Radiant's Freight Market Update

This week: Houthi rebels have reignited the Red Sea crisis; Cargo theft remains a critical threat to logistics networks in Mexico; DAT One saw a major surge last week, with posted loads hitting 2.9 million.

Current Critical Industry Trends

Houthi rebels have reignited the Red Sea crisis. This week, the group announced plans to target shipowners serving the port of Haifa. With strike capabilities across key shipping lanes, their renewed threats are forcing global carriers to reassess risk and reroute traffic.

Canada Post has received a strike notice from the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW). If no agreement is reached, job action is expected to begin on Friday, May 23. In the event of a national disruption, mail and parcel services will be suspended until the strike is resolved.

Canada’s finance manager has stated that most tariffs on U.S. goods remain in place, contradicting a recent report. According to the finance manager, 70% of the counter-tariffs implemented in March are still active. This means Canada continues to levy tariffs on approximately C$42 billion ($30.1 billion) of U.S. exports, excluding automobiles.

Ocean

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will hold a second round of hearings on Monday regarding port fees for China-built, -owned, and -operated ships. The fees, aimed at countering China’s maritime dominance, were revised after April’s public comments. Fewer revisions are expected this time, with the new proposal being less disruptive but still problematic for car carriers, according to Lars Jensen of Vespucci Maritime.

Ports

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority will seek a construction partner for the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project in July 2025. The project will expand Canada’s trade capacity by building a marine terminal, wharf, and associated infrastructure at the Port of Vancouver. Once operational, the terminal is expected to handle over $100 billion in trade annually and create thousands of jobs, strengthening supply chain reliability and economic resilience.

International

Cargo theft remains a critical threat to logistics networks in Mexico, with Overhaul’s Q1 2025 report. In the first quarter, 81% of thefts involved violence, with nearly 78% of incidents concentrated in central and Southeast Mexico, particularly in Mexico and Puebla states. Most thefts occurred during weekdays, with food and beverage shipments, especially avocados, being the top targets, while criminals increasingly intercepted trucks in motion.

Trucking

DAT One saw a major surge last week, with posted loads hitting 2.9 million. Rates are climbing, too, with dry vans, reefers, and flatbeds all seeing significant increases. With the CVSA Roadcheck and a tight capacity crunch, truck availability dropped, but demand for loads surged, driving up rates across the board.

Rail

CN Rail unveils $3.4 billion investment to strengthen network. More than $2.9 billion will go toward infrastructure and maintenance in 2025. Projects include 225 miles of new track and 8 Western Canada upgrades.

Air

New air freight corridor connects Scotland and China. Prestwick launches 4 weekly cargo flights, boosting U.K. trade access. £2.3 million invested in freight equipment and cool chain capabilities.

UK’s airfreight hub eyes major growth with new development sites. East Midlands Airport projects 583,000 tonnes of cargo by 2043. 85% of the UK population lies within four hours driving time from the site.

Technology

DP World charts the future with AI and Humanoid robotics. With 150 robotics projects across 300 warehouses and AI-enhanced digital twins, the company eyes 24/7 scalable operations. Humanoid robots now operate at 70–75% human speed but never need a break.

Other

Supply chain shocks that reshaped global logistics. The top 13 disruptions since 2000 exposed weaknesses in sourcing, cybersecurity, and infrastructure. Events like COVID-19 and the Suez Canal blockage delayed $9 billion in daily trade.

Maritime milestone as MAN launches most powerful methanol engine. Rated at 82,440kW, the engine supports COSCO’s 24,000 TEU giants under construction in China. With over 600,000 hours on methanol, zero-emission shipping is no longer a theory.

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

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.

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

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.