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.
ULSD Supply Woes Loom
Truckers in the Northeast soon could find ultra-low-sulfur-diesel fuel in short supply and more expensive if Sunoco Inc. proceeds with its plan to close its Philadelphia refinery in July, the U.S. Energy Information Administration warned last month.
March 5, 2012Trucking Fleets Shift Tire-Buying Strategies Over Storage, Theft Concerns and Tight Supply
Because storage limitations, concerns about theft and supply problems have altered the way trucking companies purchase tires, carriers, manufacturers and experts said the tool of choice for economically managing this valuable commodity is a contract that allows fleets to get what they need when they need it — at a preset price.
March 5, 2012Groups File Another Lawsuit Challenging Latest HOS Rule
Three advocacy groups filed a lawsuit last month to challenge the federal hours-of-service rule published in December, seeking to overturn the rule, which they say does not go far enough to prevent fatigue among truck drivers.
March 5, 2012Cummins Engine Market Share Rises in 2011
North American truck makers installed 99,504 Cummins Inc. engines into new 2011 Class 8 trucks, slightly increasing the independent engine maker’s leading market share to 39.1% from 38.5% in 2010, WardsAuto.com reported.
March 5, 2012Bendix Parts Recall Remedied, Navistar Ships Its Backlog
Efforts to overcome the effect of defective brake valves supplied by Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems are progressing, with Navistar Inc. reporting that all its trucks delayed for repairs have now been shipped.
March 5, 2012YRC Posts $86 Million 4Q Loss in as Costs Outpace Higher Rates, Tonnage
YRC Worldwide Inc.’s efforts to reduce ongoing losses stalled in the fourth quarter, despite higher tonnage and higher rates as costs rose more than revenue.
March 5, 2012Transportation Bill Stalls in Congress; Lawmakers Expected to Pass Extension
Transportation advocates last week said Congress probably will have to approve another temporary extension of transportation spending legislation, as a new highway bill appeared unlikely to be passed by the time the current extension runs out March 31.
March 5, 2012ATA Seeks Narrowing of Tank Truck Definition
American Trucking Associations has petitioned the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to narrow its definition of tank trucks to eliminate the need for many truck drivers to receive costly and unnecessary training and tank vehicle endorsements.
March 5, 2012Diesel Average Rises Above $4; Price Is Highest Since Mid-May
U.S. diesel prices surged last week, crossing the important psychological $4-a-gallon threshold and reaching their highest level since May 16, according to the Department of Energy.
March 5, 2012Weekly Intermodal Traffic Slips 2.8%
U.S. intermodal traffic declined 2.8% for the week ended Saturday from a year ago, the Association of American Railroads reported.
March 2, 2012