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.
NHTSA Announces Rulemaking on Rear Impact Guards
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced that it plans to initiate a rulemaking on standards for rear impact guards on trucks.
Crumbling Roads in Oil Fields Slow US Energy Boom
In southern Texas and North Dakota, where shale drilling has propelled U.S. oil production to the highest level in 28 years, thousands of 18-wheel trucks are rumbling to wells on roads designed decades ago for farmers to bring crops to markets.
July 11, 2014Senate Tax Panel Advances Trust-Fund Bill; Floor Action Likely This Month
The Senate Finance Committee on July 10 easily reported a bill to the floor that would allow the transfer of $10.8 billion for a cash-strapped highway account through next spring.
Clarke Says More Work to Be Done Restructuring Navistar
WASHINGTON — Nearly two years into the rebuilding of Navistar International Corp., CEO Troy Clarke has slashed expenses, reduced employment rolls, closed unnecessary divisions and streamlined purchasing and production in order to return the original equipment manufacturer to profitability, adding that he and his managers still have more ground to cover.
Spot Freight Rates Rise to Record, DAT Reports
Spot market freight activity declined in the holiday week ended July 5, but average dry van rates rose to an all-time high, according to the latest DAT Trendlines report.
July 10, 2014House Tax Panel Advances Trust-Fund Fix; Floor Action Next Week
The House Ways and Means Committee on July 10 gave voice vote approval to legislation that would provide about $10 billion to keep a cash-strapped Highway Trust Fund solvent for nearly a year.
Court: California's Meal and Rest Break Laws Apply to Truck Drivers Too
A federal appeals court ruled on July 9 that federal law does not exempt motor carriers from a California law requiring that they provide truck drivers no less than a 30-minute paid meal break when their work period is more than five hours.
Manitoulin Acquires Jomac Transport
Manitoulin Transport has purchased Jomac Transport of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Terms were not disclosed.
July 10, 2014US Port Import Volume Surges on Union Talks
Imports into U.S. ports may hit a five-year high this month as retailers rush in holiday goods to avoid potential disruptions as West Coast longshore workers negotiate a new labor contract.
July 10, 2014Jobless Claims Decline by Fewest In a Month
Jobless claims declined by 11,000 to 304,000 in the week ended July 5, the fewest in more than a month, a Labor Department reported.
July 10, 2014