Supply chain

Three shippers discuss what they expect in 2014.

Federal regulators are set to gain new authority to shut down unsafe trucking operators and pursue trucking officials with a history of "egregious" violations.

UPS today proved there’s no such thing as free online shipping. The parcel giant lowered its earnings expectation for the full year to $4.57 a share from a previous prediction of $4.65 to $4.85 a share, citing the unexpected surge in last-minute online shopping orders in a compressed holiday peak season.

Positive train control, improved mass rail transit safety and eliminating driver distration were among the ten top transportation safety improvements the National Transportation Safety Board wants to see advance in 2014.

The U.S. Maritime Administration’s top official said U.S.-flag carriers in international markets are “at a tipping point” and that helping them compete will be an important part of Marad’s effort to develop a national maritime strategy.

Federal regulators this year will apply lessons learned in a massive bus safety crackdown to root out unsafe trucking companies and shut them down.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx on Wednesday said the nation can solve its “transportation infrastructure deficit” by gaining much-needed funding through corporate tax reform and constructing more efficiently.

The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission today requested more information from the G6 Alliance of ocean carriers on their plans to share vessel space and cooperate more closely on trade routes between Asia and the U.S. West Coast and between Europe and the U.S. East Coast.

Shippers that detain drivers at loading or unloading docks or terminals could become targets of federal truck safety regulators.

WASHINGTON — Shippers could see faster cargo clearance at U.S. ports of entry and enjoy better access to the nation’s seaports through a proposed $1.1. trillion omnibus bill.

WASHINGTON — House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster said the next federal surface transportation bill will focus on freight mobility and he wants to bring to the floor for a vote before the August recess.

Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., said he expects soon to begin marking up legislation to strengthen cargo preference laws requiring U.S.-flag shipment of food aid, military and other government-impelled cargo.

Direct-to-consumer delivery of merchandise via e-commerce fulfillment has been a boon for the courier industry, but when the consumer is located in another country, the rules of the game change and fulfillment becomes much more complex.

U.S. red meat exports were “solid” in November as beef sales set a new value record and pork exports posted their strongest month year-to-date...

This will be the year U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows what the agency can do when it has politically appointed leadership, something it hasn’t had for two years. If confirmed by the Senate, R. Gil Kerlikowske will lead the agency as it brings a long-delayed cargo processing system into the homestretch, beefs up its top trusted-trade program and determines how to best assist exporters. At the same time, CBP continues to better target goods for inspections so it doesn’t hold up trade unnecessarily.

Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., today reintroduced legislation that would create a competitive grant program for freight projects by charging shippers a user fee on cargo transported within the United States.

Yusen Logistics is expanding its warehousing operations in Duisburg, Germany.

The Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) has decided to impose fines on some shipping firms for allegedly violating the antitrust law in transporting automobiles.

Rising shipper demand for returnable or reusable freight packaging is driving expansion at packIQ, which designs and makes industrial packaging.

WASHINGTON — Congress has a small window to approve legislation that would renew President Obama’s authority to submit two ongoing major trade pacts to Congress for a simple yes-or-no vote.

With technology seeming to increase in sophistication by the month, logistics companies are poised to play an even more bigger role in the shipment of goods in North America and worldwide. This will prompt third-party logistics providers to work out new — and improved — relationships with companies that own freight-moving assets.

America's economy is in its best shape since before the Great Recession, but U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Thomas J. Donohue calls for more action on trade, energy production to create jobs.

China is reportedly allowing more U.S. dried distiller grains into the country after rejecting roughly 661 short tons of corn-based DDGS and 2,205 short tones of regular corn, both containing an unapproved genetically-modified strain.

As the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration prepares to expand its rulebook in 2014, others are scrutinizing the agency’s playbook.

California’s ports on Jan. 1 became the first in the world to require that container lines operate their vessels from shore-side electrical power while at berth, and this potentially industry-changing event is proceeding without any major problems.

A long-awaited rule on a CSA-based safety fitness rating system for trucking companies is one of many trucking regulations slowly moving through the federal pipeline.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is taking its Canadian pre-inspection pilot to the next phase, allowing trucks crossing the Peace Bridge to Buffalo, N.Y., to enjoy faster clearance by getting initial paperwork completed in Fort Erie, Ontario.

The P3 Network is likely set for smooth regulatory sailing in Europe and the U.S., but it’s unclear what Chinese regulators have in mind for the alliance involving the three largest global container lines.

The need for U.S. lawmakers to match their calls for increased infrastructure spending with action has never been so grave. There are few signs, however, of bold leadership willing to make unpopular political decisions so shippers and transportation providers can move goods on the nations’ network more efficiently. Congress and the Obama administration have balked at raising fuel taxes, the most straightforward method of boosting funding, transportation proponents argue.

WASHINGTON — The non-voting U.S. House of Representatives delegate from American Samoa has raised concerns that people may be reluctant to criticize the proposed P3 Network because the three largest global container lines “carry significant weight and influence.”

A key Customs and Border Protection official instrumental in expanding the agency’s trusted trader programs and forging mutual recognition agreements has retired.

China isn’t expected to approve a genetically modified strain found in corn and corn-based dried distillers grains with solubles until late spring, forcing some U.S. exporters to seek new markets or hold off on shipments, an agriculture analyst said today.

U.S. corn exporters are bracing for a potential slowdown in shipments to their top foreign customer after Chinese authorities reportedly rejected imports of corn and corn-based dried distillers grains with solubles, citing the presence of an unapproved genetically modified strain.

“K” Line and NYK Line have reached compromise agreements with the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission to settle allegations that the two Japanese carriers engaged in antitrust violations with regard to roll-on, roll-off cargo.

India’s Allcargo Logistics Ltd., through its subsidiary Ecu Line, has acquired a majority stake in FCL Marine Agencies, a Netherlands-based non-vessel-owning common carrier operating primarily in trades between Europe and North America.

NOL Group has appointed Beat Simon as president of subsidiary APL Logistics, effective March 1, 2014.

Asian exports and intra-Asia air and ocean trades are forecast to receive a major boost from the ground-breaking World Trade Organization deal agreed to in Bali earlier this month.

SHANGHAI — The Chinese government appears to have leveled the playing field for foregin shipping companies and forwarders in terms of its new value-added tax on logistics.

WASHINGTON — What’s said at a Surface Transportation Board hearing on reciprocal switching early next year will likely set the stage for the next fight between railroads and some shippers over what the former sees as re-regulation and the latter views as enhanced competition.

Benefiting from an improving economy, strong e-commerce sales, and profit initiatives launched last year, FedEx raised both bottom and top lines in its latest quarter. The second-largest U.S. transport company expects even better from 2014.