FreightWaves NOW

Welcome to your FreightWaves Morning Minute, summarizing today's top stories in freight and logistics. We first discuss the alarming rise in cargo theft incidents linked to insider information, a trend highlighted by Tony Pelli of BSI Consulting, with Miami and Los Angeles identified as major hotspots in the U.S.. Criminals are increasingly using methods such as phishing emails, bribing employees, and targeting facilities near logistics hubs to facilitate these thefts. The Federal Maritime Commission's (FMC) has launched an investigation into Terminal Service Agreements (TSAs) between Port Houston and several major container lines. This probe aims to determine if clauses within these agreements compel carriers, including Maersk and Evergreen Line Joint Service, to route a certain percentage of their loaded containers through Port Houston, potentially disadvantaging competing Gulf ports.  Additionally, BNSF Railway has launched a new expedited intermodal service connecting Los Angeles to Houston, which significantly cuts transit times by two days. This service, which debuted on July 10, is specifically designed to offer a faster and more cost-effective alternative for customers, particularly those currently draying intermodal loads from Dallas-Fort Worth to Houston.  Finally, tune in to FreightWaves TV today for new episodes of What the Truck?!? at noon and Truck Tech this afternoon. Also, make sure to mark your calendars for upcoming FreightWaves events, including the Enterprise Fleet Summit on July 23rd and the Supply Chain AI Symposium in Washington D.C. on July 30th. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The US Postal Service has increased its rates for stamps and parcel service on an expedited timeline, a change highlighted in the article "USPS hikes parcel rates and stamps by 7%". These new prices, including a 78-cent first-class stamp and higher domestic shipping costs for Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage, and Parcel Select, were previously approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission. The Trump administration is updating its national freight strategy, focusing on emerging technology and regulatory barriers, as discussed in "Will AI rewrite America’s freight strategy?". The US DOT is seeking public input to prepare for a projected 50% increase in U.S. freight tonnage by 2050, looking for insights on diversifying global supply chains, rising energy production costs, changing urban-rural dynamics, and increasing e-commerce. June's Cass Freight Index report revealed continued pressure on freight volumes, marking 29 consecutive months of year-over-year declines for shipments, a trend extensively covered in "June produces mixed freight trends, recovery remains ‘elusive’". Although expenditures rose year-over-year, the outlook for July predicts a further 5% year-over-year decline in shipments, potentially offset by recent import increases. Finally, listeners are invited to tune into upcoming FreightWaves TV segments like Check Call and Loaded and Rolling. Nominations for the FreightTech 100 are now open, leading to the FreightTech 25 announcement at the Future of Freight Festival this fall, and other events include the Enterprise Fleet Summit and the Supply Chain AI Summit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Interact Analysis, have lowered their projected growth for the mobile robotics market by $800 million, citing shifts in the global supply chain. It also includes a lowered short-term growth expectation through 2027 and a 2030 revenue projection of $15.6 billion for the industry.. Next, we turn our attention to the rail sector, where the Smart TD Rail Union is polling its members on a possible strike vote on its CPKC network. The union claims CPKC took advantage of a service crisis on the Kansas City Southern Network to make workplace job changes, including cutting jobs and reducing employee working hours, though CPKC denies wrongdoing and states it has been fully transparent.. Finally, we highlight the significant rise in U.S. trade with Mexico, which reached $74.5 billion in May, a 2% year-over-year increase and 7% gain from April. Mexico stood as the top U.S. trade partner for the month, bolstered by shipments of computers, cars, and auto parts to the U.S., with top ports of entry including Chicago O’Hare, Laredo, Texas, and JFK.. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A significant legal setback for rail shippers dropped as a federal court has tossed out the Surface Transportation Board's (STB) 2024 reciprocal switching rule, ruling that the STB exceeded its authority and that the rule was inconsistent with the Staggers Act of 1980, a decision challenged by major railroads including CSX, Canadian National, and Union Pacific.  Watt EV has broken ground on its sixth electric charging depot at the Port of Oakland, establishing a vital zero-emission freight corridor connecting the Bay Area to Sacramento, Nevada, and Southern California. This new facility will feature 15 240-kilowatt CCS dispensers and six MCS dispensers, significantly expanding the region's heavy-duty electric truck charging  The Small Business and Transportation Coalition (SBTC) has petitioned the U.S. Department of Transportation to repeal regulations allowing new entrant non-North America domiciled carriers to apply for operating authority in the US, alleging unfair competition against American trucking companies. However, federal data from the FMCSA contradicts this claim, showing very few non-North America-based operating authorities currently exist, with all such companies required to complete a safety audit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trump administration announced potential higher import tariffs starting August 1st, including 25% on Japan and South Korea, with threats against retaliatory measures from other nations. This action follows President Trump's executive order to extend a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs until next month.  Geodis has appointed Laura Ritchey as the new President and CEO of its Americas region, where she will manage and grow contract logistics, freight forwarding, and transportation across North and South America. Ritchey will oversee approximately 20,000 employees in eight countries and has also joined the group’s executive board.  The American Trucking Associations (ATA)  is losing its influence in the trucking industry, as many small fleets and owner-operators, who have increased their truck numbers by 245% since 2008, criticize the ATA for misrepresenting their interests. The ATA, primarily representing larger fleets, faces criticism for backing legislation that harms independent truckers, despite claiming to speak for all.  Listeners are also reminded of upcoming FreightWaves TV episodes, including Check Call with Mary O’Connell at 12:30 and Loaded and Rolling with Thomas Wasson at 2 PM. Don't forget to register for the Enterprise Fleet Summit coming up on July 23rd and the Supply Chain AI Symposium in Washington DC on July 30th at live.freightwaves.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices