News

Among today’s highlights: a drop in spot rates, Werner comments on driver availability, Rhode Island collects more than expected

Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT) has inked a deal with the province of Guizhou for creating China’s first commercial hyperloop track.

Cashflow Corner presented by TriumphPay …During a period of crisis in their lives, truck drivers often have nowhere to turn. But, there are several charities available to assist during these emotional times.

Leaders from several different safety advocacy groups came together to ask the U.S. Senate to add safeguards to the AV START Act (S. 1885), a bill that addresses autonomous vehicles.

Werner Enterprises had a strong second quarter, trouncing analyst consensus on its expected performance. Here are some of the highlights from its earnings release.

LxRoadFreight is the first customer relationship management solution designed specifically for U.S. trucking carriers and brokerage firms.

The Makassar Highway ran aground Tuesday while en route to the Port of Södertälje in Sweden.

Driver turnover percentage the lowest in 20 years.

CEO says company is well positioned despite uncertainties from “geopolitical headwinds and recent changes in trade policies.”

Irish port reports volumes increased by 5.2 percent in the first half of the year.

Aircraft manufacturer said the industry will need to double its current pilot pool between 2018 and 2037 to keep the world’s commercial aircraft fleet flying.

Company wants to add foreign components to gift sets packaged in Florida.

Forwarders will have instant access to contracted rates and capacity availability and will be able to book their cargo on specific flights.

Comments, objections and requests for hearings must be filed by Aug. 22.

The U.S. Council for International Business has formed a special committee within its membership to address the threat that illegal trade poses to global markets and industries.

Foreign components will be used in production of wire harnesses at Hampshire plant

Connecting the dots to bring value — and style — to the masses.

Container line alliances are cutting capacity on their transpacific services in anticipation of a major slowdown in the US-China trade relationship due to tariffs. We see downside risk for Union Pacific and BNSF intermodal volumes, as well as JB Hunt.

Aside from providing track and trace solutions, Loginext uses machine learning to provide organized logistics and field service management solutions in the most cost-optimized way.

Chainyard, North Carolina’s largest blockchain specialist, announces its alliance with Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA).

The driver pulling frac sand had drugs in his system and had numerous moving violations. That ultimately is what appears to have led to such an enormous penalty.

Small carriers enjoy 30% better retention rates than megas; container lines raise rates worldwide; truckload carriers try to capitalize on a historically favorable freight environment; Tesla begs its suppliers for cash back; LNG production is accelerating.

Sponsored by LaunchIt Public Relations…Susan Fall, president of LaunchIt Public Relations, tells us how to restore respect to the industry and make trucking a top choice career for the next generation.

Panelists from Redwood Logistics, Slync, the Trusted IoT Alliance, and Flux Protocol discussed the difficulties of pushing adoption of blockchain-powered IoT devices, despite the technology’s obvious potential.

In December 2017, XPO was considered an acquisition target by Amazon and Home Depot. We argue that there is a much better fit with this massive and storied trucking operation.

Driver iQ’s second quarter recruitment and retention survey found that, on average, carrier’s expect driver turnover to continue to climb alongside driver pay and sign-on bonuses. When results were broken down by carrier size, however, it became clear that there is a difference between how large and small carriers think about turnover.

Decision comes after U.S. District Court grants Federal Trade Commission’s motion for an injunction to block deal.

Although many of the changes were expected, there were a few surprises in the amended freight pricing requirements for NVOCCs, writes international trade attorney Carlos Rodriguez.

Thirty-four Democrats and one Republican opposed the measure, as 133 Democrats voted present at the insistence of House Democrat leadership.

Letter to key members of the Trump administration urges U.S. Customs and Border Protection to immediately issue Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act drawback regulations.

In a speech attacking the very premises of decentralized cryptocurrency exchanges, BitMEX CEO Arthur Hayes laid out what traders really care about, and what makes futures exchanges successful.

Built by VT Halter Marine, El Coquí can carry containers and roll-on, roll-off cargo and is fueled with liquefied natural gas.

The Valencia Containerized Freight Index reflects the evolution of market rates for the export of full containers by sea from Valenciaport.

Appalachian Regional Port inland rail terminal slated to open in August.

Rapid growth in cargo volumes and spending has started to stretch domestic infrastructure to its limits, according to economist Donald Broughton.

The railcar lessor’s net income fell 27.3 percent from last year’s second quarter to $38.8 million.

Local stakeholders tell Senate Finance subcommittee federal programs could benefit from more opportunities for private-sector participation.

The WCI rose 5 percent year-over-year last week, but the SCFI is now down 9.5 percent compared with the same 2017 period.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman has asked the State Department to suspend removal of export controls currently in place for certain software.

Allianz review of shipping safety says “over the past decade, total losses of ships have declined by more than a third.”

Every day during the race, XPO Logistics is in charge of moving the mini-city that makes up the backbone of the Tour de France.

July has started off slower than carriers would like, showing normal freight patterns. Softer demand is also impacting utilization in the market.

Carriers that want to go carbon neutral can do so today. No need to wait for electric trucks.

The summer truck shows reflect a lot that’s good about trucking: fellowship, pride and contributions to the community

A deaf trucker got his CDL, got a pass from FMCSA, had a job, but Werner said the law wouldn’t allow it to hire him. Now the case is in court.

With Chinese tariffs on cherry imports rising to 50%, the Pacific Northwest braces for the impact on the 2018 season.

Family owned TEC Equipment operates 26 Mack and Volvo truck dealerships in five states. In June, the company opened a $30 million location in Fontana, CA. Here is a look at that facility.

Wolf Direct, an emerging U.S. transportation solutions provider has announced their membership in the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA).

Amazon (AMZN: NYSE) is a power player in the online grocery scene, with sales growing at a rate of 40 percent year-over-year.

After setting one record high after another in the early weeks of 2018, the weekly DAT Dry Van and Reefer Barometers have pulled back slightly before stabilizing in a strong growth range.

Tesla stocks fell by about 2.5% today after a Needham analyst raised concerns on the increased cancellations of Model 3 cars over different reasons like long waiting times, unavailability of base model and the expiration of the $7,500 credit.

Daimler Trucks North America is recalling 18,105 2018-2019 Freightliner Cascadia vehicles for a brake caliper mounting bolt issue, the company informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Covering 14 acres, TEC Equipment’s new Mack/Volvo dealership in Fontana, CA, is designed to improve customer service and features many driver amenities.

Heather Mueller from Breakthrough Fuels will look at the best fuel strategies for the trucking industry.

The U.K. has the second largest dairy trade deficit in the world, with 98% of all its dairy products being sourced from the EU. Once Brexit hits, the country might have a problem doing business like before.

Canadian Pacific turned in a relatively good report despite two labor interruptions; truckload carrier Heartland was solid across the board.

The global third-party logistics provider’s earnings grew 9.6 percent year-over-year.

Company had questioned decision to allow APL to put ships into trade.

French carrier acquires a 10 percent interest in terminal in Belgian port from China Shipping Ports.

Throughput at terminals operated by the Northwest Seaport Alliance grew 8.6 percent in June after three straight months of year-over-year declines.

The railway continues to invest in Mexico and remains on track with positive train control implementation.

The amendments are designed to expand choices for shippers, reduce regulatory requirements and increase efficiencies.

Deal brings Southern Air pilots’ wages in line with those of Atlas Air.

The temperature-sensitive truckload carrier’s operating revenues climbed almost 15 percent.

The trucking and logistics provider posted year-over-year increases of more than 20 percent in net income and revenues.

Woodioso Technology Ltd. may have to pay $160,500 for improperly documenting, packaging and shipping lithium ion batteries.

Each year, Fleet Advantage—a provider of fleet management analytics and solutions—publishes their Truck Lifecycle Data Index (TLDI). Its 2018 TLDI was released at the start of the month, and FreightWaves spoke to John Sternal, Director of PR and social media for Merit Mile for Fleet Advantage to contextualize their findings.

Volvo’s Q2 had the company’s sales earnings climb past hundred billion Swedish kronor, buoyed by double digit growth figures around the world except Europe, where its market has stabilized and is at the point of saturation.

Analysts have issues with the operating rate, and price increases that seem small compared to the transport sector as a whole.

Flatbed demand, railroads’ chemical carload volumes, and the price of WTI crude are all bullish signals for an historically hot freight environment to continue through the rest of the year.

FreightWaves Company Profile Pages are an innovative way for companies within the freight industry to showcase their company news, articles, videos, infographics, white papers, and other newsworthy content to the FreightWaves audience.

A new request for an HOS exemption, a stark quote from the Federal Reserve, and some news from the trade war front.

In partnership with Reliance Partners …With autonomous vehicles virtually at our doorstep, it is becoming mission critical for carriers and drivers to protect themselves. Points of vulnerability will be exploited by those who seek to cause harm, economically or otherwise.

Techpertise together with TMW Systems …We’ve known for years that public blockchains needed a second layer for throughput and privacy, but only now are solutions for the largest networks being built out and tested.

Mack will now offer the Lytx DriveCam safety program as a pre-wire option on Granite models, joining the TerraPro and LR cabover models offering the option.

Waste Management Holdings has applied for an hours of service exemption, asking the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to consider allowing its drivers to work extra hours without losing short-haul status.

Three separate services each will withdraw a sailing in the coming weeks.

The Oslo-based feeder containership owner has agreed to purchase a 1,740-TEU vessel for $13.86 million.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection currently cannot issue administrative protective orders in duty evasion investigations.

The Class I railway posted a net income of $1.51 billion on revenues of $5.67 billion.

“With truck capacity continuing to tighten,” strong performance expected for remainder of the year.

Roy Schleicher, retired JAXPORT executive vice president and chief commercial officer, will be presented the Lifetime Achievement Award.

The stay only last until next week, when the EPA will need to respond to a lawsuit brought by environmentalists on the agency’s loosening of glider kit rules.

Maersk Line, MSC and ZIM will cooperate on five services.

The statistics on 2018’s spot brake check day on trucks and buses are remarkably similar to what was found in 2017.

Recent increases in oil prices have revived some debate over the effect that oil has on the economy and freight markets. While evidence suggests that the recent increase has helped growth, there are some limits to the benefit that the market can gain from higher oil prices.

Some highlights from this month’s J.D. Power Valuation Services used truck report. Demand is still outpacing supply in the late-model, low-mileage segment.

Tariffs cause an early boost in California ports, auto industry leaders warn Trump of tariff consequences, and more in Today’s Pickup.

The maker of FreightLiner and Western Star trucks wants its parts business to grow and have stronger brand identification.

Sponsored by LaunchIt Public Relations…Sandeep Kar, Chief Strategy Officer of Fleet Complete, tells us how the global commercial vehicle industry is finally changing focus from products to services.

“I am unaware of anyone using ELD to make these smart matches. We are excited about pioneering this approach that benefits drivers, carriers our economy and our ecology,” Russell Jones, Cargo Chief’s CEO, tells FreightWaves.

Beyond the Technology presented by LaunchIt Public Relations …Since the ELD mandate went into effect late last year, most carriers have been required to use technology systems in order to track drivers’ hours of service. In an effort to set themselves apart and make their systems more useful, many ELD vendors offer applications that take care of other business requirements as well.

As parking spaces take up most of the available land in the central districts of cities, it is time to rethink the way people transit in the cities of the future.

The trucking industry is responding to the driver squeeze in a myriad of ways, from increasing pay per mile to offering competitive sign-on bonuses. While carriers continue to try make the job appealing to drivers, community colleges across the nation are also doing their part to fight against the shortage.

Net earnings jump 72 percent year-over-year; plan on track to reduce workforce by 2,000 in 2018.

Low water in St. Lawrence River means ships can carry fewer containers.

The planes will be converted from passenger to all-cargo configurations and leased to the expanding market.

Port asks for comments on draft of strategy to tackle diesel exhaust, greenhouse gases.

Year-over-year domestic rates in June moved up 9.5 percent, a third consecutive record increase.

According to a Global Cold Chain Alliance survey, price and customer service round out the top three factors when choosing a provider.