With only several weeks left for Congress to hash out a surface transportation bill , Senate Democrats urged House Republicans to stop stalling. House Republicans argue Senate conferees aren't listening to their demands, particularly those aimed at streamling highway projects. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif, and her allies made their case for their $109 billion, two-year bill on Wednesday on the Hill. Contact Mark Szakonyi at mszakonyi@joc.com . Follow him on Twitter @szakonyi_joc .

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>An estimated 30% of Asia-Europe air cargo capacity is routed via the Middle East, and with options through the region severely constrained by the US-Iran war, a rush for Asia-Europe air cargo capacity is pushing up prices. </p></div>

An estimated 30% of Asia-Europe air cargo capacity is routed via the Middle East, and with options through the region severely constrained by the US-Iran war, a rush for Asia-Europe air cargo capacity is pushing up prices.

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Asia-Europe air cargo space tightens as rates, fuel surcharges soar

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>Truck-air solutions are also taking off with rising interest from shippers as the Middle East war removes the popular sea-air services via Jebel Ali in the UAE as a viable option. </p></div>

Truck-air solutions are also taking off with rising interest from shippers as the Middle East war removes the popular sea-air services via Jebel Ali in the UAE as a viable option.

As war rages, multimodal demand surges on Asia-Europe landbridge

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>Tobias Meyer said companies are starting to consider offloading Asia export cargo at ports in the Indian subcontinent for eventual onward shipment into the Gulf region, but it has not yet emerged as a trend.</p></div>

Tobias Meyer said companies are starting to consider offloading Asia export cargo at ports in the Indian subcontinent for eventual onward shipment into the Gulf region, but it has not yet emerged as a trend.

Middle East transshipment options to emerge in the coming days: DHL CEO

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>Stefan Paul said almost 20% of global air freight capacity from the belly hold of passenger aircraft and via freighter aircraft charters has been cut from the market because Middle East airports are closed or flights have been otherwise canceled. </p></div>

Stefan Paul said almost 20% of global air freight capacity from the belly hold of passenger aircraft and via freighter aircraft charters has been cut from the market because Middle East airports are closed or flights have been otherwise canceled.

Air freight backlog set to gridlock Asia airports amid Middle East conflict: K+N CEO

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>The US has established a maritime warning zone, effectively placing the region out of bounds to shipping, while airlines have suspended passenger and freighter flights across the Middle East.</p></div>

The US has established a maritime warning zone, effectively placing the region out of bounds to shipping, while airlines have suspended passenger and freighter flights across the Middle East.

Shipping avoids Middle East region after US, Israel begin strikes on Iran

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>The recent increase in intermodal share in the face of declining West Coast share is intriguing, and it might be signaling a more significant change in the situation, writes Larry Gross. </p></div>

The recent increase in intermodal share in the face of declining West Coast share is intriguing, and it might be signaling a more significant change in the situation, writes Larry Gross.

Ocean shipping patterns erode intermodal share from West Coast: analyst

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>After a pause in trans-Pacific service contract negotiations caused by the war in the Middle East, talks are expected to move forward now that the largest US retailer has concluded some of its agreements.</p></div>

After a pause in trans-Pacific service contract negotiations caused by the war in the Middle East, talks are expected to move forward now that the largest US retailer has concluded some of its agreements.

Trans-Pacific contract talks accelerating after Walmart signs

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>The UP-NS merger and ONE’s Seaspan stake look like separate deals in separate industries, but they are the same move, writes Paul Tonsager. </p></div>

The UP-NS merger and ONE’s Seaspan stake look like separate deals in separate industries, but they are the same move, writes Paul Tonsager.

Rail and ocean carriers consolidating shipping infrastructure: analyst

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>While the logistical hurdles of sending cargo to the region are more of an inconvenience at this point for US exporters rather than a full-blown crisis, shippers see a bigger risk in the war’s longevity and the downstream effect of higher oil prices.</p></div>

While the logistical hurdles of sending cargo to the region are more of an inconvenience at this point for US exporters rather than a full-blown crisis, shippers see a bigger risk in the war’s longevity and the downstream effect of higher oil prices.

US exports to Middle East in limbo amid war zone service disruptions

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>Broad use of Section 301 tariffs, with 60 US trading partners now being scrutinized, provide a window into the administration’s next phase of tariff applications as it seeks to redefine US trade. </p></div>

Broad use of Section 301 tariffs, with 60 US trading partners now being scrutinized, provide a window into the administration’s next phase of tariff applications as it seeks to redefine US trade.

Potential new US tariffs cloud sourcing strategies, peak season demand

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>The Meridian Speedway dispute is important because it’s one of the primary routes where a combined Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern railroad would look to take market share from truckload. </p></div>

The Meridian Speedway dispute is important because it’s one of the primary routes where a combined Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern railroad would look to take market share from truckload.

STB declines to intervene on Meridian Speedway dispute

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>The agency in charge of enforcing US shipping law reminded the market that any change in ocean tariffs must come with a 30-day notice period prior to implementation so it can be reviewed.</p></div>

The agency in charge of enforcing US shipping law reminded the market that any change in ocean tariffs must come with a 30-day notice period prior to implementation so it can be reviewed.

FMC says ‘closely monitoring’ carrier rate moves tied to Middle East war

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>A proposed universal tax on foreign-built ships would strain trade relations, raise the cost of doing business and stoke inflation, writes Reason Foundation policy analyst Jay Derr. </p></div>

A proposed universal tax on foreign-built ships would strain trade relations, raise the cost of doing business and stoke inflation, writes Reason Foundation policy analyst Jay Derr.

Reform HMT rather than taxing shipping more: analyst

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>Under the US Customs and Border Protection’s proposal, shippers will not have to sue the administration for refunds of the IEEPA tariffs and will receive the monies owed as a single payment.</p></div>

Under the US Customs and Border Protection’s proposal, shippers will not have to sue the administration for refunds of the IEEPA tariffs and will receive the monies owed as a single payment.

CBP lays out initial tariff refund plan that requires ‘minimal’ work from importers

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>Long-sought regulatory reforms within the Canadian trucking industry could tighten capacity and cause cross-border rates to rise.  </p></div>

Long-sought regulatory reforms within the Canadian trucking industry could tighten capacity and cause cross-border rates to rise.

Canada’s ‘Driver Inc.’ crackdown could push trucking rates higher

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>Stakeholders have prepared alternative routes and real-time updates to manage the Vincent Thomas Bridge Reduction Project and minimize port disruptions.</p></div>

Stakeholders have prepared alternative routes and real-time updates to manage the Vincent Thomas Bridge Reduction Project and minimize port disruptions.

<div class="phx-topic"><p>The Vincent Thomas Bridge Reduction Project is set to begin soon, impacting the LA Long Beach Port complex, which relies on the bridge for over 53,000 vehicles daily, including hundreds of heavy-duty trucks. To minimize disruptions, Caltrans, the Port of Los Angeles, and various trade organizations have coordinated alternative routes, repaved city streets, and established a real-time communications network to keep stakeholders informed and address issues promptly.</p><p></p><div class="wrapper-narrow"><dynamic-object type="brightcove" resource-id="6391076230112"></dynamic-object></div></div>

The Vincent Thomas Bridge Reduction Project is set to begin soon, impacting the LA Long Beach Port complex, which relies on the bridge for over 53,000 vehicles daily, including hundreds of heavy-duty trucks. To minimize disruptions, Caltrans, the Port of Los Angeles, and various trade organizations have coordinated alternative routes, repaved city streets, and established a real-time communications network to keep stakeholders informed and address issues promptly.

Vincent Thomas Bridge project spurs coordinated response to protect la port traffic

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>Ocean carriers are investing in their own terminals as new lease terms and rising costs in New York and New Jersey incentivize them to move cargo away from state-run facilities, potentially changing port service and schedules.</p></div>

Ocean carriers are investing in their own terminals as new lease terms and rising costs in New York and New Jersey incentivize them to move cargo away from state-run facilities, potentially changing port service and schedules.

<div class="phx-topic"><p>US ports are undergoing significant changes as ocean carriers invest heavily in marine terminals, while landlord port authorities like New York and New Jersey impose new lease terms and shift maintenance costs to terminal operators. Rising berth and labor costs are incentivizing ocean carriers to prioritize their own terminals, potentially disadvantaging state-run port authorities and altering service and scheduling dynamics.</p><p></p><div class="wrapper-narrow"><dynamic-object type="brightcove" resource-id="6390803641112"></dynamic-object></div></div>

US ports are undergoing significant changes as ocean carriers invest heavily in marine terminals, while landlord port authorities like New York and New Jersey impose new lease terms and shift maintenance costs to terminal operators. Rising berth and labor costs are incentivizing ocean carriers to prioritize their own terminals, potentially disadvantaging state-run port authorities and altering service and scheduling dynamics.

US port shifts favor ocean carrier terminals amid rising costs

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>Valentina Jordan, CEO of software provider Nauta, joins TPM Today to explain why data and infrastructure are more important to logistics technology buyers than digital workers.</p></div>

Valentina Jordan, CEO of software provider Nauta, joins TPM Today to explain why data and infrastructure are more important to logistics technology buyers than digital workers.

<div class="phx-topic"><p>Everyone wants a "digital worker." VCs are pouring billions into the AI gold rush. The industry is obsessed with the shiny new tool, but the real value lies in the work nobody wants to talk about: the boring, grueling, unsexy work of fixing the data underneath.</p><p>Join Eric Johnson sits down with Valentina Jordan (CEO, Nauta) to discuss why logistics tech buyers need to stop chasing agents and start fixing their foundation.</p><p>• Why the “Gold Rush” funding model is pushing products that shippers aren’t ready for.</p><p>• Why data infrastructure—not digital workers—is the actual key to automation.</p><p>• Where shippers go wrong when evaluating supply chain tech in a hyped-up market.</p><p>This episode was streamed live on February 16, 2026 on <a href="https://letstalksupplychain.com/tpm-today/">TPM Today</a>.</p><p></p><div class="wrapper-full"><dynamic-object type="youtube" resource-id="UAwQIZNUopE"></dynamic-object></div></div>

Everyone wants a "digital worker." VCs are pouring billions into the AI gold rush. The industry is obsessed with the shiny new tool, but the real value lies in the work nobody wants to talk about: the boring, grueling, unsexy work of fixing the data underneath. Join Eric Johnson sits down with Valentina Jordan (CEO, Nauta) to discuss why logistics tech buyers need to stop chasing agents and start fixing their foundation. • Why the “Gold Rush” funding model is pushing products that shippers aren’t ready for. • Why data infrastructure—not digital workers—is the actual key to automation. • Where shippers go wrong when evaluating supply chain tech in a hyped-up market. This episode was streamed live on February 16, 2026 on TPM Today .

TPM TODAY | Why the AI agent companies in logistics have it wrong

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<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>With only several weeks left for Congress to hash out a surface transportation bill&lt;</p></div>

With only several weeks left for Congress to hash out a surface transportation bill<

<div class="phx-topic"><p>With only <a href="http://www.joc.com/washington/why-congress-won%E2%80%99t-pass-transport-bill-month"><u>several weeks left for Congress to hash out a surface transportation bill</u></a>, Senate Democrats urged House Republicans to stop stalling. House Republicans argue Senate conferees aren't listening to their demands, particularly those aimed at streamling highway projects. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif, and her allies made their case for their $109 billion, two-year bill on Wednesday on the Hill.  </p><p></p><p></p><p>Contact Mark Szakonyi at <a href="http://mszakonyi@joc.com"><u>mszakonyi@joc.com</u></a>. Follow him on Twitter <a href="http://@szakonyi_joc"><u>@szakonyi_joc</u></a>.</p><p></p></div>

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