Business

About Business News...

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.

Government, Business, Fuel

Oil Slides Below $103 a Barrel as Hurricane Ike Moves Into Gulf

Crude oil prices continued to slide early Wednesday, even as Hurricane Ike intensified as it moved into the Gulf of Mexico and a top OPEC official said the cartel would trim an oversupplied market, Bloomberg reported.

September 10, 2008
Business, Fuel, Logistics

Canadian Trucking Alliance Backs Call for Diesel Tax Cut

The head of the Canadian Trucking Alliance said an announcement by Prime Minister Stephen Harper that if re-elected he will cut the four cent per liter federal excise tax on diesel fuel in half was the right thing to do for the country’s truckers.

September 10, 2008
Business, Fuel, Safety, Government

DHL Testifies Before House Panel on UPS Air Deal

DHL Express Global Chief Executive Officer John Mullen told a House panel Tuesday that the company’s proposed deal to let UPS Inc. handle its North American air services was necessary for the company “to remain a viable competitor in the U.S. market.”

September 9, 2008
Fuel, Business, Logistics, Government

Diesel Drops 6.2¢ to $4.059 in Eighth Straight Decline

The national average price of diesel fuel fell for an eighth straight week, dropping 6.2 cents to $4.059 a gallon, the Department of Energy said Monday.

September 9, 2008
Business, Safety, Government, Autonomous

Judge Tentatively Denies Injunction in SoCal Port Suit; ATA to Appeal

A federal judge tentatively denied American Trucking Associations’ request for an injunction that would delay the start of concessionaire programs for drayage drivers at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

September 9, 2008
Business

YRC to Report ‘Slight Loss’ in 3Q Core Operations

YRC Worldwide said Monday that while it expects to report a “solid profit in the third quarter,” it will post a “slight loss” in its core operations due to ongoing economic weakness, and will step up the integration of its two main trucking units.

September 8, 2008
Business, Fuel, Government

EPA Approves More Fuel Waivers Due to Storms

In the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav and Tropical Storm Hanna, EPA has exercised its authority under the Clean Air Act to temporarily waive certain federal clean fuel requirements for areas of Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina until next Monday, Sept. 15.

September 8, 2008
Government, Business, Fuel

UTi Worldwide Reports Higher Earnings

Air and ocean freight forwarder UTi Worldwide said its net income for its 2009 fiscal second quarter ended July 31 rose to $33.7 million, or 33 cents a share, from $27.7 million, or 28 cents a year ago.

September 8, 2008
Government, Business, Safety

ATA Backs Ontario Speed Limiter Plan, but Suggests Changes to Avoid Conflict

American Trucking Associations said it supports Ontario’s plan to mandate speed limiters set at 105 kilometers — or about 65.2 mph — on all trucks but urged the province to alter its regulation to avoid conflicts with potential U.S. rules.

September 8, 2008
Business, Government

California Sues Two Port Trucking Firms Over Independent Contractor Status

California’s attorney general filed lawsuits against two small trucking companies Friday on grounds they allegedly deprived drivers of benefits and may have cheated the state out of payroll taxes, the Los Angeles Times reported Sunday.

September 8, 2008