Aurora Innovation, Inc., a software company developing autonomous driver technology, completed its first successful, totally driverless freight haul in early May. The company transported frozen products between Houston and Dallas using a truck without a driver. According to Aurora executives, this event signals the launch of consistent commercial driverless service on highways in Texas. Aurora’s President, Ossa Fisher, said, “It was an awesome moment…We have tested this thing for years and millions of miles.”

Elsewhere, Plus, a tech company focused on building AI-driven trucks, conducted a successful test of its autonomous virtual driver on a closed track in Ohio.  The SuperDrive enabled tractor performed several maneuvers. Tim Daly, chief architect at Plus, was happy to report, “It was totally smooth, and it was amazing.” Per Morning Brew, more than 10% of freight shipped in the US will be autonomous by 2035, creating a cost-per-mile savings up to 42% should a trucking company automate its entire fleet.

Delays in Antwerp may signal the onset of broader disruptions, as analysts caution that Chinese cargo originally intended for the U.S. could be rerouted to northern Europe, placing additional strain on already congested ports and potentially leading to significant bottlenecks by mid-June.  Industrial action across Belgium brought the country’s key port of Antwerp to a near halt this week, exacerbating vessel congestion in northern Europe, where delays have already been persistent in recent weeks. While northern European terminals have already faced disruption since early March, the scale of vessel queues seen in Belgium marks the most severe congestion thus far in 2025. (See: Lloyd’s List, “Calm before the storm? European port congestion…” by Linton Nightingale, 5-1-2025)

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Reciprocal tariffs—25% on goods and an additional 10% on energy—between Canada and the U.S. have severely impacted Canadian trucking. Approximately 70% of Canadian carriers are losing money due to delayed or canceled U.S. shipments. “About 80% of Canada–U.S. trade moves by Canadian trucks,” said CTACEO Stephen Laskowski, highlighting the added uncertainty in a weak economy. Carriers may reduce labor or enact layoffs to stay afloat.

Conversely, the household goods moving sector may possibly benefit from drivers shifting over from the adjacent trucking segment. According to transcanadamovers.com, “used” personal belongings (not for resale) enter Canada duty- and tax-free, are not affected by these tariffs. However, overall trucking operations face reduced freight volumes and higher costs. Stability hinges on a resolution of the tariff dispute or a new trade agreement to revive cross-border trade. (More at: Canadian Trucking Alliance - CTA, “70% of Carriers See Freight Drop …” 4/15/2025)

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The European job market in 2025 is set to navigate a complex interplay of economic recovery, demographic shifts, and the transformative impact of technology.

 ·      A Mixed Economic Recovery with Implications for Employment

·      Persistent Labor Shortages and Skills Gaps

·      Accelerating Demand for Technological and Adaptive Skills

Source: EUROBRUSSELS‍

After a strong start to 2025, U.S. containerized import bookings dropped 20% from January highs, though they remained 30% higher year-over-year. The decline is linked to fears of tariff increases, prompting shippers to frontload shipments early. However, growing uncertainty triggered sharper volume declines. Comparing ocean shipping for weeks of March 24–31 and April 1–8, Vizion (a container data analyst) reported a “tariff shockwave” across global trade: worldwide TEU bookings fell 49%; U.S. imports dropped 64% and exports declined 30%, imports from China plunged 64%, and exports to China dropped 36%. (More at: FreightWaves, “Tariff shockwave" leads to collapse in ocean container bookings” by Stuart Chirls, 4/15/2025)

Panama’s Comptroller General has sparked controversy by stating that the 2021 renewal of the concession for container terminals run by Hutchison’s Panama Ports Company(PPC) was never legally approved. He suggested that certain parties involved in the deal may not have fully understood what they were signing up for. The planned sale of Panama Ports Company (PPC) by CK Hutchison to the BlackRock–TiL consortium has encountered a new obstacle—this time from Panamanian authorities. Speaking at a press conference, the comptroller stated that the 25-year extension granted by the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) lacked the necessary endorsement from the Comptroller General’s Office—a legal requirement for any modification, renewal, or transfer of national port concessions. (More at: WorldCargo News, “Panama Ports in turmoil … “ by Jasmina Ovcina Mandra, 4/08/2025)