Morning Minute | October 9, 2025

Ocean container rates on the eastbound Trans-Pacific are falling by double digits in a surprise move from China carriers ahead of new US port fees. The ship tax, which begins next week, charges China-owned or operated ships $80 per net tonnage for each voyage to the U.S. and could cost major players like Cosco and OOCL as much as $2.1 billion in 2026. Autonomous trucking company Kodiak AI just debuted on the NASDAQ after successfully combining with Ares Acquisition Corporation II, resulting in a $2.5 billion valuation for the newly public company. Kodiak secured more than $275 million in funding through this de-SPAC transaction, which CEO Don Burnette noted marks an inflection point for the industry as self-driving technology matures toward commercial deployment. Additionally, the Senate confirmed David Fink, a former Pan Am Railways president and fifth-generation railroader, to lead the Federal Railroad Administration. President Trump nominated Fink, stating he would "deliver the FRA into a new era of safety and technological innovation". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices