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.
DOT Freight Transportation Index Rises 5.3% in Oct.
The Department of Transportation’s freight transportation services index rose 5.3% in October from the same month last year, DOT said Dec. 11.
December 11, 2013Diesel’s Average to Decline Next Year, DOE Says
Diesel fuel’s average price will drop 15 cents next year to $3.77 a gallon from this year’s projected $3.92 average, the Department of Energy said Dec. 10.
Paccar Declares Extra Dividend
Truck and engine maker Paccar Inc. on Dec. 10 declared an extra cash dividend of 90 cents per share in addition to its regular quarterly dividend of 20 cents a share.
D.C. Bill Would Not Ban Diesel Trucks, City Says
A bill that trucking industry stakeholders have said would ban the registration of new diesel vehicles in the District of Columbia beginning in 2018 was “misinterpreted” by the industry, the city’s environmental legislative director said.
Industry Shipped 11.7 Billion Tons in 2012, Federal Agencies Say
American manufacturers and related industries shipped 11.7 billion tons of freight worth $13.6 trillion in 2012, and that trucks carried 70% of the freight both by weight and value, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics and Census Bureau reported.
December 10, 2013Oregon Timber Haulers Ask for Rest-Break Exemption
The Oregon Trucking Association has filed a petition asking that during the fire season timber haulers in the state be exempted from the hours-of-service rule provision that requires drivers to take 30-minute breaks every eight hours.
Representative Criticizes HOS Rule in His N.Y. District
U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna (R-N.Y) went to Burr Truck & Trailer Sales in Vestal, N.Y., on Dec. 9 to promote his bill to roll back part of the new hours-of-service rule for truck drivers, he said.
Manitoulin Transport to Buy Canadian Assets of Vitran
Ontario-based Manitoulin Transport Inc. has agreed to buy the Canadian assets of Vitran Corp. in a transaction valued at $128 million, the companies announced Dec. 9.
December 10, 2013Volvo Delivers 35 Nat Gas-Powered Trucks to Supervalu
Volvo Trucks North America delivered 35 compressed natural gas-powered tractors to grocery chain Supervalu.
December 10, 2013Wholesale Inventories Rise in October
Wholesale inventories rose 1.4% in October after a rise the prior month, the Commerce Department reported Dec. 10.
December 10, 2013