Trucks World News: November 2011

Nov 30, 2011

TRUCK SECURITY * USA - Standards set for high-value freight

Newport,South Wales,UK -Penton Media/Fleet Owner (USA), by Deborah Whistler -Nov 29, 2011: -- The Transported Asset Protection Assn. (TAPA) is rolling out global security standards for trucking and the first trucking security certification program for motor carriers and logistics service providers in the U.S. and abroad aimed to block high-value cargo theft... Globally, 85% of all major cargo theft involves trucks, Alan Spear, chair of TAPA Americas said in a Journal of Commerce report. Theft costs businesses more than $10 billion a year worldwide, according to Bloomberg. Spear said in some countries, it’s increasingly violent and deadly to truck drivers... TAPA’s security requirements are voluntary, though shippers of high-value goods may come to require certification from their trucking and logistics partners, according to the association. The association’s members include manufacturers, retailers and carriers... All three levels require two-way communications systems on board trucks. Only the highest level requires carriers to have detailed, documented trailer-tracking protocols and the ability to geofence routes and parking areas... The program is aimed at transporters of high-value goods targeted by cargo thieves...

Labels: trucks security

* UK - Milestone reached in advanced transmission project

(Photo: Allison's transmissions prepared to shipment)

Leyland,Preston,UK -Transport Engineer, by John Challen -29 Nov 2011: -- A new phase of the multi-stage gearbox development programme between Torotrak and Allison Transmissions has been reached, with concept hardware performance targets now achieved... Having completed knowledge transfer from Torotrak to Allison personnel, Allison Transmissions says it will lead the programme towards production of transmissions, while Torotrak provides ongoing specialist technical support and engineering consultancy... The timing of the programme means Torotrak's technology could be part of the commercial vehicle industry's response to the growing legislative pressure to improve fuel economy...

Labels: trucks products and services

TRUCKING INDUSTRY NEWS * Canada

* Report: Rising costs to mute profits for transportation sector in 2011

Ottawa,ONT,CAN -Truck News -24 Nov 2011: -- Rising labour and operating costs will lower profits to less than $5 billion for the transportation and warehousing sector this year, according to the Canadian Industrial Profile's Autumn 2011 issue... The report is published by The Conference Board of Canada in association with the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). It provides a five-year (2011-2015) production, revenue, cost and profitability forecast for six industries each quarter... The report noted that while the industry as a whole has recovered from the recession, the rebound varies among the different modes of transport. The trucking, air transportation and rail segments have posted strong growth, and the pipeline transportation segment is forecast to record its first increase in output in five years. However, the ongoing economic weakness in the US is limiting demand for water transportation services...

Labels: trucking industry news CAN

RULES and REGULATIONS * USA

* DC - DOT Sets Final Rule Banning Truck Drivers’ Use of Hand-Held Phones

Washington,DC,USA -Land Line Magazine -28 Nov 2011: -- The Department of Transportation announced a final rule that will ban interstate truck and bus drivers from using hand-held cellphones while operating their vehicles... The rule, issued by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, is the latest move by DOT Secretary Ray LaHood to end distracted driving... The rule prohibits commercial drivers from using hand-held phones while driving a truck or bus, sets federal civil penalties of up to $2,750 for each offense and disqualifies drivers from operating a commercial motor vehicle after multiple offenses... Commercial truck and bus companies that allow drivers to use hand-held cell phones while driving will face a penalty of up to $11,000. The rule will affect about four million commercial drivers, DOT said...

* California - EOBR device to add cell-phone use detection feature

Anaheim,CAL,USA -Penton Media/Fleet Owner, by Deborah Whistler -Nov 29, 2011: -- NavStar Technologies, has signed an agreement with Trinity Noble to add cell-phone usage detection while driving to its portfolio of electronic onboard recorder (EOBR) hardware and services... NavStar chairman & CEO N. Douglas Pritt said the recent ban on handheld cell phones by commercial drivers is a boon to the company’s EOBR product... NavStar Technologies produces products and services for tracking/monitoring and reporting on the location and condition of high value cargo and other assets... FMCSA added that its research shows that reaching for a hand-held cell phone while driving makes a commercial truck three times more likely to be involved in a crash, and dialing a hand-held cell phone while driving increases risk of a crash by six times...

Labels: cell phones ban

MEXICAN TRUCKS * USA

* USA - Teamsters Expand Lawsuit Against Mexican Trucks

Washington,DC,USA -AP/NPR -November 23, 2011: -- The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has expanded its lawsuit against the government in a long-running battle that has stopped Mexican trucks from coming deep into the United States... In papers filed in federal appeals court in Washington on Wednesday, the union says the government must first assess the environmental impact of a pilot project before letting it continue. The first Mexican truck in the pilot program crossed the border last month... Teamsters President James P. Hoffa says opening the border to the trucks is an attack on the environment, on highway safety and on American truckers and warehouse workers...

* USA - Homeland Security fails to follow-through on cross-border directive

Washington,DC,USA -Land Line, by Jami Jones -29 Nov 2011: -- With the cross-border trucking pilot program with Mexico entering its sixth week, lawmakers are pressing the Department of Homeland Security to issue enforcement guidelines to law enforcement – something Congress mandated in 2006... The Section 703 of the Safe Port Act of 2006 mandated that the Department of Homeland Security issue guidelines for federal state and local law enforcement officials on how to identify noncompliance with federal laws that apply to cross-border trucking... Peter King, chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, and Candice Miller, chairman of the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, wrote a letter to the secretary of Homeland Security asking why the agency had not complied with the mandate...

Labels: mexicans' trucks debate

Nov 28, 2011

TRUCKS' SAFETY * WORLDWIDE

* Europe - ESC now compulsory on new cars

(Image Above: How stability control systems like Bosch ESP work)

Brussels,Belgium -DrivingTalk (UK), by Tim Kendall -November 22, 2011: -- Electronic stability control (‘ESC’) is now compulsory on all new cars and light commercial vehicles launched within the EU... ESC, which was fitted to 63 per cent of new cars in Europe last year, uses sensors to check whether the driver’s steering input matches the direction of travel, and intervenes by braking individual wheels or reducing engine torque to restore control... The mandatory fitment of ESC (also called ESP) is one of a raft of EU-wide safety measures planned to cut the number of road deaths across Europe. Lawmakers in Brussels will also make emergency brake assist and lane departure warning systems compulsory on vehicles over 3.5 tonnes or with more than 8 seats, from 2013...

* USA - Meritor Wabco scores Wabash award

Lafayette, IN,USA -Fleet Owner -Nov 21, 2011: -- Meritor Wabco Vehicle Control Systems has announced receiving the prestigious 2011 Platinum Supplier Award from trailer maker Wabash National Corp., noting it is the only supplier to receive this award for four consecutive years. Wabash’s Platinum Supplier Award is presented for excellence in supply chain performance, delivery, quality, cost and innovation... The company supplies Wabash with trailer anti-lock braking systems (ABS), roll stability systems (RSS) and InfoLink data gateway systems that support tag axle control systems as well as the Meritor Tire Inflation System (MTIS) by PSI...

Labels: trucks safety

TRUCKMAKERS NEWS * WORLDWIDE

* Australia - Hino is first to include DAB + digital radio as standard equipment in all new vehicles

(Hino use2)

Sydney,NSW,Australia -Campaign Brief -24, November 2011: -- Hino Australia has become the first vehicle manufacturer in Australia to include DAB+ digital radio as standard equipment across its range of vehicles... All Hino 300, 500, and 700 Series trucks manufactured from September 2011 onwards will feature the new Australian-designed, multimedia unit which includes DAB+ as factory fitted standard equipment...

* Germany - New Freight Trailer Study by Mercedes Cuts Drag 18 per cent

Kortrijk,Belgium -Handy Shipping Guide -25 November 2011: -- Always the way, you wait weeks for a decent Mercedes Benz story then two come along at once. Freight trailers are not the first thing one comes up with when the archetypal German car and truck maker is discussed but now the marque is making some pretty bold claims for a new breed of trailer they have come up with in a comprehensive design study which investigates ways of reducing the enormous drag a 13.6 metre articulated vehicle produces. Mercedes-Benz will be presenting its ideas for the first time on the occasion of the “Trailer 2011” show taking place between the 25th and 29th November in Kortrijk, Belgium...

Labels: truckmakers news worldwide

Nov 23, 2011

ROAD SAFETY * UK

* Coalition "reckless" with UK road safety, says Labour

London,EN,UK -Road Transport, by Chris Druce -21 November 2011: -- Labour has accused the coalition of being “reckless” when it comes to UK road safety, citing the decision to approve the trial of longer semi-trailers last month as indicative of the government’s stance on the issue... In a statement issued at the start of Road Safety Week, Labour Shadow Transport Secretary, Maria Eagle, says the government is out of touch with drivers’ wishes... “Over the past year the government has cut road safety grants by 40%, removed all funding for speed cameras, and approved a trial of longer HGVs,” says Eagle... Labour points to a recent upward trend in UK road deaths and calls on recently appointed transport secretary, Justine Greening, to “rip up her predecessor’s reckless plans”...

Labels: road safety debate

TRUCK SALES * WORLDWIDE

* USA - Positive sign: Used trucks hit registration record

Southfield,MICH,USA -Fleet Owner -Nov 22, 2011: -- According to Polk, registrations of used commercial vehicles (GVW Class 3-8) in the U.S. soared to a new record of 649,900 units during the first three quarters of 2011. That performance surpassed the previous record for the first nine months of a calendar year by nearly 24%... This level of activity represents more than 66% of the commercial vehicle transactions during the nine-month period, Polk pointed out. And based on recent analysis, Polk said, that activity together with 333,200 registrations of new Class 3-8 vehicles over the same time period brings total commercial vehicle transactions during the nine-month period to nearly 1 million vehicles...

* USA - October Class 8 Orders Top Projections

Tbilisi,GA,USA -The Journal of Commerce, by William B. Cassidy -Nov 21, 2011: -- Net, new orders for heavy trucks hit six month high, ACT Research says... Orders for Class 8 heavy trucks hit a six-month high in October, with manufacturers receiving 29,824 new orders and 28,026 net orders, according to ACT Research... Those order numbers suggest 2011 will end with production at or above 250,000 units and set the stage for a robust 2012, the vehicle research firm said Friday...

* USA - Commercial trailer orders reach five-month high

Columbus,IND,USA -Truck News (CAN) -Nov 23, 2011: -- New and net trailer orders in October rose to their highest levels since April and May at 19,408 units and 17,384 units, respectively, according to a report from ACT Research. Taking seasonality into account, October's backlog rose a modest 1.5% month-over-month, according to ACT... With orders and production in line, there is nothing to suggest an upwards move from current production levels, at least not until we know the outcome of peak season orders," said Frank Maly, director of CV transportation analysis and research with ACT. "Component availability appears to have reached a comfortable equilibrium with current production rates" ...

* Europe - Commercial vehicle registrations up 7.7 percent in October

(Photo from REUTERS/Stringer: An employee walks past new cars at the parking lot of Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co. Ltd, Ford Motor's joint venture in China, in Chongqing Municipality, October 12, 2010)

Brussels,Belgium -Rubber Market News, by HMH -November 25, 2011: -- In October, new commercial vehicle registrations were up 7.7 percent in the EU (data excludes Cyprus and Malta), amounting to 162 901 units, reflecting similar results in France (+7.8 percent) and Germany (+7.2 percent), the largest EU markets... The UK also contributed positively (+11.1 percent), according to a 25 Nov ACEA (European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association) report. From January to October, Spain was the only major market to contract (-4.9 percent). Germany (+19.5 percent), the UK (+17.8 percent) and France (5.5 percent) all posted growth, leading to an overall 10.8 percent increase... In October, demand for vans grew by 5.8 percent, with 131 482 new registrations... The segment of heavy trucks recorded an increase of 18.2 percent in the EU over the month of October, as a total of 21 552 new vehicles was registered across the region where growth prevailed... Over ten months, the EU registered 197 078 new heavy trucks, or 40.8 percent more than in the same period a year ago... In October, new truck registrations increased by 15.7 percent in the EU, amounting to 28 115 units... October demand for buses and coaches was up 26.8 percent in the EU, totalling 3304 units. France remained the largest market, recording 939 new vehicles, followed by the UK (626 units) and Germany (389)...

* Germany - Mercedes-Benz wins order from Tören Gida for Actros 1844 LS trucks

Stuttgart,Germany -Mercedes 2011 (open press release) -November 25, 2011: -- Mercedes-Benz Trucks has received an order from Turkish chocolate manufacturing company Tören Gida for 202 units of Mercedes-Benz Actros 1844 LS trucks... Tören Gida, which has its headquarters in Gaziantep in Southeast Anatolia, is converting most of his truck fleet to up to date units...

* UK - Bidvest Logistics takes delivery of 108 DAFs

Banbury,OX,UK -Road Transport, by Hayley Pink -14 November 2011: -- Bidvest Logistics, parent company to foodservice firm 3663, has taken delivery of the first of a 108-strong order of DAF LF55 220s, with the rest of the trucks due to hit the road by January 2012... The 26-tonne Euro-5 vehicles will also comply with London LEZ regulations, which see the introduction of a Euro-4 minimum limit for particulate matter emmissions on 3 January 2012... Fitted with Frigoblock electric twin evaporator refrigeration systems, the trucks will also feature Microlise telematics to study driving style data and provide delivery tracking...

* Ghana - Zoomlion, MLGRD Inaugurate 700 Trucks

Accra,Ghana -Daily Graphic, by Mary Mensah -23 Nov 2011: -- Zoomlion Ghana Limited, a waste management organisation, in conjunction with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, yesterday unveiled 700 refuse trucks and other equipment for distribution to metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) and private waste management contractors throughout the country... This is to help find a lasting solution to the nation’s sanitation problems... Unveiling the trucks at a ceremony in Accra, the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, said the government had secured a $11-million grant from the Exim Bank for the procurement of waste management equipment for distribution to MMDAs and private waste companies in the country...

Labels: truck sales USA

RECALLS * USA

* DC - General Motors recalling 1,798 vans for faulty airbags

Washington,DC,USA -Left Lane News, by Mark Kleis -Nov 21st, 2011: -- General Motors and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have announced the recall of nearly 2,000 vans due to a safety flaw... The recall covers a total of 1,798 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans manufactured between June 2, 2011 and October 17, 2011, citing the failure of the second stage of the dual-stage airbag deployment in the event of a severe frontal impact... Because the airbags do not comply with the occupant crash protection code, the airbags will need to be replaced in the suspect vehicles... The recall will begin later this month and owners will be contacted by GM...

Labels: trucks' recalls

TIRE MAKER NEWS * Germany

* Continental to build new tech center in Salto, Brazil

Hanover, Germany -In Auto News (Romania) -21 Nov 2011: -- Continental AG, internally often called Conti, the German manufacturer of tires and other automotive related systems on Tuesday announced that will invest $12.9m in a new Technical and Research Center that will be built in the Salto Industrial Park, Brazil... The technical center is expected to be completed by the middle of next year and add fifty direct and indirect new jobs... According to the Hanover based company, the new facility will expand its capabilities for testing emission, homologation and calibration on gasoline and diesel engines...

Labels: tiremakers news

CUTING JOBS * Europe

* France - PSA To Start Le Grande Firing

Paris,France -The Truth About Cars, by Bertel Schmitt -November 15, 2011: -- PSA Peugeot Citroen is planning an Opel-sized thinning of its French workforce, Reuters says, citing comments of Jean-Pierre Mercier, union representative at Peugeot’s factory in the Paris suburb of Seine-Saint Denis. The union claims that PSA wants cut 5,000 jobs. And guess who’s to blame?... Left Party presidential candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon says credit ratings agencies are behind the decision. Moody’s had recently lowered Peugeot’s credit rating to negative... “The result: even though the company’s profits rose 18 percent in the first half of 2011, the owner throws thousands of workers into the streets to ‘reassure the markets’,” said Melenchon...

* Spain - Ford proposes Spain layoffs for 4,000 workers

(Images, by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Madrid,Spain -AP/KPVI News 6 (USA) -23 Nov 2011: -- Automaker Ford says it has proposed temporary layoffs for 4,000 of its 6,200 workers at its Spanish assembly plant in Valencia because of sluggish European demand for new cars... Ford Motor Co.'s Spanish division says it wants the workers to stay home for 39 days between January and October of next year... The company says demand for cars in Spain and Europe is expected to remain weak in 2012 and that the Valencia plant needs the investment to produce new models. Ford in June announced an investment of €812 million ($1.1 billion) for the plant that it said would create dozens of new jobs...

Labels: jobs cut

Nov 22, 2011

TRANSPORT & LOGISTIC NEWS * WORLDWIDE

Briefing Weekly News

* Hapag-Lloyd announces strong third quarter

- Hapag-Lloyd generated an operating result (adjusted EBIT) of €36.7m in the third quarter 2011. This took the operating result for the first nine months of the current financial year to €78.8m. EBITDA came to approximately €275m in the first nine month of 2011. Group earnings after interest and taxes (EAT) were also positive in the third quarter at €9.6m. This made the third quarter the best in the current financial year to date. Read More...

* UPS sets 2012 rates

- UPS has released new published rates for 2012, including a net increase of 4.9%for UPS Ground packages and a net increase of 4.9% on all UPS Air services and US-origin international shipments. Read More...

* Ryder enhances reverse logistics offering

_ Ryder System has announced the expansion of its reverse logistics capability to include a co-location solution. The new offering integrates forward and reverse logistics in the same facility to further optimise the returns process and drive greater value recovery of returned assets. Read More...

* DSV Road wins new two-year contract with Gurit

- DSV Road Ltd has been awarded a new two-year contract to provide road freight services for all export shipments for Gurit (UK) Ltd to its customers throughout Europe. The Gurit group is a global leader in the development and manufacture of advanced composite materials and solutions. Read More...

* DHL receives first converted aircraft from EADS Elbe Flugzeugwerke Dresden

- EADS Elbe Flugzeugwerke Dresden has handed over the first of 18 Airbus A300-600s to DHL Express. The aircraft are being converted from passenger planes to freighters. Read More...

* Weiss Röhlig launches weekly consolidation service from Hamburg to Taiwan

- Weiss Röhlig has launched a weekly consolidation service between Hamburg and Taiwan to meet growing demand for imported products from Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic. Read More...

* Huge orders will change air freight market

- Airlines originating from the Middle East have a taste for the spectacular so it might be misleading to take the huge orders for over 100 aircraft placed by Gulf carriers as indicative of the market as a whole. However, in the past week, the Indonesian airline Lion Air has trumped even the likes of Emirates Airline, Etihad and Qatar Airways in an enormous order for at least 230, and possibly as many as 380, aircraft from Boeing. Read More...

* TransForce announces acquisition of I.E. Miller Services

- TransForce Inc. has announced its wholly-owned subsidiary, TFI Holdings USA, Inc., has reached an agreement to acquire all the shares of I.E. Miller Services, Inc., a North American provider of rig relocation services; including disassembly, transportation and reassembly of oil and gas drilling rigs. Read More...

* DHL appoints new CEO for DHL Freight

- DHL has announced that Amadou Diallo is taking over the position as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of DHL Freight. In his new function, Amadou Diallo will be responsible for DHL's international road and rail freight services. Read More...

* Horizon Lines expands Board of Directors

- Horizon Lines has announced that it will expand its Board of Directors to 11 members from eight, effective November 25, 2011. In conjunction with the expansion, seven new directors will be appointed and four of the existing eight directors will retire. The board changes and expansion are as follows. Read More...

* CEVA renews partnership with Magneti Marelli After Market Parts and Services

- CEVA Logistics has renewed its partnership for a further four years with Magneti Marelli After Market Parts and Services (AMP&S), the Magneti Marelli division dedicated to the independent market of spare parts and assistance services (Independent After Market). Read More...

* Logwin opens dedicated fashion warehouse in Malaysia

- Logwin has opened a dedicated fashion warehouse in Shah Alam in Malaysia as its first dedicated Fashion & Lifestyle logistics operation in Asia. The new facility will provide a full range of services specifically targeted at meeting the needs of customers in the premium fashion and lifestyle products sector. Read More...

* P&O Ferrymasters doubles Cabot volumes in two-year deal

- P&O Ferrymasters has announced a new two-year contract with US chemicals and performance materials company Cabot Corporation. The contract will double previous volumes handled by the company. Read More...

* Tibbett Logistics achieves ISO 9001 certification across logistics operations in Romania

- Tibbett Logistics, a subsidiary of the UK-based Keswick Enterprises group, has been awarded ISO 9001 quality certification for all its logistics operations in Romania. Read More...

* Militzer & Münch reports project logistics booming in Russia

- Militzer & Münch is on a growth path with its project logistics in Russia. ZAO Militzer & Münch, the Russian country unit headquartered in Moscow, reports that, as compared to the 2010 figures, its project logistics business will account for more than 12% of the total turnover this year – more than twice as much as last year. Read More...

* Netwerk VSP to discontinue addressed mail

- Netwerk VSP, part of PostNL, has decided to discontinue its activities on the addressed mail market in the Netherlands as of December 17, 2011. The company stated: "The current mail market and the economic circumstances offer insufficient perspective to continue these activities profitably in the longer term." Read More...

* Possible merger of Japanese shipping lines raises many questions

- Alphaliner, the Paris-based container shipping analysts, has just published an interesting graph outlining the consequences of a merger of NYK, Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) and K Line's container businesses. Read More...

* DB Schenker Logistics offers new air freight routes connecting Europe and North America

- DB Schenker Logistics is connecting Europe and North America with new air freight routes. Starting immediately, the logistics division of Deutsche Bahn is offering new freight flights from Luxemburg to Toronto and Chicago and back. The new Atlanta and Houston route will also be served from Luxemburg. Read More...

* USPS reports $5.1bn loss for fiscal 2011

- The US Postal Service ended its 2011 fiscal year (October 1, 2010 – September 30, 2011) with a net loss of $5.1bn. The year-end loss would have been approximately $10.6bn had it not been for passage of legislation that postponed a congressionally mandated payment of $5.5bn to pre-fund retiree health benefits. Read More...

* Port of LA import containers up 5.5% in October

- The volume of imported freight through the Port Of Los Angeles ticked up 5.5% in October, compared to the year-ago period, although it still slipped 1% from September . Read More...

* Radiant Logistics acquire Isla International

- Radiant Logistics, Inc. has agreed to acquire the assets of Laredo-based Isla International Ltd., a privately-held company that provides a full range of cross-border transportation and logistics services between the US and Mexico. The transaction is valued at up to $15.0m and is expected to close in Radiant's second fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2011, pending the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. Read More...

* IAS introduces intermodal container solution

- IAS has introduced a new generation of cloud technology to address the complexities associated with planning, pricing, booking and executing inland container haulage. Developed as an extension to the IAS DispatchManager, a web solution that automates the container haulage work order process from creation to proof of delivery, these latest solutions are designed to help ocean carriers, cargo owners, third-party logistics providers, and motor carriers connect and collaborate more effectively. Read More...

* HomeDirectUSA introduces new e-commerce option for returned large consumer goods

- HomeDirectUSA, a US provider of "white-glove" home deliveries for large consumer goods, has added a service option for returned items. Called Direct Liquidation, the service manages the e-commerce sale of returned items. This new option is an enhancement of the company's Direct Recovery reverse logistics service. Read More...

* New trade agreement drives US-Asia integration

- A new regional trade group has come into existence which will stimulate trans-Pacific trade and benefit US exporters and importers. Following an agreement sealed on November 12, 2011 in Hawaii, the leaders of nine trading partners – Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam, and the United States – announced the creation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). It has also been announced that Japan is to open negotiations for membership. Read More...

* Agility announces 19% fall in Q3 net profit

- Agility has announced its financial results for the third quarter of 2011, reporting a net profit of KD8.05m on revenue of KD329.78m. Read More...

* CEVA expands Freight Management agreement with Tech Data- CEVA Logistics has announced the renewal of its contract with Tech Data Corporation, one of the world's largest wholesale distributors of technology products. CEVA, which has worked with Tech Data for more than 15 years, has now expanded its relationship to become the wholesale technology distributor's primary Less than Truck Load (LTL) carrier in the US. Read More...

* Five shipping lines rationalise Asia-South America services

- Hamburg Süd, CCNI, China Shipping Lines, Hanjin and Hyundai have reached an agreement to reduce the scale of their service offering during the forthcoming slack season between Asia and Mexico/South America West Coast with effect from mid-November 2011. To this end, the partners' three slings will be reduced to two. Read More...

* Heinz renews contract with Wincanton

- Wincanton has announced the renewal of its long-standing warehousing and distribution contracts with H.J. Heinz, the food products manufacturer. Read More...

* Itella Logistics implements Kewill's Global Trade Management suite

- Kewill announced it has signed a multi-year contract with Itella Logistics, part of Itella Group, to implement its Global Trade Management suite, across the company's Nordics, Baltics and Russian operations. Read More...

* European road prices decline in third quarter

- Road freight prices in Europe decreased by 2.6% in the third quarter of 2011, compared with the previous quarter, according to the latest edition of 'Transport Market Monitor' produced by Transporeon and Capgemini Consulting. This is particularly surprising as historically the index has always recorded seasonal increases in the third quarter of the year. When compared with the same period in 2010, the index declined by 0.4%. Read More...

* Damco reports positive third quarter

- Damco has announced continued growth in the third quarter of 2011. Year-to-date, Damco's ocean freight volumes increased 14% compared with the same period in 2010 - well above the market average. Read More...

* DB Schenker delivers first ever Poland to UK service

- DB Schenker announced it has delivered the first train of a regular new weekly container service from Poland to the UK. Read More...

* Brambles announces strong sales growth for first quarter FY 2012

- Brambles, the global pallet and container pooling solutions provider, delivered sales revenue of $1.4bn in the first quarter of the 2012 financial year, up 32% on the corresponding period of last year (27% in constant currency). Excluding the contribution of operations acquired since 1 July 2010, sales revenue was up 9% (4% at constant currency). Read More...

* Stolt-Nielsen opens chemical storage terminal in Singapore

- Stolt-Nielsen Limited has announced the opening of its new petrochemical terminal in Tembusu on Jurong Island, Singapore. The terminal has commenced operations with three gas spheres, with plans for a total of 300,000 cbm of storage to be built over the next two-to-three years. Read More...

* Prologis sells sizeable stake in its Brazilian industrial park

- Prologis, Inc. has announced that PREVI (a pension fund for the employees of the Bank of Brazil and the largest pension fund in Latin America) has purchased a 90% interest in the Prologis CCP Cajamar Industrial Park (Cajamar). Read More...

* LSP results do not show recession yet

- The mood surrounding the macro-economic environment tells us that much of the developed world is on the brink of a recession; comparable to that triggered by the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008. Yet look at the recent results of the major logistics service providers and we get a different impression. Read More...

* Wincanton focused on sustainable growth

- Wincanton has announced revenue of £625.4m and an operating profit of £22.3m from its continuing operations in its half year results. Although these results represented a decline from the previous year of 8.1% and 11.2% respectively, the company was satisfied with its performance in a challenging market and that its strategic divestments would result in sustainable profit growth in the medium term. Read More...

* Maersk announces loss from container and tanker activities supported by its other businesses

- Maersk has announced a profit of $371m in the third quarter of 2011, however this was a 78% decrease compared to $1,671m in the same period of 2010. This was attributed to the performance of the group's container and tanker activities. Read More...

* FedEx opens facility in Northern Ireland

- FedEx Express has opened a new facility in Northern Ireland, in an attempt to improve connectivity for firms in Northern Ireland doing business with foreign markets. The 20,000 sq ft facility is located at Kilroot Business Park in Carrickfergus, County Antrim. Read More...

* APM Terminals quarterly results highlight growth

- APM Terminals has announced its profits for the third quarter reached $174m in 2011 and $478m for the first nine months of the year. The company attributed its success to greater utilisation levels and enhanced operational efficiencies which enabled the company to record a 11% increase in throughput compared with the third quarter of 2010. Read More...

* Cathay Pacific enters Spanish market

- Cathay Pacific Airways has announced that it will enter the Spanish market with a new scheduled freighter service to Zaragoza. Flights will be departing Hong Kong every Tuesday and Friday. The new freighter destination will be operated as an extension of one of the airline's existing freighter services flying from Hong Kong to Delhi, then onward to Amsterdam and Zaragoza, returning to Hong Kong via Dubai. Read More...

* DP-DHL shows solid growth in Mail and Express

- In keeping with the recent string of good results by the major diversified LSP's, DP-DHL has announced a solid set of figures for the third quarter. Revenue was up 2.5% year-on-year at €13,125m whilst EBIT was up 18.5% at €646m. Read More...

* Operational improvements and rate increases boost truck carriers' third quarter revenue

- Operational improvements, fuel surcharges and rate increases helped boost many truck carriers' third quarter revenue growth. Read More...

* Horizon Lines announces loss of $126.5m in the third quarter

- Horizon Lines recorded a loss of $126.5m from continuing operations in the third quarter. The company attributed this significant loss to an estimated goodwill charge of $117.5m as a result of the closure of its trans-pacific service and assets being held for sale. The company hopes that its exit from the trans-pacific market, combined with a new debt facility, will help to stabilize the company in the fourth quarter. Read More...

* ABF introduces global expedited LCL/LTL service

- Arkansas Best Freight (ABF) has introduced a new service offering ocean LTL freight transport. The single-contact, expedited less-than-container-load/less-than-truckload (LCL/LTL) supply chain solution is designed for customers who import from manufacturing centers in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Read More...

* Caterpillar announces new parts distribution center in California

- Caterpillar Logistics Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc. has announced the addition of a new parts distribution center in California. The 400,000m sq ft facility will employ 100 to 150 people and is scheduled to be operational in late 2012. Read More...

* Hub Group acquires Challenge Transportation

- Hub Group, Inc. announced that its subsidiary, Comtrak Logistics, Inc., has acquired Challenge Transportation, an intermodal drayage carrier headquartered in Newark, New Jersey. Read More...

* XPO Logistics announces third quarter 2011 results

- XPO Logistics, Inc. has announced its financial results for the third quarter of 2011. Total revenue was $47.4m, a 6.6% increase from the same period last year. Net income was $190,000 compared with net income of $1.7m for the same period in 2010. EBITDA was $775,000 for the third quarter, compared with $3.2m for the same period in 2010. EBITDA was negatively impacted by $700,000 of indirect transaction costs related to the equity investment and $1.6m of costs for executive recruitment and related fees. Read More...

* Livingston International acquires HIPAGE to expand operations in southeastern US

- Livingston International has acquired Norfolk, Virginia-based HIPAGE Company, Inc. This move extends Livingston's customs and compliance expertise as well as its international freight forwarding capability to companies importing and exporting through the southeastern US. This acquisition also gives Livingston added expertise in the operation and administration of foreign trade zones (FTZs). Read More...

* The Gores Group acquires The Clark Group, Inc.

- The Gores Group, LLC, a Los Angeles-based private equity firm, announced that it has completed the acquisition of The Clark Group, Inc., a non-asset based logistics provider focused on developing and executing supply chain solutions for the print media industry both domestically in North America and internationally throughout the world. Read More...

* Descartes acquires InterCommIT

- Descartes Systems Group has acquired InterCommIT, a Netherlands-based provider of business-to-business (B2B) integration-as-a-service. Read More...

Labels: transport and logistics news

Nov 21, 2011

Truckers' Hours Of Service * Australia

* Tired truckies to get a fair break

(Video from YouTUbe, An Australian Sugarcane Truck - 130 meters)
Sydney,NSW,Australia -The Daily Telegraph, by Patrick Lion -November 22, 2011: -- Fatigued truckies will be able to dob in unsafe work conditions to a new industry watchdog that will also have extraordinary powers to improve their pay and conditions... In a bid to lower the road toll, the federal government will set up a transport spin-off of Fair Work Australia to improve pay and conditions of truck drivers who are forced to speed and carry heavy loads to earn more money... Transport Minister, Anthony Albanese, will reveal the new Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal today, which will have the power to order companies to alter arrangements involving financial incentives that encourage risky behaviour... For example, a truck company offered a contract by a big supermarket below the rate needed to do the job safely could approach the tribunal... The move comes amid widespread concerns over the pressures on truck drivers to speed to meet deadlines, carry illegal loads and work without pay to fulfil deliveries...

* Australia - Truckers forced to push limits, break laws

Sydney,NSW,Australia -Land Line (USA), by David Tanner -21 Nov 2011: -- A survey in Australia shows that truckers are detained up to 500 hours at the docks each year without pay and are routinely forced to break speed and fatigue laws to meet deadlines. The federal government is responding with a series of reforms that include shipper accountability and trucker compensation... The survey, conducted by the Transportation Workers Union of Australia, showed 48 percent of Australian drivers are forced to spend a full work day each week in unpaid detention time at the docks... Tony Sheldon, Transportation Workers Union national secretary, is calling on the federal transport minister, Anthony Albanese, to make reforms that discourage risk-taking... Nearly 40 percent of the truckers surveyed said they felt pressure to drive longer hours to meet client demands, and 27 percent of drivers said they are forced to speed to meet deadlines...

Labels: Hours Of Service

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