cross-border
Analysts: Participating in politics is crucial
MISSISSAUGA, ON - Engagement in the political process at a grassroots level is key to making headway on industry issues, experts are saying. This morning panelists at the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) breakfast meeting titled "Bridging Border Barriers" said fleets and drivers aren't engaged enough in lobbying efforts at home and in the United States. With the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) on everyone's minds, the industry analysts said now more than ever engagement from the bottom up is crucial to having a say in the issues that will shape the future of trucking. President of the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA), David Bradley, said keeping members engaged, is a constant challenge faced by trade associations on both sides of the border. "I think at some point the carriers will become engaged, but I don't think we're engaged enough," he said. "If everybody does one thing, once a year, that helps." Bradley says it's not always enough to send executives and lobbyists to speak with legislators, because they don't own and drive the trucks. The stories need to be told by those on the road.
Top 10 legal issues for 2016: Devine
KING CITY, ON - Evolving technology and changing regulations alike are contributing to legal challenges for Canadian carriers. And Heather Devine of Isaacs and Co. Barristers and Solicitors has even identified a Top 10 list that will make its presence known in the coming year. From MELT to marijuana, to ELDs and cross-border databases, click below to check out what you need to know.
CBSA eManifest Deadline Quickly Approaching
LANGLEY, BC - Beginning Jan. 10, 2016, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will begin issuing Administrative Monetary Penalty System fines to carriers who do not comply with eManifest requirements, ending the six-month educational enforcement period and its zero-rated AMPS penalties, according to the British Columbia Trucking Association. Empty and in-transit conveyances continue to be exceptions. Advance Commercial Information (ACI) eMainfest requires motor carriers to transmit manifest information electronically at least one hour prior to a truck's arrival at the first port of entry into Canada. Carriers can send information identifying the truck, trailer, shipment(s) and driver to CBSA through its free, web-based ACI portal, a direct connection to CBSA or a service provider.
U.S. to Study Flexible Sleeper Berth Rules for Truckers
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has decided to spend US$2.5 million to study a flexible hours-of-service safety provision that will allow long-haul truck drivers to split their required sleeper berth time into shorter periods.
U.S. Truck Safety Regulators Abandon Earlier Proposals
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has withdrawn a notice of proposed rulemaking that would have required a commercial motor vehicle to display a label attesting that it was compliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) when it was manufactured while the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has withdrawn a plan that would have amended haz-mat regulations on the transportation of flammable liquid material in unprotected external product piping, known commonly as wetlines, on tanker trucks.
ATA: U.S. Truck Tonnage Mixed, Previews 2016
ARLINGTON, VA - A measure of trucking freight activity fell last month in the U.S., but remains not far from a record high level hit early this year, accordign to one fleet group, who also offered a preview into conditions for the New Year. The American Trucking Associations' (ATA) advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index declined 0.9 percent in November to 134.3 from the month before, following an increase of 1.8 percent during October, which was revised downward from a first reported 1.9 percent gain. This latest index reading is just 1.1 percent below the all-time high of 135.8 reached in January 2015.
U.S. Carrier Safety Fitness Regulations Expected Soon
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Notice of a proposed rule that would increase the use of inspection data in making Safety Fitness Determinations for motor carriers operating south of the border is expected to be published by Dec. 29, according to the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
‘Tis the Season for Cargo Thefts, How You Can Prevent Them
AUSTIN, TX and JERSEY CITY, NJ -- Don't let stolen freight ruin your holiday. This year, both Christmas Day and New Year's Day occur on a Friday, creating two separate three-day weekends, leaving more opportunity for shipments to be left unattended or parked in unsecured locations for extended periods of time.
U.S. Launches New Trucking Registration System
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) launched a new online registration process that truck and bus companies, freight forwarders, brokers, intermodal equipment providers, and cargo tank manufacturing, inspection and repair facilities use as new applicants for USSDOT registration.