US truck tonnage falls on high inventory levels

Truck tonnage dropped in June, and didn’t climb as much as previously thought in May, as high inventory levels dampened truck demand, according to the American Trucking Association. (This article requires registration at the Journal of Commerce.  To access, please click on the above link.)

Intermodal pricing slipped in June as US truckload rates rose

Contract truckload rates increased year-over-year and month-to-month in June, as truckload carriers benefited from shipper concerns about capacity, according to Cass Information Systems. (This article requires registration at the Journal of Commerce.  To access, please click on the above link)

US freight shipments slow, shipper spending rises in June

Freight shipments within the U.S. slowed in June, rising only .02 percent from May, after climbing 2.3 percent that month, according to the latest Cass Freight index.  Freight payments by shippers rose 2.4 percent last month, compared with 1.5 percent and 1.6 percent in May and April. (This article requires registration at the Journal of Commerce.  To access, please click on the above link.)

Teen truckers? Bill would drop big-rig driver age to 18

WASHINGTON (AP) — Parents may hesitate to hand teens the keys to the family car, but Congress is proposing to allow drivers as young as 18 to get behind the wheel of big rigs on the nation’s interstates.

Remember the truck driver shortage? It’s getting worse

Recently, The Wall Street Journal posted this blog report on takeaways from the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals’ annual State of Logistics Report.

US transport jobs openings spike 59 percent, but hiring lags

Moderate second-quarter economic growth in the U.S. is generating demand for transportation workers, from truck drivers to receiving coordinators to warehouse laborers.  Employers are having a tough time finding workers willing to take those jobs. (This article requires registration at the Journal of Commerce.  To access, please click on the above link.)

Cass Freight Index report shows sequential gains and annual declines

Mixed messages appeared to be a key theme in the most recent edition of the Cass Freight Index Report from Cass Information Systems.

NS unveils corporate sustainability report for 2014

Norfolk Southern Corp. released its annual sustainability report that details the company’s efforts at improving locomotive fuel economy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving operating safety and customer service, and increasing workforce diversity.

Sen. Cory Booker introduces bill to pay drivers for hours worked, up insurance minimums

WASHINGTON — Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., has introduced a bill that would require drivers to be paid for hours worked rather than by the mile, increase minimum insurance levels, require a ruling mandating crash avoidance technology and mandate speed limiters.

26th Annual State of Logistics Report: Freight moves the economy

In the best year for the freight transportation industry since the Great Recession, logistics managers chalk up efficiencies that drive further U.S. economic growth. However, capacity issues persist, causing shippers to worry about rate hikes as carriers continue to be meticulous in their partnerships.