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.
Trucking Loses 800 Jobs in August as Unemployment Rate Declines
Trucking lost 800 jobs in August as the economy added 142,000 jobs and the unemployment rate declined to 6.1%, the Labor Department reported.
September 5, 2014FMCSA’s Deborah Freund Dies at Age 57
Deborah Freund, who for nearly two decades helped lead trucking safety initiatives at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, died of breast cancer on Aug. 28. She was 57.
Oberon’s DME Fuel Gets ‘Renewable’ Designation
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has designated biogas-based dimethyl ether from Oberon Fuels as a renewable fuel eligible for renewable identification numbers, or RINs.
September 5, 2014Intermodal Rail Volume Rises 4.3% in August
Intermodal rail volume for August rose 4.3% compared with the same time last year, the Association of American Railroads reported.
September 5, 2014DEF Holds at $2.79 for Fifth Month
The U.S. national average diesel exhaust fluid pump price remained stable for a fifth consecutive month at $2.79 per gallon in August, Integer Research reported.
September 5, 2014Germany Exploring Use of E-Bikes for Local Freight
Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government is looking for ways to encourage electric bikes to replace trucks for local freight shipments in Germany.
September 5, 2014Class 8 Orders Post Strong August Growth
Class 8 truck orders in August were unusually strong, rising about 30%, as freight volumes and rates improved and fleets rushed to fill available build slots, research firms and analysts said last week.
September 4, 2014ABF Freight, Saia Report Increase in Tonnage
ABF Freight's tonnage per day increased in the quarter to date, and Saia Inc. reported its less-than-truckload tonnage per day climbed 7.6% in July compared with the same month last year.
September 4, 2014UTi’s Fiscal Second-Quarter Loss Widens
UTi Worldwide Inc. reported its second-quarter fiscal loss increased to $16.9 million, or 19 cents per share, from $4.4 million, or 4 cents per share, the prior year.
September 4, 2014Second Quarter Productivity Rises at Slower Pace Than Estimated
U.S. workers’ productivity rose in the second quarter at a slower rate than previously estimated, the Labor Department reported.
September 4, 2014