Trucking

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.

Chris Henry, Program Manager, TCA Profitability Program (PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK) Recently, during a conversation with a TPP Best Practice Group member, he relayed his initial motivation for applying to the program. After almost a decade of continued growth, and the advantage of a smart operations team, his company’s Operating Ratio hadn’t budged, in fact it was […]

Shipping trends of 2019 are requiring established freight carriers to evolve their operational models. UPS is developing more super-hubs to facilitate growth through handling more high margin shipments.

The EIA becomes one of the first major forecasters to put a price per gallon estimate on what is going to happen to diesel prices when the new rule kicks in.

Class 8 truck orders dropped dramatically in both November and December, with orders dropping below deliveries in December.

Gilbert becomes first president of fast-growing unit.

U.S. Xpress today announced its plan today to exit its U.S.-Mexico cross border investment as part of its ongoing capital allocation and profit improvement initiatives.

New power given to the Federal Maritime Commission to scrutinize the effects of ocean carrier competition has been put on hold by the government shutdown.

Surprise fees for practice that reduces congestion at ports and improves driver turns amounts to ‘dirty pool’ on part of the steamship lines.

It’s a long road from the wellhead down to the fuel going into a truck. Who makes money along the way?

Ashley Coker (PHOTO: JIM ALLEN/FREIGHTWAVES) Some highlights from this month’s J.D. Power Commercial Truck Guidelines industry update: Class 8 auction market showed little change The number of trucks sold at auction decreased mildly in December 2018, and pricing also came in somewhat lower across most models. There appeared to be less tolerance for slightly high […]

The advent of modern communications technology such as, obviously, the mobile phone, has created a new, yet poorly understood and under-researched, form of driver distraction. Australian road authorities are calling for research and are updating their road rules.

Rolling strikes by workers at the Hutchison Ports Australia box terminals in Sydney and Brisbane started at 6:00 a.m. (Australian Eastern Standard Time) yesterday January 17 and are causing logistics chaos.

Intermodal is about half the business. It saw its volumes decline but overall grew its revenue.

The company’s stock took it on the chin for much of 2018 but the company said it had a strong fourth quarter.

In partnership with Reliance Partners …Cargo theft in absolute numbers is minuscule. But that does not negate the havoc it plays on the image of the carrier in question, and the supply chain disruptions it leaves at its wake.

Analyst Bruce Chan at Stifel praises the reorganization at the company that suffered an accounting scandal and sees the base being laid for future growth.

Gig economy companies contend with Supreme Court ruling that mandates full time workers to be considered as employees and not contractors; oil supply reduces after Saudi Arabia’s drastic production cut; government shutdown strains supply chains across the country.

 Container volumes remain strong, but delays mean fewer overall pickups; drivers also not pleased with new fees for flipping containers.

(PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK) By TCA Vice President of Government Affairs Dave Heller & TCA Manager of Government Affairs Kathryn Sanner At this point in time, virtually everyone around the world, even in the most remote places, has undoubtedly heard the news that the United States government is divided and that we are in the midst of […]

Facility has been frequent target of labor action and drew attention of local politicians, who tried to evict third-party logistics firm.

Only about 10% of drivers aren’t belted but as a share of fatalities it’s close to 50%.

Vector is digitizing the trucking sector by extracting information that is offline and moving it online.

Walking the show floor at the Detroit Auto Show is an experience that transforms you from the here and now to visions of the future.

Autobon AI is building an aftermarket autonomous vehicle system that would allow any commercial truck to be turned into an autonomous truck.

The MOBi-ONE is large enough to move washers and dryers, and do so autonomously through the air, perhaps redefining last-mile drone delivery before it even gets started.

Truck drivers hauling in the state of New York will not see ELD enforcement until state regulators finish getting the rule on the books.

Infestations of the brown marmorated stink bug found on ships en-route to Australia are causing havoc with local supply chains. Bugs are breeding, ships are re-routing, trucks are idling and supply chains are collapsing.

Click here to nominate your Shipper of Choice FreightWaves announces the Shipper of Choice Award, which will highlight the top 25 shippers in America as voted on by carrier-members of the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) and the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA). The winner of the award will be unveiled at Transparency19 in Atlanta this […]

Once-manual process now automated, offering some relief to shippers having to fetch empty containers at congestion plagued ports.

Manufacturing supply chains must deal with counterfeit parts. One company is hoping that its blockchain-based tracking solution can help solve that while also providing transparency in the freight supply chain.

FreightWaves will highlight the top 25 shippers in America for its inaugural Shipper of Choice awards. The award will rate qualities such as flexibility and detention on a five-point scale, with the winner announced at Transparency19.

New Prime v. Oliveira tests use of arbitration in disputes in effort to avoid more costly and lengthier court hearings.

The TCA Profitability Program, or TPP, is an exclusive performance benchmarking initiative. The program’s aim is to help member carriers improve performance and profitability.

Toyota’s Concept-i Ride vehicle is designed to help people navigate life, especially those that may have mobility issues.

The SureFly is just one of the products that Workhorse is working on. Additional projects include electric delivery vans and electric pickups.

The Quadrobot is a modular design autonomous delivery vehicle, launching this year in both China and the U.S.

Ford will build vans and midsize pickups under an alliance formed with Volkswagen, while tapping into VW’s autonomous and electric expertise.