Trucking

Volumes show signs of life.

With 60,000-plus members, Timber Unity seeks to quash greenhouse gas emissions regulations.

State’s monthly toll collections from trucks now exceeding $1.5 million.

Trucking company says the shutdown of the Saskatchewan facility from purported ransomware attack will have a “significant impact” on operations.

Profitability is the key to any business staying in business. In trucking it is harder than in many other businesses. Chris Henry explores the “trucking profitability paradox.”

A panel of experts on the issue offers suggestions — but no easy fixes.

Jim Blaze writes about the outlook for intermodal rail in 2020.

Anthony Levandowski still faces criminal charges after federal prosecutors allege he stole secrets about Google’s self-driving arm.

Company accused of cheating its way into U.S. markets while posing a security threat

Will capacity tighten and raise rates, or will volumes evaporate and crash them again?

The city is at the center of the U.S. coronavirus epidemic, with 70 cases confirmed and 10 deaths.

It’s now possible for managers to virtually ride shotgun with their drivers—and that’s a good thing.

Group claims full-query requirement adding “millions of dollars” in production costs.

Companies have to work harder than ever to differentiate their offerings from all the other tools and applications flooding the market.

In this week’s “Drilling Deep” podcast, host John Kingston sits down with Dave Heller of the Truckload Carriers Association at the TCA’s annual meeting in the Orlando, Florida, area. Dave led a panel of several “next-generation” leaders at three smaller truckload companies. How are their views different from those of the generations before? Dave will […]

“In 2020 both governments expect to implement low-cost, high-impact strategies to simplify customs and immigration screening and reduce wait times,” the U.S. State Department said.

FreightWaves SONAR clients will have access to Truckstop.com rates

CarrierHQ introduces a new portal that helps owner-operators and small fleets gain authority in the market by providing them services to get started and run successful businesses.

Brian Aoaeh explores the vulnerability of supply chains in an interconnected world that is threatened by a potential pandemic.

From small, medium to large, Drone Delivery Canada has an automated flying machine for multiple transport applications.

El Paso, Texas, and Santa Teresa, New Mexico, benefit from their proximity to Juarez, Mexico, “the king of maquiladoras.”

The robotic trucking company will expand its UPS runs to 20 trips per week and has added an extra run between Phoenix and El Paso, Texas.

At TCA meeting, agency administrator says FMCSA will need help acting on reports of cheating.

CEO of Canadian logistics software provider says China’s surprise recovery may signal a better prognosis for supply chains around the world.

Morgan Olson’s new Storm vehicles are purpose-built for last-mile delivery operations.

Isuzu continues to invest in its medium-duty truck lineup, adding two new gas engines for its Class 3-5 models, giving users more power choices.

Orders for Mack Trucks new MD Series Class 6-7 trucks are starting off strong, company officials said, during the first public unveiling of the trucks at the Work Truck Show

Ram Commercial has added additional safety features to its ProMaster van as the company seeks to take marketshare in the van space.

Tonnage headwinds and better yields are the story so far in 2020. Old Dominion Freight Line reports modest revenue decline.

The 2019 Protecting America’s Food and Agriculture Act provides funding to help Customs and Border Protection close a shortfall among its agriculture specialist ranks over the next three years.

Canadian National CEO JJ Ruest still expects the company will meet 2020 targets despite a significant hit from rail blockades.

project44 has introduced the industry’s first carrier onboarding service level agreement (SLA) that promises shippers a significant reduction to their time-to-value.

The Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse has been active for nearly two months now, but many carriers and drivers remain confused on what steps they must take to comply.

Cummins said that its B.67N natural gas engine has been certified at 0.02 NOx levels.

Mercado Libre operates in more than a dozen countries. Its three largest markets are Brazil, Argentina and Mexico, which accounted for 63%, 19% and 13% of its gross billings, respectively, last quarter.

Darren Prokop writes about California’s AB 5 and its impact in California – and nationwide.

Ford has not released many details, or images yet, but starting with the 2022 model year, the Ford Transit van will be available with a fully electric powertrain.

By providing leases that include hydrogen and maintenance for its fuel cell electric trucks for seven years, Nikola projects it will generate $3 billion in revenue by 2024.

Green delivery vehicle arms race heats up

Customers and society are demanding more environmentally friendly vehicles, including electric, and manufacturers are trying to meet those demands with smart business decisions that meet the key imperative of any commercial vehicle: to make money.

Matthew Taylor of Shintan Inc. was ordered by the U.S. Department of Justice to pay back $7.5 million in illicit tax credits obtained from the IRS.

A nuclear verdict was “the beginning of the end” for Arkansas-based RCX Solutions, which shuttered operations on March 2.

‘Strong sales’ in February are expected to continue through Easter. Disruptions to the company’s supply chain continue to be monitored.

Making the 30-minute rest break more flexible is one of the proposed changes.

Texas-based TUYA has built a platform that helps B2B’s have real-time visibility over their product movement as they work with delivery companies.

After shunning public ownership, fuel cell truck startup Nikola watched as the WeWork debacle made private fundraising harder. Its merger with VectoIQ brings in about $700 million to help pay to build Nikola’s Class 8 truck plant and the beginning of a hydrogen fuel station network.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has opened the application process for $225 million in grants available to ports for infrastructure improvements. Plus, coronavirus idles containers, China outbound volumes are dropping, and Arizona’s gas tax hike is in trouble.

Previously, the camera images from its ITM system were available only to Spireon itself.

Two U.S. steel companies recently announced they were expanding in Mexico through acquisitions and facilities upgrades.

Canadian transportation company puts its money to work after raising $230 million in U.S. IPO as it works to grow its logistics business.

Polaris Transportation Group will get access to more freight for its Canada-to-U.S. less-than-truckload business with the purchase of Toronto-area 3PL brokerage PRI Logistics.

Final-mile acquisitions continue. CRST adds to its service offering by acquiring NAL Group.

CEO John Babic says Canadian oil and gas services firm was trying to ride out a slowdown in spending in a struggling industry, but his lender ran out of patience.

When companies are moving midsize loads, it can be almost impossible to find that balance within the traditional full truckload (FTL) and less-than-truckload (LTL) models.

DHL has decided to close its StreetScooter electric vehicle business, plus household income rises, aluminum plant likely to close, and why Americans will love self-driving trucks.

CCM reorganizes executive team, STEMCO picks VP of sales and marketing, and Southeastern Freight appoints Orlando service manager.

StayMetrics’ Hindes talks about retention and management of a truckload company’s human assets.

Freightliner and Western Star will still exist, but sales will be reorganized toward end use.

Tomatoes imported from Mexico will begin undergoing tougher inspections at the border starting April 1. The increased inspections are part of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s deal with Mexican growers to suspend its anti-dumping investigation into the produce.

“We’re a highly resilient industry even in the face of a potential pandemic,” Washington Trucking Associations official says even as intermodal carriers take hit from disruption of Chinese shipping to West Coast ports.

Company seeks stay from federal court while it considers Supreme Court appeal.

FreightWaves Market Expert Mike Baudendistel writes about the issues impacting rail intermodal in 2020, and the ongoing battle between the railroads and the trucking industry.

The decision to close the Chicago office was partly financial, but Ray Sciuckas, Fastmore Logistics president, says the consolidation will create “better synergy among employees.”

Mexico City-based Estafeta is one of the largest courier, express and parcel firms in the country. The company has around 6,700 employees and operates 30.5 million shipments per year.

How coronavirus will impact volumes remains to be seen

Final-mile smart lock provider BoxLock announces $4.5 million funding round.

The National Treasury Employees Union tells House appropriators that Customs and Border Protection requires an additional 1,100 officers and staff to carry out its mission at the nation’s ports of entry.

Recently opened facility will help the regional parcel carrier compete with FedEx and UPS.

Brian Aoaeh explores unforeseen shocks to global supply chains and global commerce.

Details are skimpy at this point, but a lot more refiners are going to need to account for ethanol somehow in their operations.

The chance to connect LA-area drayage drivers and containers energizes Sammi Liu, who just helped the startup raise $10.2 million in Series A funding.

Reliance Partners’ Brenda Wiser helps carriers prepare to interact with insurance inspectors

Ocean, intermodal and trucking data are flashing red. Don’t worry — DAT just made a bullish call on spot rates.

On this week’s “Drilling Deep” podcast, we talk to the attorney who led the legal fight that has kept the law at bay in California.

Followup training would be aimed at increasing driver ranks.

Continued strength in northbound less-than-truckload pricing helps drive Canadian shippers’ freight costs in December, the latest results from the Canadian General Freight Index show.

Recent Volvo Truck innovations in the U.S., and a new truck line in Europe continue to focus on driver comfort and keeping vehicles and drivers productive.

“They don’t need to sleep in a vehicle. They can work in an office environment and then go home.”

Video telematics company Lytx has introduced a risk detection tool that will identify and engage with drivers who are prone to distracted driving.

Trucking Alliance-backed analysis supports group’s push for federal testing changes.

Houston-based TPC Group will eliminate 100 jobs but work to restore production within five years at the Port Neches plant damaged during Nov. 27 explosions.

The rapid growth in online retail sales and consumer demand for fast delivery is spurring construction of giant fulfillment centers.

Expected high winds have led to a ban on hauling empty trailers on part of the New York State Thruway in western New York starting at 3 a.m. Thursday.

PS Logistics announces that it has completed the acquisition of Southeast Logistics.

The unit was acquired from GE Capital in 2015 and has struggled recently.

Schneider National’s new Dallas operating center set to open as the company looks to grow its active fleet.

Program members will have several opportunities to network in Orlando next week.

Lowe’s sees positive sales comps in 14 of 15 regions, but full-year fiscal 2020 guidance disappoints.

United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement has the support of a majority of Canadian lawmakers even if some seem set on delaying ratification to score political points.

ORBCOMM lowers full-year 2020 guidance given recent coronavirus developments.

OneRail is a last-mile orchestration and fulfillment platform that consolidates the needs of shippers and retailers onto a single platform.

Yokohama is expanding in the fast-growing 19.5-inch tire market with two new offerings for pickup and delivery and other Class 3-6 applications.

Fleet Advantage is adding predictive modeling to its ATLAAS platform, giving fleets a look at vehicle replacement cost savings at specific points in time.

Police say truck had become stuck on tracks.

Trucking companies advised to assess how new standard applies to workforce contracts.

Reported deal to let Canadian National quietly route some freight around protests gets high marks from director of trucking company hit hard by the disruptions.

A Boston-based real estate firm recently purchased a 24-acre industrial park about 3 miles from the Port of Houston and 200 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border.

Mack Trucks is adding Command Steer, a dynamic steering option to its Anthem tractors. The technology reduces driver effort to steer the truck by as much as 85%, the company said, reducing fatigue and muscle strain.

Wabash has combined innovative composite material with an electric refrigeration unit to produce a zero-emissions trailer.

MyTruckScales is eliminating paper scale tickets through wireless technology that will save time for drivers and lower costs for scale owners