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.
Regulators Provide Little Oversight of Truck Driving Skill Testers, Report Says
Federal regulators provide weak oversight of third-party contractors that most states use to administer driving skills tests to truck drivers applying for commercial driver licenses, according to a new government report.
Global Airfreight Slows in First Half of Year
Global air cargo demand slowed in the first half of the year as trade activity fell, according to the International Air Transport Association.
August 6, 2015Weekly Intermodal Rail Traffic Declines for First Time in Five Months
Weekly U.S. intermodal rail traffic declined from the same period last year for the first time in five months, but increased in July, the Association of American Railroads reported.
August 6, 2015Jobless Claims Hover Near Lowest Level in Four Decades
Filings for U.S. unemployment benefits are hovering near the lowest levels in four decades, a sign the strong labor market will bolster U.S. growth.
XPO Sets $23 Billion Revenue Target, Reports 2Q Loss
Fast-growing XPO Logistics Inc., which grew to a $9 billion annual revenue business from $175 million less than four years ago, has set a $23 billion annual revenue target by the end of 2019, CEO Bradley Jacobs told Transport Topics on Aug. 5.
Shale Boom Nudges Propane-Powered Trucks From Dream to Reality
For almost 80 years, Blue Star Gas distributed propane throughout the U.S. West Coast on trucks mostly powered by gasoline. Now the company is working to convert its 55 vehicles to run on the same stuff it delivers.
Ports of Seattle, Tacoma Vote to Launch Alliance
The ports of Seattle and Tacoma voted Aug. 4 to launch a partnership known as the Northwest Seaport Alliance to unify cargo terminal investment and operation.
August 5, 2015Class 8 Truck Orders Hit 24,100 in July
New Class 8 truck orders were “stronger than expected” in July at 24,100 units but still declined 20% from a year earlier, ACT Research reported.
International Cargo Drives Intermodal Freight Up 4.5% in 2Q
Increased international cargo propelled intermodal freight 4.5% higher in the second quarter, driven by a combination of stronger imports and recovery from early 2015 port disruptions, the Intermodal Association of North America reported.
East Coast Port Cargo Traffic Surges as West Coast Falters
Growing international trade and continued diversion after West Coast dock disruptions have enabled the three largest East Coast ports to record double-digit cargo gains, based on the latest reports from New York-New Jersey, Savannah, Georgia, and the Norfolk, Virginia, area.