Business
Transport Topics business coverage focuses on the financial, economic, and commercial aspects of the modern freight business. Looking at both the microeconomic and macroeconomic forces shaping bottom lines, the news in this category includes labor news, jobs reports, tonnage and sales indicators, operations analysis, money and banking, mergers, acquisitions, e-commerce, bankruptcy, insurance issues, and more.
Factory Production Shows Broad-Based Gain Outside Autos
U.S. factory production regained its footing in April to push capacity utilization to the highest since 2015, indicating the industry will support economic growth this quarter, Federal Reserve data showed Mahy 16.
Morgan Stanley Says Shipping Revolution Has Oil Headed for $90
Brent crude will reach $90 a barrel by 2020 as new international shipping regulations take effect, overhauling the types of fuels produced by refiners, Morgan Stanley analysts said in a report.
Boeing Jumbo 747s Get Extended Life as Airfreight Haulers
Interest in Boeing’s 747-400 freighter family already was rebounding last year, even as Delta Air Lines Inc. and United Continental Holdings Inc. hosted nostalgic farewell tours to mark the end of U.S. passenger service on the four-engine behemoth nicknamed the “Queen of the Skies.” With Boeing’s factory-fresh models sold out through 2021, cargo carriers are snapping up jumbo freighters that were built from 1993 to 2009 — if they can find them.
Uniform Road Laws, Reduced Congestion Could Ease Interstate Trucking, Experts Say
WASHINGTON — Harmonization among states on road laws relating to capacity would vastly improve interstate trucking, according to industry experts.
Millions Spent to Clean Up California’s Diesel Trucks, but Is It Enough?
This spring, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded nearly $6.4 million to the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District to replace older diesel trucks for those that run nearly 90% cleaner, and older farm tractors for those that meet the latest emissions standards.
Union Dispute Leaves Some Freighters Stuck at Port of Toledo
A long-simmering labor dispute between a local longshoremen’s union and a Port of Toledo stevedore has led to three ocean freighters being waylaid at the Port of Toledo docks and a fourth boat being turned away — potentially costing the terminal tens of thousands of dollars a day in lost work.
Oakland Port Ban on Coal Shipments Blocked by US Judge
A federal judge struck down the city of Oakland, Calif.’s ban prohibiting companies from transporting coal through an export terminal that U.S. miners see as a key link to overseas markets.
Self-Driving Cars Find Clearer Paths to Market Outside US
Cars that drive themselves are finding the clearest paths to showrooms in the United Kingdom, Germany, South Korea and Singapore, where governments have enacted legislation allowing autonomous vehicles to be tested on public roads. And China’s not far behind.
NAFTA Trio Set to Miss Ryan’s May 17 Target Without Deal
NAFTA negotiators from the United States, Canada and Mexico are poised to miss the deadline this week cited by House Speaker Paul Ryan, the latest blown marker for reworking the 24-year-old deal.
Retail Sales Gain Points to Healthier Second Quarter
U.S. retail sales rose in broad fashion last month as bigger after-tax paychecks helped compensate for rising fuel costs, signaling consumer demand was off to a firm start this quarter.