News

This Week in Trucking, the EPA has filed a court brief seeking a delay in a challenge to its greenhouse gas regulations, leading to speculation that the agency may review the upcoming Phase 2 rules. Also, the government has acknowledged it is lacking answers for regulating automated vehicles, Amazon jumps into the driverless vehicle arena and the economy is off to a slow start in 2017.

United States gross domestic product increased just 0.7 percent in the first quarter of 2017, down from from a 2.1 percent growth rate the previous quarter and the slowest in […]

The Japanese postal, banking and insurance conglomerate now expects to post a net loss of 40 billion yen (U.S. $362.4 million) for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, after […]

The Phoenix, Ariz.-based truckload carrier and logistics provider, which recently announced a $6 billion merger with competitor Swift Transportation, saw first quarter net income fall 35.4 percent to $14.9 million […]

Jacksonville, Fla.-based Landstar System, Inc. reported record first quarter revenues of $780.9 million for the first quarter of 2017.

Total cross-border trade between the United States, Mexico and Canada grew 2.9 percent in February 2017, the fourth straight month of year-over-year increases, according to the Department of Transportation’s Bureau […]

The Thomasville, N.C.-based less-than-truckload carrier surpassed analyst expectations, posting earnings per share of $0.80 for the quarter.

Freight broker and third-party provider Echo Global Logistics reported a net loss of $2.9 million in first quarter 2017, compared with a $0.3 million gain in the same 2016 period, […]

The Norwegian global maritime industry group inked a deal to acquire the technical business solutions business from Drew Marine for approximately $400 million.

The boards of both Maersk Line and the Oetker Group, which owns Hamburg Süd, approved the sale and purchase agreement today.

Whether you are a large or small trucking company, or even a driver, there is a lot to like about President Donald Trump’s proposed tax plan, even if many of the specifics are lacking at this point.

The Atlanta-based parcel giant reported increased revenues in all of its business segments, and surpassed analyst expectations with an earnings per share of $1.32 for the quarter.

The port terminal operator arm of China COSCO Shipping saw earnings sink 65.6 percent to $37.6 million in first quarter 2017 despite a 7.5 percent increase in container throughput compared […]

The London-based shipping research and consulting firm said that even though freight rates fell seasonally in the first quarter of 2017, they are better than they were in 2016.

The Port of Palm Beach and ocean carrier Tropical Shipping, its largest tenant, have agreed to a new 10-year contract that will provide an additional $10 million in net income […]

The Omaha, Neb.-based Class I railway increased net income, operating revenues and volumes during the first quarter of 2017 from the corresponding 2016 period.

The containership owner and charterer reported net earnings of $40 million in the first quarter of 2017, a massive jump from just $7.1 million the previous year, despite revenues falling […]

The Mondovi, Wis.-based temperature-sensitive truckload carrier recorded earnings per share of $0.25 for the quarter, surpassing the street consensus and Stifel estimate of $0.21.

UPS chief marketing and business services officer retires, while Norfolk Southern executive vice president and chief financial officer retires, and Port of Long Beach names new chief harbor engineer and […]

President Donald Trump’s decision to place softwood lumber tariffs on Canada this week might be an indication that the administration is set for a reset on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). It is a gamble that potentially puts billions of dollars in NAFTA trade shipments at risk – much of it hauled by trucks.

U.S. Sens. Cory Booker and Robert Menendez of New Jersey and Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York wrote a letter urging new Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to visit […]

The Pennsylvania State Transportation Commission has given the green light for nine projects through the state’s Rail Transportation Assistance Program and another 25 through the Rail Freight Assistance Program, according […]

The Class I railway’s net income rose 12 percent year-over-year in the first quarter of 2017 to $433 million, despite inflation and higher fuel costs.

A Baltic Exchange spokesman said the exchange’s plan to expand its involvement in the container industry is “separate from and beyond” the weekly Ningbo Containerized Freight Index it rolled out […]

The Eden Prairie, Minn.-based third-party logistics provider’s total revenues for the quarter surged 11.1 percent year-over-year, fueled by volumes increases across all transportation services and higher fuel prices.

Through the first three months of 2017, however, the largest port on the U.S. East Coast has seen container throughput tick up 2.4 percent, surpassing the previous first-quarter record set […]

However, Ryder’s revenues for the quarter rose 7 percent year-over-year, driven by higher fuel costs passed through to customers.

ITS Technologies & Logistics will assume operation of five Norfolk Southern terminals previously operated by Cleveland, Ohio-based intermodal services provider World Distribution Services, ITSTL said in a statement.

Ward Transport and Logistics hires new chief operating officer, while the Greenbrier Cos. appoints executive vice president and chief financial officer.

Ships carrying up to 9,800 TEUs can now call terminals west of the Bayonne Bridge without worrying about tidal conditions now that U.S. Coast Guard Sector New York and pilot […]

Much has been written about Tesla’s electric truck project and while opinions vary on the viability of a heavy-duty electric semi, some are wondering if the truck is only a vehicle to reach a different end game for Elon Musk.

American Shipper has launched a short survey to collect feedback on how the industry expects to be affected by the new ocean carrier alliances that launched at the beginning of […]

American Shipper has launched a short survey to collect feedback on how the industry expects to be affected by the new ocean carrier alliances that launched at the beginning of […]

MacroPoint announced its partnership with API provider Banyan, while FourKites unveiled its enhanced integration with supply chain software provider JDA.

However, the Baltic and International Maritime Council said the performance of the new ocean carrier alliances that set sail at the beginning of the month will be key in 2017.

Montreal, Canada-based Class I railway Canadian National saw its net income jump 12 percent year-over-year to C$884 million (U.S. $650 million) in first quarter 2017 on revenues that rose 8 […]

The Phoenix, Ariz.-based trucking and intermodal carrier, which recently announced a $6 billion merger with competitor Knight Transportation, saw first quarter net income tumble 83.7 percent year-over-year to $5.2 million.

The Northwest Seaport Alliance handled 334,483 TEUs for the month and 899,295 TEUs so far in 2017, year-over-year increases of 14.2 percent and 10 percent, respectively, according to recent data […]

The four drayage drivers working for XPO Cartage, a unit of XPO Logistics, were issued orders, decisions and awards in their favor amounting to $855,285.62.

CMA Terminals and India’s Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone signed a joint venture agreement to operate a the new CT4 container terminal at the Indian port for the next […]

The U.S. Coast Guard is coordinating with the New York Air National Guard and the Canadian and Portuguese Coast Guards following an explosion and fire on an international bulk carrier […]

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The eastbound lane at Gatun locks will tentatively close for 10 days in May for dry chamber work.

New President and CEO E. Hunter Harrison is wasting no time in getting up to speed at CSX, projecting 25 percent year-over-year EPS growth for 2017, increasing quarterly shareholder dividends […]

Yang Ming’s shares have been suspended on the Taiwan Stock Exchange from last Thursday until May 3 as part of its financial restructuring and reverse stock split.

Aggregate spot container freight pricing on eight major east-west trades between the United States, Europe and Asia are up 102 percent from the same time last year, according to maritime […]

Tom Waldhauser, head of the U.S. military’s Africa Command, attributed the rise in piracy off the coast of Somalia to famine and drought within the country.

Kansas City Southern’s net income jumped 38.9 percent to $149.6 million for the quarter on revenues that grew 8.3 percent to $610 million compared with the same 2016 period, according […]

With a range of 200 miles, the drayage truck will operate from the ports of Los Angeles and Long beach to local warehouses.

The European Investment Bank and Netherlands-based ABN AMRO have agreed to provide 150 million euros (U.S. $162.8 million) to support investments that aim to make the European shipping fleet more […]

The global railcar lessor’s diluted earnings per share stood at $1.44 for Q1 2017, down from Q1 2016, but still surpassing analyst expectations thanks to higher-than-expected gains on railcar sales.

Toyota Motor North America announced its Project Portal hydrogen fuel cell powertrain this week. The engine produces 670 hp. and can pull an 80,000-lb. pound, the company said. Vehicle tests will take place at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, hauling cargo between the two sites.

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.

The approximate $113 million acquisition of Rickmers Maritime Trust’s entire fleet of 14 Panamax-sized containerships will triple Navios Maritime Partners’ containership fleet.

Trading of shares in troubled Taiwanese ocean carrier Yang Ming have been suspended on the Taiwan Stock Exchange until at least May 4 as the firm prepares to reduce its […]

The truckload transportation and logistics provider’s net income for the quarter tumbled 20.3 percent to $16 million compared with the same 2016 period even as revenues grew 3.8 percent to […]

Trac Intermodal sued two trucking companies, claiming they breached a contract by using its chassis to move maritime cargo.

Total deal value in the transportation and logistics industry for the quarter dropped 38 percent despite deal volume growing 26 percent percent compared with the same 2016 period, according to […]

Newbuild orders for shipyards in China fell 25.4 percent year-over-year to 5.54 million deadweight tons in the first quarter of 2017 amid continued weakness in demand, according to a report […]

The construction of a new rail line to serve the Pacific Northwest seaport, scheduled for completion in November, will increase its current on-terminal rail footprint from 9,200 lineal feet to […]

The Swiss-based third-party logistics provider’s net turnover for the quarter rose 7.2 percent from the corresponding 2016 period, while the seafreight and airfreight segments experienced a boost in volumes.

Intermodal pricing increased 4.8 percent for the month compared with the same 2016 period, just the six year-over-year increase since December 2014 and the second largest since January 2012, according […]

The international freight forwarder and third-party logistics provider recorded a boost in volumes for the quarter from a year prior as margins remained under pressure.

Truckload pricing slipped another 0.9 percent in March 2017 compared with the same month a year ago, the 13th consecutive month of year-over-year declines, according to the latest Cass Truckload […]

The logistics provider will expand its presence into Mexico via its subsidiary, BNSF Railway Servicios de Logistica, located in Queretaro, Mexico.

Benoit de la Tour, president of terminal operating systems provider Navis, which is extending its reach beyond the terminal, stressed the need to simplify supply chain complexity, noting how the […]

While life on the road can be difficult for many truck drivers, it’s not made any easier by the demands from carriers looking out for the bottom line. That’s why One20 has been busy building a series of products and services designed with the truck driver in mind.  

The Jacksonville, Fla.-based Class I railway saw net earnings tick up 1.6 percent to $362 million for the quarter even as revenues jumped 9.6 percent to $2.87 billion compared with […]

The Hamburg-based maritime services provider’s owner, Bertram Rickmers, could see his stake reduced to 24.9 percent under the deal.

Shipment volumes for the month grew 0.5 percent from February and 0.9 percent from March 2016, while expenditures were down 1.2 percent sequentially but up 3 percent year-over-year, according to […]

The Canadian Class I railway’s profit for the quarter tumbled 20.2 percent year-over-year, despite modest increases in revenues and volumes.

The invitation-only event will be held May 3 as part of the port authority’s effort to develop a master plan.

The weekly AL1 service, operated by “THE” Alliance, made its first call to the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal Wednesday with the 4,600-TEU YM Essence.

The east-central Canadian province recorded a 262 percent year-over-year increase in reported cargo thefts during the first quarter of 2017, mostly occurring in the Greater Toronto area.

The Port of Virginia names new vice president of ocean carrier sales, while Tiger Cool Express promotes chairman and hires president, and SEKO Logistics appoints president of Aerospace & Aviation […]

Shippers, carriers and terminals swapped accusations in their filings with the Federal Maritime Commission that their positions on detention and demurrage charges are being mischaracterized.

For anyone in the trucking industry, there is one constant: change. Rates change. Customers change. Freight flows change. But why is there so much change? This graphic answers some of those questions.

Is the trucking industry over-regulated? Good luck finding anyone in the industry that would say no. But ask which regulations should be repealed and chances are each one will be mentioned at least once. But will repealing regulations actually make the industry safer?

The International Monetary Fund yesterday released its latest quarterly World Economic Outlook (WEO) Update, in which it projected the global economy will grow 3.5 percent this year, up from its […]

The American Maritime Partnership said it supports CBP’s notice published in January that it is revoking previous “letter rulings” that it said are inconsistent with the proper enforcement of coastwise […]

Federal Maritime Commissioner Mario Cordero, who will leave the agency in May to become Port of Long Beach Executive Director, said in addition to its regulatory role, the FMC has […]

The seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index fell 1 percent compared with the previous month to a reading of 137.5, following a revised 0.1 percent decline in February, according to […]

Proceeds of the offering are expected to be used to fund the acquisition costs of additional dry bulk vessels and general corporate purposes.

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., called on the departments of Transportation and Energy to finish and quickly implement rules mandating that crude oil be made less volatile before […]

Trucking fleets have been hit with a series of equipment price increases in recent years due to new government regulations, including thousands of dollars for tractors due to greenhouse gas regulations. The new electronic stability control regulation, though, may be one where the benefit far outweighs its minimal cost.

Container freight rates in the eastbound transatlantic trade jumped 33 percent from last week, while China-U.S. West Coast prices grew 11 percent, according to the latest data from the Freightos […]

Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering bondholders have approved a debt-for-equity swap as a condition of a 2.9 trillion won funding package from the Korea Development Bank and Export-Import Bank of […]

The Omaha, Neb.-based Class I railroad’s investment plans stemmed from its $3.1 billion capital plan for 2017, which was approved early in February.

Memphis, Tenn.-based integrator FedEx leapfrogged arch-rival UPS to become the largest cargo carrier by freight revenues in 2016, according to the Transport Topics Top 50 Largest Global Freight Carriers list.

Alaska Airlines subsidiary Horizon Air and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters have reached a tentative agreement to amend their existing eight-year contract covering the company’s 620 pilots.

DHL Supply Chain will acquire Polar Transportes, which provides transportation services to the Life Sciences and Healthcare industry in Brazil.

President Donald Trump has announced his intention to nominate former House Rep. Scott Garrett to lead the U.S. Export-Import Bank despite his outspoken opposition to the agency and what he […]

Mountain View, Calif.-based connected and automated vehicle technology provider Peloton Technology recently closed a $60 million Series B funding round led by fleet management solutions provider Omnitracs and existing investors, […]

However, an XPO spokesperson told American Shipper only 178 of the company’s 44,000 North American employees have voted in favor of the Teamsters since 2015, and none of its locations […]

The port said it expects to benefit from the new ocean carrier alliances that launched this month, along with a new non-alliance transpacific service.

The southeast Asian port said the station will facilitate the bunkering of ships as well as shore-based furnaces that use liquefied natural gas as fuel.

The introduction of physical customs checks following the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union would be a “catastrophe” for ports and trade volumes in the UK, according to Guy […]

RoadOne IntermodaLogistics adds two new regional business development directors and a regional vice president of operations in the Midwest, while USA Truck appoints vice president, corporate controller.

The intermodal segment, which brought in the majority of J.B. Hunt’s operating revenues for the quarter, saw revenues rise 5 percent year-over-year, reflecting 2 percent volumes growth and a 3 […]

Freight policy must keep up with the times | Near sourcing isn’t a trend; it’s a strategy