Newsletter – January 17, 2020

AIR FREIGHT UPDATES

Exoskeleton could give Delta Cargo workers superhuman strength (with video)

freightwaves.com

The beetle is extremely powerful for its size, and well protected, thanks to a rigid outer shell. Delta Air Lines wants to transfer those features to employees in jobs that require heavy lifting, such as handling cargo.

The Wonder Twins, animated characters from the 1970s-era Hanna-Barbera “Super Friends Hour,” would simply touch fists and say, “Form of a beetle.” Read more here.

OCEAN FREIGHT UPDATES

THE Alliance to ship more from Southeast Asia to West Coast

freigthwaves.com

Major container shipping lines will offer more capacity between Southeast Asia and the U.S. West Coast in 2020, signaling that the U.S. sourcing shift away from China will continue unabated even with the preliminary trade detente.

The moves could also help West Coast ports regain some of the cargo that has shifted eastward thanks to a growing number of Southeast Asia liner services hitting the East and Gulf coasts. Read more here.

GROUND AND RAIL FREIGHT UPDATES

CN boss backs Quebec City container terminal amid public opposition

montrealgazette.com

Canada’s biggest railroad sees a future $775-million container terminal in Quebec City as a key cog in a plan to steal market share from the Port of New York and New Jersey — even as local opposition to the project grows. Read more here.

Mirrorless trucks gain heavy favor in NHTSA proposal

freightwaves.com

Revising rules that would allow truck and automobile manufacturers to install cameras in place of side and rearview mirrors has wide support based on comments received by federal safety officials.

An Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in October generated close to 600 comments, most of which were in favor of the plan. Read more here.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS – GOVERNMENT UPDATES

Five tips on how to handle your shipments during the CNY period

seanews.com.tr

THE Chinese New Year (CNY) is the most important festival in China with the main celebrations lasting for more than three weeks.

Despite it being a long-drawn-out celebration, there are usually only seven actual days of public holiday. However, many factories allow for a longer holiday as the majority of employees are migrant workers who see the time off as an opportunity to visit to their rural villages and spend time with their families. Read more here.