Transportation, Mobility & Logistics

Manchester – – October 19, 2026 -- Manchester Airports Group (MAG) has disclosed that an unauthorized third party accessed customer data on approximately 8.7 million people across Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports.

Hackers obtained contact details and vehicle registration numbers

The affected data relates to parking, lounge and fast-track bookings and in-airport Wi-Fi sign-ups. The attackers obtained email addresses, phone numbers, vehicle registration numbers and postcodes.

The attack took place during peak summer travel, as millions of families were flying back into the UK before the school year. Airport operations and flights were not disrupted.

MAG says most affected customers lost only their email address

The affected systems did not store bank or payment details. According to MAG, most of the 8.7 million customers lost only their email addresses, and the impact varies by the services each person used.

Charlotte – October 19, 2026 -- FlowBelow Aero, Inc. has launched a redesigned Trailer AeroSlider System that saves 3.0 gallons of fuel per 1,000 miles, with a payback period the company says can fall below 12 months at current diesel prices. The company unveiled the product at the American Trucking Associations' Management Conference & Exhibition, held Oct. 17-20, 2026, in Charlotte.

Record diesel prices drive the savings case

The U.S. Energy Information Administration put the national average on-highway diesel price at $6.179 a gallon on Oct. 12, after a record $6.529 on Sept. 21. At $6.18 a gallon, the AeroSlider delivers about $18.54 in fuel savings for every 1,000 miles a trailer travels.

Paris – – October 19, 2026 -- InfiMotion Technology's electric drive systems power nearly every vehicle on the Geely Auto stand at the 2026 Paris Motor Show, even though the Chinese supplier does not exhibit independently. Its e-drives also appear in Lynk & Co, Zeekr and Smart models. The show ran October 12 to 18 at the Paris Porte de Versailles Exhibition Center.

Geely stand hosts European debut of the Monjaro EM-i

The Geely stand also shows the EX2, EX5 and STARRAY EM-i. InfiMotion's newest products are additionally featured at Geely's UTAC roadshow in France, giving European media direct access to its next-generation e-drive portfolio.

Guangzhou – October 19, 2026 -- TAILG presented 22 electric two-wheeler models at the 140th Canton Fair, led by the T91 Ultra-L (X9), which carries a 74V 90Ah lithium battery rated for up to 150 km of range.

Flare Series targets long-range and charging flexibility

The fair opened in Guangzhou on October 15 under the theme "Powered by Tech, Go Further." TAILG's Flare Series anchored its booth. The T91 Ultra-L (X9) is compatible with AC charging stations, which the company says gives commuters and longer-distance riders more charging options.

Smart displays feature across the motorcycle and e-bike lineup

TAILG also showed electric motorcycles, electric bicycles and e-bikes. The T77L and T51N have TFT smart displays that let riders monitor vehicle information in real time.

Charlotte – October 19, 2026 -- The economy fell to #6 on the American Transportation Research Institute's (ATRI) 22nd annual Top Industry Issues list after three consecutive years at #1, as fuel prices, lawsuit abuse reform, CSA and insurance cost and availability moved to the forefront of trucking concerns.

Diesel above $6.50 per gallon squeezes smaller fleets

Ben Banks, TCW President, said diesel topping $6.50 per gallon arrived just as the freight economy showed positive signs. He called the spike "particularly painful" for small- to mid-size fleets, given that overall operating costs keep climbing.

Workforce issues return to the top 10

Driver Shortage ranked #5 and Driver Retention #10. Driver Compensation held its top 10 position at #9. Artificial Intelligence in Trucking and Diesel Emissions Regulations, both new to the list in 2025, remain top 10 concerns.

Global – October 18, 2026 -- Transpacific container rates rose 2% last week to new peak-season highs on both US coasts, with West Coast prices above $7,600/FEU and East Coast prices near $9,800/FEU, according to the Freightos Baltic Index (FBX).

Carriers add September capacity as volumes stay elevated

Volume strength has run through August, despite peak-season demand starting early in late May. Carriers are adding slightly more capacity for September and may push further rate increases, especially to the East Coast, at the start of the month. Blanked sailings are scheduled around October's Golden Week holiday.

The source identifies no clear explanation for the demand. Possible contributors are the absence of tariff hikes in late July and higher data center hardware volumes. Tariff refunds may also be letting some retailers cut prices while building inventories.

Global – October 18, 2026 -- Transpacific container rates remain at about $7,600/FEU to the US West Coast and $9,500/FEU to the East Coast, matching levels last seen in the 2024 peak season, even as weekly Freightos Baltic Index readings slipped 1% to 3% across major lanes.

Ocean indexes ease 1% to 3% on all four tracked lanes

Asia-US West Coast prices (FBX01) fell 1% and Asia-US East Coast prices (FBX03) fell 3%. Asia-N. Europe (FBX11) dropped 3% and Asia-Mediterranean (FBX13) declined 1%. The transpacific cooldown points to no further rate increases in what is likely the final weeks of peak season, though elevated demand since late May has held prices at peak levels since early July.

Red Sea – October 18, 2026 -- Asia-Mediterranean container rates fell 12% to $4,200/FEU last week as carriers restored Red Sea and Suez Canal routings. The drop came even as Houthi forces seized a strategic port and island directly on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait chokepoint, according to the latest Freightos weekly analysis.

Houthi seizure of Bab el-Mandeb port escalates energy threat

The Houthis previously controlled elevated terrain miles from the Red Sea. Together with last week's attack on a key Saudi pipeline, the seizure marks another escalation in Iran-backed steps to threaten energy markets.

Oil and bunker fuel prices have climbed back to May levels. Some experts say the strategies that cut energy prices from initial war-time highs, mostly by drawing on reserves, are wearing thin and could now lead to an actual fuel crisis.

[SOURCE_CITY] – October 18, 2026 -- Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF) surcharges can swing 15–25% within a single quarter, making them one of the most volatile cost lines in freight procurement, according to a new procurement playbook from Freightos.

The guide argues that rigid annual contracts and slow negotiation cycles cannot keep pace with disruptions ranging from the pandemic and geopolitical tensions to climate-related events and market volatility. It promotes an agile model built on short-term tenders, real-time data and flexible supplier relationships.

Mini-bids replace annual tender cycles

Under the agile approach, enterprise procurement teams run frequent mini-bids instead of waiting for the next annual tender. The playbook says this lets teams identify overpayment, optimize carrier selection and act on savings opportunities as they arise.

Global – October 18, 2026 -- Asia-US West Coast container rates rose 4% last week to more than $8,100/FEU, while Asia-N. Europe prices fell 15% to $3,700/FEU, according to the Freightos Baltic Index. The split shows transpacific demand holding near peak-season levels as Asia-Europe volumes cool.

Transpacific rates stay at year highs on congestion and blanked sailings

East Coast rates were about level at $9,600/FEU. Resilient demand, a last push to move containers before the Golden Week holiday, and weather-driven Far East port congestion are keeping rates elevated. The absence of a tariff hike in late July may also have helped demand.

Some blanked sailings likely stem from congestion delays. Carriers are also trimming capacity for the holiday period and for easing demand expected later in October as peak season ends. Analysis showing fewer cancellations than in recent years may reflect the relative strength of demand.