Transport Topics

Is marijuana safer than alcohol? One expert on a panel at American Trucking Associations’ 2023 Safety, Security, Human Resources National Conference and Exhibition says no. Todd Simo of HireRight said, “But from a safety perspective, marijuana has a much longer period of impairment, different from an occupational perspective than alcohol, and therefore can have a much larger impact on safety.” Other industry experts on the panel talked about what their companies are doing to ensure compliance among their safety-sensitive workers as both medical and recreational marijuana become more popular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Federal officials have temporarily extended operating hours at three border entry points in North Dakota and one in Idaho, as border traffic volumes have lagged below pre-pandemic numbers. For 120 days starting April 1, U.S. Customs and Border Protection expanded hours of operation from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at North Dakota’s Maida, Northgate and Sherwood ports of entry and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Idaho’s Porthill port of entry. C-B-P will conduct an analysis on traffic flow at the end of 120 days, including an hourly breakdown, overall volume, and types of conveyances that crossed the borders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Attorneys filed 80,000 to 100,000 new court cases that could seek damages from trucking companies and other businesses in Florida, a few days before Gov. Ron DeSantis immediately enacted a law to quash the notorious lawsuit abuse. Florida Trucking Association CEO Alix Miller was instrumental in launching a multifaceted campaign enlisting help from members in alerting state lawmakers about the detrimental impact of long-standing frivolous litigation. DeSantis, who signed the bill March 24th, said the law brings Florida into line with the rest of the country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The White House is set to propose the toughest-ever U.S. curbs on car pollution. The proposed standards on cars and light trucks are expected to govern tailpipe emissions of carbon dioxide, smog-forming nitrogen oxide and other pollution from vehicles manufactured for model years 2027 through 2032. President Joe Biden’s proposal stops short of an electric-vehicle mandate or ban on gas-powered models. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

FedEx will combine nearly all of its ground, air and other operations by June 2024 as part of a $4 billion cost-cutting initiative, the company announced April 5. The planned 14-month, phased-in transition ultimately will consolidate FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, FedEx Service and other operating companies into Federal Express Corp. That will be a single company that will operate as a unified, fully integrated, air-to-ground network under the FedEx brand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Joe Biden on Monday toured a power generation facility in Fridley, Minn., that will get a share of at least $1 billion in upgrades that engine and equipment manufacturer Cummins is planning for facilities around the country as it works on development of low- to zero-carbon engines. Cummins late last year announced an initial investment in electrolyzer manufacturing at the Minnesota facility, just two months after the president signed the Inflation Reduction Act. Now the company is readying another $10 million investment in the plant. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Federal Maritime Commission ruled that marine terminal operators may not impose detention and demurrage charges on days that port facilities are closed. The 4-1 ruling, handed down at the end of March, stretches back to a complaint Nashville, Tenn.-based motor carrier TCW brought against ocean carrier Evergreen Shipping Agency after TCW was charged for three days of detention for container and chassis, also known as per diem. The changes were levied over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, when Georgia’s Port of Savannah was closed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Environmental Protection Agency has granted California environmental regulators waivers to officially move forward with the agency’s aggressive plans to transition diesel trucks to electric vehicles and expand the length of truck warranties. The new regulation requires manufacturers to produce and sell increasing quantities of medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission trucks in California. American Trucking Associations President Chris Spear condemned the decision, calling the rules “damaging and unrealistic.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Recently introduced on Capitol Hill, the bipartisan Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act, sponsored by Representatives Mike Bost, a Republican from Illinois, and Angie Craig, a Democrat from Minnesota, would approve funding to assist agencies with expanding parking capacity for women and men operating trucks. The bill also would support requisite improvements to existing parking areas and authorize $755 million in competitive grants over the next few years. Leading the legislative effort on the other side of the Capitol are Senators Cynthia Lummis, a Republican from Wyoming, and Mark Kelly, a Democrat from Arizona. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

RXO yesterday celebrated the grand opening of its newest cross-border facility in Laredo, Texas. The asset-light transportation provider opened the warehousing and distribution services facility to provide customers with end-to-end cross-border service that will help streamline their supply chains. The facility, located a half mile from the Mexico border, is 127,000 square feet and has 43 dock doors and parking for approximately 160 trailers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

American Trucking Associations President Chris Spear testified yesterday in front of a U.S. House panel, saying that enhancing recruitment and retention efforts across the trucking industry will benefit the connectivity of the country’s supply chain. Emphasizing an industrywide shortage of drivers, Spear highlighted policies approved in 2021’s $1.2 trillion infrastructure law specific to trucking. He specifically listed the benefits of the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program, although he also noted that the rollout has been frustratingly slow.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A coalition of trade associations — including American Trucking Associations — wrote to President Joe Biden on March 24th, urging the administration to take a more active role in the West Coast port labor negotiations. The contract talks involve the 22,000-member International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association, which represents management at 29 ports and distribution centers. The trade groups noted concerns related to freight shifting out of West Coast ports due to the uncertainty of the negotiations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The trucking industry in Florida is hailing what it calls a major legislative victory: a new law that targets abusive and frivolous lawsuits.Gov. Ron DeSantis, who signed the bill Friday, said, “I am proud to sign this legislation to protect Floridians, safeguard our economy and attract more investment in our state.. Florida joins Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Texas and West Virginia as states to have enacted laws that protect businesses from unscrupulous lawsuits. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A group representing motor carriers, truck manufacturers and truck dealers has launched a coalition intended to serve as a collective voice for promoting clean transportation. Members of the Clean Freight Coalition include American Trucking Associations, American Truck Dealers, National Tank Truck Carriers, Truckload Carriers Association and Truck & Engine Manufacturers Association. Jim Mullen, whose resume includes the roles of acting administrator and general counsel for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, will serve as executive director. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Port leaders will emphasize the facilities’ significance in the supply chain when they meet with White House officials and members of Congress during the annual Legislative Summit hosted by the American Association of Port Authorities. The executives will stress the importance of sea and land ports, especially how they kept the supply chain stabilized during the COVID-19 pandemic. The summit will be held March 27-29 in Washington. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings has reached an agreement to acquire U.S. Xpress Enterprises for about $808 million, the companies announced March 21. The deal is expected to close late in the second quarter or early third quarter, and U.S. Xpress will continue to operate as an independent brand. Knight-Swift, based in Phoenix, ranks No. 7 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of the largest for-hire carriers in North America. U.S. Xpress, with headquarters in Chattanooga, Tenn., is No. 23. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Many of the largest ports in the U.S. saw year-over-year drops in container cargo in February. The Port of Los Angeles saw a 43% drop, the Port of Long Beach saw a 32% drop, and the Northwest Seaport Alliance reported a 24% decline.Officials say they are trying to take advantage of the lower volume to focus on infrastructure projects to prepare for when business begins to accelerate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

FedEx Corp.’s shares jumped the most in nine months after the courier boosted its profit outlook, signaling efforts to cut costs are helping counter a decline in package volume. Adjusted earnings this fiscal year will be $14.60 to $15.20 a share, up from a prior forecast of no more than $14, the Memphis, Tenn.-based company said. Analysts were expecting $13.57 on average, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a letter to U.S. Senate labor leaders, American Trucking Associations President Chris Spear expressed concern about the track record that Labor Secretary nominee Julie Su would bring to the job, specifically as it relates to the rights of truck drivers to be independent contractors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

By a 4-1 vote, the U.S. Surface Transportation Board on March 15 approved the more than $31 billion merger of Canadian Pacific Railway and the smaller but strategically significant Kansas City Southern Railroad. The deal is the nation’s first major rail merger in 25 years. The 212-page decision paves the way to creating the first single-line railroad linking Canada, the United States and Mexico. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices