trucks world news: March 2009

STOLEN TRUCKS * USA - Semi left in Niota, but not the trailer full of whiskey

Athens,TN,USA -The Daily Post Athenian, by Jeremy Belk -March 31, 2009: -- A stolen semi-truck was recovered Monday in Niota, but the trailer filled with more $60,000 worth of whiskey that was stolen along with it is nowhere to be found... A white Freightliner semi-truck and a trailer filled with liquor was stolen from a Nashville shipping company on March 22, at around 10:30 p.m.... Police reports from Nashville describe a poor quality video showing a black man wearing a blue shirt first break into a truck before hooking it up to a red cargo trailer and driving away. He cut a lock on the front gate where the truck and trailer were being stored and drove off into the night... (Photo by Anthony Dake - A crew with Benton Wrecker Service unloads a truck at the McMinn County Sheriff's Department. The truck was stolen from the Nashville area and recovered at Crazy Ed's Truck Stop in Niota)

Labels: stolen cargoes

SEX ON THE ROADS * USA - Some Call Them Prostitutes, Others Call Them Lot Lizards

Bakersfield,CAL,USA -KERO23ABC -March 31, 2009: -- The Citizens Band Radio, or CB, may be a truckers eyes and ears, but it's also the voice of prostitution. The ladies refer to themselves as dates, while truckers call them lot lizards... "Yeah, they get on your truck, they flash you, ask if you want a date, they ask if you want company," said trucker Ralph Ramos... ABC 23 staked out the 24-7 truck stop on three different days and nights and each time, the prostitutes were heard communicating via CB radio to truck drivers. Each time they directed the trucks to what's called, "party row," where police say prostitutes meet up with their clients... Prostitutes ABC 23 spoke to say they charge on average $10 to $50 for oral sex and $100 for intercourse. Others simply charge for their time... Another prostitute named Tahara said, "It varies, sometimes you make $500 a day sometimes you go home with $50."...

Labels: road prostitution

TRUCKERS' HOS * Australia - Cattle industry questions new trucking laws

Alice Springs,NT,Australia -The ABC Rural -30 March 2009: -- The Cattle Council of Australia says national truck driver fatigue laws are an enormous issue for remote beef cattle producers... Concerns were raised at last week's 25th annual Northern Territory Cattlemen's Association conference in Alice Springs... Cattle Council of Australia president Greg Brown, says the laws limit the amount of time drivers can spend on the road... "There's not too many trips out of Alice Springs that you can do in 16 hours working time, let alone driving time, so that's a major issue for this industry, in this country, particularly across a lot of remote Australia."... (Photo by strangecosmos.com: A cattle truck train in Australia)

Labels: Hours Of Service

INFRASTRUCTURES * Australia - Level crossing upgrades will save lives: truckies

A boom-gate stops traffic at a level suburban level crossing

Sydney,Australia -ABC News -Mar 30, 2009: -- The Australian trucking industry says $150 million in upgrades to the nation's level crossings is good news, despite the funding only being enough to fix 3 per cent of problem crossings... There are around 5,500 "passive" crossings with just stop signs in Australia, but the funding, which is part of the Federal Government's $42 billion stimulus plan, will only see around 200 upgraded... Road and rail authorities are assessing crossings to develop a list of 200 level crossings in most need of upgrade; New South Wales and South Australia have identified specific crossings in the past week... (ABC News: Giulio Saggin, file photo - Infrastructure boost: the Government's $150 million funding will upgrade 200 high-risk level crossings)

Labels: infrastructures

TRUCKERS' TAX * Australia - ATO delays superannuation changes

The Australian Taxation Office will not impose new superannuation obligations next month but there is still uncertainty as to when the changes will take effect

Canberra,Australia -ATN, by Brad Gardner -31 March 2009: -- ... In a letter to industry stakeholders, ATO Assistant Commissioner, Robyn Bruce, has acceded to industry requests to defer the introduction of the 9 percent superannuation obligation on “regular, normal, customary or usual” overtime earnings... The tax office originally planned on introducing the scheme for the trucking industry on April 1 but eventually decided “it would not be appropriate for the trucking industry to be required to change its practices from 1 April, 2009”... Industry groups NatRoad and the South Australian Road Transport Association (SARTA) called for the scheme to be delayed to at least July 1, which would be in line with other industries... Although trucking businesses have been granted a reprieve, attention now turns to when the tax office will follow through on the changes, with Bruce remaining vague on an implementation date... (Photo from facebook's Cow-boy of the Roads Worldwide: "Come loading from the hell")

Labels: fees and taxes

PRODUCTS * Canada - Ice road truckers choose OmniVision satellite communication system

Mississauga,ONT,CAN -Truck News -27 March 2009: -- ... RTL Robinson Enterprises specializes in bulk fuel re-supply for many of the diamond mines and communities in the NWT. The re-supply occurs during the winter months when trucks travel along the winter ice roads, which are built over frozen lakes and tundra. The ice roads offer an economical alternative to supply by aircraft, for areas not on the regular road system. Each year, RTL builds and maintains winter roads to deliver fuel, equipment and other goods to remote locations... “Satellite communication was essential for us as our head office is in Yellowknife and many of our drivers travel north from there,” said Tom Kenny, CEO, RTL Robinson Enterprises. “To ensure the safety of our drivers, we must have a communication solution that we know we can rely on. Shaw Tracking provided that for us. We were also looking for a technology that would easily integrate with our existing dispatch software.”...

Labels: trucks' products and services

TRUCKMAKERS' NEWS WORLDWIDE

* Volvo launches the most powerful truck in the world

Stockholm,Sweden -ATN -31 March 2009: -- Volvo Trucks has launched what is claimed to be the world’s most powerful series-manufactured truck — the Volvo FH16 with 700hp and 3150Nm torque... Volvo Trucks says it is the first manufacturer in the world to be able to put a 700hp badge on its vehicles. “The Volvo FH16 is intended for the very heaviest and most demanding of transport operations. It is also a highly prestigious truck for the customer who is looking for something truly out of the ordinary. And with 700 hp under the engine compartment cover, the Volvo FH16 sets itself apart from everything else in the industry,” says Staffan Jufors, President and CEO of Volvo Trucks...

* USA - Mack says no to Volvo engines

Sydney,Australia -ATN, by Gary Worrall -31 March 2009: -- Future Mack trucks will retain their individual character, rather than lifting complete drivelines from stablemate Volvo, says Mack Trucks Inc President and CEO Deny Slagle... When asked if future Macks might contain a badge-engineered Volvo engine and transmission to provide both big power outputs as well as improved emission controls, Slagle says Mack will stay with its MP8 engine range... While he acknowledges the benefits of using Volvo’s data base on engine design, Slagle says the MP8 will continue to be built to Mack specifications, although it will incorporate some Volvo-sourced technologies like SCR, which is set be debut in 2010...

* Australia - Isuzu completes record year

Sydney,Australia -ATN -31 March 2009: -- As if to thumb its nose at the global financial crisis, Isuzu Australia again recorded a crushing sales victory during December, finishing the year with 25 percent of the Australian new truck market in its pocket... Reinforcing this domination, Isuzu also delivered more than double the number of deliveries of any other manufacturer during the month, according to data collected by ERG International and published monthly on Fullyloaded.com.au... (Photo: Izusu's trucks)

* USA - Navistar Targets More Complex Funding Deals To Spur Sales

Chicago,ILL,USA -Dow Jones Newswires/The Wall Street Journal, by Bob Tita -March 31, 2009: -- The finance arm of Navistar International Corp. is eyeing more complex funding deals in an effort to lure larger customers... The U.S. truck maker has not accessed the securitization market since last fall. But at a time when truck industry sales remain sluggish because of weak freight demand, truck buyers are becoming more reliant on vendor financing... Navistar Financial Corp., is looking to sell down portions of large customer loans or assemble syndicates of banks and specialized equipment lenders to write business... Banks including Wells Fargo & Co. and KeyBank have syndicate lending operations for industrial equipment, said Navistar, which has resorted to multi-party financing arrangements for wholesale purchases by truck dealerships... Johanneson said the company has an opportunity to create long-term customer loyalty with large truck fleets if it's able to provide financing at a time when others won't...

* Canada - Manac goes "light" with its Darkwing line of aluminum flatbeds

Saint Georges,QUE,CAN -Truck News -March 27, 2009 -- Manac launched its first aluminum flatbed 10 years ago to lighten the load for semitrailers, but its new Darkwing series has been completely redesigned to improve performance and strength as well... The riveted, three-piece main beam is 27 inches high with a camber of 5 inches, producing a concentrated load of 60,000 lb./4 ft. In order to keep the number of welds to a strict minimum, Manac opted for a mechanical assembly of accompanying subcomponents, which the company says also acts to streamline maintenance... Manac says the floor structure is rigid to provide enhanced stability and integrate several cargo retention devices, including aluminum tube side pockets, rub rail spacers, six rows of floor-mounted securement tracks with grab hooks and sliding winches... (Photo: A 48-ft. Darkwing flatbed with a 122-inch tandem axle suspension.)

Labels: truckmakers news worldwide

TRUCKERS' FIGHT * Canada - OOIDA continues speed limiter battle

Toronto,Ont,CAN -Truck News -28 March 2009: -- The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) is meeting with provincial and federal officials on the issue of speed limiters in early April, and is looking for anecdotal reports from truckers... The US-based owner/operator association wants to hear from American and Canadian drivers who have experienced problems with the speed limiter legislation in Ontario and Quebec... (Photo: "Rainbow" from Desiree)

* Canada - 'The time has come to end regressive tolls'

Dieppe,NB,CAN -Truck News -27 March 2009: -- The Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association has continued its offensive on road and marine tolls in the region, a little more than a week after lashing out at a proposal that would reintroduce tolls to New Brunswick highways... Executive director Peter Nelson reiterating this stance at a board of directors meeting where the group voted to support an initiative to remove tolls from the Saint John Harbour Bridge...

Labels: truckers' fight

TRUCKERS' TAX * USA - Ad valorem tax

Grain Valley,MO,USA -Land Line Magazine -March 30, 2009: -- Ad valorem trucking tax is a boneheaded “property” tax used by Kansas, Arkansas and Kentucky to bilk bucks from trucking companies large and small for miles run in those states. It doesn’t matter if you have property there or not. If you ran miles in those states, you pay. Land Line's Managing Editor Sandi Soendker explains more in today’s blog...

Labels: ad valorem tax

TRUCKERS' SAFETY * USA - Not economic concerns, should be VDOT’s first priority

Richmond,VA,USA -Land Line Magazine, by Clarissa Kell-Holland -March 27, 2009: -- In Virginia, 25 rest areas and the valuable parking spots they provide for the motoring public are on the endangered list as the Virginia Department of Transportation looks for ways to cut costs... At a public meeting in Richmond on March 26, more than 75 people, including several truckers, expressed their concern about the rest area closure proposal... OOIDA Regulatory Affairs Specialist Joe Rajkovacz said the simple answer to VDOT’s dilemma is to spend less money paving a “few miles of road” and to focus more on highway safety like providing “safe havens” for truckers and motorists... “Their (VDOT’s) first priority should be about ensuring highway safety for the entire motoring public, not about saving money,” he told Land Line Magazine a day after the public meeting in Richmond. “Their attitude that this is just a cost-saving measure shows callous disregard for highway safety”... (Photo from media.insidenova: Virginia's Rest Area)

* North Dakota, Minnesota suspend rules for truckers providing relief efforts

MINN,USA -Land Line Magazine -March 27, 2009: -- With the widespread flooding the governors of both North Dakota and Minnesota have temporarily suspended various trucking regulations for truckers providing relief efforts... North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven waived the hours-of-service requirements for trucks and buses providing relief supplies or transporting people to or from the flooded areas... In Minnesota, Gov. Tim Pawlenty waived hours of service regs, weight restrictions and various required permits for motor carriers hauling relief supplies to flooded areas of the state... (Photo LATimes: The widespread flooding in North Dakota and Minnesota)

Labels: road safety debate

TRUCKERS' HEALTH * USA - Fitness for duty plan would pull millions from road

“These drivers work hard; it’s not an easy life”

Grain Valley,MO,USA -Land Line Magazine, by Charlie Morasch -27 March 2009: -- More than 10,000 truck driving patients have gone through McElligott’s Professional Drivers Medical Depot clinics – a chain of truck stop-based medical clinics for truckers with offices mostly in the southern U.S... Dr. John McElligott said it’s not difficult to encounter drivers who have one or two borderline health issues – maybe a slight case of asthma, a borderline blood pressure, or a “heart gallop” noticed during one visit... McElligott’s view of treating driver health practically appears to fly in the face of a recently proposed fitness for duty matrix system recommended by the FMCSA Medical Review Board... The rule would require drivers who have either a condition or meet one of a long list of medical criteria to increase their DOT physicals or be barred from driving altogether... The matrix would punish drivers who exhibit more than one of the following conditions:
* diabetes (medicinally treated),
* cardiovascular disease,
* hypertension,
* disrhythmias,
* obstructive sleep apnea,
* a Body Mass Index of 35 or greater (A 5-foot-8 inch tall male weighing 230 pounds has a BMI of 35),
* opioid or benzodiazepine use,
* renal disease,
* pulmonary disease,
* epilepsy,
* musculoskeletal disease requiring medical surgical or prosthetic treatment,
* requirement for visual exemption (vision not meeting 20-40 after corrective lenses),
* major psychiatric illness, and
* “other conditions as identified by FMCSA.”
If there’s good news on the topic, it’s that truckers don’t have to comply with the recommendation – at least not yet. Because, right now, it is just a recommendation... Federal regulators don’t understand the stresses truck drivers are under, McElligott said, or the consequences of heaping on misguided regulations would have on small trucking companies... "If we’ve got a driver with a health problem, let’s educate him, get him treated but not let him lose his home, house and everything else because of a couple of doctor visits,” McElligott said. “I think they need to understand the consequences of these actions”... (P's.N.: And what about the motorist, in general ??? ... they don't would be controlled ??? Because on the roads they are most dangerous than truckers !!!)

Labels: Truckers' Health

TRUCKERS' BEAUTIES * USA - WOMENs in TRUCKING

* Those Wonderful Women Truckers

USA -Ask the Trucker -(Originally published) February 5, 2007: -- Presently, there are about 8 million licensed CDL drivers in the United States. Approximately 4.5 million of these are active truck drivers. Professional truck driving, specifically over the road trucking, has always been noted as a field dominated by men. The rough and tough trucking life could only be handled by a real man . . . well, times are changing!... Women in trucking actually goes back to 1929 when Lillie Elizabeth Drennan became the first women to receive the CDL license. Driving an old Chevrolet, she was a rugged lady who carried a loaded revolver with her on her trucking adventures. Born in 1897, she paved the way for women truckers up to her passing in 1974... Today, there are nearly 170,000 women truckers, making up 5% of all U.S. trucking jobs. By the end of 2007, that number is expected to attain 200,000... What motivates these women to leave the general work place? You will find that independence and the irrepressible challenge of truck driving jobs are the two most common motivations given. Another important reason is the wage-earning aspect. Truck driving averages 20-30% higher wages than jobs’ women usually enter into. Woman in trucking is on such a rise in the United States that it is the cause of such great organizations such as the National and International Women’s Trucking Association. Also, women are taking on more important leading roles such as management, safety, dispatching, sales and recruiting... (Photo from Truth About Trucking)

Charleston,West Virginia,USA -Gi Gi Roxx -29 March 2009: -- ... (After a trucking day) ... So I went about my evening, eating a nice meal and then relaxing in my truck. The next morning I woke up and headed to the States. I half expected there to still be some issue with my paperwork and as I approached the border I started getting a little nervous about it. But, once again I was found fortunate in that I was in and out with no hiccups whatsoever... I delivered my load in Iowa the next day. As I was delivering I began receiving my next assignment and promptly made my way to the next destination. I picked up a load bound for North Carolina and headed east. That night I made it to our terminal in Indianapolis for the night. Of course, anytime I have to take a DOT break there I head to the hotel we have a contract with. It's darn near a 4 star hotel (at least in my book) and the price is just right... After a lovely night of catching up on Heroes (online at nbc.com) and sweet comfortable sleep in a queen size bed, I headed back to our terminal and got my day started. I had enough time on my load that I was able to plan a stop at my house for the night and still make on time delivery. So I did just that. I got home in the afternoon and had a wonderful evening dining with my beau and two of our great friends. We enjoyed beer and hot wings and trivia and laughs... The next morning was even better. I don't know how much more lucky I can get... so I'm saying that Saturday morning was the end of the line for now, so as to not jinx myself...

* And endingly: Desiree !!!

USA -Ask The Trucker (comments) -October 19, 2008: -- Who it's??? ... Hello, My name is Desiree... Entering the trucking industry as a single woman with no background in trucking or prior knowledge of the industry made for many unfortunate missteps... However, I found it AFTER the $4000.00 was paid to a CDL Mill. At that point though I knew it would be up to me alone to question everything on the surface that was being presented to me to make trucking seem like the deperate need for more drivers was partly a scam being perpetuated to get paying students. True, there are plenty of jobs and this is really what I wanted to do so pushing all fluff aside the recruiter tried to feed me, I simply said to myself, “Self, do you really want to be a trucker?” and the answer was “YES!”...

Labels: womens in trucking

MEXICANS' TRUCKS * USA - Cross-border trucking re-examined

Washington,DC,USA -eTrucker, by Jill Dunn -26 March 2009: -- U.S. leaders sought to improve relations with Mexico and reinvent the cross-border trucking program last week after ending the controversial project that spawned tariffs... Mexico has responded to the United State’s closure of the two-year-old program by imposing $2.4 billion in trade retaliation... California Gov., Arnold Schwarzenegger, has asked his state’s congressional delegation to restore the trade relationship with Mexico, California’s largest trading partner... On the other side of the fence, the American Farm Bureau Federation has asked President Obama for “quick development and implementation of a cross-border trucking program” in hope of ending trade sanctions against U.S. farm products by Mexico...

Labels: mexicans' trucks debate

TRUCKING INDUSTRY NEWS * USA - Hard road ahead

* Trucking rates fall amid low demand, heavy competition

Greensboro,NC,USA -The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area, by Laura Youngs -March 29, 2009: -- Heavier competition and dwindling demand for consumer products are forcing trucking companies in the Triad to lower prices, cutting into already suffering revenues and leading some firms to lay off workers... Freight haulers in the area already were hurting after a painfully slow holiday season that is normally a major time for business. But in recent months, company officials say they’ve gone from holding steady on their mileage rates — how much they charge per mile traveled — to bidding at levels not seen, in some cases, since the early 2000s... “I don’t look for (pricing pressure) to stop real soon,” Ron Boroughs, senior vice president of business development and administration at Furniture Transport Group in High Point, said... “I still think we’ll be fighting this for a while.”...

* Truckers slog through recession, face tough air rules

San Bernardino,CAL,USA -The Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, by Matt Wrye -29 March 2009: -- Economic recovery for the Inland Empire's logistics industry means more than just getting truckers back on the road and forklift drivers moving through warehouses again... It means adapting and surviving the nation's toughest clean-air rules scheduled to hit the books over the next decade, long after the economy recovers... The one-two punch of a profit-siphoning recession and strict carbon emissions laws are eating away the financial cushion of several small trucking companies, third-party distributors and other goods movement businesses... The ones who aren't going belly up see brighter days ahead when federal stimulus monies start flowing into the region. Equipment and materials will need to be moved from one place to another... But the emissions standards are here to stay, forcing some operations out of business and others to lay off workers, hunker down and evolve... (Photo by LaFonzo Carter - Saul Nuno, of Apex Bulk Commodities in Fontana, heads out on his daily assignments Tuesday. The Inland Empire's distribution and storage industry has been hit hard by the recession and faces tough clean-air rules)

* Mid-States Bankruptcy Filing May Signal Further Trucking Woes

Austin,TX,USA -Dow Jones/The Wall Street Journal, by Bob Sechler -March 30, 2009: -- The bankruptcy filing of Mid-States Express Inc., a midsized U.S. trucking company, is raising industry concerns about a fresh wave of failures amid slowing demand... The privately held company based in Aurora, Ill., started notifying customers late last week that it would cease operations and filed for bankruptcy in an Illinois court Friday... The U.S. trucking sector saw dozens of bankruptcies in the first half of last year as slowing demand collided with soaring diesel prices. The failure rate abated in the fall as fuel started to moderate... However, demand fell sharply from last November, adding to existing overcapacity... The fall in volume led to layoffs, furloughs and service cutbacks at carriers that transport goods either by truck, rail or cargo plane...

Labels: trucking industry news USA

Clean Truck * USA - Progress By The Numbers

Clean Truck Programs' Six months: 23 percent of the trucks at the Port of Los Angeles and 21 percent of the trucks calling at the Port of Long Beach meet the 2007 emissions standard

Los Angeles,CAL,USA -The Cunningham Report -29 March 2009: -- ... As of last week, the Port of L.A. reported about 3,500 trucks that are 2007-compliant out of approximately 15,000 trucks registered to call at its terminals. The Port of Long Beach reported 3,192 trucks that are 2007-compliant out of some 14,853 registered trucks. The numbers are similar because most trucks are registered at both ports, even though the ports maintain separate registries... The numbers show that the nation's busiest harbor complex is making progress toward greening the privately owned truck fleet that serves its terminals. The fee on older trucks - a carrot to most of those who invested in 2007-compliant models and a stick to those yet to do so - is expected to boost port business for companies converting their fleets ahead of schedule... But the numbers also show there is a long way to go. Between now and the end of the year, the ports have to find a way to replace all of the trucks that are older than model year 1994 or unretrofitted trucks that are model year 1994-2003... (Photo by unitedgs.com: Los Angeles' Trucks Port)

* Court to Hear Clean-truck Arguments April 27. District court to review concession requirements for ‘egregious elements’

Los Angeles,CAL,USA -The Journal of Commerce Online, by Bill Mongelluzzo -Mar 30, 2009: -- Lawyers representing the American Trucking Associations and the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach on April 27 will present oral arguments in the ports’ clean-truck case... In a related development, the Federal Maritime Commission, which is suing the ports in the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., over other elements of the clean-truck plan, determined at the weekend that it will cite the 9th Circuit’s ruling in its case. The ports requested that the 9th Circuit’s comments not be included in the FMC’s case... The commission is challenging the clean-truck plan’s truck fees, and exemptions from those fees, in its case before the Washington district court...

Labels: Clean Trucks Program

TRUCKMAKERS' NEWS * WORLDWIDE

* USA - Company To Assemble Electric Trucks At KCI - Production To Begin In Third Quarter Of 2009

Kansas City,MO,USA -KMBC TV -March 27, 2009: -- Smith Electric Vehicles announced Friday that a line of electric delivery trucks will be assembled near the Kansas City International Airport... The trucks will be about the size of a common parcel delivery truck. They'll be marketed to companies with a fleet of trucks that drive daily routes of about 100 miles... Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon was in Kansas City for the announcement, and he test drove one of the electric trucks... SEV CEO Bryan Hansel admitted the trucks are more expensive than current delivery trucks that are now in use. But he said over the 15-year life of the vehicle, operating costs are 80 percent less. He hopes that eventually attracts fleets from other companies... (See Video)

* India - Tata Motors Plans Truck-Making Unit in Myanmar

Mumbai,India -Bloomberg, by Anoop Agrawal -March 29, 2009: -- Tata Motors Ltd. plans to set up a truck-making unit in Myanmar with the financial support of the federal Indian government, the Business Standard newspaper reported without saying from where it got the information... The government will sanction a $20 million credit line which will be used to set up an assembly plant and a component- manufacturing factory, the newspaper said...

* China - Zhou Says Economy Recovers on Decisive Action

Beijing,China -Bloomberg, by Li Yanping -26 March 2009: -- ... SAIC-Iveco Hongyan Commercial Vehicle Co., a Chinese truckmaker, said today it is winning orders from local miners for deliveries as early as the third quarter, indicating demand may be recovering... “We are receiving truck orders for their operations in Southern Africa and India,” Matthew Wang, general manager of SAIC-Iveco Hongyan’s Kairui sales center, said in an interview during the Asian Mining Congress in Singapore. “Our business is increasing as copper prices rise.”...

* USA - Kenworth adds tandem rear suspension

USA -Fleet Owner -Mar 30, 2009: -- Kenworth has added a new tandem rear suspension for its Class 8 trucks. The proprietary Kenworth AG400L, a disc brake-compatible suspension, is a 40,000-lb. highway system for the Kenworth T660, T800, T2000 and W900 models... The four-bag suspension is suitable for over-the-road and P&D applications, Kenworth said, and is designed to provide a smooth ride through a trailing-arm design...

Labels: truckmakers' news USA

INSFRASTRUCTURES * USA - Through Government's Stimulus Funds

* Ohio to build new Interstate 90 Innerbelt bridge with

Cleveland,OH,USA -The Trucker -28 March 2009: -- Ohio transportation officials will use $200 million of federal stimulus money to help build a new five-lane Interstate-90 Innerbelt Bridge in Cleveland... That's about half the amount needed for the project. The rest of the money is coming from other federal and state transportation funding sources...

* Oklahoma to award $250 million in road stimulus contracts next week

Oklahoma City,OK,USA -The Trucker -28 March 2009: -- Gov. Brad Henry, and state transportation officials announced Friday that contracts will be awarded next week for $250 million in road and bridge projects, providing a boost to the Oklahoma economy... The first phase of the economic stimulus program has projects in all areas of the state. The projects are in addition to those in the regular eight-year construction plan of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation... Gov. Brad Henry said the winners of the stimulus road work are Oklahoma motorists and the state's economy...

* Subcontractors dominate crowd at Colorado road stimulus meeting

Denver,COL,USA -Associated Press/The Trucker -28 March 2009: -- A meeting Friday where state transportation officials described road projects getting federal stimulus money drew more than 200 people, mostly subcontractors who have watched private projects dry up in the weak economy... Overall CDOT expects Colorado to get more than $500 million in stimulus money for transportation projects statewide... The projects include one to widen part of Colorado 9 between Breckenridge and Frisco, and another to manage areas where truckers would chain up during snowy weather on Interstate 70...

Labels: infrastructures

WEATHER TROUBLES * USA - Winter storm closes major highways in Oklahoma

Oklahoma City,OK,USA -The Trucker -27 March 2009 — A powerful winter storm that pushed into northwest Oklahoma Friday knocked out power for hundreds residents and dropped heavy snow across several counties, prompting the closure of major highways, including the heavily-truck traveled Interstate 40... Gov. Brad Henry declared a state of emergency for much of Oklahoma, allowing state agencies to make emergency purchases to deal with the storm and starting the process of seeking federal assistance should it be necessary... Forecasters predicted "unprecedented levels" of snow for late March and travel problems as far south as the Interstate 44 corridor as the storm moved through the state... (Photo Truck driving on icy road)

Labels: weather troubles

VMT or not VMT? * USA - Paying by the Mile

The vehicle mileage tax gains traction as a funding mechanism for the Highway Trust Fund

Washington,DC,USA -The Journal of Commerce Online, by R.G. Edmonson -Mar 19, 2009: -- A federal commission wants policymakers and Congress to ponder as they search for ways to pay for maintaining and improving transportation infrastructure in the first third of the 21st century... Before making the switch to the VMT system, it would be better to see how well the highway fund would fare with an increase in the fuel tax, and making sure trust fund money isn’t raided for other purposes, Clayton Boyce, spokesman for the American Trucking Associations, said... Drivers currently pay 18.3 cents per gallon on gasoline and 23.4 cents on diesel fuel. The tax rate hasn’t changed since 1993, but Robert D. Atkinson, chairman of the National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commission said, inflation has effectively eroded one-third of revenue. The funding gap has the trust fund on the brink of insolvency. Last September, Congress approved an $8 billion capital infusion from general revenue to keep the fund afloat, but officials said it was only a temporary fix... A VMT rate of 0.9 cents per mile would generate the same amount of revenue as the current fuel tax, Atkinson said. The commission is recommending a rate of 2.3 cents per mile to keep the trust fund healthy and provide all that’s needed to maintain the system...

* Truckers’ Slow Lane to Taxes

Washington,DC,USA -The Journal of Commerce Magazine, by R.G. Edmonson -Mar 16, 2009: -- ... Craig R. Lentzsch, vice chairman of the American Bus Association, and a member of the National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commission, believes taxes on diesel fuel, truck tires, trailer sales taxes and heavy vehicle taxes are a more reliable short-term source of revenue for the Highway Trust Fund... Fuel tax revenue is expected to decline because of improvements in fuel economy by electric and hybrid passenger vehicles. Truck engine technology will not make the same quantum leaps... Improved fuel economy, coupled with the fact the current federal gas tax has remained stagnant for more than a decade, has taken a toll on federal revenue for road and transit construction and maintenance. The Highway Trust Fund would have run dry last September if not for an $8 billion transfer by Congress to keep it in the black... Congress charged Lentzch’s commission with recommending ways to raise money to maintain and improve highway and transit infrastructure. The commission’s consensus was the U.S. should look at the VMT as an alternative to fuel taxes and see it as the long-term solution to maintaining the Highway Trust Fund... Leslie Blakey, executive director of the Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors, said Congress should establish a discrete freight trust fund to provide money for projects using the same criteria as the projects of national or regional significance in the current highway-funding law... Blakey said a new freight user fee should make up most of the funding for the program. The fee should not skew the marketplace in favor of one mode or another, and freight users should see it as value-added...

Labels: vehicle mileage tax

MEXICANS' TRUCKS * USA - Small Truckers Slam Mexico Trade Effort

Independent drivers demand infrastructure safety, security standards

Grain Valley,MO,USA -The Journal Of Commerce, by John Gallagher -Mar 27, 2009: -- Small trucking companies are calling on the Obama Administration to suspend plans to establish another cross-border trucking program with Mexico until Mexico meets U.S. infrastructure safety, and security standards... “Under current conditions in Mexico there is little opportunity or willingness on the part of U.S. truckers to compete in Mexico,” said James Johnston, president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, in a letter to President Obama... “Until the Mexican government commits to addressing its deteriorated infrastructure, significantly combats the rampant crime within its borders and promulgates regulations that significantly improve the safety of highway travelers, U.S. truckers will be unable to benefit from anticipated reciprocity. Rather, in the foreseeable future U.S. truckers would be forced to forfeit their own economic opportunities while inadequately compensated Mexican truckers, free from equivalent regulatory burdens, take over their traffic lanes.”... (Photo: Trucks at the Mexican border)

* Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, calls for quick resolution of Mexico truck dispute

Monterrey,Nuevo Leon,MEX —The Associated Press/The Trucker -26 March 2009: -- U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Thursday called for a quick end to the dispute that has emerged in the wake of the culmination of the Cross Border Demonstration Project, saying both sides need to ensure that traffic across the border is safe and legal... Clinton commented on the issue as she wrapped up a two-day visit to Mexico...

Labels: mexicans' trucks debate

Mexico border * USA - Truckers warned of violence near south limits

Washington,DC,USA --The Washington Times, by Audrey Hudson -March 27, 2009: -- American truck drivers operating near the U.S.-Mexico border are being warned of increasing violence among warring drug cartels and told to stay on alert against attacks or hijackings... "Violence amongst Mexican drug cartels in the border states, on both sides of the U.S.-Mexican border, has exponentially increased in the past year," according to the alert from First Observer, a trucking security program funded by a Homeland Security grant... The highway center issued several guidelines for trucking companies who have scheduled deliveries in Mexico, advising them to stick to toll roads, to create a distress code to call for help, to report in with dispatchers after all scheduled and unscheduled stops, and to ensure in advance that cellular phones can get roaming service... (Photo from Associated Press - A Mexican marine patrols near the U.S.-Mexico border wall in Tijuana, Mexico, on March 18, 2009. The administration of President Obama is preparing to send federal agents to the U.S.-Mexico border as reinforcements in the fight against Mexican drug cartels. The Obama administration is preparing to send federal agents to the US-Mexico border as reinforcements in the fight against Mexican drug cartels. )

Labels: border troubles

New fuel efficiency standards * USA - To cost auto industry $1.5 billion

Washington,DC,USA -The Detroit News, by David Shepardson -March 27, 2009: -- The Transportation Department unveiled its 2011 model year fuel efficiency requirements today, saying the 27.3 mpg fleet-wide average would cost automakers nearly $1.5 billion to meet... The Obama administration, set the 2011 model year passenger car fuel efficiency standard at 30.2 mpg and the light truck standard at 24.1 mpg... The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said consumers will face price increases as a result: $64 on average for passenger cars and $126 for light trucks... Buyers of pickups, SUVs and minivans will be repaid in additional fuel savings in an average of 7.7 years. For passenger car buyers, they will be paid back in an average of 4.4 years...

Labels: fuel efficiency

TRUCKING INDUSTRY NEWS * USA - UPS adds 43 natural-gas trucks in Denver

Atlanta,GA,USA -The Denver Business Journal -March 25, 2009: -- UPS Inc. said Wednesday it has deployed 43 vehicles powered by compressed natural gas in the Denver area... The vehicles are among 300 CNG vehicles that the Atlanta-based shipping company ordered in May for use nationwide... With the 300 new vehicles, UPS now has 1,819 CNG trucks in operation... CNG generally produces fewer emissions than other vehicle fuels and often is cheaper...(Photo from ecotality: UPS truck)

Labels: trucking industry news USA

TRUCKMAKERS' NEWS * Germany - Mercedes Benz develops new truck navigation system

Stuttgart,Germany -Newlaunches -26 March 2009: -- Mercedes has now developed a new navigation system for their Atego, Axor and Actros model series commercial vehicles. The new system includes maps of 26 European countries, with a total of 15 European languages available for the voice instructions... The new system is different from conventional GPS navigation systems because it includes information such as, weight restrictions, limited height and width clearances, etc. with such detailed guidance a trucker will be able to choose the best route, taking into account these factors. The 6.5" monitor shows the driver the dynamic route guidance courtesy of TMC (the Traffic Message Channel); this enables the driver to avoid traffic jams and problems to be bypassed, thereby potentially saving time... Mercedes navigation system can be ordered to be fitted with a CD radio, Bluetooth CD radio or Bluetooth CD radio with a permanently installed telephone, if you so desire...

Labels: truckmakers' news Europe

BIODIESEL WORLDWIDE * Australia - ABG wins $7.7m contract

Narangba,Australia -ATN -26 March 2009: -- Australian Biodiesel Group (ABG) of Narangba has signed its first contract for renewable energy and related infrastructure products in North America... PW Strategy Management (PWM) of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, has executed a two-year contract for renewable energy and related uninterruptable power supply (UPS) products for three locations in North America... The fiscal 2009 contract revenue is $3.757 million. Estimated fiscal 2010 revenue is $3.95 million... The contract between PWM and ABG calls for installation of Solverdi technology sold and operated by ABG under an exclusive worldwide licence. Revenues from the project installation and agreement begin in April of this year...

* UK - Truck-makers question effects of biodiesel

London,UK -The Road Transport, by Chris Tindall -19 March 2009: -- For 12 months now biodiesel has been added to diesel fuel. But manufacturers are questioning its effect on truck engines, and whether planned increases will compound operators' problems... Truck-makers are demanding that legislation surrounding the quality of diesel used by operators is tightened up as concern grows about the effect on engines by biodiesel in conventional fuel... The Freight Transport Association (FTA) head of engineering policy, Andy Mair, says: runs several regional engineering forums, and he says half the group has experienced no problems with diesel. But he adds: "The other operators are having to change filters at half the interval."... The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) says that "undoubtedly" 5% biodiesel content can have an adverse effect on engines under some circumstances. Robin Dickeson, CV affairs manager says: "It's inherently an organic substance based on living processes. These can and do degenerate over time. The composition changes in storage. A tank in January may have a slightly different composition come June or July. Water separates and sludge appears. We don't have effective quality testing standards in the UK for biodiesel and that's an issue."...

Labels: biodiesel

OPINION * Australia - Business should 'have a go' in recession: Fox

Brisbane,Australia -ATN, by Jason Whittaker -26 March 2009: -- Lindsay Fox isn’t sure whether the tide is in or out on the economy, but he says the credit crunch shouldn’t scare business from “having a go”... The patriarch of the giant Linfox transport and logistics group says Australia can work through what he says is “definitely no question” a recession... Fox, speaking to ATN in Brisbane at the opening of a new Linfox distribution facility, says the current economic environment is the most uncertain he has seen...

Labels: opinion

Owner-drivers * Australia - Granted authorisation to collectively negotiate

Sydney,Australia -ATN -25 March 2009: -- Owner-drivers have been granted authorisation to enable them to collectively negotiate the terms and conditions upon which they provide earthmoving services in the commercial and civil construction sectors in South East Queensland... Owner-drivers contract with earthmoving companies to pick up and deliver materials to and from construction sites. Most operate as small businesses and are engaged on a job-by-job basis... The Construction, Forestry, Mining & Energy (CFMEU) Queensland will provide support services to facilitate the collective negotiations. It will not conduct negotiations on behalf of the owner-drivers... Authorisation provides protection from court action for conduct or arrangements that might otherwise raise concerns under the competition provisions of the Trade Practices Act. Authorisation is granted where the ACCC is satisfied that the benefit to the public from the conduct outweighs any public detriment...

Labels: owner-drivers

TRUCKMAKERS' NEWS * USA

* Freightliner Debuts the Innovation Truck Concept at Mid-America Trucking Show

Louisville,KY,USA -Automobile -26 March 2009: -- Everyone these days is getting into the green trend of making everything as environmentally friendly as possible. Freightliner unveiled the Innovation Truck at the Mid-America Trucking Show, its latest attempt to create a fuel efficient semi-truck... Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA), owner of Freightliner, is using the Innovation Truck to preview the latest technologies. The Innovation Truck is based off the company’s most fuel-efficient platform, the Cascadia, and adds a host of advanced technologies to further improve fuel economy...

Building off the already streamlined Cascadia, the Innovation Truck refines the aerodynamics even further. The whole truck spent hours in the windtunnel undergoing testing to optimize airflow around the entire truck. Bumpers were reshaped, replacing external mirrors with cameras, adding rear wheel fairings, and even adding under body panels to smooth airflow under the chassis... Advanced technologies such as the RunSmart Predictive Cruise system and a dual ride height system help take the trucks fuel economy to the next step. The RunSmart Predictive Cruise system combines GPS technology with digital mapping to provide a 3-D profile of the road ahead. The innovation comes not in providing a 3-dimensional picture as even our long-term 750Li does, but in its ability to evaluate the upcoming road profile and determine the optimum speed to traverse the road for fuel economy...

* Navistar May Go RVing

The truck and engine maker sees an opportunity to expand diesel business with assets of Monaco Coach

New York,NY,USA -FORBES, by Melinda Peer -26 March 2009: -- Monaco Coach, the recreational vehicle company that once rolled in style on strong sales of high-end motor homes, may sell its core RV manufacturing business to Navistar International for a mere $50.0 million... On Thursday, Navistar International issued a non-binding letter of intent to Monaco Coach expressing its interest in buying certain assets and liabilities of the RV maker's vehicle manufacturing business. Navistar, which produces commercial and military vehicles, in addition to diesel engines for pickup truck, van and sport utility vehicle markets, sees opportunities in expanding its diesel business with the purchase of Monaco's assets...

Labels: truckmakers news USA

Battery Breakthrough * USA - Could Make Electric Cars Practical

MASS,USA -Australian Broadcasting Corp. News (Australia), by Jennifer Macey -12 March 2009: -- Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed battery cells capable of charging in under a minute, approximately 100 times faster than a regular rechargeable battery... The breakthrough could revolutionize electric car battery technology and pave the way for ultra-fast charging electric vehicles in as little as two years... The discovery came when MIT researchers found out how to get a common lithium compound to release and take up lithium ions in a matter of seconds. The compound, known as lithium iron phosphate, has a crystal structure that creates perfectly sized tunnels for lithium to move through, allowing the team to reach faster charging rates... The MIT researchers say their battery could be especially critical to making electric cars more practical. Rather than waiting hours for the car battery to recharge, it could take as short a time as filling the tank with gas... The renewable energy sector is also looking with interest at any developments in battery technology, as the storage of energy from the sun or wind is one of the main obstacles to the wider take-up of green energy...

Labels: battery

INFRASTRUCTURES * USA

* U.S. Department of Transportation Gives Go-Ahead to Build New Toll Lanes to Relieve Congestion on Two North Texas Highways

Washington,DC,USA -FHA Pres Release -March 23, 2009: -- Drivers on two of Texas' busiest highways - the I-635 and the North Tarrant Express in Dallas/Fort Worth - are on their way to a less congested ride now that U.S. Transportation Secretary, Ray LaHood, has approved the tolling of new lanes being constructed to relieve congestion... "Investing in infrastructure is vital to the nation's economy," said Secretary LaHood. "Good transportation allows people to get to jobs and businesses to access their customers."...

* New Jersey's I-295/I-76/Route 42 'Direct Connection' Project Receives Green Light from Feds

Washington,DC,USA -FHA Press Release -March 20, 2009: -- Plans for a $900 million upgrade to New Jersey's I-295/I-76/Route 42 interchange can move forward now that federal officials have given final environmental approval, U.S. Transportation Secretary, Ray LaHood, announced today... "This project will help the people of New Jersey and their economy," said Secretary LaHood...

Labels: infrastructures

Transportation Projects * USA - Stimulus Package Funds Thousands Ones

Washington,DC,USA - The Voice of America News, by Chris Simkins -21 March 2009: -- The Obama administration says money from the economic stimulus package will lead to the creation of tens of thousands of construction jobs and help strengthen the U.S. economy. Stimulus money has already triggered several transportation projects, including the widening of a highway and a bridge replacement in Missouri... The stimulus package contains $48 billion overall for transportation projects... President Obama says more than 200 highway construction projects have been started since the stimulus package was signed into law in February. Some of the money will go to improving mass transportation and airports... Obama estimates that by the end of 2010, the "investment in highways will create or save 150,000 jobs," mostly in the private sector... (Photo: Highway construction site in Missouri)

Labels: governments stimulus, infrastructures' funds

Stimulus Bill * USA - Funds Intelligent Transportation Systems

Money from the stimulus bill is being utilized by municipalities in St. Cloud, Minn., and elsewhere to fund intelligent transportation systems (ITS)

Folsom,CAL,USA -Government Technology, by Andy Opsahl -23 March 2009: -- ... Traffic signals within St. Cloud are owned by all three entities, which means that they share access and control of the lighting regulation system... Mn/DOT district traffic engineer Tom Dumont says that the implementation of the traffic-monitoring software was stepped up with the stimulus money, which could have helped save jobs... On the other hand, Redfield points out that the three agencies involved intended to upgrade the software anyway because the vendor announced that it would halt maintenance service for the existing software in 2011. "It was [a matter of], 'Do we continue the maintenance contract on the old system that we know isn't going to be supported in a couple years, or do we upgrade the system right now?' " says Dumont...

Labels: governments stimulus

TRANSPORT STATISTICS * USA - Feb. Truck Tonnage Falls 9.2% Year-Over-Year

Feb. Truck Tonnage Falls 9.2% Year-Over-Year

Washington,DC,USA -Transport Topics -26 March 2009: -- Truck tonnage fell 9.2% in February compared with a year ago, though it rose 1.7% from January, American Trucking Associations said late Wednesday... The decline in the group’s for-hire seasonally adjusted truck tonnage index marked the fifth straight year-over-year decline, following 11 straight increases... The rise from January was the second straight monthly increase, while the 9.2% drop from a year ago was the third-worst year-to-year drop in the current cycle, ATA said...

Labels: transport statistics

LAWS * USA - Virginia lawmakers approve notable truck bills

VA,USA -Land Line Magazine -25 March 2009: -- Gov. Tim Kaine signed a bill into law that makes Virginia one of about 30 states to offer an incentive for truckers to reduce idling. It takes effect July 1, 2009... Other bills of interest to truckers that have made their way through the statehouse and moved to the governor’s desk address truck parking, UCR violations and overweight truck permits... The new law in Virginia increases the maximum gross vehicle, axle weight limits for large trucks equipped with idle-reduction technology. The new rule authorizes trucks equipped with auxiliary power units to weigh up to an additional 400 pounds... Supporters say that the weight exemption removes the disincentive that otherwise would keep truckers from using APUs... States were granted federal authority in 2005 to allow heavy-duty trucks to exceed the 80,000-pound maximum weight limit to encourage the use of idling-reduction equipment... Officials with the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association have long advocated adoption of the 400-pound exemption...

Labels: laws USA

Higher speed limits * Canada - Announced in Manitoba

Winnipeg,MAN,CAN -Truck News -26 March 2009: -- Speed limits on certain sections of twinned roadways in Manitoba will increase to 110 km/h on July 1 – but so too will speeding fines, the province has announced... Transport Minister, Ron Lemieux, and Attorney General, Dave Chomiak, made the announcement yesterday in hopes of deterring drivers from speeding... The stretches of highway that will see higher speed limits include the PTH 1 from the Saskatchewan border to Virden, Man. The speed on PTH 75 from the Emerson border crossing to St. Jean Baptiste will also increase from 100 km/h to 110...

Labels: speed limits

TIRES * USA - DoE testing shows wide-base singles 6-10% more fuel efficient than duals

The fuel-saving claims behind wide-base single tires have been validated by the US Department of Energy

Greenville,SC,USA -Truck News (CAN) -25 March 2009: -- The DoE has released a 383-page report that indicates wide-base single tires are 6-10% more fuel efficient than duals on heavy trucks. The report was based on more than 700,000 miles of real-world testing over the course of four years, according to a release by Michelin... The DoE test compared the Michelin X One single to standard dual tires. The tests revealed a 6% fuel economy improvement overall and as high as 10% with fully-loaded tractor-trailers, according to Michelin...

Labels: study tires

TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS, Mergers & Acquisitions * WORLDWIDE

Strategic Buyers - International Deals

* Canada - 17 March: Calyx Transportation Group Inc. announced the acquisition of Totalline Transport Inc. Based in Toronto, Ontario, Totalline provides transportation and warehousing services for high value and time sensitive freight. Terms were not disclosed.

* Canada - 17 March: Calyx Transportation Group Inc. announced the acquisition of Bransam Logistics Services Inc. Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Bransam provides TL, LTL and freight brokerage services within Canada and to/from the US. Terms were not disclosed.

* Canada - 17 March: Calyx Transportation Group Inc. announced the acquisition of Kreative Carriers Transportation & Logistic Services Inc. Kreative provides TL services for all of N. America from its base in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Terms were not disclosed.

* Holland - 18 March: Smit Internationale NV announced the pending acquisition of Minette Bay Ship Docking Ltd. Based in Kitimat, British Columbia, Minette Bay provides ship docking services for the Ridley Island Coal Terminal. Terms were not disclosed.

* Germany - 19 March: Dachser Gmbh & Co. kg announced the acquisition of 10.0% of Transportes Azkar SA. Based in Gipuzkoa, Spain, Azkar provides transportation, warehousing and logistic services throughout the Iberian Peninsula. Terms were not disclosed.

US Domestic Transactions

* USA - March 19: Venezia Hauling, Inc. announced the acquisition of Bass Transportation Co. Inc. Bass provides bulk and dry van transportation, as well as rail yard storage services from its base in Easton, PA. Terms were not disclosed.

Financial Buyers

* China - 16 March: Grand Point Investment Limited announced the pending acquisition of 56.8% of Tianjin Port Company Limited for $2.6 billion. Based in Tianjin, China, Tianjin primarily handles charcoal, coal, ore and other bulk cargo.

Labels: T and L Mergers and Acquisitions worldwide

MEXICANS' TRUCKS * USA - Mutual Benefit: Restore and Expand Mexico Truck Program

Miami,FL,USA -Latin Business Chronicle, by James M. Roberts -March 25, 2009: -- ... Increasing efficiency in trade between the United States and Mexico will benefit both sides and strengthen President Calderon's pro-market policies, argues James Roberts from the Heritage Foundation... The U.S. and Mexican economies are deeply intertwined, and both face serious problems. Increasing efficiency in trade between the two countries will benefit both sides and strengthen Mexican President Felipe Calderon's pro-market, democratic policies. Improving the safety of both the U.S. and Mexican long-haul truck fleet will also contribute to improved national security in both countries... Then-candidate Obama pledged to "upgrade" and "retool" NAFTA, but his approval of the Congressional action to kill the pilot truck program was a direct attack on NAFTA...

* Mexico - Clinton cites progress in Mexican trucking dispute
Mexico City,DF.MEX -Reuters, by Lisa Lambert, Doug Palmer; & Eric Walsh (Washington,DC,USA) -Mar 25, 2009: -- Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, said on Wednesday the United States and Mexico were making headway on efforts to resolve a dispute over Mexican trucks operating in the United States... "On the trucking dispute, we are working to try to resolve it. We are making progress. We think that there will be a receptive audience in (the U.S.) Congress," she told reporters as she flew to Mexico for a two-day visit...

Labels: mexicans' trucks debate

TRUCKS MARKETS * Europa - Truck Slump Deepened in February as Sales Plunge 46%

Brusels,Belgium -Bloomberg, by Andreas Cremer -March 25, 3009: -- The slump in European heavy-truck sales accelerated last month with deliveries tumbling 46 percent as the recession and credit freeze wiped out purchases... Manufacturers sold 14,131 trucks weighing 16 metric tons or more in February, compared with 26,378 units a year earlier, the Brussels-based European Automobile Manufacturers Association said in a statement today... That’s three times the drop in December. Deliveries for the first two months fell 41 percent...

Labels: trucks markets

TRUCKMAKERS' NEWS WORLDWIDE

* Sweden - Renault denies planning to sell Volvo stake

Stockholm,Sweden -Reuters -Mar 24, 2009: -- French carmaker Renault denied on Tuesday a Swedish media report that it was in talks to sell its near 22 percent stake in world No. 2 truckmaker Volvo to Investor AB... Business magazine Veckans Affarer reported on its website that Renault was discussing a deal that would make Investor AB, the holding company of Sweden's powerful Wallenberg family, Volvo's biggest shareholder. It did not disclose its sources... Renault owns 21.8 percent of the truckmaker and is currently the group's largest shareholder... The magazine said the Wallenberg family was in the middle of "intense work" to determine whether to make a new foray into the heavy-duty truck sector after selling its stake in Volvo's domestic rival Scania to Germany's Volkwswagen last year...

* Sweden - Volvo February truck shipments plunge 51 percent

Stockholm,Sweden -Reuters, by Niklas Pollard and Victoria Klesty; additional reporting by Katarina Gustafsson; Editing by Dan Lalor -Mar 24, 2009: -- World number two truckmaker Volvo said truck shipments tumbled 51 percent in February as the global economic downturn pummeled demand in all its main markets... Volvo, which sells trucks under brands such as Renault, Nissan Diesel and Mack as well as its own name, said in a statement on Tuesday shipments plunged 63 percent year-on-year in Europe, its biggest market... The Swedish maker of heavy-duty trucks has cut capacity, slashing thousands of jobs to adjust to a downturn some analysts believe will see the European truck market contract 50 percent this year...

*USA - Mack gears down with more shutdowns at Pa. plant

Allentown,PA,USA -WRAL.com —Mar. 25, 2009: -- Mack Trucks is laying off up to 25 more employees and scheduling three more weeklong production shutdowns at its eastern Pennsylvania plant... Spokesman John Mies says the economic doldrums mean tight credit and diminished freight-hauling volume, both bad for truck sales... Mack's February deliveries totaled 942 trucks. That's better than the 624 delivered in January, but still 392 less than in February 2008... The plant has had five one-week shutdowns this year, including one this week. Now it will be idle during the weeks of April 20, April 27 and May 18...

* Germany - Daimler Share Sale Fails to Lift Credit Concern, Moody’s Says

Frankfurt,Germany -Bloomberg, by Chris Reiter -March 24, 2009: -- Daimler AG’s 1.95 billion-euro ($2.6 billion) stock sale failed to ease concern at Moody’s Investors Service that the carmaker’s finances may be slipping as auto markets shrink, an analyst said... Falk Frey, an analyst at Moody’s in Frankfurt, said today, “The key driver of the negative outlook is on the operating side and the risk of a further downturn, which hasn’t changed.”... Moody’s put Daimler on notice on Feb. 18 that it may downgrade the Stuttgart, Germany-based automaker’s A3 rating, the fourth-lowest investment grade, on 56.7 billion euros in debt as the recession hurts sales. Daimler sold a 9.1 percent stake yesterday to Abu Dhabi’s state-controlled Aabar Investments PJSC. Brigitte Bertram, a Daimler spokeswoman, declined to comment today...

* Germany - Volkswagen Van Unit Forecasts Lower Profit, Sales

Hanover,Germany -Bloomberg, by Andreas Cremer -March 25, 2009: -- Volkswagen AG, Europe’s largest carmaker, said profit and sales at its commercial-vehicles unit will fall this year as the recession prompts construction and delivery companies to buy fewer Caravelle and Multivan trucks... Unit chief Stephan Schaller said today at a news conference in Hanover, Germany, it’s clear that operating profit, unit sales and revenue will all decline in 2009 after registrations rose last year, he said... European sales of vans slumped 38 percent last month, while heavy-truck deliveries plunged 46 percent, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association said today. Wolfsburg, Germany-based Volkswagen fired temporary workers and reduced the workweek at plants in Hanover and Poznan, Poland, last year to cope with the economic crisis...

* Germany - Merkel Makes Like Obama With German Stimulus Excluding Europe

Munich,Germany -Bloomberg, by Richard Tomlinson (London,UK) & Oliver Suess (Munich,Germany) -March 26, 2009: -- ... As global consumer demand melts away, slowing production lines across Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel is injecting 82 billion euros ($110 billion) into the economy, the biggest stimulus package in Europe... That program is designed to help export-driven companies such as MAN, Europe’s third-largest truckmaker, which sells about 60 percent of its vehicles outside Germany... In 2008, MAN made 168 trucks a day at its factory 500 yards (460 meters) from the site of the former Nazi concentration camp in the northwestern suburb of Dachau. In January, the company stretched the time to make each truck section by 39 seconds and halted production on Thursdays and Fridays. In February, the company shuttered the plant for two weeks... MAN’s fourth-quarter profit in 2008 almost halved to 177 million euros compared with a year earlier, the company said in a Feb. 19 statement. From Jan. 2 to March 25, MAN’s share price slumped 19 percent to 33.09 euros... “I hope the market will come back, but I cannot realistically say I believe it will come back this year,” says Hakan Samuelsson, MAN’s Swedish-born chief executive officer, at the company’s headquarters in Munich..

Labels: truckmakers news worldwide

DANGER ZONE * Afghanistan - Trucks supply the troops

No matter what the situation, trucks almost always prove necessary for getting supplies to the place they are needed

Khyber Pass,Afghanistan -The Road King (USA) -24 March 2009: -- ... For U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan, the situation is war and the supply destination is accessible by one battle-centered road through the Khyber Pass... Three-quarters of the supplies shipped to the military stationed in Afghanistan arrive in Pakistan’s ports and must be transported to troops by truck. So the road, which connects the two countries, became a target for Islamic militants looking to weaken military operations. Trucks waiting at checkpoints and truckstops were attacked regularly, and some were even hijacked while en route... The truck drivers, who are primarily Afghan and Pakistani civilians, have persisted in the face of these considerable dangers... NATO is considering other routes, and recently received approval to move supplies through Russia and Central Asia... In the meantime, these brave drivers will continue to do what they do best — keep on rolling...

Labels: dangerous zones

FASTEST TRUCK WORLDWIDE * Czech Republic - A heavy truck goes lightning fast to set a world record

Zero to 62 miles per hour in four seconds? Not in a truck. Well...

Praha,Czech Republic -The Road King (USA) -25 March 2009: -- David Vrsecky, a champion truck racer in Europe, recently set the world speed record for a big truck. Driving one kilometer (0.62 miles), he clocked in at an average 171.878 kph — or about 106 miles per hour. The previous record, set in 2007, was 158.828 kph (almost 99 mph).The 9,920-lb. Buggyra Freightliner truck he drove is a big rig with modifications. The engine was adjusted to accelerate quickly and the tires had to have maximum traction. The 33-year-old Vrsecky, from the Czech Republic, has been making a name for himself in the truck racing world for a while now...

Labels: fastest truck

TRUCKS SALES * Europe - Drop a record 38 percent in February

Brussels,Belgium -The Trucker/The Associated Press -25 March 2009: -- EU sales of trucks, vans and buses dropped a record 38.7 percent in February from a year ago, car makers' association ACEA said Wednesday... The group, which represents commercial vehicle makers Scania AB, Man AG, Volkswagen AG, AB Volvo, DAF Trucks and Iveco SpA, has warned that they are suffering badly as companies cut back big-ticket purchases... Nearly 130,000 commercial vehicles were sold last month, ACEA said, even worse than a 35.6 percent year-on-year drop in January...

Labels: trucks sales

TRUCKING SCHOOLS * USA - Driven to try for a new job on the road

The unemployed are clamoring for a chance at motoring through a desert sunrise for $40,000 a year... But while workers seek refuge in the cab of a Peterbilt, the trucking industry is feeling its own pinch. More than 3,000 trucking companies with five or more drivers tanked in 2008

Raleigh,NC,USA -The Associated Press/The Trucker, by JOSH SHAFFER -25 March 2009: -- Every student at Carolina Trucking Academy was either laid-off or fed-up, so they lined up to take nerve-racking turns driving an 18-wheeler in reverse — all betting that life as a trucker will make a sweet Plan B... The News & Observer of Raleigh reported that the idea of big-rig travel has pushed enrollment up 30 percent at some North Carolina trucking schools, even as driver jobs dwindle. The unemployed are clamoring for a chance at motoring through a desert sunrise for $40,000 a year... Check the students at Charlie Gray’s academy in south Raleigh and there’s not one stereotypical chaw-chomper in the bunch: ... They all imagine a new life viewed through the windshield of a 75-foot rig...

Labels: drivers' schools

CLEAN TRUCKS DEBATE * USA - L.A. Mayor Villaraigosa responds to court’s port decision

Los Angeles,CAL,USA -The Trucker, by Dorothy Cox -24 March 2009: -- Making the best out of what could have been considered bad news for California’s clean truck program from the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals last week, Los Angeles Mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa, defended efforts to clean up harmful emissions, adding that, “While the District Court has been asked to undertake further proceedings with respect to the case, the City of Los Angeles is pleased that the centerpiece components of the clean truck program that are currently in effect — i.e., the dirty truck ban and clean truck fee — remain intact …,” the mayor said... The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit essentially agreed with the American Trucking Associations in its challenge of the California ports’ concession part of the clean truck program, saying that part of the provisions would “irrevocably” hurt motor carriers... The Port of L.A. generates 919,000 regional jobs and $39.1 billion in annual wages and tax revenues. A proprietary department of the City of Los Angeles, the Port is self-supporting and does not receive taxpayer dollars...

Labels: Clean Truck Program debate

MEXICANS' TRUCKS * USA: Eyes new truck plan before Obama trip

Washington,DC,USA -Reuters, by Doug Palmer -Mar 24, 2008: -- U.S. President Barack Obama's administration hopes to assemble a proposal to resolve a trucking dispute with Mexico before he visits the country in mid-April, an official said on Tuesday... The United States committed in the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico to open its roads to Mexican trucks, but the U.S. Teamsters union has continued to fight that... U.S. Transportation Secretary, Ray LaHood, has been working with other Obama administration officials and members of Congress to design a program that would allow Mexican trucks into the United States, the administration official said... Mexico wants to work with the United States to resolve the dispute but rejects the explanation that Congress shut down the program for safety concerns, Mexico's Ambassador to the United States Arturo Sarukhan said... (Photo by Mexican Trucker Online: On a mexican road)

* Obama's 'Trade War': No Truck with Mexico - Clinton may be able to come home from her Mexico trip with some good news...

Mexico City,DF,MEX -The Time, by Ioan Grillo -Mar. 25, 2009: -- ... This month's ban on Mexican truckers operating in U.S. territory quickly led to Mexico imposing retaliatory tariffs on a wide range of American products... Down in Mexico, the administration of President Felipe Calderon accused the U.S. of being hypocritical and protectionist. They have a strong case. Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Mexican trucks were meant to be roaming some U.S. roads in 1995 and the width and breadth of the whole union by 2000. However, successive U.S. administrations could not say no to Teamster complaints that Mexican trucks were not fit for the interstates. Finally, both sides agreed on the pilot program to break the deadlock... "We consider that the United States is mistaken, protectionist and clearly violating the treaty," Mexico's Economy Secretary, Gerardo Ruiz Mateos,told a news conference on Mar. 16. "To decide to protect their own transport sector they have decided to affect the competitiveness of our countries and of the region, impacting many other productive sectors."... However, an end to the dispute may be in sight. Obama's Transportation Secretary, Ray LaHood, met with U.S. lawmakers Tuesday, saying he planned to restart the pilot program with sufficient safety requirements imposed on Mexican truckers. Though key American congressmen have yet to sign on to LaHood's initiative, Ruiz said the same day that Mexico would remove the tariffs to reciprocate if the program was reinstituted. "For us, the solution is to go on with the program that we had," he said. "In the moment the United States returns to its commitments, we will eliminate all the tariffs we imposed." (Photo by Lenny Ignelzi / AP - Trucks crossing into the United States from Mexico pour through a US Custom's inspection station at the Otay Mesa Border Crossing in San Diego)

Labels: mexicans' trucks debate

SURVEY * USA - Recession Reshapes Trucking

As tonnage plummets and shippers struggle to pay bills, more truckload carriers are looking for an exit — or a new strategy

Newark,NJ,USA -The Journal of Commerce Online, by William B. Cassidy -Mar 24, 2009: -- This recession could lead to fundamental change in trucking comparable to the upheaval that followed motor carrier deregulation in 1980, says Transport Capital Partners, a Nashville, Tenn.-based financial consulting firm that specializes in trucking acquisitions and finance... Almost one quarter of the truckload carriers surveyed by the firm this month said they were giving “serious consideration” to leaving the business or liquidating if tonnage does not increase within the next six months — an event only 21.4 percent of the carriers said they expect... TCP's report provides further evidence of the recession's impact not just on trucking but transportation and supply chains. Carriers of all types and modes are throttling back capacity as shippers are pounded by plunging demand for the goods they produce or sell... The result, TCP and others warn, could be a radically smaller carrier and equipment pool that could leave shippers short on the docks just when they need trailer space...

Labels: surveys

Clean-Truck Programs * USA - All over Ports Plan

Ports across the country are developing programs to cut pollution

Newark,NJ,USA -The Journal of Commerce Online, by Bill Mongelluzzo -Mar 24, 2009: -- From the Pacific Northwest to New York-New Jersey, ports across the U.S. are developing clean-truck programs, although they will attempt to avoid the litigation and fees associated with the Los Angeles-Long Beach program... Due to the unique geography and climatic conditions of Southern California and the large concentration of distribution centers that are located as far as 60 miles from the harbor, trucks account for 36 percent of all particulate matter pollution in Long Beach and 40 percent in Los Angeles... By contrast, trucks account for 1 percent of total port PM emissions in Tacoma and 7 percent in Seattle, Sarah Flagg, seaport air quality program manager at the Port of Seattle said. Those ports are heavily rail-dependent, and their intermodal transfer yards are located at or near the waterfront... Trucks account for 7 percent of total port PM emissions in Oakland, 5.6 percent in Houston and 12 percent in New York-New Jersey... The general intention of clean-truck programs at other ports is to expedite the introduction of new 2007-model trucks that meet federal Environmental Protection Agency clean-air standards, or to encourage retrofitting of trucks to reduce pollution...

Labels: "Clean Trucks" Programs

Exploring Fuel Alternatives * USA - For the Largest Civilian Fleet - the USPS

With an estimated 219,000 service vehicles, the United State Postal Service operates the largest civilian fleet in the country

USA -Consumer Energy Report, by Gerri L. Elder -March 24, 2009: -- Since the vast majority of these vehicles are powered by gasoline, rising gas prices are having a huge impact on operating costs... According to the New York Times, every 1-cent increase in the price of a gallon of gas costs the USPS $8 million. In 2007, the fleet drank $1.7 billion in gasoline. This year costs are projected to go up by $600 million, giving the USPS the motivation to find alternatives... Ruth Y. Goldway, a member of the United States Postal Regulatory Commission writes, “Converting just its 142,000 standard delivery trucks would reduce gasoline consumption by up to 68 million gallons a year and save the Postal Service millions of dollars. Delivery vehicles could be powered by electricity from solar panels installed on the roofs of mail sorting centers and local post offices — a self-sufficient system. You could plug in your own electric car there while you drop off parcels and buy stamps.“ ... The USPS already had one failed attempt at reducing dependence on gasoline. Between 1999 and 2005, it purchased more than 30,000 ethanol-capable trucks and minivans. The vehicles had larger engines than the vehicles they replaced and got as much as 29 percent fewer miles per gallon. Since corn-based fuel is not readily available in many areas, the USPS powered less than 1,000 of the vehicles with ethanol... (Photo. With more than 200,000 vehicles, the USPS can make a significant impact if they were to revamp their fleet)

Labels: alternative fuels

CLEAN TRUCKS PROGRAM * USA - Port waives fees for some private trucks

Long Beach,CAL,USA -The Press Telegram, by Kris Hanson -23 March 2009: -- Long Beach is scrapping container fees for truck owners who forgo public funds to purchase clean diesel fleets used in and around the harbor... The move - effective May 4 - comes in the wake of a barrage of complaints from businesses upset that Long Beach continued levying fees on containers moved by "clean" trucks purchased without financial help from the ports... By contrast, Los Angeles has been exempting containers handled by privately-funded rigs since October... The decision comes as businesses look to cut costs in the wake of an unprecedented downturn in international trade. Cargo volumes in Long Beach dropped 40 percent in February from a year prior...

Labels: "Clean Trucks" Programs

TRANSPORT & LOGISTIC NEWS * WORLDWIDE

Briefing Weekly News

from Freight Forwarding

* Switzerland - Panalpina reports reasonable 2008 results – and extensive job cuts
- Panalpina is the latest major global freight forwarder to announce extensive job losses after releasing a mixed set of annual results for 2008. Read Full Brief Here

* Germany - Dachser acquires 10% stake in Spanish partner Azkar
- German worldwide forwarder and logistics provider Dachser yesterday (March 19) announced it had acquired a 10% share in Spanish logistics provider Azkar. Read Full News Here

from Contract Logistics

* UK - Retailing giant takes part of its logistics in-house
- It has been revealed that the UK’s largest retailer, Tesco, has decided to take some of its distribution operations in-house. The move follows a company review of supply chain strategy. Read Full Brief Here

* Germany - DB Schenker opens ‘flagship’ logistics centre in Vietnam
- Schenker Vietnam Co Ltd yesterday (March 17) opened a flagship facility in Binh Duong Province, close to Ho Chi Minh City. Read Full News Here

from Express & Mail

* USA - FedEx calls the bottom after a tough third quarter
- "We have probably hit the bottom (of the economic downturn)," Fred Smith commented to analysts during the presentation of FedEx Corporation’s latest quarterly figures yesterday, March 19. Read Full Brief Here

* Germany - time:matters announces cooperation with Brussels Airlines
- Lufthansa Cargo group’s special service provider for courier, sameday and emergency logistics, time:matters, has formed a partnership with Belgian carrier Brussels Airlines. Read Full News Here

* USA - State of New York selects DHL as international express provider
- The US State of New York, Office of General Services, has awarded DHL one of two five-year state-wide contracts for international express shipping services. Read Full News Here

from Road Freight

* France - Geodis buys two Giraud International divisions
- Geodis, part of the Transport and Logistics division of French rail organisation SNCF, it set to acquire part of the activities of another French transport/logistics provider, Giraud International. Read Full News Here

from Air Cargo

* UK - BA World Cargo retains Stansted as longhaul freighter base
- British Airways World Cargo is to continue operating its longhaul freighter programme to/from the Far East, South Asia and North America out of London Stansted. Read Full News Here

* USA - Agility DGS wins $5m a year military stores air freight contract
- Agility Defense & Government Services has won a contract to provide air freight pick-up and delivery services for US Army & Air Force Exchange Service stores around the world. Read Full News Here

from Shipping/Ports

* Dubai - Jebel Ali Port launches online general cargo services
- DP World has announced the launch of online general cargo services for customers at its flagship Jebel Ali Port in the UAE. Read Full News Here

* Norway - Automotive logistics specialist WWL to lay up 15-20% of vessel capacity
- Latest confirmation of the severe downturn in the global automotive industry comes from one of the leading logistics players serving that market, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL). Read Full News Here

* Japan - Four lines to launch joint Far East-South Africa-South America service
- Four Asian container shipping lines are to launch a joint service between the Far East, including China, and the east coast of South America, via South Africa, from mid-June. Read Full News Here

* Dubai - DP World assumes operating concession at port of Algiers
- Dubai-based global marine terminal operator DP World yesterday (March 19) reported it had officially taken control of operations at the North African port of Algiers. Read Full News Here

Labels: transport and logistics news

HOS * USA - The Hours Of Service Rules: Myths And Facts

Arlington,VA,USA -American Trucking Associations/Logistic On Line -March 23, 2009: --

# 1 Myth: The 11-hour driving limit and 34-hour restart provisions will significantly increase truck crashes and fatalities.

- Facts: Since January of 2004 when the 11-hour driving limit and 34-hour restart went into effect, the large truck-involved fatal crashes fell from 4,335 (2003) to 4,190 (2007), while the number of truck miles traveled increased by 11B. The number of truck-involved fatalities has also decreased by more than 200 from 5,036 in 2003 to 4,808 in 2007. The truck-involved fatality rate (i.e., the number of fatalities divided by the miles traveled by trucks) has come down more than 10 percent and is at its lowest since the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) began keeping records in 1975...

# 2 Myth: The 34-hour restart provision disregards the safety and health implications of cumulative fatigue on drivers.

- Facts: FMCSA determined that the new hours of service rules through their combined effects would "not have a deleterious effect on the physical condition of the [truck] operators." Data from the Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics appear to support FMCSA's conclusion, showing that the rate of occupational injuries and illnesses in the trucking industry decreased by nearly 18 percent between 2004 and 2007... An American Transportation Research Institute study on the impact of the new hours of service rules also found that the 34-hour restart, 10 hours off, and 11 hours of driving time are drivers' most preferred features...

# 3 Myth: The 34-hour restart will generate very long driving and on-duty times.

- Facts: In the real world, this has not been the case. FMCSA found in their 2007 field study that only 27 percent of long-haul drivers were using any part of the maximum 11th driving hour. Only 8 percent of the restarts were exactly 34 hours, while 65 percent exceeded 44 hours...

Labels: HOS debate

TRUCKMAKERS´ NEWS * WORLDWIDE

* Germany - Daimler Says Abu Dhabi Investment Will Provide Cash Advantage

Stuttgart,Germany -Bloomberg, by Chris Reiter & Stefanie Haxel -March 23, 2009: -- Daimler AG, the second-largest maker of luxury cars, said the sale of a 9.1 percent stake to an Abu Dhabi investment fund gives it an advantage over rivals that have yet to seek additional cash as automotive markets shrink... Daimler raised 1.95 billion euros ($2.66 billion) selling new shares to Aabar Investments PJSC. The money will be used to finance fuel-saving technology such as development of battery- powered vehicles...

* India - Ashok to stay at half capacity

Mumbai,India -The Financial Times (London,England,UK), by Joe Leahy -March 23 2009: -- Ashok Leyland, India's second largest truckmaker, expects to keep most of its factories operating at half capacity until at least the second half of this year in the face of a worsening downturn... R. Seshasayee, the group's managing director, called on the government to implement long-delayed infrastructure plans to help India's once burgeoning heavy vehicle and construction industry weather the downturn... The problems gripping the Indian truck manufacturing sector, one of the most important industries in a country that depends on road transport to move the bulk of its freight, are an indication of the deepening slowdown afflicting the wider economy...

* Japan - Vehicle Sales May Fall to a 32-Year Low on Recession

Tokyo,Japan -Bloomberg, by Naoko Fujimura -March 24, 2998: -- Japan’s vehicle sales may fall to the lowest in 32 years as the country’s deepening recession discourages customers from visiting showrooms... Industrywide sales of minicars, cars, trucks and buses, may fall 8 percent to 4.3 million vehicles for the year starting April 1 from estimated 4.67 million this fiscal year, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association said in a statement today...

Labels: truckmakers news worldwide

TWIC cards * USA - Port offices expanded to process ones, at Long Beach and Los Angeles

Washington,DC,USA -Land Line Magazine, by Charlie Morasch -23 March 2009: -- Many major U.S. ports are about to begin mandatory enforcement of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential, and at least one office will be working rapidly to activate many TWIC cards... Enforcement began at the Port of New York on Monday, March 23. And on April 14, enforcement will begin at ports in the Captain of the Port zones of Guam; Houston/Galveston; Los Angeles and Long Beach; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Port Arthur, TX... Standard TWIC enrollment costs $132.50, although workers with “current, comparable” threat assessment background checks such as hazmat endorsements... The card is designed to last five years...

Labels: TWIC

STRIKE * Mexico - Trucker's strike called off

Mexico,DF,MEX -Land Line Magazine -March 23, 2009: -- The Monday, March 23, strike by Mexican motor carriers was called off thanks to an 11th hour deal struck between the National Chamber of Autotransporte de Carga – Canacar -- and the Mexican government... Canacar, Mexico’s motor carrier association, called for all trucking companies in Mexico to strike on the major roads in the country because of concerns revolving around fiscal subjects such as diesel costs and tolls... According to the statement, the agreement included items such as tax breaks for motor carriers, a debt-restructuring program, better security on various highways, and improved response on reports of stolen trucks and trailers... Nor did the subsequent agreement between Canacar and the Mexican government address the now dead cross-border trucking program...

* Truck drivers protest Mexican diesel prices in Reynosa

Reynosa,Tamaulipas,MEX -The Monitor (McAllen,TX,USA) /La Frontera, by Jared Taylor & Martha Leticia Hernández -March 23, 2009: -- Dozens of Mexican truck drivers stood beside their parked rigs Monday near the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge to protest the country's climbing diesel fuel prices and transport tax rates... The price of diesel has jumped by nearly 30 percent since last summer, when the Mexican government began to raise the country's fuel prices. A liter of diesel currently sells for nearly 8 pesos, or about $2.10 a gallon... That increase has eaten into Mexican cargo companies' profits, which, the protesters said, have virtually disappeared since fuel prices began to rise...

Labels: strikes and protests

TRUCKING INDUSTRY NEWS * USA - CARB says retrofit rule time allowance applies to leased truck owners

CAL,USA -Land Line Magazine -March 20, 2009: -- Truck drivers who are leased on to major motor carriers would count as “small truck fleets,” enabling them to have more time to comply with California’s recently approved diesel engine in-use rule, also known as the retrofit rule... The California Air Resources Board approved the truck and bus rule in December. The truck and bus rule, also known as the “retrofit” rule, requires all trucks and buses that operate in California to meet new diesel emissions performance standards between 2011 and 2023. By January 1, 2023, all diesel trucks must have a 2010 model year engine or newer...

Labels: trucking industry news USA

North American Highway Hero Award * USA - Goodyear’s Highway Hero is Jorge Sanchez

Louisville,KY,USA -Land Line Magazine -March 19, 2009: -- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has honored Colorado truck driver Jorge Orozco Sanchez with the 26th Goodyear North American Highway Hero Award, in recognition of his effort in saving two young girls after a horrific highway accident this past October... Orozco Sanchez was hauling grain on Oct. 28, 2008 on Highway 392, north of Greeley, CO, when an SUV suddenly crossed the center line and crashed head-on into his tractor-trailer rig. After impact, the truck pushed the SUV backward down the road for about 200 feet... As the vehicles stopped moving, a shaken Orozco Sanchez quickly jumped from his cab and went to the other vehicle. There, with flames already beginning to surround the vehicles, he saw two girls, strapped into their car seats and crying, and a woman up front who was not moving. Working with a passer-by who used a fire extinguisher to fight back the flames, Orozco Sanchez used his knowledge of child car seats – he has two young children – to rescue the two girls... One of the youngsters was extracted quickly, but the fire was getting bigger and the smoke was so thick he had trouble seeing into the vehicle. He was finally able to remove the other girl. Then the truck’s saddle fuel tanks ruptured and exploded, creating an inferno. The 27-year-old mother died in the crash... Orozco Sanchez sustained burns on his arms from the rescue and was taken to a nearby hospital. The fire reduced the cab and the SUV to rubble, along with burning the side of a nearby building...

Labels: truckers hero

EGR vs. SCR DEBATE * USA - Heats up at Mid-America Trucking Show

“This may be the only time you see the world’s three largest producers of heavy-duty diesel engines in violent agreement about anything”

Louisville,KY,USA -Truck News (CAN), by James Menzies -19 March 2009: -- It was a rare sight: the CEOs of four major engine manufacturers sitting side-by-side on a panel and nodding in agreement as each of the others spoke. The scene was the SCR for 2010 - CEO Summit, hosted by FactsAboutSCR.com at the Mid-America Trucking Show... Included on the panel were: Chris Patterson, CEO of Daimler Trucks North America; Per Carlsson, CEO of Volvo Trucks North America;; Denny Slagle, CEO of Mack Trucks; and Jim Kelly, president of the engine business for Cummins. They were there to extol the virtues of selective catalytic reduction (SCR), the technology each of their respective companies will employ to meet EPA2010 emissions standards... “It strikes me as I sit here that even though we represent a very significant percentage of the world’s heavy-duty engine and truck production, we must not be very good leaders,” chided Volvo’s Carlsson. “And the thousands of engineers working for us around the globe must not be very bright, because we’ve selected SCR for EPA2010. And according to the sole adopter of massive EGR, we’ve all made the wrong choice.”... Daimler Trucks North America’s Patterson pointed out “This may be the only time you see the world’s three largest producers of heavy-duty diesel engines in violent agreement about anything.”... He suggested focusing on the benefits of SCR, including fuel economy improvements of about 5%. (Each of the engine OEMs represented cited similar fuel economy gains will be achieved with their versions of SCR)...

* ... And Navistar ? ...

Louisville,KY,USA -Truck News (CAN), by James Menzies -19 March 2009: -- Navistar's Tim Shick, director of marketing with Navistar’s engine group response, said Navistar is more confident than ever that it has made the right choice by carving its own path... Navistar will use emissions credits to slowly work its way down to the EPA2010 NOx limit of 0.2 g/bhp-hr, beginning at a level of 0.5 grams on Jan. 1, 2010. When asked for an explanation on how Navistar will meet the 0.2 g NOx limit once its emissions credits run out (expected to occur sometime in 2012), Shick said “If you put enough exhaust gas back into an engine, you can reach just about any level of NOx you want – that’s not the challenge.”... He continued: “The challenge at that level is to retain good performance, fuel economy and durability. And the way we ensure that is, every time we take the EGR rate up in the series of steps we’re making to the final 0.2 g emissions engine, we also take the fuel pressure up. We recalibrate to make sure that all those ingredients in the mix are optimized, and so far we’ve seen in the lab and we have trucks on the road today that show it definitely can be done, we are doing it and we will bring it out…the key to it is that high pressure common rail fuel system, that’s the magic ingredient.”...

* Navistar comes out swinging about "truly nutty" SCR alternative - International’s decision to stick with EGR rather than switch to SCR technology as forward thinking

Louisville,KY,USA -Truck News (CAN), by Lou Smyrlis -19 March 2009: -- Speaking before customers, dealers and the media at an exclusive night event at the Mid America Trucking Show, Navistar, not only defended its decision to be the only truck maker staying the course in meeting the 2010 emissions with EGR technology, it came out swinging... Dee Kapur, president, Navistar Truck Group, has been a vocal critic of SCR and he didn’t hold back, calling it “the truly nutty” alternative that asks truck buyers to deal with the “toxic agent” of urea... Jack Allen, president of Navistar’s North American Truck Group, said advanced EGR makes it easier for customers, and engine designs exceeded government standards, as the better way to go... Allen also questioned the environmental and operational impact of having to use urea with the SCR alternative. He said urea is going to prove expensive, using a figure of $35 a gallon... He added that availability of urea may also be a problem, arguing that even if 500 locations initially offer urea across the US, that’s a small portion of the 35,000 diesel locations across the US... Allen characterized International’s decision to stick with EGR rather than switch to SCR technology as forward thinking... (See Animated image about)

* Volvo says 'so long' to active DPF re-gens

Louisville,KY,USA -Truck News (CAN) -19 March 2009: -- Volvo Trucks North America announced today that it will no longer require active diesel particulate filter (DPF) regenerations on its 2010 engines with selective catalytic reduction (SCR)... In extensive field testing, engineers have noted highway trucks with Volvo’s 2010 engines and SCR have been able to regenerate passively 100% of the time. That’s significant, because active regenerations require a dose of diesel fuel... Ed Saxman, drivetrain product manager with Volvo Trucks North America, said the ability to regenerate the DPF passively each and every time is another compelling reason to embrace SCR in 2010...

* ENDINGLY: Denny Slagle, CEO of Mack Trucks urged everyone to do their due diligence when selecting an engine technology for 2010... (P.N. ... and we agree with !!!)

Labels: EGR vs SCR

EPA's Clean Diesel Campaign * USA - Could Drive Business to Truck Dealers

Norcross,GA,USA -Associated Construction Publications -23 March 2009: -- A new initiative from the Environmental Protection Agency designed to reduce diesel emissions and improve air quality could help drum up business for the nation's struggling medium and heavy-duty truck dealers... The EPA's National Clean Diesel Campaign has launched a competitive grant program to help public agencies, such as state governments and municipalities with jurisdiction over transportation and air quality issues, reduce diesel emissions from their fleets.
"Although commercial truck dealers are not eligible for direct funding, dealers can benefit indirectly by retrofitting diesel trucks already in use or selling new trucks to agencies that receive grant money," says Doug Greenhaus, director of environment, health and safety for the National Automobile Dealers Association... The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, signed into law by President Barack Obama on February 17, includes $300 million to support clean diesel activities to retrofit or replace not only commercial trucks, but also buses, marine engines, locomotives and non-road engines; and vehicles used for construction, cargo handling (including ports and airports), agriculture, mining and energy production...

Labels: trucks purchase prospects

TRANSPORT & LOGISTIC * USA - N.Y./ N.J. Port Sees First Decline in 15 Years

The port is the East Coast’s largest

New York/New Jersey, USA -Transport Topics -23 March 2009: -- Container traffic at the Port of New York and New Jersey fell last year for the first time in 15 years, the Associated Press reported... The number of 20-foot equivalent units, or TEUs, moving in and out of the complex dropped by less than 1% last year, to 5.27 million units, AP said, citing the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey... The number of loaded TEUs plunged 25% in December, while imports dropped 11%. November exports fell 10% and imports fell 4%...

Labels: transport and logistics news

TRUCKING INDUSTRY NEWS * USA - EPA Offers Grants to Fleets to Help Buy ‘Greener’ Trucks

Washington,DC,USA -Transport Topics, by Frederick Kiel -March 23,2009: -- The Environmental Protection Agency last week launched a program that could give fleet owners up to 25% of a new vehicle’s cost for every diesel truck it replaces with a diesel-electric hybrid, liquefied natural gas or other alternate-fueled engine... Suzanne Ackerman, EPA spokeswoman, said the grants are funded by the $156 million National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program, part of the federal economic stimulus legislation... The grants are in addition to federal tax credits of $6,000 to $12,000 per vehicle... Eaton Corp., Kalamazoo, Mich., maker of hybrid power systems used by four major truck manufacturers, said that it has established a program to assist diesel truck fleet owners applying for the EPA grants, which require proof that an existing diesel truck has been taken out of service for each new hybrid purchased...

Labels: trucking industry news USA

Clean Truck Program * USA - Tacoma Gets One, but No Clean Truck Fees

Tacoma,CAL,USA -The Cunningham Report - 22 March 2009: -- Port of Tacoma Commissioners have adopted a voluntary truck emissions improvement program that is free of fees associated with the Clean Truck Programs in Southern California... Tacoma officials have said repeatedly that they want to avoid the kinds of fees established at the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach, which they believe would drive business away from Puget Sound. Drayage trucks serving the heavily intermodal port contribute only one percent of the diesel particulate emissions in the Puget Sound region... Under the program adopted last week, the port will implement a series of practices to encourage independent truckers and trucking companies to modernize their fleets...

* Court ruling deals setback to California clean trucks scheme

Los Angeles,CAL,USA -Lloydslist (UK), by Rajesh Joshi -23 March 2009: -- An Appellate Court Verdict in California has dealt a significant setback to the clean-trucks programme introduced by the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach... The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that the lower district court, in a decision handed down last year, made an error in not allowing the American Trucking Associations’ request for an injunction, which would have prevented the implementation of concession requirements included in the programme.
Agreeing with a different issue raised during the course the appeal, the Circuit Court held that the concession agreements improperly attempted to regulate the price, route, and service of a motor carrier in violation of federal law... However, the Circuit Court has left it up to the district court to decide whether the concession agreements are to be enjoined, that is, prevented entirely or only in portions that are pre-empted by federal law and are illegal...

Labels: Clean Trucks Program, p

HELP WANTED * USA - TRUCK DRIVERS

The trucking industry as a whole has spent years coping with a significant driver shortage. The shortage particularly is felt in long haul, or "over the road," positions

Vineland,NJ,USA -The Daily Journal, by JOSEPH P. SMITH -March 23, 2009: -- The trucking industry isn't quite recession-proof, but it's one of the few job markets still posting "Help Wanted" signs... Riggins Oil employs about 75 drivers to support one of South Jersey's largest family-owned fuel sale and distribution operations. It's short four drivers at the moment, and there's no predicting when turnover will change the ratio for the worse... Foundry Service Corp. is in a comparable hiring rut. The company is 11 drivers short of the 75 it likes to have, according to President Matt Milam... Milam said the company might have to sort through 25 to 30 applicants to find 10 who are acceptable... (Photo by Cody Glenn - Foundry Service Corp. President Tim Milam (left) and brother and CEO Matt Milam, an Assemblyman, have struggled with a shortage of qualified drivers)

Labels: drivers' shortage

WAR TRADE with MEXICO * USA - Doing wrong by Mexico

Boston,MA,USA -The Boston Herald -March 21, 2009: -- Mexico has announced new tariffs, generally 20 percent, on 90 U.S. products as retaliation for failure of the U.S. government to permit more Mexican trucks to deliver in the United States as agreed to in the NAFTA treaty 14 years ago... According to a NAFTA committee ruling, Mexico is entirely in the right and we’re surprised it has waited this long to act. The shameful disregarding of treaty obligations, first by the Clinton administration and then by Congress, at the behest of the Teamsters Union is a dreadful example to other countries... Mexico is slapping its major trading partner on the wrist, though particular states like California may be stung. The new tariffs cover only 1.5 percent of Mexico’s U.S. imports - some produce, wines, certain toiletries, telephone gear, batteries and other odds and ends... Congress will not tremble before the shampoo lobby. Mexico might have concentrated on internationally competitive industries. A 20 percent tariff on construction equipment, available from Komatsu of Japan, and gas turbines, available from ABB of Switzerland, might have provoked members of the United Auto Workers at Caterpillar and of the International Union of Electrical Workers at General Electric to storm Capitol Hill... We’d suggest that Congress repeal the trucking provision because it’s the right thing to do. But with this Congress that’s hardly a persuasive argument...

* Back the truck up - It's a bad time to start a trade war with Mexico

Savannah,GA,USA -The Savannah Morning News -23 March 2009: -- As a major U.S. port, Savannah reaps the benefits of free trade... So does the rest of Georgia and the Southeast... Unfortunately, President Obama is fumbling the free trade issue in the Southwest in an attempt to placate the Teamsters union... He must quickly recover and nip this dangerous tilt toward protectionism. Otherwise, he's risks sending the wrong message to our global trading partners during a time when the nation can ill-afford it... The issue? A looming trade war with Mexico, our country's third-largest trading partner... Getting all unsafe trucks off the highways is a legitimate goal. But the biggest issue here isn't safety. It's protectionism...

* Is Protectionism Taking Hold?

USA -Finding Dulcinea -23 March 2009: -- ... According to NPR, the trucking program has been “vigorously opposed by the Teamsters union, which represents U.S. truck drivers,” since it began as part of NAFTA in 1994. Teamsters have claimed Mexican trucks are not safe, which has been disproved, but the American union carries great weight with Congress... NPR reports, “Congress killed the pilot program last week at the urging of the Teamsters union and their supporters.”... Some are calling the program cancellation an example of protectionism, which is almost universally regarded as “a bad thing” by economists right now. According to NPR, protectionism “is just what is developing between the U.S. and Mexico.”... According to a March 13 article in YaleGlobal that discussed trade policies and global economic recovery, “the recession emboldens protectionist forces.”... “Trade is experiencing a sudden, severe and globally synchronized collapse,” but the protectionism of today is different than the “1930s-style protection that relies on transparent tariff barriers,” YaleGlobal reported. Instead, today's protectionist measures are discriminating ”against foreign firms, workers and investors.” ... (Photo by Guillermo Arias/AP - A truck drives out the Mexican transport custom of Otay after crossing into Mexico from the United States)

Labels: mexicans' trucks debate

Futuristic Shuttle * USA - Could eventually carry freight from border

Hidalgo County asks Texas A&M developer to consider U.S. 281 as first route for technology

Edinburg,TX,USA -The Monitor, by Jared Janes -March 21, 2009: -- The idea of moving freight through an underground tunnel from the Mexican border to points north was the sort of futuristic concept that was ultimately determined to be technologically feasible but economically moot.,, Excavating a tunnel hundreds of miles long was found to be too cost prohibitive to ever make it off the drawing board, said Steve Roop, one of a team of researchers at Texas A&M University's Texas Transportation Institute who were funded by Congress in 1999 to examine the possibility of underground freight movement... Hidalgo County and other government and business interests, meanwhile, support the project as an economic development tool... Hidalgo County Judge J.D. Salinas said the shuttle could draw more manufacturing companies to the border by offering them a reliable transportation alternative that is cheaper and faster than trucks... More than 1,300 heavy trucks travel along U.S. 281 each day, with that number expected to double by 2030, Salinas said. By then, the Universal Freight Shuttle could be up and running, moving goods from the border using renewable energy and creating zero emissions...

Labels: transports projects

DANGEROUS * USA - Unsafe Trucks Can Kill

Keep them off the road

Philadelphia,PA,USA -The Philadelphia Inquirer -Mar. 21, 2009: -- About 5,000 people are killed each year in the United States in crashes involving large trucks. Few of the deaths were more preventable than David Schreffler's... Schreffler, 49, of Fort Washington, was driving on the Schuylkill Expressway in January when traffic slowed. A big rig behind his car was unable to stop and caused a multi-vehicle crash that killed him... State police inspected the truck, and what they found was deplorable. The brakes on the 18-wheeler were defective; three of the 10 brake assemblies had failed completely and others were in bad shape... The truck was on the road despite receiving 18 safety violations in the previous six months. Four times, authorities in other states had ordered the rig taken out of service, for faulty brakes and a falsified driver's log... Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman, this week announced vehicular homicide charges against the truck driver, Valerijs Belovs, 55, of Northeast Philadelphia; the owner of the rig, Victor Kalinitchii, 41, of Philadelphia; and Joseph Jadczak, 61, of Delaware, owner of the Philadelphia garage that allegedly sold an inspection sticker for the truck for $200, without inspecting it... The probe into this fatal crash may have prevented another tragedy. When state police arrived at Pratt's Auto Repair in Northeast Philadelphia to charge Jadczak, they witnessed another truck driver allegedly obtaining a new inspection sticker without getting an inspection. Now, police are asking 300 other trucks that were inspected at Pratt to be reinspected... Ferman and state police deserve credit for making this case a priority. Too many owners or operators of tractor-trailer rigs manage to evade regulations and keep unsafe trucks on the highways... State police pulled over 67,584 trucks in Pennsylvania in 2008 to look for safety problems. They issued 34,000 citations. But the police don't have the staff needed to follow up and make sure all those cited violations are corrected. In the meantime, trucks like the one that killed Schreffler go back on the road...

Labels: dangerous drivers

TRUCKMAKERS' NEWS * USA - Analysts upgrades Navistar

Saying truckmaker will rebound early in economic recovery

Chicago,ILL,USa -The Chicago Tribune/McClatchy-Tribune -March 21, 2009: -- Barrington Research analyst Walter Liptak raised his investment rating on the beaten-down shares of truck and engine maker Navistar International Corp. to "outperform" from "market perform" Friday, calling the Warrenville company a classic "early-cycle play" that will be among the first stocks to recover when the economy turns up... For heavy trucks, the trough year may be 2009, he suggests... Navistar Chairman and Chief Executive Dan Ustian has "properly positioned the company to take full advantage of the truck market recovery, which will be amplified in this cycle by a very old fleet age and impending [engine] emission standards," the analysts said in raising his rating... While the time frame for the economy's eventual rebound remains uncertain, Liptak said, "investors can rest assured that Navistar is poised to be the first out of the gate once the North American economy turns." ...

* Western Star Trucks Offers New Configuration for 4900 FA Series

Louisville,KY,USA -TruckingInfo -23 March 2009: -- Western Star Trucks announced a new configuration option for its 4900 FA model series... Geared toward the construction and severe-duty applications such as West Coast mixers and super dump applications, the new set-forward 109-inch BBC twin steer features a three degree wheel cut improvement over previous designs, which offers greater maneuverability for off-road applications... The 4900 FA 109-inch twin steer is equipped with a 450-horsepower, 12.8L MBE 4000 engine, Eaton Fuller 11-speed transmission and Meritor Tandem 40,000 pound front axles and 46,000 pound rear axles... The 4900 FA twin steer features a roomy and well-insulated cab, in addition to suspended brake and clutch petals... (Photo: 4900 FA in the Mid America Show 2009)

Labels: truckmakers' news USA

SCR * USA - EPA Now Approves SCR, Official Says

"The industry has done a fantastic job in convincing us. This is an integrated, clean and straightforward solution”

Louisville,KY,USA -Transport Topics -20 March 2009: -- Truck and engine makers’ work on selective catalytic reduction technology has convinced the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to abandon its “historical hesitancy” on that approach to emissions control... Byron Bunker, a division director in EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality, said here his agency initially was concerned about SCR because the system requires substantial cooperation by the driver and widespread availability of diesel exhaust fluid, or liquid urea...

Labels: SCR selective catalyst reduction

REPORT * Russia - Logistics market

10 reasons to invest in

London.UK -Transport Intelligence, by Raphael Chalogany -20 March 2009: -- The report is published at a critical time for the industry which, after a period of intense growth, has been severely affected by the global economic slowdown and credit crunch. This has meant that new transport infrastructure projects, sorely needed after years of underinvestment, are likely to be postponed or cancelled... According to the report’s author, Raphael Chalogany , even during the good times the Russian business environment is one of the most challenging in the world... "Inefficiency, bureaucracy and corruption are rife and security is still a major issue for logistics companies and shippers," commented Chalogany. "Systemic structural problems combine with the vast geography of the country to create truly unique supply chain challenges."... However, despite these problems, the Russian market continues to offer some of the best long term prospects in Europe for logistics and express companies. Chalogany identified ten key reasons why the market continues to attract foreign logistics and express companies: ... Chalogany concluded, "The Russian logistics industry will be one of the key growth markets over the next decade. Although many companies will be put off by the short term pain of falling air, sea and road freight volumes, the real winners will be those who commit to the market for the long term."

Labels: transport and logistics reports

BIODIESEL * USA - backers push mandate to 'save industry'

Des Moines,IA,USA -The Des Moines Register, by DAN PILLER -March 20, 2009: -- With at least four biodiesel plants in Iowa idle because of poor market conditions, advocates in the Iowa Legislature have proposed Iowa's first biofuels mandate that would require all diesel fuel sold in Iowa to be a biodiesel blend beginning July 1... The mandate would replace the state's 3-cent-per-gallon state income tax deduction for retailers for whom biodiesel accounts for at least 50 percent of their fuel sales... (Photo by JOHN GAPS III/REGISTER - Will Fowler of Brownfield, Texas, fuels his truck at the Pilot Truck Stop along Douglas Avenue in Urbandale on Monday. When asked about Iowa's proposed mandate for biodiesel fuel, Fowler said: “I understand what they're doing, but I hear it takes as much fuel to produce a field of soybeans as the biodiesel it produces.” The proposed mandate is now being considered by the Iowa Legislature)

Labels: biodiesel

MEXICANS' TRUCKS * USA - Moves to Patch Mexico Rift

Los Angeles,CAL,USA -The Wall Street Journal (NY), by CHRISTOPHER CONKEY -March 20, 2009: -- The Obama administration began efforts Friday to ease an erupting trade dispute with Mexico by starting work on a new program to give Mexican truckers broader access to U.S. highways... Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood met with officials from the State Department and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to design a cross-border trucking program "that will meet the legitimate concerns of Congress and our [North American Free Trade Agreement] commitments," said a White House spokesman... Kenneth Mead, a former inspector general who reviewed the pilot program, said the Mexican trucks that participated in it received scrutiny well beyond what the average U.S. trucker faces. "If you applied the same standards to U.S. trucks, you'd probably enhance safety," he said. The problem, he said, is that the study was so small. "Will you be able to apply the same level of scrutiny if you open it to a much broader population of Mexican trucks?" he asked... One indicator on the safety of Mexican trucks could be that roughly 1,700 are already on America's highways, "grandfathered" out of the restrictions. Mr. Mead's review team found that these trucks failed vehicle inspections at rates that were slightly higher than those for U.S. trucks... (Photo by Sandy Huffaker for The Wall Street Journal - A pilot program allowing Mexican trucks beyond the 25-mile commercial zone inside the U.S. border suggested they operated safely and routinely passed inspections. Critics contend the program was too limited to accurately draw conclusions, and that monitoring more trucks would be difficult)

Labels: mexicans' trucks debate

CLEAN TRUCKS' COMPLICATIONS * USA - Shippers Find Clean-Truck Ones

LA/LB rule may force carriers to violate through bill of lading terms

Los Angeles,CAL,USA -The Journal of Commerce Online, by Bill Mongelluzzo -Mar 20, 2009: -- Intermodal shippers in Los Angeles-Long Beach say ocean carriers that are attempting to comply with the ports' clean-truck regulations could be violating the terms of the through bill of lading contracts with their customers... Since the ports began collecting clean-truck fees on Feb. 18, most carriers have been letting containers sit on the docks until cargo interests claim the cargo through PortCheck, Bengt Henriksen, president of Quality Logistics in San Carlos, Calif., said. If the free storage time elapses, carriers are charging demurrage (late fees) to the shippers... Henriksen said this could be a violation of the service contracts that carriers sign with their customers. Service contracts with through bills of lading place all of the administrative responsibilities involved in such shipments on the ocean carrier regardless of what a third-party like PortCheck requires, he added... Henriksen has asked the National Industrial Transportation League, a shipper organization, to look into the matter. He also believes the Federal Maritime Commission should become involved... (Photo: Trucks near Port of Long Beach)

* Appellate Panel – Clean Trucks Plans Probably Illegal

Los Angeles,CAL,USA -The Cunningham Report -20 March 2009: -- A three-judge federal panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals says a lower court was wrong to deny a preliminary injunction against the truck concession programs at the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach: "We conclude that the Concession agreements of both the Ports will likely be found to be preempted in whole or in part. The Port of Los Angeles Concession agreement does overreach considerably more than does the Port of Long Beach Concession agreement. However, each is likely to result in at least some irreparable harm to the motor carriers, and, on balance, the district court abused its discretion when it denied a preliminary injunction as to significant parts of the agreements."... The 27-page ruling says the ATA is likely to prevail on the merits of the case and trucking companies are likely to suffer irreparable harm whether or not they sign the concession agreements... The ruling describes the Port of L.A. concession program as the more disruptive of the two, but also finds fault with Long Beach's program. The appellate panel disagreed with the ports' argument that safety requirements provided an exception to federal law and found that, "... the Ports' primary concern was increasing efficiency and regulating the drayage market."... The ruling acknowledges the ports' need to address security and environmental issues, but they have other avenues under programs that have not been challenged and existing laws. Among them are TWIC, PierPASS, PortCheck and other aspects of the two ports' clean truck programs... The case now returns of Judge Christina A. Snyder of the Central District of California, who is ordered to, "proceed as quickly as possible so that ATA will not suffer unnecessary harm from any unconstitutional provisions." ...

Labels: Clean Trucks Program

STRIKE * France - French Strike Rocks Ports, Rails

Workers press President Sarkozy for job protections

Paris,France -The Journal of Commerce, by Bruce Barnard –19 March 2009: -- France’s main seaports are at a standstill and rail freight is being severely disrupted as thousands of longshoremen and rail workers join a general strike to protest the government’s economic policies... The strike has closed container terminals at the main box ports, Le Havre and Marseilles, after longshoremen began a 24 hour strike at 8 p.m. local time on March 18... Elsewhere the picture is mixed. Dunkirk, France’s third largest port, reported container and ferry traffic is operating normally, while cargo handling has halted at some cargo berths... (Photo by C.Y.R.I.L. @ Flickr - Empty space at LeHavre)

Labels: strikes

CLEAN TRUCKS PROGRAM * USA - Court Rejects LA/LB Truck Plan

ATA wins appeal in clean-trucks case; owner operators protected

Los Angeles,CAL,USA -The Journal of Commerce Online, by Bill Mongelluzzo -Mar 20, 2009: -- In a major victory for the harbor trucking industry, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruled Friday that at least some of the Los Angeles-Long Beach concession requirements under their clean-truck program violate federal law... The 9th Circuit remanded the case back to the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles "for an appropriate preliminary injunction."... The appellate court said the district court, in a decision rendered last summer, erred in not granting the American Trucking Associations' request for a preliminary injunction that would have blocked implementation of the concession requirements... (Picture: Drivers examine clean truck)

Labels: Clean Trucks Program

Long Load * Australia - Truck lobby seeks more B-triple rigs

Sydney,NSW,USA -The Sydney Morning Herald, by Debra Jopson -March 21, 2009: -- There are just 26 of them restricted to western NSW but the Australian Trucking Association estimates within a few years 1000 B-triple trucks could travel daily along the Newell Highway and the upgraded Hume Highway... Weighing up to 82.5 tonnes, the 35-metre vehicles would deliver freight to Sydney industrial suburbs but not enter residential areas, said the association's communications manager, Bill McKinley, who claims their use would help save lives and the environment...

Labels: largest trucks

TRUCKING INDUSTRY NEWS * USA - YRC Worldwide to shut down 11 service centers

Overland Park,Kansas,TX,USA -Associated Press/Forbes -20 March 2009: -- Trucking company YRC Worldwide disclosed on Friday that it would shut down 11 service centers used by its Holland subsidiary, shifting the work to other trucking service centers by the end of the first quarter... The move will affect 350 workers, who can apply for open positions elsewhere in the company, YRC said... YRC said it would serve Baltimore, Albany and Syracuse, N.Y., Allentown, Bedford, DuBois, Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Wilkes-Barre, Penn. through a partnership with New Penn... Nine Holland service centers in those markets will shut down...

Labels: trucking industry news USA

TRUCKMAKERS' NEWS WORLDWIDE

* Germany - Daimler Trucks Cuts Pay, Expenses to Save EU1 Billion

Stuttgart,Germany -Bloomberg, by Chris Reiter -March 20,2009: -- Daimler AG plans to save at least 1 billion euros ($1.36 billion) at its truck-making business, the world’s biggest, by cutting spending on pay and marketing as the recession stifles demand for commercial vehicles... The automaker has lowered wages in Japan and North America by 10 percent, reduced the budget for investment in areas unrelated to product development and canceled participation at most truck shows, Andreas Renschler, the head of Daimler’s truck unit, said today at a news conference in Stuttgart, Germany... Daimler, which is closing two truck factories in North America, has also idled production in Mount Holly, North Carolina, because of sluggish demand. The company said it will make further cuts if the market decline continues... Daimler said on March 11 that it will reduce hours for 18,000 production workers at four German factories in response to slumping sales... Fourth-quarter profit at Daimler’s truck unit, which makes Mercedes-Benz, Fuso and Freightliner heavy vehicles, dropped 83 percent to 86 million euros, burdened by 233 million euros in costs relating to 3,500 job cuts, the North American plant closures and the elimination of the Sterling brand... There are signs of recovery in emerging markets such as Brazil, China and Russia, the trucks chief said, and overall demand may turn around late this year...

* USA - Daimler puts innovation on display

Louisville,Ky,USA -Today's Trucking -20 March 2009: -- The Innovation Truck features advanced technologies directly from Daimler Trucks North America's (DTNA) development labs. It takes Freightliner Trucks' most aerodynamic solution - the Cascadia - and adds a sampling of cutting-edge advancements that will further enhance fuel economy... Building on the Cascadia platform, the Innovation Truck reflects greater refinement in aerodynamics with the addition of rear wheel fairings to smooth the airflow around the rear wheels, under body panels that smooth air flow under the chassis, a roof deflector to direct air over the trailer, and a front air splitter incorporated into the front bumper to pass air around the truck... Mechatronics integrates the electronic and mechanical worlds into systems that help to improve vehicle function and driver interaction... One such system is the RunSmart Predictive Cruise system. This system offers fuel savings by combining the latest in GPS technology with digital mapping to provide a 3D profile of the road ahead... Further pushing the aerodynamic envelope, the Innovation Truck integrates a Dual Ride Height system that, at highway speeds, lowers the tractor height, reducing under chassis drag. This system utilizes a proprietary front air suspension in conjunction with Freightliner's popular rear air suspension...

* Belgium - European deliveries of heavy trucks fell 35 percent in January

Brusells,Belgium -Bloomberg -20 March 2009: -- More than twice the pace of the December decline, led by Spain and the U.K., according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association... The slump has prompted Daimler, Volvo AB, and MAN AG, the continent’s top three truckmakers, to lower production to stem inventories of unsold vehicles... Truck demand probably will decline 30-50 percent this year in Europe, and North American and Japanese markets may fall by 30 percent and 40 percent respectively, Andreas Renschler, the head of Daimler’s truck said... The slump may force mergers of truckmakers, especially in fragmented markets such as China and India, Renschler said. Combinations are “overdue,” he added...

* Russia - GAZ’s LDV Van Unit Needs More ‘Clarity’ for Aid, U.K. Says

Berlin,Germany -Bloomberg, by Andreas Cremer & Kitty Donaldson -March 19, 2009: -- LDV Group Ltd., the U.K. vanmaker owned by Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska’s OAO GAZ, needs to provide more evidence of outside backing before the U.K. will consider a renewed bid for aid, a government spokeswoman said... LDV, whose request for assistance was rejected a month ago, has written to the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform, which “will be seeking clarity on some of the points they raised,” the spokeswoman, commenting on condition she not be identified, said today in an e-mailed response to questions... The government declined on Feb. 23 to provide 30 million pounds ($41 million) in aid to Birmingham, England-based LDV after Erik Eberhardson, the former GAZ chairman leading a management buyout of the manufacturer, said it was running out of cash. Industry production of vans, trucks and buses fell 60 percent in the U.K. in January as the recession reduced sales, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders...

* USA - Western Star turns back the clock with limited edition '67 Truck

Louisville,KY,USA -Today's Trucking -19 March 2009: -- In honor of its inaugural year in the truck making game, Western Star Trucks will produce a limited edition 4900 model.., The Limited Edition 67 will be equipped with a specially-built Detroit Diesel DD15 engine and commemorative trim. Western Star will manufacture just 100 of these trucks this year... The Limited Edition 67's DD15 engine features 560 horsepower and 1,967 lb-ft. of torque and was built solely for this Western Star truck...

* USA - New Alcoa truck wheels to cut weight, fuel costs

New York,NY,USA -Reuters -Mar 20, 2009: -- Alcoa Inc's launch this week of new lightweight aluminum wheels for trucks and buses will cut 600 to 1,300 lbs off total truck weight compared with steel wheels, which means fuel and CO2 emissions will be cut and tire wear improved, the head of the company's wheel division said... The new wheels, called Alcoa LvLONE (level one) wheels, are the lightest weight wheels available and also cut about 50 lbs off of a truck using aluminum wheels...

Labels: truckmakers news worldwide

Collision Avoidance System * USA - Volvo has just unveiled its VEC clever cruise control

Louisville,KY,USA -Biglorryblog (UK) -March 19, 2009: -- Volvo Trucks North America's (VTNA) is now offering an advanced collision avoidance system known as Volvo Enhanced Cruise (VEC), which works with the truck's cruise control to maintain a safe following distance between you and the vehicle in front---what's more it will also automatically slow the truck down with the engine and service brakes to maintain a set following distance, while at the same time alerting the driver to potential danger if he's 'closing too fast'...With VEC the driver gets a beeping alert if they are closing the set-distance between their truck and the vehicle in-front. An uninterrupted modulating tone warns drivers to immediately apply the brakes or take evasive action if the distance is too short and closing speed is too high for VEC to a maintain safe following distance...A visual indicator on the Volvo instrument panel shows drivers the speed of the vehicle ahead and how quickly their truck is closing the gap. The indicator is a series of LEDs outlining the speedometer, as well as a red or green light for the "target" vehicle...The system's default following distance is 2.8 seconds between vehicles, or almost 250 feet when travelling at 60 mph. Drivers may change the following distance setting with a distance switch, available as a factory-installed option...

Labels: collision avoidance

TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS, Mergers & Acquisitions * WORLDWIDE

Strategic Buyers - International Deals

* Finland -2 March: Containerships Ltd Oy announced the acquisition of Contaz Maritime Transport and Trade S.A. Contaz provides marine transportation and freight forwarding services from its base in Istanbul, Turkey. Terms were not disclosed.

* Singapore -5 March: Lewek Ruby Shipping Pte Ltd. announced the acquisition of Admiralty Marine Services Pty Ltd. for $191,000. Admiralty provides marine and ship management services from its base in South Perth, Australia.

* Canada - 5 March: Cargojet Airways Ltd. announced the pending acquisition of the remaining 49.0% of Prince Edward Air Ltd. ("PEA"). Based in Charlottetown, Canada, PEA provides air transportation of passengers and cargo. Terms were not disclosed.

* Malaysia -6 March: Century Logistics Sdn. Bhd. announced the acquisition of Century Logistics (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. Century (Singapore) provides freight forwarding services from its location at the Changi Airport. Terms were not disclosed.

* Switzerland - 9 March: Kuehne & Nagel International AG announced the pending acquisition of J. Martens Holding AS. Based in Bergen, Norway, J. Martens provides shipping, freight forwarding and logistics services. Terms were not disclosed.

* Malaysia - 10 March: Green Land Garden Trading (M) Sdn Bhd announced the pending acquisition of 43.0% of Boustead Bulking Sdn Bhd for $233,000. Based in Pelabuhan Klang, Malaysia, Boustead provides bulking facilities for edible oil.

* Canada - 11 March: Descartes Systems Group announced the acquisition of Scancode Systems Inc. for $6.6 million. Based in Toronto, Scancode provides carrier-compliant parcel and LTL shipping solutions.

Financial Buyers

* U.S. Virgin Islands - 4 March: St. Albans Global Management, LLLP announced the acquisition of an additional 8.5% of World Point Terminals Inc. for $12.5 million resulting in a total ownership of 46.0%. Based in Montreal, Canada, World Point owns and operates liquid bulk storage and terminal facilities located in N. America and the Bahamas.

* Greece - 14 March: Marfin Investment Group Holdings S.A. announced the pending acquisition of the ground handling business of Olympic Airways for $57.8 million.

Labels: TI Mergers and Acquisitions worldwide

MARKET RESEARCH * France - Freight Transport Report 2009

A new market research report on

Paris,France -PR Inside (Wien,Austria) -19 March 2009: -- France is preparing to restructure its freight transport sector, with an emphasis on increasing the percentage carried by rail by transferring freight typically carried by road onto rail... On the back of the Grenelle Environment Forum in November 2007, the French government has proposed legislation to increase the percentage of freight not carried by road from 14% to 25% by 2012.... Our forecasts for the French industry are informed by the pan-European economic slowdown we are now expecting over 2009 and 2010. We see airfreight leading the way with average annual growth of 1.6%, followed by pipeline throughput (1.5%), road and rail (both at 1.4%), sea cargo (1.2%) and inland waterways (1.1%). BMI's freight industry business environment rating gives France a score of 59.9 (out of a theoretical maximum of 100), placing at the higher end of the European ranking... On the downside, the French freight industry has not yet developed its full international potential. BMI's conclusion is that the industry as a whole has solid foundations in the domestic market and, when international economic conditions become more supportive, may yet be able to build on these to support a bigger global role... (Picture: by Charles Bremner/Times -Truck on France highway)

Labels: freight markets

SECURITY * USA - U.S. Deploys Truck-Borne X-Ray Scanners

CAL,USA -NTI Global Security Newswire/Associated Press/Fresno Bee, by Arthur Rotstein -March 19, 2009: -- The U.S. Border Patrol has begun deploying pickup trucks loaded with X-ray technology that can be used to detect nuclear or radiological threats, the Associated Press reported... The "backscatter radiation technology" devices fire weak X-ray beams that reflect off targets and send an image to a laptop computer operated by a border agent in the truck...Four of the $750,000 devices have been deployed in Arizona, California and Texas... The U.S. Transportation Security Administration tested the system for use at airport security checkpoints but ultimately selected a separate device for consideration... (Photo from defense industry daily.com: Truck X-Ray)

Labels: border security

CLEAN TRUCKS / DARK FUNDS ? * USA - Calif. Ports Struggle to Make ‘Clean Trucks’ Payments

Unexpected Participation and the Fees May Not Be Legal

CAL,USA -The Heartland Institute/Environment & Climate News (Chicago,IL,USA), by John Dale Dunn -1st. April 2009: ... Trucking companies that purchased expensive, low-emissions trucks under inducement from a Clean Trucks Program at the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach are in danger of bankruptcy as reports surface the two port authorities are unable to come up with the funds to meet their promises... The ports underestimated the number of trucking companies that would take advantage of a $20,000 reimbursement per new truck that met Clean Trucks Program standards... The Port of Los Angeles expected trucking companies to purchase roughly 1,000 trucks complying with the Clean Trucks Program, but since the program took effect on October 1, the companies have purchased more than 2,000 trucks eligible for reimbursement... The Los Angeles Business Journal, however, reported on January 21 the port’s ability to pay the outstanding claims depends on collecting “clean trucks” fees that have been blocked twice by the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), the federal agency that oversees the nation’s ports... “The sustainability of [the] program is dependent on collection of the Clean Trucks fees at our local ports,” said Mike Fox, president and CEO of Fox Transportation. Fox is a member of the Clean Truck Coalition, a group of 10 family-owned trucking companies that favor the Clean Trucks Program. “Without the Clean Truck fees, this program will not have long-term viability.”... (Photo by Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times - Vic La Rosa, owner of Total Transportation Services, ordered 111 cleaner-fuel trucks, each eligible for a $20,000 incentive through the Port of Los Angeles. The program was more popular than expected)

Labels: Clean Trucks Program

Trade war over Mexican trucks ? * USA - Honor-bound on NAFTA trucks

The treaty in hand is the one America is legally bound to honor

Dallas,TX,USA -The Dallas Morning News (Editorial) -19 March 2009: -- ... Mexico has justifiably lost patience after dawdling and delays by successive U.S. administrations on implementing NAFTA requirements granting Mexican trucks access to U.S. highways. The tipping point occurred last week when Congress canceled a pilot program allowing some Mexican trucks in... For the long term, Mexico's retaliatory action signals the unraveling of a longstanding trade partnership. For 15 years, the North American Free Trade Agreement has dismantled restrictions and tariffs that impeded the flow of goods and commerce between the United States, Canada and Mexico... President Barack Obama, clearly no fan of NAFTA, should intervene immediately on the principle that America honors its treaty obligations. He should not only seek reinstatement of the pilot trucking program but enactment of rules that will allow qualified Mexican truckers to gain the full access that America was obligated under NAFTA to grant them after 1999... U.S. truckers will trot out their tired old arguments that Mexican trucks are unsafe, pollution-belching death machines whose drivers are unqualified to sit behind the wheel. But federal statistics indicate that these arguments are hogwash. The real reason American truckers want to block this NAFTA provision is because they fear the competition... (Photo by Mexico Trucker On Line

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31.3.09

STOLEN TRUCKS * USA - Semi left in Niota, but not the trailer full of whiskey

SEX ON THE ROADS * USA - Some Call Them Prostitutes, Others Call Them Lot Lizards

TRUCKERS' HOS * Australia - Cattle industry questions new trucking laws

INFRASTRUCTURES * Australia - Level crossing upgrades will save lives: truckies

TRUCKERS' TAX * Australia - ATO delays superannuation changes

PRODUCTS * Canada - Ice road truckers choose OmniVision satellite communication system

TRUCKMAKERS' NEWS WORLDWIDE

TRUCKERS' FIGHT * Canada - OOIDA continues speed limiter battle

TRUCKERS' TAX * USA - Ad valorem tax

TRUCKERS' SAFETY * USA - Not economic concerns, should be VDOT’s first priority

TRUCKERS' HEALTH * USA - Fitness for duty plan would pull millions from road

30.3.09

TRUCKERS' BEAUTIES * USA - WOMENs in TRUCKING

MEXICANS' TRUCKS * USA - Cross-border trucking re-examined

TRUCKING INDUSTRY NEWS * USA - Hard road ahead

Clean Truck * USA - Progress By The Numbers

29.3.09

TRUCKMAKERS' NEWS * WORLDWIDE

28.3.09

INSFRASTRUCTURES * USA - Through Government's Stimulus Funds

WEATHER TROUBLES * USA - Winter storm closes major highways in Oklahoma

VMT or not VMT? * USA - Paying by the Mile

MEXICANS' TRUCKS * USA - Small Truckers Slam Mexico Trade Effort

Mexico border * USA - Truckers warned of violence near south limits

New fuel efficiency standards * USA - To cost auto industry $1.5 billion

TRUCKING INDUSTRY NEWS * USA - UPS adds 43 natural-gas trucks in Denver

27.3.09

TRUCKMAKERS' NEWS * Germany - Mercedes Benz develops new truck navigation system

BIODIESEL WORLDWIDE * Australia - ABG wins $7.7m contract

OPINION * Australia - Business should 'have a go' in recession: Fox

Owner-drivers * Australia - Granted authorisation to collectively negotiate

26.3.09

TRUCKMAKERS' NEWS * USA

Battery Breakthrough * USA - Could Make Electric Cars Practical

INFRASTRUCTURES * USA

Transportation Projects * USA - Stimulus Package Funds Thousands Ones

Stimulus Bill * USA - Funds Intelligent Transportation Systems

TRANSPORT STATISTICS * USA - Feb. Truck Tonnage Falls 9.2% Year-Over-Year

LAWS * USA - Virginia lawmakers approve notable truck bills

Higher speed limits * Canada - Announced in Manitoba

TIRES * USA - DoE testing shows wide-base singles 6-10% more fuel efficient than duals

TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS, Mergers & Acquisitions * WORLDWIDE

MEXICANS' TRUCKS * USA - Mutual Benefit: Restore and Expand Mexico Truck Program

TRUCKS MARKETS * Europa - Truck Slump Deepened in February as Sales Plunge 46%

25.3.09

TRUCKMAKERS' NEWS WORLDWIDE

DANGER ZONE * Afghanistan - Trucks supply the troops

FASTEST TRUCK WORLDWIDE * Czech Republic - A heavy truck goes lightning fast to set a world record

TRUCKS SALES * Europe - Drop a record 38 percent in February

TRUCKING SCHOOLS * USA - Driven to try for a new job on the road

CLEAN TRUCKS DEBATE * USA - L.A. Mayor Villaraigosa responds to court’s port decision

MEXICANS' TRUCKS * USA: Eyes new truck plan before Obama trip

SURVEY * USA - Recession Reshapes Trucking

Clean-Truck Programs * USA - All over Ports Plan

Exploring Fuel Alternatives * USA - For the Largest Civilian Fleet - the USPS

24.3.09

CLEAN TRUCKS PROGRAM * USA - Port waives fees for some private trucks

TRANSPORT & LOGISTIC NEWS * WORLDWIDE

HOS * USA - The Hours Of Service Rules: Myths And Facts

TRUCKMAKERS´ NEWS * WORLDWIDE

TWIC cards * USA - Port offices expanded to process ones, at Long Beach and Los Angeles

STRIKE * Mexico - Trucker's strike called off

TRUCKING INDUSTRY NEWS * USA - CARB says retrofit rule time allowance applies to leased truck owners

North American Highway Hero Award * USA - Goodyear’s Highway Hero is Jorge Sanchez

EGR vs. SCR DEBATE * USA - Heats up at Mid-America Trucking Show

23.3.09

EPA's Clean Diesel Campaign * USA - Could Drive Business to Truck Dealers

TRANSPORT & LOGISTIC * USA - N.Y./ N.J. Port Sees First Decline in 15 Years

TRUCKING INDUSTRY NEWS * USA - EPA Offers Grants to Fleets to Help Buy ‘Greener’ Trucks

Clean Truck Program * USA - Tacoma Gets One, but No Clean Truck Fees

HELP WANTED * USA - TRUCK DRIVERS

WAR TRADE with MEXICO * USA - Doing wrong by Mexico

Futuristic Shuttle * USA - Could eventually carry freight from border

DANGEROUS * USA - Unsafe Trucks Can Kill