Second round of PPP funding begins Monday

The bank doors open Monday for the next round of borrowing under the Paycheck Protection Program, with borrowers from the first round eligible to go in for another round of low-interest loans that can be forgiven under certain circumstances.

Read more at Freightwaves

Airlines reinstate collection of federal excise tax for air cargo

Airlines operating in the U.S. are once again collecting the federal excise tax on freight shipments that were suspended for most of last year to help the industry survive the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.

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US truck driver hiring hit brakes in December

Seven months of employment growth in for-hire trucking came to a halt last month as unadjusted payroll numbers dipped despite strong reported freight demand. The decline in trucking jobs came as the US shed 140,000 jobs in December, as the nation struggled to contain a widespread resurgence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Read more at JOC

FAA: New drone rules address safety, provide more operational flexibility

The logistics industry has seen a flurry of drone activity with UPSAmazon PrimeWalmart and others working closely with the FAA. But widespread adoption for these operations has been precluded by the slow pace of regulation. New drone rules bring that future a little closer to reality.

Read more at Supply Chain Dive

European shippers say ocean carriers broke contracts, call on regulators to step in

The letter to the European Commission comes as ocean rates from China to Northern Europe have jumped 72% between the first week in December 2020 and Jan. 1, according to figures from Freightos.

Read more at Supply Chain Dive