Topic
transport
Logistics Virgin moves closer to London-Paris rail services with ORR track approval
The UK's Office of Rail and Road granted Virgin track access for up to 20 daily return services through the Channel Tunnel from 1 October 2030, breaking Eurostar's passenger monopoly. Virgin still needs rolling stock, safety approvals, and European track access before launch. FS Italiane Group is also pursuing a separate tunnel service via Trenitalia France.
Logistics Rhine crisis prompts HGK to call for €12.5bn European shallow-water fleet build
German inland shipping group HGK is calling for a government-backed €12.5bn programme to build 1,000 shallow-water-capable vessels across Europe by 2035, according to Splash247. The push comes as Rhine water levels at the Kaub gauge fall to 16 cm, limiting cargo capacity. HGK warns that about 80% of dry cargo tonnage was built in the last century, with only 13 new dry cargo ships and 38 tankers added in 2024.
Logistics Fura Acquires Highrise in Seventh AI-Driven Freight Brokerage Roll-Up
Fura acquired Washington state-based freight brokerage Highrise, its seventh roll-up target. CEO Jeff Dangelo says the company onboards acquisitions in about a week using AI, which now sources nearly 40% of booked carriers. Fura's revenue grew from $10M to over $100M, with SG&A costs far below industry norms.
Logistics ISM at 55.6 Signals End of Freight Recession and Rate Upturn into 2027
According to RSM analyst Ryan Farlow, the ISM Manufacturing index hit 55.6, its highest in years, ending the US freight recession. Contract rate increases and substantially higher spot prices are reported across carriers, while capacity exits and driver shortages tighten the market. Data center construction slowdowns remain the primary risk, with roughly 500 municipalities enacting bans or pauses.
Logistics India to equip new high-speed rail corridors with indigenous Bharat Train Control System signalling
Indian Railways is developing the Bharat Train Control System (BTCS), an indigenous open-source signalling protocol, for nearly 7,000 km of planned high-speed rail corridors across India. The system follows the made-in-India decision for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train and could be exported to other countries once developed. Approvals for future corridor designs are expected by mid-2027, while Japan has been told offers for a switchover to its protocols need to come first.
Supply Chain Harrisons Malayalam Pilots Drone-Based Green Leaf Transport at Lockhart Estate Near Munnar
Harrisons Malayalam Limited (HML) has successfully trialled a payload drone for transporting freshly harvested green leaf from tea fields at its Lockhart Estate, in collaboration with drone technology partner Tropoworks. The initiative aims to improve field logistics, enhance productivity, reduce manual handling, and ensure faster movement of green leaf to the factory. HML plans to be among the first tea plantation companies to deploy payload drones for routine transport.
Logistics CSX Beats Q2 2026 Estimates as Intermodal Volumes Surge, Operating Margin Improves
CSX Corp. reported second-quarter 2026 earnings that exceeded Wall Street expectations, with revenue up 10.1% year-over-year to $3.94 billion and earnings per share of $0.54 beating estimates by 4.2%. The railroad saw a surge in intermodal traffic and a significant improvement in free cash flow from negative to positive $687 million, signaling strengthening demand across key freight segments in its eastern U.S. network.
Logistics Direct Hits on Tankers Push Hormuz Traffic to New Lows, Brokers Warn
Tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen sharply after a series of direct Iranian attacks on commercial vessels. Outbound movements average just four tankers per day, inbound three, well below previous averages. The pool of willing shipowners is shrinking, and the risk environment is deteriorating rapidly.
Logistics 26-Year-Old Car Carrier Chang Sheng Hong Fetches $42 Million at Shanghai Auction, Triple Reserve
The 4,310-ceu car carrier Chang Sheng Hong was sold at auction in Shanghai for approximately $42 million, three times its reserve price of RMB95 million ($14 million). The 26-year-old vessel, built in 2000 at Croatia's Uljanik shipyard, had previously traded as Dresden and was renamed in 2017 after entering Chinese ownership. The sale underscores an extremely tight car carrier market driven by China's surging vehicle exports, with up to 2 million cars shipped on containerships this year.
Logistics India's Bullet Train Project: Indigenous Trains, Interoperable Signalling Set for 2027 Launch
India and Japan jointly progress the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project, with indigenous bullet trains manufactured by BEML. Trials are set for mid-2027, and commercial services aim to start in August 2027 on the Surat-Vapi stretch. The trainsets, with a design speed of 280 kmph, are being built at BEML's 'Aditya' complex in Bengaluru.
Logistics Indian Railways tightens contractor norms, unveils covered fly ash transport and unified licence regime
Indian Railways has announced a series of freight reforms including specialised covered containers for fly ash transport, a unified all-India licence regime for container train operators with a uniform fee of Rs 25 crore, and tightened contractor eligibility norms. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated the measures aim to reduce environmental hazards, improve logistics efficiency, and encourage serious contractors.
Logistics Landlocked Kyrgyzstan Passes Merchant Shipping Code, Creates National Ship Registry
Kyrgyzstan's parliament has passed the country's first Merchant Shipping Code in its third reading, creating the legal basis for a national ship registry. Vessels will list Bishkek as their port of registry, overseen by a new maritime administration and operated by a private company, Maritime Register. The move follows similar steps by other landlocked states like Mongolia and San Marino.
Business Quad-C backs fast-growing North Carolina transport group with investment
Private equity firm Quad-C has made a strategic investment in Armstrong Transport Group, a non-asset-based third-party logistics provider headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. The partnership provides capital to accelerate organic growth and acquisitions, with Armstrong's leadership retaining significant ownership. The company, on pace to exceed $2 billion in annual revenue, operates a nationwide agent network and offers cross-border logistics services.
Logistics Railway Minister Vaishnaw Launches New Train Services but Details Are Unavailable in Source
A Times of India article reported that Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched new train services, but the published text contains no specifics on routes, extensions, or other operational details. The article instead describes the TOI Business Desk and lists financial calculators. No actionable intelligence for freight or logistics readers can be derived from the provided source.
Logistics Shetland Plans £1.5bn Undersea Tunnels to Replace Ageing Ferry Fleet
Shetland Islands Council is set to approve a £1.5bn plan to build undersea tunnels connecting the mainland to Yell, Unst, and potentially Whalsay and Bressay, replacing ageing ferries. The project, inspired by the Faroe Islands, aims to improve capacity, reduce costs, and support the UK's only spaceport at Saxavord. Current ferry services carry 750,000 passengers annually at a cost of £23m per year.
Logistics ICAR-CIFT Secures Indian Patent for Chemical-Free Live Fish Transport Technology Using Controlled Hypothermia
ICAR-CIFT has been granted an Indian patent for a chemical-free live fish transport technology that uses controlled hypothermia to anaesthetise aquatic animals, reducing stress and mortality during transit. The innovation offers a reliable, affordable alternative for small and medium-scale users in the live seafood supply chain.
Logistics Container shipping shifts to smaller vessels as orderbook nears 13m TEU, Alphaliner reports
The global containership orderbook has reached 12.98m TEU across 1,592 vessels, according to Alphaliner. Since July 2025, 74% of new orders have been for ships below 6,500 TEU, a sharp reversal from the post-pandemic megaship boom. The shift reflects growing focus on regional and feeder markets where aging fleets need replacement, though the sub-6,500 TEU orderbook still lags replacement needs.
Logistics CrossCountry Ranked Worst UK Train Operator as Performance Scores Plummet
Birmingham-based CrossCountry has been ranked Britain's worst train operator by Transport Focus, with only 72% of stops on time and 7% of services cancelled in the three months to March 2026. Passenger satisfaction stands at 79%, well below the 87% national average. Transport Focus has called for urgent improvements to punctuality, information during disruption, and overcrowding.
Logistics LRT Group Acquires F2F Transport, Plans Fleet Expansion and Uninterrupted Service
LRT Group, a Fort Payne, Ala.-based transportation holding company, has acquired Chattanooga-based F2F Transport. The acquisition will add F2F to LRT's portfolio, with operations continuing without interruption. Owner-operators in F2F's network will gain increased access to dedicated freight opportunities. LRT Group plans to expand the F2F Transport fleet as part of its long-term growth strategy.
Logistics Hong Kong Firm Synelysia Orders Eight Feeders at Xinle
Synelysia Limited, a new Hong Kong company, has ordered up to eight feeder containerships at Xinle Shipyard. The vessels are expected to be delivered starting in 2028, with each ship costing approximately $32 million.
Logistics Purus Expands LNG Fleet with New Samsung Order
Purus Marine is linked to a new LNG carrier order at Samsung Heavy Industries, expanding its fleet. The $252m contract for a 174,000 cu m vessel is set for delivery in January 2029.
Logistics International Seaways Orders LNG-Ready Tankers in South Korea
International Seaways has contracted two LNG-ready LR1 product tankers at K Shipbuilding in South Korea, with options for two more. This move aligns with their fleet optimization strategy, following recent vessel sales and platform expansions.
Logistics Sincere Navigation Sells VLCC Maxim to Sinokor
Sincere Navigation has sold its 2011-built VLCC Maxim to Sinokor, marking its second VLCC sale this year. This transaction highlights Sinokor's active role in the VLCC market.
Logistics CMA CGM Expands Fleet with New Hengli Boxship Order
CMA CGM has placed an order for eight 6,000 TEU containerships at Hengli Heavy Industries, enhancing its fleet expansion. This move strengthens CMA CGM's position with the largest orderbook among global liners.
Logistics NMFTA Unveils Portal to Combat Freight Fraud
The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) has launched a new Threat Report Portal to anonymously report freight fraud and cybercrime. This initiative aims to improve threat intelligence sharing across the transportation industry.
Logistics K Line and MISC Secure New LCO2 Carrier Charter
K Line and MISC have secured a new charter for a 12,000 cu m LCO2 carrier from Northern Lights. This expands their role in European CO2 transport, with delivery expected between 2028 and 2029.