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Intermodal Rides Into The Future

2011-09-30T00:00:00-04:00

Looking for new strategies to enable your business to cut costs and increase supply chain efficiency? Want to boost your reputation as an environmentally conscious company at the same time? Then consider investigating how you might use the intermodal transportation network to send or receive shipments.

Seven must have features in a TMS

2011-09-27T00:00:00-04:00

Even by the standards of the supply chain software world, transportation management systems (TMS) have proved to have exceptional legs. After nearly two decades on the market, these solutions continue to sell briskly. Last year, revenues generated through TMS sales and software support grew 11 percent, according to the research firm Gartner Inc. In fact, Chad Eschinger, an analyst at Gartner, estimates that in 2010, the global TMS market reached $625 million despite the sputtering economy.

Survey Sees Major Shift of Truck Freight to Intermodal

2011-08-12T00:00:00-04:00

Analysts say second quarter change was highest in eight years of shipper poll

Shippers shifted freight from all-truck modes to intermodal at the fastest pace in years during the second quarter, according to a closely watched survey by the Wolfe Trahan research group.

Diesel Prices Fall to 30-Week Low

2011-10-05T00:00:00-04:00

Diesel prices across the United States dropped 3.7 cents in the week ending Oct. 3., hitting a 30-week low as crude oil prices fell to their lowest point in eight weeks.

CASS Freight Index Freight Shipping Reaches Three-Year High

2011-10-08T00:00:00-04:00

The Cass Freight Index for U.S. shipments jumped to its highest level in more than three years in September, growing 7.5 percent over the same month a year ago and defying suggestions of a new downturn in the American economy.

Trans-Pacific Spot Rate Hits 19 Month Low

2011-10-12T00:00:00-04:00

Spot rates for container shipments from Hong Kong to Los Angeles fell below $1,500 per 40-foot-equivalent unit for the first time since January 2010, according to Drewry Shipping Consultants’ weekly benchmark.

Diesel Prices Down for Fifth Straight Week

2011-10-14T00:00:00-04:00

Diesel prices headed down for the fifth straight week, falling 2.8 cents to $3.721 per gallon, according to the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration.

Shippers Need to Help in Driver Turnover

2011-10-13T00:00:00-04:00

Shippers need to do more to help trucking companies reduce rising driver turnover rates and help keep transportation costs in line, a transportation consultant says.

Spot Market up 47 Percent from Last Year

2011-10-17T00:00:00-04:00

Spot market volume on TransCore’s network of load boards rose 10 percent in September from August and 47 percent from a year ago, a sign of stronger demand. Truckload pricing also increased last month, with national average dry van spot market rates rising 2.3 percent from August and 3.9 percent from a year ago.

Logistics Outsourcing vs. In-sourcing: 3 Questions to Consider

2011-10-19T00:00:00-04:00

One breakout session at the CSCMP Annual Global Conference IDS attended earlier this month was around whether you should outsource a supply chain function or keep it in-house. Two case studies were presented: an "outsourced" one by Bill Pollard, VP of Customer Service and Transportation at Del Monte Foods, and an "in-sourced" one by Todd Jackson, President at Alliant Logistics, a division of US Foodservice. The below article was a good summary of the discussion written by the moderator.

US Diesel Fuel Price

2011-10-25T00:00:00-04:00

The national average price increases for the first time in six weeks to $3.801 a gallon.

Intermodal Volume Up 3% for the Week Ended 10/15/2011

2011-10-21T00:00:00-04:00

Intermodal rail volume was up 3 percent for the week at 244,389 trailers and containers.

Trans-Pacific spot rates hit 21-month low.

2011-10-21T00:00:00-04:00

Trans-Pacific spot rates hit 21-month low. Carriers have begun to withdraw capacity by accelerating winter layups of vessels.

Long-Term Carrier / Shipper Relationships.

2011-10-24T00:00:00-04:00

Long-Term Carrier / Shipper Relationships.

Diesel prices up for the second straight week

2011-10-26T00:00:00-04:00

Diesel prices this week increased 2.4 cents per gallon to $3.825, according to the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Diesel Prices Hit 12-Week High for Week Ending 10/31/2011

2011-11-01T00:00:00-04:00

Diesel prices across the United States jumped 6.7 cents in the week ending Oct. 31, extending a sudden upturn that pushed diesel to its highest point in three months.

LTL Pricing Firming Up

2011-11-02T00:00:00-04:00

LTL players Saia, Old Dominion, and ABF Freight System are reporting year-over-year per hundredweight price gains of 11.6 percent, 13.7 percent, and 15.9 percent, respectively. In part, these pricing gains stem from General Rate Increase (GRI) announcements for non-contract freight made by LTL carriers during the second half of this year, with increases coming in around 6.9 percent on average.

Trans-Pacific Rates Rise First Time in Two Months

2011-11-02T00:00:00-04:00

Trans-Pacific spot rates rebounded this week off their 22-month low of last week, rising for the first time in two months, as measured by Drewry Shipping Consultants weekly benchmark.

West Coast Container Imports Fell 7 Percent in September

2011-11-02T00:00:00-04:00

Container volume at West Coast ports declined 2 percent year-over year in September, as a 7 percent drop in imports further reinforced a disappointing peak shipping season.

Higher FTR Trucking Index Reflects Higher Rates

2011-11-02T00:00:00-04:00

Tight capacity, disciplined pricing boost carriers, pose challenges for truck shippers.

Market Views on Transitioning OTR to Intermodal

2011-11-04T00:00:00-04:00

Not only railroads and intermodal marketing companies, but also trucking companies expect to put more truckloads on the rails as the economically feasible length of an intermodal haul drops from 1,000 miles or more closer to 500 miles. Increasingly, the economic dividing line between a truckload haul and an intermodal move isn’t measured in miles but as what a single driver can do in one day, plus a day.

How Long Can the Intermodal Rally Last?

2011-11-04T00:00:00-04:00

Intermodal operators report year-over-year gains, but have concerns over capacity and economy in 2012 before adding additional assets.

Intermodal shipping: IANA reports solid third quarter volumes

2011-11-09T00:00:00-05:00

Intermodal volumes for the third quarter of this year resulted in annual gains for the seventh straight quarter, according to third quarter Market Trends report published by the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA).

Diesel prices are down for first time in four weeks, says EIA

2011-11-09T00:00:00-05:00

After three straight weeks of increases, diesel prices dipped $0.5 cent to $3.887, according to the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA).

BNSF Railway exec hopeful for an economic recovery by 2013

2011-11-09T00:00:00-05:00

While the economic recovery has had its fair share of stops and starts, it may be happening again in earnest on the railways. That is the consensus from John Lanigan, executive vice president and chief marketing officer at BNSF Railway.

Tractor count at large carrier group shows slight decline from second quarter

2011-11-09T00:00:00-05:00

Capacity at a group of six large truckload carriers tracked by The Journal of Commerce fell a cumulative 1.5 percent from the second quarter and 1.5 percent from a year ago, with two carriers increasing capacity slightly year-over-year.

Freight Index Slides 9.9 Percent in October

2011-11-09T00:00:00-05:00

The Cass Freight Index for U.S. domestic shipments took a steep 9.9 percent dive in October from the month before, cutting short a two-month rally in the closely watched measure.

Is Intermodal Right For You?

2011-11-08T00:00:00-05:00

Capacity and driver shortages plague the over-the-road (OTR) trucking sector, prompting shippers to consider the merits of other transportation modes.

Improving Rail Infrastructure: On the Right Track

2011-11-08T00:00:00-05:00

As railroads continue to ramp up capital spending on infrastructure and equipment, intermodal services have been significant beneficiaries, leading more shippers—and motor carriers—to adopt multimodal approaches.

Diesel Prices Rise to Six-Month High

2011-11-15T00:00:00-05:00

Diesel prices across the United States increased 1 cent in the week ending Nov. 14, rising to the highest point since late May even as crude oil prices traded at their lowest point in two months.

Truckload Rates to Rise 10 Percent in 2012, FTR Says

2011-11-15T00:00:00-05:00

Shippers are likely to face steep increases in truckload rates in the next two years, followed by a recession in 2014 or 2015, a transportation economist warns.

Spot Market Truck Volume Up 39 Percent

2011-11-15T00:00:00-05:00

Higher load volume made October the biggest month for the spot truckload market since the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, TransCore said. Truckload spot pricing for various equipment types were mixed.

Trans-Pacific Rate Measure Tumbles 4.2 Percent

2011-11-21T00:00:00-05:00

Latest dive leaves Drewry Container Rate Benchmark off 21 percent since August

Long Beach Container Traffic Plunges 20 Percent

2011-11-21T00:00:00-05:00

Containerized imports plummeted 20.8 percent, exports were down 21.4 percent and empty containers fell 19.3 percent from October 2010. The past year has been a difficult one for carriers in the trans-Pacific as severe overcapacity and weak demand resulted in a steady decline in freight rates.

Diesel Hits $4 Mark for First Time in Six Months

2011-11-22T00:00:00-05:00

Diesel prices across the United States increased 2.3 cents in the week ending Nov. 21, rising over $4 a gallon for the first time in 26 weeks as crude oil prices fell.

Truck Tonnage Rose 5.7 Percent in October

2011-11-22T00:00:00-05:00

Tonnage rose 0.5 percent from September, says ATA index

U.S. railroad intermodal traffic growth for 2011

2011-11-29T00:00:00-05:00

U.S. railroad intermodal traffic for the year's first 45 weeks of the year was up 5.2 percent year-over-year, reaching more than 10.3 million units.

How to Benefit from SaaS TMS

2011-11-30T00:00:00-05:00

SaaS TMS is a single-instance, multi-tenant environment where customers and their partners access a shared solution via the Internet. Transportation feature functionality is comparable to other hosted or on-premise solutions. What makes SaaS unique, however, are the intangible benefits that exist by being part of a community as opposed to simply working siloed within the four walls of an organization.

Intermodal growth signs continue to look promising

2011-11-30T00:00:00-05:00

As freight transportation volumes are primarily showing flat or modest growth levels, intermodal still is showing very strong growth prospects, with the very likely possibility that the drivers for future intermodal gains are very promising.

Freight Index Fell 2.2 Percent in November

2011-12-07T00:00:00-05:00

The Cass Freight Index for U.S. shipments fell for the first time in nearly two years in November, slipping 2.9 percent in a sign that the fall’s peak shipping season was easing into a lower gear.

Diesel Prices Fall as Oil Hits Two-Week High

2011-12-07T00:00:00-05:00

Diesel prices across the United States fell 3.3 cents in the week ending Dec. 5, falling for the second week in a row as oil prices hit a two-week high.

Air Freight Continues Decline

2011-12-07T00:00:00-05:00

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced global traffic results for October. Cargo demand was 4.7 percent below the same month in 2010.

AAR Reports Gains In Weekly Rail Traffic

2011-12-07T00:00:00-05:00

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported gains in weekly rail traffic, with U.S. railroads originating 265,304 carloads for the week ending Nov. 26, 2011, up 4 percent compared with the same week last year. Intermodal volume for the week totaled 190,866 trailers and containers, up 3.7 percent compared with the same week last year.

U.S. Railroads Map Out Expansion Plans

2011-12-14T00:00:00-05:00

Despite a few bumps along the way, the domestic intermodal segment has enjoyed a respectable to solid 2011. And if the railroads' 2012 and 2013 battle plans are any indication, the industry expects more of the same from the domestic front.

Diesel Prices Fall 3.7 Cents to Six-Week Low

2011-12-12T00:00:00-05:00

Diesel prices across the United States dropped 3.7 cents in the week ending Dec. 12, falling for the third week straight and hitting a six-week low.

Truckload Driver Turnover Rate Hits 89 Percent

2011-12-13T00:00:00-05:00

The driver turnover rate increased from 79 percent in the second quarter, hitting its highest point since early 2008, the American Trucking Associations said Monday. The turnover rate at small truckload carriers jumped 10 points to 57 percent, the highest level for those companies since the third quarter of 2008, the ATA said.

Truckload Rate Index Rises 8.5 Percent

2011-12-14T00:00:00-05:00

Truckload linehaul rates rose 8.5 percent year-over-year in November, according to Cass Information Systems and investment research firm Avondale Partners.

Truckload Carriers Bullish on 2012 Rates

2011-12-14T00:00:00-05:00

A large majority of truckload carriers expect freight volumes and truck rates to rise next year, according to new survey.

Intermodal volume grew 3 percent year-over-year in the first full week of December

2011-12-20T00:00:00-05:00

Intermodal volume for U.S. railroads grew 3 percent year-over-year in the first full week of December, helped by container shipments that maintained most of their momentum heading toward the end of the 2011.

Diesel prices across the United States plummeted 6.6 cents in the week ending Dec. 19

2011-12-20T00:00:00-05:00

Diesel prices across the United States plummeted 6.6 cents in the week ending Dec. 19, falling at the sharpest pace since May 2010 as crude oil prices inched up.

U.S. truck freight tonnage inched up by 0.3 percent in November

2011-12-21T00:00:00-05:00

For-hire truck tonnage increased 0.3 percent in November from the previous month, and grew 6 percent over the same period last year, according to an index released by the American Trucking Associations.

Tightening LTL capacity, increasing freight demand means rising rates in 2012

2011-12-21T00:00:00-05:00

Paced by market leader Old Dominion Freight Line, LTL carriers are reporting year-over-year tonnage increases for 2011 and those gains are expected to repeat again in 2012. Ross is predicting a “slow, potentially choppy” economic recovery with price increases in the 2-3 percent range, although that could vary widely by geography, lane, customer and carrier.

Most major LTL carriers announced general rate increases (GRI) between 5.9 and 6.9 percent, effective in the fourth quarter. Privately, carrier executives say they would be happy to actually get half that amount from its customer base. But event that amount would continue a trend of increasing LTL yields (excluding fuel surcharges) that began in 2010.

Tightening Trucking Standards

2011-12-26T00:00:00-05:00

Despite disputes over funding levels and where to find the money, Democrats and Republicans agreed on a broad swath of the safety agenda in several bills the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee approved on Dec. 14.

U.S. Retail Inventory to Sales Ratio

2011-12-12T00:00:00-05:00

Year-over-year October U.S. retail sales rose 7.1 percent and inventories advanced 3.4 percent. Sequentially, October U.S. retail sales inched ahead 1 percent while inventories increased 4.4 percent. Retail inventories at the end of October were estimated to total $493.7 billion, with sales estimated at $344.7 billion for a total inventory-to-sales ratio of 1.43.

TIGER Grants Favor Intermodal

2011-12-26T00:00:00-05:00

Local and state governments seeking a piece of the $500 million in TIGER grants available next year would be wise to pitch projects relating to intermodal rail because the majority of the freight projects that got a slice of the Department of Transportation’s most recent round of TIGER grants will improve intermodal connections, help shippers export or both. Forty-six projects, ranging from bridge replacement to passenger rail work, received $511 million in funding this month through the third round of the Transportation Investment Generating Economy Recovery program.

Intermodal volume was 5.1 percent ahead of last year’s total through the first 50 weeks of 2011

2011-12-28T00:00:00-05:00

Intermodal volume was 5.1 percent ahead of last year’s total through the first 50 weeks of 2011, according to the AAR figures. Container business has led the expansion, growing 5.6 percent, while truck trailer volume is up only 2 percent from a year ago and has been slipping backward toward the end of the year.

US Diesel Prices Fall to Two-Month Low

2011-12-28T00:00:00-05:00

Diesel prices across the United States fell for the fifth straight week in the week ending Dec. 26, falling 3.7 cents on average to the lowest price in more than two months, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Shippers Decry Changes in Trucking Hours-of-Service

2011-12-27T00:00:00-05:00

Groups representing shippers say new rules on work hours for truck drivers will reduce efficiency across their supply chains, complicating delivery schedules, raising costs and even undermining safety on highways.

Rail Intermodal Volume Soars 22.9 Percent

2012-01-01T00:00:00-05:00

Intermodal volume for major U.S. railroads soared 22.9 percent year-over-year in the week ending Dec. 24, a likely signal that businesses were moving to replenish their lean inventories heading into the New Year.

US Manufacturing Jumps to Six-Month High

2012-01-03T00:00:00-05:00

A closely watched gauge of U.S. manufacturing activity rose in December, indicating the 29th consecutive month of expansion, and similar indexes showed improvement in China, India, the U.K., Switzerland and Australia.

Diesel Falls to Lowest Price Since Mid-October

2012-01-03T00:00:00-05:00

Diesel prices across the United States fell for the six straight week in the week ending Jan. 2, slipping nearly 0.8 cents to the lowest point since mid-October.

US Rails Report Record Intermodal Container Loads for 2011

2012-01-05T00:00:00-05:00

Major U.S. railroads handled a record number of intermodal containers in 2011, with a strong push late in the year that gave the industry a 6 percent gain in volume over 2010, according to the Association of American Railroads.

2011/2012 Annual Review & Outlook of Intermodal

2012-01-06T00:00:00-05:00

International container business has been a key element in the development of the North American rail intermodal transportation market for decades. Today, however, the opposite is true. Market share has reversed, with domestic business now representing the majority of North American intermodal loadings and growing much more quickly.

Asia-US West Coast SCFI Rate Jumps 7.2 Percent

2012-01-06T00:00:00-05:00

Average trans-Pacific spot rate hits highest point since May with the average rate for spot rate for container shipping from Asia to the U.S. West Coast jumped 7.2 percent in the first of 2012, hitting the highest price since May and seeing the sharpest increase since June.

Freight Index Signals Steadier US Shipping Demand

2012-01-06T00:00:00-05:00

The Cass Freight Index for U.S. domestic shipments inched up 0.7 percent in December over the previous year, signaling new stability in shipping demand after the market slipped downward during the fall.

Truckload Rates Set to Rise, TransCore Says

2012-01-06T00:00:00-05:00

Truckload rates rose less than some carriers expected but more than shippers wanted in 2011, with spot market rates on average rising 7.4 percent and contract rates climbing an average 6.5 percent, a freight pricing specialist says.

FMC Looks to Raise Costs for US NVOs in China

2012-01-10T00:00:00-05:00

The Federal Maritime Commission is proposing a change in rules that will make it more expensive for U.S. non-vessel-operating common carriers to do business in China. The proposal would increase the bond rider amount from $21,000 to $50,000. The Chinese government requested the change in order to reflect changes in the relative values of the dollar and yuan. The bond amount was set in a 2003 bilateral maritime agreement.

Diesel Prices Rise for First Time in Seven Weeks

2012-01-10T00:00:00-05:00

Diesel prices across the United States increased for first time in seven weeks in the week ending Jan. 9, rising 4.5 cents.

US Retail Sales Growth Slowed in December

2012-01-12T00:00:00-05:00

Sales grew at the slowest pace in seven months, finished 2011 up 6.5 percent. U.S. retail sales grew in December at their slowest pace in seven months but finished 2011 with a year-over-year rise of 6.4 percent, the Commerce Department said. December sales rose 0.1 percent after an upwardly revised 0.4 percent increase in November, when retailers reported strong Thanksgiving weekend sales. Sales growth in November originally was estimated at 0.2 percent.

Analyst Expects Ocean Rates to Fall After Chinese New Year

2012-01-16T00:00:00-05:00

Container lines will struggle to maintain recent freight rates gains after the Chinese Lunar New Year because the industry hasn’t done enough to reduce excess capacity, said Janet Lewis, head of Asia shipping research for Macquarie Capital Securities.

Diesel Prices Rise for Second Week

2012-01-17T00:00:00-05:00

Diesel prices across the United States increased for the second week in a row in the week ending Jan. 16, climbing 2.6 cents as oil prices hit above $100 per barrel as China reports economic growth.

Trucking Forecast: Clearly Costly Changes Ahead

2012-01-17T00:00:00-05:00

Shippers accustomed to seeing transportation costs drop year by year over decades are in for a sharp shock thanks to structural constraints on truck capacity that won’t be removed anytime soon — even if truckers would like to remove some of them.

Truckload Carriers Eye Increase in Driver Pay

2012-01-18T00:00:00-05:00

A growing number of carriers, 65 percent, said driver pay must rise above $60,000 a year. That’s up from 49 percent of the carriers surveyed the previous quarter. About 45 percent said pay would have to rise to the $60,000 to $70,000 annual range. That would be a significant bump in compensation. Tractor-trailer drivers are paid about $39,500 annually on average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

US Industrial Production Rebounds 0.4 Percent

2012-01-18T00:00:00-05:00

Manufacutring production in December rose 0.9 percent, the briskest pace in a year. U.S. industrial output in December bounced back at 0.4 percent year-over-year, as manufacturing production rose 0.9 percent, the briskest pace in a year, the Federal Reserve said.

Report: U.S. port infrastructure ranks 23rd in world

2012-01-18T00:00:00-05:00

The United States, the number one global economic market, ranks 23rd for port infrastructure behind countries that include Namibia, Barbados and Estonia, according to the World Economic Forum.

US Intermodal Traffic Surges 7.4 Percent

2012-01-19T00:00:00-05:00

Intermodal volume hauled by major U.S. railroads surged 7.4 percent year-over-year in the week ending Jan. 14 and skyrocketed 18.2 percent from the week prior, suggesting American companies see strong demand this year.

IDS Transportation 2011 Review and Outlook

2012-01-23T00:00:00-05:00

IDS had another successful year in 2011. Our core business segments continued to grow and our financial performance remains strong. Each year we like to provide our clients and friends a review of the significant accomplishments for the year and a look forward

2012 Starts on Positive Logistics Numbers

2012-01-17T00:00:00-05:00

As 2012 begins, there are three positive economic indicators to grow on, according to the Georgia Center of Innovation for Logistics:

• Housing Market - In November, housing starts increased 9.3% to an annual rate of 685,000 units. Building permits (an indicator of future housing starts) increased 5.7% to an annual rate of 681,000.

• Transportation Employment - Increased more than 1.5% year-over-year in December, with rail employment up 3.9% and trucking up 3.2%. Transportation Industries added about 50,200 employees in December, accounting for 25.1% of the overall net employment gains added last month.

• Consumer Confidence - Increased to 64.5 in December 2011 from 55.2 in November 2011. Consumer confidence has risen 23.6 points in the past two months, and was at its highest level in eight months.

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Three Transportation Strategies to Support Retail Trends

2012-01-18T00:00:00-05:00

Connected, “always-on” consumers who expect instant information, a multitude of choices and flexible, real-time purchase and delivery options are driving change in the retail supply chain. Leading retailers have adopted technologies and practices to help them with demand forecasting, promotion, pricing, inventory management, and transportation. Rising transportation costs and potential efficiencies are driving advances in transportation management, according to Fabrizio Brasca, vice president, global logistics, JDA Software. Transportation trends have been a popular topic at the National Retail Federation’s 101st Annual Convention and Expo in New York City this week.

Trucking: ATA reports strong December tonnage finishes 2011 on a positive note

2012-01-24T00:00:00-05:00

December represents single largest monthly improvement since January 2005

While the economic recovery remains far from complete, truck tonnage could be serving as a positive barometer of things to come, based on the American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) December and 2011 year-end truck tonnage data, which was released today.

Following November’s 0.3 percent gain for seasonally-adjusted truck tonnage to 116.6 (2000=100), the ATA reported that December checked in at 124.5 for a 6.8 percent increase. December 2011 was up 10.5 percent than December 2010, according to the ATA, and is the single biggest annual monthly gain since July 1998. It also outpaced November’s annual gain of 6.1 percent.

Truckload Spot Market Slows in January

2012-01-26T00:00:00-05:00

Volume, rates slip early in January after month-to-month drop in December. Spot market truckloads dropped 14 percent in December from the previous month but were still 25 percent higher than in December 2010, TransCore Freight Solutions said.

Inventory Buildup Boosts GDP Growth 2.8 Percent

2012-01-27T00:00:00-05:00

Growth in fourth quarter expanded at fastest pace in a year and a half. Rising inventories and consumer spending caused U.S. gross domestic product to expand at a 2.8 percent annual rate in the fourth quarter, the fastest growth in a year and a half. Inventories added 1.94 percentage points to GDP growth in the quarter as companies rebuilt stockpiles to respond to rising demand. Excluding inventories, the economy grew at an 0.8 percent rate, down from 3.2 percent in the third quarter, said the Commerce Department.

Trans-Pacific Rates Stay Firm as Chinese Factories Close

2012-01-25T00:00:00-05:00

Drewry's trans-Pacific spot rate benchmark remained at $1,832 per 40-foot equivalent unit, the same as in the last two weeks. The Drewry benchmark jumped 27.6 percent in the first week of January as the carrier members of the Trans-Pacific Stabilization Agreement put the TSA’s suggested $400 per FEU increase into effect.

Diesel Prices Rise

2012-01-31T00:00:00-05:00

Diesel prices across the United States increased slightly for the week ending Jan. 27th, climbing .2 cents over last week. The national average of $3.85 per gallon price was 41.2 cents higher than a year ago, according to the weekly survey by the U.S. Energy Information Administration

AAR Reports Increase in Weekly Rail Traffic

2012-02-01T00:00:00-05:00

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported an increase in weekly rail traffic for the week ending January 21, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 287,734 carloads, up 1.6 percent compared with the same week last year. Intermodal volume for the week totaled 219,706 trailers and containers, up 3 percent compared with the same week last year.

House Republicans Unveil Five-Year Transport Plan

2012-01-31T00:00:00-05:00

The bill encourages private investment, provides incentives for expanding state infrastructure banks and quadruples the amount for the Transportation Infrastructure Financing and Innovation Act program. The surface transport plan streamlines the environmental review process, especially for projects on existing rights of way. Under the plan, states could increase the weight limits of trucks on highways to 97,000 pounds from 80,000 pounds, a proposal that drew the ire of the Association of American Railroads.

US Factory Production Accelerated in January

2012-02-01T00:00:00-05:00

A widely watched economic gauge showed U.S. manufacturing activity picked up speed in January, growing to its highest level since last June.

Class I railroads are on track to spend $13 billion in 2012 capital expenditures, says AAR

2012-01-30T00:00:00-05:00

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) said today that the seven North America-based Class I freight railroads are on track to invest a record $13 billion in capital expenditures for 2012, with the capital going towards expanding, upgrading, and enhancing the U.S. freight rail network.

Transloading's Big Push

2012-02-02T00:00:00-05:00

Big-box retailers looking to keep a lid on inventory and related costs will increasingly turn to transloading near major seaports. That's the message from Robert Leachman, a professor of industrial engineering and operations research who analyzes supply chain logistics.

Trucking Takes to the Tracks

2012-02-06T00:00:00-05:00

Tight truck capacity and rising domestic shipping demand signals a ‘transformational year’ for intermodal. There’s a new intermodal rhythm humming along the roads and rail lines connecting manufacturers and retailers with ports and plants across the United States. The beat is being felt on factory floors where trailer makers are building domestic containers and in truck yards and rail yards where some of the largest motor carriers and railroads are planning expansion. And it resounds most loudly with shippers struggling to contain rising transportation costs, manage their inventory and secure capacity.

Prince Rupert Container Traffic Up 20 Percent in 2011

2012-02-04T00:00:00-05:00

Container throughput in 2011 at the Port of Prince Rupert jumped 20 percent year-over-year, while the emerging gateway's larger West Coast rival, Port Metro Vancouver, saw flat traffic in the same period.

Truck Tonnage in 2011 Saw Biggest Gains since 1998

2012-02-07T00:00:00-05:00

Truck tonnage in 2011 rose 5.9% over 2010, representing the largest annual increase since 1998, according to the American Trucking Associations. Also, tonnage for December 2011 was 10.5% higher than December 2010, the largest year-over-year gain since July 1998. November tonnage was up 6.1% over the same month last year.

House Committee to “Further Study” Truck Weight Reform

2012-02-06T00:00:00-05:00

A House Committee proposal would allow states to opt into a higher federal (interstate) vehicle weight limit for single-trailer trucks equipped with six axles rather than the typical five. The required sixth axle maintains all braking and handling characteristics at the new limit of 97,000 pounds—enabling shippers to safely utilize truck space that remains empty at the current 80,000-pound federal weight limit. The group believes the proposal would reduce the truckloads, vehicle miles and fuel necessary to meet demand.

US Shipments Index Grows 3.6 Percent

2012-02-07T00:00:00-05:00

The Cass Freight Index for U.S. domestic shipments pushed up 3.6 percent year-over-year in January, maintaining steady seasonal growth and reaching the strongest point for the month in four years.

Diesel Prices Rise Again

2012-02-07T00:00:00-05:00

Diesel prices across the United States increased slightly for the week ending February 3, 2012, climbing 0.6 cents over last week.

The national average of $3.856 per gallon price was 34.3 cents higher than a year ago, according to the weekly survey by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Analyst Says 2012 Truck Rates Could Rise 6 Percent

2012-02-08T00:00:00-05:00

Truckload rates are likely to rise anywhere from 2 to 6 percent in 2012 and even as high as 8 percent in coming years, depending on the strength of the recovery and the effect of new truck safety regulations, according to a transportation analyst.

Intermodal Rail Shipments Rise 16.8 Percent

2012-02-09T00:00:00-05:00

Intermodal freight shipments moved by U.S. railroads jumped 16.8 percent year-over-year in the week ending Feb. 4, as steady freight demand and unseasonably warm weather created an easy comparison with the same week a year ago.

According to Cass Cost Indexes Truckload Linehaul Rates up 8% Year-over-Year

2012-02-10T00:00:00-05:00

Truckload linehaul rates leveled off a bit during January. Up just slightly from December, however, they hit their highest point since the 2005 date that the Cass Index data begins.

Cass Indexes Indicate Intermodal Linehaul Rates down .3% Year-over-Year

2012-02-10T00:00:00-05:00

Intermodal rates continue to be stable. For January, the Cass Intermodal Linehaul Index registered a value of 100.4, which was down from December's 101.2. On a year-over-year basis, January costs were down 0.3%, compared to December's increase of +1.9%. Cass believes that moderation in diesel prices, along with more containers coming on line and aggressive pricing by carriers focused on ramping up their intermodal businesses are keeping pricing grounded.

Eastbound Trans-Pacific Carriers Seek $800 in Rate Increases

2012-02-09T00:00:00-05:00

Trying to maintain pricing momentum in the trans-Pacific, shipping lines that carry U.S. imports from Asia announced two proposed rate hikes that could increase freight rates $800 per 40-foot container over the next three months.

Diesel Prices Rise at Sharpest Pace in Three Months

2012-02-13T00:00:00-05:00

Prices hit $3.943 a gallon as oil prices climb to a month-high. The average $3.943 left the price up 40.9 cents from the same period a year ago, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The ramp-up in price was the briskest since the week ending Nov. 14, when prices rose 10 cents.

New Thinking on Intermodal

2012-02-17T00:00:00-05:00

By now it is a well-established trend in North American transportation that freight is moving from the roads to the rails. Driven by the opportunity to cut costs while maintaining reliability, a growing cohort of shippers is embracing a strategy that includes intermodal in the mix.

Diesel Prices Rise Again

Rick LaGore — 2012-02-22T00:00:00-05:00

Prices hit $3.96 a gallon as oil prices climb to another month-high. The average of $3.96 is up $0.017 over last week and up $0.387 from the same period a year ago, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Uncommon Growth for Forwarders

2012-02-20T00:00:00-05:00

In the wake of 2010’s capacity squeeze, ocean freight forwarders are consolidating service gains with shippers. For many years, non-vessel-operating common carriers were considered a stepchild of the maritime industry, but that ship turned around in 2010 when importers had trouble securing vessel space in the trans-Pacific. Importers turned to NVOs for relief, and they delivered the capacity importers desperately needed.

Ports Working on the Railroad

2012-02-20T00:00:00-05:00

Ports along the Eastern Seaboard are putting money where their hopes are, investing in projects for better landside access by road and rail in an effort to compete for discretionary cargo. The biggest investments are in intermodal rail terminals and in tracks that can speed access to port terminals.

U.S. Intermodal Shipments

2012-02-20T00:00:00-05:00

Monthly year-over-year percent change in intermodal shipments of 20-foot, 40-foot and 53-foot units in the United States. December 53-foot traffic declined 7.1 percent from November, although 20-footers rose 3.2 percent and 40-footers were flat. December year-over-year traffic growth was led by 13.7 percent growth in 53-footers; 20-footers advanced 3.2 percent and 40-footers were up 1.9 percent. Calendar 2011 53-foot traffic rose 10.9 percent, 20-footers were up 4.4 percent and 40-footers, 2.1 percent.

Carriers Give Incentives to Drive

2012-02-20T00:00:00-05:00

The battle to recruit and, just as important, keep truck drivers is getting fiercer among truckload carriers as freight demand steadily increases. Truckload carriers are offering an array of incentives, including guaranteed pay, to haul in drivers. Although that competition has yet to result in sizable increases in driver pay, motor carriers are offering a truckload of incentives and programs to attract drivers.

Trucking Takes Two Routes

2012-02-27T00:00:00-05:00

Larger trucking companies are increasingly stable and profitable, but many smaller carriers are struggling.

Trucking in 2012 is an increasingly divided industry, not along lines such as truckload or less-than-truckload or dry van or flatbed, but by size and scale.

Large and small trucking operators face the same rising costs and must comply with the same federal regulations, but smaller carriers and owner-operators are finding it more difficult to cope with rising costs and to secure rate increases.

US Economists Expect 2.4 Percent Growth in 2012

2012-02-27T00:00:00-05:00

Forecasters surveyed by the National Association of Business Economics show growing optimism about the U.S. economy’s direction this year but expect the pace of expansion to expand only 2.4 percent.

Diesel Prices Top $4 Mark to Nearly 10-Month High

2012-02-27T00:00:00-05:00

Prices rose to $4.051 at the fastest pace since the first week ending in November, when prices jumped 10 cents to $3.887. The average price is 33.5 cents higher the same period ago, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Trans-Pacific Carriers to Hike Westbound Rates

2012-02-28T00:00:00-05:00

The WTSA recommend hikes of $50 per TEU, $100 per FEU. Container ship lines in the Westbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement have announced rate increases for dry cargoes as they try to stem losses in the U.S.-Asia market.

Durable Goods Orders Dipped 4 Percent in January

2012-02-28T00:00:00-05:00

Orders for U.S. durable goods fell 4 percent in January, the biggest decline in three years, following the expiration of a tax break on equipment purchases. Demand for core capital goods, which exclude aerospace and defense orders, fell 4.5 percent after increasing 3.4 percent in December and falling 1.5 percent in November, according to the Census Bureau. Economists said the January drop in durable-goods orders was influenced by the year-end expiration of a tax credit that allowed full depreciation of equipment purchases. The allowance this year is 50 percent.

NAFTA Surface Trade Up 11.6 Percent in December

2012-02-28T00:00:00-05:00

U.S. surface transportation trade in December with Canada and Mexico totaled $74.2 billion, an 11.6 percent increase from a year earlier, according to the Transportation Department.

February CMI bodes well for economy

2012-02-29T00:00:00-05:00

February’s Credit Managers’ Index is at 55.8, a full percentage point higher than January’s index, reaching its highest reading since April 2011. While 2011 figures were weakened by oil prices, a flagging economy and disasters in Japan, the ten month high is a positive economic indicator, according to a statement released Wednesday from the National Association of Credit Management.

Truckload Capacity Drops 1.1 Percent, Survey Shows

2012-02-29T00:00:00-05:00

Capacity at a group of six large truckload carriers slipped 0.7 percent in the fourth quarter from the previous quarter and 1.1 percent year-over-year, as tractor-trailer supply and freight demand found a rough equilibrium at the end of 2011.

Customs and Border Protection Proposes Changes To In-Bond Transportation

2012-02-29T00:00:00-05:00

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is proposing various changes to the in-bond regulations. The proposed changes would: eliminate the paper in-bond application (CBP Form 7512) and require carriers or their agents to electronically file the in-bond application; require additional information on the in-bond application including the six- digit Harmonized Tariff Schedule number, if available, and information relevant to the safety and security of the in-bond merchandise; establish a 30-day maximum time to transport in-bond merchandise between United States ports, for all modes of transportation except pipeline; require carriers to electronically request permission from CBP before diverting the in-bond merchandise from its intended destination port to another port; and require carriers to report the arrival and location of the in-bond merchandise within 24 hours of arrival at the port of destination or port of export.

Railroads Nailing Shipment Growth

2012-03-05T00:00:00-05:00

Growth in manufacturing, auto demand and diesel prices brightens the outlook for intermodal and bulk rail traffic. U.S. rail growth this year is expected to outpace overall economic expansion as manufacturing expands and the shifting energy landscape gives as well as takes. Shippers will push more shipments from the road onto the rails with diesel prices topping $4 a gallon and increased federal regulation, along with tight fleet capacity, pushing truck rates up.

LTL Trucking Grew 11.6 Percent in 2011

2012-03-06T00:00:00-05:00

The less-than-truckload transportation industry grew 11.6 percent in 2011, pushing total U.S. LTL revenue past $30 billion for the first time since the recession.

Diesel Prices Continue to Rise

Rick LaGore — 2012-03-07T00:00:00-05:00

The national average diesel price per gallon rose to $4.094 this week. This is up $0.043 from last week.

Intermodal Volume on US Railroads Climbs 6 Percent

2012-03-08T00:00:00-05:00

Intermodal volume hauled by major U.S. railroads rose 6 percent year-over-year in the week ending March 3, pushing intermodal traffic to the third highest ever in February, according to the Association of American Railroads.

Truck Volume Forecast to Grow 3.9 Percent in 2012

2012-03-05T00:00:00-05:00

FTR Associates predicts trucking will outperform GDP as economy strengthens. The trucking industry will outperform the U.S. economy this year, with truck freight growing 3.9 percent, greater than overall GDP, according to FTR Associates.

Class 8 Truck Orders Drop 11 Percent

2012-03-05T00:00:00-05:00

FTR Associates reports February fall-off following truck-buying surge in 2011. Net orders for new Class 8 trucks dropped 11 percent in February from January, the second straight month of decline, according to research firm FTR Associates.

Truck Pricing Forecast to Climb 3 to 5 Percent

2012-03-01T00:00:00-05:00

Truck pricing is expected to rise by low to mid-single digit percentages over the next year, as shippers, brokers and carriers deal with tight capacity and rising costs.

U.S. Intermodal Container Traffic

2012-03-05T00:00:00-05:00

January domestic container intermodal traffic increased 14.7 percent year-over-year, yet declined 4.5 percent from December

Sourcing Alternatives Challenge China's Dominance

2012-03-07T00:00:00-05:00

Rising wages push manufacturers to lower-cost locations such as Mexico, India and Vietnam. Manufacturers are looking for lower-cost sourcing locations as China’s wages rise well above those in other emerging markets. As the U.S. baby boomers near retirement, their consumption patterns are shifting from retail goods to services, so the products they buy require shorter supply chains and much more flexibility, said Anne Landstrom, principal adviser for the commercial group at engineering and construction consultant Moffatt & Nichol.

February retail sales show decent growth, according to Commerce and NRF data

2012-03-13T00:00:00-04:00

Commerce reported that February retail sales at $407.8 billion were up 1.1 percent from January and up 6.5 percent compared to February 2011. February also marked the biggest monthly increase in retail sales in the past five months, according to Commerce data. And total sales for the December through February period were up 6.4 percent from the same period a year ago. When excluding autos, February retail sales were up 0.9 percent over January.

Indexed Ocean Contracts Catching On, But Slowly

2012-03-07T00:00:00-05:00

Multi-year contracts indexed to freight rates are slowly starting to catch on in global trade lanes as a means of creating stable and predictable rates for shippers and ocean carriers. Despite their benefits, however, index-based contracts aren’t likely to become the new standard any time soon, according to a panel of shippers, carriers and intermediaries at The Journal of Commerce’s 12th Annual Trans-Pacific Maritime Conference on Tuesday.

Diesel Prices Inch Up 2.9 Cents

2012-03-12T00:00:00-04:00

Diesel prices across the U.S. rose at the slowest pace in three weeks, climbing 2.9 cents in the week ending March 12 as oil prices fell at the end of trading for the first time in four days. Prices rose to $4.123 but the pace was more akin to the steady increases seen since the beginning of the year, not the surge experienced in the last two weeks. The average price is 21.4 cents higher than the same period a year ago, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Freight Demand Keeps Pressure on Truck Pricing, FTR Says

2012-03-12T00:00:00-04:00

Research firm FTR Associates sees tightening truck capacity and rising truck pricing ahead this year for North American shippers as freight demand outstrips GDP. “This will continue to keep transport capacity tight throughout the forecast period, resulting in ongoing upward rate pressure,” said senior consultant Larry Gross.

Mixed Weekly Rail Traffic, AAR Reports

2012-03-09T00:00:00-05:00

“Intermodal traffic was up for the 27th straight month, while carloads of a wide range of commodities — lumber, chemicals, petroleum, paper, steel and more — saw increases in February,” said AAR Senior Vice President John T. Gray in the organization’s announcement. “Time will tell, but we’re hopeful it’s a sign of broad-based improvement in economic conditions.”

U.S. Retail Inventory to Sales Ratio

2012-03-12T00:00:00-04:00

Year-over-year January U.S. retail sales rose 5.8 percent and inventories advanced 4.6 percent. Sequentially, January U.S. retail post-holiday sales plummeted 22.6 percent, while inventories inched ahead 0.2 percent. Retail inventories at the end of January were estimated to total $469.7 billion, with sales estimated at $323.1 billion for a total inventory to sales ratio of 1.45.

The State of Transpacific Ocean Freight

2012-03-23T00:00:00-04:00

Capacity cuts are coming too slowly, and carriers are breaking ranks too rapidly for ocean carriers' spring rate hikes to hold up.

When it came time to impose the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement’s recommended March 15 rate increase, the 15 member carriers took different approaches. Some told their shipping customers they would follow the TSA’s recommendation and raise prices on eastbound containers by $300 per 40-foot equivalent unit. Others told their customers they would hold at the rate prevailing since the last TSA increase on Jan. 1.

That, coupled with capacity cutting that has failed to dramatically trim the supply-demand imbalance, makes it highly unlikely carriers will be able to sustain the general rate increases they’re seeking this spring.

US Manufacturing ‘on Track’ for Growth, Report Says

2012-03-22T00:00:00-04:00

MAPI forecasts 4 percent increase in production this year, exceeding GDP growth. U.S. manufacturing recovery continues on track and should outperform overall GDP growth through 2013, according to a quarterly report by the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation.

NAFTA Trade Value Hit Record High in 2011

2012-03-21T00:00:00-04:00

2011 saw third largest year-to-year percentage increase since NAFTA took effect.

The value of surface transportation trade between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement partners Canada and Mexico increased by 14.3 percent to a record $904 billion in 2011, the U.S. Department of Transportation said.

The percentage increase was the third largest year-to-year increase since NAFTA went into effect in 1994.

Trans-Pacific Spot Rates Stay Steady

2012-03-21T00:00:00-04:00

Benchmark container rate is up 18.9 percent over same week last year.

Spot rates on the trans-Pacific trade stayed flat week-over-week this week after a 13.6 percent jump last week that followed the rate increase of $300 per 40-foot equivalent unit on March 15 implemented by carriers that belong to the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement.

The Drewry container rate benchmark for shipping a container from Hong Kong to Los Angeles remained at $2,013 per FEU this week after jumping by $242 last week, or slightly less than the full $300-per-FEU increase implemented by the TSA carriers.

Metric-driven sustainability initiative gathers speed and favor

2012-03-20T00:00:00-04:00

“Going Green” is no longer a choice for supply chain managers – it’s a given. Shareholder pressure is forcing publicly-held manufacturers to adhere to the highest levels of sustainability, said industry analysts and experts speaking yesterday a the International Warehouse Logistics Association 2012 Convention & Expo in San Francisco

Diesel hits highest price level since August 2008

2012-03-20T00:00:00-04:00

With diesel prices now over the $4 per gallon mark for the fourth straight week, the price per gallon for the week of March 19, at $4.142 per gallon, is at its highest point in nearly three-and-a-half years, according to the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Mexico may soon become more attractive as sourcing alternative

2012-03-19T00:00:00-04:00

According to Anne Landstrom, principal adviser for the commercial group at engineering and construction consultant Moffatt & Nichol, escalating wages and total landed costs are causing logistics managers to look south. More evidence that shippers may be “near shoring” in the future surfaced at a maritime conference in Southern California earlier this month.

AAR Reports Mixed Weekly Rail Traffic

2012-03-21T00:00:00-04:00

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported mixed weekly rail traffic for the week ending March 10, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 278,728 carloads, down 4.8 percent compared with the same week last year. Intermodal volume for the week totaled 226,039 trailers and containers, up 4.2 percent compared with the same week last year.

LTL's Second Wind

2012-03-16T00:00:00-04:00

The LTL trucking industry as a whole achieved more than $30 billion in revenue last year for the first time since the recession, increasing LTL sales 11.6 percent to $30.6 billion, compared with a 9.1 percent increase in revenue to $27.5 billion in 2010. (In its study, SJ Consulting ranks carriers by LTL revenue alone, excluding revenue from non-LTL sources such as truckload carriage and third-party logistics.)

Still, the recovery is incomplete. Despite steady improvement, LTL trucking has yet to regain its 2006 revenue peak of $33.7 billion, let alone the $33.3 billion in revenue reported for the industry before the economic collapse in 2008.

Diesel Price Continues to Rise, reports EIA

2012-03-27T00:00:00-04:00

For the week ending March 26, the EIA reported that the price per gallon is $4.147, which marks its highest level in three-and-a-half years, topping $4.145 per gallon from the week of August 25, 2008, when diesel prices were on the way down from record highs just weeks earlier, with the week of July 14, 2008 representing the apex for diesel prices at $4.764 per gallon.

Truck Tonnage Index Rises 5.5 Percent

2012-03-27T00:00:00-04:00

The American Trucking Associations For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index not only increased from January, but rose 5.5 percent year-over-year last month. In January, seasonally adjusted truck tonnage dropped 4.6 percent after surging a 6.4 percent in December, the strongest month-to-month gain since 2005.

US Durable Goods Orders Rise 2.2 Percent

2012-02-28T00:00:00-05:00

Orders for U.S. durable goods in February rose 2.2 percent year-over-year to $211.8 billion, as increased demand for cars, computers and capital equipment helped pull the manufacturing sector out of a January slowdown, according to the Commerce Department.

Consumer Confidence Dips, But Expectations Rise

2012-02-28T00:00:00-05:00

The confidence index dropped 1.4 points to 70.2 in March, after rising sharply in February from 61.5 the previous month. It is still close to levels last seen a year ago.

Are oil prices about to send the U.S. back into recession?

2012-03-29T00:00:00-04:00

For logistics managers, it’s important to understand what surplus oil production capacity means to oil and fuel prices—and, therefore, your bottom line. Surplus oil production capacity refers to the amount of oil that can be brought online to meet a surge in demand or to make up for a sudden decline in production. Prices rise sharply when surplus capacity dips below 1.5 percent of total consumption, or when surplus production capacity is declining rapidly toward that level.

US Intermodal Rail Shipments Increase

2012-03-29T00:00:00-04:00

U.S. intermodal rail shipments in the week ending March 24 rose 4.2 percent year-over-year and 2.3 percent from the week before, according to the Association of American Railroads. For the first 12 weeks of 2012, intermodal traffic was up 2.4 percent year-over-year, while carload volume was down 2.2 percent within the same period.

Five-Dollar Gas Would be a Win for Rail

2012-03-29T00:00:00-04:00

While both rail and trucking have mechanisms designed to pass fuel costs on to shippers, rail’s fuel efficiency advantage over trucks should lead to a modal shift from truck to rail in an environment of increasing fuel prices, the roundtable concluded. Any increase in fuel costs should result in meaningful gains in market share for domestic rail intermodal for hauls 500-750+ miles.
Unsurprisingly, the impact of $5.00 gas prices is expected to have a negative overall impact on the macroeconomies of the U.S. and Canada. While the economic recovery is strong enough at this point such that $5.00 gas prices are unlikely to cause a recession, it would likely result in a surge in the unemployment rate back above 9.0%.

How Shippers Must Move Into 2012

2012-04-02T00:00:00-04:00

Today’s supply chain organizations need more aggressive spend management to reduce costs and mitigate risk in shipping. Traditional tactics like invoice auditing and refund recovery are great ways to cut shipping costs in a stable market, but the complexity of today’s shipping environment requires a deeper understanding of how to lessen the impact of industrial, political and economic forces on corporate spending.

Diesel Prices Fall for First Time in 10 Weeks

2012-04-02T00:00:00-04:00

Diesel prices across the U.S. fell for the first time in 10 weeks in the week ending April 2, dropping half a cent as oil prices rose over $105 a barrel.

How to be a better shipper in four easy steps

2012-04-02T00:00:00-04:00

What makes a good shipper? That may be the most important question facing the trucking industry today. How shippers answer it—and carrier perceptions of that response—could determine if and how freight gets moved, the cost of moving the goods, and how effectively this large and important business is able to function at a critical point in its history.

Ocean Rate Hikes Stick, But Carrier Profits Shaky, Drewry Says

2012-04-03T00:00:00-04:00

Ocean carriers succeeded in raising freight rates on the headhaul legs of the Asia-Europe and trans-Pacific trades in the last month, but their results are likely to be weak in the first quarter before improving as the year progresses, Drewry Maritime Research said in its latest Container Forecaster.

Rails Coax Brokers, Shippers to Fill Trains Via Intermodal

2012-04-09T00:00:00-04:00

Transportation brokers have an underused opportunity to move freight via intermodal shipping, but those rail shipments can require special attention, several industry experts said.

Speaking on March 22 at the Transportation Intermediaries Association meeting here, Shelli Austin, a vice president at broker IDS Services, said, “I don’t want you to think [intermodal] will fix all your problems. [Brokers] have to educate shippers and learn about it as well.”

Diesel Hits Highest Price Since August 2008

2012-04-09T00:00:00-04:00

Diesel prices across the U.S. hit their highest point since August 2008 in the week ending April 9, climbing six-tenths of a cent as oil prices fell to more than $102 a barrel.

Freight Industry Report for March 2012

Rick LaGore — 2012-04-10T00:00:00-04:00

The freight market continued to show steady growth in March, with general economic indexes having many industry experts forecasting a strong peak shipping season. The key index to watch that will quickly throw the market into peak season is the sales to inventory ratio. For the past five months, this ratio has remained relatively flat and near pre-recession levels, yet the market has continued to expand.

LTL Truckers to Build Pricing Power, Analyst Says

2012-04-12T00:00:00-04:00

Stifel Nicolaus predicts LTL trucking yields will rise 4-5 percent, after surcharges. Trucking companies hauling less-than-truckload freight should be able to hold onto the pricing power they’ve gained over shippers through 2014 at least, increasing rates and yields in 2012 and 2013, a Wall Street transportation analyst says.

US Rail Traffic Mixed for Week

2012-04-05T00:00:00-04:00

Intermodal rail shipments increase 3.6 percent while carloads decline 6.2 percent year-over-year.

Truckload, Intermodal Linehaul Rates Rising

2012-04-13T00:00:00-04:00

Over-the-road truck rates up 7 percent from year ago, pressuring intermodal pricing. Truckload pricing was 7.2 percent higher in March than a year ago, though down slightly from recent months, according to the Cass Truckload Linehaul Index.

Intermodal Volume Inches Up 1.1 Percent

2012-04-16T00:00:00-04:00

U.S. intermodal rail shipments in the week ending April 7 rose 1.1 percent year-over-year and fell. 4.7 percent from the previous week, according to the Association of American Railroads.

LA-LB Container Volumes Climb

2012-04-16T00:00:00-04:00

Container volumes at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach bounced back strongly in March following a weak February. Imports in Long Beach increased 18.3 percent and exports were up 10 percent compared to March 2011. Total container volume, including empties, was up 12 percent.

Growing World Demand Sparks the End of Cheap Oil

2012-04-16T00:00:00-04:00

Volatility and high prices are here to stay. Global supply chains are changing to reflect a new reality. All it took was the March 25 shutdown of a single North Sea oil platform to boost Brent crude oil prices $1 a barrel. The European crude oil benchmark fell just as quickly, but the reaction from the loss of one oil rig underscores the increasing volatility in fuel prices supply chain managers face.

March retail sales post gains, according to Commerce and NRF data

2012-04-16T00:00:00-04:00

March retail sales post gains, according to Commerce and NRF data Data released today by the United States Department of Commerce and the National Retail Federation (NRF) indicated that slow economic momentum is ongoing, with both reporting that March retail sales showed growth.

Indexed Freight Contracts on the Rise

2012-04-17T00:00:00-04:00

Indexed Freight Contracts on the Rise. Shippers and container carriers find value in long-term contracts tied to rate indices In the current volatile freight rate environment on the major east-west trade lanes, shippers and carriers are slowly beginning to negotiate long-term contracts linked to various rate indices, but they won’t solve the problem of volatility until carriers can find innovative solutions to the problems besetting their business.

Diesel Prices Fall for Second Time in Three Weeks

2012-04-16T00:00:00-04:00

Oil prices rise as fears over supply disruption rescind. Diesel prices across the U.S. fell for the second time in three weeks, slipping 2.1 cents in the week ending April 16 as oil prices inched up.

U.S. Retail Inventory to Sales Ratio

2012-04-16T00:00:00-04:00

Year-over-year February U.S. retail sales rose 10.2 percent, and inventories advanced 5.6 percent. Sequentially, February U.S. retail sales were up 4.7 percent, while inventories inched ahead 1 percent. Retail inventories at the end of February were estimated to total $474.5 billion, with sales estimated at $338 billion for a total inventory to sales ratio of 1.4.

Trans-Pacific Spot Rates Jump 20 Percent

2012-04-18T00:00:00-04:00

Trans-Pacific spot rates jumped 19.9 percent this week, according to the Drewry Hong Kong-Los Angeles Container Rate Benchmark, an indication that carriers’ April 15 rate increases are sticking. The Drewry benchmark showed non-vessel-operating common carriers reported paying $2,405 per 40-foot container, up from $2,005 last week and 67.5 percent above the $1,436 rate in December. The latest week’s rate was up 34 percent from a year earlier.

Analysts: Ocean Freight Rates Will Fall Unless New Capacity Is Absorbed

2012-04-18T00:00:00-04:00

With so many new big ships coming into trades, additional lay-ups will be needed or rates will drop. Although the general rate increases of the last two months in the Asia-Europe and trans-Pacific trade lanes are being accepted by shippers, so much additional capacity is due for delivery this year that rates will almost certainly start falling again by the fourth quarter unless carriers start to lay up more of their ships, according to a panel of analysts speaking Wednesday at Containerisation International’s 14th annual Global Liner Shipping conference in London.

Fixing Broken Chassis System Proves Elusive

2012-04-23T00:00:00-04:00

With so many interests having a stake, is it any wonder a single national system is so elusive? Why a solution may be years away. Viewed from 30,000 feet, broad trends in intermodal chassis supply are easy to see: more chassis pools, fewer ship lines supplying free equipment, more truckers renting chassis by the day.

Economic Indicators Show Growth in Freight

2012-04-23T00:00:00-04:00

After a winter of discontent, rising freight volumes reflect the economy’s gradual recovery. Spring arrived early, in more ways than one, for shippers, carriers and transportation intermediaries serving the U.S. market. After a largely uneventful winter marked more by unease over the economy than by the weather, freight volumes appear ready to bloom, according to several economic indicators.

SCFI - Shanghai Containerized Freight Index

2012-04-23T00:00:00-04:00

SCFI comprehensive reading of 1,426.23, up 478.65 or 50.5 percent from year-end.Index at 2012 high. The Shanghai Container Freight Index comprehensive reading for April 20 was 1,426.23 — the highest level year-to-date — up 9.36 points or 0.7 percent from the week before. The index was 407.26 points or 40.0 percent higher than a year ago and 478.65 points or 50.5 percent higher than year-end.

Port of LA to Invest Billions in Infrastructure

2012-04-24T00:00:00-04:00

Port's strategic plan aims to keep top ranking in U.S. ports. The Port of Los Angeles will invest billions of dollars in transportation infrastructure to maintain its ranking as the largest U.S. container port, according to the 2012-2017 strategic plan released over the weekend.

Trans-Pacific Spot Rates Hold Most Gains

2012-04-25T00:00:00-04:00

2.8 percent drop follows climb of 19.9 percent after ocean carrier's general rate increases Trans-Pacific spot rates eased slightly this week after their 19.9 percent spike last week, which followed carriers’ mid-month general rate increases.

Canadian Trucking Cost Index Up 10 Percent

2012-04-25T00:00:00-04:00

CGFI rises for 12th straight month, powered by higher fuel surcharges, base rates. Trucking costs in Canada are steadily rising in early 2012 and are 10 percent higher than in March 2011, according to a monthly index of Canadian shipping costs.

Diesel prices fall for the third time in last four weeks

2012-04-24T00:00:00-04:00

Diesel prices dipped for the third time in the last four weeks, according to data from the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA). The price per gallon of diesel dipped 4.2 cents to $4.085 per gallon. This is the steepest weekly drop since prices fell 6.6 cents the week of December 19 from $3.894 to $3.828 per gallon.

ATA reports March trucking volumes show mixed sequential and annual growth

2012-04-24T00:00:00-04:00

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) reported earlier today that March truck tonnage volumes grew slowly, showing an increase for the seventh time in the last eight months.

Idle Container Ship Capacity Falls by a Third

2012-05-01T00:00:00-04:00

Container lines have started reactivating their idle container fleets for the summer peak shipping season, which has resulted in a decline of almost a third in idle container ship capacity, according to Alphaliner.

Modal Shift, 3PLs Transform LTL Trucking

2012-05-01T00:00:00-04:00

3PLs play increasing role in determining mode, transport spend, CEOs tell NASSTRAC conference

Diesel Prices Fall for Third Straight Week

2012-05-01T00:00:00-04:00

Diesel prices across the U.S. fell for the third week in a row, dropping 1.2 cents in the week ending April 30 as oil prices rose slightly above $4 a barrel.

West Coast Container Trade on the Rise

2012-05-02T00:00:00-04:00

West Coast ports handled 7 percent more loaded containers in March compared to the same month last year, according to numbers published on the Web site of the Pacific Maritime Association.

U.S. Intermodal Container Traffic

2012-04-30T00:00:00-04:00

March domestic container intermodal traffic increased 10.9 percent year-over-year and 12 percent sequentially. In contrast, international container intermodal traffic was up 4 percent year-over-year and 10 percent higher than February.

Intermodal Rail Volume Jumps 6 Percent

2012-03-26T00:00:00-04:00

U.S. intermodal rail shipments in the week ending April 21 jumped 6 percent year-over-year and 2.2 percent from the previous week, according to the Association of American Railroads.

Can Long-haul LTL Industry Survive?

2012-04-30T00:00:00-04:00

In the 1980s and 1990s, they ruled the interstate highway system as they crisscrossed the country. You knew their names: Roadway Express, Consolidated Freightways and Yellow Freight. They were the big three of the transportation industry. Only YRC remains, the result of the 2003 merger between Roadway and Yellow and CF’s bankruptcy a year earlier. The long-haul less-than-truckload industry has gone the way of vinyl records and film cameras. What led to the downfall of this once-mighty industry?

Rising Labor Costs, Land Prices Challenge China’s Competitiveness

2012-05-04T00:00:00-04:00

Shifting production patterns increase demands on logistics companies. Finding suitable distribution facilities inland is just one of them.

Supply Chains Shift on China's Halting Growth

2012-04-27T00:00:00-04:00

In explaining the vast quantities of excess capacity throughout the U.S. marine terminal world, it’s not hard to identify the culprit: Ports and port investors got drunk on growth in the years leading up to the financial crisis, overinvesting in expectation of a never-ending stream of compound growth rates exceeding 7 percent or higher.

Transloading Benefits Driving Growth

2012-05-04T00:00:00-04:00

After watching in recent years as the number of intact containers moving to and from the Port of Tacoma by rail declined as a percentage of the port’s overall international volumes, officials spotted an interesting opportunity.

Ten Key Trends Impacting the North American Distribution Market

2012-05-07T00:00:00-04:00

Global and regional trends such as the rise of ecommerce and the growth of intermodal hubs are affecting the placement and location of facilities. The latest Transportation Intelligence report “North America Warehousing and Distribution” identifies ten key trends which are impacting on this important sector.

Diesel, Oil Prices Hit Lowest Point Since February

2012-05-08T00:00:00-04:00

Diesel prices across the U.S. fell to their lowest point in 10 weeks, slipping 1.6 cents in the week ending May 7 as oil prices dropped to the lowest point since February.

Trans-Pacific Carriers Plan Westbound Rate Hikes

2012-05-08T00:00:00-04:00

Trans-Pacific carriers announced proposed rate increases of $300 to $400 per 40-foot container unit, effective July 1, on shipments of frozen and chilled beef, pork and poultry shipments exported from the U.S. to Asia.

Domestic Intermodal Container Volume Jumps 14.9 Percent

2012-05-08T00:00:00-04:00

Domestic intermodal container volume in the first quarter surged 14.9 percent year-over-year, outpacing international intermodal traffic gains by a wide margin and reconfirming strong U.S. manufacturing growth.

Trucking Executives Warn Shippers on Costs

2012-05-08T00:00:00-04:00

Speakers at NITL Policy Forum warn of price hikes, seek more shipper partnerships. Trucking executives sounded a clear warning about rising costs Tuesday at the National Industrial Transportation League's Freight Policy Forum in Washington, D.C.

Shippers warned of rising U.S. freight rates ahead

2012-05-10T00:00:00-04:00

Users of transportation services need to get accustomed to U.S. freight rates rising "indefinitely," or at least through the balance of the decade, a leading industry consultant said Tuesday. Noël Perry, principal of consultancy Transport Fundamentals Inc., predicted that rates for truckload, barge, and rail intermodal services will each rise between 50 and 60 percent by the end of the decade. Truckload rates could escalate by between 8 and 9 percent a year by decade's end, he told attendees at the Warehousing Education and Research Council's (WERC) annual meeting in Atlanta.

Rising Transportation Costs Pressure 3PL Margins

2012-05-14T00:00:00-04:00

C.H. Robinson and other 3PLs are growing but rising truck costs threaten to deflate margins When trucking companies are stung by rising costs, third-party logistics providers share their pain, very quickly. Rising transportation costs are putting more pressure on net margins at 3PLs as well as carriers, as they balance what they pay truckers and what they can charge shippers. At the same time, freight volumes are increasing on the roads and rails, driving revenue higher for non-asset logistics companies.

U.S. Intermodal Shipments

2012-05-07T00:00:00-04:00

Monthly year-over-year percent change in intermodal shipments of 20-foot, 40-foot and 53-foot units in the United States.
March 53-foot traffic advanced 12.1 percent sequentially, 20-footers were up 10.9 percent and 40-footers, 10.2 percent. March 53-foot traffic was 11.7 percent ahead year-over-year, 40-footers up 4.4 percent and 20-footers up 3.8 percent. Year-to-date, 53-foot traffic advanced 15.9 percent, 40-footers were up 3.1 percent and 20-footers, 2.8 percent year-over-year.

Diesel Prices Fall Nearly Below $4 Mark

2012-05-14T00:00:00-04:00

Oil prices hit a new 2012 low on fears Greece will abandon Euro Diesel prices across the U.S. dropped nearly below the $4 per gallon mark, dropping roughly half a cents in the week ending May 15 as oil prices hit a new 2012 low.

Inland DCs Near Rail Ramps Luring Retailers

2012-05-16T00:00:00-04:00

With transportation costs increasing, retailers find savings in inland locations close to rail hubs With transportation representing the biggest cost factor in the domestic supply chain, retailers are locating their inland distribution facilities as close to rail ramps as possible, an industrial real estate executive says.

Faceoff at CP to Shape Intermodal Market

2012-05-14T00:00:00-04:00

The battle for control of Canada’s second-largest railroad will help determine the course of North American intermodal service A Memphis native who got his start as a carman-oiler in 1963 found himself four decades later running Canadian National Railway, the largest freight railroad in Canada. Behind the Southern drawl was a mind geared for efficiency and a willingness to anger some shippers if that’s what it took to get trains running on time.

Truckload Carriers Braving Higher Costs By Raising Rates

2012-05-14T00:00:00-04:00

Carriers say they must raise rates before soaring costs crimp their ability to reinvest and add capacity. Truckers aren’t typically shy or coy, and truckload carrier executives at the NASSTRAC 2012 Logistics Conference weren’t afraid to let customers and potential customers know exactly what they want from them this year: more money.

Intermodal Volume Rises 3 Percent on Major US Rails

2012-05-17T00:00:00-04:00

Carload traffic fell 5.2 percent in the week ending May 12. U.S. intermodal rail shipments in the week ending May 12 rose 3 percent year-over-year and was nearly flat from the previous week, according to the Association of American Railroads.

Rail Traffic Continues Mixed for Major U.S. Lines, AAR Reports

2012-05-11T00:00:00-04:00

Rail traffic continued to be mixed on reporting U.S. railroads in the week ending May 5, 2012, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) said, as they originated 276,136 carloads, down 2% compared with the same week last year. Intermodal volume for the week totaled 239,031 trailers and containers, up 3% compared with the same week last year.

U.S. Retail Inventory to Sales Ratio

2012-05-14T00:00:00-04:00

March U.S. retail sales rose 7.2 percentyear-over-year, and inventories advanced 5.1 percent. Sequentially, March U.S. retail sales increased 11.5 percent, while inventories were ahead 2.2 percent. Retail inventories at the end of March were estimated to total $482.3 billion, with sales estimated at $374 billion for a total inventory to sales ratio of 1.29.

2012 Trans-Pacific Service Contracts Squeeze NVOs

2012-05-18T00:00:00-04:00

Non-vessel-operating common carriers generally have it good: Non- or light-asset based, agile in responding to customers’ needs and often consistently profitable, their presence in the market has increased even in heavy beneficial cargo owner markets such as the U.S., where shippers often choose to deal directly with carriers to ensure access to capacity.

Trucking Safety on a Crash Course

2012-05-21T00:00:00-04:00

The shipping world seeks clarity as regulators set out to improve data in the controversial, slow-moving CSA program Two years after federal regulators launched the Compliance, Safety and Accountability initiative, the program is still incomplete, lacking a long-promised and crucial component: a new motor carrier safety fitness rating system.

High Transportation Costs Spark Intermodal Growth

2012-05-21T00:00:00-04:00

A strong first quarter, especially in domestic shipments, could give way as economic slowdown, European crisis loom You’d be hard pressed to find a better barometer than intermodal traffic of the road ahead for U.S. shippers and transportation providers.

Economists Forecast Slow Gains Through 2013

2012-05-21T00:00:00-04:00

Quarterly survey by the National Association for Business Economics sees some predictions revised up The National Association for Business Economics said its quarterly survey of economists foresees continued moderate growth through 2013 as the economy continues a "subpar" recovery.

Diesel Prices Fall Below $4 a Gallon

2012-05-21T00:00:00-04:00

Average price down 4.1 cents year-over-year, but prices are up 17.3 cents from beginning of year Diesel prices across the U.S. dropped below the $4 gallon mark, declining 4.8 cents in the week ending May 21 as oil prices rose more than $1.

Supply Chain Analysts Say Second Quarter May Mirror First

2012-05-16T00:00:00-04:00

The outlook for the freight market is mixed as Asia, Europe and the US grapple with slowing economic growth and in Europe’s case, a recession.

Truckload Capacity Flattening, Survey Shows

2012-05-22T00:00:00-04:00

Carrier data points to rough balance in first quarter as capacity drops less than 1 percent Capacity at a group of seven large truckload carriers dropped 0.6 percent from a year ago in the first quarter and only 0.3 percent from the fourth quarter, the smallest annual and sequential quarterly decline in their tractor count in a year.

April spot market volume hits record levels, says TransCore

2012-05-21T00:00:00-04:00

Recent data from TransCore noted that April marked the best single month volume output for the spot market, based on its TransCore’s DAT North American Freight Index, which reflects spot market freight availability on its network of load boards in the United States and Canada.

April tonnage data from the ATA shows mixed results

2012-05-22T00:00:00-04:00

The stop and start nature of the current freight economy and economic recovery was exemplified in today’s April truck tonnage data report by the American Trucking Associations (ATA).

Trans-Pacific Spot Rates Hold Firm

2012-05-23T00:00:00-04:00

Stability indicates ocean carriers are maintaining pricing discipline Eastbound trans-Pacific spot rates held steady this week for the fourth week in a row, indicating that carriers are maintaining pricing discipline on the big general rate increase they put into effect on April 15.

Canadian Pacific Suspends Canadian Service After Strike

2012-05-23T00:00:00-04:00

Union, railroad trying to hammer out a contract after missing deadline Canadian Pacific Railway suspended Canadian service on Wednesday after union workers began a strike early in the day.

Canada Ready to End CP Strike 'If Necessary'

2012-05-23T00:00:00-04:00

Labor minister wouldn’t say when the government would propose back-to-work legislation The Canadian government is ready to legislate the end of the Canadian Pacific Railway strike that began earlier today “if necessary,” according to a report

The National Average Diesel Fuel Price Drops Again

Walter Weart — 2012-05-30T00:00:00-04:00

This week's national average price of diesel fuel decreased as did the prices in all regions as well. The current national average for a gallon of diesel is $3.897, a decrease of $0.059 from last week.

U.S. manufacturers may be leaving China, analysts report

2012-05-29T00:00:00-04:00

At the moment, China remains a manufacturing powerhouse, with nearly 75 percent of the companies surveyed having some manufacturing capability in China for at least three years, either directly or through contract manufacturers

Stable Spot Rates Set Stage for Peak Trans-Pacific Surcharges

2012-05-30T00:00:00-04:00

Eastbound trans-Pacific spot rates held steady this week for the sixth week in a row, as carriers resisted any rate-cutting in advance of the June peak season surcharges recommended by the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement

Canada's lower house passes back-to-work legislation for CP workers

2012-05-30T00:00:00-04:00

On the heels of last week's freight service shutdown by the Canadian Pacific Railway after over 4,800 employees went on strike, Canada's House of Commons reportedly passed back-to-work legislation this morning that could ultimately force the railroad's locomotive engineers, conductors and rail controllers back to work if the bill passes the Senate.

U.S. Rail Cargo

2012-05-28T00:00:00-04:00

Weekly year-over-year percent change and week-to-week percent change through Dec. 24, 2011.*

FedEx raises rates

2012-06-08T00:00:00-04:00

FedEx Freight announced it is increasing its shipping rates on July 9, 2012. The 6.9 percent rate increase will apply to FedEx Freight shipments "within the contiguous U.S., between the contiguous U.S. and Canada, and within Canada," according to a statement.

NVOs to Take Brunt of Peak-Season Surcharges

2012-06-08T00:00:00-04:00

Non-vessel operators complain their rate increases are outpacing those of beneficial cargo owners. Having worked for more than 22 years in the shipping industry, much of the time with ocean carriers, Stephen Aldridge understands that freight rates charged to cargo consolidators will rise and fall with market conditions.

US Intermodal Rail Traffic Up 4.1 Percent

2012-06-08T00:00:00-04:00

U.S. intermodal shipments on major railroads in the week ending June 2 rose 4.1 percent year-over-year but fell 12.6 percent from the week before, according to the Association of American Railroads.

PMA: West Coast shipping industry considers terminal automation "critical long-term solution"

2012-06-07T00:00:00-04:00

New marine terminal automated technologies are essential for handling larger containerships and competing with the widened Panama Canal in the coming years at container ports along the U.S. West Coast, according to the annual report of the association that represents shipping companies that operate there.

Truckers, Shippers Headed for Another ‘Soft Patch’?

2012-06-06T00:00:00-04:00

The U.S. economy may be slowing, but domestic shipping is picking up speed, countering recent reports of economic doom while challenging shippers struggling to balance freight demand and transportation costs in the coming months

Diesel Prices Slip to Lowest Point Since Mid-January

2012-06-04T00:00:00-04:00

Diesel prices across the U.S. in the week ending May 28 fell to the lowest point since mid-January, and less than a cent from the year’s low.Oil prices rose slightly as diesel prices fell 5.1 cents to $3.846, the lowest price since the week ending Jan. 9 when prices were $3.828. The lowest price so far in 2012 occurred in the first week in January, with a gallon of diesel costing $3.783, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Prices are down 9.4 cents from a year ago.

Freight Shipments, Spending, Increased in May

2012-06-06T00:00:00-04:00

The Cass Freight Index increased in May, despite signs of a slowing economy. The freight shipment index rose 1.8 percent from April and 2.2 percent year-over-year, according to Cass Information Systems

Shippers Fail to Kill Overseas Container Scanning Plan

2012-06-06T00:00:00-04:00

Shippers on Wednesday failed to convince members of Congress to scrap legislation requiring all containers be scanned overseas before being allowed into U.S. ports.

Traffic Climbs on Major U.S. Railroads

2012-06-04T00:00:00-04:00

Carload traffic grew along with intermodal volumes on reporting U.S. railroads in the week ending May 26, 2012, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) said, breaking a pattern of mixed results seen frequently this year. The lines originated 291,381 carloads, up 1.3% compared with the same week last year, and intermodal traffic for the week totaled 244,726 trailers and containers, up 4.3% compared with the same week last year.

Back on the road

2012-04-24T00:00:00-04:00

Thanks to an improving U.S. economy, decent volume growth, and an avoidance of past errors, LTL is no longer the wreck on the highway.There's a proverb that "there are no mistakes, just lessons." If that's the case, the less-than-truckload (LTL) sector has received a world-class education during the past five to six years.

But can they deliver?

2012-05-24T00:00:00-04:00

Conventional wisdom says buyers look mainly at price when they go to choose suppliers. Yet many place heavy emphasis on delivery capabilities as well. When it comes to sourcing products, parts, or materials, some companies choose their suppliers strictly on one basis: price. Given the current flat economy, that's probably no surprise. These companies are likely under enormous pressure to hold down supply chain operating expenses, and that starts with procurement.

Gartner Announces Predictions for Global Logistics Organizations

2012-06-04T00:00:00-04:00

Gartner, Inc. has published four predictions expected to affect global logistics organizations over the next four years, covering environmental issues, risk and compliance, international flow optimization and supply chain execution convergence. These predictions will affect most logistics organizations, however the impact will depend on how prepared they are to adapt to these events, analysts said.

The Fallacy of Re-shoring

2012-06-04T00:00:00-04:00

Stories about re-shoring manufacturing to the U.S. are typically anecdotal and unsustainable in segments where there is cost competition. Besides, the statistics do not support the stories.

Diesel Prices Hit Nine-Month Low

2012-06-11T00:00:00-04:00

Oil prices rise on news of $125 billion rescue loan to Spanish banks Diesel prices in the U.S. hit the lowest point since October, falling 6.5 cents in the week ending June 11 as oil prices rose to nearly $85 a barrel

Study conducted by UPS and comScore takes deep dive into consumers’ online shipping preferences

2012-06-12T00:00:00-04:00

As e-commerce continues to become more prevalent and becomes a “go-to” shopping option for consumers, subsequent effects of that figure to impact supply chains in the sense that they might be more consumer-driven in the future. That was one of the main findings of a recent study put out by UPS and comScore.

FTR Associates data points to an improving trucking sector

2012-06-11T00:00:00-04:00

Based on the most recent reading of FTR Associates’ Trucking Conditions Index (TCI), it appears that the trucking sector is showing some signs of solid growth.

Report: Logistics costs rose to 8.5 percent of U.S. GDP in 2011

2012-06-13T00:00:00-04:00

Logistics costs in 2011 rose 6.6 percent from the previous year to $1.282 trillion, or 8.5 percent of U.S. gross domestic product, as railroads gained market share and the ocean shipping sector continued to struggle, according to an industry report.

Shippers See Trouble as Truck Capacity Tightens

2012-06-13T00:00:00-04:00

Difficulty getting trucks affects ability to deliver goods on time, CSCMP panelists warn. As trucking capacity tightens, shippers are increasingly concerned about their ability to get goods to customers on time, logistics executives said Wednesday.

Logistics Costs Rose 6.6 Percent Last Year

2012-06-13T00:00:00-04:00

Report said costs totaled $1.28 trillion last year, still below pre-recession high of $1.39 trillion in 2007 U.S. business logistics costs rose 6.6 percent last year as companies spent more on transportation and inventory in a gradually recovering economy, according to the 23rd annual State of Logistics report.

Weekly Carload Traffic Down, Intermodal Up

2012-06-08T00:00:00-04:00

Rail traffic once again was mixed on reporting U.S. railroads in the week ending June 2, 2012, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) said, as the lines originated 265,207 carloads, down 3.1% compared with the same week last year. Intermodal volume for the week totaled 213,911 trailers and containers, up 4.1% compared with the same week last year.

Truckload Rates Flat in May, Intermodal Pricing Rises

2012-06-13T00:00:00-04:00

Cass pricing measures show impact of slower economy, modal shift Truckload rates shifted into lower gear in May, rising only 5 percent from a year ago and staying basically flat from April, according to Cass Information Systems.

Shippers Shift Modes Seeking Savings, Capacity

2012-06-13T00:00:00-04:00

Shippers seek supply chain agility as costs rise, rely more on intermodal rail Rising transportation costs and tight truckload capacity are creating more opportunities for intermodal rail in 2012, logistics executives said Wednesday.

Eastern US Rails Poised for Growth on Either Coast

2012-06-11T00:00:00-04:00

CSX, NS beef up rail networks and stand to gain from canal-sparked growth on either U.S. coast Major eastern U.S. railroads stand to gain whether or not the Panama Canal expansion brings more freight to the ports they serve. The railroads may actually benefit more from growth on the other side of the U.S. despite the improvements CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern have made to rail networks connecting shippers to East Coast ports.

Congress Running Out of Time to Pass Transport Bill

2012-06-14T00:00:00-04:00

With only several weeks left for Congress to hash out a surface transportation bill, Senate Democrats urged House Republicans to stop stalling.

Truckload Rates Flat in May, Intermodal Pricing Rises

2012-06-13T00:00:00-04:00

US Rail on Strong Track As Economy Slows

2012-06-11T00:00:00-04:00

The U.S. rail shippers don’t appear to heeding the warnings of a national economic slowdown.Intermodal volume in May on the major U.S. railroads hit the highest level in history for that month, according to the Association of American Railroads. Intermodal traffic last month was 3.5 percent higher than the same month a year ago. Although carload volume was down 2.8 percent year-over-year in the same period, the big losses were because of slumps in the major commodities of coal and grain.

Retail Demand Report Leaves Supply Chain Managers Guessing

2012-06-13T00:00:00-04:00

At a time when mixed economic signals continue to prevail, May retail sales data from the United States Department of Commerce and the National Retail Federation (NRF) both were down compared to May and up annually.

US Intermodal Volume Up 15.2 Percent From Prior Week

2012-06-14T00:00:00-04:00

Intermodal traffic rose 3.8 percent year-over-year in week ending June 9 Intermodal shipments on major U.S. railroads in the week ending June 9 rose 3.8 percent year-over-year and jumped 15.2 percent from the prior week, according to the Association of American Railroads.

US Freight Shipments in April Up 0.2 Percent From March

2012-06-15T00:00:00-04:00

Freight volume up 2.3 percent year-over-year, according to DOT index U.S. freight shipments rose 0.2 percent in April from a month earlier and 2.3 percent year-over-year, suggesting the slowdown of economic growth since January is continuing, the Transportation Department said.

Silver Lining: Lousy Economy Keeps Capacity under Control

2012-06-18T00:00:00-04:00

The good news for shippers is that things didn’t get any worse over the past month; the bad news is that things were already pretty bad. FTR Associates is reporting that its Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) for April was basically unchanged from the previous month, with a moderately negative reading of -5.4.

Economist Sees US Economy in Retreat

2012-06-18T00:00:00-04:00

Slow U.S. growth threatens to become no growth as Europe’s crisis casts a long shadow To Lakshman Achuthan, the question isn’t whether the U.S. economy is sliding toward a new recession, but when one will start, if it hasn’t already.

Concerns Over Freight Rate Slump Are Overstated, Analyst Says

2012-06-18T00:00:00-04:00

RS Platou Markets analyst doubts container carriers will engage in rate war Concerns over a slump in container freight rates are overstated because lines are desperate to avoid a rate war and will suppress box slot supply to maintain profits, according to one leading expert.

For-Hire Truck Tonnage Slips 0.7 Percent in May

2012-06-19T00:00:00-04:00

Volume decrease from April reflects slowing, not stalling, economy For-hire truck tonnage fell 0.7 percent in May from April but grew at a slightly brisker pace on a year-over-year basis, 4.1 percent, reflecting a slowing, not stalling, of economic growth

The National Average Diesel Fuel Price Drops Again

2012-06-20T00:00:00-04:00

This week's national average price of diesel fuel decreased as did the prices in all regions as well. The current national average for a gallon of diesel is $3.729, a decrease of $0.052 from last week. By comparison, the national average price for a gallon of gasoline, which decreased as well, is $3.533, a decrease of $0.039.

Retail Container Imports Expected To Increase 4.8 Percent In June

2012-06-20T00:00:00-04:00

Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to increase 4.8 percent in June compared with the same month last year, and year-over-year increases are expected to continue into the holiday season shipping cycle,.

Cass Information Systems Releases Truckload And Intermodal Linehaul Index

2012-06-20T00:00:00-04:00

Base truckload rates
Base truckload rates are trending flat for the time being, although on a year-over-year basis, May’s index registered 5.0 percent higher than for the same period last year. The continuing share shift toward intermodal is at least one reason rates are being held in check.

In his firm’s monthly report, Donald Broughton, of Avondale Partners, added that despite the current steadiness, “We continue to believe that capacity remains constrained and that 6-9 Percent rate increases are possible for 2012.

Intermodal Linehaul Index
For the second straight month, base intermodal rates were higher than they were at the same time last year. May’s index value of 102.6 registered a year-over-year increase of 1.4 percent.

The relatively high rates are likely attributable to increased demand for intermodal created by spiking diesel prices and tight capacity in trucking.

Logistics, Like Economy, on Slow, Winding Road to Recovery, Report Finds

2012-06-18T00:00:00-04:00

Costs rose faster than GDP last year, but remain below pre-recession peak, State of Logistics Report says U.S. business logistics costs rose at a slower rate last year than in 2010, but remained well below their pre-recession peak, according to the annual State of Logistics report.

FedEx’s Smith Says Freight Shifting From Air to Sea

2012-06-20T00:00:00-04:00

Shippers look to cut ground, air transportation costs, CEO says FedEx CEO Fred Smith said more shippers are transporting goods via ocean shipping at the expense air carriers, a modal shift reflected in the parcel giant’s recent earnings report.

US Intermodal Volume Up 15.2 Percent From Prior Week

2012-06-14T00:00:00-04:00

U.S. Seaports Need Help

2012-06-21T00:00:00-04:00

Even as the global recession has forced cutbacks in government spending, other countries continue to invest significantly more than the U.S. to expand and update their transportation networks.

Ocean Cargo in Second Half of 2012: Challenges and Opportunities

2012-06-21T00:00:00-04:00

In a collective effort to stem the flow of eroding freight pricing, ocean carriers are now competing on the two major global trade lanes – EU-Asia and the Transpacific – by focusing on value rather than rates. Indeed, all the major players are telling shippers the General Rate Increases (GRI’s) will not be jeopardized by competition offering deep discounts this year.

U.S. Retail Inventory to Sales Ratio

2012-06-18T00:00:00-04:00

Year-over-year April U.S. retail sales rose 3.3 percent and inventories advanced 5.6 percent.

Economic Flu Spreads to Asia

2012-06-22T00:00:00-04:00

It’s easy to think of Asia’s financial health as almost decoupled from the West. Some of the region’s largest economies, including India, China and Indonesia, sailed serenely through the 2008-09 global financial crisis without dipping into recession. Even those parts of Asia most exposed to global flux regained economic health rapidly.

Caution Ahead: Fledgling CSA program suffers growing pains

2012-04-01T00:00:00-04:00

The most ambitious truck safety program in a generation is leaving the industry bewildered over the exact nature of the initiative—which, according to analysts, seems to be changing continuously.

US Diesel Hits Lowest Price Since February 2011

2012-06-25T00:00:00-04:00

Oil prices fell to a little over $79 a barrell on continued eurozone crisis fears

NAFTA Surface Trade in April Up 8.2 Percent Year-Over-Year

2012-06-26T00:00:00-04:00

The value of surface transportation trade between the U.S. and Canada and Mexico in April rose 8.2 percent year-over-year but fell 6.9 percent from March, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics

Supply Chain Managers Must Deal With Tepid Global Growth

2012-06-25T00:00:00-04:00

For the third year in a row, global growth has started out strong, only to falter by midyear, said IHS Global Insight Economists.The incoming economic data “point to softness” in most parts of the world, IHS adds.

Japan Shows Some Promise Say Economists

2012-06-26T00:00:00-04:00

One of the few bright spots in an otherwise grim global economic forecast was Japan’s recent performance.According to IHS Global Insight Economists, that nation’s real GDP increased at a 4.1 percent annual rate in the first quarter, led by gains in private consumption, government spending, and net exports

Global Slowdown Threatens U.S. Export Gains, ITA Chief Says

2012-06-27T00:00:00-04:00

Sanchez warns that the decline in U.S. infrastructure impedes international freight flows A key U.S. trade official lashed out at the declining state of U.S. transportation infrastructure Wednesday, saying “we can and must do better” to improve highways, bridges and other components of the system to encourage greater exports.

Shipping Industry Confidence Rises for Fourth Quarter in a Row

2012-06-27T00:00:00-04:00

Moore Stephens survey finds overall confidence reached its highest level since February 2011 Overall confidence levels in the shipping industry, including the container ship market, increased in the three months ended May 2012, to reach their highest point since February 2011, according to the latest Shipping Confidence Survey by Moore Stephens

Chassis Changes Prompt Fears of Congestion on the Docks

2012-07-02T00:00:00-04:00

Ports, ocean carriers and railroads have plenty of capacity, but a changing chassis business worries harbor truckers As ports prepare for a modest spike in cargo volumes during the peak shipping season, ocean carriers, marine terminals, railroads and equipment providers appear to be flush with capacity. So why do harbor truckers fear ports on both coasts will be congested this fall?

Nearsourcing Credited for U.S. Manufacturing’s Rise

2012-07-02T00:00:00-04:00

Identify Your 3PL Pain Threshold

2012-06-20T00:00:00-04:00

One of the most unstable elements in a marriage is control. Too much of it kills spontaneity but too little leads to financial and emotional chaos. The same can be said of a business marriage—as in your relationships with logistics service providers.

The National Average Diesel Fuel Prices Fall For 12th Consecutive Week

2012-07-03T00:00:00-04:00

This week's national average price of diesel fuel decreased as did the prices in all regions as well. The current national average for a gallon of diesel is $3.648, a decrease of $.030 from last week. By comparison, the national average price for a gallon of gasoline, which decreased as well, is $3.556, a decrease of $0.081.

AAR Reports Gains In Weekly Rail Traffic

2012-07-03T00:00:00-04:00

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported gains in weekly rail traffic for the week ending June 23, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 288,730 carloads, up 1.4 percent compared with the same week last year. Intermodal volume for the week totaled 246,128 trailers and containers, up 4.8 percent compared with the same week last year.

Iran Threatens to Disrupt Strait of Hormuz Traffic

2012-07-02T00:00:00-04:00

Shippers and transportation providers could see their fuel prices spike if Iran makes good on a plan to block oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz that are headed to countries no longer buying its crude, according to reports

Manufacturing activity tumbles in June, according to ISM data

2012-07-02T00:00:00-04:00

While manufacturing has been a constant source of strong economic growth in an economy replete with warning signs, the Institute of Supply Management’s June Manufacturing report on Business released today showed that manufacturing activity for the month was not as strong as it has been over the course of the last three years

Slow Economy Not Hindering Transport Acquisitions

2012-07-05T00:00:00-04:00

For many transport operators globally, domestically, now's the time to buy Trucking operator Saia didn’t have to look far for a logistics company to buy — Robart Transportation was only about 10 miles away in Duluth, Ga.

Trans-Pacific Spot Rate Falls for First Time in Three Weeks

2012-07-05T00:00:00-04:00

Average spot rates on the eastbound trans-Pacific trade lane fell 6.7 percent this week, in the first drop since carriers put a peak-season surcharge into effect on June 10.

CASS Freight Index Report for June 2012

2012-07-05T00:00:00-04:00

Trucking Capacity Reaches ‘Tenuous’ Equilibrium

2012-07-02T00:00:00-04:00

Capacity reaches a ‘tenuous’ equilibrium, but shippers fear balance is starting to slip. For more than two years, shippers have braced for a hard crunch in truck capacity, a blow that seemed inevitable in 2010 as the economy began to recover. The gradual and anemic nature of the overall recovery, however, meant that crunch never really came, despite periods of tightness such as the spring of 2010.

It's the exports, stupid!

2012-07-09T00:00:00-04:00

Over the long haul, exports will be the engine that drives the U.S. economy. But without the equipment properly positioned to get the goods from origin to port, the nation's exporters may lose out.

Monthly truck index falls hard in May

2012-07-09T00:00:00-04:00

A monthly index of trucking conditions fell significantly in May compared to April's figures, an indication that shippers are benefiting from the carriers' inability to raise their rates amid a sluggish economic climate.

Different surveys, same message: U.S. economy has cooled

2012-07-03T00:00:00-04:00

Two reports, one freight-specific and the other more general in nature, are adding to the mounting evidence that U.S. economic activity has cooled.

Pickens says converting truck fleets to natural gas will "knock out" 70 percent of OPEC's imports

2012-06-28T00:00:00-04:00

T. Boone Pickens didn't reach the top of the heap in the energy world by thinking small. His first major acquisition, in the late 1960s, was of a company 30 times the size of his own firm, Mesa Petroleum. Years later, Mesa would make takeover runs at such oil giants as Cities Service Co. and Phillips Petroleum, moves that cemented Pickens' reputation as a gutsy and shrewd wheeler-dealer.

Retailers Optimistic Imports Will Increase This Fall

2012-07-10T00:00:00-04:00

Port Tracker expects growth to pick up following lackluster July Retailers continue to plan for increased imports this fall despite discouraging news recently regarding consumer confidence, employment numbers and retail sales.

Diesel Prices Rise for First Time in Three Months

2012-07-09T00:00:00-04:00

Oil prices jump more than $1 on fears of shutdown of Norwegian production Diesel prices in the U.S. rose for the first time in three months, climbing 3.5 cents in the week ending July 9 as oil prices rose more than a $1.

Green is Still White Hot

2012-06-30T00:00:00-04:00

While freight costs and capacity dominate water cooler conversations, sustainability embers smolder deep within the supply chain. The fire is still perceptible. So are the justifications.

Sharing Data Creates Optimal Supply Chain Visibility

2012-06-30T00:00:00-04:00

In the past decade, analysts have written volumes about the value of supply chain visibility and execution systems. It's hard to argue with the concept. When all supply chain partners' systems work together to fulfill orders perfectly, execute on-time shipments, and provide early alerts to problems, life is good.

USDA Releases Container Availability Report

2012-07-12T00:00:00-04:00

The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Wednesday released the first Ocean Shipping Container Availability Report designed to alert exporters about possible surpluses or shortages of marine containers at 18 inland intermodal load points.

Strong Exports, Weak Imports Narrow US Trade Deficit

2012-07-11T00:00:00-04:00

A 0.7 percent year-over-year decline of U.S imports in May and the second-best month ever for the exports of goods and services helped pull the U.S. trade deficit down 3.8 percent from April to $48.7 billion.

Market Share, Revenue Gain Forecast for Trucking

2012-07-09T00:00:00-04:00

Total U.S. freight tonnage will grow 21 percent by 2023, as freight revenue rises 59 percent, the American Trucking Associations predicts in a new freight forecast.

Spot Market Truckload Volume Dipped in June

2012-07-16T00:00:00-04:00

Spot market truckload freight volumes dropped 2 percent in June from May but remained at record high levels, according to the DAT North American Freight Index.

US Intermodal Traffic Rises 5.6 Percent

2012-07-16T00:00:00-04:00

Intermodal shipments on major U.S. railroads in the week ending July 7 rose 5.6 percent year-over-year but fell 1.2 percent from the prior week, according to the Association of American Railroads.

LA Container Imports Rose 6 Percent in June

2012-07-16T00:00:00-04:00

Containerized imports at the Port of Los Angeles increased 6 percent in June compared to June 2011, while exports were up 6.9 percent. Total loaded and empty containers moving through the nation’s largest port were up 8.75 percent compared to the same month last year.

Retail sales slipped unexpectedly in June

2012-07-17T00:00:00-04:00

The U.S. retail sector registered an unexpected decline in sales volume in June, slipping 0.5 percent rather than analysts' projections of an up to 0.2 percent gain.

Report: USPS Could Save $100 Million Annually by Going Intermodal

2012-07-17T00:00:00-04:00

“Intermodal rail service has improved to the point it can now provide service standards competitive with highway. Today, it is widely accepted as industry standard that rail is far more economical than highway for long-distance surface transportation,” according to the report by the USPS Office of Inspector General Risk Analysis Research Center.

Diesel Prices Rise for Second Week in a Row

2012-07-16T00:00:00-04:00

Diesel prices in the U.S. rose for the second week in a row, inching up 1.2 cents in the week ending July 16 as oil prices rose more than $1 per barrel.

Global freight volumes remain stagnant amid Europe's economic concerns

2012-07-18T00:00:00-04:00

Global freight volumes remained in the doldrums for the first quarter of this year as total external trade by sea measured in tons for both the European Union and United States were still below pre-recession levels, according to a recent report by the International Transport Forum, a think tank of the Organization of Cooperation and Economic Development.

Intermodal rates hit seven-year high in June

2012-07-13T00:00:00-04:00

Rail intermodal base rates hit seven-year highs in June, propelled by demand from shippers looking for alternatives to get their freight moved in a tightening market for truckload capacity and from motor carriers seeking a more efficient way to get their customers' goods to market, according to an index released today by one of the nation's leading freight bill audit and payment firms.

Natural Gas Gains As Alternative Fuel in Transportation

2012-07-16T00:00:00-04:00

A milestone power utilities achieved this spring should jolt transportation operators and shippers. In April, the amount of electricity generated by natural gas-fired power plants for the first time equaled that produced by coal-fired plants, with each accounting for 32 percent of total U.S. power generation that month.

Natural Gas Gains As Alternative Fuel in Transportation

2012-07-16T00:00:00-04:00

Technology Drives Savings in Trucking Sector

2012-07-16T00:00:00-04:00

How IT specialists can help motor carriers manage increasing chassis, regulatory and labor costs The trucking industry faces a number of regulatory and operational changes, but advances in information technology are helping motor carriers keep a lid on the costs these challenges bring.

US Railroads See Gains in Intermodal Traffic

2012-07-19T00:00:00-04:00

Intermodal shipments up 6.8 percent year-over-year

Intermodal shipments on major U.S. railroads in the week ending July 14 jumped 6.8 percent year-over-year and 21 percent from the July 4 holiday week, according to the Association of American Railroads.

Rails Taking Another Look at Natural Gas Engines

2012-07-16T00:00:00-04:00

Railroads are skeptical about natural gas, but new emissions standards and better technology could change views Roughly 16 years after Burlington Northern, now BNSF Railway, took its two natural gas-powered locomotives off the tracks, railroads are giving the fuel another look.

Ocean Carriers Flex Their Pricing Power

2012-07-23T00:00:00-04:00

Trade growth is dragging and capacity is increasing. So why are shippers paying so much more? It’s not supposed to work like this. When cargo volumes soften, consumer confidence wanes and vessel capacity increases, ocean carriers don’t raise their freight rates. Yet that’s exactly what’s happening in the U.S. import trade from Asia.

Two Tales from Truckload Earnings

2012-07-20T00:00:00-04:00

The first round of earnings reports from publicly owned truckload carriers reflects two important trends. First, the economy, while still expanding, is slowing. Second, trucking companies are doing a better job managing their bottom lines.

Diesel prices are up for the third straight week

2012-07-24T00:00:00-04:00

On the heels of a 12-week run which saw the price per gallon of diesel fall a cumulative 50 cents, diesel prices are up for the third straight week, according to the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Logistics managers will still face global sourcing challenges this year

2012-07-24T00:00:00-04:00

A “synchronized deceleration in the global economy will have larger implications for the supply chain, said IHS Global Insight. In today’s “world flash” update, analysts said that all the key economies of the world have slowed down, almost simultaneously

ATA Truck Tonnage Jumped 1.2% in June

2012-07-25T00:00:00-04:00

The American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index increased 1.2% in June after falling 1.0% in May. (May’s loss was larger than the 0.7% drop ATA reported on June 19.) June’s increase was the largest month-to-month gain in 2012. However, the index contracted a total of 2.1% in April and May. The latest gain increased the SA index to 119.0 (2000=100), up from May’s level of 117.5. Compared with June 2011, the SA index was 3.2% higher, the smallest year-over-year increase since March 2012. Year-to-date, compared with the same period last year, tonnage was up 3.7%.

Truckload Capacity Index Reflects Slowing Economy

2012-07-27T00:00:00-04:00

JOC index shows tractor capacity still in ‘tenuous’ equilibrium as demand slackens The Journal of Commerce Truckload Capacity Index rose 0.3 percentage points to 84.4 in the second quarter, as a slower economy depressed freight demand.

A problem too important to be ignored

2012-07-27T00:00:00-04:00

Hardly a day goes by that a news story on fiscal deficits or monetary bailouts doesn't throw around numbers that start with a "t," as in trillion. It's gotten so that talk of mere billions doesn't rouse much interest anymore.But there's a number that anyone who ships, brokers, or transports goods for a living should sit up and take notice of: $53 billion.

Andreoli on Oil & Fuel: There’s a danger to ditching diesel

2012-07-31T00:00:00-04:00

The average truck consumes roughly 11,000 gallons of diesel per year. Consequently, even minor shifts in fuel prices have a significant impact on operating costs. For instance, when applied to a fleet of 100 trucks, a price drop of 25 cents per gallon generates annual savings exceeding a quarter of a million dollars.

Andreoli on Oil & Fuel: Falling oil prices are a harbinger of more difficult times to come

2012-07-01T00:00:00-04:00

Not long ago, the price for a barrel of crude was $110, and a gallon of regular gasoline would set you back nearly $4. While consumers wished for relief, politicians hunted scapegoats on Wall Street.

NAFTA Surface Trade Rose 8.3 Percent in May

2012-07-31T00:00:00-04:00

U.S.-Mexico surface trade totaled $35.6 billion, U.S.-Canada totaled $48.1 billion Trade via surface transportation between the U.S. and its North American Free Trade Agreement partners, Canada and Mexico, rose 8.3 percent in value in May from a year earlier, the Transportation Department said.

Diesel Prices Rise for Fourth Straight Week

2012-07-30T00:00:00-04:00

Prices inch up 1.3 cents to $3.796, but are still down 16.1 cents from a year ago Diesel prices in the U.S. rose for the fourth straight week, climbing 1.3 cents in the week ending July 30 as oil prices slipped

Container Traffic Up 3 Percent at West Coast Ports

2012-08-01T00:00:00-04:00

Imports rise 4 percent, but exports still lagging West Coast ports recorded solid gains in container traffic in June, with imports up 4 percent over the same month last year, and total volume increasing 3 percent.

Trans-Pacific Carriers Secure Small Portion of Aug. 1 Rate Increase

2012-08-01T00:00:00-04:00

Average spot rates on the eastbound trans-Pacific increased by 3 percent this week, or $71 per 40-foot-equivalent container, indicating that carriers have only been able to nail down a small portion of the general rate increase of $500 per FEU that some members of the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement scheduled for today, Aug. 1.

Economic Indicators Out of North Asia Remain Dim

2012-08-01T00:00:00-04:00

South Korea, Japan industrial production falls from May to June Economic indicators from North Asia continue to deteriorate as slowing Chinese growth, the Eurozone debt crisis and the bearish U.S. recovery dampen global demand.

The Real Cost of Trucking in the United States

2012-08-03T00:00:00-04:00

The Real Cost of Trucking – Per Mile Operating Cost of a Commercial Truck

US Intermodal Volume Hit Record in July

2012-08-02T00:00:00-04:00

Carload traffic was down 0.7 percent year-over-year in the same month U.S. intermodal traffic on the major railroads in July rose 5.6 percent year-over-year, hitting a record high for the month, according to the Association of American Railroads.

U.S. Manufacturers More Upbeat about Domestic than Global Economy

2012-07-31T00:00:00-04:00

U.S. industrial manufacturers remain optimistic about the U.S. economy, but are less so about the global economic outlook, according to the Q2 2012 Manufacturing Barometer released by PwC US. According to the survey, overall revenue projections among U.S. industrial manufacturers remain positive, with 88 percent of respondents expecting revenue growth at their own companies and only five percent expecting negative results. In addition, 87 percent of respondents said they were planning increases in operational spending in the year ahead.

U.S. Manufacturing Unexpectedly Shrinks for Second Month

2012-08-01T00:00:00-04:00

American manufacturing unexpectedly contracted in July for a second month, reflecting a drop in orders that threatens to undercut a mainstay of the recovery. The Institute for Supply Management’s factory index was 49.8 last month, little changed from a three-year low of 49.7 reached in June, the Tempe, Arizona-based group said today. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg News projected a reading of 50.2, according to the median estimate, just above the 50 mark that separates expansions and contractions.

US Domestic Intermodal Growth Slows, But International Moves Rise

2012-08-06T00:00:00-04:00

Total intermodal volume rose 5.2 percent in the second quarter, says IANA U.S. domestic intermodal growth slackened slightly as the economy slowed in the second quarter, but the transport of international containers on the rails has its healthiest showing in the period since 2008, according to the Intermodal Association of North America.

July 2012 Rail Movements: Economic Winds Changing?

2012-08-06T00:00:00-04:00

Could it be that rail is warning of an economic pivot point? Reflecting on the July 2012 rail data which we report on weekly – the trends within the data have changed. Is it just one month of data? A quote buried in the Association of American Railroads July report caught my eye.

Report: Most container ships arrive on time, but delivery to customer lags

2012-08-03T00:00:00-04:00

An ocean carrier's reliability usually is measured on whether its ships arrived in port according to published schedules. But importers and customs brokers have long known that just because a ship is at the dock on the right day, that doesn't mean containers will reach consignees on time.

Diesel Prices Rise for Fifth Consecutive Week

2012-08-07T00:00:00-04:00

Diesel prices in the U.S. jumped up more than 5 cents for the second time in three weeks, a sign of increasing volatility of fuel costs.

Intermodalism flexes its "domestic" muscle

2012-08-07T00:00:00-04:00

Far be it for me to enter the culture wars here concerning family (how it's defined, what it should aspire to), save for one observation: It's easier to apply various values if one is around the family enough to actually do it—and intermodalism can contribute.

July 2012 Cass Freight Index shows minimal growth

2012-08-08T00:00:00-04:00

The heading of the July Cass Freight Index Report from Cass Information Systems, “Slow growth in freight; slow growth in the economy,” aptly sums up the current freight environment, which continues to flatten out and lack true signs of growth. And the report’s data also tells the same story, too.

July 2012 Cass Freight Index Report

2012-08-10T00:00:00-04:00

July shipment volume decreased from the prior month. This is the first month-to-month pull back in 2012.

Unfortunately, there have been a number of economic indicators that appear to point to a further slowdown.

Read more in the following link to the July 2012 Cass Index Report:

Turning Green Into Green

2012-08-10T00:00:00-04:00

When supply chain sustainability emerged two decades ago, cargo interests and transportation providers widely viewed it as a cost center and drag on the bottom line. Not at Intel, where green logistics aligned nicely with positive return on investment, proving the adage that preparation is half the battle.

Truckload Rate Hikes Shrink as Economy Slows

2012-08-10T00:00:00-04:00

The Cass Truckload Linehaul Index continues to post record highs, but the slowing pace of year-over-year rate hikes reflects a weaker economy.

Study: Carbon Dioxide Emissions Decline in Shipping

2012-08-07T00:00:00-04:00

Carrier fleet efficiency and data quality contribute to improvement, study finds The average carbon dioxide emissions in the global ocean transportation sector declined nearly 6 percent in 2011 compared to the previous year, according to a study performed by Business for Social Responsibility’s Clean Cargo Working Group

Economic Indicators Out of North Asia Remain Dim

2012-08-01T00:00:00-04:00

Economic indicators from North Asia continue to deteriorate as slowing Chinese growth, the Eurozone debt crisis and the bearish U.S. recovery dampen global demand.

Planning it Forward through a Transportation Management System

2012-08-13T00:00:00-04:00

"TMS applications are very good at optimizing within the order-delivery planning horizon," says Gartner analyst Dwight Klappich. "But they are not good at forward planning—weeks, months, quarters in advance."

Although companies have tried using other demand forecasting and procurement applications to determine how many and what type of carriers they'll need, Klappich says they haven't had much success. In his view, so-called "product-centric planning tools" are not suited to transportation planning because they can't get down to the required level of detail. In other words, they can't look at future capacity needs by lane, carrier, or piece of equipment.

Top 50 Truckload Carriers Grew 13.4 Percent in 2011

2012-08-14T00:00:00-04:00

The 50 largest U.S. and Canadian truckload carriers ranked by revenue grew 13.4 percent in 2011, with combined sales for the year rising to $32.6 billion. That compares with combined revenue of $28.8 billion in 2010, according to estimates prepared for The Journal of Commerce by SJ Consulting Group.

Diesel Prices Jump at Fastest Pace Since March 2011

2012-08-13T00:00:00-04:00

U.S. diesel prices rose at the fastest pace since March 2011, jumping 11.5 cents in the week ending Aug. 13 as oil prices slipped.

Retail Container Imports Expected to Increase 6.3 Percent in August

2012-08-14T00:00:00-04:00

Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to increase 6.3 percent in August compared with the same month last year, and 2012 should show an increase of 4.8 percent over last year, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

Business Inventories Situation Nasty in June 2012

2012-08-14T00:00:00-04:00

The final business sales data (retail plus wholesale plus manufacturing) for June 2012 clearly turned ugly – barely growing year-over-year.

Industrial Real Estate Market Tightens

2012-08-14T00:00:00-04:00

Lowest vacancy rate since 2008, according to Cushman & Wakefield’s Jim Dieter The overall vacancy rate of space in warehouses and distribution centers across the U.S. declined to 9.3 percent at the end of the second quarter from 9.6 percent in the first quarter, as demand picked up around the country’s ocean ports and inland ports, according to Cushman & Wakefield.

Trans-Pacific Spot Rates Drop From Record High

2012-08-15T00:00:00-04:00

Average spot rates on the eastbound trans-Pacific trade lane eased 5.2 percent from last week’s record high, which followed the general rate increase recommended by the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement implemented by carriers during the first two weeks of August.

Rail volumes are up for week ending August 4, says AAR

2012-08-10T00:00:00-04:00

Rail carload and intermodal volumes were up for the week ending August 4, according to data from the Association of American Railroads (AAR). Carload volume—at 228,229—was up 0.4 percent annually and behind the week ending July 28 at 288,167 and the week ending July 21 at 286,156. Eastern carloads were up 9 percent annually, and out west carloads were up 6.8 percent.

WMS market shows strong growth in 2011, says ARC

2012-08-09T00:00:00-04:00

The Warehouse Management System (WMS) market saw significant growth in 2011, increasing by ten percent, according to data from Dedham, Mass.-based ARC Advisory Services. Reasons for the growth in the WMS market were widespread, according to ARC officials.

CSX Stacks Boxes Higher for 10% Gain Threatening Trucks

2012-08-16T00:00:00-04:00

CSX Corp.’s container cargoes have increased about 10 percent for two straight quarters as eastern U.S. railroads invest billions in a business that threatens the trucking industry’s most lucrative shipments.

Can Trucking Solve Its Driver Problem?

2012-08-17T00:00:00-04:00

The industry’s enduring labor shortage already threatens carriers’ bottom lines. When a true freight recovery comes, the threat will only grow worse. Derek Leathers is frustrated with those who don’t believe there’s a shortage of truck drivers in the U.S. “We were down 38 trucks in one of the best freight quarters in recent history” because of a lack of drivers, Leathers, president of $2 billion trucking concern Werner Enterprises, said at a shipper conference in May.

Special Report: The State of Logistics in the U.S.

2012-08-07T00:00:00-04:00

With growth not yet on the horizon, shippers are shifting their modal strategies to keep their costs as low as possible.The economic recovery will continue to sputter along weakly for the next three years. If you secure trucking services on a transactional basis you can be assured that sometime soon you will not be able to get a truck. In the face of tightening trucking capacity, rail intermodal is seeing a massive resurgence. Shippers are turning more to warehouse-based third-party logistics providers (3PLs) to provide intermodal and other logistics management expertise previously associated with non-asset-based 3PLs.

Outlook for Shippers Is Getting Grimmer

2012-08-15T00:00:00-04:00

FTR Associates’ Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) for June was basically unchanged from the previous month and remains in near neutral territory at a reading of -1.8. The SCI sums up all market influences that affect shippers; a reading above zero suggests a favorable shipping environment, while a reading below zero is unfavorable.

Logistics Light Pierces Economic Gloom

2012-08-21T00:00:00-04:00

The following article highlights some of the most recent logistics numbers (from the Logistics Market Snapshot, courtesy of the Georgia Center of Innovation) and show signs of hope as the economy heads into the autumn months. Transportation Stock Indexes, Imports and Export Stats, Rai Activityl; Trucking Growth; Air Freight; Ocean Increases; Warehousing Vacancy Rates; and Purchasing Manager Index all have something positive to say.

Fuel Expenses May Generate Supply Chain Concerns

2012-08-21T00:00:00-04:00

Diesel prices saw gains for the seventh straight week, according to the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA).The price per gallon hit $4.026, driven by a 6.1 cent weekly gain, with prices rising a cumulative 31.7 cents over the last seven weeks. This marks the first time diesel prices have cracked $4 per gallon since the week of May 14, when it checked in at $4.004 per gallon.

Diesel Prices Exceed $4 Per Gallon

2012-08-20T00:00:00-04:00

Prices jumped 6.1 cents in the sixth consecutive increase in weekly prices The average cost of diesel in the United States rose to more than $4 per gallon for the first time since May, as prices climbed 6.1 cents in the week ending Aug. 20.

ATA reports seasonally adjusted tonnage is flat in July and up 4.1 percent annually

2012-08-21T00:00:00-04:00

As is the case with the overall economy, truck tonnage patterns remain largely uneven. That appears to be the main takeaway from data released by the American Trucking Associations (ATA). The ATA reported that seasonally-adjusted (SA) truck tonnage in July—at 118.8 (2000=100)—was flat compared to June, which was up 1.2 percent compared to May, representing the largest month-to-month increase in 2012 year-to-date. SA tonnage was down 1.0 percent in May.

Chinese Manufacturing Index Falls to Nine-Month Low

2012-08-23T00:00:00-04:00

Export orders declined at sharpest rate since March 2009, according to HSBC A key manufacturing index shows Chinese production in August plummeted to a nine-month low, reinforcing fears that the global economy is headed for a major slowdown.

Shippers Report Tightening Truck Capacity in Mexico

2012-08-23T00:00:00-04:00

Peak season could mean fewer available trailers for U.S.-bound freight, logistics operator warns U.S. shippers importing goods from Mexico say they are looking for new transportation options as truckload capacity along the border gets tighter.

IMTS Supplement Charts Intermodal Industry Growth

2012-08-23T00:00:00-04:00

An analysis of domestic containers, published in conjunction with IANA’s 2nd quarter Intermodal Market Trends, observed that the North American domestic container fleet has grown by 83% since 2000. The strongest growth year was 2011, when container owners added 11% to the fleet reflecting strong and continued increases in domestic intermodal business. 48’ containers were 70% of the fleet in 2000 — today, 53’ containers comprise almost 100% of the total North American fleet.

Trucking Payroll Still 7 Percent Below Peak

2012-08-17T00:00:00-04:00

In trucking, employment has only made a half-hearted recovery. The Journal of Commerce Trucking Employment Index rose in July to its highest level since December 2008, but remained about 7 percent below the peak it reached in early 2007. The index climbed to 93.1, compared with 92.8 in June and 90.1 in July 2011.

Spot Market Truck Demand Slowly Rising, ITS Says

2012-08-28T00:00:00-04:00

Load-matching service’s index points upward, but progress is called ‘marginal’ Freight demand is picking up slightly as trucking leaves the summer doldrums, but only slightly, according to load matching service Internet Truckstop.

US Diesel Prices Jump 6.3 Cents

2012-08-27T00:00:00-04:00

Prices rose more than 5 cents for the fifth time in six weeks The average cost of diesel in the U.S. rose more than five cents for the fifth time in six weeks, climbing 6.3 cents in the week ending Aug. 27 as oil prices plummeted.

Developing a Comprehensive Transportation Strategy

2012-07-31T00:00:00-04:00

Q: What advice do you have for companies attempting to optimize their inbound freight?A: It's worth the effort. Traditionally, companies have focused on low-hanging fruit, such as improving efficiencies and reducing outbound transportation costs. Overlooked is the more difficult task of managing inbound transportation, which can often be multi-modal, multi-leg, and international.

A long and winding road to recovery

2012-08-29T00:00:00-04:00

In a slowly reviving economy, U.S. logistics costs as a percentage of gross domestic product increased as rail and motor carriers raised rates. When the economy bounces back, shipment capacity rather than rates may be the big issue facing logistics managers.

A strong and sustainable recovery

2012-08-29T00:00:00-04:00

Thanks to post-recession market dynamics, the outlook for the third-party logistics sector is positive for some time to come.Three years after the recession of 2008-2009, the third-party logistics (3PL) market in North America is showing clear signs of recovery. According to Armstrong & Associates, in 2010 the market's gross revenue exceeded 2008 to reach $127.3 billion, a 19-percent increase over 2009. In 2011 and 2012, the 3PL industry has so far delivered 6-percent annual growth—two to three times overall economic growth, demonstrating the strength of demand and the leverage that the major 3PL service providers hold.

As goes oil, so goes diesel

2012-08-29T00:00:00-04:00

Diesel fuel prices will remain high, but—barring any major, unexpected disruptions in the crude oil market—dramatic price swings are unlikely for the time being.In 1999, the average U.S. price of diesel fuel was about $0.50 per gallon wholesale and about $1.10 retail. So far in 2012, average prices have been about $3.00 per gallon wholesale and $4.00 retail. The biggest single factor in this increase has been the underlying price of crude oil. Increases in the price of crude have accounted for more than 80 percent of the rise in diesel prices.

Direct-to-consumer challenges for distribution

2012-08-29T00:00:00-04:00

The growth of electronic commerce, with its small orders for individual consumers, will require some big changes in warehousing and distribution operations.Electronic commerce is booming as more consumers embrace online shopping. According to Forrester Research Inc., e-commerce retail sales in the United States reached US $197 billion in 2011 and are forecast to increase to US $279 billion in 2015. If we look at month-by-month sales figures for e-commerce provided by IHS Global Insight, we see that even in this sluggish economy, online retail sales continued to rise (see Figure 1).

The outlook for oil prices

2012-08-29T00:00:00-04:00

Oil prices are falling as the market deals with an ample supply and a weakening economy. Oil prices plunged this spring as the market reacted to worries about a deepening euro-zone crisis and a weakening global economy. While we expect the euro zone to remain intact, the likelihood of Greece's exit has grown. Such an outcome would further dampen world gross domestic product (GDP) growth and, in turn, decrease demand for oil.

Hungry for a Better Transportation Strategy

2012-08-29T00:00:00-04:00

Traditional approaches to transportation management won't stand up in today's truck transportation market. Shippers and carriers need a new recipe for doing business together. Start with a raw boom-and-bust business cycle, add demands for low-cost flexibility, ladle on liberal amounts of regulation while going light on drivers and credit, and then simmer over a fire of rising fuel and equipment costs. That's a recipe for the "stew" that makes up the U.S. trucking market today.

A Strategic Shift in Supply Chain Technology

2012-08-29T00:00:00-04:00

The primary reasons why companies are investing in supply chain technology are changing. Enhancing the customer experience, driving growth, and creating innovation now outrank cutting costs and improving efficiencies.Spending on supply chain software and technology should remain strong over the next few years, but the reasons why companies are investing in these tools are changing. According to the fifth annual "Gartner Supply Chain User Wants and Needs Study," companies are shifting away from a myopic focus on using software and technology to cut supply chain costs. Instead they are focusing more on how technology can enhance the customer experience and produce innovation and growth.

FMCSA announces pending changes to CSA program

2012-08-28T00:00:00-04:00

The Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently announced various changes to its much maligned government-mandated CSA program, which stands for “Compliance, Safety, Accountability.”

Trans-Pacific Spot Container Rates Fall 8.6 Percent

2012-08-29T00:00:00-04:00

Average spot rates in the eastbound trans-Pacific trade slumped 8.6 percent this week, the second weekly decline since carriers were able to lift rates to a record high after implementing the general rate increase recommended by the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement during the first two weeks of August.

U.S. Retail Inventory to Sales Ratio

2012-08-27T00:00:00-04:00

Year-over-year June U.S. retail sales rose 2.7 percent while inventories advanced 7 percent. Sequentially, June U.S. retail sales declined 4.7 percent while inventories inched ahead 0.2 percent. Retail inventories at the end of June were estimated to total $487.9 billion, with sales estimated at $360.4 billion for a total inventory-to-sales

NAFTA Surface Trade Rose 6.6 Percent in June

2012-08-28T00:00:00-04:00

Month-to-month value of U.S. surface transportation trade fell 1.4 percent in June Trade using surface transportation between the U.S. and its North American Free Trade Agreement partners, Canada and Mexico, was 6.6 percent higher in June 2012 than in June 2011, totaling $82.6 billion, the Transportation Department reported.

Federal Reserve Says Economy 'Gradually' Expanding

2012-08-29T00:00:00-04:00

Retail sales and housing sector growth ticks up; manufacturing expansion slows Shippers of retail goods and cargo related to the housing industry, along with transportation providers, got a dose of goods news from the Federal Reserve on Wednesday.

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® Declines in August. Now at Lowest Level since November 2011.

2012-08-28T00:00:00-04:00

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index^®, which had improved in July, declined in August. The Index now stands at 60.6 (1985=100), down from 65.4 in July. The Expectations Index decreased to 70.5 from 78.4. The Present Situation Index, however, was virtually unchanged, at 45.8 versus 45.9 a month ago.

FMCSA Sharpens Focus on High Risk Truck and Bus Companies with Improvements to Compliance Safety Accountability Program

2012-08-24T00:00:00-04:00

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) today announced several new improvements to its Compliance Safety Accountability (CSA) enforcement program that will enable it to more quickly identify and address high-risk truck and bus companies with compliance concerns.

G7 urges higher oil output, warns on reserves

2012-08-28T00:00:00-04:00

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Group of Seven finance ministers urged oil-producing countries on Tuesday to raise output to ensure the market is well supplied, while warning that Western nations were ready to tap strategic oil reserves to offset rising prices that could hurt global growth.

Retailers fare well in August, sales beat estimates

2012-08-30T00:00:00-04:00

(Reuters) - Nearly all U.S. retailers posted better-than-expected sales gains in August at stores open at least a year as parents and students wrapped up back-to-school purchases, setting the stage for a strong third quarter.

GE designs high tech, low emission freight locomotive

2012-08-31T00:00:00-04:00

GE Transportation revealed the prototype for its Evolution Series Locomotive, which the company claims will be the first freight locomotive to meet the EPA's Tier 4 emission standards, effective 2015.

Rail Week Ending 25August2012: Traffic at 2011 Levels

2012-08-30T00:00:00-04:00

Econintersect: Week 34 of 2012 ending 25 August shows same week total rail traffic was at 2011 levels according to data released by the Association of American Railroads (AAR). The carload portion of rail traffic showed same week traffic contracted 0.8%.

Rail Week Ending 25August2012: Traffic at 2011 Levels

2012-08-30T00:00:00-04:00

Econintersect: Week 34 of 2012 ending 25 August shows same week total rail traffic was at 2011 levels according to data released by the Association of American Railroads (AAR). The carload portion of rail traffic showed same week traffic contracted 0.8%.

Economic Forecast September 2012: Actually Improving

2012-08-30T00:00:00-04:00

The economy is always in a state of flux. Writing this summary forces a review of the economic dynamics once a month. This September forecast even surprised me to a degree – as the Econintersect Economic Index (EEI) is now clearly showing an uptrend.

Cass Report August 2012

2012-09-07T00:00:00-04:00

Cass Report™ ‐ August 2012

North American freight volumes and expenditures both declined 1.1 percent in August from July levels.

Manufacturing growth is down for third straight month, says ISM

2012-09-04T00:00:00-04:00

Manufacturing growth in August remained as it had been in the previous two months—sluggish. The PMI, the index used by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) to measure manufacturing activity, was 49.6 in August, which is 0.2 percentage points below July and 0.1 percent lower than June.

Report paints a positive but cautious outlook by carriers towards natural gas usage

2012-08-29T00:00:00-04:00

While fuel prices again have turned to an upward trajectory, more attention continues to be paid to natural gas and how it can potentially be an asset for freight transportation sector stakeholders. And while natural gas is making inroads as a possible way for shippers and carriers to counter increasing and uncertain energy costs, a recent survey published by Transport Capital Partners and ACT Research shows that there are cautious reasons to be optimistic when gauging future natural gas prospects.

The National Average Diesel Fuel Price Increases For Ninth Week

2012-09-07T00:00:00-04:00

This week's national average price of diesel fuel increased as did the prices in all regions as well. The current national average for a gallon of diesel is $4.127, an increase of $0.38 from last week. By comparison, the national average price for a gallon of gasoline, which increased as well, is $3.843, an increase of $0.067.

US Intermodal Traffic in August Hit Second-Highest for Month

2012-09-07T00:00:00-04:00

Mark Szakonyi, Associate Editor | Sep 7, 2012 9:46AM GMT

The Journal of Commerce Online - News Story

Intermodal volume jumped 6.5 percent; carload traffic fell 1.4 percent. Intermodal shipments on major U.S. railroads in August rose 4.3 percent, reaching the second strongest volume for the month on record, according to the Association of American Railroads. Intermodal traffic in the week ending Sept. 1 jumped 6.5 percent year-over-year and was flat from the week prior. Carload volume in August fell 1.4 percent year-over-year and 3.5 percent in the week ending Sept. 1

Growth in Trucking Employment Nearly Stalls

2012-09-07T00:00:00-04:00

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Sep 7, 2012 5:03PM GMT

The Journal of Commerce Online - News Story

The JOC For-HIre Trucking Employment Index inched up 0.1 percentage points in August as for-hire trucking companies slowed hiring sharply amid widespread economic uncertainty. The August index reading of 93.4 was its highest level since October 2008,

Shippers Turning to Intermodal Rail to Cut Costs

2012-09-06T00:00:00-04:00

Bill Mongelluzzo, Associate Editor | Sep 6, 2012 3:21PM GMT

The Journal of Commerce Online - News Story

Warehouses built closer to destination markets hasten shift from over-the-road trucking. Increasing trucking costs and a looming capacity crunch in the motor carrier industry are leading to a relentless shift of freight from over-the-road trucking to intermodal rail, according to transportation experts who addressed The Journal of Commerce’s Inland Port.

Spot Market Trucking Index Up 7 Percent

2012-09-06T00:00:00-04:00

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Sep 6, 2012 4:12PM GMT

The Journal of Commerce Online - News Story

Weekly ITS index breaks 'flat-line metrics,' but overall outlook for trucking still 'weak' An uptick in freight demand and pricing in recent days pushed up a spot market trucking index and pierced some gathering third quarter gloom.The Internet Truckstop Market Demand Index rose 7 percent from the previous week, according to the load-matching service’s weekly Trans4Cast report.

Demand for Natural Gas Trucks to Rise 14 Percent

2012-09-04T00:00:00-04:00

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Sep 4, 2012 4:55PM GMT

The Journal of Commerce Online - News Story

Pike Research survey forecasts strong growth for heavy NGVs, buses through 2019 The global market for natural gas-powered heavy trucks will expand 14 percent a year through 2019, with growth strongest in Asia, according to Pike Research.Asia-Pacific nations currently account for about 75 percent of global natural gas truck and bus sales, the research firm said in a report on the NGV market.

Diesel prices hit highest level since April, says Energy Information Administration

2012-09-05T00:00:00-04:00

Diesel prices moved up 3.8 cents to $4.127 per gallon, according to the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA).This marks the ninth straight week diesel prices have increased and the third straight week the price per gallon has been above the $4 mark, which had not previously been reached since hitting $4.026 per gallon the week of May 14. This week’s price matches the previous high of $4.127 per gallon from the week of April 16.

US Diesel Prices Stay Nearly Flat

2012-09-10T00:00:00-04:00

US Diesel Prices Stay Nearly Flat

Mark Szakonyi, Associate Editor | Sep 10, 2012 8:00PM GMT

The Journal of Commerce Online - News Story

Diesel prices rose a five-hundredth of a cent as oil prices inched up The average cost of diesel in the U.S. stayed nearly flat, inching up a five-hundredth of a cent in the week ending Sept. 10 as oil prices rose.

You Are Everywhere: Mapping the New Retail Supply Chain

2012-08-31T00:00:00-04:00

Gone are the days of single-channel apparel retailing—and supply chains servicing that model. Today, apparel retailers must optimize their supply chains to deliver products from any point where consumers want to buy them.

Ensuring Routing Guide Compliance

2012-08-31T00:00:00-04:00

When vendors fail to comply with shippers' routing guide instructions, all parties involved experience frustration. To improve compliance, shippers must provide clear and concise instructions about how they want their freight to move. Here is advice on ensuring routing guide compliance from Harold B. Friedman, senior vice president of global corporate development at freight payment and auditing service provider Data2Logistics.

August 2012 Rail Movements: Economic Intuitive Elements Improve

2012-09-09T00:00:00-04:00

Based on the July 2012 rail data, we warned that the economy could be at a pivot point based on declining economic intuitive elements of the rail data – and now with the August data, the rail situation improved.

AAR reports mixed carload and intermodal volumes for August 2012

2012-09-07T00:00:00-04:00

The Association of American Railroads said this week that carload and intermodal volumes for August were again mixed. August carloads—at 1,461,680—were down 1.4 percent annually. Intermodal—at 1,230,992 trailers and containers—was up 4.3 percent compared to August 2011.

Manufacturing Trade Deficit Hits Record High

2012-09-11T00:00:00-04:00

The government’s newest monthly trade figures show that the U.S. manufacturing trade deficit has hit an all-time high -- $63.93 billion for July 2012 – according to U.S. Business and Industry Council calculations.

Business Inventories Are Still High in July 2012

2012-09-14T00:00:00-04:00

The final business sales data (retail plus wholesale plus manufacturing) for July 2012 is not as good as either the numbers show on Econintersect‘s or the US Census analysis of the data.

Retail Sales Improve in August 2012; Little Backward Revision

2012-09-14T00:00:00-04:00

Advance Retail Sales improved in August 2012. Pundits are cheering because many were worried that retail sales would fall – with some worrying that a recession marking trend was in play. But for sure, one needs a micrometer and calculator to gauge this improvement.

Industrial Production Soft in August 2012, Little Backward Data Revision

2012-09-14T00:00:00-04:00

The headlines say Industrial Production (IP) decreased 1.2% in August 2012 but up 2.8% year-over-year. Econintersect‘s analysis using the unadjusted data is that IP was down 1.0% month-over-month and up 3.1% year-over-year. The Federal Reserve blamed part of the decline on Hurricane Isaac.

Guest Commentary: Why Do Only 1/3 of Companies in North America Have a TMS?

2012-09-18T00:00:00-04:00

Independent research groups report that a transportation management system (TMS) can save a company anywhere from 3-20% of transportation spend as compared to manual management. It is easy to see why many companies that currently do not have a TMS are now searching for one for their business.

US Diesel Prices Stay Nearly Flat for Second Straight Week

2012-09-17T00:00:00-04:00

Average price inched up three-hundredth of a cent as oil prices dropped $2.38 The average cost of diesel in the U.S. stayed nearly flat for the second week in a row, rising three-hundredth of a cent in the week ending Sept. 17 as oil prices fell.

Supply Chain Managers Face Another Spike in Diesel Prices

2012-09-11T00:00:00-04:00

While diesel prices increased for the tenth consecutive week, the pace of growth was subdued, rising 0.5 cents to $4.132 per gallon, according to the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Inland Ports Growing in Strategic Importance

2012-09-18T00:00:00-04:00

The growth of U.S. exports, especially to countries such as China, has put a spotlight on the need for strategic inland ports across the United States, according to Jones Lang LaSalle, a financial and professional services firm specializing in real estate. In a new white paper, the firm explores how inland ports are expanding their focus from moving and handling imports to facilitating the movement of goods outside the U.S.

E-Commerce Will Close Technology’s Generation Gap by 2020

2012-09-11T00:00:00-04:00

Gen Y is keeping the Baby Boomer generation on its toes; both at home and at work. But it’s in the supply chain where those generations are acting as generators of commerce. Only by synchronizing their respective powers of consumer technology adoption and logistics system integration can the promise of the 2020 Value Chain come true.

If Supply Chain Wonks Ruled the World

2012-09-07T00:00:00-04:00

MH&L’s editors sat down with the magazine’s editorial advisory board to solve the world’s problems in one roundtable session. We didn’t even make a dent. However, we did a pretty good job targeting them so everyone reading this can take a shot.

The ABCs of FTZs

2012-09-19T00:00:00-04:00

With the increase in global commerce over the past several years, the use of foreign trade zones (FTZs) has increased among companies that import goods or materials. But while many supply chain managers know a little about FTZs, the concept is often misunderstood, with the result that these zones are not being utilized to their full potential.

A Supply Chain Network Design is Never Done

2012-09-19T00:00:00-04:00

It used to be that businesses turned to supply chain network modeling for help answering specific questions. For instance, if a company wanted to determine how many distribution centers to retain after a corporate merger or whether it should open a new facility to support expansion into a foreign market, it would use network analysis software to weigh the pros and cons of various supply chain network configurations. This type of software is available from such vendors as Barloworld, IBM, Infor, JDA, LLamasoft, Profit Point, and Solvoyo, to name a few.

August 2012 Leading Economic Index Softens

2012-09-20T00:00:00-04:00

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the U.S. declined 0.1% in August to 95.7 (2004 = 100).
This index is designed to forecast the economy six months in advance – and is still forecasting modest growth. The market expected no change in the LEI (versus the -0.1% reported).

Truckload Slowdown Spreads Amid 'Soft' Demand

2012-09-20T00:00:00-04:00

Swift Transportation joins Werner, others in lowering expectations for third quarter The freight economy in the U.S. is slowing, and softer truckload shipment volumes and rising fuel costs are squeezing earnings at some of the largest U.S. transport operators.

Mobile TMS Applications Improve Supply Chain Visibility

2012-09-21T00:00:00-04:00

Online applications for mobile devices are emerging in ways that can finally close or reduce many of the information gaps in the supply chain between transportation planning, the shipping/receiving dock, customers, and even accounts payable. These mobile applications are enabling shippers to interface directly and more effectively with logistic partners; access logistics information in non-traditional business settings; and enhance communications where access to a computer is not readily available.

North American Intermodal Volume Rises

2012-09-20T00:00:00-04:00

U.S. intermodal traffic increased 3.9 percent year-over-year and 14.8 percent from prior week U.S. intermodal shipments on major railroads in the week ending Sept. 15 rose 3.9 percent year-over-year and 14.8 percent from the prior week, according to the Association of American Railroads

Truckload Rate Hikes Slowed in August, Cass Says

2012-09-12T00:00:00-04:00

Linehaul rate index rises 1 percent from year ago, stays flat from July, as intermodal pricing rises Truckload pricing increased 1 percent year-over-year in August and remained flat compared with July, according to the Cass Truckload Linehaul Index.

Truckload Driver Turnover Tops 100 Percent

2012-09-12T00:00:00-04:00

Annualized turnover rate at large carriers reached 106 percent in second quarter, despite slower economic growth The annualized driver turnover rate at large truckload carriers shot past 100 percent in the second quarter, rising above that percentage figure for the first time in more than four years, according to the American Trucking Associations.

Truckload Spot Market Volume Rose in August

2012-09-13T00:00:00-04:00

TransCore DAT reports 1.1 percent increase from July, 8.4 percent from year ago The volume of truckload freight offered on the spot market rose 1.1 percent in August from July and increased 8.4 percent from a year ago, according to TransCore’s DAT North American Freight Index.

The Twilight Zone

2012-09-23T00:00:00-04:00

The world economy is sliding into a “twilight zone,” trapped between mixed valuations, feeble growth and recession on the horizon but with coordinated central bank intervention promising expansion and escape from contraction. In truth, fiscal authorities and central banks have steered us from recession, but we seem incapable of generating self sustaining growth and central banks on their own can not close the gap and bring about a lasting and durable recovery. Most equities have fallen into an eerie calm.

Shipping Conditions Worsen as Double-Dip Recession Looms

2012-09-20T00:00:00-04:00

Shipping conditions are worsening to the point that, if Washington continues to sit on its hands, a recession could occur in 2013, predicts Larry Gross, senior consultant for FTR Associates. FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) for July fell to a reading of -4.5, indicating the beginning of an expected steady decline as shippers and carriers feel the impact of increased regulatory drag heading into 2013.

Expectations for a true return to Peak Season are still tempered

2012-09-24T00:00:00-04:00

Earlier in 2012, many economists, analysts, and pundits predicted a “solid” second half of the year for the economy. But with the curtain quickly closing on September—and any real signs of meaningful growth ostensibly slowed down considerably—it is fair to share the outlook has changed.

ATA reports seasonally adjusted tonnage fell 0.9 percent in August and is up 3.2 percent anually

2012-09-25T00:00:00-04:00

The push and pull nature of freight transportation volumes in today’s economy remains largely intact based on the results of today’s August trucking volumes released by the American Trucking Associations (ATA).The ATA reported that seasonally-adjusted (SA) truck tonnage in August—at 118.3 (2000=100)—fell 0.9 percent, following a flat July and June, which was up 1.2 percent compared to May, representing the largest month-to-month increase in 2012 year-to-date. SA tonnage was down 1.0 percent in May.

Diesel prices fall for first time in 11 weeks, says Energy Information Administration

2012-09-25T00:00:00-04:00

The recent stretch of weekly increases in diesel prices paused this week, with prices going down for the first time in 11 weeks, according to the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA).

10 best practices you should be doing now

2012-09-27T00:00:00-04:00

Want to be a "best in class" organization? Then follow the lead of highly successful companies and adopt these 10 practices in your own operation.

A long and winding road to recovery

2012-09-27T00:00:00-04:00

Six steps to successful supply chain collaboration

2012-09-27T00:00:00-04:00

Although collaboration offers many benefits for consumer goods manufacturers and retailers, too often their joint initiatives don't work out. To ensure success, partner companies should take these six actions together

Durable Goods New Orders Very Large Contraction in August 2012

2012-09-27T00:00:00-04:00

Durable goods sector contracted in August – most of the contraction being in transport. Everything else was soft or contracting this month. Nobody can spin anything in durable goods as good. This data set is considered recessionary.Backlog also had a major contraction this month – and remains in a short term down trend. Backlog declined in all sectors. Our analysis is worse than the headline numbers.

Third Estimate 2Q2012 GDP Revised Down to 1.3%

2012-09-27T00:00:00-04:00

The third estimate of first quarter 2012 Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has been significantly revised down from 1.7% to 1.3%. The market expected the third estimate 2Q2012 GDP growth at 1.7%.

Slow global growth to hit trade in 2012 and 2013, WTO says

2012-09-21T00:00:00-04:00

Slowing global output growth has led WTO economists to downgrade their 2012 forecast for world trade expansion to 2.5% from 3.7% and to scale back their 2013 estimate to 4.5% from 5.6%. “In an increasingly interdependent world, economic shocks in one region can quickly spread to others. Recently announced measures to reinforce the euro and boost growth in the United States are therefore extremely welcome,” said WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy.

Five Things Supply Chain Pros Must Know

2012-09-26T00:00:00-04:00

Earlier this year, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Global Supply Chain Institute hosted a group of senior supply chain executives from its advisory board to talk about “what supply chain professionals really need to know.” These advisory board members range from VPs of supply chain to CEOs from 40 companies, such as Amazon, Disney, Dell, P&G, Kimberly Clark, Colgate, Johnson and Johnson, Lockheed Martin, Honeywell, Boeing, Caterpillar, Nissan, Lowe’s, and Walgreens. This industry input is used to help UT design its executive-level MBA and non-degree educational programs, such as its new Global Supply Chain Executive MBA.

3PLs in Demand but Need to Work on Innovation

2012-09-21T00:00:00-04:00

US Intermodal Traffic in August Hit Second-Highest for Month

2012-09-07T00:00:00-04:00

Intermodal volume jumped 6.5 percent; carload traffic fell 1.4 percent Intermodal shipments on major U.S. railroads in August rose 4.3 percent, reaching the second strongest volume for the month on record, according to the Association of American Railroads.

ISM issues positive manufacturing report for September

2012-10-01T00:00:00-04:00

The PMI – the index used by ISM to measure manufacturing activity – registered 51.5 percent, an increase of 1.9 percentage points from August’s reading of 49.6 percent.

Ocean cargo shippers may be hit harder on rates

2012-09-26T00:00:00-04:00

Container lines serving the Asia-U.S. trade lane reaffirmed their commitment to reversing 2011 and 2012 losses, and to raising the baseline for freight rates as they head into a new round of 2013-14 contract negotiations with customers.

ATA reports seasonally adjusted tonnage fell 0.9 percent in August and is up 3.2 percent anually

2012-09-25T00:00:00-04:00

Diesel prices fall for first time in 11 weeks, says Energy Information Administration

2012-09-25T00:00:00-04:00

Retailers Expect Solid Growth This Holiday Season

2012-10-02T00:00:00-04:00

Retail sales in November and December should increase 4.1 percent to $586.1 billion, which is higher than the 10-year average of 3.5 percent, according to the National Retail Federation. Actual holiday sales in 2011 grew 5.6 percent, based on data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, but this is the most optimistic forecast that NRF has released since the recession.

LTL Trucking Rates Seen Rising 3 to 4 Percent

2012-10-03T00:00:00-04:00

Stifel Nicolaus expects LTL pricing to keep climbing as capacity remains 'relatively in balance'
Less-than-truckload carriers are raising rates 3 to 4 percent, before fuel surcharges, despite “negative economic signals,” according to Stifel Nicolaus.

Trucking Conditions Index Rises on Tight Capacity

2012-10-03T00:00:00-04:00

FTR expects carriers to keep pricing clout as economy improves, capacity tightens

Business conditions for trucking companies improved in August, and are likely to keep improving despite slow economic growth, according to transportation research firm FTR Associates.

E-commerce driving regionalization of distribution networks

2012-09-27T00:00:00-04:00

The explosive growth of domestic and international e-commerce will drive retailers to create more regionalized distribution networks in order to stock products closer to the end customer and simplify the process of product returns.

US Diesel Prices Continue to Decline

2012-10-05T00:00:00-04:00

The average cost of diesel in the U.S. dropped again this week falling $0.007 a gallon to $4.079 Even with the drop, diesel is up $0.33 from the same time last year. The weekly data from 1994 until present can be downloaded at http://www.eia.gov/petroleum/gasdiesel/

Cass Freight Index Report

2012-09-30T00:00:00-04:00

September shipping increase due more to potential strike than normal peak season orders.

TSA on track to hit Dec. 3 deadline to screen all belly cargo entering U.S., official says

2012-10-05T00:00:00-04:00

The United States is on track to meet a Dec. 3 deadline to screen and inspect all cargo moving in the lower decks of passenger planes that originate in foreign countries, a top official of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said.

Intermodal volumes show year-over-year gains for 34th consecutive month

2012-10-05T00:00:00-04:00

Intermodal may be set to become the longest running hit on wheels, the transportation industry's version of "A Chorus Line," according to rail industry data.

Five-Day Order Fulfillment? How Quaint.

2012-10-04T00:00:00-04:00

The Material Handling Industry’s (MHI) latest material handling equipment manufacturing forecast calls for new orders to grow 6% next year. It’s encouraging to hear positive numbers in an era of uncertainty, but is that projection realistic?

How Amazon Profits from Retail’s Sales/Logistics Disconnect

2012-10-08T00:00:00-04:00

The Wall Street Journal proudly revealed “The Myth of the Black Friday Deal” in this morning’s edition. In working with Decide Inc., a consumer price research firm, WSJ revealed that Black Friday isn’t the only time consumers can get great holiday deals, and that the rise of online shopping “has presented a wealth of data for researchers looking to uncover retailers’ strategies and pinpoint when prices are lowest.” This helps Decide guide its member consumers on when to buy certain items.

“How Supply Chain Drives Shareholder Value” a Big Hit With CSCMP

2012-10-09T00:00:00-04:00

The concept of “following the money” may apply to the supply chain and freight transportation sectors more than most. It comes from a school of thought, which states where the freight is, the money is.

US Diesel Prices Increases This Week

2012-10-10T00:00:00-04:00

The average cost of diesel in the U.S. increased this week $0.015 a gallon to $4.094. Diesel is up $0.373 from the same time last year. Bloomberg Energy indicates the spot price for a barrel of West Texas Intermediate increased to $89.48, which is $3.51 higher than last week. The weekly data from 1994 until present can be downloaded at http://www.eia.gov/petroleum/gasdiesel/

REPORT: Container industry shows no real signs of recovery

2012-10-10T00:00:00-04:00

The container industry shows no real signs of recovery, according to an industry report, due to ongoing to supply side pressure.Container lines will remain in "transition mode" until at least 2014 and probably 2015, according to Drewry's "Container Market Review and Forecast 2012/13."

Carload Volume Sags, Intermodal Is Up for Major U.S. Railroads

2012-10-11T00:00:00-04:00

Reporting U.S. railroads originated 283,440 carloads in the week ending Oct. 6, down 6.3% compared with the same week last year, according to figures released by the Association of American Railroads (AAR). Intermodal volume was up 3.8% versus the same week last year, at 251,113 trailers and containers.

FTR Shipper Index Worsened in September

2012-10-11T00:00:00-04:00

Freight shipping may have slowed to a crawl, but shippers are not benefiting from additional truck capacity or lower truck pricing, according to FTR Associates.The firm’s Shippers Conditions Index dropped to a negative 6.8 in September, and FTR doesn't expect it to head back toward positive territory anytime soon.

Future of Fuels Report Calls for Value Chain Engagement

2012-10-10T00:00:00-04:00

2013 Preview: Capacity to Tighten as Shipping Costs Rise

2012-10-11T00:00:00-04:00

FTR Associates’ Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) for August fell to a reading of -6.8, reflecting a slowly tightening capacity environment for carriers and shippers. The SCI sums up all market influences that affect shippers; a reading above zero suggests a favorable shipping environment, while a reading below zero is unfavorable.

Containerized Imports Volume Up at Los Angeles, Long Beach

2012-10-16T00:00:00-04:00

Containerized imports in Los Angeles increased 3.38 percent in September year-over-year, reaching the highest total of 2012. Imports in neighboring Long Beach edged up 0.7 percent over last September.

The National Average Diesel Fuel Price Increases

2012-10-17T00:00:00-04:00

This week's national average price of diesel fuel increased, reaching the highest national average pump price in more than four years. The prices in all regions increased as well. The current national average for a gallon of diesel is $4.150, an increase of $0.056 from last week. By comparison, the national average price for a gallon of gasoline, which decreased is $3.819, a decrease of $0.031.

Consumer Price Index Rose in September

2012-10-19T00:00:00-04:00

A jump in energy prices helped push the Consumer Price Index up 0.6 percent in September on a seasonally adjusted basis following the same increase in August, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Year-over-year, the index rose 2 percent in September following a 1.7 percent increase in August.

Business Inventories Inch Up 0.6 Percent

2012-10-19T00:00:00-04:00

Business inventories in August were up 0.6 percent from July to a seasonally adjusted $1.602 trillion, the U.S. Commerce Department reported.

Top 30 Ocean Carriers Special Report: Sailing into the black?

2012-10-01T00:00:00-04:00

Ocean shippers may be paying a bit more this fall, but carriers say they’re delivering on their schedule integrity. And despite a restrained capacity increase, most leading container vessel operators are still confronting a formidable oversupply challenge.

According to analysts at the Paris-based consultancy Alphaliner, the carriers’ failure to collectively curb effective growth in 2010 and 2011 was the primary reason for the collapse in freight rates last year. Freight rates have also come under pressure again since July as demand weakened across all routes. Average freight rates from China, for example, have fallen by 8 percent since the 2012 peak, with further weakness likely for the remainder of this year.

Measuring the Shortfall in Trucking Capacity

2012-10-19T00:00:00-04:00

How much capacity did the recession carve out of trucking? In short, a lot, both from the less-than-truckload and truckload sectors. And the decline didn’t stop in 2009.

Easing Trucking Capacity Gives Shippers Slight Edge

2012-10-19T00:00:00-04:00

U.S. gross domestic product grew a meager 1.3 percent in the second quarter, freight tonnage slipped during the summer and several large motor carriers are rushing to lower third quarter earnings expectations based on soft shipment volumes. If there’s any good news for shippers, it’s that truck capacity, which has been so tight since the recession that it’s occasionally threatened to choke supply chains, is easing up heading into November and the peak pre-holiday shipping season. Truckers may not be prowling around freight docks, but freight space isn’t difficult to find.

U.S. Retail Inventory to Sales Ratio

2012-10-22T00:00:00-04:00

Year-over-year August U.S. retail sales rose 5.7 percent while inventories advanced 7.8 percent. Sequentially, August U.S. retail sales rose 6 percent while inventories inched ahead 1.2 percent. Retail inventories at the end of August were estimated to total $492.6 billion, with sales estimated at $377.1 billion for a total inventory-to-sales ratio of 1.31.

Intermodal Rail Traffic Rises 2.6 Percent

2012-10-22T00:00:00-04:00

Larger U.S. railroads reported intermodal volume up 2.6 percent versus the same week last year, at 250,826 trailers and containers, during the week ending October 13, according to figures released by the Association of American Railroads. They originated 285,089 carloads for the week, down 6.1 percent compared with the same week last year, but up 0.6 percent from the week before.

US Diesel Prices Decreased This Week

Rick LaGore — 2012-10-23T00:00:00-04:00

The average cost of diesel in the U.S. decreased this week $0.034 a gallon to $4.116.

This puts diesel up $0.291 from the same time last year.

The weekly data from 1994 until present can be downloaded at http://www.eia.gov/petroleum/gasdiesel/

Trucking Tonnage Improves in September 2012

2012-10-25T00:00:00-04:00

The American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) trucking index grew 0.4% in September partially offsetting last month's revised decline of 0.9% month-over-month. Compared with September 2011, seasonally adjusted tonnage was up 3.6%.

Durable Goods New Orders Improves (but still soft) in September 2012

2012-10-25T00:00:00-04:00

Durable goods sector improved in September – after lasts months poor data. Even with the improvement, this sector of the economy looks soft – and this analysis is worse than the headline data.

The National Average Diesel Fuel Price Decreases Again

2012-10-31T00:00:00-04:00

This week's national average price of diesel fuel decreased as did the prices in all regions as well. The current national average for a gallon of diesel is $4.030, a decrease of $0.086 from last week. By comparison, the national average price for a gallon of gasoline, which decreased as well, is $3.568, a decrease of $0.119.

CARB Compliance For Trucks Is Set For January 1, 2013

2012-10-31T00:00:00-04:00

January 1, 2013, will see the beginning enforcement of California's Air Resources Board (CARB) regulation regarding trucks without SmartWay verified aerodynamic devices such side skirts or boat tail fairings as well as SmartWay-verified low-rolling-resistance tires or retreads on dry van and refrigerated trailers.

AAR Reports Mixed Weekly Rail Traffic

2012-10-31T00:00:00-04:00

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported mixed weekly rail traffic for the week ending October 20, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 288,791 carloads, down 4.4 percent compared with the same week last year. Intermodal volume for the week totaled 253,883 trailers and containers, up 3.5 percent compared with the same week last year.

Rail Week Ending 27 October 2012: Rail Without Coal Expands

2012-11-01T00:00:00-04:00

Econintersect: Week 43 of 2012 ending 27 October shows same week total rail traffic was below 2011 levels according to data released by the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

Intermodal Traffic Climbs 3.9 Percent

2012-11-02T00:00:00-04:00

Larger U.S. railroads reported intermodal volume up 3.9 percent versus the same week last year, at 253,186 trailers and containers, during the week ending October 27, according to figures released by the Association of American Railroads. They originated 287,104 carloads for the week, down 7 percent compared with the same week in 2011, and down 0.6 percent from the week before.

Cass Freight Index Report - October 2012

2012-11-05T00:00:00-05:00

Cass Freight Index Report - October 2012

Baird / Hartford: November Freight Report

2012-10-30T00:00:00-04:00

Baird / Hartford: November Freight Report

FULL REPORT LINK

http://www.rwbaird.com/docs/DomesticTrends10.12.pdf

US Diesel Prices Fall 0.5 Percent

2012-11-05T00:00:00-05:00

The average price of diesel in the U.S. was $4.010 during the week that ended Nov. 5, falling 0.5 percent or $.02 from the previous week, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Rail Intermodal: Where Rail Meets Road

2012-10-31T00:00:00-04:00

Intermodal solutions gather steam as shippers track the financial and efficiency benefits of combining truck and rail transport.

US Domestic Intermodal Container Volume Jumps 11.3 Percent

2012-11-06T00:00:00-05:00

The Intermodal Association of North America today reported that overall intermodal volume in the third quarter was 3.77 million units, up 3.2 percent from last year’s third-quarter total of 3.65 million.

Get ready to say goodbye to the supply chain as we know it

2012-10-29T00:00:00-04:00

The giant sucking sound H. Ross Perot once warned us about is back. Only this time it's not Mexico siphoning off U.S. jobs in a post-NAFTA market. In fact, it has nothing to do with jobs or Mexico. Rather, it's the sound of end users—businesses and consumers—sucking away control from the producers and retailers that, for generations, called the shots on order fulfillment and shipping.

Economist predicts slowdown in 2014, followed by three straight years of growth

2012-10-22T00:00:00-04:00

The economy should grow slowly through the first half of next year before retreating into a mild recession in 2014, an economist told attendees last Thursday at an annual conference in Little Rock, Ark., sponsored by the Hytrol Conveyor Co.

U.S. logistics industry to post 1.1 million jobs by 2016, report says

2012-10-25T00:00:00-04:00

The U.S. logistics industry will have nearly 1.1 million job openings between 2013 and 2016 just to keep pace with projected industry growth during that period, according to a soon-to-be-released study by a state advocacy group.

DC space tightens at U.S. seaports

2012-10-05T00:00:00-04:00

It's not like the heady days of the early 21st century, but after a historically subpar performance for the last four years, the U.S. industrial property market is showing signs of tightening.

Truck Driver Jobs Hard To Fill Even In A Bad Economy

2012-11-13T00:00:00-05:00

The U.S. is speeding toward a critical shortage of truck drivers in the next few years, but many trucking companies say they are having a hard time finding workers.

Global Container Trade Fell In September, CTS Reports

2012-11-13T00:00:00-05:00

Global container volumes dropped in September both month-to-month and year-over-year as exports from major regions fell away.

USPS Expecting Record Holiday Season Shipping Volumes

2012-11-13T00:00:00-05:00

Like the duopoly of UPS and FedEx, the United States Postal Service (USPS) is calling for a very active holiday shipping season, expecting 385 million packages to be shipped, which represents a 20 percent annual gain and would be a USPS record.

Obama To Confront Ongoing Supply Chain Concerns During Second Term

2012-11-13T00:00:00-05:00

If President Barack Obama thought his re-election campaign was difficult, he will rapidly discover a seemingly overwhelming set of problems facing his second term that will impact the transportation world.

Driver Shortage May Explode Beyond Truckload

2012-11-13T00:00:00-05:00

While the current truck driver shortage is acute and limited primarily to the truckload sector, long-term trends could cause the shortage to explode in the next decade, according to an analysis from American Trucking Associations.

Domestic Intermodal Container Volume Surges 11.3 Percent In Third Quarter

2012-11-15T00:00:00-05:00

ATA Releases Driver Shortage Analysis Paper

2012-11-15T00:00:00-05:00

Today, American Trucking Associations released an analysis of the shortage of truck drivers, concluding that the current shortage is acute and limited primarily to the truckload sector of the industry; but that long-term trends could cause the shortage to explode in the next decade.

Retail Sales Bump Up A Bit

2012-11-20T00:00:00-05:00

October retail sales data released by the United States Department of Commerce and the National Retail Federation (NRF) were down sequentially and up annually.

How Supply Chain Management Helps Me Succeed In My Job...As A Marketer

2012-11-20T00:00:00-05:00

The field of Supply Chain Management provides me with some ballast against the excitement of market trends.

U.S. Vessel Imports Drop 6.8% In October

2012-11-20T00:00:00-05:00

Zepol Corporation reported this week that U.S. import volume in October, measured in TEUs (twenty-foot-containers), is down 6.8% from September and another 4.8% from October of last year.

Business Sales Show Fastest Growth Since March 2011

2012-11-20T00:00:00-05:00

U.S. business inventories in September increased 0.7 percent from August to a seasonally adjusted $1.61 trillion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Trucking Still Stable, But Capacity Tight, Says FTR Associates

2012-11-20T00:00:00-05:00

Nashville, Ind.-based transportation forecaster FTR Associates reported that its Shippers Condition Index in September was basically flat compared with August, indicating stable but slightly tight truck capacity.

US Diesel Prices Down Again for Week of 11/19/2012

Rick LaGore — 2012-11-21T00:00:00-05:00

The average cost of diesel in the U.S. decreased this week $0.004 a gallon to $3.976.

The diesel fuel price is down $0.034 from the same time last year.

The weekly data from 1994 until present can be downloaded at http://www.eia.gov/petroleum/gasdiesel/

Truck and Automation Markets Set For Solid Growth Through 2016

2012-11-27T00:00:00-05:00

After U.S. shipments of industrial trucks, tractors, trailers, and stacker machinery dropped between 2007 and 2009, they rose again in 2010 by 10.5%. Then in 2011, shipments jumped by 17.5% to $9.51 billion. This sets the stage for solid growth for this equipment over the next few years, according to the 4th edition of Sundale Research’s State of the Industry report on Material Handling Equipment.

Moderate Growth Likely Pending 'Fiscal Cliff' Compromise

2012-11-27T00:00:00-05:00

While acknowledging that major issues still need to be addressed, the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and innovation (MAPI) is sounding upbeat enough to predict that "the U.S. economy could be in a transition from sluggish growth to a longer period of moderate growth, according to a new report."

Holidays Are Critical Test Of Multi-Channel Fulfillment

2012-11-27T00:00:00-05:00

More than two-thirds (68%) of the 600 respondents to a survey noted that their expectations for correct and on-time delivery of items they purchase online or by phone are higher during the holiday shopping season.

US Spot Intermodal Rates On The Decline - According To Data From IDS Transportation

2012-11-27T00:00:00-05:00

U.S. spot intermodal rates, particularly lanes west to east, are gradually weakening off of the peak holiday volume period earlier in the fall, according to data from 3PL IDS Transportation.

FTR Tells Supply Chain Managers To Get Ready For Demand Shift

2012-11-27T00:00:00-05:00

The SCI for September, the most recent month for which data is available, was -6.9, which FTR said was almost exactly in line with August.

Diesel Prices Jump Up Nearly 6 Cents, Says EIA

2012-11-28T00:00:00-05:00

Following five weeks of declines, the average price per gallon of diesel gasoline jumped up 5.8 cents this week to $4.034 per gallon, according to the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA).

AAR Reports Mixed Weekly Rail Traffic

2012-11-28T00:00:00-05:00

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported mixed weekly rail traffic for the week ending November 17, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 288,717 carloads, down 4.3 percent compared with the same week last year. Intermodal volume for the week totaled 249,115 trailers and containers, up 2.4 percent compared with the same week last year.

Rail Week Ending 24 November 2012: Coal Is A Growing Headwind For Rail

2012-12-03T00:00:00-05:00

Week 47 of 2012 ending 24 November shows same week total rail traffic was below 2011 levels according to data released by the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

November International Airfreight and Ocean Freight Trends by Baird Equity Research

2012-12-03T00:00:00-05:00

November AF volumes have firmed following below-seasonal AF and OF trends in October. A belated and modest OF peak emerged in September and October. And following below-seasonal AF demand trends, November AF volumes out of Asia have firmed into seasonal shipping demand. The demand outlook into early 2013 remains muted given seasonal freight slowing and macroeconomic uncertainties, but a healthier November demand environment and clearer signs of bottoming AF fundamentals could present a catalyst for companies with international AF exposure.

November Domestic Truck, Intermodal, and Rail Trends by Baird Equity Research

2012-12-03T00:00:00-05:00

Domestic trucking demand solid in November, with numerous contacts noting overbooked (demand exceeding available supply) conditions in recent weeks. A belated peak season in front of late-November retail sales activity and disruptions from Hurricane
Sandy cited as drivers of demand; outlook into December remains guardedly optimistic. Contacts noted core pricing growth for truckload contracts struck in 4Q12 roughly +2% yoy, and preliminary outlooks from carriers reflect +1.5-2.0% yoy core truckload rate growth expectations for 2013.

US Manufacturing Index Hits Lowest Point In Three Years

2012-12-05T00:00:00-05:00

U.S. manufacturing production in November fell to its lowest rate in more than three years, as businesses placed fewer new orders and struggled to cope with disruptions caused by Hurricane Sandy, according to the Institute for Supply Management's index.

US Manufacturing To Be Challenged In Next Five Years

2012-12-05T00:00:00-05:00

Over the next five years, 20^th-century manufacturing stalwarts like the United States, Germany and Japan will be challenged to maintain their competitive edge against emerging nations such as China, India and Brazil, according to the “2013 Global Manufacturing Competitiveness Index” (Index) from Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited’s Global Manufacturing Industry group and the U.S. Council on Competitiveness.

Diesel Prices Drop 0.7 Cents, Reports EIA

2012-12-05T00:00:00-05:00

One week after the average price per gallon of diesel gasoline rose 5.8 cents to $4.034 per gallon, the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported this week that the price fell 0.7 cents to $4.027 per gallon.

Cass Freight Index: A Measure Of North American Freight Volumes For November 2012

2012-12-06T00:00:00-05:00

North American shipment volumes and overall freight expenditures both declined from October to November, as seasonally expected. Freight shipments declined 4.0 percent while expenditures fell 5.8 percent from the previous month. Year over year, volumes were 3.5 percent higher than in November 2011.

Trucking Association Estimates 239,000 Drivers Needed By 2022

2012-12-10T00:00:00-05:00

The nation's truckload sector will find itself short of hundreds of thousands of drivers by 2022 unless current trends change, the American Trucking Associations (ATA) said in a report released on Monday.

The report, "Driver Shortage Update November 2012," forecast a shortage of 239,000 drivers in 10 years. Most of the shortage will occur among truckload carriers, whose drivers travel long distances and can be away for weeks at a time. By contrast, the less-than-truckload (LTL), private fleet, and dedicated contract carriage segments—whose drivers operate shorter runs and are home more frequently—will not face anywhere near the same issue, the report said.

Intermodal Struggles To Crack Short-Haul Market

2012-12-10T00:00:00-05:00

The nation's intermodal sector is like the 400-pound behemoth who vowed to lose 200 pounds and now tips the scales at 210: Few thought it could be done, the progress has been remarkable, but those last 10 pounds will be the hardest.

How To Find Savings Through Landed Cost Analysis

2012-12-11T00:00:00-05:00

As shippers adapt sourcing strategies to build redundancy, economy, and responsiveness into their supply chains, the complexity of drilling down total landed costs increases. Shippers often focus resources and attention on procurement, looking only at production and logistics spend. At a more granular level, a myriad of other factors can impact the total supply chain cost of moving a product.

How To Reduce Costs By Integrating Packaging With Distribution Center Operations

2012-12-11T00:00:00-05:00

Product packaging is often handled as a discrete supply chain function, separate from warehousing and distribution. But companies can capitalize on considerable efficiency and economy gains by driving toward greater integration of these functions. In fact, performing final packaging in the distribution center can reduce combined warehousing, logistics, and freight costs by 30 percent and order-to-delivery cycle times by seven days.

How To Foster A Long-Term 3PL Partnership

2012-12-11T00:00:00-05:00

When companies begin working with a third-party logistics provider (3PL), they are generally looking to address a functional pain point. The partnership is transactional and fills an operational gap. But the true value of 3PL partnerships can grow infinitely greater when shippers take a long-term approach that focuses on sustainable gains rather than short-term savings. In these circumstances, the contractual relationship often moves beyond simply procurement to more strategic leanings that benefit both parties.

Truck Driver Turnover Remained High In Third Quarter

2012-12-13T00:00:00-05:00

The annualized line-haul driver turnover rate at large truckload fleets (those that report more than $30 million in annual revenue), dipped 2 percentage points to 104 percent in the third quarter, falling from the five-year record high of 106 percent reported in the second quarter, according to the American Trucking Associations.

Diesel Prices Drop 3.6 Cents, Reports EIA

2012-12-13T00:00:00-05:00

The average price per gallon of diesel gasoline increased 3.6 cents to $3.991 per gallon, the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported this week.

Forecasting Fuel Rates For 2013 No Easy Chore

2012-12-13T00:00:00-05:00

Forecasting fuel rates has never been more difficult for shippers, maintained Derik Andreoli, Ph.D.c., a senior analyst at Mercator International LLC and Logistics Management’s popular Oil & Fuel columnist. When planning for 2013 energy fluctuations, logistics managers must keep an eye on several global issues, he said.

Domestic Intermodal Rates Inch Up

2012-12-14T00:00:00-05:00

U.S. domestic intermodal rates showed little volatility this week and continued to settle at post-peak-season levels, according to rail pricing provided by logistics provider IDS.

Transloading To Maximize Cost Savings

2012-12-18T00:00:00-05:00

Transloading offers a cost-effective way to bring ocean containers inland to distribution centers. By transfering cargo without sorting the contents for shipment to a single destination, transloading services can reduce total landed costs, and—when combined with value-added services such as palletizing and shrink-wrapping—reduce handling at the destination. Jeff McCorstin, senior vice president of air and ocean products for UPS Global Freight Forwarding, offers these tips for maximizing savings with transloading services.

Top 10 Logistics Challenges For 2013 (And Beyond)

2012-12-18T00:00:00-05:00

For the past few Januarys, I've attempted to identify the top 10 challenges facing the logistics/supply chain community in the year ahead. My score for 2012 was not too bad, but I have to admit my predictions were pretty safe.

US Diesel Prices Drop For Third Straight Week

2012-12-18T00:00:00-05:00

The average cost of diesel in the U.S. dropped 4.6 cents in the week ending Dec. 17, falling for the third straight week.

US Intermodal Rates Weaken

2012-12-20T00:00:00-05:00

Spot U.S. intermodal rates showed broad weakness this week especially in East-West lanes. An index of heavily trafficked domestic intermodal lanes dropped from $2,324 for a '53 foot all-inclusive door-to-door move to $2,085. An index of West-to-East rates fell from $2,872 to $2,518, according to spot rate data provided by IDS.

Five Supply Chain Trends That Shaped 2012

2012-12-20T00:00:00-05:00

Supply chain technology continued to evolve throughout 2012 as companies realize that a highly visible supply chain is necessary for success in today’s business climate. Of course, overall IT trends such as the cloud, big data and mobile are impacting the supply chain sector just as they do other sectors.

Widespread Weakness In Intermodal Rates

2013-01-03T00:00:00-05:00

Domestic U.S. intermodal rates weakened broadly this week, reflecting the slack, post-holiday season. Of the 36 lanes tracked weekly by IDS, 32 either dropped or remained the same from the prior week, with declines seen on lanes in all four directions.

US Manufacturing Activity Picks Up

2013-01-03T00:00:00-05:00

Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in December following one month of contraction, and the overall U.S. economy grew for the 43rd consecutive month, according to the latest ISM report on manufacturing.

East Coast Port Strike Called Off...For Now

2013-01-04T00:00:00-05:00

News that the International Longshoremen’s Association and United States Maritime Alliance have agreed to extend their contract negotiations for an additional 30 days was welcomed by the National Retail Federation today.

Diesel Prices Dip 0.5 Cents

2013-01-04T00:00:00-05:00

Diesel prices continued to trend down, falling for the tenth time in the last 11 weeks, according to the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration.

Fiscal Cliff Deal Is Reached But Supply Chain Challenges Remain

2013-01-04T00:00:00-05:00

I originally was going to use a headline along these lines for this column: “New Year but same old problems” or something to that effect. But with Congress waiting until past January 1 to hammer out a deal for the so-called Fiscal Cliff, there is at least one less problem to worry about for now anyhow.

PRESS RELEASE: IDS Transportation Services, LLC and The Journal of Commerce Announce Partnership to Expand Coverage of Intermodal Pricing

2013-01-04T00:00:00-05:00

NEWARK, N.J., Jan. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- IDS Transportation Services, LLC will begin providing weekly spot rates on heavy volume 53' door-to-door domestic intermodal lanes, along with market commentary to the Journal of Commerce (JOC) for use in its expanding coverage of the North American intermodal market. With the continued growth of domestic intermodal, the JOC is expanding coverage of the intermodal market and the supply chains and logistics strategies it supports. The JOC will initially use the spot rates provided by IDS to publish a weekly article on JOC.com analyzing the latest pricing developments and trends.

US Intermodal Rail Volume Nears Record in 2012

2013-01-07T00:00:00-05:00

U.S. intermodal rail volume rose 3.2 percent year-over-year in 2012, marking the second most robust year since 2006, according to the Association of American Railroads.

Dockworker Strike Averted For Now As ILA, Management Agree To 30-Day Pact Extension

2013-01-08T00:00:00-05:00

The International Longshoreman's Association and waterfront management, averting a possible Dec. 30 strike that would have paralyzed shipping at 14 U.S. ports, have extended their current contract for an additional 30 days after reaching a compromise on what became the lightning-rod issue of container royalty payments to union members.

Truck Rates To Climb Post-Sandy; Analysts Divided On Duration

2013-01-08T00:00:00-05:00

Some consultants, economists sees strong revenue gains into fall; others believe impact will not last long.

The rebuilding efforts in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic following the Sandy mega-storm in November will push up truck rates through the first half of the year. What happens beyond that is a matter of educated opinion.

Independent U.S. Shippers Not Out Of The Woods Yet

2013-01-08T00:00:00-05:00

According to the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Small Business Optimism Index optimism remained at recessionary levels in December with just a half-point increase in the index over November.

Last week we noted that retailers were expressing relief that the “fiscal cliff” had been avoided. The impact of such a threat, however, has yet to be measured. According to the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Small Business Optimism Index optimism remained at recessionary levels in December with just a half-point increase in the index over November.

Diesel Prices Continue To Slip

2013-01-08T00:00:00-05:00

This marks the sixth straight weekly decline and the 11th time in the past 12 weeks the average price has fallen.

ISM Reports Manufacturing Output Finishes 2012 On A High Note

2013-01-08T00:00:00-05:00

Manufacturing output showed growth in December for the third time in the last seven months, according to today’s December Manufacturing Report on Business from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM).

Cass Freight Index Report: A Measure Of North American Freight Volumes For December 2012

2013-01-08T00:00:00-05:00

Since 1990, the Cass Freight Index™ has been a trusted measure of North American freight volumes and expenditures. Data within the Index is derived from $20 billion in freight transactions processed by Cass annually on behalf of its client base of 350 large shippers. These companies represent a broad sampling of industries including consumer packaged goods, food, automotive, chemical, OEM, retail and heavy equipment. Annual freight volume per organization ranges from $1 million to over $1 billion. The diversity of shippers and aggregate volume provide a statistically valid representation of North American shipping activity.

Spot Intermodal Rates Flat For Week

2013-01-09T00:00:00-05:00

Spot U.S. intermodal rates were broadly flat this week, avoiding the downward direction seen on several major lanes in recent week, according to rate data compiled by IDS.

2013 Transportation Rate Outlook: New Era Of collaboration

2013-01-15T00:00:00-05:00

Our panel forecasts soft spikes across the modes as carriers fine-tune their yield management strategies. In turn, shippers must now focus on collaboration and be more creative than ever if they’re to contain costs.

Supply Chain Technology: Transportation Management Systems (TMS) Gaining Altitude

2013-01-15T00:00:00-05:00

Research reveals that multiple factors such as volatile fuel prices and the oncoming capacity crunch are finally pushing adoption numbers up in the transportation management systems (TMS) space.

Little Change In Spot US Intermodal Rates

2013-01-15T00:00:00-05:00

U.S. domestic intermodal rates continued this week to show little movement, as the market after declining in the late fall seeks clarity on the strength of volumes headed further into the New Year.

Diesel Prices Continue On Downward Path

2013-01-15T00:00:00-05:00

The average price per gallon of diesel gasoline was down 1.7 cents to $3.894 per gallon. Along with prices being down for seven straight weeks, prices have been down in 12 of the last 13 weeks.

Supreme Court to Hear ATA Challenge of LA Clean-Trucks Program

2013-01-15T00:00:00-05:00

The Supreme Court told the American Trucking Associations and the Port of Los Angeles Friday that it will hear the case involving ATA’s challenge to the concession requirements contained in the port’s clean-trucks program.

AAR Reports Declines In Weekly Rail Traffic

2013-01-16T00:00:00-05:00

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported declines in weekly rail traffic for the week ending January 5, 2013, with U.S. railroads originating 241,682 carloads, down 12.1 percent compared with the same week last year. Intermodal volume for the week totaled 178,317 trailers and containers, down 8 percent compared with the same week last year. Traffic volume was likely impacted by the New Year’s holiday, which fell on a Monday and Tuesday in 2013, as opposed to Saturday and Sunday in 2012.

Agency Releases Freight Transportation Services Index, Freight Shipments Rose 1.7 Percent in November from October

2013-01-16T00:00:00-05:00

The amount of freight carried by the for-hire transportation industry rose 1.7 percent in November from October, rising after a one-month decline, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics’ (BTS) Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI). The November 2012 index level (108.9) was 15.5 percent above the April 2009 low during the recession.

Retail Sales Weak In December 2012

2013-01-16T00:00:00-05:00

Advance Retail Sales were again mixed in December 2012 depending if you follow the headlines or dive into the data. The headlines say retail was up moderately this month. This month, Econintersect‘s analysis is a lot worse than the headline data.

CN and Indiana Rail Road to launch all-rail service for containerized Trans-Pacific imports/exports between west-coast Canadian ports and Indianapolis

2013-01-16T00:00:00-05:00

CHICAGO and INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 16, 2013 — CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) and the Indiana Rail Road Company (INRD) announced today an agreement on the construction of an intermodal terminal in Indianapolis and their plan to offer Indiana importers and exporters an all-rail option for containerized products moving to/from Asia.

[Infographic] of the Day: The Decline of the USA Post Office

2013-01-22T00:00:00-05:00

Comparing 10 year trends in US Post Office income, expenses, and mail volume.

Supply Chain Technology: Transportation Management Systems (TMS) Gaining Altitude

2013-01-22T00:00:00-05:00

Research reveals that multiple factors such as volatile fuel prices and the oncoming capacity crunch are finally pushing adoption numbers up in the transportation management systems (TMS) space.

Shelli Austin, VP of Transportation at IDS, Speaking on Intermodal Panel for The Midwest Association of Rail Shippers Meeting ‘2013: What’s on the Horizon’ January 23-24, Oak Brook, IL

2013-01-22T00:00:00-05:00

Shelli Austin, VP of IDS Transportation Services, LLC, was invited to speak on the ‘Intermodal Exploding – Don’t Let it Leave you Behind’ panel held on January 23^rd at 1:30pm.

PRESS RELEASE: IDS Transportation Services, LLC Announces Co-Marketing Agreement with Streamline, a Union Pacific Subsidiary

2013-01-23T00:00:00-05:00

PLAINFIELD, Ind., Jan. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- IDS Transportation Services LLS, a full-service logistics company specializing in intermodal transportation, and Streamline, a subsidiary of Union Pacific Railroad Company, announced a co-marketing agreement today.

Fulfillment Companies Target 3 Ecommerce Trends for Business Expansion

2013-01-23T00:00:00-05:00

Since 2012 departed with a bang, 2013 is primed to follow right in its footsteps. Ecommerce retailers saw an excellent fourth quarter. According to comScore, holiday sales approached a record $3.6 billion, a roughly 16% increase over the same time last year, so it’s no surprise that the ecommerce industry is expected to continue to grow in 2013.

ILA, New York Employers to Resume Talks | ILA Labor Negotiations

2013-01-24T00:00:00-05:00

The shipping industry continues to watch nervously as the International Longshoremen’s Association and United States Maritime Alliance continue contract negotiations that started last March. The ILA and USMX agreed in late December to a second contract extension, through Feb. 6. The extension averted a threatened East and Gulf Coast port strike on Dec. 30.

The National Average Diesel Fuel Price Increases

2013-01-23T00:00:00-05:00

This week's national average price of diesel fuel increased as did the prices in some regions as well. The current national average for a gallon of diesel is $3.902, a decrease of $0.008 from last week. By comparison, the national average price for a gallon of gasoline, which increased as well, is $3.315, an increase of $0.012.

AAR Reports Mixed Weekly Rail Traffic

2013-01-24T00:00:00-05:00

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported mixed weekly rail traffic for the week ending January 12, 2013, with U.S. railroads originating 279,893 carloads, down 6.4 percent compared with the same week last year.

Trucking's 2013 Rate And Volume Expectations Show Uncertainty

2013-01-24T00:00:00-05:00

A Transport Capital Partners’ (TCP) Fourth Quarter 2012 Business Expectations Survey found that given the political and economic uncertainty, carriers’ expectations for freight volumes and rate increases for the next twelve months also show a lack of confidence.

FTR: Tighter Capacity, Rising Truck Rates in 2013

2013-01-25T00:00:00-05:00

Nashville, Ind.-based transportation forecaster FTR Associates’ Shippers Conditions Index for November fell slightly from October to a reading of -5.3, a sign that 2013 will be challenging for shippers.

US Intermodal Traffic Rises 10.4 Percent

2013-01-25T00:00:00-05:00

In the week ending Jan. 12, U.S. intermodal volume rose 10.4 percent year-over-year to 252,896 trailers and containers, according to the Association of American Railroads. It was the first weekly increase in 2013.

US Manufacturers More Upbeat About Domestic Than Global Economy

2013-01-30T00:00:00-05:00

Industrial manufacturing executives are optimistic about their growth prospects in 2013, according to PwC’s latest Manufacturing Barometer Business Outlook Report. They raised their own-company 12-month revenue growth forecasts by a half-point, from 4.6 percent to 5.2 percent.

Shipping Patterns Affect Carriers’ Stated Rate Increases

2013-01-30T00:00:00-05:00

Both FedEx and UPS announced their annual rate increases. FedEx increased air and ground rates by 5.9% and say they are partially offsetting these increases with a reduction in fuel surcharges, 2% for air and 1% for ground.

Mis-Picks Cost a Company Nearly $390,000 Annually

2013-01-30T00:00:00-05:00

Distribution centers are losing an average of nearly $390,000 per year due to mis-picks, according to a study conducted by Intermec, Inc. The study surveyed 250 senior supply chain and distribution managers across the U.S., U.K., France and Germany, spanning industries including retail, manufacturing, distribution, transport, chemicals, logistics, pharmaceuticals, wholesale and FMCG.

ILA and USMX Talks Approach February 6 Deadline

2013-01-30T00:00:00-05:00

The International Longshoremen's Association and United States Maritime Alliance resumed federally mediated contract negotiations last week.

BNSF Sets 2013 Capital Budget of $4.1 Billion, Largest Budget In US Rail History

2013-01-30T00:00:00-05:00

BNSF Railway, one of the two major western U.S. railroads, has set a 2013 capital expenditure budget of $4.1 billion, the first time any U.S. railroad has budgeted more than $4 billion in capital spending in one year.

Home Delivery Success Starts at the Order

2013-01-30T00:00:00-05:00

Home delivery was one of the hottest topics in the second half of 2012 and appears to be on many retailers’ minds for 2013. Keeping retailers from moving quickly is the perceived additional cost associated with home delivery.

Are You Keeing Your 3PL From Innovating?

2013-01-30T00:00:00-05:00

Do you feel your third-party logistics service provider isn't innovative enough? That it's failing to come to you with new—or at least, new to you—ideas for cutting costs or streamlining your operations?

Diesel Prices Head Up 2.5 Cents, Reports EIA

2013-01-30T00:00:00-05:00

Following its first weekly increase in eight weeks a week ago, diesel prices are up again this week, according to the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration.

Baird/Hartford: January Freight Update

2013-01-30T00:00:00-05:00

4Q12 and January trends appear stable and have been better than investor expectations.

East to West Intermodal Rates Up for Week

2013-01-30T00:00:00-05:00

East to west spot intermodal rates shot up last week, partly because of a shortage in the New York-New Jersey to Los Angeles lane, but overall spot rates remained relatively flat compared to last week, still hovering at levels roughly 25 percent lower than in early October.

Railroads and Midwest Shippers Discuss What's on the Horizon

2013-02-05T00:00:00-05:00

Last year, oil company BP launched its own unit tank train out North Dakota’s Bakken oil fields, and perhaps no one was more surprised by this development than Jeff Foshee, BP’s director of North America Rail Group. Foshee oversees the freight cars and lanes that carry BP’s oil, chemical, gas, asphalt, and other products by rail.

Supply Chain Goals Determine Corporate Success

2013-02-05T00:00:00-05:00

Over the last decade, 75% of companies in process industries have lost ground on margins and only 5% of companies improved their positions on the number of days of inventory, according to a report from Supply Chain Insights LLC titled “Supply Chain Metrics That Matter: Driving Reliability in Margins.” The goal of this report was to answer “Why?”

ProMat 2013: How to Avoid Multichannel Out-of-Stocks

2013-02-05T00:00:00-05:00

When it comes to buzzwords, there are two types of people: Those who like to be so far ahead of the curve that they know all about the “Next Big Thing” even before the latest technology debuts in the marketplace; and those who, upon hearing what the “latest and greatest” is this week, decide it’s a gimmick and refuse to take it seriously.

Shipping Forecast: Rail and Intermodal in the Near Future

2013-02-05T00:00:00-05:00

FTR Associates, a consulting firm that tracks the transportation industry, maintains what it calls a Shippers Conditions Index (SCI), which is a monthly score that indicates what overall conditions are like from the standpoint of the shipper.

Cass Freight Index Report: A Measure Of North American Freight Volumes For January 2013

2013-02-06T00:00:00-05:00

The Cass Freight Index accurately measures trends in North American shipping activity based on $22 billion in paid freight expenses for more than 350 of America’s largest shippers.

Diesel Prices Rise 9.5 Cents, Reports EIA

2013-02-06T00:00:00-05:00

Diesel prices shot up nearly 10 cents to $4.022 this week, according to the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Manufacturing Activity Begins 2013 on a Solid Note, Reports ISM

2013-02-06T00:00:00-05:00

Manufacturing growth began 2013 on a strong note in January, according to the January Manufacturing report on Business from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM).

ISM Reports Continued Growth in Non-Manufacturing Sector to Begin 2013

2013-02-06T00:00:00-05:00

Non-manufacturing economic activity remained in healthy territory, growing for the 37th consecutive month, according to the Institute for Supply Management (ISM).

East-West Intermodal Pricing Slides in the US

2013-02-06T00:00:00-05:00

East-west intermodal pricing slipped this week while north-south lanes saw increases, according to weekly pricing data provided by the 3PL IDS.

You Are Everywhere: Mapping the New Retail Supply Chain

2013-02-08T00:00:00-05:00

Trimming Your Transportation Spend

2013-03-29T00:00:00-04:00

Transportation costs run high, but cutting your spend might be more feasible than you think.

North American Intermodal Container Volume Sets Record High

2013-02-08T00:00:00-05:00

Intermodal container volume reached a record high in 2012 with 13.1 million moves, surpassing the previous year by 5.9 percent and the former high in 2007 by 9.8 percent, according to the Intermodal Association of North America’s Intermodal Market Trends & Statistics report.

Deloitte Survey: Executives Face Growing Threats to Their Supply Chains

2013-02-12T00:00:00-05:00

According to a new survey from Deloitte, global executives are increasingly concerned about the growing risks to their supply chains and costly negative impacts such as margin erosion and inability to keep up with demand. As they operate in this environment of escalating risk, an alarming 45 percent of surveyed executives say their supply chain risk management programs are only somewhat effective or not effective at all.

Panama Canal Expansion Update

2013-02-12T00:00:00-05:00

As U.S. supply chain managers continue to monitor a possible modal shift in the years ahead, the Panama Canal Expansion has reached several milestones.

Endicia Praises USPS for its E-Commerce Initiative

2013-02-12T00:00:00-05:00

Shippers concerned that they will have fewer express transport options once the United States Postal Service (USPS) ceases Saturday deliveries have nothing to fear, said Amine Khechfe, Endicia co-founder and general manager.

Diesel Prices Head Up 8.2 Cents to $4.104 Per Gallon, Reports EIA

2013-02-13T00:00:00-05:00

Following a 9.5 cent gain a week ago, the average price per gallon for diesel gasoline increased 8.2 cents to $4.104 per gallon this week, according to the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Retail Sales Are Relatively Strong in January 2013

2013-02-14T00:00:00-05:00

Advance Retail Sales was positive in January 2013. The headlines say retail was up marginally this month, but Econintersect‘s analysis is much better than the headline data.

[Infographic] A Look Into On-Line Retailers' Warehouses

2013-02-14T00:00:00-05:00

Online retail is a big business - so big hat online sales are expect to grow by 10% per year. This system is based on quick shipments from warehouses, and this infographic explores the process from the moment you comfirm your order to the time your order is received.

Broad But Shallow Increase in US Intermodal Prices

2013-02-14T00:00:00-05:00

U.S. intermodal rates rose broadly although marginally across multiple lanes last week, according to weekly data on all-inclusive 53-foot door to door spot pricing provided by the 3PL IDS. Higher fuel surcharges due to diesel increases in each of the past four weeks help explain the increases, IDS said.

Intermodal Traffic

2013-02-15T00:00:00-05:00

Last week, the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) announced intermodal container volume reached a record-high level of 13.1 million moves in 2012, which was an increase of 5.9 percent from 2011's level and surpassing the level set in 2007, the previous benchmark year.

Reality Check

2013-02-15T00:00:00-05:00

Buyers and sellers have battled over control of inbound shipments for decades. But in today's tough economy, that conflict has intensified as buyers—especially retailers—step up their efforts to cut supply chain costs.

TransCore DAT Freight Index Shows 'Robust' January

2013-02-20T00:00:00-05:00

The TransCore DAT North American Freight Index rose 42 percent year-over-year in January, the highest-ever volume for that month.

Keep on Trucking (by Rail)

2013-02-20T00:00:00-05:00

If current trends continue, intermodal will be an ongoing significant factor in rail revenues and growth.

Consumer Delivery Demands Reshaping Big Box Warehouse Market

2013-02-20T00:00:00-05:00

Same and next-day delivery of online purchases drives demand for multichannel capable distribution centers, says Jones Lang LaSalle report.

Continued Rise in Freight Transportation Services Index Encouraging News on Retail Supply Chains

2013-02-20T00:00:00-05:00

According to BTS officials, the Freight TSI measures the month-to-month changes in freight shipments in ton-miles, which are then combined into one index.

Diesel Prices Hit Highest Level Since August 2008, Reports EIA

2013-02-20T00:00:00-05:00

This week’s price is the high point for diesel since checking in at $4.207 per gallon the week of August 18, 2008, and it tops the previous recent high of $4.116 from the week of October 22.

Fuel Surcharges Drive US Intermodal Prices Up

2013-02-20T00:00:00-05:00

U.S. intermodal rates rose slightly last week across multiple lanes, according to weekly data on all-inclusive 53-foot door-to-door spot pricing quoted by railroads and provided by the 3PL IDS. This increase was largely due to the continued rise in fuel surcharges, IDS said.

Intermodal Up, Carloads Down on U.S. Railroads

2013-02-21T00:00:00-05:00

Major U.S. railroads originated 273,369 carloads in the week ending Feb. 9, down 2.3% compared with the same week last year, according to figures released by the Association of American Railroads. Intermodal volume was up 7.7% versus the same week last year, at 244,679 trailers and containers.

Things Could Go Wrong So Quickly that We Might Be Living in the Good Ol’ Days Right Now

2013-02-26T00:00:00-05:00

So when exactly is the long-hoped-for recovery for shippers going to finally arrive? Going by the latest analysis of shipping conditions from transportation consulting firm FTR Associates, not anytime soon.

Port of Long Beach and Port of Los Angeles January Volumes are Mixed to Begin 2013

2013-02-26T00:00:00-05:00

January volumes at the nation’s two largest ports— the Port of Los Angeles (POLA) and the Port of Long Beach (POLB)—were mixed to begin 2012.

US Diesel Prices Remain Flat

2013-02-26T00:00:00-05:00

U.S. diesel prices remained flat in the week ending Feb. 25, after five straight weeks of increases.

AAR Says Class I Rails to Spend $24.5 Billion on 2013 Network Investments

2013-03-01T00:00:00-05:00

Investments by Class I railroads are expected to be significant again in 2013, according to recently released data by the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

IANA Report Points to Strong Q4 and Full-Year 2012 Intermodal Performance

2013-03-01T00:00:00-05:00

During a prolonged period of economic ebbs and flows, one constant in recent years has been the resilience of intermodal transportation. That was made clear by this week’s release of the Intermodal Market Trends & Statistics report from the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA).

US Rail Traffic Continues to Follow a Familiar Trend

2013-03-01T00:00:00-05:00

Traffic remained a mixed bag for U.S. railroads last week. For the period ending Feb. 23, they originated 278,059 carloads, down 1.2 percent, and 238,083 intermodal loads, up 11 percent compared with volumes from the same week last year, according to the Association of American Railroads. Total U.S. traffic rose 4.1 percent to 516,142 units.

The Gloves Are Off in the ATA-FMCSA HOS Battle

2013-03-01T00:00:00-05:00

When it comes to the ongoing quarrel between the American Trucking Associations and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration over the pending motor carrier Hours-of-Service (HOS) changes, did anyone really think that ATA would not have the last word, at least for now anyhow?

Cass Freight Index Report: A Measure Of North American Freight Volumes For February 2013

2013-03-05T00:00:00-05:00

Since 1990, the Cass Freight Index™ has been a trusted measure of North American freight volumes and expenditures. Data within the Index is derived from $22 billion in freight transactions processed by Cass annually on behalf of its client base of 350 large shippers. These companies represent a broad sampling of industries including consumer packaged goods, food, automotive, chemical, OEM, retail and heavy equipment. Annual freight volume per organization ranges from $1 million to over $1 billion. The diversity of shippers and aggregate volume provide a statistically valid representation of North American shipping activity.

US Diesel Prices Decline, First Time in Six Weeks

2013-03-05T00:00:00-05:00

In the week ending March 4, U.S. diesel prices dropped for the first time in six weeks, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

House Members Introduce Legislation to Raise the Truck Size and Weight

2013-03-06T00:00:00-05:00

On February, 12th, Congressman Michaud (D-ME) and Congressman Ribble (R-WI) introduced H.R. 612, the “Safe and Efficient Transportation Act of 2012”.

ISM Reports Strong February Manufacturing Data

2013-03-07T00:00:00-05:00

The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) reported today that manufacturing output of February picked up where January left off: in a very good place.

US Intermodal Rates Show Mixed Shifts for Week

2013-03-07T00:00:00-05:00

U.S. intermodal rates showed ups and downs across the four lanes during the week of March 4, according to weekly data on all-inclusive 53-foot door-to-door spot pricing quoted by railroads and provided by the 3PL IDS. East-west lanes and west-east lanes had rate increases, while rates on north-south and south-north lanes declined. IDS Executive Vice President Rick LaGore explained, "Overall, the index experienced a slight decrease to the prior week, but that was driven by two lanes having a significant decrease."

Spot Market Loads Soared in January, Firm Says

2013-03-08T00:00:00-05:00

A consulting company that tracks truckload (TL) volumes tendered on the spot market said U.S. truckload traffic in January soared to near-unprecedented levels in the 17-year history of the index.

Week Ending 02 March 2013: Total Rail Traffic Continues to Strengthen

2013-03-08T00:00:00-05:00

Econintersect: Week 09 of 2013 ending March 02 shows same week total rail traffic above 2012 levels according to data released by the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

Truck Driving Jobs Getting Harder to Fill

2013-03-12T00:00:00-04:00

Over the past 90 days, more than 230,000 jobs were advertised online for truck drivers in the United States, according to WANTED Analytics, providers of real-time business intelligence for the talent marketplace. As demand for goods increases, more truck drivers will be needed to keep freight and the supply chain moving. Hiring for this occupation has increased more than 20% compared to the same 90-day period in 2012.

Diesel prices are down for second straight week, reports EIA

2013-03-13T00:00:00-04:00

The average price per gallon of diesel gasoline dropped for the second straight week, according to data released by the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA).

AAR Reports February 2013 Carload and Intermodal Volumes are Mixed

2013-03-13T00:00:00-04:00

Mixed volumes continue to be the main theme on the nation’s railroads and February was no exception, according to data released by the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

USPS Plan to Nix Saturday Mail is Dealt a Legislative Setback

2013-03-13T00:00:00-04:00

Nearly a month after the United States Postal Service announced its plans to introduce a new delivery schedule in August, which includes eliminating Saturday delivery, a piece of legislation may prevent that from becoming a reality.

The Backhaul/Co-Mingled Freight Union

2013-03-13T00:00:00-04:00

OK, for years and years, everyone has been talking about backhaul and co-mingled freight as a significant way to minimize transportation costs. The reality has been that for most shippers, it’s been a fringe operation and fallen far short of what could really be accomplished. What if, as a shipper, you thought of your transportation operation as a revenue or profit increasing opportunity?

February 2013 Retail Sales Show Promising Signs

2013-03-15T00:00:00-04:00

February retail sales exceeded expectations, according to data released today by the United States Department of Commerce and the National Retail Federation (NRF).

Truckload, Intermodal Rates Rose in February, Cass Says

2013-03-15T00:00:00-04:00

Truckload pricing in February increased 4.3 percent from the same month in 2012, but declined 0.1 percent from January, according to the Cass Truckload Linehaul Index.

FTR Trucking Index Reflects Improved Freight Growth

2013-03-15T00:00:00-04:00

FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index for January, published in its March 2013 Trucking Update, jumped 2.2 points from the previous month to a new reading of 10.6, reflecting improved freight growth and the expectation for tighter capacity.

US Diesel Prices Down for Third Straight Week

Rick LaGore — 2013-03-18T00:00:00-04:00

The average cost of diesel in the U.S. decreased this week $0.041 a gallon to $4.047.

The diesel fuel price is down $0.095 from the same time last year.

North American Carload, Intermodal Volumes Decline

2013-03-19T00:00:00-04:00

North American rail volumes fell for both carload and intermodal traffic for the week ending March 9. Volume declines occurred for the U.S., Canada and Mexico, according to the Association of American Railroads.

ATA Reports that February Volumes are Up for Fourth Straight Month

2013-03-19T00:00:00-04:00

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) reported today that trucking volumes showed modest gains in February.

Leveraging Technology to Accelerate Productivity and Profit

2013-03-22T00:00:00-04:00

Companies are increasingly turning to logistic services providers to run their manufacturing, warehousing, and transportation operations more efficiently and at less cost than they can run it themselves.

Improving Supplier Compliance

2013-03-22T00:00:00-04:00

Developing an effective supplier compliance program requires a well-defined plan. To achieve success quickly, it is crucial to initiate the plan with the right suppliers. Peter Wharton, IBM's team lead for commercial product marketing, offers this advice for ensuring supplier compliance.

US Intermodal Volumes Rise for 10 Straight Weeks

2013-03-22T00:00:00-04:00

U.S. intermodal rail volumes have risen for the 10th straight week over the same period in 2012, and Mexico saw its first year-over-year drop in intermodal volume since the week of January 5, according to the Association of American Railroads.

February 2013 Leading Economic Index Continues to Forecast Economic Expansion

2013-03-25T00:00:00-04:00

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the U.S. rose 0.5% in February to 94.8 (2004 = 100). Overall, the index value continues to slowly trend up.

Week Ending 16 March 2013: Total Rail Traffic Again Less Good

2013-03-25T00:00:00-04:00

Econintersect: Week 11 of 2013 ending March 16 shows same week total rail traffic above 2012 levels according to data released by the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

Diesel Prices Dip for the Fourth Consecutive Week, Reports EIA

2013-03-26T00:00:00-04:00

Diesel prices headed south for the fourth straight week, according to the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up to Shippers

2013-03-26T00:00:00-04:00

You might think that, simply by the laws of physics, conditions for shippers would start to improve. Wasn’t it Newton who said something like, “for every action, there’s an equal and opposite reaction”? So you might reasonably expect that having been mired in a down cycle for so long, it’s about time that things got better. You might think that, but you’d be wrong.

February Intermodal Rail Traffic Up 10.5% Over Year Ago

2013-03-26T00:00:00-04:00

This country’s most recent logistics numbers (from the Logistics Market Snapshot, courtesy of the Georgia Center of Innovation) show growth in intermodal transportation and shrinkage in unemployment.

FTR's Shippers Condition Index Continues to Decrease

2013-03-27T00:00:00-04:00

Typically, when things are going well for carriers, it often means they are not going as well for shippers. Based on the most recent edition of the Shipper Conditions Index (SCI) from freight transportation consultancy FTR Associates that appears to be the current trend.

Week Ending 23 March 2013: Total Rail Traffic Improves

2013-03-29T00:00:00-04:00

Econintersect: Week 12 of 2013 ending March 23 shows same week total rail traffic above 2012 levels according to data released by the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

New Forecast Shows Potential for Manufacturing Resurgence in Coming Decade

2013-03-29T00:00:00-04:00

Today The Aspen Institute and the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation (MAPI) released a new econometric forecast model showing that there is ample potential for U.S. manufacturing to undergo a resurgence that by 2025 would lead to significantly more good paying manufacturing jobs, add to GDP growth, and help create the first surplus in the nation’s goods and services balance of trade since 1975.

Nearshoring Will Alter Supply Chain Flows

2013-03-29T00:00:00-04:00

In the United States, imports moving eastward from the West Coast currently dominate supply chain patterns. That could change as more manufacturing shifts to the Western Hemisphere.

Report: "Big Data" Will Have a Big Impact

2013-03-29T00:00:00-04:00

Respondents to a recent survey say they expect the ability to analyze huge amounts of data from disparate sources will help improve their companies' performance.

US Cross-Border Rail Trade With Canada Continues

2013-04-01T00:00:00-04:00

Cross-border trade by rail between the United States and Canada has been on the rise for the past eight months, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

US Rail Imports From Mexico Up 18.2 Percent in January

2013-04-01T00:00:00-04:00

mports by rail from Mexico into the U.S. showed a large increase in January 2013, jumping over 18 percent to $2.57 billion from $2.17 billion in January 2012, according to data obtained from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

US Diesel Prices Down for 5th Consecutive Week

Rick LaGore — 2013-04-02T00:00:00-04:00

The average cost of diesel in the U.S. decreased this week $0.013 a gallon to $3.993. The diesel fuel price is down $0.149 from the same time last year.

Connecting the Dots (Special Report - Parcel Express)

2013-04-04T00:00:00-04:00

One thing that can be said about the supply chain: It is a Petri dish for new ideas, even if many of them end up being unworkable in practice.

Keeping Its Head Above Water

2013-04-04T00:00:00-04:00

If vocal cadence is evidence of a person's demeanor, J. Christopher Lytle, executive director of the giant Port of Long Beach, is a calm customer. Lytle's even-handed replies to a reporter's phone queries about his port's relevance suggest the temperament of a man not likely to lose his head even if everyone else around him does.

Shipper Group Says Reciprocal Switching Proposal Could Save Rail Users Up To $1.2 Billion a Year

2013-04-04T00:00:00-04:00

A leading shipper group said today that rail customers would save between $900 million and $1.2 billion a year in freight costs if the federal government adopted the group's proposal governing reciprocal switching between the nation's four major railroads.

Flat Sales for Wal-Mart Warning Sign of Even Weaker Consumer Spending Ahead

2013-04-05T00:00:00-04:00

The Consumer Confidence Index tracked by the Conference Board plummeted 14% in March 2013 from the previous month. Of the respondents, 36.2% believed jobs are hard to get and only 9.4% thought there were enough jobs out there in the U.S. economy.

Week Ending 30 March 2013: Total Rail Traffic Drops

2013-04-05T00:00:00-04:00

Econintersect: Week 13 of 2013 ending March 23 shows same week total rail traffic falling 2012 levels according to data released by the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

North American Intermodal Traffic Drops

2013-04-05T00:00:00-04:00

North American intermodal volume fell by 5.3 percent year-over-year this week, the first decline since the beginning of January, according to the Association of American Railroads.

Cass Freight Index Shows Positive Gain in March

2013-04-08T00:00:00-04:00

The operative word when describing the March edition of the March Cass Freight Index report released on Friday by Cass Information Systems appears to be “improvement.”

Cass Freight Index Report: A Measure Of North American Freight Volumes For March 2013

2013-04-05T00:00:00-04:00

Diesel Prices are Down for Sixth Straight Week, Reports EIA

2013-04-09T00:00:00-04:00

The Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported this week that the average price per gallon of diesel headed down for the sixth straight week.

Who Says You Need to Own the Freight to Control it?

2013-04-09T00:00:00-04:00

The common convention is that to better manage inbound deliveries you need to take control (ownership) of the transportation. While that may work for higher volume shippers that can consolidate LTL or small package shipments, it is often not practical for companies with large numbers of suppliers or distribution centers.

Hours of Service, Years of Debate: 1935-2013

2013-04-12T00:00:00-04:00

The bitter and seemingly endless debate over truck driver hours of service has taken several turns over the past decade, but its origins stretch back to the 1930s.

FTR Trucking Index Shows Positive Momentum

2013-04-12T00:00:00-04:00

FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index for February, published in its April 2013 Trucking Update, had a favorable reading of 12.9, increasing 2 points month-over-month, reflecting an increasingly improving outlook and serving as a strong sign of positive momentum in the truck industry.

Mexican Rail Traffic Jumps

2013-04-12T00:00:00-04:00

Mexican carload and intermodal volume jumped 22.4 and 25 percent year-over-year respectively, according to the Association of American Railroads.

Key Lane Increases Bolster US Intermodal Rates

2013-04-12T00:00:00-04:00

U.S. intermodal rates rose 1.2 percent or $24 during the week of April 8, according to data on all-inclusive 53-foot door-to-door spot pricing quoted by railroads and provided by the 3PL IDS.

Week Ending 06 April 2013: Total Rail Traffic Gain, Intermodal Weak

2013-04-12T00:00:00-04:00

Econintersect: Week 13 of 2013 ending March 23 shows same week total rail traffic falling 2012 levels according to data released by the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

Costs Driving Shift to Intermodal Transportation in 2013

2013-04-16T00:00:00-04:00

Shippers are anticipating truckload rate increases and shifting to rail in many cases.

US Diesel Prices Down for 7th Consecutive Week

Rick LaGore — 2013-04-16T00:00:00-04:00

The average cost of diesel in the U.S. decreased this week $0.035 a gallon to $3.942. The diesel fuel price is down $0.185 from the same time last year. Over the last 90 days the rates have been as high as $4.159 to as low as $3.894.

Shelli Austin, VP of IDS Transportation Services, LLC, speaks on Intermodal Panel at the TIA’s 35th Annual Convention and Trade Show in Las Vegas, NV

2013-04-18T00:00:00-04:00

IDS’s Vice President of Transportation Services, Shelli Austin, was asked to speak on one of the panel discussions during this year’s convention titled, ‘Intermodal in Action’. The panel had representation from the major rail lines such as Union Pacific, CSX, Norfolk Southern, and Florida Coast.

NRF and Commerce Report Lackluster March Retail Sales Numbers

2013-04-19T00:00:00-04:00

Coming off a better than expected month in February, retail sales were somewhat lackluster in March, according to data released today by the United States Department of Commerce and the National Retail Federation (NRF).

US Imports Fall in March

2013-04-19T00:00:00-04:00

U.S. import shipment volume for March, measured in twenty-foot equivalent unites (TEUs), decreased by 15% from February and by 12.5% from March of 2012.

USPS Plan to Eliminate Saturday Delivery Comes to a Halt

2013-04-19T00:00:00-04:00

The United States Postal Services’ (USPS) desire to eliminate Saturday delivery—as part of an effort to become financially solvent—is not likely to come to fruition.

Week Ending 06 April 2013: Total Rail Traffic Shows Short Term Strengthening Trend

2013-04-19T00:00:00-04:00

Econintersect: Week 15 of 2013 ending April 13 shows same week total rail traffic above 2012 levels according to data released by the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

Nearsourcing to Mexico Improves Operational Efficiency

2013-04-19T00:00:00-04:00

For years, Asia was the location of choice for low-priced manufacturing. The Asian shipping market was hit hard by the global recession in late 2008 and 2009, however, and the region became less appealing as a manufacturing site when labor costs began rising.

Sharing the Load

2013-04-19T00:00:00-04:00

Transloading strategies reduce touches and costs, and give shippers greater flexibility to respond to changing demand.

eCommerce: Finding the Sweet Spot

2013-04-19T00:00:00-04:00

Online retailers seeking new DC and warehouse sites need transportation infrastructure and other resources to support a constant, rapid-fire flow of shipments.

Study: Manufacturing Costs in China and US Will Be Even By 2015

2013-04-22T00:00:00-04:00

The price for U.S. firms outsourcing manufacturing to China will equal making goods in the U.S. by 2015, according to a new study by consulting company AlixPartners.

Diesel Prices Decrease for the Eighth Consecutive Week

Rick LaGore — 2013-04-23T00:00:00-04:00

The average diesel price for the US fell for the eighth straight week, according to data released by the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA) this week. The average price per gallon fell 5.5 cents to $3.887 per gallon and is at its lowest point this year. Over the past eight weeks diesel fuel prices the cumulative decrease has been $0.272. As compared to a year ago, the diesel fuel prices are down $0.198.

Outsourcing is No Escape from Responsibility

2013-04-23T00:00:00-04:00

Whether you look to a third party logistics service provider or to a piece of technology for supply chain management support, the fickle finger of fate always points at you.

CSX Exec Bullish on Intermodal Growth

2013-04-24T00:00:00-04:00

Bill Clement, vice president of intermodal at CSX Transportation, thinks an additional 9 million truckloads a year could and should be moved from highway to rail, and explains why CSX is taking that message directly to shippers.

TransCore DAT Freight Index Dips

2013-04-25T00:00:00-04:00

The TransCore DAT North American Freight Index stood at 1579 in March, putting it up 18 percent from the beginning of 2013 but down 4.5 percent year-over-year. This is the highest index level since June 2012.

Trucking Tonnage Again Grows in March 2013

2013-04-26T00:00:00-04:00

Econintersect: The American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) trucking index rose again 0.9% in March after decreasing 0.7% in February. (The 0.7% loss in February was revised down from a 0.6% increase ATA reported originally.) Compared with March 2012, seasonally adjusted tonnage was up 3.8%. Truck tonnage has surged 7.6% in the last 5 months.

Court Denies Review of Mexican Trucking Program

2013-04-26T00:00:00-04:00

On Friday, April 19th, the D.C. Court of Appeals denied a petition for review of a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) program that allows Mexico-based trucks to operate in the United States.

Durable Goods Orders Show US Manufacturing Continuing Secular Decline

2013-04-26T00:00:00-04:00

New orders for manufactured durable goods in March decreased $13.1 billion or 5.7 percent to $216.3 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced today. This decrease, down two of the last three months, followed a 4.3 percent February increase.

US Rail Traffic Trend Held True In Year's 16th Week

2013-04-26T00:00:00-04:00

For the week ending April 20, U.S. carloads totaled 276,662, down 2 percent, and intermodal volume totaled 240,698 units, up 0.6 percent compared with volumes from the same week last year, according to Association of American Railroads data.

Week Ending 20 April 2013: Total Rail Traffic Slowing

2013-04-29T00:00:00-04:00

Econintersect: Week 16 of 2013 ending April 20 shows same week total rail traffic mixed according to data released by the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

Average Diesel Prices Continue Downward Trend for 2013

Rick LaGore — 2013-04-30T00:00:00-04:00

The average diesel price for the US fell for the ninth straight week, according to data released by the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA) this week. The average price per gallon fell 3.6 cents to $3.851 per gallon and is at its lowest point since last August. Over the past nine weeks diesel fuel prices the cumulative decrease has been $0.308. As compared to a year ago, the diesel fuel prices are down $0.222.

Derivatives Helping Small Businesses Control Freight Rates

2013-04-30T00:00:00-04:00

Derivatives can help companies plan budgets without any risk to the operational side of their transportation contracts.

BNSF CEO Will Not Oppose Higher Truck Weight, Size Limits As Long As Truckers Pay

2013-04-30T00:00:00-04:00

The chairman, president, and CEO of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) said on Wednesday he would not oppose an increase in the weight and size of trucks plying the nation's interstate highways as long as the trucking industry "pays its full share" of maintaining the infrastructure that could be affected by the bigger vehicles.

Transportation/Logistics: April Domestic Truck, Intermodal, and Rail Trends by BAIRD

2013-04-30T00:00:00-04:00

Domestic freight trends below-seasonal into April, consistent with March-end.

ISM Semi-Annual Report Points to Economic Growth for Remainder of 2013

2013-05-01T00:00:00-04:00

In its spring 2013 Semiannual Economic Forecast, the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) is pointing to economic growth for the rest of the year in the manufacturing and non-manufacturing sectors.

IANA report: Intermodal volume grew more than 4 percent in Q1

2013-05-02T00:00:00-04:00

In the first quarter, total intermodal volume reached 3,682,049 units, up 4.5 percent compared with first-quarter 2012, according to the Intermodal Association of North America's (IANA) latest "Intermodal Market Trends & Statistics" report.

Hours of Service Reg Likely to Take Effect As-Is, NPTC Legal Counsel Says

2013-05-02T00:00:00-04:00

Revised hours-of-service rules being contested by trucking and outside parties will probably be adopted as presented by federal authorities, the National Private Trucking Council’s staff lawyer, Rick Schweitzer, told attendees at the group’s annual meeting this week in Cincinnati.

Cass Freight Index Report: A Measure Of North American Freight Volumes For April 2013

2013-05-02T00:00:00-04:00

Week Ending 27 April 2013: Total Rail Traffic Mixed

2013-05-03T00:00:00-04:00

Econintersect: Week 17 of 2013 ending April 27 shows same week total rail traffic mixed according to data released by the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

Overcapacity, Fuel Costs Hit Shipping Industry

2013-05-03T00:00:00-04:00

The owners of the world's containerships are the people responsible for making globalization a reality. Their fleets transport 90% of world trade in manufactured goods.

Analysts Report that Cloud-Based Adoption Increased 40 Percent this Year for Supply Chain Software

2013-05-03T00:00:00-04:00

Our technology correspondent shares the upsides/downsides of this deployment model—and how vendors are gearing up to meet growing shipper demand.

A Practitioner’s Guide to Demand Planning

2013-05-03T00:00:00-04:00

Effective demand planning doesn’t just happen, it requires work. To move forward, companies have to admit the mistakes of the past, implement continuous improvement programs to drive discipline, and carefully re-implement demand planning technologies.

US Average Diesel Fuel Prices Down for 10th Straight Week

Rick LaGore — 2013-05-07T00:00:00-04:00

The average diesel price for the US fell for the tenth straight week, according to data released by the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA) this week.

The average price per gallon fell 0.6 cents to $3.845 per gallon and is at its lowest point since last August.

Over the past ten weeks diesel fuel prices the cumulative decrease has been $0.314. The decrease this week is the smallest of all the decreases. Prior to this week, decreases ranged between 1.6 cents to 5.5 cents. As compared to a year ago, the diesel fuel prices are down $0.212.

Intermodal Enjoys Double-Digit Domestic Container Growth

2013-05-07T00:00:00-04:00

The 10.2 percent year-over-year gain in domestic container volume in the first quarter of 2013 represents the sixth consecutive quarter of 10 percent plus increases, and the second highest volume in domestic container history.

UPS SurePost Offering May See Some Changes, Pending Contract Ratification with Teamsters

2013-05-08T00:00:00-04:00

While UPS and the Teamsters Union came to a tentative agreement on two, new five-year contracts for UPS’s small package and freight (less-than-truckload) business units last week, one of its key delivery services, UPS SurePost, may be subject to some changes if the deal is formally ratified.

NASSTRAC Study Indicates Shipper Collaboration, Mode Shifts Key Transportation Trends in 2013

2013-05-08T00:00:00-04:00

Shippers say they use collaboration and technology, along with shifting modes, as common solutions to moving freight through their corporate supply chains. This is according to “Freight Transportation 2013,” the first annual study conducted by NASSTRAC.

Week Ending 04 May 2013: Total Rail Traffic Improves

2013-05-10T00:00:00-04:00

Econintersect: Week 18 of 2013 ending 04 May shows same week total rail traffic improved according to data released by the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

Global Trade: U.S./Mexico Trade—7 Steps to Close the Gap

2013-05-10T00:00:00-04:00

U.S. importers and exporters are now looking to draw the most value possible from the fertile Mexican market while remaining acutely aware of the risks involved. Our trade compliance expert offers steps to improve your cross-border activity both today and in the future.

Progressive Railroading Names 20 'Rising Stars' of Railroading

2013-05-13T00:00:00-04:00

Today, Progressive Railroading is announcing 20 individuals selected by the magazine's editorial staff as the "Rising Stars" of North America's railroad industry in 2013. IDS Transportation VP, Shelli Austin, announced as winner!

FTR Trucking Conditions Index Rises

2013-05-13T00:00:00-04:00

FTR Associates’ Trucking Conditions Index for March, published in the May 2013 Trucking Update, reflected improvement in an already favorable environment for trucking, with an additional increase to a reading of 13.12, up from 12.9 in the previous month.

Commerce, NRF Report Slight Gains in April Retail Sales

2013-05-14T00:00:00-04:00

While retail sales were up in April, the growth rate was less than impressive based on data released today by the United States Department of Commerce and the National Retail Federation (NRF).

Average Diesel Fuel Price Increases this Week

Rick LaGore — 2013-05-14T00:00:00-04:00

After 10 straight weeks of watching the average diesel price for the US fall, it finally took an increase, according to data released by the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA) this week. The average price per gallon increased 2.1 cents to $3.866 per gallon. As compared to a year ago, the diesel fuel prices are down $0.138. Over the past ten weeks diesel fuel prices had a cumulative decrease of $0.314. With the smallest decrease coming last week and the trend of decrease pricing lasting 10 consecutive weeks, the market was bound to see a price.

Sluggish Retail Sales Remain a Concern for Supply Chain Managers

2013-05-14T00:00:00-04:00

Consumers are taking advantage of falling pump prices, a relatively better employment market, modest consumer goods price increases, a strong stock market, and a housing market that seems to be gaining traction.

Week Ending 11 May 2013: Total Rail Traffic Again Improves

2013-05-17T00:00:00-04:00

Econintersect: Week 19 of 2013 ending 11 May shows same week total rail traffic improved according to data released by the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

FTR Trucking Conditions Index Rises

2013-05-17T00:00:00-04:00

Shippers Condition in a Word: Yikes!

2013-05-20T00:00:00-04:00

The current state of the logistics industry is pretty similar to the current state of the economy: We’ll take whatever good news we can get, even if the only good news is that the bad news has gotten slightly less bad.

Retail Import Growth Expected to Slow This Summer

2013-05-20T00:00:00-04:00

Import volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to increase 3.3 percent in May over the same month last year but growth could trickle to a standstill by the end of the summer.

Social Networking Comes to Transportation Management via Cloud-Enabled “Control Towers”

2013-05-20T00:00:00-04:00

Cloud-enabled transportation “control towers” are transforming logistics and supply chain performance. Shippers can realize benefits from true end-to-end supply chain integration that can be operated through an optimized transportation service network.

Average Diesel Price Increased on the May 20th EIA Report

Rick LaGore — 2013-05-21T00:00:00-04:00

For the second week in a row, the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported an increase in the average diesel fuel prices. The average price per gallon increased 2.4 cents to $3.89 per gallon. As compared to a year ago, the diesel fuel prices are down $0.066. While there was another increase this week, the diesel price is down $0.267 from where it was 90 days ago.

DAT Reports April Spot Market Activity is Down

2013-05-21T00:00:00-04:00

Spot market patterns were mixed to a degree in April, according to according to recent data released by DAT, a subsidiary of Portland, Oregon-based TransCore.