Demand for rail service should continue to grow

In reporting weekly U.S. rail traffic as well as volumes for August 2015 and the first eight months of 2015, the Association of American Railroads said that traffic is beginning to show some signs of growth.

Truck safety and new technology: What the Future Holds for Fleets and Drivers

Heavy truck accidents account for 3,800 fatal crashes a year, 3,900 deaths annually, 100,000 injuries, and 13% of all traffic fatalities. That’s according to Daniel Blower, an associate research scientist at the University of Michigan’s transportation Research Institute.

U.S. Construction Spending Hits a New Postrecession High

U.S. construction spending rose to the highest level in more than seven years in July, suggesting that the housing market and business investment can help underpin economic growth amid turbulence outside American borders.  (This article requires a subscription with The Wall Street Journal.  To access, please click on the above link.)

U.S. Oil widens distribution and supply footprint with Indianapolis terminal acquisition

Appleton, Wis.- U.S. Oil, the petroleum and renewable energy distribution division of U.S. Venture, Inc., announced today that it has acquired a refined products terminal in Indianapolis, Indiana. The new terminal adds 410,000 barrels of capacity and expands U.S. Oil’s existing distribution network to 21 terminals in North America.

CMA CGM Callisto, largest container ship ever to call Puget Sound, arrives at Terminal 18

Heralding the larger ships cascading into the trans-Pacific trade, the CMA CGM Callisto, the largest container ship ever to call Puget Sound, arrived Tuesday at Terminal 18 in Seattle.

U.S. Productivity Increases at 3.3% Pace in Second Quarter

WASHINGTON—U.S. worker productivity advanced this spring, reflecting a bounce back in economic activity following a slow start to 2015. (This article requires a subscription with The Wall Street Journal.  To access, please click on the above link.)

Eastbound trans-Pacific spot rates fall to 45-month low

Just days before trans-Pacific ocean carriers aim to implement aggressive general rate increases on eastbound services to North America, average spot rates from Shanghai to the U.S. hit their lowest level in almost four years. (This article requires registration at the Journal of Commerce.  To access, please click on the above link.)

Interest in nearshoring remains strong, but trend may be slowing

Many executives are attracted to the potential cost savings of moving production closer to the end market. But concerns about safety, security, and the availability of skilled labor in these locations are giving some pause

Devaluation of Chinese currency could have ripple effect on supply chains

When news broke last week regarding the Chines government’s decision to devalue, its dollar, known as the Yuan, by nearly two percent, it sent a ripple throughout the global economy in a few different ways.

Orders for Capital Goods Climbed in July by Most in a Year

Orders for capital goods increased in July by the most in more than a year, showing corporate spending was finding its footing prior to the turmoil in financial markets.