Business imperatives in the beleaguered parcel sector appear to have FedEx taking another look at Amazon packages. The companies had a high-profile split five years ago when FedEx stopped hauling boxes for the e-commerce giant, betting at the time that it was better off filling its trucks with other customers’ goods. The WSJ’s Esther Fung and Dana Mattioli report the companies last year discussed FedEx accepting returns of Amazon packages at its retail locations. The two sides didn’t reach a deal, but the developments come as FedEx has sought to boost parcel volumes amid an industry slump and Amazon seeks to improve the customer returns experience. The discussions show how significant returns have become in the parcel and e-commerce sectors. Amazon is seeking partners to cope with the costs and complications of reverse logistics. At the same time, FedEx is looking for more volume as shipment counts sag.

• United Parcel Service is eliminating a shift at its regional air hub at California’s Ontario International Airport and laying off more than 300 workers. (Daily Bulletin)

The burgeoning supply chain for electric vehicles may be heading underwater. Backers of deep-sea mining are getting new attention from U.S. lawmakers, as international jockeying over the minerals crucial to production of EV batteries grows and the availability of nickel, manganese and cobalt become a national security concern. The WSJ’s Yusuf Khan reports that the ocean floor holds vast quantities of the metals, but they are untouched because of the high costs to reach them, a lack of research and public opposition. The boost in urgency has come amid China’s increasing domination of many critical mineral supply chains and its growing influence over deep-sea mining. The country holds five contracts for mineral exploration in international waters. China has also been sending ships out for research into the Pacific Ocean. A group of Republican lawmakers is pushing the case for deep-sea mining and for processing minerals within the U.S.

• Embattled electric-vehicle maker Fisker is pausing production for six weeks as it seeks a deak with a large auto manufacturer. (WSJ)
• China is pressing state-owned automakers to increase research and development spending as Beijing seeks to build a made-in-China electric vehicle supply chain. (Nikkei Asia)
• Aviation companies in the U.K. are calling for investment to develop hydrogen fuel for aircraft. (Financial Times) 

Combined loaded container imports into the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach rose 46.4% in February over the same month last year. (Dow Jones Newswires)

U.S. oil exports reached a record average 4 million barrels a day in 2023. (WSJ)

Singapore’s non-oil exports fell unexpectedly by 0.1% in February. (WSJ)

Crafts retailer Joann filed for bankruptcy protection and says it will continue to pay trade vendors. (WSJ)

China imports are flooding global markets with cars, appliances and electronics, setting the stage for a fresh round of trade tensions. (Washington Post)

Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian refineries have damaged the country’s facilities supporting petrochemical exports. (TradeWinds)

A California judge rejected a request by trucker groups to block enforcement of the state’s AB5 rule that sets tighter guidelines for defining independent contractors. (Trucking Dive)

A boom in freight demand is fueling big business for truckers in Alaska. (CNBC)

Walgreens is closing distribution centers in Orlando, Fla., and Dayville, Conn., and laying off nearly 650 workers. (Crain’s Chicago Business)

A Yang Ming containership knocked out three large container cranes as it sought to dock at a Turkish port. (Splash 247)

South Africa’s state logistics operator plans to open its extensive rail network to private companies later this year. (Bloomberg)

Paul Page is editor of WSJ Logistics Report. Reach him at paul.page@wsj.com.

Follow the WSJ Logistics Report team: @PaulPage, @bylizyoung and @pdberger. Follow the WSJ Logistics Report on X at @WSJLogistics.