Business

The United Nations agency that oversees aviation is pushing new guidelines for cargo security to counter possible terrorism, but is stopping short of calling for 100% screening of packages, as pilots and some U.S. lawmakers have urged, the Associated Press reported Monday.

Oil rose over $85 a barrel Monday, its highest level in two weeks, Bloomberg reported.

Most credible articles written about a looming driver shortage discuss three major influences for the upcoming labor crisis: aging driver demographics, CSA and an expected U.S. Department of Transportation-mandated reduction in driving hours.

I was reading your Nov. 1 issue and came across the article about the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, electric onboard recorders and hours of service. I read the article and felt I should put in my 2 cents’ worth on this issue.

When the next freight transportation capacity shortage makes itself known, whether it’s in the second half of next year or at the start of 2012, no one should say they weren’t warned well in advance.

Managers of large fleets want to buy improved equipment and advanced technologies despite the recent recession but are insisting upon payback periods of four years or less, according to a recent survey.

Trucking officials said efforts to enact federal legislation protecting carriers from overreaching indemnification provisions in shipper contracts were likely to be the industry’s primary tort reform push in the coming year.

Shippers are making heavy use of the truckload spot market to find freight haulers, leading to more loads and better rates — particularly for flatbed and refrigerated carriers — and worries for brokers who find themselves “under water” on some contracts with shippers.

Trucking industry officials said they question whether the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will be able to complete its work on a new hours-of-service rule in time to comply with a court order.