Trucking

Ongoing MVR monitoring could help carriers avoid big risks

Trucking can be a risky business. A carrier’s profitability depends largely on the state of the wider economic market, which can be impacted by everything from natural disasters to legislation changes. There are steps trucking companies can take to safeguard their operations despite outside unpredictability, however.

For example, carriers can create a regular practice of reviewing their drivers’ driver motor vehicle records (MVR) in order to flag any issues early and sidestep potential pitfalls...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/ongoing-mvr-monitoring-could-help-carriers-avoid-big-risks

Court orders Mexican supplier to ship parts to Detroit automaker

Citing potential layoffs and disruption to the auto industry, a federal judge in Michigan has ruled that a Mexico-based supplier must keep shipping parts to a Daimler Truck North America subsidiary in Detroit.

Judge Jonathan J.C. Grey of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan granted a preliminary injunction to Detroit Diesel Corp. (DDC) on Friday, ordering Martinrea Honsel Mexico SA de CV to restart production and shipments of housing parts needed to make transmissions for...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/court-orders-mexican-supplier-to-ship-parts-to-detroit-automaker

Autonomous dispatcher Bubba AI launches for independent truckers, small carriers

Independent truckers and small carriers often are at a disadvantage among their competitors, juggling everyday tasks including dispatching loads, negotiating rates and handling administrative tasks while also keeping the wheels moving. Recognizing this challenge, Tapan Chaudhari, founder and CEO of Hey Bubba, on Tuesday introduced Bubba AI, an AI-powered dispatcher tailored to the needs of independent truckers and small fleets.

With years of experience in the trucking technology space, including...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/autonomous-dispatcher-bubba-ai-launches-for-independent-truckers-small-carriers

Check Call: ‘Sell With a Story’ review and LTL spinoffs

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This month, I’m reviewing “Sell With a Story” by Paul Smith. At its core, it’s a book about crafting stories and using previous experience to show prospective customers how you can help them in ways that align with what they’re asking.

The first step of the storytelling process is to actually listen to what the prospect needs and wants. This exercise provides a salesperson guidance on which type of story to use to help move the prospect along in the sales process.

Most of sales is...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/check-call-sell-with-a-story-review-and-ltl-spinoffs

Uber Freight’s Powerloop begins offering dedicated tours to carriers

Uber Freight’s latest innovation, released Tuesday, directly addresses the challenges behind truck utilization through advanced tour planning. The new offering expands Uber Freight’s Powerloop drop-and-hook program, providing carriers with access to reliable freight and greater control over their operations with dedicated tours.

Carriers, especially owner-operators, face the persistent challenge of securing consistent or dedicated loads. Fluctuations in load availability and unpredictable rates...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/uber-freights-powerloop-begins-offering-dedicated-tours-to-carriers

Arkansas lawmakers debate crackdown on undocumented truckers

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The Arkansas House of Representatives and Senate are debating two bills to enact harsher punishments against truck drivers who are in the U.S. illegally and obtain or use commercial drivers licenses.

Arkansas House Bill 1569 (HB1569), filed in February, calls for commercial motor vehicle drivers operating in the state to “demonstrate proficiency in the English language.” 

These drivers must be able to “read road signs and warning signs,” “understand traffic control devices” and “communicate...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/arkansas-lawmakers-debate-crackdown-on-undocumented-truckers

Proposed US port fees on Chinese vessels may alter intermodal shipping patterns

A Trump administration port fee proposal designed to boost the U.S. shipbuilding industry could scramble international intermodal traffic, shift some container business to ports in Canada and Mexico, and help Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Kansas City railroads in the process.

In February, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative floated a plan to impose steep fees on Chinese vessels that call on U.S. ports. Vessels operated by Chinese companies would face a $1 million port call fee....

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/proposed-us-port-fees-on-chinese-vessels-may-alter-intermodal-shipping-patterns

NTSB faults Maryland in Key Bridge collapse, warns dozens of other bridges at risk

The National Transportation Safety Board said a proper risk assessment by the state of Maryland may have avoided the deadly Key Bridge collapse in 2024, and the agency warned that dozens of other bridges are at similar risk throughout the United States.

The warning comes as part of the NTSB’s ongoing investigation into the March 2024 allision of the containership Dali with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, which killed six road workers.

In a new report, the NTSB said it conducted a...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/ntsb-faults-maryland-in-key-bridge-collapse-warns-dozens-of-other-bridges-at-risk

Punitive damages in huge Wabash judgment slashed but still over $100M

A court in Missouri rejected a wide variety of requests from trailer builder Wabash National arising from the lawsuit that led to one of the biggest nuclear verdicts ever in trucking and equipment, but the company did win a huge reduction in punitive damages.

The $450 million in punitive damages was slashed to $108 million by Judge Christoper McGraugh of the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri in a decision handed down last week. 

But on virtually every other request made by Wabash regarding...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/punitive-damages-in-huge-wabash-judgment-slashed-but-still-over-100m

Pilot first in US to offer B99 biodiesel for commercial fleets

B99 biodiesel is now available for refueling at select Pilot Travel Centers in a green initiative involving the company and several of its partners.

Pilot has installed the country’s first B99 fuel pump for commercial fleets, according to a news release from the Knoxville, Tennessee-based company. B99 launched at Pilot’s Travel Center in Decatur, Illinois, in recognition of National Biodiesel Day on March 18.

B99 biodiesel has lower carbon emissions and boosts fuel efficiency for long-haul...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/pilot-first-in-us-to-offer-b99-biodiesel-for-commercial-fleets

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