Logistics Pulse
U.S.-China Tariff Relief Proposal, Nearshoring & Faster Ocean Transit
This week's top news in trucking and logistics
Trade policy and transportation capacity are shifting freight planning priorities. Proposed U.S.–China tariff relief, tighter cross-border trucking capacity, and faster India–Savannah sailings could influence sourcing decisions and inventory plans.
Top articles this week
US-China trade board carves path for tariff relief on $60B of goods
The U.S.–China Board of Trade has proposed tariff relief on $60 billion in goods, covering roughly $30 billion in imports for each country. Products include household goods, toys, agricultural products, and medical devices, with reduction amounts and timing still unspecified. For shippers, the potential savings warrant a review of landed-cost scenarios while existing duties remain in place.
Where would tariff relief have the greatest impact on your landed costs?
Read more on Supply Chain Dive
Nearshoring growth collides with tightening US-Mexico trucking capacity
Nearshoring continues to generate U.S.–Mexico freight as cross-border trucking capacity tightens, industry panelists reported. Driver shortages, customs scrutiny, and cargo theft risks can affect costs and delivery reliability. For shippers, securing capacity and planning customs requirements early can help protect the benefits of nearshoring.
What would make your cross-border supply chain more resilient as demand grows?
Suez return speeds up Savannah India service by 10-14 days
Maersk’s return to Suez is shortening its India–Savannah service by 10 to 14 days, with the carrier listing a 28-day transit. CMA CGM’s Indamex service is also returning to the canal, with an expected five-day reduction. For importers, these gains on selected services could improve replenishment planning and reduce inventory carrying costs.
How could shorter ocean transit change your inventory buffers or reorder timing?
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In Other News
Extended-length freight now supported on local shipments
The Mothership Local Network now supports eligible local freight up to 144 inches in length or width on dock-to-dock shipments without liftgate service.
Read more on Mothership
Another strong week for industrial rail freight
U.S. intermodal volume rose 6.3% year over year in the week ending September 26, while rail carloads increased 3%.
Read more on FreightWaves
Kodiak taps IKEA to launch driverless freight on I-45
Kodiak plans to begin hauling IKEA freight without drivers between Houston and Dallas by year-end, pending safety validation.
Read more on FreightWaves
Port Houston container volumes edge higher as steel imports surge 54%
Port Houston’s loaded container imports rose 4% year over year in August, while steel imports jumped 54%.
Read more on FreightWaves
Ross plans 1.75M-square-foot distribution center in California
Ross plans a $500 million distribution center in Bakersfield, California, with construction starting in 2027.
Read more on Supply Chain Dive
