The Daily: March 11, 2022
Good morning, readers. Happy Friday.
The signs of inflation are everywhere. The crunch is being felt in most homes, pocketbooks, and businesses. Employees are worried how they will fair without pay raises and many small businesses are concerned with affording more expensive supplies and employees.
Where do we even start to slow down this train?
Well, in today’s featured article from The Hill - the author poses an optimistic forecast. Look it over with your cup’o joe this morning. ☕️ Change your perspective.
“It always seems impossible, until it is done.”
Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa
Today’s Featured Article:
Why I'm not worried about inflation — and why you shouldn't be either | TheHill
“Russia's war with Ukraine. A 40-year high in both the consumer and producer price indexes. A spike in the price of critical raw materials, including nickel, aluminum, copper and lumber. A skyrocketing jump in the price of oil. Supply chain problems. Labor shortages. Excessive government spending. Exploding government debt. A $4 trillion increase in the nation's money supply.”
The Latest On…
Fuel ⛽️
Get Ready for $5-$6 Diesel Fuel - Fuel Smarts - Trucking Info
“The U.S. Department of Energy already committed to releasing 30 million barrels of crude oil from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve to ensure an adequate supply of petroleum in response to Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine.”
Airlines begin to cut flying as they grapple with fuel costs | AJOT.COM
“U.S. airlines have begun paring flight plans due to soaring fuel prices, underscoring the speed at which Russia’s attack on Ukraine has upended the industry and jeopardized a hoped-for rebound this year.”
Gas Prices Prompt Newsom to Seek Rebate for California Drivers | Transport Topics (ttnews.com)
“California Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed sending money back to taxpayers to offset record-high gas prices but rejected calls to increase oil drilling, saying he wants to free the state “once and for all from the grasp of petro-dictators.””
Leases & Loans 💰
Two years into COVID, was $800B payroll aid plan worth it? | AP News
“President Donald Trump rolled out the Paycheck Protection Program to catapult the U.S. economy into a quick recovery from the coronavirus pandemic by helping small businesses stay open and their employees working. President Joe Biden tweaked it to try to direct more of the money to poorer communities and minority-owned companies.”
Electric Vehicles 🔋
Industry Experts Tell Fleet Managers to Be Proactive With Electrification | Transport Topics (ttnews.com)
“When implementing a charging station for a commercial fleet, managers should heed the simple phrase, “plan early.” That was the recurring theme in the Electric Vehicle track panel session, Recommendations for Developing Charging Station Infrastructure for Commercial Fleet Operations.”
Uber partners with London boroughs to improve access to EV charging (intelligenttransport.com)
“As part of its efforts to increase the adoption of electric vehicles amongst its drivers, Uber is investing into the installation of EV chargers in Newham, Brent and Redbridge.”
Gas price hikes fueling electric vehicle conspiracy theories | AP News
“Some social media users suggest that soaring fuel prices in the U.S. aren’t the result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, increased consumption or supply chain issues as daily life resumes after two years of stagnation brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.”
Compliance 📋
FMCSA increases the allowed area for mounting devices on interior CMV windshields (cdllife.com)
“The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has updated current regulations to allow drivers to mount certain vehicle technology safety devices on a larger area on interior CMV windshields.”
Health & Safety 🦺
Quick-Way celebrates safe performance | Bulk Transporter
“Ludington, Mich.-based bulk liquid hauler secures sixth Grand Award in NTTC’s North American Safety Contest with accident frequency of 0.00”
Fuel Tech ♻️
Manufacturers make strides in zero-emission commercial vehicles | DC Velocity
“Study tracks 26% growth in zero-emission truck and bus model availability from 2020 to 2022.”
Cab Tech 🚛
DTNA’s O’Leary on Fast-Changing Trucking Technology - Fleet Management - Trucking Info
“The dynamics of global commerce are changing fast. Freight shipments by truck are expected to double from 2018 to 2045. Final-mile delivery will grow by 15% in just the next four years. And customers demand fast shipping, with 68% of consumers saying shipping times influence their buying decisions.”
Brokerage 💻
XPO Logistics to Spin Off Tech Brokerage from LTL Business - Fleet Management - Trucking Info
“XPO believes separating its less-than-truckload and brokerage businesses will allow each to have ‘undiluted focus on strategic priorities, customer requirements and stakeholder interests, with its own management team and culture, and greater flexibility to tailor strategic decision-making.’”
Network Association 🤝
CP heralds new proof of concept interline service in partnership with KCS - Logistics Management (logisticsmgmt.com)
“While Canadian Pacific Railway’s (CP) acquisition of Kansas City Southern (KCS) is not expected to be made official until the second half of this year, CP said this week that the companies are collaborating on an interline basis, having rolled out what it said is the first dedicated intermodal train.”
Lion Electric Partners with Upfitters for New Truck Applications - Equipment - Trucking Info
“Lion's refrigerated concept truck is mounted on a Lion6 chassis and uses a Thermo King all-electric refrigerated unit and a 24-foot truck body. This and other upfits are on display at Work Truck Week.”
Regulations ⚖️
Biden restores California ability to set its own auto pollution rules (cnbc.com)
“The Biden administration is restoring California’s authority to set its own rules on greenhouse gas emissions from cars, pickups and SUVs.”
Senate passes postal reform bill in bid to overhaul agency’s finances | DC Velocity
“Biden expected to sign legislation as DeJoy cheers conversion of retiree health benefit funding structure to federal Medicare program.”
Trade & Border 🚢
Further Uncertainty Clouds Shipping Amid Russia-Ukraine War (morethanshipping.com)
“With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine ongoing for nearly two weeks, lots of uncertainty has become known.”
The American sanctions on Russia’s economy, explained - Vox
“The sanctions the United States and its European allies have imposed on Russia, which now include an American ban on Russian energy imports, are the most restrictive ever imposed against a major economic power.”
Russia built an economy like a fortress but the pain is real | AP News
“Western sanctions are dealing a severe blow to Russia’s economy. The ruble is plunging, foreign businesses are fleeing and sharply higher prices are in the offing. Familiar products may disappear from stores, and middle-class achievements like foreign vacations are in doubt.”
Maintenance & Repair 🧰
Amerit Fleet Solutions Rolls Out EV Maintenance Programs | Transport Topics (ttnews.com)
“Amerit Fleet Solutions has set out to create a national network of certified technicians trained to perform maintenance and repair work on electric vehicles for fleet customers in markets across the country.”
Trucker’s Lounge 🧢
Company Driver of the Year finalist got his start haulin' spuds | Truckers News
“This is the latest in a series of feature profiles of the three finalists for the Company Driver of the Year Award presented by the Truckload Carriers Association and Truckers News. Stories about Denny Cravener and Robert Cole the other two finalists will also appear.”
Hours of Service ⏰
Final briefs filed in hours-of-service lawsuit - Land Line
“The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s changes to the hours of service have been in effect for about 18 months, but the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and several safety groups are attempting to get two of the provisions stripped from the rule.”
Where are you going? There’s more!
Can a Label Shortage Bring Global Supply Chains to a Halt? | SupplyChainBrain
“If retailers, manufacturers and transportation providers can’t get paper labels, the entire supply chain could quickly reach a crisis, and even grind to a halt.”
Q&A: Port of Oakland Executive Director Danny Wan - Logistics Management (logisticsmgmt.com)
“Logistics Management (LM) Group News Editor Jeff Berman recently spoke with Port of Oakland Executive Director Danny Wan. Wan provided LM’s Berman with a wide overview of various efforts the Port of Oakland is focused on, including: port operations; the import and export outlook, emissions reductions efforts, and port labor, among others. “
Rates are slipping with fuel, maintenance cost rise | Overdrive (overdriveonline.com)
“Holy smokes? Yes, it's been quite a week and more on the fuel-cost front, with diesel now at a record-high national average and little relief in sight with panic in oil markets, further sanctioning of Russian oil, and inflationary pressures all around.”
Russia’s War Puts Shipping’s Tentative Recovery in Jeopardy | 2022-03-10 | SupplyChainBrain
“Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine has the shipping industry bracing for new shocks to its labor force, which relies on experienced crew from both countries.”
Supply Chain News: The Hackett Group on the Top Six Focus Areas for Procurement 2022 | SC Digest
“Two weeks ago, SCDigest published part 1 of our review of the 2022 “Keys Issues for Procurement” from the consultants at The Hackett Group.”
“American shale drillers aren’t coming to the rescue of beleaguered energy markets anytime soon”
U.S. Oil Production Will Cushion Price Hit to Economy, Eventually | 2022-03-10 | SupplyChainBrain
“Any increased capital spending by U.S. oil and gas producers in response to the surge in crude price should help soften the blow to the economy from an expected pullback in consumer spending. It just won’t be anytime soon.”
Here’s how urban and rural Americans build wealth differently (cnbc.com)
“Many rural Americans may have stronger finances than urban dwellers, according to a report from the Employee Benefit Research Institute.”
Bright Ideas: 3PLs Manage Growth Through Innovation - Inbound Logistics
“By thinking creatively and embracing new solutions, third-party logistics providers support shippers through demand surges, labor shortages, cost increases, and capacity constraints.”
Watch: The State of the Warehouse and Industrial Real Estate Market | 2022-03-09 | SupplyChainBrain
“Alex Cohen, chief executive officer of Liberty SBF, reviews current trends in demand for warehouse and industrial space, and how owners are acquiring financing in difficult times.”
States Pitch Tax Cuts, Rebates to Ease Gas Price Surge | Transport Topics (ttnews.com)
“Governors from California to New York are proposing tax cuts, rebates and other forms of relief to drivers paying more than $4 a gallon to fill their gasoline tanks amid Russia’s war with Ukraine.”
Navigating equipment shortages: Fleet, dealer insights | FleetOwner
“Fleets and dealers are working out a number of measures to keep vehicles up and running and extend life cycles amid persistent supply constraints.”
“A new survey shows 85% of companies say they are losing money to integration issues related to their supply chains.”
Supply Chain Weekly Wrap-Up 02/04/2022-02/10/2022 (allthingssupplychain.com)
“General Motors Co (GM) and South Korea’s POSCO Chemical have unveiled plans to build a $400 million facility to produce battery materials in Canada, as part of a push to increase the production of electric vehicles.”
Crews Start Abandoning Ships In Ukraine (gcaptain.com)
“Some shipowners have begun to ask crew to abandon their ships stuck off the coast of Ukraine, as Russia’s invasion of its neighbor reached the end of its second week.”
DTNA’s O’Leary Urges Fleets to Prepare for Future | Transport Topics (ttnews.com)
“Daimler Truck North America CEO John O’Leary urged fleets and maintenance shops to begin planning for the emergence of electric-powered and increasingly automated trucks.”
'There is no equipment cycle' as OEM supply chain struggles persist | Transport Dive
“Fleets big and small are rethinking their expenditure strategies as they race to keep up with the hot rate environment.”
Pilot Company investing $1B for makeover at travel centers - Land Line
“Over the next few years, truckers may notice improvements at Pilot Co. travel centers as the company launches a massive $1 billion initiative called New Horizons.”
SAF-Holland TRAKr e-axle coming to N.A. market for reefer applications | Fleet Maintenance
“TRAKr turns axle rotation into electrical energy and sends it to a battery under the trailer to power auxiliary systems such as a transportation refrigeration unit.”
On the hook | Seth's Blog (seths.blog)
“It’s scary. That’s the point”
CPI inflation February 2022: (cnbc.com)
“The consumer price index for February rose 7.9% from a year ago, the highest level since January 1982.”
Ukraine says Russia snubs plea for humanitarian access to besieged civilians | Reuters
“Ukraine said on Thursday Moscow had ignored its plea for humanitarian access to rescue hundreds of thousands of civilians trapped under bombardment, as the opposing sides yielded nothing at the highest level talks since the Russian invasion began.”
The Supply-Chain Empire | City Journal (city-journal.org)
“Driving east on Pennsylvania’s I-78, bound for the highway’s terminus at lower Manhattan’s Holland Tunnel, you’ll pass miles of vast farmland, spot billboards for God and sheepskin coats, and behold the constant presence of Blue Mountain, an Appalachian ridge.”
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The Workday Dash is an aggregation of articles regarding the transportation logistics, trucking, and supply chain industries for July 31, 2025, from iLevel Logistics Inc.