Red Sea shipping traffic has resumed, though it remains well below pre-crisis levels
Maritime traffic in the Red Sea has increased from 20–23 to 36–37 vessels per day, marking a 60 per cent rise since August, though still significantly lower than the 72–75 daily transits recorded before the Houthi attacks began in November 2023. This was announced by Admiral Vasileios Gryparis, commander of the EU mission Eunavfor Aspides. A ceasefire brokered by the United States has helped boost transits through the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The last recorded attack occurred in November 2024 and Houthi forces are now reportedly targeting only vessels linked to Israel.
Amazon is said to be trialling humanoid robots for deliveries
Amazon is reportedly developing a delivery system based on humanoid robots. According to the website The Information, the company plans to train these robots in a dedicated “humanoid park” set up at one of its San Francisco locations. The robots, carried in the rear of Rivian electric vans, will be able to disembark autonomously, deliver packages to customers’ doorsteps and return to the vehicle to continue the route. Once the training is complete, the robots will be deployed in real delivery scenarios for field testing.
Two Turkish lorry drivers reported for cigarette smuggling
Ten kilograms of smuggled cigarettes have been seized at the port of Trieste by the Guardia di Finanza and the Customs Agency. The goods, lacking proper authorisation and showing high levels of tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide, were hidden between bumpers and in the cavities of two articulated lorries that had arrived from Ambarli, Turkey. The intervention of sniffer dog Lorgan was key to the discovery. The two Turkish drivers, who were en route to Belgium and the Netherlands, have been reported to the public prosecutor’s office in Trieste.
Iranian truckers’ strike continues into third week with dozens of arrests
The truckers’ strike in Iran, which began on 22 May in Bandar Abbas, has now entered its third week and expanded to 163 cities. At least 40 drivers and supporters have been arrested since 3 June. Workers are protesting against low pay, high insurance costs and the suppression of trade unions. Authorities are threatening legal action against those who do not return to work. Solidarity has come from teachers, students, intellectuals, Nobel laureates and political prisoners, who denounce the government’s violations of civil and international rights.
Agreement signed to boost electric truck charging infrastructure
Fiap, Motus-E and Uniontrasporti have signed a framework agreement to accelerate the development of electric charging infrastructure for industrial vehicles along major Italian transport routes. The deal includes a joint study to identify suitable locations for charging stations, taking into account traffic flows, the needs of logistics operators and the existing power grid. The findings will be presented to institutions and industry stakeholders to promote a successful transition in freight transport.
