TRUCK TRANSPORTATION ADDS 4,300 JOBS IN APRIL AS U.S. PAYROLLS RISE
BLS’ April Employment Situation (released May 8) shows truck transportation payrolls increased by 4,300 jobs, signaling firming freight labor demand even as broader hiring cooled.
UTC OVERSEAS, TRANSOCEANIC FORM U.S. GULF COAST HEAVY‑LIFT LOGISTICS JOINT VENTURE
The new JV, UTC Transo, will support energy and industrial projects with engineered transport, heavy‑lift/oversize handling, vessel chartering and multimodal logistics across the Gulf Coast, launched May 8.
UCSF WARNS OF CAMPUS DELIVERY DISRUPTIONS AHEAD OF MAY 14 AFSCME STRIKE
University of California San Francisco urged departments on May 8 to pre‑position supplies, noting inbound deliveries and internal distribution may be delayed during a systemwide labor action.
City officials flagged detours and closures that could slow freight through key corridors; carriers should build in extra time around impacted bridges and downtown venues.
WASHINGTON STATE DOT: MAJOR PUGET SOUND CLOSURES MAY 8–11 WILL CONSTRICT FREIGHT FLOWS
I‑5, I‑405, SR 520 and SR 99 lane reductions will lengthen transit times across Seattle and the Eastside this weekend; carriers should route around planned full‑weekend and night closures where possible.
AURORA, MCLANE BEGIN DRIVERLESS FREIGHT RUNS IN TEXAS GROCERY NETWORK
Aurora and McLane announced driverless middle‑mile operations between Dallas and Houston, marking a scaled commercial step for autonomous linehaul in food and C‑store distribution.
VOLVO AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS ADDS DALLAS–OKLAHOMA CITY LANE, TARGETS SAFETY‑DRIVER REMOVAL
VAS’ third autonomous VNL lane is its first cross‑state, direct‑to‑customer route; leaders say driver‑out operations are planned in coming quarters as the program matures in Texas and beyond.
WATTEV ORDERS 370 TESLA SEMIS IN CALIFORNIA’S LARGEST EV TRUCK DEPLOYMENT TO DATE
The ACT Expo announcement sets up phased deliveries starting 2026, with Megawatt Charging stations planned at the Port of Oakland and in Fresno to support long‑haul electrification.
UPS, FEDEX HIKE FUEL FEES; ADD MIDEAST SURCHARGES AMID IRAN WAR VOLATILITY
Parcel shippers face higher ground/air fuel tables and new per‑pound surcharges on select corridors as carriers offset elevated oil prices and disrupted airspace/routing in the region.
AIR CARGO CARRIERS LAYER ON FUEL SURCHARGES; TRUCKING FEES ALSO ELEVATED
Major airlines and integrators implemented higher surcharges as oil spikes raise costs; trucking fuel surcharges remain high, tightening shippers’ budgets across modes.
DAT: FLATBED TONNAGE SETS NEW MILESTONE; INDUSTRY RECOVERY GAINS TRACTION
DAT’s latest analysis shows ATA’s tonnage index up again in March and year‑over‑year gains at a multi‑year high, with flatbed strength pointing to firmer industrial and construction demand.
FEDEX FREIGHT SPINOFF PLANS AND B2B FOCUS CONTINUE TO REFRAME PARCEL/LTL COMPETITIVE MAP
Recent FedEx announcements keep the carrier’s transformation on track, with investor communications highlighting network optimization and a pending FedEx Freight separation targeted for mid‑2026.
UPS DECLARES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND; SIGNALS FINANCIAL FLEXIBILITY AMID HEIGHTENED COMPETITION
UPS set a $1.64/share dividend payable June 4, reflecting continued shareholder returns as the carrier pivots toward premium segments while parcel rivals and Amazon expand logistics offerings.
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