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News from JOC Journal of Commerce

• FMC rule giving contract filing relief to carriers takes effect June 15, 2020
  [caption caption="The FMC final rule concludes a two-year process into an application filed by the World Shipping Council. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com."][/caption]Container lines will no longer be required to file ‘essential terms’ of contracts with cargo owners with the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) under a rule formally adopted by the regulatory...
• FMC’s detention-demurrage proposal divides shipping industry October 31, 2019
  [caption caption="Shipping industry stakeholders are debating who should bear the financial cost when certain events inside a terminal prevent the timely pickup of containers. Photo credit: Ari Ashe/JOC.com."][/caption]The container shipping industry remains far apart on whether the Federal Maritime Commission’s (FMC's) proposed rule on detention and demurrage will resolve or...
• Piracy and corruption stalk West Africa supply chains April 7, 2016
  ACCRA, Ghana — Senior maritime and transport officials in Ghana identified piracy and corruption as central challenges in the development of an efficient port and supply chain network in West Africa. Incidents of piracy and armed robbery were singled out by Richard Anamoo, director general of Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority,...
• Pirates attack two container ships in Southeast Asia August 24, 2015
  [caption]Maersk Lebu. Credit: Fotoflite[/caption]Underscoring Southeast Asia’s new role as the world’s piracy hot spot, pirates attacked six vessels, including two container ships, in the straits of Malacca and Singapore Friday and Saturday Authorities believe the same group, comprising four to five perpetrators armed with knives, were behind all six incidents, according...
• Balancing costs and threats of piracy June 19, 2015
  When it comes to piracy, carriers must balance the speeds and routes their vessels take with crew safety and delivering maximum efficiency to clients. Typically, ships move at slower than their maximum speeds to reduce fuel usage and increase savings for both carriers and customers alike. While these benefits are tangible,...
• Global piracy declines but hot spots remain June 12, 2015
  Shippers have plenty to worry about — including volatile pricing and cargo delays — but piracy should be less of a concern, as the number of incidents has been falling since 2010. The general decline can be attributed to renewed international efforts to combat piracy. Pirate attacks targeting container vessels fell...
• MSC container ship, bulk carrier attacked off Indonesia March 23, 2015
  [caption align="left"][/caption]A Mediterranean Shipping Co. container ship and a bulk carrier were attacked in separate but possibly related incidents off the coast of Indonesia, according to the intergovernmental anti-piracy office ReCAAP. The two incidents, which are reported to have happened within hours of each other, involved ships sailing eastbound in the Straits...
• ISIS could bring piracy back to Mediterranean, officials say February 26, 2015
  Militants loyal to ISIS could bring Somali-style piracy to the Mediterranean, threatening the world’s largest trade lane, European officials warn. It’s been 200 years since pirates operated in the Mediterranean, but recent developments in North Africa suggest the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria could launch attacks on commercial and passenger...
• Maritime piracy falls to eight-year low January 15, 2015
  Maritime piracy fell to an eight-year low in 2014 as a continuing decline in attacks off Somalia offset a surge in ship hijackings in Asian waters. Attacks against small tankers off South East Asian coasts saw global hijackings rise to 21 in 2014 from 12 in 2013, according to the International...
• Weekly wrap-up: ILWU-PMA talks, 2M’s FMC approval and intermodal issues October 11, 2014
  Events on the U.S. West Coast dominated on JOC.com this past week, as labor negotiations between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association could finally be heating up. Five of the Top 10 stories on JOC.com in the past week focused on the issue. This round of...
• Report: Rise in West African piracy requires new industry approach October 5, 2014
  With piracy in West Africa on the rise, a newly released report highlights how pirate attacks in the Gulf of Guinea are far more violent than in Somalia and less-focused on ransom, requiring the industry to take a different approach to curb attacks. The set of standards, a 12-page document entitled...
• Weekly wrap-up for July 19: ILWU talks skew import volumes, Horizon faces debt crisis July 19, 2014
  While it is obvious that beneficial cargo owners shipped early this year through the West Coast in anticipation of the July 1 deadline for contract negotiations between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and waterfront employers, reports of cargo surges at Canadian and U.S. East Coast ports in May and...
• European shipowners press lawmakers on security plan June 20, 2014
  European shipowners are asking the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers to endorse a maritime security plan aimed at safeguarding ships around the globe. The European Commission and the European External Action Service joined forces to write the security plan earlier this year. Today, the European Community Shipowners Association asked...
• Container ship crew held by pirates finally freed June 9, 2014
  Eleven sailors from the Malaysia-flag container ship Albedo held hostage for more than three years by Somali pirates have arrived safely in Kenya, according to mediators who helped secure their freedom, Al Jazeera reported. The 1,066-TEU vessel, which had a 23-man crew when it was attacked, was hijacked about 1,500 kilometers off...
• Poseidon Marine Security launches ProtectaDeck February 4, 2014
  Manchester - UK – Poseidon Marine Security has launched a global marketing campaign for its new product ProtectaDeck, an anti-piracy barrier for the shipping industry to protect vessels and oil rig platforms from the increased number of piracy attacks throughout the world . ProtectaDeck prevents intruders from boarding, is inexpensive, as well...
• Japan's New Anti-Piracy Law Set to Take Effect November 27, 2013
  Japan’s new anti-piracy law will take effect on Saturday, 17 days after it was enacted by the Diet, the nation’s parliament, the transport ministry announced this week. The new law will allow private armed guards to board Japanese-registered oil tankers and other cargo ships in waters off Somalia and elsewhere. Under the...
• India Arrests US Anti-Piracy Vessel, Crew October 21, 2013
  Ten crew members and 25 security guards aboard a ship engaged in anti-piracy services were arrested in Chennai Oct. 18 after they failed to produce proper documents allowing them to carry weapons, Indian authorities said. The MV Seaman Guard Ohio is owned by Washington-based AdvanFort International, and flies the Sierra Leone...
• IMB Reports Decline in Global Piracy But Rise Off Nigeria October 18, 2013
  Global piracy has fallen to a seven-year low, but attacks off the coast of Nigeria have surged by a third, the International Maritime Bureau said. There were 188 piracy incidents in the first nine months of 2013, down from 233 in the same period last year, and the number of hostages...
• Japanese Government Adopts New Anti-Piracy Bill October 17, 2013
  The Japanese government adopted a new anti-piracy bill at a cabinet meeting this week that would allow private armed guards to board Japanese-registered oil tankers and other cargo ships in waters off Somalia and elsewhere. The government will seek to have the bill enacted during an extraordinary session of the Diet,...
• Belgium Arrests Alleged Pirate Boss in Movie Sting October 15, 2013
  A suspected Somali pirate chief has been arrested in Belgium after he was lured to the country by police posing as filmmakers who wanted him to star in a documentary about his exploits. Mohamed Abdi Hassan, known as “Afweyne” or “Big Mouth,” allegedly has pocketed millions of dollars in ransom payments...

News from Lloyd’s List – Containers

• Suspected cyber attack disrupts South African ports July 23, 2021
  The outage, widely interpreted to have been a cyber attack, was said to have affected the NAVIS terminal operating system...      Related StoriesThe Lloyd’s List Podcast: Dissecting the EU's climate offensive on shippingShipping seeks clarity on UK's seafarer vaccine policyCypriots warn European Commission proposals may miss the mark 
• Port operations in Shanghai and Ningbo disrupted by typhoon July 23, 2021
  China’s National Meteorological Centre has issued an orange alert, the second most-serious level, for the storm, which is expected to...      Related StoriesThe Lloyd’s List Podcast: Dissecting the EU's climate offensive on shippingShipping seeks clarity on UK's seafarer vaccine policyCypriots warn European Commission proposals may miss the mark 
• Newcastle’s ‘fanciful’ box port hopes rejected by court July 22, 2021
  An Australian judge has dismissed port of Newcastle’s hopes to build a container terminal to rival Sydney, dismissing a case...      Related StoriesThe Lloyd’s List Podcast: Dissecting the EU's climate offensive on shippingShipping seeks clarity on UK's seafarer vaccine policyCypriots warn European Commission proposals may miss the mark 
• Panamax values surge as carriers seek any tonnage that floats July 22, 2021
  The former workhorse of the container sector has fallen from grace in recent years. But the frantic container shipping sector...      Related StoriesOil fund agrees compensation to Israel for ‘mystery’ tanker spillThe week in charts: Rampant recycling rates | Bulker blockage | LNG imports hit the gasCan the iron ore trade prop up capesizes? 
• FMC ‘asleep at the wheel’ over foreign flag ocean carriers July 22, 2021
  The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has pressed the Federal Maritime Commission on the progress made since President Joe...      Related StoriesThe Lloyd’s List Podcast: Dissecting the EU's climate offensive on shippingShipping seeks clarity on UK's seafarer vaccine policyCypriots warn European Commission proposals may miss the mark 
• CSSC Shipping issues $500m green bonds July 22, 2021
  The bond issue comes against the backdrop of Beijing’s pledge to decarbonise the country’s economy and the pressing need at...      Related StoriesThe Lloyd’s List Podcast: Dissecting the EU's climate offensive on shippingShipping seeks clarity on UK's seafarer vaccine policyCypriots warn European Commission proposals may miss the mark 
• Weekly Briefing: Another week, another box record | Tankers not out the woods yet | China bulk congestion worsens July 21, 2021
  The setting of new records barely rates a mention these days; a new record seldom lasts long enough to be...      Related StoriesOil fund agrees compensation to Israel for ‘mystery’ tanker spillThe week in charts: Rampant recycling rates | Bulker blockage | LNG imports hit the gasCan the iron ore trade prop up capesizes? 
• Shippers struggle to explain high rates and poor service July 21, 2021
  A procurement manager at a major industrial company highlights some of the difficulties shippers face in the current extraordinary global...      Related StoriesThe Lloyd’s List Podcast: Dissecting the EU's climate offensive on shippingShipping seeks clarity on UK's seafarer vaccine policyCypriots warn European Commission proposals may miss the mark 
• Cosco-backed platform launches first application in China July 21, 2021
  The product has already been deployed by Cosco Shipping Lines, Orient Overseas Container Line and Shanghai International Port Group, while...      Related StoriesThe Lloyd’s List Podcast: Dissecting the EU's climate offensive on shippingShipping seeks clarity on UK's seafarer vaccine policyCypriots warn European Commission proposals may miss the mark 
• Korea Shipbuilding impacted by soaring steel price July 21, 2021
  The rise in newbuild prices is expected to improve yard earnings going forward      Related StoriesThe Lloyd’s List Podcast: Dissecting the EU's climate offensive on shippingShipping seeks clarity on UK's seafarer vaccine policyCypriots warn European Commission proposals may miss the mark 

News from Container Management

• Taylor Machine Works partners with Proterra to power next-generation mobile handling equipment July 26, 2021
  Taylor Machine Works Inc has partnered with Proterra Inc to power the next-generation Taylor ZLC Series electric container handler and the ZH Series electric forklift. Using Proterra’s industry-leading battery technology, Taylor Machine Works will power the container handler with 904 kilowatt hours (kWh) and the forklift with 225 kWh. Matt Hiller, director of engineering at […]
• Volumes up at Port of Rotterdam July 26, 2021
  Container volumes increased by 9% at the Port of Rotterdam in the first half of the year, while the port partially bounced back from last year’s corona dip with a 6% rise in tonnage across all cargo segments. With regards to containers, more empty boxes were handled, particularly in the first quarter, than in the […]
• Al-Hamd International Container Terminal integrates with TradeLens July 23, 2021
  Al-Hamd International Container Terminal (AICT) has become the first inland depot operator in Pakistan to join TradeLens, a blockchain-powered digital container logistics platform. The terminal, located in Pakistan’s biggest industrial zone (SITE) in Karachi, is responsible for 70% of off-dock trade taking place through the port. Customers moving import and export cargo through AICT will […]
• Port of Sines sees double digit growth July 23, 2021
  Containerised cargo at the Port of Sines has grown 22.5% year-on-year for the first half of 2021, totalling 904,910 teu. Overall cargo reached 24m tonnes in the same period, representing a year-on-year growth of almost 24% as Sines maintained the supply chains and continued to respond to market needs throughout the pandemic. Liquid bulk, including […]
• FMC creates audit programme for ocean carriers July 22, 2021
  The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has established a new audit programme to assess carrier compliance with the regulator’s rule on detention and demurrage. Earlier in July, President Biden signed an executive order which featured a call for the FMC to act against carriers charging exorbitant fees to exporters. The ‘Vessel-Operating Common Carrier Audit Programme’ was […]
• Global Shipping Business Network rolls out Cargo Release blockchain-enabled system in China July 22, 2021
  The Global Shipping Business Network (GSBN) has begun the rollout of its first application Cargo Release starting in China, following the consortium’s incorporation earlier this year. GBSN is the world’s first independent, not-for-profit technology consortium to build a blockchain-enabled operating system designed to redefine global trade. Bertrand Chen, CEO of GSBN, said: “Like the early […]
• DP World Southampton receives capacity boost with crane rail project completion July 21, 2021
  DP World Southampton has completed its crane rail extension, which will allow the world’s largest cranes to service the full length of the quay. As part of the operator’s £40m (US$55m) investment this year in Britain’s second largest container terminal, the 120 m crane rail extension has foundations reaching 26 m below the ground and […]
• Gruppo Grendi opens new container terminal in Sardinia, Italy July 21, 2021
  Gruppo Grendi has officially opened a new container terminal in Sardinia, Italy, dedicated to international feeder, import and export volumes. Located at the Port of Cagliari, a focal point of Gruppo Grendi’s operational strategy, the new Mediterranean Intermodal Terminal Operator (MITO) of Sardinia terminal welcomed its first vessel on July 9. Antonio Mussi, managing director […]
• Inter-terminal transfers in Manila boost Coca-Cola’s supply chain July 20, 2021
  Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc.’s newly-launched Manila port hub is benefiting from inter-terminal transfers (ITT) between Manila North Harbour (NorthPort) and Manila International Container Terminal (MICT). The ITT operation between the Philippines’ international and domestic gateways, both run by ICTSI, is enabling Coca-Cola to cut container truck trips from the Port of Manila to the beverage […]
• Maersk redesigns ocean network in West and Central Asia July 20, 2021
  A.P. Moller-Maersk is set to redesign its ocean network in West & Central Asia that connects countries including India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, UAE, and Saudi Arabia to the world. The changes in network are primarily aimed at improving speed to market, providing higher predictability and offering more flexibility to customers’ supply chains. Mads Skov-Hansen, […]
• MSC and Shell to collaborate on decarbonisation of shipping July 19, 2021
  MSC and Shell have agreed to work together to accelerate the decarbonisation of the global shipping sector. The long-term memorandum of understanding is meant to help the partners to be developers and early adopters of innovative technologies and fuel solutions. The companies plan to develop a range of safe, sustainable and competitive technologies that can […]
• Charles Baker becomes CEO of DCT Gdańsk July 19, 2021
  DCT Gdańsk has appointed Charles Baker as its new CEO to lead Poland’s largest container terminal into its next lap of growth and expansion. Charles Baker assumed his responsibilities with effect from July 9, 2021, and succeeded Cameron Thorpe who has left to guide PSA International’s projects in Belgium. Baker said: “I am deeply honoured […]
• Port of Antwerp receives European funding toward Extra Container Capacity project July 16, 2021
  The European funding programme Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) has awarded €10.91m (US$13m) to the complex project Extra Container Capacity Antwerp (ECA), underlining the importance of the need for future-proof infrastructure. CEF supports projects that have a significant positive impact on the European transport network and the money awarded to ECA will be used to carry […]
• Saudi Global Ports begins upgrades of container terminals in Dammam July 16, 2021
  Saudi Global Ports (SGP) has commenced the first phase of its upgrade and development programme at the two container terminals in King Abdulaziz Port Dammam by appointing Jacobs Engineering Group as the civil engineering consultant. The operator, which is a joint venture between Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and PSA International, aims to leverage Jacobs’s […]
• RSGT completes US$280m equity sale to Saudi Public Investment Fund and COSCO Shipping Ports July 15, 2021
  Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT) has officially completed its 40% equity sale to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and COSCO Shipping Ports Limited (CSPL), with each party accounting for 20%. The transactions imply an enterprise value for RSGT of US$880m and a total gross inflow of equity value for the founding shareholders of US$280m. […]
• SC Ports achieves record container throughput for FY2021 July 15, 2021
  South Carolina Ports (SC Ports) has achieved a record for containers handled at the Port of Charleston, handling 2.55m teu in FY21. The record throughput was handled across Wando Welch Terminal, North Charleston Terminal and Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal and represented a 9.6% increase from FY2020. Jim Newsome, SC Ports president and CEO, said: “While […]
• COSCO Shipping Ports acquires 20% of RSGT’s shares July 15, 2021
  COSCO Shipping Ports (CSP) has completed the acquisition of 20% of the shares of Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT), which is the leading container terminal operator at Jeddah Islamic Port. RSGT currently has an annual container throughput capacity of 5.2m teu, making it the largest terminal at Jeddah, which is also the largest port in […]
• Cai Mep welcomes first of seven new services July 14, 2021
  Cai Mep International Terminal (CMIT) has welcomed a new service connecting Vietnam with the US East Coast, as it gears up for a busy period with seven new services calling the port in 2021. The new vessel calls will bring the total number of services calling Cai Mep up to 31 per week, including 19 […]
• Container xChange acquires TankContainerFinder.com July 14, 2021
  Container xChange has acquired TankContainerFinder.com, the leading marketplace for tank container leasing and trading, further cementing the company’s position as a leading neutral provider for shipping equipment. Members of Container xChange can now buy, sell and lease every type of tank container and dry container in one location. Johannes Schlingmeier, founder of Container xChange, said: […]
• SLPA looks to expedite work at Colombo’s East Container Terminal July 13, 2021
  The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) is looking to take steps to expedite work at the new East Container Terminal (ECT) in the Port of Colombo, its chairman Capt. Nihal Keppetipola has said. Speaking at a meeting with the Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents (CASA), he said that a process would be implemented to accelerate […]

News from CN – Container News

• Chittagong port yards face severe box congestions in lockdown July 26, 2021
  The ongoing lockdown in Bangladesh has started taking a toll on the shipping sector, especially on port yards, creating severe congestion as importers are hardly taking delivery of containers. As of 26 July, 43,574TEU -  of a total capacity of 49,018TEU - were lying at the Chittagong port yards, while on 25 July, 1,901TEU were […]
• Port of Sines reports 22.5% volume increase in 2021 first half July 26, 2021
  The Port of Sines has seen significant growth in total container volumes during the first half of the year, demonstrating a remarkable economic recovery since the end of 2020. In particular, the Portugalian port handled 904,910TEU during the first six months of 2021, which translates to a year-on-year increase of 22.5%. At the same time, […]
• Top-5 container line to work with GL Terminal in Indonesia July 26, 2021
  The Indonesian logistics company, GL Terminal has been appointed by one of the world’s largest shipping lines to provide container depot and trucking services in Jakarta. The two companies have agreed on a one-year collaboration, renewed based on performance, according to GL Terminal's representative, who told Container News that the cooperation between GL Terminal and the […]
• DP World and Rosatom ink Arctic shipping partnership deal July 26, 2021
  The UAE-based global port operator DP World and the Russian state corporation that specialises in nuclear energy Rosatom will work together to develop the Northern Transit Corridor as a viable and sustainable route between Asia and Europe. Under the terms of the agreement, the two companies will establish a joint venture which will invest in, […]
• Yard density and container delays force Antwerp terminal to set cargo opening rule July 26, 2021
  Port of Antwerp's MSC PSA European Terminal (MPET) has decided to implement a Yard Opening Time (YOT) scheme for all containers delivered at Q1718 and Q1742. With this action, the Belgian container terminal aims to avoid an operational stand still and maintain an efficient and reliable service, as the yard occupancy and container dwell times […]
• Shipowners turn to trending online container markets amidst global shortage July 26, 2021
  With the pandemic-driven container shortage persisting for a long time now, the ship owners are now turning to new online markets for container shopping. The unprecedented conditions have led companies to break away from older systems of working with leased containers. Many container suppliers have set up platforms like Shipped.com, ContainerDiscounts.com, BoxxPort, and BoxHub have […]
• Union Pacific will restart shipments from West Coast to Chicago progressively July 24, 2021
  The US railroad operator Union Pacific (UP) will resume its activities from the US West Coast to Chicago gradually, after the rail shipments suspension started on 18 July. "We will resume activity in a staggered approach," a company's representative told Container News. The suspension, which includes containers from the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach and […]
• Giant giraffe to enter Hakata Port July 24, 2021
  A big giraffe will appear at the container terminal of the Hakaka port in the southern Japanese city of Fukuoka, as the city will repaint a large quay crane with a giraffe pattern. Fukuoka City has announced on 20 July that it will repaint a crane with a total length of 100 metres on Island […]
• Containers continue to triumph July 24, 2021
  The container market continues to impress with record-breaking rates and ordering never seen before. Olivia Watkins, Head Cargo Analyst of VesselsValue, an online valuation and data provider, takes us through what has been happening with orders, transactions, values, rates and trade for the first half of 2021 and how these sky-high figures compare to previous […]
• First direct box train from China arrives at German terminal July 23, 2021
  The German JadeWeserPort Wilhelmshaven freight village welcomed on 13 July the first direct train from the Chinese city of Hefei. The train departed Hefei on 25 June and was handling a volume of approximately 100TEU, with goods such as household appliances, textiles and electrical goods, which will be distributed from Wilhelmshaven to the hinterland. The […]

News from Tradewinds

• European Navigation completes campaign to scrap 2001-built ships July 26, 2021
  Low-profile Greek company has offloaded six product carries in rising demolition market
• VLGC rates stage strong recovery on prompt Middle East activity July 26, 2021
  Average earnings reach $24,500 per day with falling vessel supply
• Heppell to take over as chief financial officer at Britannia P&I July 26, 2021
  London-based insurer finds replacement for Jo Rogers
• Taylor Maritime Investments raises another $75m to buy handysize bulkers July 26, 2021
  Equity offering, which will fund acquisition of Japan-built tonnage in the near future, is oversubscribed
• Meadway Bulkers doubles fleet with string of acquisitions July 26, 2021
  Fledgling Greek company nears a dozen vessels just a few months after owner George Dellaportas takes it on independent course
• Israel admits it cannot identify tanker behind February oil spill July 26, 2021
  Officials backtrack on statement linking 1,000-tonne spill to aframax
• Renewables and alternative fuels in focus at RMK Maritime July 26, 2021
  Alternative finance group explains how it is tackling the big shipping issue of the decade
• Howe Robinson boosts LNG team to eight with Braemar hires July 26, 2021
  Broker is gunning for gas after also launching LPG desk
• Handysize bulk carriers bask in glory amid rate bonanza July 26, 2021
  Ship type usually praised for its countercyclical qualities performs with surprising strength
• Four missing as wind turbine installation vessel partially sinks off China July 26, 2021
  Jack-up leg believed to have punctured the hull of the Sheng Ping 001

News from Transport Topics

• Forward Air to Offer LTL Service in Vancouver July 23, 2021
  Forward Air Corp. will expand its expedited less-than-truckload service in Vancouver, British Columbia, the company announced July 20.
• U.S. Xpress Reports $475 Million Revenue for Q2 July 23, 2021
  U.S. Xpress Enterprises posted gains in earnings and revenue growth during the second quarter, the company reported.
• Magna Acquires Driver-Assist Supplier Veoneer July 23, 2021
  Magna International Inc. will acquire Veoneer Inc. for $3.8 billion in cash, bolstering its business supplying advanced driver-assistance systems to automakers.
• Introducing Calibrate, Our New Publication July 23, 2021
  The trucking industry is in a constant cycle of change, but it’s not so much a change as it is a calibration, an adjustment. So too it is in publishing. The Transport Topics quarterly Equipment & Maintenance Update is now Calibrate.
• XL Fleet, eNow Partner on Refrigerated Trailers July 23, 2021
  XL Fleet Corp. announced an agreement and an investment in eNow Inc., a provider of solar and battery power systems that enable fully electric transport refrigeration units for commercial vehicle trailers.
• Fleets, OEMs Invest in Seat Technology to Improve Driver Comfort, Safety July 23, 2021
  Since truck drivers spend so much of their professional lives sitting behind the steering wheel, the driver’s seat is a crucial part of the vehicle spec.
• Daimler Posts Q2 Earnings, Revenue Surge Despite Headwinds July 23, 2021
  Daimler AG reported higher earnings and revenue as it sold 736,385 passenger cars and commercial vehicles in the second quarter, up 36% compared with 541,833 a year earlier. Truck sales alone jumped by an even higher percentage.
• Ryder Expands Last-Mile Delivery Network July 23, 2021
  Ryder System plans to extend expansion of its last-mile delivery network to meet growing consumer demand, the company said.
• US, Mexico Fail to Resolve Trade Dispute for Cars July 23, 2021
  The U.S. and Mexico failed to resolve a dispute over trade rules for cars during a meeting this week, threatening the goal of boosting regional manufacturing under their new trade pact.
• Lucid Clinches SPAC Deal With 11th-Hour Appeal July 23, 2021
  Lucid Motors Inc.’s last-gasp appeal to investors succeeded in pushing through approval for the electric-car startup’s deal to go public by merging with a blank-check company.
• Minneapolis Approves Amended Truck Parking Ban July 23, 2021
  The Minneapolis City Council on July 23 passed a measure that would prohibit truck parking in the city.
• Trailer Rental/Lease Study Examines the Reach of Technology Solutions July 23, 2021
  Some fleets are turning to third parties to provide the manpower to monitor, analyze and decide when to move a trailer, where to move it, when to have it maintained.
• Volvo, Bendix Work to Boost Safety, Driver Training July 23, 2021
  Volvo Trucks North America is offering the fifth generation SafetyDirect processor (SDP5 Full) from Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems as a factory-installed option on Volvo VNL, VNR and VHD models.
• Is More Frequent Overhead Maintenance Worth the Trouble? July 23, 2021
  Adjusting overhead valves on heavy-duty ­diesels is a routine maintenance item subject to benign neglect in many of today’s fleets. But factory engineers are split on the importance of frequently setting overheads.
• GM Issues Second Bolt Recall for Faulty Batteries July 23, 2021
  DETROIT — General Motors is recalling some older Chevrolet Bolts for a second time to fix persistent battery problems that can set the electric cars ablaze.
• After Chip Crisis, Is Battery Shortage Next? July 23, 2021
  Rising demand from electric vehicles and challenges in securing raw materials will deliver a battery supply crunch for automakers already grappling with a chip crisis, according to a key Chinese manufacturer.
• Wrench Time July 23, 2021
  How can trucking fleets get the most out of their technicians? Treat them like surgeons, says one executive.
• TForce Logistics Expands Regional Last-Mile Delivery in Texas July 22, 2021
  The TFI International operating company, TForce Logistics, launched a regional e-commerce network in Texas, the company announced July 20.
• EV Pickup Truck Maker Rivian Plans Second US Factory July 22, 2021
  Rivian Automotive Inc., the electric pickup maker backed by Amazon.com Inc., is looking for a location for a second assembly plant in the U.S. before it has produced its first vehicle.
• EV Startup Lucid’s SPAC Deal in Jeopardy July 22, 2021
  The blank-check company seeking to buy electric-car startup Lucid Motors Inc. made a last-minute appeal for retail shareholders to vote for the deal amid signs that it’s struggling to win their approval.