Surface

News and analysis of surface transportation including rail, trucking, intermodal, less-than-truckload, full truckload, drayage, transload

The latest Surface News & Analysis

Investors back Overhaul’s hybrid risk management–visibility strategy

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Mar 7, 2023, 9:00 AM EST

Supply chain risk-focused technology provider Overhaul has channeled demand for reducing exposure to cargo theft into a $38 million funding round just a few weeks after acquiring competitor SensiGuard.
Logistics technologyContainer shippingTruckingRail

US startup eyes street turn tech expansion throughout North America

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Mar 6, 2023, 10:00 AM EST

Technology startup Qualle is trying to overcome drayage industry inertia around matching empty import boxes with export loads outside of ports by using early-stage funding to serve every North American port market.
Logistics technologyPortsMarine terminalsNorth American portsDrayageTrucking

More US shippers finding LTL savings, but no ‘price war’ 

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Mar 3, 2023, 3:49 PM EST

Several US shippers tell the Journal of Commerce they are getting rate concessions from their less-than-truckload carriers, but the price cuts are far from universal and may depend on how shippers bid.
SurfaceTruckingLTL

Journal of Commerce Rankings: Top 25 truckload carriers saw big revenue gains in 2022

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Mar 2, 2023, 5:01 PM EST

The last two years were highly profitable for the largest US truckload carriers, but 2023 promises to be a tougher time as rates and volumes decline.
SurfaceTrucking

TPM23: Intermodal providers banking on transloading surge

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | Mar 2, 2023, 9:50 AM EST

Transloading is gaining popularity even as US imports have cooled in recent months, but shippers should weigh the pros and cons of transferring ocean containers into domestic boxes, TPM23 attendees were told.
Intermodal providersContainer shippingNorth-American rail

TPM23: CN focusing investment on capacity growth: CEO

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Feb 28, 2023, 5:52 PM EST

Canadian National will grow its capacity based on the assumption that China will remain the biggest sourcing country for North America while acknowledging the shift under way into Southeast Asia, India, and potentially Africa that could fuel cargo through eastern Canada, its CEO told TPM23.
North-American railSurfaceSupply Chain

UP ending chassis policy that rendered containers inaccessible

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | Feb 27, 2023, 11:10 AM EST

The policy — known informally as the “no cherry picking” rule — prohibited trucking companies from coming into terminals with private chassis when there were no pool chassis available.
RailIntermodal providersNorth-American rail

UP CEO Fritz stepping down amid pressure from activist investor

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | Feb 27, 2023, 10:11 AM EST

Fritz did not elaborate on what role the activist investor played in his decision to step aside, but the announcement came shortly after Soroban Capital wrote that “current [UP] management is not capable of driving a strong operating performance.”
RailNorth-American rail

Idle domestic containers being stacked as intermodal volumes tumble

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | Feb 24, 2023, 9:00 AM EST

Volume declines are forcing intermodal providers to stack containers, unable to find cargo to fill the boxes because shippers have too much inventory, while trucking prices are so low that the freight is moving on highways.
Intermodal providersNorth-American rail

US truck tonnage levels better than expected in January

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Feb 23, 2023, 2:21 PM EST

An actual decrease in truck tonnage last month was masked by a seasonal adjustment to an American Trucking Associations index, but US freight volumes aren’t yet on the road to recovery.
TruckingTruckloadLTL

Southeast, Gulf ports expect container uplift from electric vehicle plants

Michael Angell, Associate Editor and Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Feb 22, 2023, 11:31 AM EST

With just under $50 billion in fresh investments unveiled last year for electric vehicle manufacturing plants in North America, ports in the Southeast and along the Gulf Coast are expecting additional volumes to soon be moving across their docks.
North American portsContainer shippingIntermodal providersNorth-American rail

Rate hikes push 2022 US LTL revenue to record high, despite slowdown 

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Feb 21, 2023, 5:06 PM EST

Less-than-truckload (LTL) pricing may moderate in 2023 after two gangbuster years for carriers, but shippers shouldn’t expect a rapid retreat after broad-based gains.
Surface

Russia picks up rail freight slack as China-Europe volume slumps

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Feb 21, 2023, 2:15 PM EST

Official data shows overall volumes on the China-Europe rail network rose 6 percent last year over the then-record throughput handled in 2021, but there is no distinction between cargo destined for Europe or Russia.
RailForwardingAsia-EuropeInternational railIntermodal providers

UP shifting to stacked container operation at Joliet for California imports

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | Feb 21, 2023, 1:52 PM EST

Union Pacific is changing operations at its terminal outside Chicago in a bid to prevent future disruption by creating stacks for containers arriving from California, a move that will affect tens of thousands of ocean boxes per month.
RailNorth American portsIntermodal providersNorth-American rail

Leaf Logistics using technology to create dedicated truckload fleets in key US markets

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Feb 21, 2023, 6:00 AM EST

Freight coordination software provider Leaf Logistics is working with a number of shippers and truckload carriers to build flexible, dedicated fleets to allow for continuous moves in big US markets.
Logistics technologyTruckload

New data casts doubt on H2 rebound in US freight demand

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Feb 17, 2023, 1:58 PM EST

Despite better-than-expected factory output in January, the manufacturing spigot that releases shipping demand simply isn’t turning fast enough and retail inventories remain stubbornly high.
SurfaceTruckingRailSupply Chain

WiseTech continues acquisition campaign with $414 million Blume purchase

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Feb 16, 2023, 9:09 PM EST

WiseTech Global is doubling down on its reach into US intermodal networks with its $414 million purchase of Blume Global three weeks after acquiring drayage tech provider Envase.
Logistics technologyMaritimeForwardingInternational railIntermodal providers

Cap European rail electricity price hikes or lose out to road: intermodal group

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Feb 16, 2023, 10:11 AM EST

Long-haul rail freight in Europe, the main alternative to road transport, is being undermined as the cost of electricity far outstrips diesel, say combined transport stakeholders.
RailTruckingLTLInternational railIntermodal providers

US flatbed trucking activity sees early regional revival: DAT

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Feb 15, 2023, 5:06 PM EST

Demand for flatbed tractor-trailers is rising along the Gulf Coast and Southeast, buoyed by project cargo, shifting freight patterns, and a warmer-than-normal winter, DAT Freight & Analytics says.
SurfaceProject cargoTruckingFlatbed

Cass sees US freight shifting to truckload as costs drop

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Feb 14, 2023, 4:08 PM EST

Lower rates and ample capacity are drawing more freight to the US truckload sector, particularly the dedicated and contract markets, according to the Cass Freight Index report.
SurfaceTruckingTruckload

APM plans $60 million investment to boost Mobile rail infrastructure

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Feb 14, 2023, 3:26 PM EST

Mobile’s inland intermodal reach is getting a boost from a planned $60 million investment by APM Terminals into the port’s container railyard.
North American portsContainer shippingNorth-American rail

US LTL shipments getting smaller: Forward Air

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Feb 14, 2023, 1:40 PM EST

Shippers are still tendering approximately the same number of shipments, but they’re shipping less freight per shipment, the head of expedited LTL carrier Forward Air says.
SurfaceTruckingLTL

US truckload capacity still abundant despite recent motor carrier exits

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Feb 13, 2023, 2:08 PM EST

Smaller trucking firms are leaving the market at a faster rate, but plenty of truckload capacity remains, especially at larger fleets that are just short of record truck counts.
SurfaceTruckingTruckload

Zero-carbon fuel crucial in meeting EU truck emissions targets: transport groups

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Feb 10, 2023, 10:37 AM EST

Meeting the EU road emissions targets will not be achieved by focusing exclusively on electric vehicles, with the combustion engine likely to play a significant role over the next two decades.
TruckingForwardingTruckload

3PL Echo moves to expand LTL business with new executive hires

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Feb 8, 2023, 1:24 PM EST

Primarily an industrial transportation sector, the LTL business is moving into retail and is also becoming more involved in transloading at US port cities. 
TruckingTruckloadLTLLogistics technology

Spot truckload rates rising at US East Coast ports, falling on West Coast

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Feb 7, 2023, 4:17 PM EST

Analysts have told the Journal of Commerce they expect spot market pricing to bottom out and remain flat for some time before rising again, most likely at a slow pace.
SurfaceDrayageTruckingTruckload

Overhaul acquisition consolidates freight risk management market

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Feb 7, 2023, 9:00 AM EST

Freight visibility provider Overhaul has acquired a competitor that doubles its size and gives it deeper cargo monitoring capability in Brazil, Mexico, and Central Europe.
Logistics technologyContainer shippingTruckingAir Cargo

US transport providers lose fewer jobs than expected in January

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Feb 3, 2023, 2:44 PM EST

Courier, trucking, and warehousing firms lost workers last month, but the seasonal surge and purge was more muted than expected, reflecting broader labor market resilience.
SurfaceTrucking laborIndustrial real estate

US ‘freight recession’ putting motor carrier financing tools to the test

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Feb 3, 2023, 9:03 AM EST

Smaller US truckload carriers and the companies that provide them with access to working capital are under increasing pressure as cargo demand slows.
Logistics technologyTruckingTruckload

C.H. Robinson reaffirms commitment to global forwarding business

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Feb 2, 2023, 3:25 PM EST

The largest US logistics provider claims “compelling results” from cross-selling surface transportation and air and ocean services, despite weak market conditions.
Supply ChainMaritimeTruckingAir Cargo

US LTL freight volumes starting to improve ahead of spring: ODFL

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Feb 1, 2023, 4:09 PM EST

Old Dominion Freight Line “has its fingers crossed” that the decline in less-than-truckload volumes is turning and an increase in freight demand will be seen in March or the second quarter.
SurfaceTruckingLTL

Intermodal contract savings fell in Q4 ahead of 2023 bids

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | Feb 1, 2023, 7:59 AM EST

Shippers saved less than in prior quarters on their intermodal contracts to close 2022, setting up a race to the bottom this year to keep freight on the rails.
RailIntermodal providersNorth-American rail

UPS to sharpen focus on ‘smart’ technology in ‘bumpy’ 2023

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Jan 31, 2023, 4:31 PM EST

Technology that connects and automates packages, trucks, and sorting facilities will come to the fore at UPS this year as the largest US logistics provider positions itself for an economic rebound.
SurfaceTruckingAir CargoSupply Chain

Norfolk Southern adds to Southeast intermodal capacity with new cranes

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Jan 31, 2023, 4:02 PM EST

Norfolk Southern’s plan to bring more capacity to its international intermodal business this year has kicked off with new cranes enabling the stacking of marine containers at its Austell ramp in Georgia.
North-American railContainer shippingNorth American portsIntermodal providers

Pitt Ohio, Daylight to expedite LTL freight from eastern US to West Coast

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Jan 30, 2023, 4:54 PM EST

An expedited linehaul service using team drivers will cut transit times connecting Pitt Ohio’s eastern territory with California within three days. 
SurfaceTruckingLTL

US railroads looking to mend fences with labor after trying 2022

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | Jan 30, 2023, 4:53 PM EST

US Class I railroads are taking steps to address quality-of-life issues for their employees, including reducing on-call positions, avoiding furloughs, and introducing more flexible working structures.
North-American rail

US LTL carriers look past downturn by expanding for next rebound

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Jan 27, 2023, 3:51 PM EST

The promise of economic improvement in the second half of this year and 2024 has LTL trucking companies adding terminals, doors, and services despite the current slowdown.
SurfaceTruckingLTL

Investors fuel drayage software provider PortPro with $12 million in funding

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Jan 27, 2023, 2:49 PM EST

Investors see drayage as an area rife for technological improvement, with software provider PortPro the latest startup to secure funding to empower port truckers.
Logistics technologyPortsDrayageTrucking

FourKites aims to turbocharge shipper analytics efforts

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Jan 26, 2023, 2:18 PM EST

The need for shippers to contextualize freight status data led visibility provider FourKites to build a data connectivity tool for enterprise shippers.
Logistics technologyContainer shippingPortsTruckingSupply Chain

Bridge repair along UP’s LA/LB-Midwest network nearing completion

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | Jan 26, 2023, 1:37 PM EST

The approximately 72-hour repair on a bridge in New Mexico would appear to mitigate what could potentially have been a major disruption for UP’s international and domestic intermodal shippers.
North-American railIntermodal providers