Daily freight summary · May 22, 2026

01

Road

Mattress Firm Benefits from Contactless Delivery Implementation

Mattress Firm's contactless delivery service has improved customer flexibility and driver efficiency, executives confirmed

Supply Chain Dive

02

Road

Senator Cotton Calls for DOJ Probe into China-Backed Parcel Carriers

Senator Tom Cotton urges DOJ investigation into Chinese-controlled parcel carriers over alleged subsidies and data sharing concerns

FreightWaves

03

Road

Albertsons Implements AI for Enhanced Produce Quality Inspection

Albertsons has rolled out an AI-powered tool to enhance produce quality inspections at its distribution centers

Supply Chain Dive

04

Road

Saia Expands Network with New Terminals in Pacific Northwest and Midwest

LTL carrier Saia opened new service centers in Washington and Indiana, expanding its network and service capabilities

FreightWaves

05

Air

Belgian Airports Collaborate on Unified Digital Customs System for Air Cargo

Three major Belgian airports are collaborating to create a unified digital customs data exchange system for air cargo

STAT Times

06

Sea

Port Houston Experiences April Cargo Decline, Anticipates May Rebound

Port Houston reported its first container slowdown since early 2025 in April, with executives expecting a quick recovery

FreightWaves

07

Sea

Peter Tirschwell Departs Journal of Commerce to Pursue Independent Journalism

Peter Tirschwell has left the Journal of Commerce to become an independent shipping journalist

Journal of Commerce

08

Air

7Air Expands Fleet with New Boeing 767 Freighter to Boost Network Capacity

7Air is expanding its fleet with a Boeing 767 freighter to increase network capacity and support growth

Air Cargo News

09

Sea

ILA Executive James McNamara Inducted into International Maritime Hall of Fame

James McNamara, an International Longshoremen’s Association executive, was inducted into the International Maritime Hall of Fame

FreightWaves

10

Sea

Crew Evacuation Urged for Vessels Stranded in Strait of Hormuz

Owners are advised to evacuate crew from vessels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz due to the prolonged regional stalemate

Seatrade Maritime

11

Road

Robinson Fresh Launches New Cold-Chain Logistics Hub in South Texas

Robinson Fresh opens a new cold-chain logistics center in South Texas to support growing produce imports from Mexico

FreightWaves

12

Air

Belgian Airports Collaborate on Digital Customs Declarations for Air Cargo

Three major Belgian airports are collaborating to digitize customs declarations for air cargo, improving import and export efficiency

Air Cargo News

13

Road

Etrias Acquires Bankrupt Online Home Retailer fonQ, Ensuring Business Continuity

Etrias has acquired the trade name and webshop of the bankrupt Dutch online home furnishings retailer fonQ.

Transport-Online (NL)

14

Road

Netherlands to Temporarily Reduce Truck Tolls by 22.3% in Late 2026

The Netherlands will temporarily cut truck tolls by 22.3% from September 1 to December 31, 2026

Transport-Online (NL)

15

Road

Trucking Insurance Premiums Surge Despite Insurer Losses, ATRI Report Finds

Trucking companies face significantly higher insurance premiums, according to a new ATRI report, despite insurers reporting losses

FreightWaves

16

Air

Alaska Air Cargo Plans Daily London-Seattle Freight Route, Fleet Expansion

Alaska Air Cargo plans a daily London-Seattle freight corridor and aims for 12 international routes from Seattle by 2030

STAT Times

17

Road

US Federal Regulator Launches Major Freight Registration Overhaul

The US federal regulator has launched a major overhaul of freight registration, impacting nearly 400,000 carriers

The Loadstar

18

Road

Limburg Court Reduces Fine for Transport Company After Workplace Accident

A Limburg court reduced a transport company's fine for a serious workplace accident, citing victim's partial fault and delays

Transport-Online (NL)

19

Sea

De Jong Shipping Group Acquires Stake in Belgian Inland Shipping Firm TransMatch

De Jong Shipping Group has acquired a minority stake in Belgian inland shipping company TransMatch to boost its European operations

Transport-Online (NL)

20

Air

Lufthansa Cargo Secures Dual IATA CEIV Pharma Certifications

Lufthansa Cargo achieved dual IATA CEIV Pharma certifications, confirming its global standard compliance for sensitive healthcare shipments

Air Cargo News

21

Air

Logistics UK Applauds New Trade Agreement with Gulf Cooperation Council

Logistics UK welcomes the new trade deal between the UK and the Gulf Cooperation Council, expecting it to boost trade

Air Cargo News

22

Air

Lufthansa Cargo Renews IATA CEIV Pharma Certification Through 2029

Lufthansa Cargo has renewed its IATA CEIV Pharma certification, ensuring validated pharmaceutical logistics until 2029

STAT Times

23

Air

STAT Trade Times and HACTL Present Cargo Shots for May 22, 2026

STAT Trade Times, in partnership with HACTL, published its "Cargo Shots" update for May 22, 2026

STAT Times

24

Sea

Dutch ILT Warns Inland Shipping Against Alcohol and Drug Use Risks

The Dutch ILT warns inland shipping professionals about the risks of alcohol and drug use after a recent canal incident

Transport-Online (NL)

25

Rail

Lithuanian Rail Freight Volume Decreased by 4.7% in 2025

Lithuania's rail freight network saw a 4.7% decrease in transported volume in 2025 compared to 2024

RailFreight.com

26

Rail

Italian Rail Freight Continues Decline Post-Pandemic

Italy's rail freight sector continued its post-pandemic decline, marking another year of negative performance

RailFreight.com

27

Breakbulk

UK Police Operation Targets Plant Theft at Harwich International Port

Police at Harwich International Port have inspected hundreds of freight movements to disrupt plant theft gangs

Project Cargo Journal

28

Road

Netherlands Still Faces Truck Parking Shortage One Year After Action Day

The Netherlands still faces a significant shortage of truck parking spaces one year after a national protest

Transport-Online (NL)

29

Sea

Insurer Gard Highlights Increased Fire Risk on Car Carriers Due to Fuel Levels

Marine insurer Gard warns that car carriers face increased fire risks if vehicles are shipped with fuller fuel tanks

Project Cargo Journal

30

Road

Seven Drivers Fined in Twente Environmental Transport Check

Seven truck drivers were fined in Twente, Netherlands, for environmental transport document violations during a recent inspection

Transport-Online (NL)

31

Sea

Kalmar Introduces Electric TT7 Terminal Tractor to European Market

Kalmar has made its fully electric TT7 terminal tractor available in European markets, broadening its zero-emission equipment range

World Cargo News

32

Sea

UN Court Upholds Universal Right to Strike for All Workers, Including Transport Sector

The UN's top court has confirmed that the right to strike is internationally protected for all workers, including transport staff

Project Cargo Journal

33

Sea

Ian Taylor Manages 8,147-Tonne Bolivian Sugar Export Through Arica Port

Ian Taylor coordinated the agency and operations for an 8,147-tonne Bolivian bulk sugar export via the Port of Arica

Project Cargo Journal

34

Rail

TransPennine Route Upgrade Advances, Boosting Northern UK Rail Freight

The TransPennine Route Upgrade is moving forward, emphasizing rail freight's growing role for northern English ports

World Cargo News

35

Breakbulk

Peel Ports Glasgow Hub Critical for Scottish Wind Energy Logistics

Scottish Renewables highlights Peel Ports' King George V Dock in Glasgow as a key logistics hub for wind energy

Project Cargo Journal

36

Sea

Iran Proposes New Strait of Hormuz Transit Rules, Mandatory Cargo Declarations

Iran proposes an insurance-based framework for Strait of Hormuz management, requiring mandatory cargo declarations for all transiting…

Splash247

37

Breakbulk

PCN Introduces Mentorship Program for Heavy Lift and Project Cargo Professionals

Project Cargo Network (PCN) has launched a new mentorship program for heavy lift and project cargo professionals

Heavy Lift PFI

38

Road

Riga Mainz Completes Dual Column Transport from Kleve to Rhine

Riga Mainz successfully moved two large process columns from Kleve to the Rhine River, navigating urban routes

Project Cargo Journal

39

Breakbulk

Demand for Deck Carriers and Semi-Submersibles Remains Robust

Strong demand continues for heavy lift deck carriers and semi-submersibles, fueled by the expanding energy sector

Heavy Lift PFI

40

Rail

UK Government's Fuel Relief Package Sparks Concern for Rail Freight Sector

A new UK government fuel duty freeze for road hauliers may inadvertently hinder rail freight's competitiveness and modal shift.

RailFreight.com

41

Sea

India Considers Subsidies for Domestic Maritime Crane Manufacturing

India's Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is reportedly evaluating a new program to provide subsidies for the local production of…

World Cargo News

42

Road

Rhenus Launches New Europe-Middle East Overland Corridor Through Jordan

Rhenus Logistics has established an alternative overland corridor connecting Europe and the Middle East via Jordan

Heavy Lift PFI

43

Sea

NWSA Reports Increased Breakbulk Tonnage, Container Volumes Decline in April

The Northwest Seaport Alliance saw breakbulk volumes rise while container throughput declined in April.

Heavy Lift PFI

44

Sea

WEC Lines Introduces New EBRO Rail Service in Spain

WEC Lines launched a new weekly EBRO rail service in Spain, connecting Agoncillo and Zaragoza with Barcelona.

Container News

45

Sea

Noatum Ports Announces Investment to Boost Agri-Food Bulk at Tarragona

Noatum Ports has announced an investment plan to expand agri-food bulk traffic at the Port of Tarragona

World Cargo News

46

Sea

George Economou Sells Capesize Bulk Carrier Venture I

Greek shipping magnate George Economou has sold the 2006-built Capesize bulk carrier Venture I to Talent Shipping

Splash247

47

Sea

Documentary Film Highlights Mediterranean's Fragile Ecosystem, Diverging from Shipping Event

A new documentary titled "Posidonia" highlights the environmental fragility of the Mediterranean Sea

Splash247

48

Sea

Report Alleges Russian Shadow Fleet Engages in Hybrid Warfare in European Waters

Russia's shadow oil tanker fleet is reportedly engaged in hybrid warfare, including sabotage and surveillance in European waters

Splash247

49

Sea

Maritime Industry Grapples with AI Integration into Legacy Systems

Maritime leaders discussed the complexities of integrating AI with existing legacy systems at a recent summit

Container News

50

Sea

Lloyd's Register Forms LXF Consortium for Standardized Container Stowage Data

Lloyd's Register launched the LXF Consortium to standardize digital data exchange for container stowage and lashing

Container News

51

Air

Hong Kong International Airport Reports 4.9% Increase in April Cargo Volume

Hong Kong International Airport saw a 4.9% rise in cargo volume during April, handling 423,000 tonnes

STAT Times

52

Sea

MSC Adjusts Emergency Fuel Surcharge for Red Sea and East Africa Routes

MSC has updated its emergency fuel surcharge for cargo moving between Northern Europe, the Red Sea, and East Africa.

Container News

53

Sea

Arkas Line Expands Reefer Fleet with 500 New Temperature-Controlled Containers

Arkas Line is expanding its refrigerated cargo capabilities by integrating 500 new reefer containers into its fleet

Container News

The global freight brief, distilled into one operational read.

Geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea are escalating risks, while the industry grapples with labor rights and AI integration.

Air cargo capacity is expanding with new freighters and digital customs initiatives, despite ongoing geopolitical concerns.

US federal regulators are overhauling freight registration, while operational challenges persist with insurance costs and parking shortages.

European rail freight continues to decline in some regions, while UK government policies may further disadvantage the sector.

Demand for heavy lift carriers remains robust, driven by energy projects, while port security and logistics hubs are critical.