ROADLINK, a private independent intermodal logistics service provider, has agreed to acquire CP SHIPSTRUCKING (C-Truck) from HAPAG LLOYD CANADA, subject to review by Investment Canada. Upon closing, RoadLink will launch a new alliance with FASTFRATE, a Canadian supplier of transportation and logistics services, to operate selected locations and further enhance their combined capabilities for customers across North America. C-Truck was acquired as part of Hapag’s acquisition of CP Ships. Deciding to concentrate on its core business, Hapag-Lloyd officials say they made a strategic business decision to divest C-Truck, which has six locations in Canada and the US and operates approximately 240 trucks, the majority of which are owner/operators. Through their alliance, RoadLink and Fastfrate officials say they hope to offer their customers one-stop, seamlessly integrated and cost-effective comprehensive transportation services throughout North America, including cross border service.

CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY has reduced its intermodal service to the Port of Halifax from two trains to one as container traffic at the port continues to drop. CN officials said that replacing two trains with a single, longer one is more efficient and will still meet the needs of the port’s existing customers. CN has also said that it will adjust its train service to the port should volumes increase. According to statistics released by the port authority, container traffic was down 20% during the first half of this year, compared with 2007. Conversely, bulk cargo shipments are up 12% this year. Halifax has been steadily losing ground for the last eight years to other ports such as New York and Savannah, which are growing. Last year, the port saw a 7.5% drop in business.

MULLEN GROUP INCOME FUND has purchased Essential Energy Services Trust’s transport division, which includes its fluid hauling and oilfield transport business units. Officials say these business units operate through a network of facilities strategically located in areas known for drilling activity and range from northeastern British Columbia and northern Alberta into central/southern Alberta and Saskatchewan. The fluid hauling business units acquired will operate as Cascade Services and JaCar Energy Services, both separate operating divisions of Cascade Energy Services L. P. The oilfield transport business units acquired will operate as Circle D Transport and Rentals, a division of Mullen Oilfield Services L. P., while Prime Oilfield Hauling, a division of Withers L. P. and Leachman Oilfield Trucking, a division of Withers L. P. Polege Oilfield Hauling, will now be operated under Withers L. P. The operating results of all the acquired business units will be included in Mullen’s oilfield services segment. Ken Wagner, the chief operating officer of Essential, has accepted the position of president of Cascade Energy Services L. P.

SCHNEIDER NATIONAL is expanding into the local and regional bulk hauling arenas. Within the last year, Schneider introduced shorter length of haul capabilities to shippers in four US markets, with expansion into additional markets planned for later this year. Schneider Bulk’s local and regional service operates out of Schneider National operating centres/terminals in the South, Midwest and Eastern US. In 2007, Schneider first began offering the service to the Houston, New Orleans and Chicago markets. This past April, Schneider opened a new terminal in Pittsburgh and simultaneously launched the service in that market. Today, Schneider National offers three bulk solutions for shippers: longhaul, local/regional and fuel hauling (which premiered in March).

HOME HARDWARE and PRO TRUCKING SYSTEMS were recently recognized as two of the safest private fleets in Canada at the Private Motor Truck Council’s (PMTC) annual conference. Pro Trucking Systems of Burlington, Ont. won the award for the small fleet category while Home Hardware took top honours amongst large fleets. The awards are sponsored by the PMTC and Zurich.

AL’S CARTAGE a family-owned fleet that once employed 230 people, has ceased operations due to rising fuel costs and a sluggish economy. Randy Frohlich, vice-president of operations for the 80-plus-year-old company, told the Kitchener-Waterloo Record that it decided to close shop after its fuel supplier cut it off. The company was heavily-reliant on the auto parts industry. The fleet had already trimmed its size from its peak of 230 workers down to 50 employees. The company leased most of its trucks, which will be turned back in.

BIG FREIGHT SYSTEMS is turning 60. The company has been in operation since 1948, initially as South East Transfer, and has grown under the guidance of Seaton ‘Red’ Coleman and his father George. The company has evolved into a leader specializing in open deck long-haul transportation, most notably hauling glass products, which require special care. Today the company is still family- run, with Gary Coleman serving as CEO and his brother Earl as president. This year, Earl is also serving as president of the Manitoba Trucking Association.