Month in Review – June 2026

Maritime

June 1: Shipping Industry Says Hormuz Peace Deal Alone Won’t Bring Ships Back – gCaptain

Shipping executives gathered at the Posidonia maritime exhibition in Greece on June 1 delivered a clear message: Even if Washington and Tehran finalize a ceasefire agreement, commercial shipping is unlikely to return to normal operations in the Strait of Hormuz without clear rules, security guarantees and confidence that vessels can transit safely.

The comments came as U.S. and Iranian negotiators continue discussions over a proposed 60-day extension of the current ceasefire framework, a deal that could eventually pave the way for reopening one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.

Yet speakers at the Capital Link conference suggested that, from shipping’s perspective, a peace agreement is only the first step.

June 1: Nearly One-Third of Global Container Shipments Now Travel Empty – Supply Chain 24/7

A growing amount of the world’s shipping containers are moving without any cargo inside.

According to new analysis from Danish maritime consultancy Sea-Intelligence, nearly one-third of all container shipping activity now involves empty containers being repositioned around the world. Measured in TEU-miles, which accounts for both container volume and distance traveled, 30% of all container shipping work now consists of moving empty boxes.

Before the pandemic, that figure stood at 24%.

As global trade becomes more unbalanced, more containers are ending up in places where they aren’t immediately needed. That forces carriers to move empty boxes back to key manufacturing and export regions.

Sea-Intelligence found that the volume of empty containers shipped has grown 65% since the first quarter of 2019. During the same period, shipments of loaded containers increased just 17%.

June 2: Box Rates Soar $1,000 in One Week on Peak Rush – American Shipper

Ocean container rates on major east-west trade lanes that held steady a week ago spiked by at least $1,000 per forty-foot equivalent unit (FEU) on rate hikes and surcharges that took effect June 1.

The ongoing closure to most global shipping of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran has kept container rates elevated but below spiking level, through fuel cost increases, said analyst Freightos.

“But the addition of early peak season demand is now pushing rates up sharply from that elevated baseline as space gets tight,” the company said in a weekly update.

June 5: Panama Canal to Reduce Neopanamax Draft Limit as El Niño Concerns Mount – gCaptain

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) will reduce the maximum authorized draft for vessels transiting its Neopanamax locks beginning July 3, citing concerns over the potential development of El Niño conditions later this year.

Under the new measure, the maximum authorized draft for Neopanamax vessels will be reduced from 50 feet to 49.5 feet tropical fresh water (TFW), according to an advisory issued on June 4. The adjustment is part of the canal’s water management strategy aimed at preserving water resources amid uncertainty over future rainfall patterns.

The move marks the first operational restriction announced by the canal this year, though it remains far less severe than the transit and draft restrictions imposed during the historic drought of 2023-2024 that disrupted global shipping and reduced vessel traffic through the waterway.

The announcement comes just weeks after canal officials said they did not anticipate transit restrictions through the end of 2026. In a May 18 statement, the ACP noted that Gatun Lake levels had been maintained at historically high levels and that the canal was continuing to accommodate 38 daily transits while implementing a range of water conservation measures.

June 6: Asia-to-U.S. Container Rates Spike 109% Since Iran War Started – gCaptain

Container shipping rates jumped over the past week amid higher fuel costs, congestion at some Asian ports and a pickup in demand heading into a peak season for booking ocean freight.

The spot rate for a 40-foot container to northern Europe from Asia rose to $3,649 as of June 6, a 27% increase from a week earlier, according to Xeneta, an Oslo-based freight platform. The cost to the U.S. West Coast from Asia was up 20%, to $3,933.

The numbers align with Drewry’s latest composite reading for several long-haul routes, which also showed short-term rates posting a steep jump over the past week to the highest level in about a year.

Xeneta’s figures showed rates to the U.S. from Asia are up 109% since the U.S. war with Iran started on February 28, while charges for Europe-bound containers are up more than 50%. Carriers are adding fuel surcharges and forcing importers to shoulder costs tied to the energy crisis.

On top of those added fees is tighter capacity heading into busy months, July and August, for inventory restocking. Shipments rerouted because of the blocked Strait of Hormuz are causing backups at Southeast Asian hubs including Singapore and Malaysia’s Port Klang, spreading the capacity pressures to trade lanes far from the Persian Gulf.

June 9: Where Will Tomorrow’s Seafarers Come From? – Splash

A major new survey by the World Maritime University (WMU), published in January and commissioned by the Officers’ Union of International Seamen, drew on responses from 4,372 seafarers of 99 nationalities to paint an alarming picture of a workforce under severe strain – and increasingly minded to walk away.

The report, In Search of a Sea-Life Balance in an Adverse Environment, finds seafarers working an average of 71 hours per week globally, rising to 79 hours for U.S. seafarers. Around one-third of all respondents show stress levels classed as “severe and potentially dangerous.” Work and rest records are being routinely adjusted to mask regulatory breaches. Shore leave is severely limited.

Most troubling for owners and managers is the finding on retention: Nearly half of all respondents indicate an intention to quit seafaring within the next five years.

WMU president Maximo Mejia commented: “Prioritizing seafarers’ mental wellbeing and healthy working conditions is a necessity, as well as the way to ensure the long-term sustainability of the maritime workforce.”

The WMU called for urgent, evidence-based action to cut administrative burdens, enforce realistic manning and rest standards, and embed human-factors science in regulation – arguing that without this, shipping faces a compounding recruitment and safety crisis.

June 15: Scouring the Strait of Hormuz for Mines Could Take Weeks – gCaptain

Ensuring the Strait of Hormuz is safe from mines could delay a return to normal shipping traffic by weeks following a deal to reopen the waterway, shipping and maritime security sources say.

The operation by conventional minesweepers and state-of-the-art underwater drones could continue for 40 to 50 days before many insurance, shipping or oil companies are confident enough to sail through, according to assessments from five Western maritime security sources.

June 24: Containership Fire Breaks Out Every 17 Days as Misdeclared Cargo Remains Major Threat – gCaptain

A container ship fire now occurs somewhere in the world roughly every 17 days, highlighting the persistent danger posed by misdeclared and undeclared dangerous cargoes, according to new data cited by the World Shipping Council (WSC).

The figures, released as part of Allianz Commercial’s Safety and Shipping Review 2026, show that fires continue to rank among the shipping industry’s most serious safety threats. Allianz recorded more than 200 fire incidents involving vessels in 2025, making it the second-highest annual total of the past decade despite a slight decline from the previous year.

The report identifies misdeclared cargo, particularly lithium-ion batteries and chemicals, as a major contributor to container ship fires.

“Misdeclared and undeclared dangerous goods are a known and preventable threat to seafarers, ships, cargo and the marine environment. This is not a paperwork issue. It is a life-and-death safety issue,” said Joe Kramek, President and CEO of the WSC.

June 25: IMO Pauses Evacuation in Strait of Hormuz Following Attack – Maritime Magazine

Following an attack on a vessel in the Gulf of Oman, IMO has decided to temporarily pause its evacuation operation pending further clarity.

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez stated: “Following the launch of the IMO’s evacuation plan, through which several vessels have already been successfully evacuated, I have decided to temporarily pause its implementation in order to reconfirm that the necessary safety guarantees continue to be in place for the ships on our evacuation list and all those in the region.

“I have been informed of an attack today in the Gulf of Oman on a vessel which passed through the Strait of Hormuz. This vessel did not transit under IMO’s evacuation framework. I have always reiterated that the safety of the seafarers remains paramount. Therefore, to ensure a coordinated approach and navigational safety, the evacuation plan will be paused until further clarity is obtained.”

June 26: Container Rates Near a Two-Year High Amidst Renewed Tariff Concerns – The Maritime Executive

Containerized freight rates are approaching two-year highs, driven upwards by tariff expectations, limited capacity and the impact of the U.S.-Iranian war.

Last week, the Drewry World Container Index neared the $4,200 per FEU level, driven upward 40 percent year-over-year thanks to strong demand from American importers and strong ex-China bookings. The SCFI has more than doubled compared with rates seen last year.

Part of the cause is the expectation of soon-to-come tariff hikes. After the Supreme Court struck down the White House’s International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariff rates earlier this year, the administration used a separate set of legal authorities to impose blanket import tariffs of 15 percent on all nations. The Section 122 tariffs expire at the end of July, and President Donald Trump is widely expected to announce additional new tariffs to replace them.

That prediction is proving accurate: On June 26, he threatened import duties of 100 percent on any nation that collects taxes on the overseas revenues of U.S. tech companies, taking aim at European plans for a digital services tax.

 

 

Air

June 1: Air Freight Capacity Tight Across Asia amid Fuel Strain: Dimerco – The Stat Trade Times

Jet fuel shortages, tight cargo capacity, airport congestion and strong semiconductor and AI demand are continuing to reshape air freight markets across Asia Pacific, keeping rates elevated and operational pressure high on key trade lanes, according to Dimerco’s June 2026 Asia Pacific Freight Report.

The report said airlines across the region are continuing to adjust operations because of Middle East tensions, fuel volatility and capacity constraints, resulting in longer transit times, reduced cargo space and higher freight rates, particularly on routes to Europe and the U.S.

Jet fuel shortages remain one of the biggest operational concerns for airlines. To manage fuel consumption and improve efficiency, some carriers are reducing cargo payloads or replacing larger Boeing 747 freighters with smaller Boeing 777 freighters. Although overall demand remains relatively stable compared with last year, these operational adjustments have tightened effective market capacity and supported higher freight rates.

June 3: Many Airlines Hit Hard by Jet Fuel Price Swings, Not All Can Hedge, IATA Says – American Journal of Transportation

Many airlines have been hit hard by price swings in the jet fuel market, and some are not in a position to hedge their exposure, the International Air Transport Association’s head of fuel said on June 3.

Some airlines with more elaborate hedging strategies get a bit of a cushion, Daniel Chereau told the S&P Global Energy Middle East Petroleum and Gas Conference.

The Middle East supplies much of the world’s jet fuel, but its ability to produce and export the fuel has been severely curtailed by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on energy installations.

Demand destruction is appearing in the aviation sector although not necessarily due to the price of jet fuel itself, Chereau added. Demand destruction has been caused by airlines cancelling flights, he said, while in some parts of the world airports are running dry of fuel for short periods of time.

He warned that such instances could become more frequent, and that the longer the conflict lasts, the more demand destruction could come from the passenger side.

June 6: SAF Production Volumes Still Disappointing – IATA press release

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released estimates showing that global sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production is expected to reach around 2.4 million tonnes in 2026, representing just 0.8% of aviation fuel use, at a cost to airlines of $4.3 billion.

“It looks to be another disappointing year for SAF production. Five years after committing to achieve net zero by 2050, SAF production will only account for 0.8% of airline fuel use this year. The path to meeting 65% of our needs in 2050 is growing more difficult with each year of ineffectively sequenced government policies and oil companies’ manifest lack of interest. The current energy shock should add even more urgency to the development of renewables, including SAF. But we have yet to see either the energy shock, the need to develop energy independence and jobs, or the urgency to mitigate climate change materialize in the incentives needed to create a viable SAF market,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

June 24: Middle East Aviation Recovery Grows But Constraints Remain, Reports IBA – American Journal of Trade

New analysis from the International Bureau of Aviation (IBA) shows that aviation activity across the Middle East is seeing a strong recovery following the disruption caused by the conflict between Israel, Iran and the U.S. However, operational performance remains below pre-conflict norms as airlines continue to contend with longer routings and evolving fleet utilization patterns.

Jordan Amos, Aircraft Asset Manager at IBA, says: “Major Gulf hubs have moved from acute disruption towards sustained recovery over the past three months, with flight activity increasing significantly as airspace restrictions ease and confidence returns across the region.”

The data shows a strong rebound in activity across the region’s key hubs. Abu Dhabi increased from 174 daily flights in March to 462 in June, while Doha rose from just 42 daily flights to 570 over the same period. Dubai recovered from 499 daily flights in March to 844 in June. While activity has not yet returned to pre-conflict levels, the trend demonstrates a clear restoration of capacity across the region.

June 30: FIATA Calls for Delay to IATA Changes to Direct Air Waybill Framework – Air Cargo News

Freight forwarder association FIATA has called for a delay to amendments to the IATA direct air waybill (DAWB) framework to allow for a proper review to be carried out.

FIATA exercised its formal right under the Cargo Agency Conference (CAC) Resolution 801c to request a review of the proposed changes to the DAWB but said that it has not been possible to complete the process in time for the July 1 implementation date.

The association has therefore requested that the effective date be postponed until October 1 to allow the review process to be completed.

“Despite FIATA’s repeated requests that the IATA-FIATA Consultative Council (IFCC) be convened as a matter of urgency, the IFCC has not been convened in sufficient time to formulate its recommendation to the CAC before the amendments are due to take effect,” the association said in a press release.

FIATA added that it has also written to airlines worldwide seeking “urgent clarification” as to whether they intend to implement the changes in practice as of July 1 and how the changes will be implemented, including the processes that freight forwarders will be expected to follow before tendering cargo for carriage.

 

 

Trucking

June 1: AI Demand – and Tactics – Drive Surge in Cargo Theft – Yahoo News

The AI infrastructure boom is driving a dramatic surge in cargo theft, leaving companies and ultimately consumers to pick up the tab. What’s more, crooks are increasingly deploying AI to find and steal those goods in a digitally savvy twist that brings the breach full circle.

Last year, losses from supply chain crime in Canada and the U.S. rose 60 percent to more than C$1 billion, as big-rig bandits zeroed in on valuable shipments, according to a report from CargoNet. Many more thefts likely went unreported because companies fear reputational damage or higher insurance premiums, experts say.

The average theft value rose by 36 percent, “driven by more selective, high-value targeting by organized groups,” the report states. Theft of metals climbed 77 percent, fuelled largely by demand for copper products.

That increase is in lockstep with a seemingly unquenchable thirst for AI infrastructure, with copper key to everything from cables and wiring to cooling systems.

June 4: A Driver’s Paper Logs Said He Was in One Place. A Roadside Camera Network Said Otherwise. Welcome to the New Era of Trucking Enforcement. – FreightWaves

Recently, a driver that was pulled into an Arizona scale house learned that an officer could reconstruct his entire multi-state trip from licence plate readers and roadside cameras, matching the real timeline against paper logs that told a different story, and the account is a clear window into how independent tracking is quietly ending the era of the falsified logbook. Here is the excerpt of the driver explaining what happened:

The driver was running west, through Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico and into Arizona, when he got pulled in at a scale. The officer ran his plate, went back into the computer, and then laid out the driver’s entire trip back to him with timestamps. As the driver described it afterward, the officer told him he had been in Louisiana at one time, Texas at another, across New Mexico, and into Arizona at specific points along the way. The timeline the officer recited was accurate. The problem was that it did not match the driver’s logs. His logs were wrong. The officer’s reconstruction, built from cameras and plate readers the driver never thought about, was right.

When the driver asked how the match was even possible, the explanation was simple and a little unsettling. It was not a tracking device planted on his truck, and it was not something fed to enforcement by the shipper. It was the infrastructure already sitting along the highway. As he put it, whenever he crossed scales or certain parts of the highway, there were cameras. Licence plate readers at scale houses, at border and state-line entrances, and at what he described as random points along the road had captured his truck, and an officer at the end of the run was able to pull all of those sightings together into a single, timestamped picture of where he had actually been.

His reaction said as much as the incident itself. He had talked to a lot of drivers, he said, including “guys who had been doing this 15 and 20 years, and none of them had ever had this happen.”

His experience is not a fluke. It is an early, concrete look at a structural shift that is arriving fast across the entire industry.

June 4: FMCSA Responds to Ongoing Problems with Motus Rollout – FreightWaves

There is a growing clamour over the rollout of the Motus registration system by the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Motus is a new single entry point for a wide variety of interactions with registration systems and other FMCSA tools needed by the trucking community. It launched May 14.

Complaints and comments in social media have quickly made it clear the rollout has not been going well.

“FMCSA is aware of issues affecting registrants and industry stakeholders following the launch of the Motus registration system,” the FMCSA said in a memo. “We recognize that these issues have created challenges for members of the commercial motor vehicle industry who rely on our registration systems.”

It went on to say that “resolving these issues is an absolute priority for the agency.”

FMCSA also said it is setting priorities. The most immediate goals, according to the memo, have “focused resources on addressing issues affecting insurance filings and operating authority status.”

“Customers should begin to see improvements in these areas soon as system updates and corrective actions are implemented,” the memo said. “Changes have already been made to correct the identity verification and first-time login processes.”

June 5: Phone Number Spoofing Emerges as a New Cargo Theft Tactic – TruckNews.com

Supply chain risk management company Overhaul is warning shippers and carriers about a rise in phone number spoofing schemes targeting cargo operations in the United States.

Number spoofing involves manipulating the caller ID information of outbound calls, often through Voice Over IP (VoIP) technologies, so that the call appears to originate from a trusted or familiar phone number. This tactic is commonly used to impersonate carriers, brokers or consignees, making fraudulent communications seem credible.

Fraudsters often contact drivers or dispatch staff with urgent requests to reroute loads or change delivery details, relying on the apparent legitimacy and familiarity of the incoming number to gain trust.

June 8: Feds Will Support National Trucking Database: MacKinnon – The Brandon Sun

The federal government is ready to support the creation of a national trucking database, Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said last week, but officials in Manitoba are calling for concrete action.

“I want to applaud the minister of transportation in Manitoba, who has called for a national collaboration and a database with respect to certification of trucking companies,” MacKinnon said in reference to Manitoba’s Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor’s efforts.

The database, requested by Naylor and the Manitoba Trucking Association, would share information between jurisdictions on operators with poor safety records.

“I’m asking the federal government to take some lead here, and so I’ve again written to the federal minister to underscore the need for a federal response,” Naylor said.

The current challenge, she said, is that if the province takes away a company’s safety fitness certificate, the company is able to re-establish elsewhere even while based in Manitoba. She said her department has been reaching out to other provinces when it suspects that is happening.

“There’s no federal oversight for the safe operation of these vehicles, and so that’s why we’re calling on the federal government,” she said.

June 11: TIA Asking FMCSA for Guidance on Approved Carriers Post-Montgomery – FreightWaves

The Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) is asking the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for a federal rulemaking that would set standards on what constitutes a carrier that can safely be booked.

The TIA, in a formal petition for rulemaking to the agency, leaves little doubt as to the need for such a process: the fallout from the court decision on Montgomery vs. Caribe Transport II and the door it opened to brokers being found liable for crashes and other incidents involving a carrier hired by the 3PL.

“In light of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Montgomery v. Caribe, it is now clear that brokers and shippers continue to face an untenable burden in attempting to evaluate, develop and apply disparate methodologies and standards (using potentially suspect data) in an effort to discern whether a federally licensed motor carrier will nevertheless be deemed unsafe according to judges and juries in every state and federal jurisdiction across the country,” the TIA said in its petition.

“In far too many cases, a carrier’s safety deficiencies are only revealed after a catastrophic incident has already occurred,” TIA President Chris Burroughs wrote on LinkedIn.

Even where a carrier has an FMCSA safety rating, the TIA says that “FMCSA has acknowledged that the data generated by the Safety Measurement System (SMS) is used to prioritize potential interventions but is not intended to imply a federal safety rating and should not be used to draw conclusions about a motor carrier’s overall safety condition.”

June 12: U.S. DOT Launches Tech Project to Rate ‘Every Motor Carrier’ – Overdrive

The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded a contract to use predictive tech to help crack down on fraud and cabotage, and it could lead to preliminary safety ratings to the masses.

The contract, awarded in April, specifically mentions needing safety ratings for the “thousands of new and unrated entrants that dominate the spot market.” That’s likely music to the ears of just about everyone in trucking.

Carrier and broker associations, in the wake of the recent Supreme Court decision shifting broker liability, have been crying out for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to issue safety ratings to the more than 90% that remain unrated.

Owner-ops have reported being locked out of freight from C.H. Robinson for lacking safety ratings, and brokers have complained of an “impossible” task of assessing carrier safety for movement of millions of loads each year.

The contract seeks to close the gap.

June 16: OTA Wants to Reform Ontario’s Facility Association Insurance System – TruckNews.com

The Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) has proposed reforms to Ontario’s Facility Association (FA) insurance framework, arguing the system should function as a temporary safety net for high-risk fleets rather than a long-term insurance solution.

The association said it recently submitted a policy brief to Ontario’s Ministry of Finance outlining recommended changes that it believes would help improve safety, accountability and fairness within the trucking insurance market.

These include implementing a “sunset clause” that would establish a 24-month limit for commercial fleets in Facility, requiring stronger underwriting tied to driver history and fleet-level safety practices; incorporating the Ministry of Transportation and FMCSA’s safety performance into risk assessments; and requiring more robust pre-quote risk inspections.

The association also wants to eliminate the ability for commercial trucking companies to opt out of direct compensation for property damage coverage.

June 17: Insurance Bureau of Canada Backs Manitoba’s Calls for National Trucking Database – TruckNews.com

The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) said it supports calls from the Manitoba government and the Manitoba Trucking Association to create a national commercial trucking database to improve safety oversight and help prevent unsafe operators from moving between jurisdictions.

In response to a recent fatal collision in Brandon, Man., that involved a previously de-certified transport company, Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor called on the federal government to establish a national database tracking safety certifications and violations involving trucking companies, vehicles and drivers.

Earlier this week, federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon indicated Ottawa is prepared to support the creation of a national certification database for trucking companies.

IBC said in a news release that a national carrier registry with stronger interprovincial data sharing would help regulators identify unsafe operators and stop them from resurfacing elsewhere. Insurers could also use this data to verify claims and infraction histories when assessing commercial insurance risk.

June 17: Statistics Canada Launches Trucking Statistics Program – Ontario Trucking Association announcement

Statistics Canada is launching the Trucking Statistics Program, a new initiative designed to address critical data gaps in Canada’s trucking industry and support evidence-based transportation policy development.

The program will provide valuable industry insights to government organizations, including the Council of Ministers Responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety, as they work to improve freight transportation systems and reduce interprovincial/territorial trade barriers across Canada.

As part of the survey, participating carriers may be asked to provide bills of lading to collect data on:

• Commodity types
• Shipment weights
• Origin and destination of the shipment
• Other freight movement data

All information collected will remain strictly confidential and will be used solely for statistical and research purposes.

June 18: Retirements, Lack of Mentorship Threaten Trucking Talent Pipeline – TruckNews.com

Trucking fleets face a growing risk of losing critical operational knowledge as experienced workers retire, while younger professionals continue to leave the industry because of limited mentorship and career development opportunities, a transportation executive told attendees at the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada’s annual conference.

Mo Baki, director of transportation at Polaris Transportation Group, said the industry is focused on labour shortages but is paying insufficient attention to the loss of expertise that accompanies an aging workforce. He said the challenge extends beyond replacing workers and includes preserving decades of operational knowledge accumulated by experienced employees.

“The knowledge walking out the door when your most experienced people retire is the greatest risk that we are not talking about,” Baki said. “The talent that we’re failing to keep, the graduates, the early career professionals, the people who come in hungry and leave frustrated, that’s the second biggest risk.”

June 19: Cargo Theft, Cyber Risks Driving Insurance Scrutiny in Trucking – TruckNews.com

Rising cargo theft across Canada is prompting insurers to take a harder look at trucking operations, with fleets facing increased scrutiny over security protocols, tracking technology and risk-management practices as claims continue to climb.

Speaking at the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada’s annual conference, Maria-Christina Sorbo-Mayrand, an associate with Miller Thomson, said cargo theft, cyber threats and the growing use of telematics are reshaping how insurers assess risk throughout the supply chain. At the same event, a security technology provider warned fleets that preventing theft increasingly requires a shift from reactive measures to predictive and prescriptive security strategies.

“Insurance and risk management are strategic operational issues, not just legal or administrative tasks,” Sorbo-Mayrand said. “If you spend a little bit more time with your insurance broker or your insurance companies before having issues, once the issues do arise, and issues will always arise, it’s much easier to handle.”

Sorbo-Mayrand said that companies that proactively manage risk are generally better positioned when claims occur and may be better equipped to secure and maintain coverage.

She outlined several types of insurance commonly used in transportation, including commercial auto liability, cargo insurance, commercial general liability, professional liability, environmental liability and cyber liability coverage. Each policy serves a different purpose and contains exclusions that businesses should understand before a loss occurs.

June 19: Provincial Rule Patchwork Increasing Trucking Costs by 8%, Trade Expert Says – TruckNews.com

Canada’s patchwork of provincial regulations is costing the economy an estimated $1.6 billion annually and increasing trucking service costs by more than 8%, according to interprovincial trade expert Ryan Manucha, who said harmonization efforts now underway could deliver significant benefits to carriers and the broader economy.

The C.D. Howe Institute senior fellow identified trucking as one of the clearest examples of how internal trade barriers continue to create costs and inefficiencies despite the existence of a national transportation framework.

“You have a national framework, but it gets implemented differently at the provincial level,” Manucha said during the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada’s annual conference. “As soon as you get provincial fragmentation, in my mind, that’s an internal trade barrier.”

He pointed to differences in how provinces administer safety compliance programs, citing Ontario’s Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration system and Alberta’s Carrier Profile and Safety Fitness Rating framework as examples of varying approaches that carriers must navigate. Those differences create additional compliance burdens, separate audit regimes, and administrative costs that eventually flow through the supply chain, he said.

According to research Manucha conducted with University of Calgary economist Trevor Tombe, trucking regulations remain one of the most significant examples of internal trade barriers in Canada.

June 24: Ontario to Require Six Months of Full G Licence Experience Before Class A Road Test – TruckNews.com

Ontario is introducing a new experience requirement for Class A truck licence applicants, requiring drivers to hold a full Ontario Class G licence or equivalent for at least six months before taking a Class A road test beginning January 1, 2027.

The Ministry of Transportation said the change is intended to improve safety outcomes and ensure new Class A drivers have sufficient on-road experience before advancing to commercial vehicle operation.

Equivalent driving experience from other Canadian provinces and territories may be recognized and counted toward the requirement under existing licence exchange policies.

June 25: Latest Move by FMCSA Suggests Motus Rollout Woes Are Continuing – FreightWaves

A recent easing of some requirements by the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration appears to be a sign that the rollout of Motus, the agency’s new registration portal, continues to have problems.

The specific change disclosed this week by FMCSA is that the biennial update requirement that “all entities under its jurisdiction” update their information on file with the agency every two years has been “temporarily suspended.” The suspension is for “entities that have not completed the required biennial update since June 1.”

Companies that have passed their due date for the biennial update since June 1 without being able to register “should not worry about inactivation resulting from Motus-related access or system issues,” FMCSA said.” Further guidance, the agency added, will be released “as recovery and stabilization efforts continue.”

June 25: NACFE Report Warns Technician Shortage Threatens Adoption of New Truck Powertrains – TruckNews.com

A new report from the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) says the trucking industry’s technician shortage is becoming an even greater challenge as fleets adopt a wider mix of diesel, natural gas, battery-electric and hydrogen-powered trucks.

The report, Messy Middle Powertrain Service & Maintenance, examines how fleets, OEMs, dealerships and repair shops will need to adapt to support multiple powertrain technologies simultaneously.

The report says maintenance costs now extend well beyond vehicle repairs, encompassing technician training, specialized shop equipment, software licensing, facility upgrades and ongoing certification requirements.

It also concludes that technicians will require new skill sets in areas such as electrical systems, power electronics and software diagnostics, with computers increasingly becoming the primary service tool.