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.
US Ocean Imports Set to Grow Amid Glut in Container Capacity
While Asian-U.S. imports and exports are due to rise in 2017, an overcapacity of containerships will continue to create problems for the ocean freight industry this year.
Sales of Used Trucks Rise 11% on Strong Replacement Need
Sales of Class 8 used trucks in February improved 11% year-over-year and prices steadied, but the oversupply of late-model sleepers continues and could grow by the end of the year, experts said.
Tech Startups Beat Uber to Freight Market, Connect Drivers With Loads Via Mobile Apps
Uber entered the freight world last year, launching speculation and arguments on whether the tech company could strike a second time and do to shipping what it did to passenger transportation — and if so, which segment of freight would have to endure the type of disruption experienced by the taxi industry.
Trucking Seeks Meal, Rest Provision in Bill to Keep US Government Funded
Republican leaders in Congress have expressed confidence that legislation to fund the federal government through the end of the fiscal year will advance before an April 28 deadline.
Freight Executives Urge Congress to Boost Funding for Infrastructure
WASHINGTON — Increasing funding for freight corridors would help reduce congestion and improve intermodal connectivity, executives representing trucking, port, and rail sectors told senators April 4.
Car Haulers Finally Ratify Labor Pact; Carriers Switch to Pursuing New Deals
After 19 months in the limbo of working without a contract, Teamsters union members in the car-haul sector ratified a new labor pact with a resounding 86% yes vote, providing labor stability through May 2021 for unionized motor carriers that move cars and trucks.
Opioid Testing for Drivers Garners Broad Support
There has been widespread support of a Department of Transportation proposal, made public earlier this year when the agency decided to amend its drug-testing program regulation, to add four opioids to its routine drug testing of commercial motor vehicle drivers.
House Debates Easing Rules for Road Project Approvals
The rebuilding of the Interstate 85 bridge in Atlanta that collapsed last month may serve as an exemplar for how to expedite federal and state permitting rules, argued House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.).
Uber Tells Court That Otto's Self-Driving Sensors Aren't Stolen From Google
Uber Technologies Inc. has an alibi for Alphabet Inc.’s allegations of trade-secrets theft — the ride-hailing company’s driverless car technology is completely different from its rival’s designs.
Replay: LiveOnWeb on Winning the Logistics Game
If 2016 taught us anything, it's that there's more than one way to win at The Logistics Game. Making smart acquisitions is one way. Carving out niches in e-commerce or the "Uberization" of logistics are two others. The 2017 Top 50 Logistics Companies rankings reflect these changes. Watch the replay of our LiveOnWeb program right now for a discussion of the rankings, and "postgame" analysis.
April 7, 2017