Filed in Transportation

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

ACT said that total net orders for Class 8 vehicles and commercial trailers “surged” during the fourth quarter of 2010, signaling that trucking fleets are increasing the replacement levels of vehicles which have been put off to a large degree the last two years.

In what it described as part of an effort to extend its logistics services into new industries and geographic areas, Crowley Maritime Corporation said this week it has acquired Jarvis International Freight Inc., a Houston-based freight forwarding, export packing and logistics company primarily serving the energy, oilfield and mining industries.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Logistics Management regrets to report that Joseph F. H. Cutrona, former executive director of NASSTRAC (the National Shippers Strategic Transportation Council), passed away on December 25, 2010 in Naples, Florida.

On the heels of a 0.4 percent increase in November, the December edition of the Ceridian-UCLA Pulse of Commerce Index (PCI) took a sharp turn north with a 2.4 percent increase. Prior to the gains of the last two months, the PCI was down 0.6 percent in November and 0.5 percent and 1.0 percent in September and August, respectively.

Thomas J. Donohue, in his annual “State of American Business Address” to business leaders at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce building across from the White House, is predicting 3.2 percent growth in Gross Domestic Product this year. That figure, higher than what most mainstream economists are predicting, is based on Donohue’s cautious optimism about overall economic conditions, including jobs and growth.

Diesel prices continued their upward march for the week of January 10, according to data released this week by the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Monday, January 10, 2011

While intermodal, especially on the domestic side, enjoyed a strong 2010, there is some sentiment that volumes may not see the same type of growth in 2011.

When the American Association of Port Authorities holds its fourth annual “Shifting International Trade Routes Seminar” in Tampa next month, more than a few speakers will be sounding the call for more infrastructure.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Massachusetts Representative Edward D. Markey (D) introduced legislation last month requiring 100 percent screening of all cargo on cargo planes. This legislation follows the October attempts by terrorists to send explosives originating from Yemen to the United States on cargo and passenger planes.

Friday, December 17, 2010

An executive summary of industry news