The Daily: March 29, 2022
Good morning, early riser. ⛅️
The freight market actually looks pretty good, regardless of the doom and gloom spelled out all over every newsstand in America. But owner-operators are still facing some serious challenges. What needs to change in order for owner-operators to reap the benefits of a growing freight market? 🚛
Today’s Featured article from Overdrive Online is prepared to fill you in with all the details. ☕️
“Becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn’t end.”
– Michelle Obama, from Becoming
Toady’s Featured Article:
Despite record freight market, challenges remain for operators | Overdrive (overdriveonline.com)
“Mike Hosted, marketing VP with ATBS, and Overdrive contributing writer Gary Buchs presented owner-operator income, cost, and revenue data and business strategy analysis during a Partners in Business seminar Friday at the Mid-America Trucking Show.”
The Latest On…
Unions 🪧
Amazon faces another high-stakes union election as vote kicks off in Staten Island (msn.com)
“At an Amazon facility on Staten Island, thousands of workers began voting on Friday on whether to unionize.”
Amazon Employees Don’t Need a Union | City Journal (city-journal.org)
“Tight labor markets empower workers more than any union. That’s why it’s unlikely that the 7,500 Amazon workers at the JFK8 plant in Staten Island, New York, who are voting today on whether to join the Amazon Labor Union, will choose to be organized. Voting at Amazon’s LDJ5 plant (also in Staten Island), which employs 1,500 workers, will take place next month.”
Trade & Border Issues 🗺
Which Countries Are Still Buying Russian Oil? (ndtv.com)
“There is a raging debate on whether India should buy Russian oil or not. Let's look at which countries are still buying Russian crude oil.”
With Russian sanctions, small companies may be in for a big surprise (cnbc.com)
“Unprecedented sanctions against Russian businesses, banks and individuals have continued to escalate this week and raise more risk that companies may run afoul of the U.S. Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control and export restrictions if they are not careful.”
When Variability Is Our Only Constant – Supply Chain Shaman
“For the past three weeks, I attempted to move my fingers on the keyboard, but to no avail.”
Russian Tankers Going Dark Raises Flags on Sanctions Evasion (gcaptain.com)
“Russian tankers carrying oil chemicals and products are increasingly concealing their movements, a phenomenon that some maritime experts warn could signal attempts to evade unprecedented sanctions prompted by the invasion of Ukraine.”
Ukraine leader says he seeks peace 'without delay' in talks | AP News
“Ukraine is prepared to declare its neutrality and consider a compromise on contested areas in the country’s east, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said ahead of another round of talks set for Tuesday on stopping the fighting. But he said only a face-to-face meeting with Russia’s leader can end the war.”
Cyber Threats 👾
The hard truth behind Biden’s cyber warnings - POLITICO
“Hackers from Russia and elsewhere have repeatedly breached companies and agencies critical to the nation's welfare.”
Fuel ⛽️
Smarter Fuel-Buying Tips [Video] - Fuel Smarts - Trucking Info
“With diesel prices at or near record highs, HDT Talks Trucking shares tips from fuel-buying expert Glen Sokolis about how fleets can save money beyond better fuel mileage.”
Why gas prices have soared in America (cnbc.com)
“For years politicians have said the booming American oil industry would make the country ‘energy independent’”
Rising fuel prices keep TL rates elevated, DAT reports | FleetOwner
“Volumes fell 12.8% in February and shifted toward contract freight, according to trucking data research firm.”
Health & Safety ⛑
How Central Oregon Truck Company Stays on Top of Safety - Fleet Management - Trucking Info
“For Central Oregon Truck Company, safety is all-encompassing. It begins with an extensive new driver orientation program and continues through to ongoing safety education and online training through CarriersEdge.”
California groundbreaking set for largest wildlife crossing - TheTrucker.com
“Groundbreaking is set for next month on what’s billed as the world’s largest wildlife crossing — a bridge over a major Southern California highway that will provide more room to roam for mountain lions and other animals hemmed in by urban sprawl.”
Fuel Tech ♻️
The Future of Energy Will Require Bigger Sacrifice From Citizens | 2022-03-28 | SupplyChainBrain
“Not since Jimmy Carter was U.S. president have governments around the world been under so much pressure to ask their citizens to cut energy consumption for the greater good.”
Ports 🚢
No Quick Fix for Congestion That Continues to Plague Port Operations | SupplyChainBrain
“Ocean cargo handlers are scrambling for solutions to the congestion that continues to plague major U.S. container ports, especially Los Angeles and Long Beach. But the ultimate answer might lie in something beyond their control: time.”
No Congestion Relief in Sight - Inbound Logistics
“U.S. ocean container import volumes will remain high in 2022, which indicates similar levels of disruption as 2021.”
Global Supply Chain News: Will it be Amazon and Maersk Battling for Leadership of Global Logistics | SC Digest
“It’s no secret that Amazon has been building out its domestic and global logistics capabilities, from operating more than 80 cargo aircraft - operating in part out of a new $1.5 billion air hub near Cincinnati - to moving products for its marketplace customers on ocean ships from Asia it controls.”
Tech File: Foldable, "Workboat In A Box" Goes To Work (marinelink.com)
“The military force for the Kingdom of Bahrain purchased the self-propelled WorkFloat, a 12 x 6m WorkFloat platform which has the unique ability to fold up -- including all equipment -- and fit into a standard 40-ft. shipping container.”
Network Association 🤝
XPO finds a willing buyer for its $710 million intermodal unit | DC Velocity
“3PL sheds another layer in sale to STG Logistics as Connecticut conglomerate continues to unwind years of acquisitions.”
Aeroterm Acquires Two Highly Functional Warehouses in Montréal, Canada Adjacent to Montréal-Trudeau | DC Velocity
“Aeroterm, a leading owner and developer of on-airport cargo facilities, announces the acquisition of two airport adjacent warehouses located at 1790-1820 Saint-François and 2600-2650 André in Dorval, Quebec.”
Maintenance & Repair 🧰
Invest in maintenance, not just new infrastructure | Fleet Maintenance
“It’s time to give maintenance the resources and respect that innovation gets.”
Company Culture 🎉
The Myth That Most Americans Hate Their Job - The Atlantic
“Resignations are rising because people are seeing more job listings, not because they’re feeling more Marxist.”
Electric Vehicles 🔋
With multibillion-dollar investments across continents, VW and Tesla battle for EV supremacy (nbcnews.com)
“The German automaker is taking the fight to the U.S., a market where Tesla is the overwhelmingly dominant electric vehicle manufacturer.”
AES Indiana, AES Ohio join National Electric Highway Coalition to support national EV infrastructure - Daily Energy Insider
“The National Electric Highway Coalition (NEHC) this week added several new members to its collaborative efforts at deploying electric vehicle (EV) fast changing infrastructure around the country, including AES Indiana and AES Ohio.”
Maersk to add 300 electric trucks to North America network | Transport Dive
“The Class 8 8TT Gen 3 trucks manufactured by BYD will hit the road between 2023 and 2025. They'll be operated by technology company Einride.”
Regulations ⚖️
Biden Is Poised To Make Freight Trains Less Safe. You Can Thank Special Interests. (reason.com)
“Once again, Washington is giving us every reason to believe it's selling favors to cronies even if it means everyone else loses.”
Years in the making, one climate bill is allowing legislators to boldly reinvent transportation in Washington. Here’s how. | by Governor Jay Inslee | Washington State Governor's Office | Mar, 2022 | Medium
“Gov. Jay Inslee is quick to seize any opportunity to pitch the urgency of climate change.”
Biden wants to spend infrastructure billions on climate and equity initiatives. But it’s not his call. - POLITICO
“Biden’s inability to control how a large portion of the infrastructure money gets spent is largely due to legal constraints.”
Inflation 💸
Don't Blame Putin Alone for Soaring Gas and Grocery Prices: Expert (businessinsider.com)
“Will Ruger told Insider the Ukraine war was being used as an ‘excuse’ for problems already facing the US economy.”
Consumer Sentiment Fell in March, Remains at Recessionary Level | AIER
“The final March results from the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers show overall consumer sentiment fell again, hitting the lowest level since August 2011.”
War Dims Global Business Outlook as Inflation Plight Worsens | 2022-03-25 | SupplyChainBrain
“Factories from Australia to Europe are seeing already surging costs jump further as Russia’s war in Ukraine and the barrage of sanctions rolled out in response roil commodity markets and trade.”
Trucker’s Lounge 🧢
Truck owners and drivers of the year at Las Vegas awards banquet | Overdrive (overdriveonline.com)
“While we're busy covering the various comings and goings at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky, this week, find in this week's podcast a window on the big awards banquet out in Las Vegas earlier in the week with the Truckload 2022 conference of the Truckload Carriers Association.”
Michael Shaughnessy: Honed for the Holidays - Inbound Logistics
“Michael Shaughnessy is senior vice president, supply chain, operations, and emerging markets, with Balsam Brands, which designs and offers home décor, including under its flagship brand, Balsam Hill.”
Shortages 🛒
GM to halt pickup truck production in Indiana due to chip shortage (cnbc.com)
“The facility produces highly profitable Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size pickup trucks.”
Brokerage 📞
Difficulty is Securing Trucks to Haul Freight is Changing the Face of Logistics - Logistics Viewpoints
“TuSimple Holdings (NASDAQ: TSP) – in its most recent call with financial analysts – reaffirmed that they expect to have fully autonomous trucks on the road in 2024.”
TMS 🖥
The Risk of Venture Capital Takeover of Supply Chain Software Providers–Anaplan A New Victim – Supply Chain Shaman
“A dark cloud is laying heavy over the supply chain management technology market. The risk of the cloud is seldom discussed, but it is omnipresent.”
MTS Launches Its Supply Chain & PO Management Suite, For Automation of POs & Shipments - More Than Shipping
“At MTS Logistics, we have been investing in state-of-the-art technology for many years now.”
Artificial Intelligence 🤖
A Driverless Future is on the Horizon — iLevel Logistics
“Advocates for autonomous vehicles (AVs) argue that widespread adoption would boost the overall safety of motorists.”
Compliance 📋
A History of American Maritime Law (gcaptain.com)
“Maritime law has governed ships and shipping for the past 2,000 years.”
FMCSA, Labor Department take message directly to drivers - Land Line
“The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the U.S. Department of Labor used the Mid-America Trucking Show to inform truck drivers and motor carriers about some of its latest programs.”
Taxes 💰
Biden budget seeks minimum tax on households worth $100m | AP News
“President Joe Biden intends to propose a minimum tax of 20% on households worth more than $100 million and cut projected budget deficits by more than $1 trillion over the next decade, according to a fact sheets released Saturday by the White House budget office.”
Small businesses face tax headaches on top of pandemic woes | AP News
“Small businesses that have been buffeted by the pandemic, inflation and shipping woes have another challenge to add to their plate: taxes.”
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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.