The International Monetary Fund is preparing to raise its forecasts for the global economy in 2021 and 2022. (WSJ)
A measure of consumer confidence in the U.S. rose in March to its highest level since the pandemic started. (WSJ)
Corn prices have hit their highest levels in almost eight years and are expected to rise higher on stronger driving trends. (WSJ)
Home-price growth in the U.S. accelerated to a 15-year high in January. (WSJ)
Fast-growing exports to the U.S. boosted Vietnam’s economy to 4.5% growth in the first quarter. (WSJ)
Japanese auto chip maker Renesas Electronics predicts it would take three to four months to recover full production following a factory fire. (WSJ)
Freight rail operator Union Pacific is among companies opposing a hedge-fund manager’s campaign to make firms set near-term targets for carbon-emissions cuts. (WSJ)
Contract manufacturer Foxconn expects a global shortage of electronics components to last until next year. (Financial Times)
China is expected to hit record-high crude imports from Iran in March. (Reuters)
Food supplier General Mills says rising freight expenses are cutting into its profit margins this quarter. (Supply Chain Dive)
Chinese merchants made up 75% of new Amazon marketplace sellers in January in the top four markets. (E-Commerce Times)
The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded $230 million in new grants for port projects. (Journal of Commerce)
President Biden designated Federal Maritime Commissioner Daniel Maffei to be chairman of the regulatory body. (Journal of Commerce)
Seaspan ordered six new container ships with capacity for 15,500 20-foot containers each, giving the ship owner 37 new ship orders since December. (TradeWinds)
Mitsui OSK Line and bioenergy firm Enviva are developing a carbon-friendly bulk ship that uses a hard wind sail for propulsion. (Lloyd’s List)
Two Norwegian shipowners are launching a dry-bulk carrier with ships fueled by ammonia. (Splash 247)
The New York Shipping Exchange says its business providing binding contracts between shippers and carriers tripled last year. (ShippingWatch)
Boston Dynamics is testing a wheeled robot that would handle boxes in truck trailers and warehouses. (DC Velocity)
CBRE says demand for warehouses of at least 200,000 square feet hit a record in North America last year. (CNBC)
Trucker Leonard’s Express bought refrigerated transport specialist Holman Transportation Services. (Transport Dive)
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