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Radiant's Freight Market Update

Jan 9, 2025

Stay up-to-date on the latest global supply chain and logistics news with Radiant's weekly updates.

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This week: Wildfires and high winds hamper freight movement across LA; U.S. Port strike averted with a new 6-year agreement; TD Cowen's rail shipper survey shows the highest business growth since 2021.

Current Critical Industry Trends

Wildfires and high winds hamper freight movement across LA. Deadly California wildfires have destroyed thousands of structures and closed interstates, with wind gusts exceeding 50 mph overturning trailers. Freight operations across the Los Angeles metro area face disruptions, while LAX reports slight delays. Fire-favorable conditions may persist through the weekend; for live updates visit here.

Winter storm Blair disrupts U.S. logistics and delivery networks. Severe snowstorms across eight states have suspended delivery and trucking operations, affecting over 6,000 ZIP codes. Central and eastern U.S. regions face delays as air hubs and terminals remain closed. Reefer demand surges, while carriers implement contingency plans to minimize disruptions. Fleet operations brace for further challenges as weather impacts linger.

Ocean

DP World enhances Canadian trade with new terminal services. Vancouver, Prince Rupert, and Saint John terminals to see new container routes through a partnership with Gemini Cooperation. This expansion promises faster deliveries, dependable schedules, and seamless global connections.

Maersk and MSC trigger freight rate decline on key trade routes. Aggressive pricing sees Asia-North Europe rates dip 4%, with future contracts also down by 11%. February's alliance reshuffle and blank sailings add to market uncertainty.

Ports

U.S. Port strike averted with a new 6-year agreement. The ILA and US Maritime Alliance reached a tentative deal, securing a 62% pay increase and protections against automation. The agreement ensures uninterrupted port operations from Maine to Texas, safeguarding 85,000 jobs.

Navigating Port efficiency amid complex challenges. Sustainability, dredging, and alternative fuels dominate discussions at the TRB meeting. With East Coast ports racing to attract larger ships and global trade patterns shifting, stakeholders weigh the impact of labor disruptions, green initiatives, and infrastructure investments.

International

Cross-border and domestic mail back on track. USPS resumes mail and package shipments to Canada after the month-long strike, and Canada Post reinstates on-time domestic parcel guarantees. Businesses and consumers can expect improved reliability, though some international and letter mail delays remain.

Trucking

Mandatory entry-level training (MELT) for commercial drivers is being updated with new requirements. The updated curriculum must be submitted to the Ministry of Colleges and Universities by July 1, 2025. Program approval may be revoked if the new requirements are not met by the deadline.

Federal regulators are planning research into crash protection devices. An experimental study will analyze data to assess whether warning devices have a significant impact and, if so, to what extent. The rise of autonomous technology has also raised concerns about the safety standards for these devices, which often require driver intervention.

Rail

TD Cowen's rail shipper survey shows the highest business growth since 2021. Shippers are exercising caution and altering routes as the potential ILA strike deadline approaches. Additionally, they have pulled forward shipments in anticipation of new tariffs.

Air

Air Incheon received approval to take over Asiana’s cargo division and aircraft. The airline has since applied to the U.S. Department of Transportation to operate cargo services between Korea and the U.S., also noting that it would offer charter flights, including freight forwarder and split charters.

Technology

The partnership between Aurora Innovation, Continental, and Nvidia speeds up the race to deploy autonomous trucks. It will integrate Nvidia’s cutting-edge technology into Aurora’s autonomous driving system and leverage Continental’s expertise to bring the technology to market.

Other

Predictions for 2025 from leading logistics analysts indicate that shippers should prepare for continued unpredictability, similar to what was experienced in 2024. The supply chain will remain significantly impacted by AI and groundbreaking technologies.





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The Radiant Network's supply chain and logistics updates provide valuable insights on freight trends, customs regulations, global news, economics, tech, and more. The Radiant Network includes the brands Radiant World Trade Services, Radiant Global Logistics, Radiant Canada, Radiant Road & Rail, Adcom, Airgroup, SBA, and Distribution By Air.

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Radiant World Trade Services is a part of Radiant Logistics, Inc. (NYSE American: RLGT), a publicly traded third-party logistics company that provides technology-enabled global transportation and value-added logistics solutions to a diverse account base. They offer comprehensive services including freight forwarding, truck and rail brokerage, warehouse and distribution, customs brokerage, order fulfillment, inventory management, and technology services. Radiant has an extensive network of offices throughout North America and other key markets worldwide.