North American Rail Freight Slows Amid Economic Uncertainty

North American Rail Freight Slows Amid Economic Uncertainty

Data from the Association of American Railroads reveals a year-over-year decrease in U.S. rail freight and intermodal traffic for the week ending February 4th. While carloads of motor vehicles & parts and petroleum increased, coal, grain, and chemicals declined. Overall North American freight volume experienced a slight dip. Factors like economic cycles, supply chain issues, and the energy transition are impacting freight volumes. Companies need strategies such as service diversification, technological innovation, and network optimization to adapt to these evolving market trends.

01/20/2026 Logistics
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Retail Recovery Spurs Warehouse Demand Amid Supply Chain Shifts

Retail Recovery Spurs Warehouse Demand Amid Supply Chain Shifts

A Prologis report indicates a surge in demand for warehouse space driven by retail recovery and supply chain reshaping. The IBI index has reached a record high, vacancy rates have fallen to pre-pandemic levels, and strong rental growth is expected. Businesses should plan ahead and embrace intelligent, three-dimensional, shared, and green warehousing models to address these challenges. The increased demand highlights the critical role of efficient warehousing in supporting both the evolving retail landscape and the restructuring of global supply chains.

01/20/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Automation Cuts Costs in Logistics Sector

Automation Cuts Costs in Logistics Sector

Facing labor shortages and efficiency challenges, robotic picking wall systems offer a cost-effective solution to significantly reduce labor costs, optimize space utilization, and improve picking efficiency. Through the Robot-as-a-Service (RaaS) model, companies can deploy automation solutions more flexibly, addressing the rapid growth of the e-commerce industry and solving labor shortage issues. This approach allows businesses to scale their operations and adapt to fluctuating demands without significant upfront capital investment, making advanced automation accessible and manageable.

01/20/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Oracle Cloud SCM Upgrades Logistics for Efficient Supply Chains

Oracle Cloud SCM Upgrades Logistics for Efficient Supply Chains

Oracle introduces new features to Oracle Fusion Cloud SCM Logistics Management, leveraging AI to help businesses improve supply chain efficiency, reduce risks, and enhance customer experiences. The new functionalities include intelligent transportation time and ETA predictions, and a digital assistant. These features aim to optimize both service and cost, emphasizing the integration of a unified platform with emerging technologies. The updates are designed to provide a comprehensive solution for modern supply chain challenges, ultimately leading to better operational performance and improved customer satisfaction.

01/20/2026 Logistics
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Crutchfield Adopts Automation to Cut Packaging Noise

Crutchfield Adopts Automation to Cut Packaging Noise

Crutchfield Corporation significantly improved efficiency, reduced costs, and enhanced the work environment through an automated packaging system. This system encompasses order-driven box customization, automatic box making and labeling, order picking, intelligent filling, automatic sealing, weighing, measuring, and automatic sorting and shipping. Simultaneously, the company proactively implemented noise reduction measures, creating a quieter work environment for employees, providing valuable experience for other businesses. This comprehensive approach showcases the benefits of automation and employee well-being initiatives in a modern logistics setting.

01/20/2026 Logistics
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Amazon Sellers Gain Logistics Flexibility with Flexport LTLFTL

Amazon Sellers Gain Logistics Flexibility with Flexport LTLFTL

This article provides a detailed guide for Amazon sellers on setting up Flexport's Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) and Full-Truckload (FTL) freight services within their Seller Central account. It covers selecting the shipping method, completing packaging information, and downloading labels. The article emphasizes the importance of accurate information, timely communication, and standardized procedures to help sellers optimize their logistics processes and reduce transportation costs. Following these steps can streamline the shipping process and improve overall efficiency for Amazon sellers utilizing Flexport.

01/20/2026 Logistics Encyclopedia
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FCL Shipping Assessing Suitability for Cargo Needs

FCL Shipping Assessing Suitability for Cargo Needs

This article delves into the core characteristics, advantages, and suitable cargo types of Full Container Load (FCL) sea freight. FCL offers enhanced security, faster customs clearance, competitive costs, and flexible services, making it an ideal choice for international transportation of bulk commodities, high-value goods, and items with special attributes. Choosing the right transportation method is crucial for safeguarding international trade. It highlights the benefits of FCL for businesses shipping large volumes and needing reliable, efficient, and secure international transport solutions.

01/15/2026 Logistics Encyclopedia
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Global Air Freight Customs Rules A Compliance Guide

Global Air Freight Customs Rules A Compliance Guide

This article provides an in-depth analysis of the customs clearance policy differences in major regions for international air freight, including Europe and the United States, Japan and South Korea, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and South America. It covers aspects such as declaration rules, document requirements, tariff standards, and sensitive goods control. The aim is to help businesses and individuals better understand the key points of customs clearance in various countries, thereby avoiding the risk of cargo detention or return.

01/15/2026 Customs Knowledge
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USMCA Needs Stronger Enforcement Predictability NEMA

USMCA Needs Stronger Enforcement Predictability NEMA

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) urged accelerated review and updates to the USMCA at a USTR hearing. NEMA emphasized the importance of strengthening enforcement and enhancing policy predictability. They believe a well-functioning USMCA creates a level playing field for electrical manufacturers and promotes regional trade prosperity. NEMA's call highlights the industry's reliance on the trade agreement for stability and growth. Streamlining the USMCA processes can significantly benefit the electrical manufacturing sector and contribute to a more robust North American economy.

01/15/2026 Customs Knowledge
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LCL Vs FCL Key Strategies for International Shipping

LCL Vs FCL Key Strategies for International Shipping

This article provides an in-depth comparison of Less than Container Load (LCL) and Full Container Load (FCL) sea freight, focusing on their differences in cargo loading, cost structure, transit time, risk management, and suitable scenarios. The aim is to offer decision-making guidance for international trade participants, helping them optimize logistics solutions and achieve cost control and efficiency improvements. The analysis helps businesses choose the most appropriate shipping method based on their specific needs and priorities, ultimately streamlining their global supply chain.

01/15/2026 Logistics Encyclopedia
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