U.S. transportation and logistics firms said last week they are donating expertise, manpower, equipment and money to help South Asian communities devastated by the earthquake-induced tsunami of Dec. 26, joining a worldwide effort by government agencies and humanitarian relief organizations.

Led by a surge in new truck registrations by general freight carriers, the number of heavy-duty vehicles in use for all types of operations expanded by more than 80,000 in the third quarter from the same period in 2003, according to research firm R.L. Polk & Co.

Investors with capital to put to work are much more receptive to entreaties from trucking executives seeking debt relief and equity financing than they have been in recent years, according to bankers, investment analysts and fleet executives.

Freight capacity, highway funding and a historic revision of the driver hours-of-service rules were the big stories for trucking in 2004.

Global-positioning systems (GPS), wireless communication and computers are ingrained in trucking, the software is in place and automated logging applications are already used by a sizeable number of private fleets and specialized carriers. Clearly, the parts for e-logs are readily available.

The board of directors of UTi Worldwide approved a stock deal that would increase the number of publicly traded shares by 44% and potentially facilitate future acquisitions, a company spokeswoman said.

American Trucking Associations has named Curtis Whalen, a former transportation and energy lobbyist and Capitol Hill staff member, to serve as executive director of a newly reconstituted Intermodal Motor Carriers Conference.

Truckload carriers, facing rapidly rising costs for equipment, fuel and drivers, are taking more trailers and cargo containers off the highway and putting them onto railroads in response to moves by rail carriers to expand capacity and provide faster, more reliable service.

Truck stops are no longer just pit stops where drivers can take on diesel fuel for their rigs and chicken fried steak for themselves. They have become full-service travel centers that cater to fleet operators and drivers, offering high-tech communications, 24-hour maintenance and repair, and on-site shopping and entertainment.

Tight capacity and rising freight rates are forcing shippers to reconsider the value of online freight auctions in cutting their transportation costs.