A recovering U.S. economy is driving record demand for trucking. But many smaller operators, who make up the vast majority of the roughly 470,000 for-hire fleets on the road today, say they’re missing out on the boom. (This article requires a subscription with The Wall Street Journal. To access, please click on the above link.)
Archive for the ‘CHEMICAL’ Category
Consumer Confidence Unexpectedly Rises in September
Consumer confidence unexpectedly rose in September as a resilient labor market helped American shake off the effects of tumbling stock prices.
Trucks haul 63.9% of U.S.-NAFTA freight, still most utilized mode
The value of U.S.-NAFTA freight totaled $93.0 billion in July 2015 as all modes except air carried less freight than in July 2014, according to the TransBorder Freight Data released today by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS
Oil prices up on news of tightening U.S. supplies
On news of slightly decreased U.S. oil supplies Tuesday oil prices rose, with Brent crude up 55 cents to $47.89 a barrel after sinking 2.5 percent Monday. U.S. light crude was up 45 cents to $44.88.
AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending September 19, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sep. 23, 2015 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending Sep. 19, 2015. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 566,734 carloads and intermodal units, down 2.5 percent compared with the same week last year.
Operational Costs Rise Despite Falling Fuel Prices
Rising equipment costs and driver wages led to an increase in operational costs in 2014, according to a comprehensive report from the American Transportation Research Institute.
New trucking initiative seeks to polish industry’s image to nation
A new trucking advocacy group is trying to buff up and modernize the image of the 7 million Americans involving in the domestic trucking industry.
New customer clearance process to speed US-Mexico intermodal shipping
Certain shippers tapping southbound U.S. – Mexico intermodal services offered by Schneider National won’t have to wait on protracted clearance processes at the border, thanks to new streamlined customs processes announced Tuesday. (This article requires registration at the Journal of Commerce. To access, please click on the above link.)
Truckload rates up for sixth straight month
Truckload rates increased 3.7 percent in August 2015 compared to August 2014 following year-over-year increases of 3.6 percent in June and July, according to the latest Cass Truckload Linehaul Index.
Demand for rail service should continue to grow
In reporting weekly U.S. rail traffic as well as volumes for August 2015 and the first eight months of 2015, the Association of American Railroads said that traffic is beginning to show some signs of growth.