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U.S. manufacturing activity surged in July, with the ISM Manufacturing PMI rising to 55.6, its highest reading in more than four years. The increase was driven by stronger new orders, higher factory output, and the first expansion in manufacturing employment in nearly three years.

The stronger manufacturing environment is fueling optimism across the less-than-truckload (LTL) sector, where industrial production accounts for a significant share of freight demand. Carriers are reporting improving shipment trends and growing confidence that market conditions will continue to strengthen in the months ahead.

Despite the positive momentum, manufacturers continue to face elevated input costs and ongoing supply chain pressures, leaving the industry's recovery on solid, but closely watched footing.

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the Trump administration is likely to extend the temporary Jones Act waiver, citing its role in easing fuel transportation and helping lower gasoline prices in regions such as California and the East Coast.

The waiver allows foreign-flagged vessels to transport energy products between U.S. ports during the current supply disruption. While supporters say it improves fuel logistics and supply flexibility, critics argue it weakens protections for the U.S. maritime industry.

A final decision has not yet been announced, but another extension appears increasingly likely as the administration continues efforts to keep fuel prices in check.

Empty trailer moves don't generate revenue, so every trip counts.

This hydraulic trailer system lets one truck transport two empty trailers at once, helping reduce fuel use, driver hours, and unnecessary trips.

A clever idea that could make empty repositioning much more efficient.

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President Trump issued three proclamations under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, imposing an additional 50% ad valorem duty on approximately $20 billion of Canadian imports, effective August 19.

The tariffs target Canadian motor vehicles, alcoholic beverages, and dairy products. Canada has proposed retaliatory tariffs, while USMCA negotiations continue.

The Gordie Howe Bridge just opened, and freight crossing it is now about to get significantly more expensive.

For Canadian manufacturers, importers, and logistics operators in these sectors, August 19 is only nine days away.

Instead of sailing thousands of miles around South America, ships can cross between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through one of the most remarkable engineering systems ever built.

The Panama Canal's lock system uses gravity and millions of liters of water to raise and lower vessels between different elevations, functioning like a giant elevator for ships. The process allows container ships, tankers, and cruise vessels to move efficiently through a narrow passage with incredible precision.

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Landstar has removed more than 35,000 carriers from its approved network over the past four years, shrinking its carrier pool by about 35% since 2022. The company now has just over 64,000 approved carriers.

The reduction is part of Landstar’s push to strengthen carrier vetting amid growing concerns over freight fraud, cargo theft, safety and broker liability. The company says it plans to maintain its stricter standards as new technology and information become available.

The move also comes as the truckload market tightens and the impact of the Montgomery ruling increases the importance of documented carrier selection and vetting.

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Yang Ming reported a strong first-half recovery, with revenue reaching $2.62 billion as early peak-season demand and higher freight rates boosted its Q2 performance.

The carrier said tariff uncertainty pushed shippers to front-load cargo, while Red Sea diversions, port congestion, and slower sailing speeds further tightened effective capacity.

Looking ahead, Yang Ming expects trade policy, geopolitical disruptions, and a growing global vessel fleet to keep the market volatile through the second half of 2026.

Global trade is showing stronger-than-expected growth this year, but the rebound is also creating a growing imbalance of empty containers across major trade lanes.

China’s strong exports are widening the East-West trade imbalance, leaving more containers empty on backhaul routes. Maersk says the resulting repositioning is adding pressure to terminals, with the operational burden growing faster than loaded container volumes.

The Port of Rotterdam, for example, saw empty-container volumes rise 60% in the first half of 2026 compared with 2020.

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Diesel has been rising faster than crude oil and gasoline, with the spread between ultra-low sulfur diesel and Brent crude reaching unprecedented levels amid the Iran war and tightening global supplies.

Several factors are driving the surge, including attacks on Russian refineries, reduced diesel exports, and strong demand for refined products. U.S. refiners are responding by running plants at near-record utilization levels to take advantage of strong diesel margins.

For trucking and other diesel-intensive industries, the continued rise is adding another layer of cost pressure as retail diesel prices remain near recent highs.

Descartes Systems Group has acquired Tai, an AI-powered transportation management platform for freight brokers, in a $100 million cash deal.

Tai’s platform manages quoting, carrier sourcing, load execution, billing, and customer engagement across truckload, LTL, drayage, and cross-border shipments.

The acquisition adds Tai’s technology and transaction data to Descartes’ Global Logistics Network, strengthening its capabilities in broker-focused transportation management and automation.

Less paperwork, More time to focus on moving freight.

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