Arcbest Adopts Spacebased Pricing As LTL Costs Rise

Arcbest Adopts Spacebased Pricing As LTL Costs Rise

ArcBest's adoption of 'space-based pricing' in the LTL industry signals a shift towards more granular operations. This move aims to address the 'dimensional overload' issue caused by e-commerce, standardize industry practices, and improve transportation efficiency. Shippers need to focus on optimizing packaging to cope with cost pressures. The LTL industry may be entering a new era of transformation. This pricing model is designed to more accurately reflect the space occupied by shipments, leading to fairer pricing and potentially incentivizing more efficient packaging practices.

01/20/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Rail and Intermodal Freight Hit by Rising Fuel Costs

Rail and Intermodal Freight Hit by Rising Fuel Costs

According to the Association of American Railroads, rail freight and intermodal volumes have recently seen slight declines, but cumulative totals remain positive. Rising fuel costs are driving shippers to explore intermodal solutions, although performance varies across different commodity categories. Looking ahead, strengthened infrastructure development and supportive policies will be crucial for fostering the sustainable growth of rail freight and intermodal transportation. While recent trends show minor dips, the overall picture suggests continued reliance on rail and intermodal for efficient and cost-effective freight movement.

01/21/2026 Logistics
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Amazon Sellers Guide to Decoding Shipping Costs

Amazon Sellers Guide to Decoding Shipping Costs

This article provides an in-depth analysis of the newly added "Estimated Shipping Fees" on the Amazon shipment creation page, clarifying that it represents the shipping cost estimation for the Amazon SEND program and is not an additional charge. The article details the benefits of the Amazon SEND program, explains how the estimated shipping fees are calculated, and offers practical tips for optimizing logistics costs. This helps sellers efficiently manage logistics, improve operational efficiency, and better understand the costs associated with the Amazon SEND program.

01/21/2026 Logistics
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Supply Chains Boost Efficiency with Marginal Gains Strategy

Supply Chains Boost Efficiency with Marginal Gains Strategy

The law of diminishing marginal returns highlights the accumulation of overall benefits through incremental improvements, offering an effective approach for businesses to enhance supply chain performance within limited budgets. Companies should adopt unified planning, data-driven decision-making, leverage artificial intelligence and scenario modeling, and continuously improve to adapt to changes, achieving cost savings and efficiency gains. By focusing on details and continuous optimization, businesses can gain a competitive edge. This approach allows for maximizing impact with minimal investment, proving particularly valuable in resource-constrained environments.

01/22/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Bnsfs 8B Premium Draws Scrutiny Amid Rising Rail Costs

Bnsfs 8B Premium Draws Scrutiny Amid Rising Rail Costs

The U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) held hearings on Berkshire Hathaway's acquisition of BNSF Railway, focusing on whether the acquisition premium should be included in BNSF's cost basis, thus impacting rail freight rates. Freight customers fear rising rates, while BNSF argues that market forces determine rates. The STB faces a difficult decision balancing the interests of all parties. This case highlights the potential regulatory risks associated with overseas mergers and acquisitions for Chinese companies. The outcome will significantly impact future rail freight pricing and regulatory oversight.

01/22/2026 Logistics
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Railroads Debate Passing Acquisition Costs to Shippers

Railroads Debate Passing Acquisition Costs to Shippers

A dispute arose between US rail freight companies and BNSF Railway regarding whether an acquisition premium should be included in freight rate costs. Freight companies are concerned about rising rates, while BNSF emphasizes market-based pricing. The STB's ruling will impact rail transportation pricing and market competition. The core issue revolves around how the acquisition cost of BNSF by Berkshire Hathaway should be factored into the rates charged to customers. This decision will set a precedent for future acquisitions and their impact on the rail freight industry.

01/22/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Mixed in May Intermodal Gains Steady

US Rail Freight Mixed in May Intermodal Gains Steady

According to the latest data from the Association of American Railroads, U.S. rail freight volume in May remained flat year-over-year, but intermodal traffic experienced strong growth. Intermodal transportation benefits from tight trucking capacity and corporate cost reduction demands, and is expected to maintain its growth momentum. The overall rail freight market reflects economic uncertainty. The industry needs to address challenges such as energy transition and manufacturing reshoring, while actively embracing technological innovation. The growth in intermodal offsets the weakness in other rail segments.

01/22/2026 Logistics
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Trucking Spot Rates Rise As Capacity Tightens

Trucking Spot Rates Rise As Capacity Tightens

TransCore data indicates a continued strong truckload freight volume in the spot market for August, defying seasonal trends. Rates remain stable, but different freight types show varying patterns. Freight brokers play a prominent role, with small carriers increasingly reliant on them. Larger carriers prefer sourcing freight independently. Capacity is crucial; companies need to focus on cost control, optimize capacity allocation, enhance technology adoption, and establish long-term partnerships to navigate the current market dynamics. This requires careful planning and strategic execution to maintain competitiveness.

01/18/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Fedex Reports Q1 Challenges Outlines Strategic Shifts

Fedex Reports Q1 Challenges Outlines Strategic Shifts

FedEx's first-quarter performance declined, impacted by service mix changes, rising operating costs, and soft market demand. The company is actively responding by restructuring its organization, improving efficiency, and employing data-driven decision-making to find new growth opportunities amidst challenges. Moving forward, FedEx will continue to strengthen cost control, optimize its service portfolio, and expand into emerging markets to address challenges and capitalize on opportunities. The company focuses on transforming its logistics model to adapt to the evolving market landscape and improve overall financial performance.

01/21/2026 Logistics
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UPS Secures USPS Air Cargo Contract Altering Delivery Dynamics

UPS Secures USPS Air Cargo Contract Altering Delivery Dynamics

UPS has won the USPS air cargo contract, marking a significant shift in the US postal air freight landscape. Experts believe this move stems from USPS's service adjustments and cost control needs, coupled with UPS's own network advantages. FedEx's market share may be affected, potentially requiring strategic adjustments. This event will have a profound impact on industry competition, consumers, and the operations of all parties involved. The deal signifies a changing dynamic within the air cargo sector, impacting delivery speeds and overall efficiency for postal services.

01/21/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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