Business

For the uninitiated, systems built on cryptocurrency can be unfathomably complex, with confusion exacerbated by their constantly changing nature. Unfortunately, in the world’s modern business climate, understanding these intricacies is critical to nurturing a thriving business. There may be no aspect of technology that is more greatly tied to this truth than that of smart contracts.

The Northern California port handled 79,135 TEUs of containerized imports during the month, a 12.6 percent jump from September 2016, according to recent data from the Port of Oakland.

Consolidated Chassis Management names new president, and SEKO Logistics hires chief commercial officer.

Regulated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and hired by importers to facilitate the cross-border movement of goods into the United States, U.S. customs brokers play an integral and […]

Daimler has been given permission by the Oregon Department of Transportation to test truck platooning on the roads of Oregon following successful trials in Madras, OR. The company has said it will first test the platooning technology on two connected heavy-duty Cascadias in the first step called “pairing.”

The world is going electric, and according to a McKinsey Energy Insights report, it is leaving the U.S. behind. According to the report authored by Chrsiter Tryggestand, Namit Sharma, Jasper van de Staaij and Arjan Keizer, because of market dynamics, the U.S. and China are lagging in the development and cost parity needed to make electric trucks viable.

The Commerce Department deferred issuing a preliminary determination this week in its antidumping duty investigation of imports of Chinese aluminum foil, citing that more time is needed to analyze China’s […]

Cross-border trade between the United States and its partners in North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) experienced its ninth straight month of year-over-year growth in July 2017, according to data […]

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued three separate training grants totaling $23.8 million to help improve the safety of hazardous materials (hazmat) transportation […]

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (the Update). The Update represents the first comprehensive overhaul in lease accounting in approximately 40 years.

Spot rates continue to climb and capacity continues to shrink, and now experts are predicting a strong holiday retail season. Could the good news for carriers get any better?

Amazon is now testing a delivery service that would make more products available for two-day shipping. Called Seller Flex, the service would apply to items purchased from third parties through Amazon’s e-commerce site. 

William Alsup, a U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of California, pushed back the start of a trial between Google affiliate Waymo and the now ubiquitous ride-sharing app provider […]

The Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act, a program to boost trade from the Caribbean to the United States yielded “small but positive” effects in 2016, according to a recent report […]

The Federal Highway Administration is awarding the mid-Atlantic port with a $1.55 million grant, which the Port of Virginia will use towards the development and phased implementation of a reservation […]

Air cargo volumes during the month increased 12.1 percent from August 2016, but the International Air Transport Association (IATA) projects that that the peak cyclical growth period for airfreight volumes […]

The Senate has confirmed Ted McKinney to serve as the undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs, a newly created post within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Three family members of Miami-based AW-Tronics on Wednesday pleaded guilty to charges that they conspired to defraud the United States and illegally export aviation parts and equipment to Syria.

Walmart is taking its battle for online market share to Amazon with the acquisition of New York-based Parcel, a last-mile, same-day delivery company specializing in perishable and non-perishable delivery in New York City.

Trucker District CEO Marcel Alvarado’s time driving for a carrier provided insight into the difficulties faced by drivers in the industry and potential problems arising due to the deeply fragmented trucking community. His company is trying to bring that community closer together.

An entirely new generation of technological change is now occurring in the transportation industry, and it’s called the autonomous truck, or what design specialists refer to as “intelligent engineering.” But what are some of the benefits, and risks, associated with the technology?

Ford is following that of other automakers and investing in electrification and connectivity. The company also said it would redirect $7 billion from car production to increase SUV and truck production.

American Trucking Associations (ATA) Chief Economist and Senior Vice President Robert Costello says the United States needs to maintain the Mexican cross-border truck program because it generates trucking jobs and […]

The aerospace and maritime engineering company signed a deal Wednesday with Google to further develop its intelligent awareness systems for self-driving ocean vessels.

Norfolk Southern appoints chief information officer; Oakland Mayor Libby Schaff re-nominates two Port of Oakland board of port commissioners; and the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) names new secretary general […]

Do we have a picture of Tesla’s new semi truck? A Reddit user named itookapicofarocket posted a picture of what he said was the Tesla semi before mysteriously removing the picture.

All agricultural carriers must now be in compliance with the Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food rule, commonly called the “Sanitary Transportation Rule.” If you are a smaller carrier, though, complying with that rule comes just before complying with another – the ELD mandate.

Ikea’s acquisition of TaskRabbit is seen as a way to give Ikea customers access to assembly services. But it also may pave the way for local delivery of Ikea products, perhaps producing a new need for delivery drivers.

All agricultural carriers must now be in compliance with the Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food rule, commonly called the “Sanitary Transportation Rule.” If you are a smaller carrier, though, complying with that rule comes just before complying with another – the ELD mandate.

According to David Lancaster, cargo development director at the St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), “the prospects for cargo through STL look better than at any time since the closure […]

United States gross domestic product increased 3.1 percent in the second quarter of 2017, according to the “third” estimate from the Department of Commerce, up from the second estimate of […]

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has amended its regulations to allow fresh persimmon imports from New Zealand into the United States.

The two federal agencies charged with overseeing the nation’s seafood imports must strengthen their testing for unsafe drug residues in these products, according to a recent report from the Government […]

The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has imposed a civil penalty of $230,000 against Northampton, Mass.-based Millitech for 18 violations of the Export Administration Regulations.

AASHTO’s board elects the association’s new president, VP and secretary-treasurer; NYK’s corporate officer resigns to serve as senior managing director at Ocean Network Express Japan Ltd.; and AAPA installs three […]

Leading machine-to-machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IoT) provider Orbcomm has acquired Blue Tree Systems, a provider of compliance solutions in multiple countries, including the U.S.

The U.S. Senate is set to pass a self-driving vehicle bill, and like similar legislation in the U.S. House passed early in September, it excludes commercial vehicles. The Senate bill will not include vehicles larger than 10,000 pounds, Reuters reported.

All week at the North American Commercial Vehicle Show in Atlanta, nearly every presenter has mentioned electric trucks and the growing electrification of the trucking industry. So, it was no surprise when solar company eNow noted how it too could help with these growing electric needs.

Chris Burruss, formerly with the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), is the Blockchain in Trucking Alliance (BiTA)’s first President. The Alliance was launched in September 2017 to develop blockchain standard and certifications for the freight industry, has 160+ applicants, and 85% of the truckload transactions can be represented in the space. 

Some large carriers can easily accumulate over $1 million a month in toll payments, said Drew Anderson, director of carrier relations for HELP, Inc. Because of that, there is a need to help them – and any other fleet large or small that deals with tolls – better manage their tolling data and payments.

Legislation filed in both the U.S. House and Senate on Thursday (S. 1883/H.R. 3882) would require the U.S. Department of Transportation to test train and commercial vehicle operators for sleep […]

U.S. Customs and Border Protection this week has released a bundle of regulatory changes to the nation’s in-bond process for imported goods that will take effect Nov. 27.

New York-based luxury goods retailer Richemont North America has agreed to pay a $334,800 civil penalty to settle four violations of the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Sanctions Regulations, according to the […]

   Two recent AS Daily stories – “House rejects effort to delay ELD mandate” (Sept. 11) and “New OOIDA-led coalition looks to revive ELD mandate delay” (Sept. 28) – both […]

Improved global trade, the e-commerce boom and an accompanying tightening of the industrial real estate market have helped air cargo volumes, which account for just 1 percent of world trade […]

Much has been written about the death of freight brokerages and 3PLs. This is wrong. The 3PL industry is about to change- but it won’t meet its death. It will get bigger and more important as the next generation of digitization takes place. 

With the introduction of smart insurance contracts in transportation applications, companies in the freight business could emulate a similar offering to solve some of the major disruption risks involved in carrier service failures. 

Federal officials iterate their belief that a transparent and efficient government is achievable through blockchain technology 

Globalization and digital transformations go hand in hand. As companies expand their global reach, they must also mature digitally. Making that digital transformation is becoming easier with blockchain.

The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration announced a completion of an environmental impact study that highlights a proposed route for an Atlanta to Chattanooga rail line. 

In this informative and entertaining TED talk, Bettina Warburg takes the viewer through a discussion on why this technology will change the economy and society forever.

It may seem like a small product enhancement, but the “quick-release” option now available on FlowBelow’s Tractor AeroKit system could save fleets thousands of dollars.

Mitchell 1 has been helping technicians speed up both processes since the 1940s, and this week at the North American Commercial Vehicle show in Atlanta the company has added another layer to that help with updates to its RepairConnect diagnostic software.

Spot container rates from Shanghai to the Mediterranean have now declined for nine consecutive weeks, according to data from the Shanghai Shipping Exchange’s Shanghai Containerized Freight Index.

The immediate issuance of penalties beginning Nov. 1 will further “motivate” compliance with regulations surrounding wood packaging materials in international shipments, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said in a […]

Ryder System will install automatic tire inflation systems on its vehicles through an agreement with Aperia Technologies. Aperia’s Halo Tire Inflators will be included as a standard spec on Ryder’s heavy-duty rental fleet.

John Larkin and the team at Stifel go super bullish on the truckload sector after spending weeks on the road gaining market insights to just how hot the market has become. 

Unique Logistics International appoints managing director of Unique Logistics International, Atlanta; and Roanoke Insurance Group Inc. names new president.

The AV START Act (S. 1885) would require manufacturers to submit safety evaluation reports to the Secretary of Transportation with information on safety, crashworthiness, and cybersecurity through documented testing, validation […]

Uber shuts down its car leasing business as it prepares for an IPO next year. Uber Freight, the company’s brokerage business continues to expand and focuses on driver quality of life. 

The potential for the hyperloop technology to take the world by storm is growing. Silicon Valley start-up Hyperloop One has finally chosen what the company views as the best areas to build its first hyperloop tracks.

In what might be one of the biggest victories for BITA to-date, document imaging powerhouse, Pegasus joins the Blockchain in Trucking Alliance (BiTA) 

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a 10-day Jones Act waiver today for Puerto Rico due to Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

The coalition, whose members represent industries that would be impacted by the mandate, says implementation of the FMCSA’s electronic logging device requirements should be delayed until various unresolved issues identified […]

With 34% of all tires still running underinflated in fleets, according to Continental, more solutions are needed. That’s why the tire maker has introduced a new, simple-to-use digital tire monitoring platform this week at the North American Commercial Vehicle show in Atlanta.

Bosch may be well known for its automotive technology, but it is less known for its commercial vehicle technologies here in the United States. That is starting to change as Bosch is investing in technologies that will be part of the electric and autonomous future many are predicting for the industry.

As tax reform hits Washington, truckers weigh in on the importance of tax reform that is simple and rewards domestic investment. 

If appointed, Martinez would succeed Deputy Administrator Daphne Jefferson, who has been filling in as acting administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) following the Jan. 19 departure […]

U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) Vice Chairman Daniel Elliott III on Monday revealed he will be leaving the board, effective this Saturday.

The China-based e-commerce marketplace revealed its intentions to invest 100 billion Chinese Yuan Renminbi (U.S. $15.2 billion) over the next five years to expand its logistics network, and its plans […]

Following a positive determination of harm its section 201 investigation into solar panel imports, the International Trade Commission (ITC) will now move to the “remedy” phase, but trade groups worry […]

The National Defense Transportation Association’s board of directors selects the next vice president and chief executive officer of the association, while Falcon Maritime and Aviation hires director of sales.

Wabco’s acquisition of the remaining 50% ownership stake Meritor held in the Meritor Wabco joint venture, which began 27 years ago, a few weeks ago is one of the steps Wabco is taking to ensure its continued growth and positioning for the future.

Meritor has announced a new electric vehicle platform of axles and suspensions as more truck OEMs and fleets shift resources to developing electric vehicles.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering a request from a group of congressional lawmakers for a waiver to the regulations requiring domestic waterborne cargoes to move on […]

The U.S. House of Representatives on Monday voted 245-171 against passage of the Disaster Tax Relief and Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2017 (H.R. 3823).

In a quest for more business in China’s booming e-commerce markets, parcel companies in that country are waging a pricing war, threatening to eat up profits and pressuring margins for companies already facing razor-thin operating budgets, according to a report in the Nikkei Asian Review.   

project44 makes additions to its sales and engineering teams, and Worldwide Express hires chief technology officer.

Forging an ever-closer alliance between the two companies, Navistar and Volkswagen announced work on several projects including a new integrated next-generation powertrain and an electric truck to launch in late 2019 or early 2020.

A wide-ranging morning-television style event to kick off its participation in the North American Commercial Vehicle Show in Atlanta ended with a bit of an electric vehicle tease from Roger Nielsen, president & CEO, Daimler Trucks North America.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is creating both hope and fear in the transportation industry; hope for the wealth of efficiency, cost savings, and safety improvement that AI promises, and fear that the ever-changing job market that accompanies the AI movement may put the careers of thousands in the transportation industry in jeopardy. 

Class I freight railroads in the United States employed 147,319 workers in August, down 0.15 percent from July and a 3.56 percent drop from August 2016, according to the Surface […]

SAL Heavy Lift, a Hamburg, Germany-based ocean carrier specializing in the transport of project and oversized cargoes, will place its six ships under the German flag, the company said in […]

The momentum in both contract and spot rate increases should feel like a rocket ship. For the first time in years, fleets will enjoy pricing power 

Jacksonville Port Authority selects chief executive officer and Heartland Rail names business development director.

The myth of the 10-mpg truck has been proven wrong thanks to a group of seven drivers with seven differently equipped tractor-trailers driving for seven different companies.

Cummins’ electrified powertrain inside the AEOS Class 7 concept truck is part of the engine maker’s aim to create diverse powertrain options for customers. 

Daimler’s trucking arm has confirmed an investment in Israel-based tech startup StoreDot. The investment will help StoreDot commercialize its quick-charging, CEO Doron Myersdorf told TechCrunch.

Businesses who trade internationally typically rely on freight forwarders to act on their behalf to transport product. The process of locating and arranging a forwarder is no easy task and extremely time-consuming, and over many decades this process has barely changed.

Self-driving technology puts truck driver jobs at risk, however, the potential benefits are rewarding. And that is making it a hot topic in Washington, where legislators are trying to determine how involved the government should be.

Fleet Complete Chief Strategy Officer Sandeep Kar will participate in two panels next week as part of the Connected Fleets USA 2017 Conference.

Electric vehicles have come a long way, yet there is an important question that never seems to get addressed when discussing electric cars and trucks: what happens if the power goes out? Will your trucks still make their deliveries?

Warehouse space is increasingly shrinking, with vacancy rates near all-time lows. As space dwindles, those companies looking to move a single truckload to a warehouse for two weeks are forced to pay high premiums. Warehouse provider Stord is out to change that.

The Shanghai Shipping Exchange’s Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) fell 5 percent since last Friday as spot container rates declined from Shanghai to Europe, the Mediterranean and the United States.

XPO Logistics appoints new member to its board of directors; the GAC Group names group general manager-technology business management, and technology business manager-management solutions; and BDP International hires finance director […]

Acting Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Michael Khouri met with overseas counterparts in London this week to discuss recent changes within the ocean shipping industry and potential impacts they may have […]

President Trump on Sept. 15 announced three more nominations to serve as U.S. Export-Import Bank board members, which along with two previously submitted nominations would bring the bank to a […]

The Japanese government will allow the import of U.S. chipping potatoes from Idaho, marking the end of an 11-year ban on these shipments from the Pacific Northwest state.