Coronavirus pushes fleets to rethink the last mile

The pandemic has thrown a wrench into route optimization planning and could accelerate e-commerce in the long term.

By Jim Stinson • April 21, 2020

PPE shortages, driver health spell further trouble for trucking

FEMA, Congress, industry groups and fleets have flagged the health of drivers as a growing concern as the coronavirus persists.

By Jim Stinson • Updated April 21, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Trucking Dive

These five stories detail the top trends and issues facing the trucking and transportation industry. 

By Trucking Dive staff

FTR: Tough trucking conditions to persist until 2021

Trailer orders dropped 54% in March, and volumes and rates could hit bottom in April and May, said FTR.

By Jim Stinson • April 17, 2020

XPO CEO is a 'mega-bull' in the long term, despite coronavirus

Brad Jacobs, XPO CEO, said 2020 will be a lost year for earnings, but big things will follow.

By Jim Stinson • April 16, 2020

Coronavirus prompts JB Hunt to reallocate resources

The carrier saw Q1 revenue rise as the COVID-19 pandemic spiked trucking demand, but CEO John Roberts anticipates "near-term turbulence."

By Jim Stinson • April 15, 2020

March TL linehaul rates lowest since 2009, Cass says

Shipper spending on transport fell 8% in March, and Cass said it expects transport pricing to remain low through May. 

By S.L. Fuller • April 15, 2020

FedEx Freight furloughs undisclosed number of workers

FedEx officials said the action was due to the economic impact of COVID-19, and was necessary "to protect the financial stability of the company."

By Jim Stinson • April 14, 2020

Coronavirus slowdowns and shutdowns: What's next for trucking?

With COVID-19 cases reaching peak in parts of the U.S., fleet executives turn their attention to post-pandemic demand. 

By Jim Stinson • April 14, 2020

After March panic peak, load volume returning to normal

Coronavirus-driven demand boosted trucks in March, but now load normalcy may be returning.

By Jim Stinson • April 13, 2020

Lower oil and diesel prices are a mixed bag for trucking

Cheap oil could mean layoffs for some fleets.

By Jim Stinson • April 9, 2020

WTO predicts dismal trade levels in 2020, spelling trouble for intermodal, owner-operators

Optimistically, global trade would decline by 13% year over year. In a pessimistic outlook, the decline is 32% or more YoY.  

By S.L. Fuller • April 9, 2020

Imports reach 5-year low, signaling drop in demand for transport

The National Retail Federation expects below-normal import volumes through early summer and said cargo could sit longer than usual at ports.

By Shefali Kapadia • April 9, 2020

Consumer demand pushes March truck levels above February

COVID-19 has kept trucks busy, but are rates dropping?

By Jim Stinson • April 8, 2020

Shutdown-impacted businesses taking PPP loans may risk losing CARES Act tax benefits

Until rules are released, it's not clear paying expenses with stimulus loan funds will help a business come tax time.

By Robert Freedman • April 7, 2020

Transportation bottlenecks snarl inputs to food supply chains

Truck driver shortages, port personnel heath checks and other obstacles related to COVID-19 containment and mitigation efforts are keeping grain and other commodity supply chains from flowing normally.

By Emma Cosgrove • April 7, 2020

Fleets breeze along highways but get hit with longer dwell times

During the coronavirus crisis, shippers' best efforts at planning are falling short, with unachievable appointment times up 18% in March compared to February, according to a FourKites' CTO. 

By Jim Stinson • April 6, 2020

Coronavirus drives fleets toward tech for training, recruitment

COVID-19 gives no rest to fleets from the crucial task of recruiting and training drivers and has pushed carriers to move the processes online.

By Jim Stinson • April 6, 2020

Daimler limits production as Paccar, Mack extend shutdowns

Market forces and social distancing are keeping OEMs offline longer than anticipated.

By Jim Stinson • Updated April 7, 2020

Roadrunner thins down to asset-light LTL with sale of Stagecoach

The carrier identified its sell-off strategy as a way to simplify its portfolio and become a leaner LTL company, a trend visible at other firms too.

By Jim Stinson • April 3, 2020

Mack, Daimler offer fleets finance programs to keep cash flowing

The programs aim to help fleets make buying decisions in the middle of a pandemic.

By Jim Stinson • April 1, 2020

COVID-19 treatment, tests could increase employers' 2020 healthcare costs by 7%

Costs per infected person were estimated at $250 for mild cases, $2,500 for moderate cases, $30,000 for severe cases and close to $100,000 for catastrophic cases.

By Ryan Golden • April 1, 2020

UPS, FedEx suspend service guarantees citing coronavirus impact

UPS declined to "speculate about future policies" when asked if it is considering a force majeure declaration and if the service guarantee will return after the COVID-19 crisis resolves.

By Emma Cosgrove • April 1, 2020

UPS, FEMA boost collaboration in coronavirus response

Transport firms are operating as essential businesses, rushing to supply the public and private sectors with health equipment and pharmaceutical items.

By Jim Stinson • March 31, 2020

Spot market displays new behavior as COVID-19 shifts demand

Coronavirus has put more spot-market trucks on routes once less lucrative.

By Jim Stinson • March 31, 2020

ATA: Trucking will benefit from $2.2T stimulus bill

The American Trucking Associations praised the bill for allowing smaller businesses to get disaster-related loans.

By Jim Stinson • March 30, 2020