We are two weeks away from one of the most discussed dates in the transportation industry this year. Carriers were given a grace period between December 18 and April 1 to ensure ELD compliance. The soft launch was intended to facilitate the transition. Despite the push-back from carriers and attempts to overturn the new regulation, FMCSA will begin full enforcement of the ELD compliance on April 1.

The FMCSA issued hours of service (HOS) regulations for truck drivers that limit the maximum time that can be driven in a period. Recently in the transportation industry, the OODIA made a petition to the FMCSA to create more flexibility for drivers so that traffic, weather or dock delays don’t impact their drive time availability. They are requesting that drivers who fall under the HOS regulations are given a rest break (up to three hours) once for every 14-hour duty. This rest break would be to stop the continuous 14-hour window drivers are given to operate. However, this would not eliminate the consecutive 10-hour off-duty break that is required before each shift.

Most shippers and 3PL’s are practicing quite strict and thorough carrier vetting procedures nowadays. This is an absolute must in today’s freight world – implementing and following thorough processes for carrier screening is the only way to ensure you’re dispatching your or your customer’s freight into good hands.

This year, Women’s History Month is observed in March. This month is dedicated to celebrating accomplishments of all women in all aspects of our lives. Today, it’s hard to imagine the trucking and logistics industry without women. In today’s , we want to tell you a little bit about the history of women in trucking, who they were and how they fought for women’s rights in a profession viewed as predominantly male.

UPS Bought Electric Vehicles to Increase Sustainability Sustainability is a hot topic today that is pushing many companies to “go green” and adopt new technology that is environmentally friendly. UPS has taken a step towards being more sustainable by purchasing 50 electric vehicles. Electric vehicles can save companies lots of money by reducing the cost of maintenance along with fuel costs. UPS acquiring these electric vehicles puts them ahead of other companies who may be looking to do the same and acquire electric vehicles themselves to stay ahead of technology advancements being made in the industry. To read more, click here.

Less-than-truckload (LTL) is often our go-to for smaller shipments. It is more structured and often more cost-effective than simply shipping your freight as a partial load, not to mention that it’s much easier to arrange.

The world is in constant growth and it’s difficult to keep up sometimes. We as a population grow, and as we grow, the more is needed. Everything from building materials for homes, consumer goods for pleasure, and barrels of oil for our vehicles are circulated around the world. But how do we keep up with such a demand? Well, the answer is the same that we have had in the past, truck drivers.

We all hope we never have to deal with freight claims. It always seems very hypothetical and unreal – until your first shipment is lost or damaged. Unfortunately, if you are an active supply chain participant, you will most likely end up with a freight claim at some point in your career.

When you picture Valentine’s Day in your mind, what do you see? Chocolates, hearts, giant stuffed teddy bears, and “lovey-dovey” cards. But isn’t there something that is even more common on that day? Yes, flowers! But not just any flower, roses, vibrant red roses. These beautiful and delicate flowers are a true symbol of love and a staple when February 14th arrives. Their growing popularity has called for higher import numbers. In fact, an average of 198 million roses are produced each year just for Valentine’s Day. That’s a lot of flowers…

The discussion of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has been popular the month of January with officials from the US, Mexico, and Canada ending round 6 talks in Montreal, Quebec on the 29th. Ever since President Trump made the announcement that NAFTA was the “worst trade deal the US has ever signed” during his 2016 election race, tensions have been high in North America because of uncertainty.

International shipping comes in different shapes and forms. Shippers can choose the most suitable transportation mode for their shipment depending on what they need: quick transit or cost-savings. Air shipping will offer fast transit times, but it will come at a cost. Ocean shipping will be significantly slower, but at the same time, much friendlier-priced.

2018 Winter Storms Were in Full Effect inga-snow-recap-noaa.jpg Early January was the time for snow. The East Coast was hit hard at the start of the year with snow squalls reaching as far as northern Florida. Regions around Lake Erie saw heavy snow the first week of January, with record-breaking accumulation of over 133 inches. Major roadways were shut down causing large delays and disruptions to markets with restrictions to trucking. Not long after, the major storm Inga swept through the Northeast, Midwest, and South. Inga was one of the largest winter storms in recent history. Many states were unprepared and lack the means of snow and ice removal creating gridlocks. Airports where heavily disrupted, roadways were closed, and schools/ businesses shut down.

Winter is in full swing, and we are “lucky” to have an opportunity to experience all the negative side effects of severe winter weather. Last week we discussed a few tips to help you handle your shipping in winter. Today we want to continue the topic and get a bit more practical. Significant parts of the U.S. suffer from all kinds of severe weather during winter season, including very low temperatures.