​“The nationwide average price of diesel continued to climb last week, according to the Department of Energy’s weekly report released Sept. 24. Trucking’s main fuel increased nationally by three-tenths of a cent to $3.271 from $3.268. Diesel now costs 48.3 cents a gallon more than it did a year ago, when the price was $2.788. The average price of diesel increased in all but two of the 10 regions the Energy Department report monitors. Prices dropped in the Rocky Mountain region by eight-tenths of a cent, to $3.355 a gallon from $3.363, and by four-tenths of a cent in the Gulf Coast, to $3.052 from $3.056.”

Read full article here: Diesel on the Rise Nationwide Again to $3.271 Per Gallon – Dan Ronan, Transport Topics

“The intermodal and third-party logistics industries are experiencing growth that is running parallel to the strength of the economy. Joni Casey, executive director of the Intermodal Association of North America, said intermodal volumes were at 12.6 million loads through August, up about 7% year-to-date over last year. . . . The third-party logistics sector is also experiencing growth, and Evan Armstrong, president of Armstrong & Associates, estimates the global 3PL market will grow to $968 billion this year. That compares with $869 billion last year. ‘In the U.S. we’re going to wind up around $200 billion — about 8% growth over last year,’ he said.”

Read more details: Intermodal, 3PL Outlook Remains Strong – Mindy Long, Transport Topics

“Logistics and transportation providers are optimistic about the outlook of the U.S. economy and their business in the fourth quarter. . . . While logistics and transportation providers are optimistic about the economy, they are concerned about labor shortages, regulations and trade tariffs, according to a survey conducted by transportation technology provider TCompanies Inc. It showed that 73.7% of respondents were optimistic about the economy, 64.4% plan to hire more staff, 74.9% project revenue to rise and 67.2% expect profits to increase over the next three months.

The following were the respondents’ top three obstacles to growth over the next quarter.
• Labor shortage, 43.6%
• Regulations, 18.6%
• Trade tariffs, 17.4%”

Read more details: Logistics, Transportation Industry Optimistic on Economy; Tariff Concerns Persist – Jeff Della Rosa, Talk Business & Politics

“Spot rates in the trucking market rose in the first week of September due to pent up demand from the Labor Day holiday and increased load board activity, as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) responded to the threat of Hurricane Florence, according to a weekly analysis by DAT. . . . After several weeks of declines, the national average of spot van rates rose 6 cents to $2.20/mile, while reefer rates rose 8 cents to $2.57/mile, compared to the previous week. The data is based on the DAT network of load boards, which manage an average of 993,000 posts per business day.”

Read more details: Freight Rates Swell Ahead of Hurricane Florence – Edwin Lopez, Supply Chain Dive

National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, September 9-15

“This week, American Trucking Associations and the entire trucking industry are recognizing the 3.5 million truck drivers who safely and professionally deliver America’s critical goods to communities from coast to coast. . . . ‘Everything that we consume – groceries, school supplies, clothes, medicine – gets delivered by a truck driver whether it’s to your front door, your local market, or your workplace. These drivers improve our quality of life by dedicating themselves to safety and making every effort to deliver the things we need efficiently, professionally and responsibly.'”

See more information here: National Truck Driver Appreciation Week Celebrations Begin throughout US – Press Release, Business Insider