<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">Freight delays unwind on different clocks, and the gaps between those clocks decide who profits, writes Paul Tonsager.</div>

Freight delays unwind on different clocks, and the gaps between those clocks decide who profits, writes Paul Tonsager.

Feature image

Surface

Trans-Pacific

International ports

Maritime

Container delays generate revenue for different parties at each stop: analyst

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">The creation of recognized heavy transport “corridors” across the bloc and streamlined permitting procedures are both expected to occur amid the increase in the size of the cargoes. </div>

The creation of recognized heavy transport “corridors” across the bloc and streamlined permitting procedures are both expected to occur amid the increase in the size of the cargoes.

Heavy-haul transport

Breakbulk News

Supply chain

Outsized military cargoes force welcome European infrastructure improvements

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">Despite higher freight rates and improving carrier earnings, some analysts question whether tightening capacity can sustain a recovery in 2027.</div>

Despite higher freight rates and improving carrier earnings, some analysts question whether tightening capacity can sustain a recovery in 2027.

Trucking News

Truckload

Trucking recovery takes shape, but headwinds temper carrier optimism

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">As key global manufacturers and shippers of high-and-heavy cargo, the four global equipment giants — Caterpillar, Komatsu, Manitowoc and Volvo — signal trends for the breakbulk segment.</div>

As key global manufacturers and shippers of high-and-heavy cargo, the four global equipment giants — Caterpillar, Komatsu, Manitowoc and Volvo — signal trends for the breakbulk segment.

Ro/ro cargo

Energy, infrastructure projects keep heavy equipment makers in growth mode

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">The railroad says the comments threatening higher rates against those who oppose the NS merger were made in jest, but others argue they amounted to threats of retaliation that have prevented shippers from speaking out against the deal. </div>

The railroad says the comments threatening higher rates against those who oppose the NS merger were made in jest, but others argue they amounted to threats of retaliation that have prevented shippers from speaking out against the deal.

Rail News

North-American rail

UP CEO Vena under fire for ‘offhand comment’ about Norfolk Southern deal

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">With fresh export shipments in a state of flux amid widespread protests, carrier executives in Bangladesh reported limited container bookings and gate-ins for loading in the last few days. </div>

With fresh export shipments in a state of flux amid widespread protests, carrier executives in Bangladesh reported limited container bookings and gate-ins for loading in the last few days.

Container Shipping News

Bangladesh apparel factory disruptions threaten carrier volume targets 

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">Singapore reclaiming its port dominance requires shifting from a passive facilitator of ships to an active orchestrator of global supply chains — a transformation that cannot be led from ministerial corridors alone, writes Dr. Raymon Krishnan. </div>

Singapore reclaiming its port dominance requires shifting from a passive facilitator of ships to an active orchestrator of global supply chains — a transformation that cannot be led from ministerial corridors alone, writes Dr. Raymon Krishnan.

Rethinking Singapore’s maritime strategy amid supply chain orchestration

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">Chronic inland congestion and structural bottlenecks have fundamentally shifted this power dynamic, upping the need for port authorities to be more active to support the port ecosystem, writes Robbert van Trooijen. </div>

Chronic inland congestion and structural bottlenecks have fundamentally shifted this power dynamic, upping the need for port authorities to be more active to support the port ecosystem, writes Robbert van Trooijen.

Port News

Port infrastructure

North American ports

Port authorities must evolve beyond passive landlords

Notes: A rising line implies increasing capacity compared to previous month

Index

JOC Breakbulk Index implies decreasing capacity through summer months

JOC Breakbulk and Project Cargo Index October 2026

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">Retailers with distribution centers in the eastern half of the country say their ability to deliver containers carrying holiday merchandise in time for Black Friday sales is in jeopardy. </div>

Retailers with distribution centers in the eastern half of the country say their ability to deliver containers carrying holiday merchandise in time for Black Friday sales is in jeopardy.

Drayage

LA-LB rail container backlog causes growing concern among retailers

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">A “once-in-generation” flood near Laguna, New Mexico, that began on Saturday will have a substantial short-term impact on all shippers, including intermodal.</div>

A “once-in-generation” flood near Laguna, New Mexico, that began on Saturday will have a substantial short-term impact on all shippers, including intermodal.

Intermodal providers

New Mexico flooding snarls BNSF’s intermodal network

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">Union Pacific Railroad’s purchase of 500 new domestic containers breaks a three-year industry equipment freeze and diverges from the approach of private asset-owning intermodal providers. </div>

Union Pacific Railroad’s purchase of 500 new domestic containers breaks a three-year industry equipment freeze and diverges from the approach of private asset-owning intermodal providers.

UP resumes intermodal container fleet expansion

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Samsung SDS combines integrated shipment data, predictive technology and logistics execution to help shippers respond to disruption and manage costs. A container delayed at sea can disrupt a much larger plan on land. Truck appointments may need to move, warehouse labor may be scheduled against the wrong arrival date, and inventory expected for a customer order may remain out of reach. The cost of disruption builds as each downstream decision falls out of step. For ocean shippers, that uncertainty remains substantial. Sea-Intelligence reported global vessel schedule reliability of 49.9% in August 2026, with late vessel arrivals averaging 6.81 days behind schedule.[1] Managing this environment requires reliable information and a clear way to act on it. An alert has operational value when teams can establish which cargo is affected, what the delay means for the business, and which alternatives are feasible. Samsung SDS brings these requirements together through data-driven global control tower operations supported by its logistics technology and execution capabilities. Its Global Control Center monitors shipments around the clock, with control tower teams responding to disruptions across a service offering that spans international transportation, inland movements, warehousing and final delivery.[2] Building a reliable view of the shipment Shipment information can sit across carrier portals, transport systems, warehouse records and email. Reconciling those updates takes time, especially when a shipment moves between providers or modes. A useful end-to-end view needs to connect those milestones and keep the information current enough to support the next decision. Data quality matters as much as coverage. Teams need to understand whether a milestone is confirmed, whether an estimate has changed and how recently a record was updated. Without that foundation, staff can spend valuable response time reconciling conflicting updates before they can decide what to do. Samsung SDS’s Cello Square platform uses AI to calculate estimated times of arrival (ETAs) from vessel transit times, port dwell times and congestion data. Predictive estimates give operators an additional basis for planning as conditions change. The company has also developed capabilities to detect potential transshipment and unloading issues.[3] Samsung SDS reports ETA prediction accuracy of approximately 95%. For shippers, the practical value of a more dependable forecast is the opportunity to adjust receiving and transportation plans earlier.[4] Port skip detection can flag when a vessel is likely to omit a scheduled call, giving teams time to reassess the shipment’s route and delivery plan.[2, 5] Connecting risk detection with an operational response A global control tower needs to connect a developing event with the cargo it could affect. Samsung SDS uses AI to assess logistics risks, identify exposed shipments and notify the relevant customers and operators. Logistics specialists then assess the consequences and coordinate a response.[3, 5] That process brings commercial priorities into the decision. Consider a potential port omission: teams may need to weigh the cost and timing of unloading elsewhere against accepting a longer transit. They must also consider inland transport availability, warehouse receiving capacity and the customer’s delivery requirements. The recommended route has to work beyond the ocean leg. Prioritization matters, too. A delay affecting a replenishment order with inventory on hand may call for a different response from one affecting a component needed for production. Linking shipment status to the shipper’s operating requirements helps teams concentrate effort where a delay would have the greatest impact. A case described by Samsung SDS shows what that can mean in practice. After detecting a potential skipped call at Genoa, the company arranged unloading at La Spezia and connected the cargo with inland transportation. Samsung SDS says the response avoided transportation delays for the customer.[5] The value is in the coordination. Changing the discharge port only solves part of the problem if the onward truck, receiving slot and delivery commitment remain tied to the original plan. An integrated operating model allows those decisions to be considered together. Giving operators more time to manage exceptions The capacity to respond also depends on how logistics teams spend their time. Samsung SDS is applying AI and automation to routine processes, including order creation and proof-of-delivery handling. Its published workflows describe automatically registering bookings from emailed shipping documents and flagging discrepancies for staff review.[6, 7] For proof of delivery, the company has applied optical character recognition to reduce manual processing. These tools help keep operational records current while reducing the effort needed to collect and enter information.[7] That gives operators more room to investigate a loading constraint, coordinate an alternative route or resolve a delivery exception. It also supports the control tower by reducing administrative work around the decisions that require human judgment. Over time, reviewing recurring exceptions can also reveal where a route, loading process or delivery handoff needs improvement. Those findings give operators a basis for changing the underlying process and reducing repeated interventions. For shippers, useful measures include the time from an alert to an agreed response, manual processing effort and the cost of exceptions. Tracking those outcomes helps establish whether investment in visibility and automation is improving daily operations. Samsung SDS’s approach connects that investment with the people and processes responsible for moving the freight. By combining integrated data, predictive technology and global logistics execution, the company helps shippers carry a decision through to delivery, with the operational follow-through needed to protect service commitments and control costs.

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Turning logistics visibility into action with global control towers

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<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">The Pacific Maritime Association said talks with ILWU Local 26 will continue with assistance from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. </div>

The Pacific Maritime Association said talks with ILWU Local 26 will continue with assistance from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

Longshore labor

Strike deadline at LA-LB ports delayed until Nov. 4: PMA

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">The plan, revealed by TFI CEO Alain Bédard, is to build an asset-light less-than-truckload network using contractors while its unionized subsidiary TForce regroups under new management. </div>

The plan, revealed by TFI CEO Alain Bédard, is to build an asset-light less-than-truckload network using contractors while its unionized subsidiary TForce regroups under new management.

TFI looks to build non-union US LTL network beyond TForce Freight

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">The fresh extension came after the Pacific Maritime Association and ILWU Local 26 failed to reach a new deal after negotiating late into Wednesday evening. </div>

The fresh extension came after the Pacific Maritime Association and ILWU Local 26 failed to reach a new deal after negotiating late into Wednesday evening.

Strike deadline at LA-LB ports delayed again through midnight Friday

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">The railroad is metering the movement of containers destined for inland hubs in order not to overwhelm the terminals with cargo; it could be another week before service returns to normal.</div>

The railroad is metering the movement of containers destined for inland hubs in order not to overwhelm the terminals with cargo; it could be another week before service returns to normal.

BNSF boosts New Mexico manpower to manage freight flow after flood

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper">The largest US less-than-truckload carrier said shipments decreased 1.4% year over year for the four months through September, but it expects to gain business in new verticals. </div>

The largest US less-than-truckload carrier said shipments decreased 1.4% year over year for the four months through September, but it expects to gain business in new verticals.

Container delays generate revenue for different parties at each stop: analyst

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Essential Reads

LA-LB rail container backlog causes growing concern among retailers

New Mexico flooding snarls BNSF’s intermodal network

UP resumes intermodal container fleet expansion

Recent Commentary

Rethinking Singapore’s maritime strategy amid supply chain orchestration

Port authorities must evolve beyond passive landlords

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