Hurricane Melissa Devastates the Caribbean
On October 28th, Hurricane Melissa made landfall near New Hope, Jamaica, as a Category 5 storm. It quickly became clear that this storm was one of the strongest in recent decades, with winds reaching 185 mph and a pressure of 892 mbar. The hurricane caused severe flooding, landslides, and extensive damage to homes and businesses throughout the island nation. Other Caribbean countries, including Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Bermuda, were also affected by Hurricane Melissa. Currently, the reported casualty count stands at approximately 67; however, communication with Jamaica has been cut off since the storm, so the full extent of the disaster’s impact remains unknown.
In the midst of the storm’s devastation, several organizations have stepped up to help deliver emergency supplies and aid to the victims in Jamaica. The AIDS Healthcare Foundation provided 41 pallets of generators, water, toilet paper, ready-to-eat foods, tents, and water purification tablets. Meanwhile, the Global Empowerment Mission deployed teams to coordinate airdrop operations with the Jamaican military. As of November 3rd, they have reached over 17 towns that are accessible only by helicopter.
For more details, read the full article here.
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The US and China Suspend Port Fees Amid Trade Talks
While ongoing negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement are taking place, the United States and China have agreed to suspend reciprocal port fees on each other’s ships for one year. This suspension took effect on October 14th but was only recently announced by U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer while aboard Air Force One. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping met in South Korea during the last week of October to continue trade discussions and to finalize the suspension.
The U.S. first imposed fees on Chinese ships docking in the country back in April. President Trump stated that the goal of these fees was to revitalize domestic shipbuilding; notably, a South Korean company is already planning to construct a nuclear submarine in Philadelphia. Additionally, an investigation found that Beijing had engaged in unfair trade practices to establish a dominant position in the global maritime sector. These fees had caused significant disruptions in international shipping, forcing importers and exporters to reroute and reflag both Chinese and U.S. vessels.
Although port fees for both US and Chinese ports are suspended, the US remains committed to revitalizing domestic shipbuilding and will continue to develop its strategy.
Learn more about the agreement in the full article.
Saia Raises Driver Compensation Despite Revenue Slip
Due to a softer freight market, carriers have been adjusting their staffing levels. Saia, one of the largest trucking companies in the U.S., increased employee wages by 3% and implemented a 5.9% general rate increase for customers on October 1, 2025. The less-than-truckload carrier reported a slight 0.3% decline in quarterly revenue, attributing this drop to a challenging freight market. Compensation costs rose to $401 million, while the company reduced its workforce by approximately 3% to align with lower shipping demand.
Across the industry, many carriers, including Old Dominion, have reduced staff to adapt to the slowdown in freight volume. Despite these reductions, companies continue to offer pay increases to remain competitive in a tight labor market. Saia’s higher rates reflect rising labor and operating costs across the sector, suggesting shippers may continue to face price increases even as overall freight demand remains modest.
Whether this interesting trend will continue for Saia remains to be seen. However, it could become the catalyst for better profits for the company if all goes well next year.
Take a closer look at the latest trend in truck staffing in the full article.
UPS and USPS Reunite for Low-Budget Shipment Deliveries
On October 28th, UPS reached a tentative agreement with the US Postal Service (USPS) to handle last-mile parcel delivery for its low-cost Ground Saver shipping service. This development is unexpected, especially since the relationship between the two companies had been strained over rate hikes late last year. However, UPS has been focused on reducing costs amid declining volumes in its domestic parcel business, including insourcing last-mile delivery.
Ground Saver is UPS’s most affordable option for last-mile delivery; even though shipments typically take 1 to 2 days longer than the traditional Ground service, businesses have favored it for low-cost ecommerce shipments. Unfortunately, UPS’s delivery costs have exceeded expectations, making it difficult for Ground Saver to sustain its lower pricing. Consequently, the company had to raise rates for this service. When these price increases led to a decline in retailer participation, UPS decided to engage with USPS in search of a mutually beneficial solution.
UPS representatives have indicated that although work remains to finalize the agreement, they are committed to maintaining high service levels. The company plans to implement last-mile outsourcing next year and anticipates seeing financial benefits by the second half of 2026.
Read the full article for more information on UPS and USPS’s reunion.
Aurora Expands Driverless Routes into El Paso
Self-driving freight company Aurora has announced the expansion of its freight lanes to include a westward route to El Paso, Texas. This announcement coincided with the release of their third-quarter business review. The new 600-mile route will run from Fort Worth to El Paso and will also involve two additional carriers testing the company’s driverless vehicles. Aurora reported in its business review that, thanks to this El Paso expansion, it has surpassed 100,000 driverless miles on public roads. The company also plans to expand into Phoenix next year, marking its first venture outside of Texas.
Aurora’s business review highlighted several key developments, including progress on hardware updates to enable their vehicles to operate without a requested observer. The company is strengthening partnerships with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) such as Volvo, PACCAR, and International Motors, and it plans to release hundreds of driverless vehicles by late 2026. Additionally, Aurora published a case study highlighting the revenue-growth potential of its virtual driver, demonstrating significant economic advantages and higher profit margins compared to human-driven operations. The company also secured a regulatory waiver from the FMCSA, allowing the use of cab-mounted flashing warning beacons to enhance roadside safety.
These updates indicate that Aurora is steadily advancing its driverless freight shipping efforts, despite ongoing safety concerns about its trucks. While the outcome of its expansion beyond Texas remains uncertain, it is poised to be a significant turning point for Arizona’s freight industry.
Find out more about Aurora’s third-quarter business review in the full article here.
Neoline’s Sail-Powered Ship Sails into the US
The Port of Baltimore recently welcomed Neoline’s Neoliner Origin, the world’s first commercial wind-powered cargo vessel, marking its U.S. debut. Built by RMK Marine Shipyard in Turkey, this container roll-on/roll-off vessel measures 446 feet in length, has three decks, and can carry over 5,300 tons of cargo, which includes cars, farm equipment, and construction machinery, equivalent to 265 twenty-foot containers.
The Neoliner Origin harnesses wind power through its two 295-foot masts and 32,000 square feet of sails. According to Neoline, wind energy will supply 60-70% of the vessel’s propulsion power, with hybrid diesel-electric engines available as backup when necessary. It typically sails at 11 knots to conserve fuel and minimize emissions. Although the vessel may be vulnerable to high winds and rough seas, it is designed to be sturdy. It uses its wind-powered propulsion system to meet sustainability standards and differentiate itself from competitors.
The Neoliner Origin will operate a monthly transatlantic service between Saint-Nazaire, France, and Baltimore, with stops in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon and Halifax.
Get a glimpse of the Neoliner Origin in the full article.
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