Airfreight rates from Asia to North America and Europe are expected to rise through to the end of the year following four months of stable pricing, according to the recently expanded Sea & Air Shipper Insight report published by shipping consultancy Drewry.

Total cargo shipments on the St. Lawrence Seaway have now surpassed 2013 levels despite one of the most difficult starts to the shipping season in years due to ice coverage. According to Seaway figures, total cargo tonnage from March 25 to August 31 reached 20 million metric tons, up 3 percent over the same period last year.

With Burger King planning to relocate there after completing its buy of coffee-and-donut chain Tim Hortons for about $11.4bn, Canada is emerging as the latest tax haven for U.S. firms fleeing a high tax code at home.

Old Dominion Freight Line Inc. has expanded next-day service to the greater Toronto, Ont. area.

Truckload freight availability remained elevated compared to previous years despite a seasonal dip, according to the DAT North American Freight Index, a measure of truckload freight demand and capacity in the United States and Canada. Same-month volume was up 32 percent compared to 2013, when freight volume was unusually robust. Spot market volume typically peaks in June; this year's seasonal contraction was 11 percent in July compared to the 10-year average decline of 19 percent.