The Daily: March 21, 2022
Good morning on this beautiful Monday.
While the West continues to make lofty commitments to Net-Zero emissions, they also jeopardize their own security interests. The aptly coined “Energy Crisis” is in full-swing.
The question is… can we handle it when the times get tougher?
Today’s featured article from Real Clear Energy will let you know. ☕️
“If your ship doesn’t come in, swim out to meet it!”
– Jonathan Winters
Today’s Featured Article:
Net-Zero and ESG Are Worsening the Energy Crisis – and Weakening the West | RealClearEnergy
“The day after President Biden announced that the United States would ban imports of Russian oil and gas, a group of eleven powerful European investment funds that includes Amundi, Europe’s largest asset manager, outlined plans to force Credit Suisse, Switzerland’s second largest bank, to cut its lending to oil and gas companies.”
The Latest On…
Company Culture 🎉
Flexible hours let this company's workers fit work around their lives (cnbc.com)
“Millions of Americans are quitting their jobs and rethinking what they want when it comes to work and work-life balance.”
Collections 💰
Transportation payment platforms advance in 2022 with new tech, funding | DC Velocity
“Comdata and TriumphPay develop payment tools for logistics workers, as Branch and BasicBlock raise venture capital.”
Electric Vehicles ⚡️
LTA intensifies electrification efforts to meet new emissions target (intelligenttransport.com)
“To support the Singapore government’s emission reduction targets, LTA is accelerating its bus electrification efforts and is supporting the wider”
Tesla hikes prices on all cars, with cheapest Model 3 now nearing $50K | Ars Technica
“Automaker increases prices—again—as its order book continues to grow.”
Insurance 🧷
Deciphering the calculus of trucking insurance | FleetOwner
“For underwriters, premiums don’t get much more complicated than drivers, their safety record, the training they receive, and where they operate. Technology does play a part—and 'nuclear verdicts' have a huge role in the coverage environment.”
Trucker’s Lounge 🧢
Video captures truck's wild ride off I-10, down embankment, across four lanes of traffic (cdllife.com)
“Video shared by local Louisiana police captures the moment that a truck left the interstate and careened down an embankment, crossing several lanes of active traffic before coming to a stop.”
Leases & Loans 💵
Fed Raises Interest Rate, Will Cost Small Business More for Loans - Small Business Trends (smallbiztrends.com)
“On Wednesday, Feb 16, the US Federal Reserve approved its first interest rate increase in more than three years, in a bid to address concerns of inflation stifling economic growth.”
Blockchain ⛓
Inside the bubble | Seth's Blog (seths.blog)
“Whenever there’s a speculative bubble going on (or a cultural one, for that matter) life inside the bubble seems rational and normal.”
Fuel ⛽️
As gas prices rise, small business owners slam Biden’s ‘shortsighted’ energy policies: 'Out of touch' | Fox Business
“The pressure that the coronavirus pandemic put on small business, coupled with the historic inflation and spiking gas prices as the Russia-Ukraine war wages and relative inaction by the Biden administration, is creating a rapidly deteriorating situation for small business owners and operators.”
Maintenance & Repair 🧰
Why U.S. bridges are in such bad shape (cnbc.com)
“America’s bridges are in rough shape. More than a third of the nation’s bridges are in need of repair, and over 43,000 are in poor condition and classified as “structurally deficient,” according to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association.”
Maintenance, repair costs rose in Q4 2021: TMC benchmarking | FleetOwner
“TMC benchmarking reports, in conjunction with Decisiv and FleetNet America, provided a vivid overview of the challenges fleet maintenance departments went through in 2021.”
Trade & Border Issues 🗺
Biden team hardens view of China tilting toward Putin on Ukraine | AJOT.COM
“China’s muted response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has hardened views within the Biden administration that President Xi Jinping may be moving closer to supporting Moscow as the conflict continues, according to several people familiar with the matter.”
Ships Carrying Big Sugar Cargoes Head Toward Russia as Store Shelves Empty (gcaptain.com)
“At least five vessels are headed toward Russia with nearly 200,000 tonnes of Brazilian raw sugar sold by European traders, according to shipping data seen by Reuters, about double the country’s normal annual imports of the sweetener.”
Carriers Suspend Operations in Russia, Ukraine | Transport Topics (ttnews.com)
“Transportation companies have been suspending operations in Russia and Ukraine amid the ongoing war between the countries.”
Biden is walking a tightrope with Ukraine. What’s his next step? | Christopher S Chivvis | The Guardian
“America and Europe’s response to the war is already unprecedented in military, economic and political terms – what should they do now?”
Russia's Putin is losing in Ukraine – beware greater dangers that lie ahead | Fox News
“In his address before Congress Wednesday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reminded U.S. policymakers that the war in Ukraine is far from over.”
Ukraine war ups pressure for US oil; industry faces hurdles | AP News
“In the oil fields of northern Montana, industry veteran Mac McDermott watched crude prices whipsaw from $75 a barrel in January to more than $120 as Russia pressed its war in Ukraine, then down again when coronavirus worries in China raised the specter of a global slowdown.”
Cab Tech 🚛
What goes into designing a semi-truck? | Commercial Carrier Journal (ccjdigital.com)
“After you have worked on a few new truck designs, you start seeing a pattern – a relationship between the pieces. Eventually you grasp why trucks are the way they are, and how hard it is to change their shape.”
Volvo Trucks introduces all-new powertrain solution | Bulk Transporter
“‘Industry-first’ I-Torque option for D13 Turbo Compound Engine takes fuel efficiency, drivability, and productivity to new heights”
Diversity 👩
Women of Trucking Advisory Board seeks applicants - Land Line
“The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration wants qualified truckers to join its Women of Trucking Advisory Board.”
Where are you going? There’s more!
Biennial update filing services may not be worth the cost Land Line
“As part of one of the most regulated industries in the country, drivers have enough to worry about. Being subjected to “scare tactic” style advertising regarding biennial updates and U.S. DOT compliance doesn’t need to be added to the list.”
Canadian Pacific Set to Shut Down if Labor Talks Fail | Transport Topics (ttnews.com)
“One of Canada’s largest railways is gearing up to halt operations after failing to reach a labor deal with unionized workers.”
“In its “North American Overview,” CBRE looked at the 23 “most dynamic” North American big box markets, finding that big box transactions represented 450 million SF across these markets (in the United States, Canada, and Mexico), marking a 29% annual gain over 2020’s 350 million SF. “
The first mile, the last mile and everything in between - Supply Chain Management Review (scmr.com)
“Small-to-mid-size retailers struggle to get the scale needed to compete with the big guys on logistics. A supply chain veteran says there’s a better way.”
Reduce speed limits, car-free Sundays: IEA's plan to cut oil use (cnbc.com)
“Many organizations are calling for a cut in fossil fuel use, actually achieving such an aim is a gargantuan task.”
Managing Transportation: Insider Tips and Winning Strategies - Inbound Logistics
“Transportation management has become increasingly complex and challenging. To help you cope, Inbound Logistics asked the experts to share their brightest advice.”
This Week in Logistics News (March 12 – 18) - Logistics Viewpoints
“It is always interesting to see emerging technologies tackling new issues. At this year’s South by Southwest in Austin, TX, 3D printing is being shown in a whole new light. Icon, an Austin-based construction startup focused on 3D-printing technology, is showcasing one of its newest 3D-printed homes, dubbed “House Zero,” in East Austin.”
Supply Chain Weekly Wrap-Up 03/11/2022-03/17/2022 (allthingssupplychain.com)
“A new project, named “Freight Logistics Optimization Works” (FLOW) will join Biden Administration officials and private-sector businesses in a data-sharing initiative designed to enhance efficiency in moving imported goods to stores.”
The need to know | Reuters Events | Supply Chain & Logistics Business Intelligence
“Manufacturers of everything from flash drives to glass for Apple iPhone screens are warning of shipment delays as they comply with Chinese controls to curb the spread of COVID-19, further straining global supply chains.”
Above the Fold: Supply Chain Logistics News (March 18, 2022) (talkinglogistics.com)
“Debating this question is the latest internet trend, with no clear winner between Team Doors vs. Team Wheels because, well, there’s really no way to know for sure.”
Walmart Continues Expanding Domestic Supply Chain | Material Handling and Logistics (mhlnews.com)
“"We know how much supporting American products and American jobs truly does matter to our suppliers," said Walmart.”
Pay-anything mood grips U.S. importers fearful of shipping woes | AJOT.COM
“U.S. importers, straining under a tapped-out supply chain, are increasingly offering top dollar for long-term shipping contracts that may not even be honored as they try whatever it takes to guarantee the arrival of their products.”
Disruption in the containerized logistics value chain | McKinsey
“Container freight rates will remain elevated throughout most of 2022 while the containerized logistics disruption persists.”
Protesters Gather at UK Ports After P&O Sacks Ferry Crews (gcaptain.com)
“Trade unions protested at British ferry ports on Friday after Dubai-owned P&O Ferries abruptly sacked 800 workers via a video message, drawing widespread condemnation and raising the prospect of disruption to key tourist and goods routes.”
Five steps to get better ROI from fleet technology | FleetOwner
“Are you getting the most out of your current technology? Here are some ways to measure, improve metrics, decrease costs, and increase profits.”
Crews still dousing fire-damaged Walmart center's hot spots - TheTrucker.com
“Crews continued working Thursday to douse hot spots at a Walmart warehouse distribution center near Indianapolis, a day after a fire swept the sprawling building and produced a smoke plume so large it was spotted by a weather satellite.”
Ship Could Be Stuck in Chesapeake Bay for Weeks | Transport Topics (ttnews.com)
“Officials say it could take days or weeks to free a containership stranded near Gibson Island in the Chesapeake Bay since the evening of March 13.”
FMCSA Definition of Yard Move Coming Soon (kellerencompass.com)
“Even though the term “yard move” was integrated into the ELD mandate, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) did not define it, resulting in confusion over when a driver could – or couldn’t – use the option.”
“Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced the 2022 edition of the National Small Business Week (NSBW) will run from May 1–7 this year.”
Cargo ship sinks in Persian Gulf off Iran (nypost.com)
“A massive cargo ship carrying cars sank in the Persian Gulf Thursday amid treacherous seas, authorities said.”
Five Facts on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) | RealClearPolicy
“Though there are 30 members of NATO, the U.S. would bear the weight — both financially and militarily — of any war with Russia.”
Putin appears at big rally as troops press attack in Ukraine | AP News
“Vladimir Putin appeared at a huge flag-waving rally at a packed Moscow stadium Friday and lavished praise on his troops fighting in Ukraine, three weeks into the invasion that has led to heavier-than-expected Russian losses on the battlefield and increasingly authoritarian rule at home.”
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.