Fuel prices, labor shortage, truck parking… oh my!
Good morning! Happy Wednesday, everyone. Let’s get it started.
“A year from now you may wish you had started today.” — Karen Lamb, author
ATRI, the not-for-profit research organization arm of the American Trucking Associations, released an interesting report last week. While we often discuss the ongoing driver shortage and truck parking issues plaguing the United States, the problem that is topping them both is the growing fuel prices. Another main concern for truckers that have been growing since the FMSCA’s rule proposal is the possibility of speed limiters.
Check out today’s featured article from Trucking Info to read about the growing issue of fuel prices in the trucking industry and whether the driver shortage and truck parking concerns will continue to thrive. ☕️
Featured Article:
Fuel Prices Overtake Driver Shortage as Most Critical Industry Issue | Trucking Info
“Fuel prices were unsurprisingly the top trucking issue in this year’s Top Industry Issues survey by the American Transportation Research Institute, but for the first time, speed limiters made it onto the top 10 list.”
Railroads & Company Culture 🪧
Chances of railroad strike increase as railroads reject union request additional paid sick leave
The risk of a railroad strike is growing larger. In a public statement on October 19th, the railroads said that they are rejecting the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED) union’s latest request for an additional seven days of paid sick leave on their labor contracts. The railroad had already agreed to 24% raises and $5,000 bonuses in the first five-year deal.
Currently, half of the twelve railroad unions have approved tentative agreements with the railroads. President Joe Biden’s appointed arbitrators between the railroads and the unions have recommended a proposed contract deal.
Midterm Elections 🇺🇸
Las Vegas at center of tight contests for Senate, governor | AP News
In this article, AP News contributor Michelle L. Price writes about the tight Senate and governor race in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Electric Vehicles & Inflation 🔋
Renters with EVs struggle to charge their vehicles in the cities
There is a great energy transition occurring and cities are the epicenter. As more and more cars on the road become electric-powered, there’s a glaring problem for renters in the city - where can they charge their cars? cities such as Los Angeles and Portland are looking for creative solutions to help the public charge their vehicles instead of waiting in the sometimes hours-long queues that are currently the standard.
The White House approved plans to build an infrastructure network of high-speed charging stations along interstates in all fifty states. Using $5 billion in federal funds, this network will begin developing over the next five years. Currently, the fastest method to charge a vehicle is using a DC Fast, which takes about twenty to forty-five minutes.
Let’s Get Global 🌎
🇨🇦 Ontario, Canada’s Amazon fulfillment center has some new helpers: robots. The 2.6 million square foot fulfillment center has deployed a new range of trolleys and robotic arms throughout its four stories of warehouse space. This marks the fifth fulfillment center in Amazon’s pocket that is powered by advanced robotic systems. The warehouse, located in Barrhaven, Ontario, will allow employees to work side-by-side with cutting-edge technology.
🛢 Sanctions on the horizon cast a shadow on Moscow’s oil market. Europe’s sanctions on Russia are about six weeks away, and the impending shock could be a devastating blow. United States officials are ringing the alarm: the EU ban on Russian crude oil imports will bring into question whether there are enough vessels to make up for the loss.
🇺🇦 Ukraine says Russia is not allowing full grain capacity. Ukraine has accused Russia of blocking seven vessels carrying grain from sailing to Asia and Europe, despite the Black Sea grain deal implemented by the United Nations. Due to this blockage, Ukraine’s Infrastructure Ministry has claimed that Ukrainian ports are only working at 25%-30% of their capacity. With a November 19th deadline looming on the grain shipping deal, Ukraine is urging an extension in fear that Russia will revoke its agreement.
iLevel With You
More topics for the average American household to consider…
📦 UPS is upping its rate to match its number one competitor, FedEx. UPS Ground, Air, and International services will launch the rate hike beginning on December 27th. This, alongside growing accessorial charges, will launch a new era for UPS as they attempt to branch out into more remote areas. Despite cooling package volumes at both companies, the increasing rates are a response to inflationary measures.
⏲ Whirlpool has decided to slash production of its appliances. Due to plummeting demand for refrigerators, washers, and dryers, the home goods and appliance maker is shrinking its inventory by cutting production by nearly one-third. The cost of manufacturing has grown and customer demand has shrunk. This is a similar move to Procter & Gamble, a household goods supplier that is working on diversifying in order to keep its customers buying by switching to working with cheaper brands.
🇺🇸 Give it a rest - political unrest is causing more supply chain issues. According to a new SAP business leaders survey, more than half (52%) believe that their supply chain needs much improvement and that global political unrest is the main factor hindering those improvements. A total of 49% of those surveyed believe that issues will remain through the end of 2022. Some of the top concerns are the reduced availability of raw materials domestically and a slowdown in the construction of new homes.
GET SMART
Ramp up that brain power for these advanced topics…
♻️ Renewable energy is all the rage for Walmart suppliers. Five of the retailer’s largest suppliers - Levi Strauss & Co., J.M. Smucker Co., Great Lakes Cheese, Valvoline, and Amy’s Kitchen - are teaming up in a partnership with a wind farm based in Marion County, Kansas. The wind farm, owned and operated by Denmark-based Ørsted, will assist Walmart’s goals of reducing 1 billion metric tons of emissions that run through its supply chain by the year 2030.
🚛 Transportation management tools are invaluable, especially when it comes to a freight audit. Data-driven decisions are how companies can best unlock their value and freight audits will deliver actionable intelligence points. In this article, Adrian Gonzalez from Talking Logistics discusses the matter with Dirk Grewenig, Global Account Director, and Stefanie Bergfeld, Director of Audit and Settlement Tribe, at Transporeon.
📦 Warehouses are turning to robots to offset labor costs. According to a recent report from IDC and Vecna Robotics, Marking the Business Case for Supply Chain Automation, productivity in warehouses is being negatively impacted by as much as 50% because of unaccounted labor costs. These undercounted costs can cost businesses approximately $170 billion per year. Lack of skills, poor performance, and labor shortages have warehouses turning more to robotics and other technology advancements. This is also a method of avoiding a high turnover rate.
Sustainability ♻️
The Benefits of Sustainable Supply Chains | Logistics Viewpoints
In this article, Logistics Viewpoints contributor Jorge Lopera writes about why focusing on sustainability practices, like reducing emissions and consumption practices, can be a beneficial move for a supply chain company.
In this CNN Opinion piece, nine experts weigh in on solutions for America’s climate crisis.
Gavin Newsom and California Have the Worst Energy Policies in the Country | Real Clear Energy
Real Clear Energy contributor Rick Whitbeck writes about California’s challenging energy policies and why they may do more harm than good.
Artificial Intelligence 🤖
Advancements in Transportation and Autonomous Trucking | More Than Shipping
In this article, More Than Shipping contributor Gamze Keceloglu writes about the advancements occurring in self-driving trucks and whether they could help with the truck driver shortage.
Charge your EV truck while driving your AV | Back The Truck Up
In this article, Back the Truck up contributor Michael Vincent writes about the pressure on the trucking industry in regards to electric vehicles and automated vehicles.
Safety 🦺
Safety Check: How to Start Shipping Hazardous Materials | All Things Supply Chain
In this article, an All Things Supply Chain guest blogger writes about things a carrier can do when they are beginning to ship hazardous materials.
Infrastructure 🔨
USDOT sending $50M to Florida for infrastructure repair after Hurricane Ian | The Trucker
In this article, The Trucker News Staff writes about The Department of Transportation’s grant of $50 million in infrastructure repairs to the state of Florida after hurricane destruction.
Cab Tech 🚛
TruckWings prove their worth, durability in passing major milestone | Fleet Maintenance
In this article, Fleet Maintenance contributor John Hitch writes about TruckLabs’ TruckWings - the company’s automatic highway aero solution.
Fuel ⛽️
National diesel average flat, up only a fraction of a penny | Fleet Owner
Fleet Owner contributor Scott Achelpohl writes about the latest U.S. Energy Information Administration data - recording that the national average price for diesel fuel went up this past week by two-tenths of a cent.
Peak Season 🎄
Four Tips for Last-Mile Success This Holiday Peak Season | Supply Chain Brain
In this article, Supply Chain Brain contributor Will Walker writes about what companies can do to make the most of last-mile deliveries during the upcoming peak season schedule.
Food Logistics 🍊
Why the U.S. Food Supply is Dependent on Integrated Data Networks | Food Logistics
In this article, Food Logistics contributor Brett Suma from Loadsmith writes about the advancements of digitization and shared data throughout the trucking industry.
Leadership 🏆
ATA Celebrates ‘Wins’ on Infrastructure, Tolls, More | Trucking Info
In this article, Trucking Info contributor Deborah Lockridge writes about American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear’s presentation at ATA’s Management Conference and Exhibition in San Diego, California.
Tom McLeod on Expanding Data Analytics and Business Intelligence Capabilities | Transport Topics
Transport Topics shares a video with Tom McLeod, CEO of McLeod Software. He discussed cybersecurity, software development, and what we can expect moving forward over the next several years.
Perfect might be the enemy of good in group dynamics and choice making | Seth’s blog
Seth writes about group dynamics when problem solving in a company setting.
Ports 🚢
Alabama’s Port Triples Economic Impact, Delivers $85 Billion in Value to State | AJOT
In this article, AJOT writes about the growth of the Port of Mobile in Alabama. The port delivered $85 billion in valued cargo over the 2021 calendar year.
Driver Issues 🚚
Filling the driver’s seat: A look back at recruitment efforts | Transport Dive
In this article, Transport Dive editor Kate Magill writes about the labor market and how trucking companies are approaching recruitment.
Electric Vehicles 🔋
Here's why a GMC Hummer EV just sold for $225,000 at auction, double its list price | Fox Business
In this article, Fox Business contributor Gary Gastelu writes about the recent auction results of a GMC Hummer EV.
Compliance 📋
Why Risk “Treason” Charges over the Jones Act? | Cato.org
Cato.org contributor Colin Grabow writes about the risks being taken when Jones Act waivers are issued.
The Workday Dash is an aggregation of articles regarding the transportation logistics, trucking, and supply chain industries for November 28, 2024, from iLevel Logistics Inc.