Since the invasion of the Ukraine earlier this year, thousands of Russians have flocked to relocate to Belgrade, Serbia. Bloomberg has reported this week that 2,321 small businesses have been registered and setup by the Russian immigrants so far this year compared to a total of 158 in 2021. More and more of these new arrivals are looking to purchase property instead of renting with potential long term plans. As a result of the increased market demand, rental prices have more than doubled in Belgrade.   (More at: Bloomberg, “Russians Find Refuge … “, by Misha Savic & Rodney Jefferson, 11-1-22)

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The Federal News Network reported last week that the Court of Federal Claims “denied two separate protest lawsuits filed by losing bidders who had challenged the up to $17.9 billion award to HomeSafe Alliance.” There is still an allowance of time before release of the full decision, for the protesting parties to offer arguments on potential redactions to the contract award. The two protesting parties (and losing bidders) are Connected Global Solutions, LLC (CGSL) and American Roll-on-Roll-Off Carrier Group (ARC). See more at: Federal News Network, “Court rules for DoD in challenge to $20B household ... contract” by Jared Serbu, 10/27/2022)

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) released an update this week explaining that this year’s driver shortage estimate is just short of last year’s high but still estimated at 78,000 with the possibility still to double that figure by the end of the decade if the current problem issues persist. The ATA (see link), now estimates that if challenges of increased freight demands continue, and driver demographics don’t improve (including high average driver age), the driver shortage can reach over 160,000 by 2031. (See more at Transport Topics, “Driver Shortage Decreases Slightly to 78,000, ATA Says” by Connor D. Wolf, 10/25/2022)

As a result of the first strike at Felixstowe, shipment containers at the port had an increase stay of 4.3 days or 87%. While the average days at the terminal decreased again after the end of the first strike, there has been an increase once again with the second strike beginning 27 September by 84% as of 3 October. (See more at: Port Technology, “Port congestion on the rise again … “ by Jack Donnelly, October 11, 2022)

Hurricane Ian made landfall in southwest Florida at approximately 3:05 PM EST, as a category 4 storm with sustained winds of 150 mph. Before the storm arrival, several airports including Orlando International Airport closed. Parts of Interstate 275 were closed. Delta Air Lines has an embargo on all shipments through late Saturday. Port Canaveral and Jaxport (Jacksonville) are closed, while container vessels off the Port of Savannah, GA, are heading out to sea ahead of the storm. Rail shipments are expected to be delayed in Florida as well. (More at: FREIGHTWAVES, “Hurricane update: Impacts on the supply chain,” Staff, 9-28-2022)

A transportation revenue solution known as “RhodeWorks,” developed by the DOT of the state of Rhode Island was deemed Unconstitutional in a ruling today by Federal District Judge William Smith. The ruling claims the plan is discriminatory as it unfairly tolls only large commercial trucks on bridges for the purpose of raising revenue for the construction and repair of bridges, while many other vehicles use these bridges as well. (See more at: Transport Topics, “Federal Judge Strikes Down Rhode Island Truck Tolling Plan …” by Eric Miller, 9/21/2022)