Gordon Trucking Orders 240 Cummins Engines Gordon Trucking has agreed to purchase 240 Cummins ISX engines. The Cummins ISX is based on the Signature 600 design and offers hill-climbing ability, better gradeability, fewer shifts, and improved fuel efficiency in a lower-torque, lower-cost transmission. The ISX features Cummins Intebrake technology and standard dual overhead cams. It also has ratings from 400 to 600 horsepower.
A Seattle WA-based transport company, Gordon runs a fleet of about 800 trucks.
OSRA Works Well, Say Surveyed NITL Members National Industrial Transportation League members report that the Ocean Shipping Reform Act is working as expected and that changes brought about by the new law have largely been beneficial for shippers. This was the reaction of NITL members who responded to a 34-question survey distributed to the group's Ocean Transportation Committee. The questions asked for information on topics including OSRA's changes to: service contracts, global transport, freight intermediaries, conferences/discussion agreements, and conclusions on how the new law is working.
Regarding service contracting, 90% of the respondents either "completely" or "partially" agreed that OSRA has produced positive developments in ocean shipping. These included the ability to enter in "confidentiality" provisions in their contracts, customize services, and form one-on-one economic partnerships with carriers.
As for global transport, more than 70% of those responding agreed that conferences have had a diminished role in business relationships and that nearly the same percentage believe carriers have become more flexible in dealing with customers.
The survey also showed that most shippers that use intermediaries think these parties should be able to sign confidential service contracts with shippers, just as OSRA permits ocean common carriers to do.
While most members agree that OSRA has had a beneficial effect on their business and has prompted individual carriers to provide better levels of service, the survey shows that more time is needed to fully realize gains achieved by OSRA. Individual respondents were concerned about the effect of discussion/stabilization agreements on future prices and services. Specific answers from respondents focused on carriers' use of surcharges and ancillaries.
