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.
FMCSA Says Motor Carrier Insurance Requirements Inadequate for Some Crashes
The current financial responsibility minimum of $750,000 for motor carriers is inadequate to meet the costs of some crashes, according to a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration report released April 18.
Hapag-Lloyd, CSAV Sign Merger Agreement
Germany-based ocean carrier Hapag-Lloyd said it has signed a binding agreement to merge with Chilean counterpart Cia. Sud Americana de Vapores to form the world’s fourth-largest container shipping company.
April 18, 2014Police Arrest Suspect in K.C. Highway Shootings
Kansas City, Mo., police arrested a man suspected in a series of shootings on highways around the city that injured three people and had drivers on edge for the past month, the Kansas City Star reported.
April 18, 2014Intermodal Rail Traffic Rises 9.3% for Week
U.S. rail intermodal traffic increased 9.3% in the week ended April 12 compared with the same week last year, the Association of American Railroads reported.
April 18, 2014PHMSA Seeks Comments on ATA Hazmat Petitions
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is seeking comment on two separate American Trucking Associations’ federal preemption petitions claiming that regulatory requirements for hazardous materials hauling in Pittsburgh and New York City impose unfair burdens on hazmat carriers.
SoCal Ports’ March Container Traffic Rebounds
Container traffic at the Southern California ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach jumped more than 20% in March after a decline in February.
April 17, 2014iTECH: To Share or Not To Share
On the plus side, sharing information about the best ways to use technology helps the trucking industry become more efficient and successful. Some companies also find that technology can be a powerful marketing tool. Shippers often want their carriers, brokers and logistics companies to have sophisticated systems, so there’s an advantage to publicizing the use of various software applications.
April 17, 2014Freight Transportation Seen Lagging in Tech Applications
The freight transportation industry is still catching up with technology,” said Matt Ziegler, president of ZMac Transportation Solutions.
April 17, 2014DOT Sets May 6 Truck Size/Weight Webinar
The Department of Transportation has scheduled a May 6 webinar to update the public on the progress of a study that looks at safety implications related to the size and weight of trucks.
Union Pacific’s 1Q Earnings Jump 14%
Union Pacific Corp.’s first-quarter earnings jumped 14% to $1.1 billion, or $2.38 a share, the company reported April 17. Revenue rose 6.6% to $5.64 billion.
April 17, 2014