IN BRIEF: New Services and Solutions
The CMA CGM Notre Dame, the largest LNG-powered containership in the world, made its maiden call in Shanghai on May 25. The ship measures 400 meters long and carries up to 24,212 TEU. Beyond LNG propulsion, the vessel features an aerodynamic windshield to reduce energy consumption, capacity for 1,600 reefer plugs, and AI-assisted route optimization.
Transportation
• Inchcape Shipping Services has received an Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI) license from the FMC and launched a Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier service in the United States. As an NVOCC, Inchcape can now issue House Bills of Lading, consolidate shipments, and negotiate directly with ocean carriers on behalf of importers, exporters, freight forwarders, and overseas agents. The service operates through ISS Marine Services Inc.
↑ Alaska Airlines launched daily nonstop service between Rome Fiumicino (FCO) and Seattle-Tacoma (SEA). Alha Group is handling cargo operations at FCO, providing 24/7 ground handling and cold-chain storage via its CoolBox temperature-controlled infrastructure. The route is the airline’s first direct connection between Italy and the U.S. Pacific Northwest.
Services
• Amazon has opened its LTL freight service to any destination, including third-party warehouses, distribution centers, and retail partners. Businesses can now use the service to move freight between their own facilities or to external partners, with loads typically ranging from one to six pallets. The network runs on more than 80,000 trailers and 24,000 intermodal containers, with GPS tracking, automated appointment scheduling, electronic proof of delivery, and EDI integrations. Same-day drop trailer pickup and next-day live pickup are available.
↑ ThermoSafe has expanded U.S. manufacturing of Vacuum Insulated Panels (VIPs), a high-performance insulation component used in temperature-controlled packaging for pharmaceutical and biotech shipments. The expansion reduces dependence on overseas suppliers, shortens lead times, and gives customers greater supply continuity as global sourcing pressures persist.
• Walmart launched a national Prepaid Consolidation Program that lets suppliers ship a single purchase order to one Automated Consolidation Center instead of managing multiple purchase orders across all 42 of Walmart’s Regional Distribution Centers. Walmart then dynamically allocates inventory across its network. The initiative is aimed at reducing supplier complexity, improving in-stock performance, and lowering costs across its supply chain.
• International Bridge and Asendia USA have integrated operations to extend parcel delivery to non-continental U.S. destinations, including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The service also includes APO, FPO, and DPO military addresses. IB’s routing technology reduces costs about 30% on qualifying shipments.
↑ Trucker Path added more than 50,000 reservable truck parking spots to its app, extending the platform beyond crowd-sourced free parking data into paid overnight and longer-term reservations. The goal is to help drivers navigate the ongoing truck parking shortage, with availability averaging one space per 11 trucks on the road. Reserved spots cost about $20 per reservation, and the app serves more than one million active users.
• PalletTrader is expanding its PalletTrader+ program to Canada. The managed service pairs dedicated personnel with the platform’s sourcing tools to help enterprise manufacturers, distributors, and 3PLs centralize pallet procurement, gain visibility across supplier networks, and control costs. Transactions will be conducted in Canadian dollars and cover full intra-Canada service.
Products
↑ Michelin has expanded its X Line Grip D tire lineup with a pre-mold retread option, which extends casing life across multiple cycles. The company is offering a new 11R22.5 size for long-haul and regional fleets. Against the Michelin XDN2, the tire delivers 20% more mileage and 20% lower rolling resistance. It also provides more than 90% better snow starting traction and more than 25% better wet starting traction.