While Harvey may no longer be a hurricane, its flooding rains are expected to continue for days, causing major disruptions to travel and shipments in the state.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has suspended certain commercial regulations in Texas and Louisiana, including hours of service, for drivers providing “direct assistance” for hurricane relief under regulation 49 CFR 390.5.
The National Hurricane Center has seen rapid intensification of Hurricane Harvey today and is now expecting the storm to gather strength before it makes landfall in Texas late Friday/early Saturday morning. The trucking interests are watching the storm closely as its final path and impacts will influence area spot rates, capacity, and fuel costs.
In the Gulf of Mexico, storms can happen quickly. That is the case with the remnants of Tropical Storm Harvey, which are moving into the Gulf and could potentially threaten the coast of Texas later this week.
Seven fleets will participate in the North American Council for Freight Efficiency’s Run on Less program to showcase the benefits of fuel-saving technologies.
A petition has been filed asking EPA to reconsider its Phase 2 GHG rules based on a procedural step that may have been missed. Also, spot rates climb and cargo theft remains a top concern.
This Week in Trucking, the CEO of Old Dominion Freight Line suggests boosting federal fuel taxes to pay for infrastructure improvements and Texas is the first state to require ELDs for intrastate commercial drivers. Also, Toyota unveils a hydrogen fuel cell Class 8 tractor.
