Business

Maersk Line said it will offer its container chassis to drayage firms, ocean carriers, marine terminals and railroads for use throughout the country, a move company officials said will reduce delays for truck drivers and decrease fuel consumption and carbon emissions.

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee has approved legislation that would open more of the eastern Gulf of Mexico to oil and gas drilling, Bloomberg reported.

Atlas World Group said it has purchased the assets of self-service moving company Smart Move Inc.

I know we’re in a national recession, money and credit are very tight and the banks are hogging all the money and have put wicked restrictions on everyone’s cash flow. But despite these money problems, third-party people seem to expect the trucks they hire to run for nearly free — especially when it comes to hauling overdimensional freight.

The use of diesel fuel has fallen sharply as freight levels have nose-dived during the global recession. The home-heating oil season has ended, so there is no competition for the distillate both heating oil and diesel are made from.

The Department of Transportation is preparing to issue its long-delayed rule that would slice the stopping distance for large trucks by as much as 30%.

Wyoming legislators are considering a highway funding plan that could cost trucks more than $100 in tolls to run the full 400 miles across the state on Interstate 80.

Heavy-duty U.S. truck sales continued their severe slide into a fifth month, as retail volume fell 39% in May, while the year-to-date total now lags the pace of last year by 33.9%, according to WardsAuto.com.

Several truck and engine manufacturers who plan to use selective catalytic reduction technology to meet 2010 emission standards have denied allegations by Navistar Inc. and have asked a federal appeals court to give them standing to argue against Navistar’s lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Diesel emission standards change again in January 2010, but unlike the previous modifications when all manufacturers used essentially the same emission-controlling technology, medium-duty truck buyers next year will have a choice of competing systems.