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.
DOT to Add Four Opioids for Transportation Worker Drug Testing
The U.S. Department of Transportation plans on Jan. 1 to begin testing truck drivers and other “safety-sensitive” transportation employees for the semi-synthetic opioids hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxymorphone and oxycodone, the agency announced Nov. 9.
Flatbed Carrier Daseke Generates Small Profit in 3Q
Daseke Inc. reported a profit for the first time since it became a publicly traded company last winter, reversing losses as a private entity one year ago and two quarters in the red in 2017.
Canadian Lumber Tariff Raises Questions About Ramifications on Trucks, Railroads
The Commerce Department slapped a 20.83% tariff on Canadian softwood lumber Nov. 2, a decision that may boost the U.S. flatbed market but suppress demand for trucking and railroad companies that operate across the nation’s northern border.
Longhaul Driver Pay Jumps 1.6% in Third Quarter
Longhaul truck driver pay rose in the third quarter as the truckload market tightened over the summer, setting the stage for a lift in salaries in 2018, according to the National Transportation Institute.
US Proposes Freezing Mexican Trucks Out of New NAFTA
The U.S. has proposed another difficult change to the North American Free Trade Agreement that could eventually prevent long-haul Mexican truckers from operating in the country, according to people familiar with the discussions.
Testimony: Pilot Flying J Execs Tell Sales Staff Their Customers Are Ignorant, Deserve Rip-Off
Don’t feel guilty about shorting customers on rebates, Pilot Flying J executives preached to sales staffers: They deserve it.
FedEx to Buy Up to 50 Planes to Upgrade Feeder Fleet
FedEx will buy up to 50 new turboprop aircraft to launch a modernization of its global feeder fleet.
AP Moller-Maersk Reports $1.5 Billion Loss in Third Quarter
Danish shipping and oil group AP Moller-Maersk reported a third-quarter net loss of $1.5 billion, the firm said Nov. 7, citing write-downs in its drilling division and costs from a cyberattack.
FedEx, Walgreens Say Pickup/Drop Off Service Expanded to More Than 7,500 Walgreens
FedEx is in more than 92% of U.S. Walgreens stores, 10 months after the companies announced a push to expand consumer access to package pickup and drop off services.
Uber Says It Will Bring Its Flying Taxis to Los Angeles in 2020
In just over two years, Uber says it will let commuters soar over Los Angeles’ snarled traffic in flying taxis.