Shipping and Logistics

Former AK Steel Site in Missouri to Become Freight Hub
Written by Sandy Williams
October 13, 2020
The former AK Steel site near Kansas City is the location for a new Missouri River intermodal terminal thanks to a $9.88 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to the Kansas City Port Authority.
“Kansas City is already a major freight hub for the central United States, and this grant will help us continue to build on critical transportation infrastructure and spur economic development in the region and across Missouri,” said Governor Mike Parson.
The 415-acre site, purchased from AK Steel in 2018, has access to water, highway and rail, creating an ideal location for a terminal to move freight through Kansas City to and from the West, Gulf and East Coast ports. The Port Infrastructure Development Grant will be used for project planning and environmental remediation.
“Kansas City’s central location is one of its greatest competitive advantages. The Missouri River Terminal project capitalizes on the city’s position as a hub for the nation’s railways, highways, and waterways to support continued growth in the region,” Senator Blunt said. “This critical grant funding will also help leverage additional private-sector investment that will fuel economic development and job creation.

Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Shipping and Logistics
Wittbecker: Mexico invests in port capacity despite US tariff troubles
The Mexican government aims to transform Manzanillo into the largest seaport in Latin America, capable of processing some 10 million TEU (20-foot equivalent units) per year by 2030. It is already Mexico's largest port and the third largest in Latin America, handling nearly 4 million 20-foot containers in 2024.

Wittbecker on Aluminum: When do the tariffs reach Main Street?
Containers sailing from China in April are down 15%-20% and Hapag Lloyd says their future bookings transpacific are down 30%.

Wittbecker on Aluminum: US-China trade war clobbers cross-Pacific trade
Container shipping lines have sharply increased blank sailings on Transpacific routes in response to escalating trade tensions between the US and China.
Volvo plans to lay off up to 800 workers at US truck plants
The company cited uncertainty about freight rates and demand, regulatory changes and the impact of tariffs.

Trump signs executive order aimed at making US shipbuilding ‘great again’
President Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order meant to breathe new life into American shipbuilding and curb Chinese dominance in the sector.