North American Intermodal Traffic Declines Amid Industry Shifts

North American Intermodal Traffic Declines Amid Industry Shifts

Data from the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) shows a continued decline in North American intermodal volumes, though the rate of decrease is slowing. This downturn is attributed to a combination of macroeconomic conditions, internal industry factors, and geopolitical influences. IANA suggests that challenges and opportunities coexist, identifying cross-border trade as a potential growth area. Businesses need to transform and innovate, improve service quality and efficiency, expand service offerings, embrace technological innovation, and strengthen cooperation and collaboration to succeed in this evolving landscape.

01/29/2026 Logistics
Read More
Photonpay Clearbank Partner to Transform UK Payments

Photonpay Clearbank Partner to Transform UK Payments

PhotonPay partners with ClearBank to enhance its payment capabilities in the UK market. By connecting to the UK's three major payment clearing networks, PhotonPay offers GBP collection, payee confirmation, and other features, improving transaction efficiency and security, and helping businesses expand in the UK. This collaboration also lays the foundation for PhotonPay's continued expansion in the European market. The partnership aims to streamline cross-border transactions and provide a more reliable and secure payment experience for businesses operating in or expanding into the UK.

01/29/2026 International Settlement
Read More
Ecommerce Firms Grapple With Lastmile Delivery Challenges

Ecommerce Firms Grapple With Lastmile Delivery Challenges

Last-mile logistics is a critical component of e-commerce delivery, presenting challenges such as cost, efficiency, and customer demands, while also offering opportunities related to e-commerce market growth and technological innovation. Companies need to optimize delivery networks, adopt advanced technologies, and provide personalized services to address these issues. In the future, last-mile logistics will evolve towards greater intelligence, automation, personalization, sustainability, and collaboration. This involves utilizing data analytics, drone delivery, and flexible delivery options to enhance customer satisfaction and reduce environmental impact.

01/30/2026 Logistics
Read More
Botswana Strengthens Environmental Customs Enforcement Under Global Pacts

Botswana Strengthens Environmental Customs Enforcement Under Global Pacts

The World Customs Organization (WCO), in collaboration with UNEP and others, held a workshop for Botswana Customs to enhance awareness of the Basel and Montreal Conventions and strengthen controls over the cross-border movement of hazardous waste and ozone-depleting substances. The workshop fostered cooperation between customs and environmental agencies. Further technical assistance is planned to support the implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. This initiative aims to bolster Botswana's capacity in enforcing environmental regulations and facilitating legitimate trade while preventing illegal trafficking of harmful materials.

01/30/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More
WCO Urges Digital Shift Regional Ties to Boost African Trade

WCO Urges Digital Shift Regional Ties to Boost African Trade

The Secretary General of the World Customs Organization attended the East and Southern Africa Regional Customs Research Conference, emphasizing the importance of digital transformation and regional cooperation for African trade development. The conference focused on the impact of emerging issues on customs and trade, calling for enhanced data utilization, talent development, and collaboration with the private sector to promote the construction of the African single market. The World Customs Organization will continue to support African customs development and contribute to the prosperity of African trade.

01/30/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More
WCO Aids Asiapacific Customs in Tackling Plastic Waste

WCO Aids Asiapacific Customs in Tackling Plastic Waste

The World Customs Organization (WCO) assists Asia-Pacific customs in enhancing plastic waste management capabilities through virtual diagnostic missions, tailored implementation plans, and regional workshops, addressing cross-border plastic waste challenges. The Basel Convention amendment's entry into force marks a new phase in global plastic waste governance. Data empowerment will improve the precision and effectiveness of plastic waste management, fostering a cleaner and more sustainable future. These efforts highlight the importance of international collaboration and innovative approaches to tackle the growing problem of plastic pollution.

01/30/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More
Jamaica Customs Adopts Digital Tools for Crossborder Efficiency

Jamaica Customs Adopts Digital Tools for Crossborder Efficiency

The World Customs Organization (WCO) is assisting Jamaica Customs in enhancing its cross-border collaboration environment. Through workshops, the WCO shared best practices for Single Window (SW) implementation, emphasizing the importance of regulatory coordination, data standardization, and process re-engineering. Jamaica has made progress in project implementation but still faces challenges. Recommendations include strengthening top-level design, establishing coordination mechanisms, and promoting data standardization to achieve trade facilitation and economic development. These efforts are crucial for streamlining customs procedures and boosting Jamaica's economic competitiveness.

01/30/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More
Aviation Sector Adopts Open Apis to Boost Digital Transformation

Aviation Sector Adopts Open Apis to Boost Digital Transformation

IATA's Open API strategy aims to build an open data ecosystem for the aviation industry through Open APIs, open standards, and open architecture, breaking down data silos and improving operational efficiency, reducing costs, and optimizing passenger experience. The IATA Open API Hub serves as an API discovery and sharing platform, promoting API standardization and quality assurance. Strategic partnerships drive industry-wide standard development, accelerating digital transformation in the aviation sector. The goal is to foster innovation and collaboration by making aviation data more accessible and interoperable.

02/03/2026 Airlines
Read More
Oneworld Joins IATA CO2 Connect to Advance Sustainable Aviation

Oneworld Joins IATA CO2 Connect to Advance Sustainable Aviation

Oneworld is the first airline alliance to join IATA CO2 Connect, marking a significant step in aviation carbon accounting. By sharing operational data, it enhances the accuracy of carbon emission calculations and provides passengers with more transparent carbon footprint information, supporting the aviation industry's sustainable development goals. This initiative not only addresses passenger demand for eco-friendly travel but also empowers key aviation stakeholders to make more informed decisions. The collaboration aims to improve the reliability and consistency of carbon emission data across the Oneworld network.

02/03/2026 Airlines
Read More
Shipping Industry Grapples With Manifestbill of Lading Discrepancies

Shipping Industry Grapples With Manifestbill of Lading Discrepancies

This paper analyzes the risk of inconsistencies between manifest and bill of lading information in international maritime transport from a data analyst's perspective. It quantifies the cascading effects of these inconsistencies across export, transportation, and import stages. The study provides data-driven strategies to help companies mitigate risks and improve operational efficiency. It emphasizes the importance of source control, process monitoring, and emergency response. Furthermore, it explores the potential of blockchain technology in document collaboration within the maritime industry, suggesting future directions for enhanced security and transparency.

02/03/2026 Document Interpretation
Read More