Here are five things worth knowing today:
1. Hurricane Matthew strikes Florida coast
Hurricane Matthew has brought airports, rails and roads to a halt along the southeastern coast, and Reuters reports that passengers and goods will likely be stranded or delayed through Saturday. According to the report, Miami-based trucking and logistics company Ryder System has closed its headquarters during Matthew, and a spokesperson for the company told Reuters that Ryder is “repositioning rental trucks to affected areas and working to ensure an uninterrupted fuel supply” for customers after the storm passes. In Florida, Gov. Rick Scott issued a State of Emergency that suspends registration, hours of service, and weight regulations for trucks entering the state to provide emergency services or supplies.
2. Detroit Diesel to pay $28.5 million for violating Clean Air Act
Detroit Diesel Corp. will pay $28.5 million in fines and pollution-reduction projects for violating the federal Clean Air Act, Detroit Free Press reports. According to the Press, the company was cited by federal regulators for selling heavy-duty diesel engines that were not certified by the EPA and did not meet emissions standards. The Free Press has more.
3. ACT: Strong market ahead of new Class 8 emission standard
Total North American Class 8 truck production peaked in 2015, with ACT predicting lower demand in 2016 and 2017 followed by recovery. A pre-emission boom is forecasted in 2019 and 2020, before a sharp drop into 2021, according to a new report by Americas Commercial Transportation (ACT) Research and Rhein Associates. The N.A. On-highway CV Engine Outlook is designed to present historical trends, current activity and forecasts of engine demand in on-highway commercial vehicles. The report analyzes significant trends in engine displacement, engine type (diesel, gasoline, natural gas, and other), captive versus non-captive engines, and premium versus non-premium power for Class 8 vehicles. ACT Research has more information on the N.A. On-Highway CV Engine Outlook report.
4. Why trucking is paying signing bonuses
As the challenge to recruit qualified truck drivers continues, many trucking companies are paying out $5,000 signing bonuses as an attempt to attract talented workers. CBS News reports that finding workers for other skilled trades, such as installation and repair workers, has also been a challenge. “There’s one issue that many of these blue collar fields have in common: they are traditionally jobs held by men,” according to CBS. “But male participation in the labor market has declined during the past several decades.” CBS has more.
5. Ontario: City not a ‘dumping ground’ for Hanjin containers
According to a report from The Press Enterprise, steel shipping containers at the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles abandoned in the wake of the financial collapse of Hanjin Shipping Co. may be headed to Ontario for storage. Many of the containers could make their way to a 100-acre yard in Ontario, but city councilmen stated they don’t want the city being treated like a “dumping ground,” according to the report. Initially, the containers were stranded at sea until a U.S. bankruptcy judge issued Hanjin provisional protection from creditors so vessels could dock and unload products. Now-empty containers are stranded on land and officials want to move them to Ontario, but residents and lawmakers there have already been complaining about truck traffic. PE has more.
