Business

About Business News...

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.

Business, Logistics

Lower Profits Expected at Hapag-Lloyd Despite Merger Plans

Hapag-Lloyd AG's share price fell the most since its initial public offering in November as a forecast of lower profit and a share-sale plan overshadowed a final deal to join forces with United Arab Shipping Co. to become the world’s fifth-largest container carrier.

Nicholas Brautlecht | Bloomberg News
July 18, 2016
Perspective, Business, Government, Safety

Opinion: Hiring Right People Can Cut Driver Turnover

Intermodal drivers are the essential link in the global and domestic supply chains, providing the first- and last-mile service for every load. A healthy intermodal network depends upon an adequate and ready supply of drayage drivers. This, in turn, is dependent on the ability of these drivers to operate in the most productive environment, be treated as professionals and with respect and earn a reasonable living for their efforts.

July 18, 2016
Editorial, Business, Government, Safety, Autonomous

Editorial: Churn and Change for the TT100

We bring you in this issue, our annual report on the size, shape and nature of trucking: the Transport Topics Top 100 list of for-hire carriers, our habit since 1989.

July 18, 2016
Business, Government, Safety, Autonomous

New Regulations, Technology to Disrupt Industry, TT100 Execs Say

Trucking companies continue to deal with an avalanche of safety and environmental regulations while bracing for potential disruption from new technology and changes in shipping patterns, said executives interviewed for Transport Topics' 2016 Top 100 For-Hire Carriers list, released July 18.

Daniel P. Bearth | Staff Writer
July 18, 2016
Business

Refrigerated Trailers Still a Bright Spot, Aided by New Rules, Customer Demand

Tougher regulations, more carriers carrying more products and new consumer preferences drove the order boom for refrigerated trailers the past two years. They remain catalysts as the up cycle for these trailers continues, experts said.

Roger Gilroy | Senior Reporter
July 18, 2016
Business

Fleet Failures Accelerate in 2Q

Fleet failures, measured in the number of trucks pulled off the road, more than doubled in the second quarter on a year-over-year basis, but the resulting reduction in capacity isn’t enough to change the sluggish freight market truckers face, a new report said.

Rip Watson | Special to Transport Topics
July 18, 2016
Government, Business, Safety, Autonomous

Takeaway: The Road Ahead

Trucking companies continue to deal with an avalanche of safety and environmental regulations while bracing for potential disruption from new technology and changes in shipping patterns.

Daniel P. Bearth | Staff Writer
July 18, 2016
Business

FedEx Freight Adds Pricing Option Based on Distance, Dimensions

FedEx Freight has launched a freight box service that could have a big effect on the way less-than-truckload carriers charge customers, moving toward dimension- and distance-based pricing rather than the National Motor Freight Classification system, analysts said.

Ari Ashe | Staff Reporter
July 18, 2016
Business, Technology

Facebook Group Established to Fight Drivers’ Depression

An Oklahoma man launched a Facebook group last month after two truck drivers that he knew committed suicide within two weeks of each other.

Ari Ashe | Staff Reporter
July 18, 2016
Business, Safety, Government, Autonomous

Commenters Question Sleep Apnea Plan

Although welcomed by medical professionals and nonprofit safety groups, the prospects of regulatory guidance for truck driver diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea continues to raise concerns in the trucking industry.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
July 18, 2016