Truckload Carriers See Rate Hikes on Horizon

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Mar 14, 2013 12:47PM EDT

Truckload carriers, encouraged by first quarter tonnage trends, are increasingly optimistic that rates will rise and shipments increase in 2013, a survey finds.

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Truckload Carriers Increase Class 8 Purchasing Plans

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Mar 27, 2013 12:05PM EDT

An increasing number of truckload carriers plan to add capacity over the next 12 months, but not too much capacity, according to Transport Capital Partners.

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Truckload Carriers See Rate Hikes on Horizon

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Mar 14, 2013 12:47PM EDT

Truckload carriers, encouraged by first quarter tonnage trends, are increasingly optimistic that rates will rise and shipments increase in 2013, a survey finds.

View the original article here

Canadian carriers give feds wish list of top infrastructure projects

OTTAWA, Ont. -- Canadian carriers have banded together to provide the federal government with a list of proposed – and prioritized – infrastructure projects for 2013. The list, submitted by the provincial trucking associations and compiled by Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA), includes roads, bridges, border crossings and rest areas carriers consider in need of improvements.

According to the CTA, most of the major projects carriers suggested as part of last year’s wish list make a reappearance this year, with some notable additions. Additions include the establishment of a Mid-Peninsula Corridor in southern Ontario and more rest stop-lane widening additions on Hwy 11 past Thunder Bay; as well as “badly needed” resurfacing and remediation to fix potholes and broken pavement on Hwy 6 to the Regway border crossing in Saskatchewan.

Carriers’ need for improved truck stop networks and additional safe rest areas for truckers to park is prominently featured in the updated list, according to the CTA.

"The 4,500 carriers that make up the CTA are quite aware of the economic climate they operate in and are not oblivious to the fact that federal budgets are constrained for many of these types of projects,” says CTA CEO David Bradley. “However, no one has a better understanding of the state of Canada’s aging infrastructure than the people who use the highways, bridges and border crossings every day.

“The list is simply a guide to assist the government in its strategic framework and wherever in Canada the government does decide to make infrastructure investments, it would be undoubtedly wise to consider the suggestions of those who see first-hand where possible improvements make the most sense and provide Canadians the biggest bang for their buck.”

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The economy, hours of service and finding drivers top concerns for US carriers

GRAPEVINE, Texas -- They're likely sick of having to worry about it, but for the third year in a row trucking executives in the US can't seem to get the state of the economy out of their minds.

As was the case in 2009 and 2010, the state of the nation's economy was the top concern for trucking executives responding to the American Trucking Association's Critical Issues in the Trucking Industry survey. This year about 31% of respondents ranked the issue first.

While still holding the top spot, the share of respondents ranking this as their number one issue has dropped each year since reaching 51% in 2009.

"While this ostensibly speaks to a gradual improvement in the economy, there continues to be a high degree of uncertainty in how certain issues will unfold, including the European debt crisis and a stagnant job market," the ATA states in its report on the survey's findings. Meanwhile, freight volume trends have been mixed so far this year with LTL and tank experiencing increasing volumes and TL and dry van volumes declining slightly mid year.

Concern over the federal rules governing commercial driver hours of service (HoS) is now ranked as the second highest, climbing two positions from its fourth spot in 2010. The HoS rules are again in play as the industry awaits a final rule from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration following proposed changes issued in December of last year. The proposed changes - potentially decreasing driving and on-duty times and extending the restart provision - are deemed significant and problematic by the industry, which explains the increased level of concern in this year's survey, the ATA says. Nearly half of the respondents ranked this as the first, second or third most important issue.

The driver shortage issue increased from the number five ranking in 2010 to number three in 2011.

"In contract to worries about the health of the economy, this is an indicator that the economic recovery is progressing. However, the source of the driver shortage may not stem entirely from the growing economy," the ATA argues. "New hiring challenges resulting from both baby boomer retirements and CSA implementation may also be contributing to a lack of qualified drivers."

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