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 Trailer Orders Tumbled in June
June’s sharp plunge in U.S. trailer orders reflected increased cancellations, caution on the part of fleets over placing new orders and a very strong comparable month the year before, analysts said.
Trump Promises Improved Infrastructure, Jobs if Elected
The country’s infrastructure would be modernized if he is elected, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump told supporters during his acceptance speech in Cleveland on July 21.
July 22, 2016Matson to Buy Alaska Freight Company
Ocean cargo transportation firm Matson Inc. plans to expand its operations in Alaska with a nearly $200 million purchase of a company that consolidates freight for shipping.
CVSA Deems Roadcheck a Success With 57,404 Trucks Inspected
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance deemed this year’s Roadcheck a success.
Atlanta Freight Traffic Expected to Rise 76% by 2040
As if traffic isn’t bad enough, drivers might see almost twice as many freight-hauling trucks on metro Atlanta roads in 25 years.
Amazon Gets Patent for Pony Express-Like Drone Delivery
SAN FRANCISCO — A newly granted patent gives a peek into Amazon's vision of how drones with its Prime Air service could deliver packages across large areas. Its design sounds a lot like the 19th century Pony Express — except, of course, it's airborne.
Cargo Traffic Declines on St. Lawrence Seaway
Year-to-date ship traffic on the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway system has been slower than expected in 2016, according to the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp.
Three Truckload and LTL Carriers Post Lower 2Q Earnings
Top truckload carriers Swift Transportation and Werner Enterprises reported weaker second-quarter earnings July 21 because of overall weakness in broad freight market rates, while earnings dropped at airfreight and intermodal specialist Forward Air Inc. after a $42.4 million charge based on an acquisition in 2013.
Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor Has Second-Best June Ever
The Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor had its second-best June on record after handling 303,000 tons of freight, including shipments of huge cranes from Europe.
Equipment Leasing Software Firm REZ-1 Acquires International Asset Systems
REZ-1 Inc., the equipment leasing software business owned by chassis lessor Direct ChassisLink Inc., has acquired International Asset Systems, another transportation management provider.
July 22, 2016