Trucking

Rules continue to be waived for freight deemed essential during pandemic.

Titanium Transportation Group depends on no single customer for more than 6% of its business. That diversification is paying off during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Truckload and transportation companies talk freight markets ahead of reopening with some calling a market bottom in April as spot rates remain below breakeven.

If a sector or industry goes down due to COVID-19 and a carrier hasn’t diversified, that carrier might be following it.

A year after studying nuclear verdicts in truck crashes, the American Transportation Research Institute is focusing on smaller verdicts as its top research priority while also looking behind the scenes of rising truck insurance premiums.

The new USMCA Center will facilitate the transition from NAFTA, update U.S. Customs and Border Protection regulations on pending USMCA issues, and provide guidance on new compliance obligations.

Stifel’s David Ross announces that he is suspending his rating and estimates on YRC Worldwide and questions the company’s ability to survive.

Titanium Transportation Group reports 13.6% increase in revenue on the strength of its growing brokerage business in the United States and steady performance from trucking.

Bankruptcy law changes passed just in time; will trucking companies use them?

The coronavirus may be top of mind these days, but there are other viruses businesses need to worry about as well — viruses that infect computer systems through malware. Toll Group is the latest victim.

“I hope like hell we never have to avail ourselves of it,” Challenger CEO says as the Canadian government emerges as a lender of last resort for the country’s largest businesses.

ANPACT reported the total number of heavy-duty trucks, medium-sized trucks and buses sold during the first four months of the year was 6,495, a decrease of 48.1% compared to 12,521 units sold during 2019.

Food shipment volumes across restaurants and hotels are still down, while on-demand food delivery volumes have gone up during this pandemic.

Daseke selects current flatbed head to lead operations amid a multi-year restructuring effort.

An integration with 3PL Systems will make Trucker Tools’ Smarter Capacity platform available to all 3PL customers. Plus, a major airline failure could be on the horizon, online car buying could be here to stay, and more Pennsylvania rest stops open.

The world of transportation has changed due to COVID-19. Read about how shipping professionals are adapting to those changes.

Amazon will occupy a huge air cargo facility being built at San Bernardino Airport as it expands its private airline and air delivery network.

State, Teamsters have appealed to higher court over exempting trucking from independent contractor restrictions

YRC beats expectations with the benefit of outsized gains on sales. Noting volumes were down 24% in April, management says it likely won’t satisfy debt covenants into 2021 and it opts out of questions on its call.

Agent-based 3PL had been looking for “tuck-in” opportunities.

Former trucking company owner slapped with 15-month prison sentence for wire fraud

Recommendations include electronic invoicing, advance appointments, emergency sick leave.

Toyota subsidiary Hino Trucks is recalling 13,700 conventional body trucks because the negative battery cable is too short, preventing one in five trucks from restarting after being turned off.

The current focus on the rate war distracts from the real issue at hand: how to build a profitable trucking business and control your own future.

The biggest loss before that in the past seven years: not even 10,000 jobs.

vHub, which connects owners of underutilized trailers with those looking for short-term trailer usage, has opened its platform to integration with most telematics systems. Also, China trade deal in doubt, retail imports fall and road funding drops.

First female judge advocate general and chief counsel, a returning business development leader and a service center manager are announced.

Union Pacific shutters Cold Connect, citing low freight rates and consumers purchasing shelf-stable items instead of fresh produce amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Borderlands is a weekly rundown of developments in the world of United States-Mexico cross-border trucking and trade. This week: U.S. supply chains’ future could be tied to Mexico and USMCA; Forager celebrates Laredo’s history as an international port; CBP aims to keep Mother’s Day flowers pest-free; Dachser Mexico offers new customs house brokerage services.

Officials with Cardone said the layoffs were part of the “dramatic, sudden and unforeseeable negative business circumstances the company is suffering due to COVID-19 pandemic.”

It got $10 million that Clyburn maintains is for smaller firms

Motel 6 is offering a 12% discount to truck drivers who book a room at one of its 1,400 hotels through the Trucker Path app.

The timing of the law is perfect for an industry that needs help.

Outbound tender volumes inch upward

The Department of Transportation issued a call for industry stakeholders to commit to raising awareness over human trafficking, and the agency received twice as many commitments as it was seeking.

President’s options limited without sufficient evidence, according to former DOJ antitrust chief.

Navistar extended CEO Troy Clarke’s contract until July as a buyout offer by Volkswagen subsidiary TRATON Group is on hold amid the cash-devouring coronavirus pandemic.

Even as volumes slowly begin to return, carriers are still not in an advantageous position when it comes to pricing, although there is some positive momentum developing.

The transportation and warehousing sector sheds 10.4% of employees in April as Canadian Trucking Alliance calls for additional federal aid.

The number of employed is down to 2014 levels.

Plus: California Trucking Association, CERES, release report on path to electrification

“Substantial” federal funding needed to maintain service, board chairman warns.

Trucking industry raises $75,000 to provide hand sanitizer, masks for drivers

USA Truck continues to execute on its internal turnaround initiatives, but they have yet to bleed through and provide positive earnings results for the carrier.

Harbor Trucking Association hosts a wide-ranging conversation with West Virginia senator.

“In North America, our fuel volumes are off 20% to 25%, behind last year in April,” said Ron Clarke, FleetCor’s chairman and chief executive officer.

Management says “tough pricing environment” muted operational efficiency initiatives.

Ransomware attacks are on the rise and transportation companies are a prime target.

Freight haulers across transport modes join effort to raise awareness.

Group wants changes to rarely invoked federal law, making it automatic.

Like most industries, the work environment of brokers and 3PLs has changed dramatically in the last couple of months. Here are some tools that are being used to cope.

Former Arrow Trucking CEO Doug Pielsticker was released three years early because of a COVID-19 outbreak at his Texas prison.

As demand for flatbed capacity sags, Daseke sees strength in some end markets and continues to push forward with a company-wide overhaul.

FMCSA has expanded the types of crashes eligible for review under its Crash Preventability Determination Program, giving fleets and drivers more options to have non-preventable crashes removed from their record. )

Revenue for the quarter came in at $431.68 million, 13% higher than the consensus estimate of $424.31 million.

Canada’s trucks are moving more freight as volumes recover from a pandemic low, but bargain-basement rates and cash flow issues continue to weigh on carriers.

Selection from private sector feeds speculation of potential privatization of federal agency.

Bill Driegert, head of operations and co-founder of Uber Freight, discusses “Responding to the Coronavirus Pandemic With Real-Time Logistics Technology” during FreightWaves LIVE @HOME

Excluding several items, Daseke reported a near break-even first quarter. Demand headwinds in most of the markets it serves have ‘plateaued’ in recent weeks.

The U.S. wind energy sector is “a huge bright spot during these difficult times,” said Gene Lemke, vice president of projects at Anderson Trucking Service.

An app aims to connect hungry drivers on the road to restaurants

In these unprecedented times of COVID-19, new governmental regulations and economic uncertainty, FreightWaves’ Driver Appreciation Award highlights leaders in the supply chain who value and respect drivers.

Driver amenities pay off for Shipper of Choice Facilities winners

Interest is rising in Workhorse’s electric truck-based drone delivery system as the company seeks $40 million credit line to scale production.

The need for social distancing will push companies to look at increased automation of their warehouses.

Amazon has expanded its brokerage service to 48 states, allowing shippers to easily connect with carriers on a digital platform.

One of the attributes necessary to become a Shipper of Choice is providing flexibility through increased hours of operation and constant and consistent communication with drivers. The FreightWaves Shipper of Choice Availability Award winners are among the best in the nation at this.

FreightWaves President George Abernathy interviews President and CEO of Werner Enterprises Derek Leathers to discuss the pandemic, the economy and technology.

A dozen companies met all the criteria for efficiency, availability and facilities to earn an overall 2020 FreightWaves Shipper of Choice Award sponsored by Transflo.

The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of FreightWaves or its affiliates.  A funny paradox says that there is a […]

Driver said pay should include tank wash revenues in the base, but he didn’t say it fast enough

FreightWaves LIVE @HOME kicked off its three-day virtual event with keynote addresses from J.B. Hunt’s Shelley Simpson, Revolution’s Ron Klain, and Echo Global Logistic’s Doug Waggoner among many others.

The same health crisis that made TravelCenters of America an essential business during the coronavirus pandemic burned into non-fuel revenue in late March, leading to a first-quarter loss.

Online load board Truckstop.com laid to rest once again the rumor that it has aspirations to become a brokerage, but it will continue to build out features connected to Book It […]

Nearly 80% of owner-operators and small fleets do not have plan in place, ATRI finds.

At FreightWaves LIVE @ HOME, the CEO indirectly pushes back against criticism of broker margins.

ArcBest managed through the first quarter largely unscathed by the coronavirus outbreak. That has all changed in April as revenue is off 20% year-over-year.

Industry experience, continual innovation drive J.B. Hunt 360 technology platform

The Seattle-based global third-party logistics provider posted revenues of $1.9 billion during the first quarter, a 6% decrease year-over-year.

Continental customers will switch from using the RoadLog ELD to KeepTruckin ELD solutions.

FreightWaves CEO Craig Fuller introduced three new products at FreightWaves LIVE @HOME – Lane Signal, SONAR Signals and Mission Control.

Idelic and Samsara have forged a partnership where Samsara ELD and camera data will be integrated into Idelic’s driver management platform. Plus, GE cutting 25% of aviation workforce, Amazon exec quits over employee firing, and road funding takes a hit.

New program to help qualifying Uber drivers earn money driving trucks

ArcBest sees “one of the best first quarters” in company history, but COVID-19-related demand headwinds took a toll on April’s results.

In a transformational partnership for a growth-stage company, Platform Science will embed connectivity software at the factory in Daimler Trucks beginning in 2021.

The family of a Wyoming man killed in a head-on tractor-trailer crash has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver and trucking company

Trump says meeting with administration officials “will work out well.”

U.S. Federal Maritime Commission asks lawmakers to consider “financial bridge” to help container terminals make their lease payments.

Volkswagen truck holding company Traton Group urges a Euro-style “cash for clunkers” program to boost new truck purchases following lower first-quarter sales, profits and orders.

Continental is shutting down its Roadlog ELD service, as of Aug. 14. Plus, FreightWAVES LIVE@HOME is one day away, Trump pushes severing of supply chain from China, and Walmart launches two-hour delivery.

Chief marketing officer, service center manager and executive vice president are named.

Plummeting prices make ExxonMobil’s fuel system-friendly diesel formulation that eliminates additives and reduces NOx emissions a better deal.

Celadon Group says White Willow Holdings made the most viable offer for its Mexico trucking and logistics subsidiaries after a proposed sale to P.A.M. for $7 million fell apart, according to court filing.

Borderlands is a weekly rundown of developments in the world of United States-Mexico cross-border trucking and trade. This week: Trucking schools see demand surge during coronavirus; $11.5 million drug bust at Laredo’s World Trade Bridge; cargo theft of trucks in Mexico up 25% during pandemic; Arizona fast-tracks project to expand truck parking on Interstate 40.

Refiners made lots of it and now U.S. inventories are historically high

Cancer advocate reminds truckers that May is Melanoma Awareness Month

Green shoots for volumes but not tender rejections

Company reports 30% plunge in revenue during month, but CEO Tim Phillips hopes the resumption of auto and heavy truck plants will bring some relief this month.

Trump appointee reaches out to ‘Mayday’ trucker to set up possible meeting

Online shopping surge, coronavirus breed new e-commerce alliances