Today’s pickup: Federal trucking regulations suspended in the Carolinas ahead of Hurricane Florence

Good day,

Delaware, Maine, and Minnesota are now among the states affected by Salmonella-contaminated Honey Smacks cereal. Since June, 130 people have reported feeling ill after eating the cereal Kellogg (NYSE: K) officially recalled on June 14, 2018.

FreightWaves reporter Maria Baker noted that the first reports of illness started coming in around March, with over 30 hospitalizations related to the recall reported so far.

A recent update on the outbreak from the CDC remarks that, despite the recall of the cereal earlier this summer, “the FDA has become aware that recalled Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal is still being offered for sale.” The CDC warns consumers not to buy or eat the cereal, while retailers are urged to stop selling it.

Did you know?

Truckers in the United States had the highest frequency of positive tests for alcohol in the entire world, coming in at 12.5 percent. You can see the data in our Infograph.

Quotable:

“We have heard from Illinois’ trucking industry and from farmers who are operating on thin profit margins in today’s agricultural climate. . . the weight-restriction structure in place in Illinois put our farmers and truckers at a disadvantage.”

–Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner, on a harvest emergency declaration that went into effect Monday.  It will allow crop haulers to obtain an exemption from the state’s DOT that permits them to exceed gross vehicle and gross axle weight limits—whichever is less on the truck—by up to 10% on state and federal highways.

In other news:

Indian truckers may go on nationwide strike again

All-India Motor Transport Congress said it will meet Sept. 21 to consider renewing its protest over pending demands, including third-party insurance premiums. (Firstpost)

Great depression era laws impeding 2018 economic growth

Trade group leaders back the move to allow 18-to-20-year-olds to driver interstate. (The Hill)

Asia bunkering industry preparing for IMO 2020 sulfur deadline

With less than 16 months remaining, the global shipping industry is setting aside about $60 billion to obtain the right infrastructure in order to embrace cleaner shipping fuel. (Platts)

The massive plastic-cleaning device invented by a 24-year-old is headed out to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch

A ship called the Maersk Launcher towed the device through the San Francisco Bay out under the Golden Gate Bridge, en route to a final testing site. (Business Insider)

A dangerous time of year for oil prices

Some analysts fear slowdown in demand during the fall months will send prices tumbling. (WSJ)

Final Thoughts

Most federal trucking regulations have been suspended in the Carolinas ahead of Hurricane Florence’s expected arrival later this week. The governors of both North Carolina and South Carolina set the suspensions into motion, and they could remain in effect for up to 30 days.

FreightWaves Executive Editor John Kingston reported that the orders suspend rules regarding everything from registration to length, width, weight, load and HOS. The suspensions apply to the following trucks:
–Those transporting “essential” fuels, food, water, medicine and medical supplies
–Those transporting livestock and crops
–Those transporting equipment needed to restore utility service and clear debris

FreightWaves will be covering the storm as it unfolds. Follow along with us for the most up-to-date information regarding Hurricane Florence. 

Hammer down everyone!