U.S. importers are sprinting to the finish of a prolonged peak season this year, the WSJ Logistics Report's Liz Young writes. The Global Port Tracker from the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates projects that September could be the busiest month of the year for U.S. imports.

Imports for this month are forecast at 2.31 million loaded containers, measured in 20-foot-equivalent units, up about 10% compared with 2025. That would edge out the current high of 2.3 million boxes that arrived in July. Volumes were expected to drop off earlier than usual this year after many retailers brought in merchandise early to get ahead of potential new tariffs.

Jonathan Gold, NRF's vice president for supply chain and customs policy, said some of the shipments coming in this month were delayed by extreme weather in China or rerouted away from the Panama Canal because of low water levels.

The Port of Los Angeles reported its busiest three-month stretch in its history, with over 2.9 million 20-foot-equivalent units handled in June, July and August.

Number of the Day

Proportion of retailers that now charge a fee on returns at least some of the time, up from 43% five years ago, according to Loop Returns, an e-commerce returns-and-exchanges platform.

Economy

Surveys say Americans are in a funk, even though their sour mood doesn't match up with what major indicators say about how the U.S. economy is performing, The Wall Street Journal's Justin Lahart writes.

The University of Michigan's measure of consumer sentiment continues to flirt with the lowest levels in its decadeslong history. In a monthly Gallup survey, 45% of people now rate the economy poor. The Conference Board's index of consumer confidence is one of the more optimistic readings-and even that is downbeat.

Yet GDP has grown 2.1% over the past year, job growth is decent, and unemployment remains low. Inflation remains trying, but is much lower than four years ago. The disconnect could reflect survey flaws, and greater partisanship could be polluting people's feelings. But moods look bleak regardless of the survey, while political independents-who shouldn't be so swayed by partisanship-are down on the economy.

Heavy Equipment

Deere is rolling out an AI assistant called JD meant to quickly answer questions about the best time to plant or harvest crops and other business decisions, backed up with years of data from a farmer's own fields.

The WSJ's Bob Tita writes that the debut of the chatbot comes as Deere invests billions of dollars into AI-enabled farm equipment. The software can capture loads of data the company says can help farmers increase crop production and cut costs.

Deere is offering farmers free access to JD, and says it won't share any of its data with other parties without farmers' permission. That pledge comes as the equipment maker attempts to head off distrust in its repair practices. Earlier this year, Deere settled a "right-to-repair" lawsuit brought by farmers for $99 million.

In Other News

South Korea is nearing the announcement of a U.S. energy-investment project, potentially worth more than $100 billion, to support America's AI build-out. (WSJ)

A Canadian trade tribunal recommended import limits on canned vegetables, saying foreign imports mostly from the U.S. caused domestic financial strain. (WSJ)

German factory orders and industrial production rose in the second quarter, driven by public investment and stockpiling as the Iran war continued. (WSJ)

The spot price of uranium concentrate is at its highest since early February, reaching almost $90 a pound. (WSJ)

Platinum supplies will be in surplus this year for the first time since 2022, the World Platinum Investment Council said. (WSJ)

Ford Motor CEO Jim Farley rejected claims from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy that the automaker was growing overly reliant on Chinese car companies. (WSJ)

Swarmer, a drone company started in Ukraine and backed by Blackwater founder Erik Prince, is buying Ratel Robotics, one of Ukraine's leading makers of battlefield robots. (WSJ)

Grocery-store operator Albertsons named former eBay and Hewlett Packard chief Meg Whitman to the newly created post of executive chair. (WSJ)

NorthSands Capital is anchoring a $510 million investment to extend Peterson Partners' ownership of Kelso Industries-a bet on demand for parts and services to keep critical infrastructure running. (WSJ)

Amazon forecasts that its own network will handle 86.3% of U.S. package deliveries next year and nearly 89% in 2029. (Business Insider)

Former Freightos CEO Zvi Schreiber criticized the freight marketplace's direction since his December departure and wants the board to consider naming a new chairman, among other changes. (Journal of Commerce)

CATL is working to decarbonize its supply chain as European regulators increase pressure over the Chinese EV-battery maker's factories. (Nikkei Asia)

Australia's Austal said the U.S.'s Wildcat Infrastructure offered up to $1.35 billion for its American shipbuilding unit, topping a bid from South Korea's Hanwha Group. (Reuters)

Lufthansa Cargo agreed to acquire Germany's LUG Aircargo Handling from the Dettmer Group. (Air Cargo News)

Caterpillar Marine is developing a battery system using lithium iron phosphate technology for hybrid and fully electric vessels. (WorkBoat)

Prologis is starting construction of a $100 million, 1 million-square-foot warehouse project outside Chicago. (Crain's Chicago Business)

WSJ Tech: California

WSJ's Tech: California event returns to Napa Valley Nov. 3-4. We'll explore the latest tech industry news with NASA administrator Jared Isaacman, Ford Motor CEO Jim Farley, Zoox CEO Aicha Evans and more. If you are interested in attending, request an invitation.

About Us

Mark R. Long is editor of WSJ Logistics Report. Reach him at mark.long@wsj.com. Follow the WSJ Logistics Report team on LinkedIn: Mark R. Long, Liz Young and Paul Berger.

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