FAA: New drone rules address safety, provide more operational flexibility

While the industry has seen a flurry of drone activity with UPS, Amazon Prime, Walmart and others, regulation and investment hurdles have precluded more widespread adoption for delivery operations.

By A.B. Brown • Jan. 5, 2021

Short-term freight snags expected as Brexit deal goes into force

Officials expect delays to accrue beginning Monday and affect just-in-time and perishable supply chains the most.

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 4, 2021

Refusing US export cargo may violate Shipping Act, FMC warns in letter to carrier association

The ideal situation is industry works out a solution on its own, one commissioner said. But the agency could open a new investigation and has the power to levy fines if the alleged behavior continues.

By Matt Leonard • Dec. 21, 2020

Containers, port congestion subject of upcoming FMC meetings with 6 ocean carriers

The Federal Maritime Commission has suggestions for how the carriers can improve container movement, but the agency doesn't have plans for enforcement.

By Matt Leonard • Dec. 15, 2020

Port of Long Beach terminals commit to 50% dual transactions

Executive Director Mario Cordero said dual transactions go both ways: Terminal operators must maximize appointments, and truck drivers must meet the appointments.

By Matt Leonard • Dec. 8, 2020

FedEx will partner with McKesson on vaccine distribution, expand cold storage locations by 28% in 2021

Vice President Mike Pence said Thursday the federal government believes it is days away from beginning to distribute "tens of millions" of vaccine doses.

By Matt Leonard • Dec. 4, 2020

US blocks cotton imports from leading producer in Xinjiang region of China

Customs and Border Protection will detain Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps shipments at U.S. ports of entry, and CBP expects diverted imports to reach billions of dollars. 

By A.B. Brown • Dec. 3, 2020

A tale of hand sanitizer: How the ethanol supply chain pivoted for COVID-19

Raw material inputs for hand sanitizer were plentiful. But manufacturing capabilities, government regulations, packaging and tankers are a different story.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Dec. 3, 2020

Port of Rotterdam warns of no transport if Brexit paperwork incomplete

The Customs Administration of the Netherlands expects a 20% to 30% increase in declarations for imported and exported cargo following Brexit.

By A.B. Brown • Dec. 1, 2020

Supply chain bottlenecks prompt FMC investigation into container movement

U.S. exporters have witnessed containers leave empty on ocean carriers before having the chance to load them with cargo. 

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 23, 2020

CH Robinson: Importers have left nearly $1B in China tariff refunds on the table

Keeping tabs on product-specific tariff exclusions is time-consuming and "incredibly complex," shippers have told C.H. Robinson.

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 19, 2020

Food and beverage groups ask for priority on COVID-19 vaccine, citing supply chain security

Protecting essential workers is vital to ensuring food manufacturing facilities remain operational, the groups wrote. 

By Lillianna Byington • Nov. 13, 2020

What we know about Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine distribution plan

The pharmaceutical company plans to ship vials directly from manufacturing plant to point of vaccination in a supply chain model it described as flexible and just in time.

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 11, 2020

Take a dynamic approach to supply chain, US government.

Federal lawmakers proposed a task force to fund a more "resilient" supply chain. But resiliency is not the answer for the future, the author writes.

By Nader Mikhail • Nov. 10, 2020

EU levies tariffs on $4B in US goods following Boeing tax dispute

U.S. aircraft face a 15% tariff, and some industrial and agricultural products face a 25% tariff, including cheese, chocolate, spirits, cotton and tractors.

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 10, 2020

Tracking the speed, dwell and cars of Class I railroads

This dashboard shows the average speed, dwell time and cars online for all of the Class I railroads operating in the U.S.

By Matt Leonard • Updated April 24, 2025

USPS watchdog says agency didn't consider operational impact of changes as it cut costs

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy's changes to the post office — beginning soon after he took the helm in May — caused confusion within the service, and led to "slower and less reliable mail delivery," according to the report.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 22, 2020

CBP issues forced labor finding for stevia imports from manufacturer in China

The enforcement finding follows a civil penalty of $575,000 imposed on Pure Circle U.S.A. for importing stevia extracts and derivatives from the company identified in the report.

By A.B. Brown • Oct. 21, 2020

Biden and Trump envision similar supply chains — but different paths to get there

Both presidential candidates promote investment in domestic manufacturing and supply chains, but they diverge on how to handle global trade relations.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 16, 2020

FMC investigates claims ocean carriers are unfairly billing 3PLs, forwarders, brokers

The inquiry will examine the use of the term "merchant" on bills of lading and who is responsible for paying detention, demurrage and other charges.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 8, 2020

CBP blocks imports from major palm oil producer over forced labor allegations

Nestlé, Unilever and L'Oréal have already taken steps to distance themselves from FGV, the subject of the withhold release order.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 1, 2020

UK government warns of 7K lorry lines at ports after break from EU

Anywhere from 40% to 70% of trucks traveling to the EU won't be ready on the first day after the transition, according to estimates.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 24, 2020

Ocean carriers seek dismissal of ATA's FMC chassis complaint

The group argues the FMC does not have jurisdiction and says the Shipping Act of 1984 — which the original complaint is based on — is meant to protect shippers, not motor carriers.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 23, 2020

Home Depot, Tesla, thousands more file suits seeking China tariff refunds

U.S. importers could see financial relief if the court grants a refund on list 3 tariffs, but the lawsuits may be a long shot.

By Shefali Kapadia • Updated Oct. 1, 2020

August import volume swells above 2019 levels as retailers restock, prep for holidays

High import volume is expected to continue going into September, and the next six months are expected to be stronger than the previous six months.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 17, 2020