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.
Carriers, Drivers Embrace Mobile Tracking Technology
When Foodliner Inc., a liquid and dry-bulk carrier based in Dubuque, Iowa, put in a mobile communications system to track the location of its trucks and monitor the performance of its drivers, corporate controller Tom Stueck said he expected some resistance.
Gasoline Price Rises 3 Cents from Mid-December, Lundberg Says
Average U.S. retail gasoline prices rose 3 cents over the past three weeks to $2.32 a gallon, according to the latest Lundberg survey of gasoline prices released Sunday.
January 8, 2007EPA Certifies ’07 Diesel Engines as Dealers Await Clues on Sales
Manufacturers of new heavy-duty engines designed to meet Environmental Protection Agency emission regulations that went into effect Jan. 1 said EPA has certified all engine models submitted for approval.
Technology Briefs — Jan. 3 - Jan. 8
TransCore Inks Satellite Pact with Norwegian Firm • WTO Urged to Scrap Duties on ‘Green’ Technology • Iowa Judge to Rule on Speed Cameras
January 8, 2007Electronic Recorder Rule Near as White House Gives Approval
The White House late last month gave its approval for a proposal that could force truckers to use electronic recorders to monitor their hours of service, clearing the way for the rule to be published after more than two years of discussion.
Crude Oil Closes Higher but Falls Almost $5 for Week
Crude oil prices tracked upward 76 cents Friday to close at $56.35 a barrel, Bloomberg reported, and the price tumbled almost $5 for the week and hit a one-year low closing price on Thursday.
January 5, 2007December Payrolls Rise 167,000; Unemployment Holds at 4.5%
U.S. payrolls rose jumped by 167,000 in December and the unemployment rate held at 4.5%, the Labor Department said Friday.
January 5, 2007November Air Cargo Shipments Jump 2.9%
November air cargo shipments jumped 2.9% compared with the same month a year ago, the Air Transport Association said Thursday.
January 4, 2007Truck Officials Wrestle With In-Cab Systems for Monitoring Sophisticated Diesel Engines
Engine manufacturers and trucking officials said they recognize the need for onboard diagnostic systems to monitor the performance of emission-treatment systems because diesel engines are growing in complexity.
Con-way Lowers Fourth-Quarter Guidance
Transportation firm Con-way Inc. late Wednesday lowered its fourth-quarter 2006 earnings guidance due to a projected tonnage decline.
January 4, 2007