Radiant's Freight Market Update
Stay up-to-date on the latest global supply chain and logistics news with Radiant's weekly updates.
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This week: Strait of Hormuz traffic begins to recover; Double-stack rail containers hit Baltimore for the first time; Digital visibility continues reshaping freight networks.
Current Critical Industry Trends
Movement in Strait of Hormuz improving as a formal plan for outbound transit begins to take shape. Traffic is up three times the level from last week, and positive market sentiment is on the rise.
Ocean
Calls to end the Jones Act waiver are growing following the U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement. Maritime industry groups argue that the temporary policy is no longer warranted and are urging policymakers to return to standard domestic shipping requirements.
A new route between China and Australia has been unveiled, with the first sailing scheduled for July 2026. This new route aims to strengthen regional connectivity and service reliability between the two markets.
Ports
The Port of Virginia has completed a 55-foot expansion, creating the deepest commercial shipping channel on the U.S. East Coast, and supporting larger vessel access.
A new cold-chain hub at Port Saint John in New Brunswick has opened. The hub is designed to create a more direct route for moving perishable goods between inland production regions and international markets.
International
Venezuela’s seaborne crude exports have more than doubled this year, rising for a sixth consecutive month as buyers seek additional sourcing options amid shifting global energy markets.
Steel and aluminum producers are facing an intensive record-keeping process to demonstrate ongoing compliance to qualify for new U.S. tariff breaks. Metal producers not only need to commit to specific capacity-expansion projects, but they must also meet milestones and provide detailed reports on those projects, making qualifying difficult.
Trucking
Trucking industry groups have raised concerns with the FMCSA following a Supreme Court ruling, warning of potential unintended compliance and liability impacts and seeking regulatory clarification.
Rail
Expansion of a 130-year-old Baltimore tunnel now allows double-stacked containers to move by rail through the corridor for the first time. The project is expected to add capacity for an additional 160,000 containers annually, improving rail efficiency for Midwest shippers.
Barstow International Gateway received approval from California lawmakers, clearing the way for development of the rail and logistics hub. The project is expected to improve freight efficiency, expand transportation options, and support lower-emission cargo movement.
Air
San Francisco International Airport is investing $300M in cargo terminal expansion to increase capacity, improve cargo handling, and support long-term growth in international air freight volumes.
Technology
As supply chains become increasingly digital, industry leaders are shifting their focus from tracking assets to tracking cargo itself. Greater shipment visibility allows businesses to respond more quickly to disruptions and make more informed transportation decisions.
Visibility platforms such as Radiant’s Navegate® help provide real-time shipment insights across transportation modes, supporting more proactive supply chain management.
Other
Formula 1 looks to logistics to achieve reduced emissions goals by diversifying transportation modes and using carriers powered by alternative fuels. The effort highlights logistics' role in advancing broader sustainability goals.