The key benchmark OTRI sounded the alarms about weaker markets, but other indicators were telling a different story.
Ashley Coker CHART: TCA DATA HOUSES INSIDE FREIGHTWAVES’ SONAR Average length of haul has been trending up since October 2018, according to TCA data housed inside FreightWaves’ SONAR. The data indicates average length of haul came in at 626 miles in October 2018, then climbed to 638 miles in November 2018. TCA’s average length of […]
LNG shipments to Puerto Rico caught in the middle of latest battle over the Jones Act maritime regulation.
The double-decker underground highway opened 10 years after then-Governor Christine Gregoire chose a tunnel to replace the elevated Alaskan Way Viaduct.
The Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) announced the appointment of three new vice presidents as part of its ongoing growth plans. With over 1,700 members, the association is the leading organization devoted to the North American third-party logistics (3PL) industry.
Indigo Agriculture has recently launched Indigo Transport, a digital logistics platform designed to connect shippers and carriers to more efficiently haul agricultural products.
Convoy, the powerful nationwide trucking network and platform for both shippers and carriers, is partnering with FreightWaves on the first-ever Shipper of Choice Award.
January new truck orders have fallen 26 percent from December, continuing a trend that has developed after record-breaking months last year.
Predictive supply chain visibility platform FourKites has tripled its revenue since its Series B financing last year, and plans to expand its team, add features to its platform, and fund its zero deadhead initiative with the $50 million it has raised in the fresh round of investment this year.
R. Eddie Wayland, TCA Legal Counsel (PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK) The Union in this case sought to represent a unit of drivers at one of the carrier’s facilities. Under the Union’s petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), only drivers would be represented. The carrier argued that the unit should be a “wall-to-wall” unit of all […]
Drivers – not brokers – facing penalties of $5,000-$10,000 for violating new e-manifest filing requirements at the border.
The earnings were accompanied by a strong report from Cowen on the company’s outlook.
New vans to hit roads in New York, California.
Tesla’s acquisition Maxwell Technologies could have an impact on Maxwell’s fleet business, which counts more than 7,000 trucks using its products.
A new petition is seeking White House help to get two bills that would exempt most small trucking companies and owner-operators exempted from the ELD requirement reintroduced to Congress.
The United States Postal Service is deploying seven all-electric step vans in California, powered by Motiv’s EPIC system, plus living life on the road and the Polar Vortex causes crude troubles.
Convoy is now matching 100 percent of loads automatically in major markets, effectively eliminating the need for any person to call or communicate between the shipper and carrier.
(PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK) In Part One, we talked about the delusion of the industry, the sales job to the “inside the walls” personnel, and a little about apathy. The next step, if you were to follow the process of the TCA Retention Program, would be to establish how we as a company conduct ourselves moving forward. […]
It’s a growth story at Western Australia’s main container port, Fremantle Ports (Freo), with just under 10 percent growth of international shipping container traffic in the last calendar year. Stevedoring at the port is also up for tender.
The railroads have delayed installing life-saving automatic braking technology for another two years, and the NTSB is running out of patience.
Ruckit specializes in trucking management software for the heavy construction and materials marketplace and brings transparency by networking the TMS systems of the stakeholders involved in a hauling process.
Not a gangbusters quarter for Saia or Schneider. But the numbers were strong for both and Merrill Lynch thinks the Schneider stock is undervalued.
With the growing complexity of supply chains, the technology advantage that managed transportation providers can provide becomes a key value-add for many shippers.
Workhound bridges the gap between fleets and drivers by actually listening to what drivers want and translating that into real-time actionable insights for fleets to help them reduce turnover.
Ryder System, Inc. (R: NYSE) presented its Service Excellence Awards to top-performing carriers at its ninth annual Mexican Carrier Recognition Event in Mexico City on January 17. The event – reported in a press release by Ryder on January 29 – recognized 20 Mexican carriers for their excellence in service in Ryder’s international supply chain.
Small, yet powerful satellites can now be deployed for just a fraction of the cost of more traditional satellites, potentially changing the way logistics companies access location and other data for assets.
Ashley Coker (PHOTO: YELL COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT) A professional truck driver attempted to cross a wooden bridge in rural Arkansas despite posted weight limit signs last week. Both the truck and the bridge ended up being submerged in the river below. A Yell County Sheriff’s Office issued a ticket to the driver for […]
Electric vehicle makers can learn from some of the lessons that natural gas developers faced when introducing that fuel source to trucking.
Phil Connors, played by Bill Murray, is stuck in the same day, played out over and over again, in the film Groundhog Day. He repeats each day until he gets it right. In the real world, we don’t get the chance at a “do-over,” but delivery operations present an opportunity to do very nearly that.
Upheaval caused by the U.S.-China trade war has some freight interests uneasy about giving Trump more tariff power.
Regulators at the European Union are to fast-track an amendment that will allow trucks operating within the EU to be more aerodynimaclly designed., but the rules must pass through the European Parliament first.
It was only one trade and the comparisons to diesel prices are less than perfect. But there now is an actual transaction that reflects a value for now of what fuel might do under IMO2020.
JUSDA, a supply chain platform that spun off Foxconn Technology Group, has raised $356 million in its Series A round.
The Commercial Vehicle Training Association is pushing for more states to adopt third-party testing to shorten wait times for those seeking to schedule CDL tests.
Ashley Coker (PHOTO: JOHN WESTON, CHALLENGER MOTOR FREIGHT, 2017 WINNER OF HIGHWAY ANGEL OF THE YEAR, AND NASHVILLE RECORDING ARTIST LINDSAY LAWLER, THE OFFICIAL SPOKESPERSON OF THE HIGHWAY ANGEL PROGRAM) The Truckload Carriers Association has been recognizing Highway Angels, or professional truck drivers who demonstrate compassion and courage on the road, since its 1997 inception. […]
Shipping, orders continue to skyrocket.
ELD’s were supposed to make headway into reducing crashes, but that may not be the case so far, according to academic research from supply chain experts.
Company expects double-digit operating profits this year for all three units.
Class 1 railroad warns of slowdown in shipments through major intermodal hubs as tracks crack under severe cold.
Debt levels are down and EBITDA coverage for that debt is up as the LTL carrier has a strong year and quarter.
Schneider National (NYSE: SNDR) reported strong earnings again in the fourth quarter, beating analysts’ earnings per share (EPS) estimates of $0.46. The transportation giant posted adjusted diluted EPS of $0.49, up from 2017’s fourth quarter result of $0.33.
In partnership with Reliance Partners …When incurring demurrage and detention charges, shippers and carriers lose out on hundreds of dollars per diem. Optimizing drayage operations and dispatching cargo as quickly as possible could help in reducing the burden, especially during unanticipated port delays.
Americans have become used to buying fruit and vegetables year-round. But it wasn’t always that way, and improved transportation is the key to year-round produce.
Uber Freight is giving drivers the opportunity to rate shipper facilities. The information can be used by both shippers to improve conditions and drivers, who will see the details of a facility before accepting a load.
The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 removed hemp from the Controlled Substances Act and opened the door for interstate hemp transportation. Now hemp manufacturers are mobilizing to establish supply chains to move their crops.
Ashley Coker (PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK) After a record-breaking year of nominations , the Truckload Carriers Association announced the 2019 Best Fleets to Drive For. The competition, hosted in conjunction with CarriersEdge, employs a four-pronged approach to identifying the best of the best. The competition is open to all for-hire trucking companies operating 10 trucks or more […]
Asset-light transportation manager sees results in-line with expectations, but softer rates coming up ahead.
Speed limiter regulations sat idling under Bush and Obama, so truck safety groups now look to Congress – and Trump – to put it in gear.
Carriers are asking about the risks of delivering so called “ancillary” shipments that facilitate weed businesses.
The company laid out its strategy in an SEC filing in the third quarter, and the fact that it is succeeding was evident in the numbers.
New Zealand’s Ports of Auckland has been conditionally granted funds to buy hydrogen fuel cell vehicles as part of a wider project to build a hydrogen fuel production plant. That second project, in turn, is part of a bigger project to transform New Zealand into an electricity-powered economy.
There aren’t too many signs of a slowdown in the class 8 order book, company officials said.
(PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK) By TCA Vice President of Government Affairs Dave Heller & TCA Manager of Government Affairs Kathryn Sanner The more we hear about the detrimental effects of detention time on our industry, the more truckload carrier leaders should be scratching their heads. Even in one of the most lucrative years on record, it is […]
The Congressional Budget Office revealed the latest deficits it tracks for the Highway Trust Fund as Congress plans to debate new ways to pay for infrastructure.
Move prompted by customer ending Aberdeen business.
The operating ratio in every trucking segment of the company was improved and its outlook for 2019 is solid also.
Trucking law specialists Scopelitis says that state arbitration laws—and not just the courts—can still be used to settle disputes between trucking companies and employees.
Chris Henry, Program Manager, TCA Profitability Program (PHOTO: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE) Five years ago, I first read a book called The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg. I have since re-read this powerful book three times. The Power of Habit introduces the reader […]
Sharon Middleton of Whiteline Australia Transport in Adelaide, and Phyllis Jones of road transport company NJ & NP Jones, based near the town of Hay in Outback New South Wales, have been honoured for their services to the road transport industry in Australia’s annual national awards
A high-level review of road safety governance has begun in Australia.A lack of road safety carries a terrible toll in lives and injuries in Australia
Australia’s National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has warned that grot and grime can obscure damage to parts during visual inspections; fatigue fractured leaf springs caused the death of truck driver Stephen Ross Brown.
The NLRB overruled an Obama-era litmus test defining independent contractors, giving trucking companies’ defense against unions a boost along the way.
The Congressional Budget Office reveals latest stats on the diminishing Highway Trust Fund as Congress plans to consider new ways to pay for highway infrastructure.
Driver detention has been causing headaches and lost wages for years, but the ELD mandate has shone a spotlight on the issue like never before. For the first time, carriers have the data to back up what they have always known.
Truckers, not motorists, could be target of VMT, lawmaker says.
New truck and trailer purchases currently include a 12 percent federal excise tax, adding tens of thousands of dollars to the purchase price. A new coalition is looking to lobby for the repeal of the tax.
Used truck pricing and volumes posted big gains in 2018 as a combination of factors, including a booming economy and limited availability of new trucks played a role.
Though semi autonomous trucks would be a reality in a decade, IRU believes that it would not displace drivers from the trucking ecosystem but would only make their jobs more sophisticated.
KeepTruckin recently nabbed the talents of Jairam Ranganathan, formerly Uber’s senior director of product.
Profitability will lag in high growth markets like Brazil and India, but aftersales services in NAFTA and the EU will drive profitability growth.
Driver detention has been causing headaches and lost wages for years, but the ELD mandate has shone a spotlight on the issue like never before. For the first time, carriers have the data to back up what they have always known. Spireon hosted a webinar in collaboration with FreightWaves to delve into the issue further […]
Global trade body recognizes that old rules don’t apply.
A former NTSB executive tells FreightWaves that “perishable information” critical to freight accident investigations is at risk of disappearing.
As a slew of regulatory and tech changes hit the trucking and freight industries, the businesses that succeed will be the ones that are open to innovation — and surveillance.
As of December 16, 2019, anyone running an AOBRD must switch to an ELD. There are steps that can be taken now to ensure the changeover will be painless.
Ashley Coker (PHOTO: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE) While most fleets along the East Coast are focused on keeping equipment and drivers well-equipped to handle winter weather, there’s another threat looming in the area: spotted lanternflies. The spotted lanternfly is an invasive species from Asia that first appeared in Pennsylvania in 2014, according to The […]
Trucks and truckers are baking in the extreme Australian summer heat, which is nudging the 122 F (50 C) in certain parts of the country for days at a time. (Photo: Shutterstock).
The numbers that have come out so far are showing few signs that there had been a significant fourth quarter slowdown.
Port’s growing base of automotive and other shippers needs better way to move freight as traffic woes mean Charleston is ‘not as quaint.‘
Hard commodity volumes were mixed, but intermodal and coal are better; pricing is the best in seven years.
The biggest hurdle to making an infrastructure plan work is figuring out how to pay for it. A Washington D.C. think tank says Congress is ready to consider mileage-based user fees.
One-quarter of carrier respondents to a new survey believe that driver pay will need to approach $100,000 a year before it makes a dent in driver turnover.
In partnership with Reliance Partners …Winter has set in, making it hard for truckers to navigate the snowed-in and slippery roads. Marilena Acevedo from PetroChoice outlines measures that could be taken by the fleet leadership and drivers to stay safe during these times.
Financial transactions within the U.S. maritime sector – including vessel loans and project eligibility – are on hold waiting for an end to the government shutdown.
Chinese ecommerce behemoth JD.com is turning delivery schedules up a notch by introducing delivery drones in Indonesia and completing its first “government approved” drone delivery earlier this month.
Chris Henry, Program Manager, TCA Profitability Program Recently, Knight-Swift announced a 28% positive revision on their earnings guidance for Q4 2018. Details will be confirmed on January 29th when they release officially. However, this industry leader appears to have been one of many to report better than expected earnings to the street. With a current […]
Another competitive threat to the incumbents?
Covenant Transport (NASDAQ: CVTI) reported record revenue in the fourth quarter, beating analyst projections by $10.72 million. The company announced $272.3 million in total revenue, a 33.9% increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2017.
Port truck operators could potentially increase their wages by using a new service from NEXT that helps them run shorter runs and return to ports with empty containers. The company just secured $97 million in funding to help it expand.
Freight volumes coming into U.S. remain high in January, but delays and congestions turn trips to major marine terminals into ‘madhouse.’
Ashley Coker (PHOTO: JIM ALLEN/FREIGHTWAVES) In New Prime v. Oliveira, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling that changes the way arbitration agreements will be handled in the trucking industry, especially when leased owner operators are involved. A driver operating as an independent contractor filed a class action lawsuit against New Prime, claiming that the […]
Heartland continues its strategy of being willing to walk away from revenue if it isn’t profitable and it is showing in the company’s operating ratio.
FMCSA Administrator Raymond Martinez wanted to “fast track” the HOS rules changes – but the government shutdown is in the way.
Top supply chain trends and Rhode Island collects more in toll revenue than it expected, plus the growing scooter logistics sector and more container checks.
There are numerous reasons why electric trucks may continue to take a backseat when private transportation fleets and for-hire carriers are developing their truck procurement strategies.
Bridgestone Europe is acquiring TomTom Telematics for €910 million, a definitive step towards bolstering its presence in the “mobility solutions” segment. This acquisition would provide Bridgestone the leverage to up-sell and cross-sell solutions to a broader customer base.
A company that’s been doing it, a company that says it’s going to be doing it and a company that is being affected by others doing it: that was the theme on three calls about precision railroading.
Ashley Coker 2017 DRIVER OF THE YEAR CONTESTS – AWARDS PRESENTATION. PROFESSIONAL TRUCK DRIVER AND BIG G EXPRESS, INC.’S STEPHEN RICHARDSON WAS DEEMED THE 2017 COMPANY DRIVER OF THE YEAR. (PHOTO: TCA) The Truckload Carriers Association announced the finalists for the 2018 Driver of the Year contests last week, recognizing both company drivers and owner […]
Regulators say a database designed to standardize and simplify training certification for new drivers will be ready on time next year.
The plan has reignited a debate about highway versus transit investment in Portland, a city that 45 years ago famously redirected money intended for a new freeway into the nation’s first light rail project.
