Trucking

TIA’s Voltmann, in video, defends brokers against anger over rates

In an extraordinary video, the head of the largest brokers trade association defended his industry from the online and on-the-highway criticisms from carriers facing increasingly weak freight rates.

Bob Voltmann, president and CEO of the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA), took to YouTube with a roughly three-and-a-half-minute video in which he ripped views of the market that “some snake oil salesman would have you believe.”

“There’s a lot being said about truck rates and brokers...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/tias-voltmann-in-video-defends-brokers-against-anger-over-rates

Major truck suppliers bank on electrification in COVID-19 triage

Dana Meritor illustration

Two major trucking suppliers reported lower sales for the first three months of the year as expected Thursday, but even facing a business slowdown of uncertain length, they continue to spend on electrification programs that could eventually transform the industry.

Meritor Inc. (NYSE: MTOR) and Dana Inc. (NYSE: DAN) suggested battery-electric efforts for major customers are untouchable as they navigate the COVID-19 pandemic that has shuttered their facilities and left them scrambling to conserve...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/major-truck-suppliers-bank-on-electrification-in-covid-19-triage

Indian supply chains descend into ‘chaos’ as the lockdown goes nationwide

Cargo is being abandoned at Indian airports amid the “chaos” caused by the country’s three-week nationwide lockdown.
Having started on Sunday in some cities, the anti-coronavirus measures were extended on Wednesday to include the entire 1.3 billion population until 15 April.
Cargo movement is supposed to be exempt from the lockdown restrictions, but there are widespread reports of disruption across land, sea and air.
“Due to city-wide lockdown, vehicles are not moving freely …

The post Indian...

https://theloadstar.com/indian-supply-chains-descend-into-chaos-as-the-lockdown-goes-nationwide/

Australian box depots ease payment terms for cash-strapped operators

Australia’s empty container depots – and at least one major stevedore – have agreed to extended payment terms for cash-strapped transport operators.
Software provider Containerchain, which collects ‘notification fees’ on behalf of empty container depots, said today that payment terms would be extended from 14 to 21 days for the next three months, providing some respite to logistics firms struggling with the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.
MD Chris Collins said: “We …

The post Australian...

https://theloadstar.com/australian-box-depots-ease-payment-terms-for-cash-strapped-operators/

Coronavirus restrictions mean China’s hauliers still have too few drivers

Trucking firms in China are still experiencing a severe shortage of drivers returning to work.
Despite the official end to the extended lunar new year holiday this week, transport restrictions and other measures to combat coronavirus, have prevented truckers from operating anywhere near full capacity.
For example, according to Shanghai-based Marco Reichel, APAC business development manager at Crane Worldwide Logistics, most drivers require a permit to return to work and face quarantine …

The...

https://theloadstar.com/coronavirus-restrictions-mean-chinas-hauliers-still-have-too-few-drivers/

Shippers eye new routes to market as port of Melbourne fees skyrocket

Spiralling terminal access fees at the port of Melbourne are forcing cargo owners to consider alternative shipping routes, according to the Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA).
The controversial fees, also known as “port infrastructure” charges, have angered local trucking firms and shippers since the port’s terminal operators began a series of “exponential” increases in March 2017.
For example, according to the Victorian Transport Association (VTA), the fees truckers must pay in Melbourne …

The post

https://theloadstar.com/shippers-eye-new-routes-to-market-as-port-of-melbourne-fees-skyrocket/

Trump’s trade deal gets a few things right, but still ‘reflects the corrupt corporate dealings of the old NAFTA’

From an opinion piece by Rev. Jesse Jackson:

Donald Trump on Monday announced a new NAFTA draft treaty, renamed for showtime as the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. The new pact contains some much needed reforms — and falls glaringly short in critical areas.

Trump’s deal makes some significant reforms that should be applauded. It reins in the outrageous Investor State Dispute Settlement, curbing the ability of corporations to use private tribunals to collect millions and attack environmental and...

http://www.longshoreshippingnews.com/2018/10/trumps-trade-deal-gets-a-few-things-right-but-still-reflects-the-corrupt-corporate-dealings-of-the-old-nafta/

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