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.
Port of Virginia Breaks Another Yearly Record for Container Volume
The Port of Virginia just finished its best year ever for container volume, having moved 2.84 million TEUs, or boxes as measured in standard 20-foot units.
Consumer Comfort Rises to Highest Level in Almost 17 Years
Americans’ confidence began 2018 by rising to an almost 17-year high on greater optimism about the U.S. economy and buying climate, according to the Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index released Jan. 11.
TRB Picks New Leaders, Honors Others for Service, Achievements
WASHINGTON — Each year, the annual meeting of Transportation Research Board brings together industry stakeholders from around the world to feast on a smörgåsbord of facts and figures, ideas, analysis and exhibits that push the frontier of geekiness.
Wholesale Prices Unexpectedly Show First Drop Since 2016
U.S. wholesale prices fell in December for the first time in more than a year on declining costs for services, a potential sign that inflation pressures are easing in the economy, a Labor Department report showed Jan. 11.
Jobless Claims Rise to Three-Month High After Holidays
U.S. filings for unemployment benefits unexpectedly rose to a three-month high last week during a holiday period when claims tend to be volatile, Labor Department figures showed Jan. 11.
TRB Researchers Look at Safety, Relationship Between Pay and Driver Fatigue
WASHINGTON — The wages earned by truck drivers are too low, forcing them to work long hours, according to a report presented to trucking industry researchers at the annual meeting of the Transportation Research Board here.
January 11, 2018TRB Panelists Urge Inclusion of Ports, Rails in Infrastructure Bill
WASHINGTON — Port authorities, trucking companies and shippers are hopeful that the infrastructure bill to be debated in Congress will fund solutions to alleviate congestion in the ocean container freight industry, panelists said Jan. 9 at the Transportation Research Board’s annual meeting here.
NAFTA’s Dead. Long Live NAFTA. A Look at Most Likely Outcomes
Markets shuddered on signs the U.S. may be preparing to withdraw from NAFTA. But even if President Donald Trump serves notice of a pullout, the trade deal could survive.
Trump Signs Anti-Human Trafficking Bills Into Law
Commercial drivers found guilty of human trafficking will be disqualified from the industry under legislation President Donald Trump signed into law this month.
Solving the ‘Final 50 Feet’ Delivery Challenge
WASHINGTON — Researchers are joining major retailers, logistics firms, city transportation offices and others in the freight industry to reconsider last-mile delivery systems, even reviewing the way they get packages the “final 50 feet” in congested urban downtowns.