Current events in United States trade policy have once again thrown the global supply chain into turmoil as President Donald Trump’s moves to impose and then partially suspend some tariffs have resulted in significant disruption and uncertainty for many businesses operating in North America. According to Freightos Baltic index, that unsettling feeling has extended to ocean container rates, already in the midst of the traditional early-year lull.
According to a report by factoring service altLine, a dire shortage of an estimated 24,000 truck drivers is leaving many trucks empty, costing the freight industry $95.5 million every week. According to the report, “the industry could generate $47.4 billion in annual revenue if all registered trucks were operational.”
Lofta is partnering with the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association (PMTA) to broaden the availability of streamlined at-home sleep apnea testing and treatment for professional truck drivers. Megan Magensky, PTMA director of communications, extolled: “We’re excited to have Lofta supporting the association… their commitment to PMTA shows they are interested in promoting the trucking industry holistically… their platform is focused on prioritizing driver health and safety, which aligns with PMTA’s mission.” read more…
UPS CEO Carol Tomé, in discussing the company’s strategic shift, discusses reducing its over reliance on Amazon while prioritizing profitability and high-growth sectors; she also expounds on “UPS’s focus on small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), healthcare logistics, and international trade, alongside a $1 billion cost-saving initiative.”
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246 professional truck drivers are being lauded by XPO for achieving million-mile safe driving milestones in 2024. CEO Mario Harik exclaims: “I want to congratulate our 246 drivers who reached one million or more consecutive accident-free miles last year… I am grateful for everything they do to serve our customers and keep our roads safe, and I look forward to recognizing many more drivers in the coming year.” Read more…
According to the American Trucking Association, the industry is facing a shortage of 80,000 drivers with a main factor being the relatively high average age of the existing workforce. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association claims that “there isn’t a shortage, but instead a retention issue as more than 400,000 new CDLs are issued in the U.S. every year. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has previously said that his department estimates that 300,000 drivers exit the career annually.”
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Kenworth teamed with Fastport and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes program for the ninth consecutive year to find America’s number one rookie military veteran who made the successful transition into a civilian truck driving career: “distinguished Army veteran Cory Troxell, who drives for Stevens Transport, received this year’s ‘“Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence”’ award during a recent special ceremony at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. where crowds gathered to see the Kenworth T680 parked outside.”Read more…
With logistics workforce shortages affecting nearly three quarters of all logistic companies, steps need to be taken to avoid customer disappointment during the approaching peak season. The performance of supply chain “is being undermined by an endemic lack of staff – with 37% of companies experiencing high workforce shortages. The biggest problems are in transportation operations, closely followed by warehouse operations, and the impacts are being felt throughout the supply chain, from financial performance to customer service.”
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According to the research of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), “about 80% of truck accidents involved some type of driver distraction in the three-second window leading up to the crash — and looking at a phone for just 8 seconds leaves a driver driving distracted for the length of two football fields.” The FMCSA is implementing a large campaign to raise awareness for the problem, including giving drivers the chance to witness what can happen in just a few seconds after taking their eyes off of the road. Read more…
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes program, Kenworth Truck Company and Fast port recently announced the finalists for the 9th annual “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” award. This prestigious award “honors military veterans who have made an outstanding transition into the commercial trucking industry. Through a comprehensive nomination process, careful review by a selection committee, and a final public vote, the program will recognize and reward America’s top rookie military veteran drivers.”
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