of financing will focus on key […]
• Timber trade goes online December 3, 2020
  Digital timber trade company Centersource aims to digitalise the wood supply industry with its online marketplace, the Timber Exchange (TX), which was recently launched and is aimed at freight forwarders practiced at moving timber as freight as well as sawmills and importers within the timber supply chain. The company says TX is an easy to […]
• Container shortages fill CIMC’s order books December 2, 2020
  China International Marine Containers, the world’s largest container manufacturer, has stated that the shortage of containers has resulted in a slew of orders, keeping its factories busy until the end of the first quarter of 2021. While the Covid-19 pandemic curtailed factory output early in the year, demand for textile and electronics exports from China […]
• Wan Hai to start new Intra-Asia service in December December 2, 2020
  Wan Hai Lines has announced the launch of a China – East India Service V (CI5) service in December aiming to expand its networks in both North China and East India. Six container vessels with a nominal capacity of 4,250TEU will be deployed on the CI5 service with the following port rotation: Qingdao – Busan […]

News from Tradewinds

• GLDD plans Jones Act fallpipe vessel for US offshore wind market December 4, 2020
  Company said US owned and built newbuilding could be on the water by early 2024
• Singapore office proves a pathfinder for Wikborg Rein's diversity efforts December 4, 2020
  Wikborg Rein's Ina Lutchmiah believes the legal sector is moving in the right direction on inclusivity and flexible working
• Citizen of the world Ina Lutchmiah takes challenges in her stride December 4, 2020
  Rising legal star describes her father as her 'biggest role model'
• Northern Sea Route set for record-breaking transit year December 3, 2020
  Number of full transit voyages soars as ice cover thins in Arctic waters
• Golar shares move lower after dilution from surprise equity deal December 3, 2020
  LNG owner is shipping's worst performer as broader market continues rampage
• Opec+ hike 'marginally bullish' for tanker owners amid demand worries December 3, 2020
  Major oil producers reach a compromise deal but pace of mass vaccination may matter more to tanker markets
• Golar's $96m offering gives it time to complete Hygo IPO December 3, 2020
  Fearnley Securities says equity issue means owner can wait should market not be open in first quarter
• Four Xihe product tankers join Maersk Tankers pools December 3, 2020
  Danish pool operator will have another three MRs and one small tanker under its commercial management
• EU carbon market face-off looms between lines and green groups December 3, 2020
  Industry wants emissions trading scheme for shipping limited to journeys between European Economic Area ports, putting it at odds with environmentalists
• 'Virtually no' VLGCs available as rates stay strong December 3, 2020
  Analysts continue to talk up prospects for large gas carriers as free tonnage dries up

News from Transport Topics

• Top Pork Producer Smithfield Makes Room in Freezers for Vaccine December 3, 2020
  Smithfield Foods Inc., the world’s biggest pork producer, is willing to share space in its ultra-low-temperature freezers to store COVID-19 vaccines, the company said Dec. 3 in an emailed statement.
• VTNA Unveils Plan for Launch of VNR Electric Sales December 3, 2020
  Volvo Trucks North America announced a far-reaching plan for the launch of its heavy-duty VNR Electric model.
• Working Group Tackles COVID Food Supply Chain Disruptions December 3, 2020
  Leaders in the food transportation sector are working together to share lessons learned during the coronavirus pandemic.
• Daimler Picks Bernd Pischetsrieder to Be Next Chairman December 3, 2020
  Daimler AG’s supervisory board picked Bernd Pischetsrieder to be its next chairman and help navigate the maker of Mercedes-Benz luxury cars through a seismic industry transformation.
• Democrats Eye New COVID-19 Aid December 3, 2020
  Before adjourning for the year, top Democrats on Capitol Hill are not ruling out the possibility of advancing a nearly $1 trillion COVID-19 package that includes aid for transportation networks.
• Hemp: Legal for Transport, but Still Lacking Regulatory Clarity December 3, 2020
  The chairman of a Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance working group focused on hemp said that while interstate transport of the substance is legal, potential risks remain for motor carriers and drivers hauling it.
• Class 8 Orders Surge to Fourth-Highest Monthly Volume Ever December 3, 2020
  North American Class 8 orders reached 51,900 in November, according to ACT Research.
• OPEC+ Agrees on Gradual Easing of Oil-Output Cuts Next Year December 3, 2020
  The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies reached an agreement to ease its oil-output cuts next year more gradually than previously planned, giving a fragile market more time to absorb the extra supply.
• Carriers Face Compounded Demand This Holiday Season December 3, 2020
  The trucking industry, working since March to replenish inventories depleted by the coronavirus, now has to grapple with holiday season demand.
• Atlas Canada Names Fred Haladay President December 3, 2020
  Moving company Atlas Canada has named Fred Haladay to the post of president and chief operating officer.
• Elon Musk’s $139 Billion Fortune Leads Huge EV Wealth Gains December 3, 2020
  Elon Musk’s dizzying ascent in 2020 hit a new peak this week as he’s about to become the head of an S&P 500 Index company. That’s just days after surging to the second-richest person on the planet with a $139 billion fortune.
• US Jobless Claims Drop, Offering Ray of Hope for Labor Market December 3, 2020
  Applications for U.S. state unemployment benefits fell by the most in almost two months, offering some hope that the gradual recovery in the job market will continue despite a spike in COVID-19 infections and renewed business restrictions.
• Property Carrier Brokers Argue Against Making Pricing Documents Public December 3, 2020
  Freight brokers are embroiled in a contentious fight with independent owner-operators and small truckers over a federal law that brokers argue is outdated, but which the smaller businesses want to see toughened to increase access to pricing information.
• Transport Topics Radio December 3, 2020
  Transport Topics Radio is a weekly news roundtable airing Saturdays on SiriusXM channel 146 from 1-3 p.m. ET and rebroadcast Saturday nights from 11 p.m.-1 a.m. ET, and Sundays from noon-2 p.m. ET and 9-11 p.m. ET. Check out this week's lineup.
• FedEx to Buy ShopRunner in E-Commerce Push December 2, 2020
  FedEx Corp. has agreed to acquire ShopRunner, an e-commerce service that provides shipping for more than 100 brands, as the courier seeks to deepen its ties with online shoppers.
• XPO Logistics Plans to Split Into Two Companies December 2, 2020
  XPO Logistics Inc. plans to split into two by spinning off its logistics business in a tax-free transaction that will create a separate publicly traded company.
• Maine Earns C-, West Virginia Gets D on ASCE Infrastructure Report Cards December 2, 2020
  The American Society of Civil Engineers on Dec. 2 released infrastructure report cards for Maine and West Virginia, both of which reflect challenges associated with aging infrastructure and financial needs.
• Penske Logistics to Acquire Black Horse Carriers December 2, 2020
  Penske Logistics announced it reached an agreement to acquire Chicago-based trucking company Black Horse Carriers Inc.
• Fed Sees Moderate Growth With Virus Causing Slowdowns December 2, 2020
  The U.S. economic recovery remained moderate across much of the country, and showed signs of a slowdown in areas where coronavirus cases are particularly high, according to a Federal Reserve report.
• Congestion, Slowdown at Ports Cause Growing Concern December 2, 2020
  Many of the nation’s ports, especially on the West Coast, are reporting long delays to unload cargo ships, and warehouses near those facilities are filled as the supply chains are overloaded with goods.