Economy
U.S. Canada Freight Flow Value Drops
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The value of U.S.-Canada freight plummeted in April, according to a new U.S. Transportation Department report, as overall freight traffic between all three North American Free Trade Agreement countries also declined.U.S.-Canada freight totaled US$48.8 billion in April, down 12.5 percent from a year earlier, as all modes of transportation - truck, rail, air, pipeline and vessel - carried a lower value of U.S.-Canada freight than a year earlier. The top commodity category transported between the U.S. and Canada was vehicles and parts, of which 58.2 percent moved by truck and 39.2 percent moved by rail. Vehicles and parts replaced mineral fuels as the top commodity in March. Mineral fuels had been the top commodity by value moved between the U.S. and Canada for 29 consecutive months starting in November 2012. This change is due, in large part, to a decline in the unit price of mineral fuels in recent months.
APTA Cautious About Increased Tolling in Nova Scotia
Dieppe, NB - One trucking group is open to a plan by the Nova Scotia government to speed up construction along what it said are some of the province's "most dangerous sections of highway" but it's not wild about seeing increased highway tolls.The sentiment from the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association (APTA) follows the government asking for proposals to conduct a feasibility study for the twinning and tolling at eight specific sections of four major highways, with the belief the additional funding could speed up the pace of roadway expansions. The association said the government's commitment to undertake a study on how to twin sections of parts of 100 series highways more quickly is a good approach, provided the government goes into the study with an open mind about its current revenues from fuel taxes and how they should be spent.
OTA Helps Toronto Truckers Avoid “Pan-Am-Monium”
TORONTO - Pan Am traffic tie-ups are already starting, but on Friday the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) hosted a gathering of carriers, Ministry of Transportation (MTO) officials and other parties to craft a plan to minimize Pan Am traffic woes. The Pan Am Games run from July 10 to the 26 and and Parapan Games are from August 7 to 15. Starting this week and for the duration of the games, the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is looking at road closures; signal-timing modification; parking and stopping restrictions; turning restrictions; conversion of roads to one-way operations, police-managed traffic control points; and the increase or transfer to carpool lanes on many (GTA) highways.
U.S. Spot Freight Rates Down Over Past Week
BEAVERTON, OR -- Spot truckload freight rates posted small declines in all three major sectors during the week ending June 20 compared to the previous week but are well above the averages for last month, according to DAT Solutions, which operates the DAT network of load boards.
Truck Tonnage: Could Be Better, Could be Worse
ARLINGTON, VA -- For-hire truck tonnage moved in the U.S. recovered somewhat in May while the decline the month before was cut by just over half. According to the American Trucking Associations' seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index, activity increased 1.1% last month following a revised decline of 1.4% in April, first reported as a 3% drop.
Freight Bottlenecks Are Coming to U.S.: Special Report
WASHINGTON, D.C. - A report released Tuesday provides a thorough snapshot of not just overall business conditions in the U.S. logistics industry but also a look at economic conditions and other issues affecting the trucking industry. And the report suggests that although freight volumes will keep growing, capacity won't, so you can expect some pretty tight conditions in the near future.
New Rules Rely On Yet Unproven Technology: ATA
WASHINGTON, D.C.-- Industry reaction to the proposal announced Friday by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to improve fuel efficiency and cut carbon pollution for medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks has been swift and more positive than negative in tone. The plan for the 2021-2027 models years, which also calls for trailers to be subject to fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas standards for the first time, drew support from the American Trucking Associations, but the fleet group said it remains concerned the rule may result in the use of certain technologies on vehicles before they can be fully tested.
Easing Rates, Capacity Lead to Weaker Trucking Biz
BLOOMINGTON, IN -- A measure of trucking industry business conditions fell in April as capacity and pressure on rates eased up.The Trucking Conditions Index (TCI) from the freight forecasting firm FTR shows a 9% decline from the previous month to a relatively modest reading of 6.7, but still higher than the same time last year. A reading above zero indicates a positive business environment while one below zero is negative. It also said lower fuel prices during April resulted in a positive effect on the index.
Quebec Fleets Form Strategic Partnership
LANORAIE, QC and L'ASSOMPTION, QC -- The trucking companies Express Mondor and Transport l'Épiphanie have announced they have formed a strategic partnership to accelerate their growth.The two will harmonize the management and operation of their fleets in order to optimize equipment use and better meet the needs of their customers across North America, according to a news release. Express Mondor, based in Lanoraie, QC, and Transport l'Épiphanie, based in L'Assomption, QC, specialize in oversize transportation, serving a cross-section of customers in a variety of industries in Canada and the U.S. The two say the agreement will make it possible for them optimally manage, maintain and operate a combined fleet of more than 80 tractors and 200 modern trailers.
