Freight Logistics

U.S. Container Imports Dropped 5.5% In April As?Importers Deal With Trade Policy Uncertainty And Geopolitical Risks, Supply Chain Technology Provider?Descartes Systems Group Said?On Friday. U.S. President Donald Trump’s changing trade policies have hit containerized?import _volumes. Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for energy supplies after U.S. and Israeli?strikes against the country. Import trends can be viewed as a measure of the U.S. economic health. They rise when the economy is strong, and fall when it is weak. Descartes data showed that U.S. ports handled 2,277.965 twenty-foot equivalent units in April, which was a 3.2% decrease...

The shares of logistics firm Expeditors international of Washington rose 6.3% on Tuesday after it posted a higher-than-expected quarter profit. This was due to increased air freight volumes and strong demand for its customs brokerage services. Expeditors, for example, benefited from the fact that U.S. importers used freight and customs brokers to help them navigate President Donald Trump’s evolving trade policies. The company's brokerage services revenue jumped by 17%, to $1.15billion in the first quarter. The company's largest segment, customs brokerage, contributed 41% of its overall revenue. But CEO Daniel Wall stated that the company anticipates "the freight climate to...

Amazon.com announced on Monday that it would be launching "Amazon Supply Chain Services", which will allow other businesses to access its logistic network. The company announced that businesses of all sizes and types can now store, move and deliver anything from raw materials to final products, using Amazon's supply-chain network. This includes freight, fulfillment and distribution, as well as parcel shipping. In premarket trading, UPS and FedEx shares fell by 1.5% and 2.5% respectively. Amazon announced that Procter & Gamble and American Eagle Outfitters, both apparel firms, were among the earliest to sign up for a supply-chain service. Amazon has...

Old Dominion Freight Line, a trucking company, reported a first-quarter profit that exceeded analysts' expectations on Wednesday. Improved pricing offset the impact of lower shipment volumes. Old Dominion, one of the biggest 'less-than truckload?firms, said that its revenue per shipment, which is a measure for pricing, increased 5.9% in the third quarter. J.B. Hunt, a contract trucking company, said earlier this month that it had seen'signs of recovery' in trucking rates. This was due to a tightening up of regulations governing truckload capacity, which included a restriction on commercial driver licenses for non-U.S. residents. This led to the departure of...

Old Dominion Freight Line, a trucking company, reported a?decline?in its first-quarter profits on Wednesday. This was attributed to?lower shipment volumes. However, the firm highlighted an improvement in pricing. U.S. trucking companies have been stuck in a lull for a long time as an excess of supply has driven down rates, while operating expenses continue to rise. The challenges faced by these companies have intensified over the last year, as the uncertainty surrounding the Trump administration's changing trade policies has exacerbated the decline in volumes and the weakening of demand. J.B. Hunt - a contract trucking company - had said earlier...

The United 'Kingdom Maritime - Trade Operations (UKMTO), a government agency, said on saturday that it had received a report about a tanker which was being fired at by "two gunboats connected to Iran's Revolutionary IRGC" located 20 nautical miles north of oman. UKMTO's advisory note stated that the captain of the tanker reported that?the two armed gunboats fired without issuing any radio challenges, adding that the vessel and crew were safe. UKMTO reported that it received a'report of an unknown projectile hitting a container vessel 25 nautical miles north-east of Oman. UKMTO reported that the attack damaged some containers...

Iran's Foreign Minister said that the Strait of Hormuz was now open to all commercial vessels following an agreement in Lebanon on a ceasefire. The shipping industry and leaders from around the world have spoken out about the Iranian declaration. SHIPPING INDUSTRIES: MAERSK "We have?taken?note of the announcement. Our priority is the safety of our crews, vessels, and cargo. We have been following the advice of our regional security partners since the beginning of the conflict. The recommendation has so far been to avoid transiting through the Strait of Hormuz. "Any decision on whether to transit the strait is based...

J.B. Hunt Transportation Services, a U.S. trucking company, reported on Wednesday a higher profit for the first quarter. Efforts to cut costs and improve volumes in key segments offset increased fuel prices. In aftermarket trading, shares of the company rose by 1.2%. After a four-year hiatus, the U.S. trucking sector showed signs of revival in early 2012. However, higher fuel prices?due the Middle East war have delayed the long-awaited turnaround. J.B Hunt's goal has been to reduce costs and increase efficiency during this time. Fuel surcharges are a way that the company, and other contract trucking companies in the U.S.,...

FedEx Freight said on Wednesday that it expected average core profit growth in the range of 10% to 12% over the long term. This comes ahead of its first investor day, as the trucking giant nears the much-anticipated separation from its parent. FedEx's freight trucking division is on track to separate from the delivery firm?on 1 June into a publicly listed company. FedEx announced the move in December of 2024. Analysts claim that FedEx Freight assets were not fully appreciated by FedEx, and that it will expand if it is a separate public entity. The inaugural Investor Day is expected...

The union reported that United Parcel Service informed the International Brotherhood of Teamsters on Tuesday of its decision to withdraw their latest "driver buyout" scheme in the central region states. The decision comes after the delivery giant announced that it would proceed with its plan to?offer $150,000 buyout packages for its drivers, after a federal judge rejected the union’s bid to stop?its workforce cutting program based on concerns about contract violations. Teamsters sued UPS on February 9 for its January 27 announcement that it would cut up to 30 000 jobs and close 24 facilities in order to move away...

Two explosive-laden unmanned boats rammed a Safesea 'Vishnu' tanker in an Iraqi port on Wednesday. The explosion engulfed vessel's portside in flames, and the crew had only seconds to respond, according to a preliminary assessment by the vessel’s U.S. operator and owner. The?Safesea Group, based in New Jersey, said that after speaking with the crew members who survived the attack, it appeared to be deliberate and calculated. At least 16 vessels, including tankers and other vessels, have been attacked in the?Gulf as a result of the U.S./Israeli war against Iran. The threat by Tehran to attack vessels in or near...

Sources and maritime security agencies said that three vessels were struck by unknown 'projectiles' in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday. One of the strikes caused a fire to break out?onboard? a ship, forcing the crew of the vessel to leave. Two maritime security sources confirmed that the bulk carrier Mayuree Naree, registered in Thailand, was damaged and targeted approximately 11 nautical mile north of Oman. UKMTO (United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations) later stated, in reference to the incident, the fire was 'extinguished' and there were no environmental impacts. The necessary crew remained aboard the vessel. Two maritime security sources...

Iran has seized the oil tanker Ocean Koi, in the Gulf of Oman, for a 'pretend attempt to disrupt Iran’s oil exports. The?Barbados flagged tanker, it said, was carrying Iranian oil. It also claimed that the tanker "was attempting to disrupt and harm oil exports .... through exploiting regional circumstances". According to state media, the oil tanker was escorted to the southern coast and then handed over to the judiciary authorities. The seizure was made after the?U.S. Iranian and U.S. forces clashed at the Strait of Hormuz which connects?the Gulf of Oman to the Gulf of Oman. Iran has closed...

Tel Aviv's share indexes reached all-time peaks - and the Israeli shekel rose - to a 30-year high - against the dollar on Friday, on the apparent hope that the U.S.-Iran talks scheduled for Saturday would maintain a ceasefire. The blue-chip Tel Aviv index and the broader TA-125 closed higher by 1.9%, extending to over 6% gains since the U.S. and Israel led air war began in February '28. The?shekel rose 0.7% against the dollar, reaching a rate 3.031 - its highest level since October 1995. Israel and Hezbollah traded fire in Lebanon, and the Strait of Hormuz was closed....

Data from LSEG/Kpler showed that an oil 'tanker' loaded with Iraqi crude was seen transiting the Strait of Hormuz near the Iranian coast a few days after Iran announced Iraq was exempted from any restrictions on transiting this vital -sea route. Kpler data shows that the Ocean Thunder loaded approximately 1 million barrels of Basrah heavy crude on March 2. It is expected to "discharge" its cargo in Pengerang, Malaysia by mid-April. Iran closed the Strait after U.S. airstrikes and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February escalated a conflict. Later, it said that vessels without U.S. and Israeli connections...

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said a tanker'struck off Qatar' was hit by two projectiles. One exploded and the other remained unexploded inside the engine room. The tanker was hit about 17 nautical miles (31km) north of Qatar’s industrial hub?Ras Laffan, causing damage to the vessel above the waterline. The crew were safe and there were no reported environmental impacts. UKMTO stated that it could not confirm the origin of the projectiles, and investigations were still ongoing. The incident occurs as a result of 'growing threats to maritime travel in the wake of the U.S. - Israel conflict with...

The Financial Times reported Friday that the United Arab Emirates has informed the U.S., and other Western allies, that it will participate in a multi-national maritime taskforce aimed at reopening the 'Strait of Hormuz. Reports indicate that the UAE is pushing dozens of countries towards creating a "Hormuz Security Force", which will defend the Strait against Iranian attacks and accompany shipping. The UAE has been the target of more Iranian attacks than any country in the region, including Israel. The U.S. has a number of allies who have stated that they do not have immediate plans to send ships to...

DP World, a port operator based in Dubai, said on Thursday that its 'Jebel Ali Port was fully operational and had 'no damage to infrastructure. However, it warned that the amount of vessel traffic destined for Iran has been reduced because he war is still going strong. The war, which began with the joint U.S.-Israeli air strikes against Iran nearly two weeks ago has caused global chaos in the energy and transportation markets, and effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz – the world’s most important oil artery. The majority of Gulf ports including Dubai's Jebel Al and the primary?ports located...

Israel's military confirmed that a missile fired from Yemen at Israel on Thursday fell in an area open outside Israeli territory. No sirens were activated. This was the third launch of this kind within 24 hours. Yemen's Iran supported Houthis have recently increased attacks and launched missiles in response to Israeli attacks against Yemen. The Houthis launched missiles and drones towards Israel from thousands of kilometers away, calling it an act of solidarity with Palestinians. The majority of missiles or drones that were launched either missed their targets or were intercepted. Israel has responded by bombing areas in Yemen controlled...

The manager of the vessel in Greece that sank earlier this month after it was attacked by Houthi militants near Yemen expressed his relief after watching a video which showed 11 crew members still alive. The Houthis, allied with Iran, released the six-minute video on Monday. They claimed to have rescued seafarers aboard the Eternity C cargo vessel flying the Liberian flag. The Athens based ship management company issued a statement saying that efforts are being made to ensure "safe and rapid return of the sailors to their families". The company said that it was "deeply relieved" to see the...

Houthis, who are Iran-aligned and live in Yemen, said on Monday that they had rescued ten seafarers off the Greek cargo ship EternityC which they had attacked and sunk earlier this month in the Red Sea. Eternity C, flying the Liberian flag, was the second vessel to sink in Yemen this month following repeated attacks from Houthi militants using sea drones and rocket propelled grenades. The Magic Seas was another Greek-operated ship that had been lost days before. The Houthis have been resuming their attacks on ships, having hit over 100 vessels between November 2023 to December 2024 as a...

The operator of the Greek bulk carrier said that the 19-member crew, which was severely damaged by repeated attacks in the Red Sea, likely carried out by Houthi militants are safe. They will arrive at Djibouti on Monday evening. Michael Bodouroglou said that the fate of the Liberian Magic Seas, which is flying the Liberian flag, was uncertain. The vessel could sink, according to Bodouroglou. The first incident of this kind to be reported since mid-April was Sunday's attack off the southwest coast Yemen. The Magic Seas was targeted by gunfire, rocket-propelled missiles, and skiffs for more than four hour....

TMS Tankers, the Greek operator of the tanker, said that an external explosive device was most likely responsible for the explosion which damaged the Greek oil tanker Vilamoura last week as it was sailing near the coast of Libya. This conclusion is based on a preliminary investigation. On June 27, the Marshall Islands flagged tanker Vilamoura was leaving the Libyan port Zuetina to head to Gibraltar, with around 1 million barrels oil. An explosion occurred in the engine room. TMS Tankers stated that preliminary investigation findings indicate clearly that the explosion and subsequent fracture of side shell plating as well...

An attack on a ship in the Red Sea, off the coast of Yemen's southwest coast, was launched by eight small boats using gunfire and grenades. A British maritime agency and a security firm confirmed the incident. The situation continues, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations and British maritime security company Ambrey. The attack was not immediately attributed to anyone. This is the first report on the region by the agencies since the middle of April. The tensions in the Middle East are still high due to the conflict in Gaza, the 12-day Israel/Iran war that lasted for...