On May 26, 2026, Walmart launched a new prepaid transportation program to help suppliers combine LTL freight into fuller truckloads before goods enter Walmart’s distribution network. The reason is simple: Walmart’s private fleet mainly moves goods from distribution centers to stores. Most inbound freight from suppliers still depends on third-party carriers. When suppliers cannot fill a full trailer, they often rely on LTL, which means more handling, longer lead times, and hig

After the Trump-Xi meeting in Beijing, the U.S. and China reached a preliminary consensus on agriculture, tariffs, rare earths, aviation, and market access. The two sides plan to create the U.S.-China Board of Trade and the U.S.-China Board of Investment to manage selected goods trade, tariff talks, agricultural access, non-tariff barriers, critical minerals, and aviation purchases. 1. Agriculture Is a Core Issue U.S. agricultural exports to China fell 65.7% in 2025 to $8.4 b

In the second quarter of 2026, Houston’s industrial rents fell slightly, down 0.1% year over year. This was the first time since late 2010 that Houston’s industrial rent growth turned negative. The pressure is most obvious in large warehouse and logistics space. In recent years, Houston’s industrial rents rose sharply because of population growth, strong leasing activity and limited available space. Now, the market is shifting, and tenants have more negotiating power. Why Are

In recent years, many manufacturers have begun using AI for production scheduling, equipment maintenance, and warehouse operations to improve efficiency. However, deploying AI in manufacturing is often harder than expected. The main challenge is not the technology itself, but whether factories and warehouses are physically ready to support automated systems. Manufacturing Infrastructure Is the Main Constraint for AI Adoption AI in manufacturing must connect with production

Renewed military escalation between Iran, the United States, and Israel is now directly impacting global supply chains. Multiple ocean and air freight carriers have suspended Middle East-related services. If tensions persist, businesses should expect longer transit times, tighter capacity, higher freight rates, and continued volatility across both modes. Ocean Freight: Supply Chain Rerouting and Surcharges CMA CGM , the world’s third-largest container carrier, has suspended

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6–3 that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not authorize President Donald Trump to impose tariffs. Tariff authority rests with Congress , not the president. As a result, the legal basis for tariffs collected under IEEPA is invalid, and importers may seek refunds of duties already paid. Tariffs imposed under IEEPA since 2025 are estimated at about USD 133.5 billion . Affected measures include a 10% global baseline

Due to softer cargo volumes and falling freight rates, Ocean Network Express (ONE) recorded a net loss of USD 88 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2025. Revenue reached USD 4.074 billion , but profitability declined sharply. EBITDA fell year over year from USD 2.4 billion to USD 1.2 billion , while EBIT dropped from USD 1.9 billion to USD 667 million , indicating that margins were heavily compressed despite relatively stable shipment volumes. Oversupply Contin

U.S. President Donald Trump recently stated that if Canada continues to advance trade cooperation with China, the United States will impose 100% tariffs on all Canadian goods entering the U.S. Canada–China Tariff Agreement in 2026 In early 2026, Canada and China reached a preliminary agreement in-principle to reduce tariffs and expand market access. Key points include: China plans to sharply reduce tariffs on Canadian canola seed by March 1, 2026, from nearly 84% to abou

After nearly two years of conflict-related disruption, A.P. Moller–Maersk is preparing to resume Middle East services via the Red Sea and the Suez Canal , following major global supply chain adjustments. This move raises a key question for the freight market: how will returning capacity affect global shipping rates? Maersk’s Red Sea Return and Its Implications Since late 2023, Houthi attacks disrupted Red Sea transits, forcing most carriers to reroute vessels around the Ca

In 2025 , Dallas and Houston, Texas , together delivered about 62 million square feet of industrial space , bringing development back to normal cycle levels . What drove construction activity? Tenant demand remained strong , allowing developers to continue breaking ground and restore typical development pace. Dallas–Fort Worth The DFW market typically delivers around 32 million square feet annually in a normal cycle. In 2025, total volume aligned with that baseline