Technology

Technology

project44 launches LSP44 AI unit, splits operations

Chicago-based project44 has split into two independent businesses as of July 14, 2026: the original project44 serving enterprise shippers, and LSP44—a new AI-dedicated platform for logistics service providers. LSP44 processes 2.3 million shipment events per hour, reduced manual tendering time by 68% in pilots, and launches commercially in Q3 2026. The move reflects accelerating AI adoption among LSPs, which grew 41% year-over-year in 2026 per the 37th State of Logistics Report. Early deployments are underway in Chicago, Dallas, and Rotterdam.

2026-08-09

Technology

Brisbane Warehouse Boom Raises Efficiency Standards

Brisbane’s industrial sector saw record investment in 2025, with 155,000 sq m of warehouse space delivered early in 2026 and leased immediately. Australia’s NABERS Energy ratings now benchmark warehouse efficiency, while equipment rental models — like those offered by All Lift Forklifts — cut emissions by one-third through shared utilization. Space heating consumes 39% of warehouse energy; lighting accounts for 15%. Adelaide and Perth more than doubled investment volumes in 2025. To meet national targets, resource productivity must rise 30% by 2030.

2026-08-09

Technology

Typhoons, Panama delays push US East Coast freight to $10,000/FEU

Typhoon-induced port congestion in Asia and worsening Panama Canal restrictions have pushed US East Coast container spot rates to $9,988/FEU — within $12 of the $10,000/FEU threshold — according to Xeneta data cited in Seatrade Maritime. Ted Chen of Dimerco Express Group confirmed vessels face five- to seven-day berthing delays in heavy winds, while blanked sailings and inflexible fuel/canal surcharges prevent meaningful rate declines despite softer consumer demand. US West Coast rates rose 14% and East Coast rates 13% in early August; meanwhile, Asia–Europe rates fell nearly 5%.

2026-08-09

Technology

Freight Hero raises $5M for broker back-office operations

Freight Hero, a Durham, North Carolina-based startup, has raised $5 million in seed funding led by Field Ventures to expand its back-office operations service for freight brokers. The company manages shipments end-to-end—from rate confirmation through proof of delivery—using AI agents that handle over 90% of load touches, supplemented by human 'Heroes' for exceptions. With more than 50,000 loads managed by end-July 2026 and customers reporting 100%-plus ROI, Freight Hero converts fixed labor costs into variable ones. Ally Logistics, a Michigan brokerage, achieved 82.4% year-over-year revenue growth without increasing operations headcount. The $19 billion brokerage sector faces margin pressure amid the aftermath of the Great Freight Recession.

2026-07-31

Technology

Norfolk Southern-UP Merger Pledges 2.2M Truck Moves Without Lane Details

Veteran railroader Paul Tonsiger, CEO of Integrated Multimodal Solutions and former Maersk procurement head, questions the Norfolk Southern–Union Pacific merger’s pledge to divert 2.2 million truck moves, citing absence of lane-level details after roughly a year of proceedings. He highlights CN’s Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway — acquired 15 years ago — as an underreported asset granting UP a Chicago bypass. Tonsiger stresses railroads operate as wholesalers, dependent on IMCs and steamship lines like Maersk and CMA—not shippers like Walmart—to drive volume. The Surface Transportation Board holds final merger authority.

2026-07-31

Technology

Mahindra to IPO Last Mile Mobility in H2 2027, merges truck unit with SML

Mahindra & Mahindra confirmed its Last Mile Mobility electric three-wheeler business remains on track for an IPO in H2 2027. Simultaneously, it merged its Truck and Bus Division into SML Mahindra via a slump sale set for completion in FY27, retaining 59% of the combined entity. Group CEO Anish Shah described the move as part of a 'platform over exit' strategy, aiming to build scalable, listed businesses. Executive Rajesh Jejurikar noted the integration will enhance competitiveness against Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland. The company already operates multiple listed subsidiaries, including Mahindra Logistics and Mahindra Holidays.

2026-07-31

Technology

Fulfilment Operators Outpace Retailers in AI Shopping Searches

New Google Trends data shows searches for "AI in Logistics" rose 5,000% year-on-year — double the 2,500% increase for "AI in Retail." Euromonitor reports AI referral traffic to retailer sites grew over 300% last year. Paxon’s Andrew Scanlon stresses that fulfilment operations must adapt in real time to match AI-accelerated consumer journeys. Predictive orchestration, machine learning, and real-time operational intelligence are now top investment priorities. Evri advanced its AI strategy on July 16, 2026; Parcelhero declared AI adoption inevitable on July 8, 2026.

2026-07-31

Technology

Elroy Air Chaparral drone delivers 500-lb cargo autonomously

Elroy Air’s Chaparral drone completed autonomous multi-mode cargo delivery for the U.S. Army on July 15, 2026 — releasing 68- and 70-pound payloads via hover and forward-flight airdrops, plus ground delivery, all without personnel at the drop site. The hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft features a 30-foot wingspan, 450-mile range, and 500-pound payload capacity. Production units will be built by Kratos Defense in Sacramento, California, with Elroy Air set to go public in Q4 2026. Mark Rodrigo, Elroy’s Federal Business Development lead and former U.S. Air Force intelligence officer, called the system a 'force multiplier' for contested logistics.

2026-07-31

Technology

Chinese AI Models Capture 41% of Global Hugging Face Downloads

Chinese open-weight AI models captured 41% of Hugging Face downloads in the year to February 2026—exceeding U.S. models’ 36.5% share. Alibaba’s Qwen has reached ~1 billion cumulative downloads, while Singapore and Malaysia have built national AI initiatives on Chinese open-model foundations. On OpenRouter, Chinese models processed 4.12 trillion tokens in mid-February 2026 and scaled to 18 trillion weekly tokens by June 2026—more than triple the U.S. total. According to Shaoshan Liu of AIRS, China’s AI advantage lies in accessibility, not benchmark supremacy.

2026-07-30

Technology

EU-LatAm trade growth remains one-way: 10.6% drop in Jan

EU-South America container volumes fell in three of the first five months of 2026, including a 10.6% year-on-year drop in January, despite the EU-Mercosur trade deal entering force. In contrast, LatAm-to-EU trade grew 9.2%, 4.8%, 12.7%, 0.1%, and 10.8% across those same months, building on 2025’s 8.7% annual growth. Forwarders report rising quotation requests from European shippers targeting Latin America, especially in automotive, machinery, and pharma sectors. Meanwhile, South American exporters cite strong demand in Europe for coffee, fruit, refrigerated cargo, foodstuffs, pulp, and leather — though capacity constraints and the EU’s May 2026 beef export ban pose near-term headwinds.

2026-07-29

Technology

CMA CGM Q2 profit surges 42.4% amid Red Sea volatility

CMA CGM reported a 42.4% surge in Q2 2026 EBITDA to $2.26 billion, with maritime volumes rising 6% to 6.3 million container units. Revenue climbed 22% to $9.96 billion. The company credited sustained freight rates and strategic resilience amid Middle East conflicts—including Strait of Hormuz disruptions and Red Sea volatility—enabling continued Suez Canal-Red Sea services. It launched the 24,212-TEU LNG-powered vessel CMA CGM Notre Dame and introduced the Mekong Transpacific Express service between Vietnam and the U.S. West Coast. Net income rose to $770 million from $520 million year-on-year.

2026-07-29

Technology

ASUENE acquires UK carbon platform Secaro, serves 56,000 clients

ASUENE has acquired UK-based Secaro, a supply chain carbon management platform serving over 8,000 companies across 90 countries, including Toyota, Honda, and GM. The deal — ASUENE’s eighth acquisition — follows a July 2025 alliance and expands its reach ahead of EU CSRD reporting deadlines in 2028 and UK ISSB-aligned rules starting in 2027. ASUENE’s customer base has doubled to 56,000 across Japan, Asia, North America, and Europe. Secaro, formerly Manufacture 2030, brings deep supplier engagement capabilities to complement ASUENE’s AI sustainability infrastructure.

2026-07-29