All Entries

Monday, November 08, 2010

Even though import cargo volumes at U.S.-based retail container ports declining on a sequential basis, they are up on an annual basis, according to the most recent Port Tracker report by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates. In September,U.S. ports handled 1.34 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEU), which was down 6 percent from August’s 1.42 million TEU and up 17 percent compared to September 2009.

Wayne Johnson, the 2010 NITL Logistics Executive of the Year, remains on the cutting edge of legislative reform. As he enters the next stage of his distinguished career, Johnson chairs the NITL’s Highway Committee and continues to share his knowledge with a new generation of shippers.

Worldwide sales of semiconductors were $26.5 billion in September, a gain of 2.9 percent from the prior month when sales were $25.8 billion, the Semiconductor Industry Association reported.

In an effort to involve more air cargo players in the “security dialogue,” the National Industrial Transportation League has invited some key players to participate in its annual conference next week.

Friday, November 05, 2010

Despite recording a quarterly loss, less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation services provider YRC Worldwide (YRCW) made some inroads in revenues and tonnage on both an annual and sequential basis for the third quarter.

While various freight trends have seen numerous stops and starts in 2010, intermodal transportation is not one of them, according to the results of the third quarter Market Trends report from the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA). In the third quarter, IANA stated that third quarter intermodal loadings—at 2,995,043—were up 20.3 percent year-over-year. This was ahead of the second quarter’s 2,829,971 and behind the first quarter’s 3,019,310.

Railroad volumes for the week ending October 30 showed continued year-over-year improvement, according to data released by the Association of American Railroads (AAR). Carload volume at 292,884 was up 6.3 percent year-over-year, but down compared to the weeks ending October 23 and October 16 at 302,855 and 303,664, respectively.

With more than three-quarters of 2010 in the books, many of the industry events that comprise what could be called the “fall travel season” have come and gone. But one big event is now less than two big weeks away. The name of that event? Well, it depends on whom you ask. It is sponsored by three well known organizations: the National Industrial Transportation League (NITL), the Intermodal Association of North American (IANA), and the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA). At the end of the day, many people call it TransComp.

Thursday, November 04, 2010

Earlier this week, the United States Postal Service (USPS) rolled out new prices for various services, which are scheduled to take effect on January 2, 2011, pending approval from the Postal Regulatory Commission. In its announcement, the USPS said it is rolling out new flat-rate products, as well as offerings geared specifically to consumers and shippers, respectively.

Global real estate firm Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) noted in a recent research report that even through the economic downturn has lowered global cargo levels, as well as lower demand for logistics space around United States airports, airport real estate is potentially well-positioned for future growth.