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.
Hong Kong Set to Lose Spot Among Top Five Container Ports in 2018
Hong Kong is poised to lose its ranking as the world’s fifth-busiest container port if cargo-handling trends continue.
Consumer Comfort in US Advanced in 2017 to a 16-Year High
American consumers last year were more upbeat on average than at any time since 2001, reflecting more favorable views of the economy, personal finances and the buying climate, according to the Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index released Jan. 4.
Companies in US Added 250,000 Jobs in December, ADP Says
Payrolls at U.S. companies increased in December by the most in nine months, consistent with further progress in the labor market, according to data released Jan. 4 from the ADP Research Institute in Roseland, N.J.
Here’s How the Winter Deep Freeze Will Affect the US Economy
A winter storm sweeping the U.S. East Coast after a week of very low temperatures is probably boosting demand for boots and mittens — and thanks in part to its timing, it shouldn’t chill economic data more broadly.
FMCSA Reduces Registration Fees for Commercial Vehicles in 2018
FMCSA has finalized plans to reduce commercial vehicle registration fees by 9.10% in 2018, and by 4.55% in 2019.
Comment Period About to Close on Hotly Debated Glider Provision Repeal
WASHINGTON — To the Environmental Protection Agency, the trucking industry and clean air advocates, semi-trucks outfitted with glider kits represent a new front in the debate over government regulation. And this week happens to be a key week for deciding how and whether trucks like these can continue to be made and sold.
TAG Truck Center, Lonestar Truck Group Merge
TAG Truck Center and Lonestar Truck Group, which described themselves as closely aligned dealerships, merged into a new company named TNTX, effective Jan. 1.
January 3, 2018Airfreight Prices From Europe Skyrocket in December
Airfreight rates between Europe and the United States surged in the final two months of 2017, hitting unprecedented levels in advance of the traditional volume spike from Asia that precedes the Chinese New Year in mid-February.
Spot Market on Fire Starting 2018, Data Shows
The spot market begins 2018 red hot with some of the highest linehaul rates on record closing out December while load-to-truck ratios matched levels only seen in 2014.
Bipartisan Human Trafficking Legislation Advances to White House
Bipartisan legislation designed to exclude from the trucking industry those involved in human trafficking was advanced to the White House Dec. 21.