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📈 BY THE NUMBERS: Important numbers impacting freight and logistics

⛽ Diesel: $4.444 gal (🔽from $4.498 last week) - Source: EIA

✈️ Air Cargo Index (Sep ‘23): 156.4 (🔼from 155.9 in Aug ‘23) - Source: FRED

🚢 Global Container Index: $1,073.43 - Source: Freightos

Logistics News for Oct. 18, 2023

👨🏾‍⚖️California Trucking Association (CTA) sues to block clean air trucking rule

The trade group filed in a federal district court seeking to enjoin and block the California Air Resources Board’s ‘Advanced Clean Fleets’ rule. CARB said that the regulation would require all motor carriers to transition to zero emissions by the following year and onward. CTA chief executive officer Eric Sauer told industry media that the lawsuit focuses on several violations “including conflicts with the Federal Clean Air Act and the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act of 1994.” Or, in English, CTA is trying to argue federal supremacy. Read more…

🙃Shipping industry forecasts are still pretty grim

Hapag Lloyd’s CEO, Rolf Habben Jansen, expects the next three years for the shipping industry to be challenging as demand for shipping services is slow to grow to meet the supply. International conflicts are also impacting trade. It has been noted that the recent invasion of Israeli defense forces into Gaza to fight Hamas is impacting regional trade volumes. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is also negatively impacting trade, despite agreements to send out Ukrainian grain by international trade bodies and other proxy negotiators. Read more: 1, 2, and 3

✊ATA chief Chris Spear criticizes Teamsters and union bosses at expo

Chris Spear, the chief executive officer of the American Trucking Associations, told trucking executives at the organization’s annual Management Conference and Expo, held in Austin, that unions—namely the Teamsters—are nothing more than “self-promoting.” He also refers to how a Teamsters’ collective negotiation between the now defunct Yellow Corp. and the union could have been a “lifeline” for the failed cargo line. He also remarks about incumbent President Joe Biden being the “most pro-union president in history.” Spear’s remarks right here

🌊Samsung says they developed a device to prevent overboard containers

Samsung Heavy Industries says the device will deploy a more straightforward means of securing cargo by focusing on the racks and securing the lashing bridges by building the loss prevention device to be attached to lashing bridges. SHI says that this device is meant to reduce severe shaking and box loss during weather events at sea. The World Shipping Council says terrible weather is a contributing source to rising losses during transits. Patent pending, Samsung says. More here

🚢Port of Corpus Christi posts record numbers for the third quarter

The Port of Corpus Christi, in Texas, posted record numbers during the third quarter, enjoying a boost in the shift in cargo flows to the East Coast during the strike that impacted Pacific ports from San Diego up into Canada. 52 million tons moved in Q3—a 7.7 percent increase from last year at this time. More details…

🚂Train engineers’ union wants FRA to limit freight train lengths

With little news media coverage, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen sent a letter to the Federal Railroad Administration to issue an urgent rule that limits freight train lengths to just 7,500 feet. The engineers argue that the trains are more challenging to maneuver, and it is a safety risk that could aid in stopping derailments. Derailments have been reported more widely due to the Norfolk Southern incident-turn-political scandal in East Palestine, Ohio. Read…

👍Optimism shared among attendees of the 2023 Canton Fair in China

The Canton Fair, which is held in Guangzhou, features optimistic Chinese exporters as global economic superpowers and mega industries intersect. Purchasers are said to be drawn to competitive prices and exchange rates favorable due to currency controls as they seek to restock products. Here…

We missed it…

Raymond J. Kopp, Kevin Rennert, and William A. Pizer write for Resources:

“We are entering a period in which nations are just beginning to align their climate policies with international trade.”

📖Other reads to drink your coffee to…☕

• “Shipping industry concern mounts over bullying and sexual harassment” - Financial Times

• “Britain, South Korea extend tariff-free trade on goods with EU links” - Reuters

• “Walmart staffed up for holidays; US retailers cautious about economy” - Reuters

• “Shipping is Easy Cybercrime Target Causing 350% Increase in Ransom Demands” - The Maritime Executive

• “North Korea Orders Establishment of ‘Emergency Trade System’ to Acquire Food” - The Diplomat

Compiled by Michael McGrady – news analyst and writer.

Do you have a tip? Feedback? Email him – [email protected]