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.
The coronavirus pandemic didn’t slow grain movement.
“We’ve definitely seen things coming back,” Energy Transportation CEO says as a key measure of truckload volumes in Canada rises 27% over two weeks on FreightWaves’ SONAR platform.
The effect that the coronavirus pandemic is having on rail volumes could get worse in the coming weeks before things get better, according to executives.
As a plunge in freight volumes and rates take a toll, Canada’s trucking industry seeks relief on payroll taxes to hold on to precious cash.
Precision scheduled railroading and its workforce will help CP get through anticipated challenges in the second quarter, company executives said.
Canadian truck driver Nicole Folz learned that she tested positive for COVID-19 two weeks after falling seriously ill during a cross-border run in the US.
The railway’s first-quarter net income slipped on higher income tax expenses. But total revenue rose nearly 16% in the first quarter of 2020 while operating expenses were roughly flat-to-higher.
Investigators with the Transportation Safety Board are urging Transport Canada to consider revising track maintenance regulations since broken rail is appearing as a possible cause for two recent crude train derailments.
On road to recovery, Nicole Folz raises money to get more personal protective equipment in the hands of fellow truck drivers.
The Canadian government has ordered thousands of coffee cup-sized Spartan Cubes, but it remains unclear if it will deploy them at border crossings.
Shelley Uvanile-Hesch hopes people will think twice about leaving home during the COVID-19 pandemic after seeing her trailer as she moves vital goods between Canada and the United States.
Canada’s Aleafia Health aims to minimize risks to its older patients and ensure steady supply by launching final-mile service.
Continued drop in cross-border truck traffic mirrors broad decline in Canadian freight as COVID-19 crushes demand for nonessential goods.
The new orders require “higher-risk key trains” to slow down their speed in the wintertime.
Cross-border trucking and logistics company Titanium Transportation Group explains why it decided to haul a load of N95 masks for free.
Almost 24% fewer truck drivers entered Canada from the U.S. last week than a year earlier, a sign that COVID-19 is hurting cross-border freight.
Canadian prime minister makes clear that trucking companies can qualify for 75% wage subsidy as some carriers struggle far from the robust volumes of essential consumer goods.
The Canadian railways will have the network capacity to accommodate any sudden surges in demand once the coronavirus pandemic subsides, their executives said.
The Trump administration is considering deploying troops near the Canadian border in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Directive from Transport Canada has similarities to the U.S. HOS waiver — but with more rules, including a requirement for carriers to provide notice in advance.
One of Canada’s largest transportation and logistics companies says it will temporarily lay off some employees, suspend dividend and slash executive pay as it braces for economic fallout to hit freight.
Mexico was the U.S.’s largest trading partner in 2019, with more than $614 billion in two-way trade.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reiterates that “extraordinary” restriction does not apply to cross-border trade.
With increased volatility in international airfreight, Cargojet is bringing back planes to focus on the hot domestic market.
Key FreightWaves SONAR index pushes past post-Canadian National strike level as trucks continue to move loads.
Deal would allow goods to continue to flow between the U.S. and Canada to preserve vital cross-border trade relationships.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says supply chain must keep moving as the province bans large public gatherings and closes restaurants – but leaves key openings that should help freight demand amid coronavirus pandemic.
The Canadian government leaves crucial openings for the movement of goods and U.S. citizens as it introduces an extraordinary travel ban because of coronavirus.
North American trade agreement clears last major hurdle, but more immediate questions loom about the free flow of freight between Canada and the U.S. amid talk of tighter border controls.
Cross-border freight executive says “supply chain must remain intact” as Canadian government looks at placing more restrictions at the border with the United States.
The Canadian oil and natural gas producer cited falling crude prices as a reason for temporarily stopping crude shipments via rail.
New report highlights the industry’s efforts to recruit and retain drivers as it warns that vacancies will swell above 25,000 in Canada.
Cross-border trucking and logistics firm isn’t cheering for the pandemic. But for the moment, freight volumes are increasing in Canada and the U.S. even as fears over fallout loom on both sides of the border.
Industry group estimates farmers will face rail blockade-related costs of over C$300 million.
USD Partners and Gibson Energy will begin construction of a unit in April that will produce a nonhazardous heavy crude product.
Steel giant working to restore normal operations “as quickly as possible” as trucking companies report disruptions in freight from Canadian facility.
Trucking company says the shutdown of the Saskatchewan facility from purported ransomware attack will have a “significant impact” on operations.
Canadian National CEO JJ Ruest still expects the company will meet 2020 targets despite a significant hit from rail blockades.
FreightWaves LIVE heads north of the border Sept. 17!
With the possibility of rail blockades fading, the railway is seeking to ramp up its eastern operations again after it had shut them down for roughly two weeks because of protests.
Polaris Transportation Group will get access to more freight for its Canada-to-U.S. less-than-truckload business with the purchase of Toronto-area 3PL brokerage PRI Logistics.
CEO John Babic says Canadian oil and gas services firm was trying to ride out a slowdown in spending in a struggling industry, but his lender ran out of patience.
The tentative agreement could help bring an end to protests on the country’s freight transportation network.
Law enforcement may have broken up protesters’ rail blockade near Belleville, Ontario, but it’s uncertain when freight rail operations will return to normal. Stakeholders along Canada’s supply chain are also still jittery over the potential for additional blockades.
United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement has the support of a majority of Canadian lawmakers even if some seem set on delaying ratification to score political points.
Reported deal to let Canadian National quietly route some freight around protests gets high marks from director of trucking company hit hard by the disruptions.
Authorities have cleared a key route between Toronto and Montreal after protesters blocked the rail route for over two weeks.
Ontario Provincial Police move to end blockades on a key stretch of CN’s rail network linking Toronto and Montreal after more than two weeks of protests that have disrupted Canada’s supply chain.
Canada’s prime minister calls two-week-long disruptions to country’s supply chains in protest of a gas pipeline ‘unacceptable and untenable’ as rail freight continues to shift to trucks.
Higher margins from completed vehicles help offset hit from GM strike as Canadian auto manufacturer warns of potential impact of coronavirus.
Montreal-based Energy Transportation Group moving on loads of bulk commodities as nervous shippers lose patience with two-week disruption of Canada’s rail services from pipeline protests.
Incident captured on video on Manitoba highway underscores high stakes and worsening tensions across the country as anti-pipeline protests severely disrupt Canadian supply chains.
Canadian National lays off employees, industry groups warn of significant supply chain disruptions and government and First Nations leaders continue to discuss the multi-day protests that have blocked portions of Canada’s rail network.
The Canadian Trucking Alliance calls for an end to disruptions to Canadian National’s network as it warns of effect on intermodal carriers and the broader industry.
The Artic Ocean may be the next area that sees the superpower nations “rubbing up” on each other in search of faster ocean passage and a new source of natural resources.
Freight trains carrying dangerous goods in Canada can now travel at faster speeds, according to a revised government order. Transport Canada had restricted how fast those trains could go following a fiery Feb. 6 derailment of a crude train.
Canadian National warns protesters they’re jeopardizing their safety, while passenger rail service on VIA Rail remains cancelled.
Court orders pave the way for bankrupt Celadon to move forward with existing deals to sell two Canadian properties of Hyndman Transport for a combined C$16.25 million — with a portion set aside for former truck drivers and other personnel.
Canadian National begins “disciplined and progressive” shutdown of eastern network and plans to halt all transcontinental service in response to anti-pipeline protests as impact hits intermodal carriers.
Stock in Canadian transportation company trades more than 7% above offering price after CEO Alain Bedard rings opening bell on New York Stock Exchange.
Protestors’ actions to block rail routes are causing major supply chain disruptions, they say.
Acquisitions and strong less-than-truckload performance help bring record revenue to Mullen Group’s trucking and logistics business and offset declines from its struggling oil services.
The C$15 million federal investment aims to reduce bottlenecks and facilitate export capabilities in a region of Alberta known for its chemical, petrochemical, and oil and gas output.
Canada’s largest transportation company looks to raise nearly $200 million as it prepares to offer 6 million shares in the United States.
Canadian transportation company delivers impressive performance in weak freight market as it finishes 2019 with 20% increase in operating income on strength of its truckload and logistics businesses.
A temporary order in Canada restricting the speed of freight trains carrying dangerous goods could potentially affect the broader economy.
The federal agency issues the order following a fiery derailment of a Canadian Pacific crude train.
January was a record month for grain volumes for CP.
Authorities evacuate town of Guernsey, Saskatchewan, and close five-mile stretch of key Western Canada highway after morning accident involving CP train.
Dedicated carriers serving the Co-op Refinery in Saskatchewan stuck in the middle as a labor dispute cuts off their livelihood.
Members overwhelmingly ratified the agreement with Canadian National. The collective agreement will last through July 2022.
OpenText is the latest member of the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA). Learn more about OpenText and BiTA.
A short line acquisition in Atlantic Canada and enhanced crude oil production in western Canada could boost rail volumes in the coming years, executive said.
Recent trade developments should help rail volumes improve, particularly in the second half of 2020, executives said.
Revenue gains for grain, energy, chemicals and plastics provide boost.
The railway cited the labor strike and weak freight demand in lower fourth-quarter profits.
The railway and the rail union respond to a CBC documentary about a fatal February 2019 train accident.
Celadon Group argues payouts will maximize value during the wind-down of its North American trucking businesses, but the proposal faces resistance from a U.S. federal trustee.
Lawyers for Celadon and former Hyndman Transport employees argue over whether the U.S. company behaved badly in Canada.
As record-breaking snowfall put freight movements on ice in Newfoundland, wintry weather turned the Toronto roads into a scary place.
Organizations may lobby Parliament to declare rail service an essential service so that access remains available during events such as labor strikes.
Celadon Group plans to ask Canadian court to recognize its U.S. Chapter 11 case as judge takes further steps to lock down Hyndman Transport assets.
Sale of Winnipeg terminal for C$4.25 million to commercial real estate firm appears set to be tied up in Canadian courts, where U.S. trucking giant’s failure to initiate timely bankruptcy proceedings north of the border may come back to haunt it and its creditors.
Deal to buy Utah-based company will expand Parkland Fuel’s presence in the Western United States with 84 locations and 63 trucks.
Overwhelming approval of U.S.-Canada-Mexico Agreement Implementation Act paves new trade pact’s way to President Trump’s desk for signature.
Celadon Group can’t sell off facilities without Canadian court’s OK, judge says as he prepares to place shuttered trucking company in receivership; ruling a victory for former employees, setback for U.S. creditors.
Lawyer representing 211 ex-Hyndman Transport personnel wants Canadian company placed in receivership to help secure more than C$2 million in unpaid compensation.
U.S. federal judge clears Celadon Group to proceed with sale of Ontario facility to Wyndham Street Investments for C$12 million in a deal that could make it harder for Canadian former employees to secure financial claims.
One of few viable trade lanes between Canada and Iran could become collateral damage after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says surface-to-air missile likely brought down Ukranian airliner with 63 Canadians aboard.
Mexico continues to be the top trading partner for the United States, ranking No. 1 in total trade value through November, at $567.81 billion. It marks the 11th straight month […]
New hopper cars and a high-efficiency train model at some elevators help boost volumes.
The railway announced plans to acquire the Central Maine & Quebec Railway in November.
Prospective buyers can bid on defunct Canadian firm’s trucks, trailers and a contract to haul cement to a diamond mine.
Federal investigation into dismissals at Celadon Canadian subsidiary Hyndman Transport might give Ontario court pause before embracing Chapter 11 proceedings in the United States.
Ministry’s probe into terminations at Hyndman Transport following shutdown could lead to hefty payouts for former drivers and other staff.
New campaign pushes Ottawa to crack down on Canadian carriers engaging in driver misclassification scheme.
Quebec-based Morneau Eskimo nearly doubles fleet with purchase of long-standing Toronto partner Beacon Transit Lines, strengthening coverage of food industry customers.
Food and Drug Administration cites need for lower prices and reduced out-of-pocket costs to U.S. patients.
