Transport Topics Transport Topics

A coalition of trade associations — including American Trucking Associations — wrote to President Joe Biden on March 24th, urging the administration to take a more active role in the West Coast port labor negotiations. The contract talks involve the 22,000-member International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association, which represents management at 29 ports and distribution centers. The trade groups noted concerns related to freight shifting out of West Coast ports due to the uncertainty of the negotiations.

The trucking industry in Florida is hailing what it calls a major legislative victory: a new law that targets abusive and frivolous lawsuits.Gov. Ron DeSantis, who signed the bill Friday, said, “I am proud to sign this legislation to protect Floridians, safeguard our economy and attract more investment in our state.. Florida joins Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Texas and West Virginia as states to have enacted laws that protect businesses from unscrupulous lawsuits.

A group representing motor carriers, truck manufacturers and truck dealers has launched a coalition intended to serve as a collective voice for promoting clean transportation. Members of the Clean Freight Coalition include American Trucking Associations, American Truck Dealers, National Tank Truck Carriers, Truckload Carriers Association and Truck & Engine Manufacturers Association. Jim Mullen, whose resume includes the roles of acting administrator and general counsel for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, will serve as executive director.

Port leaders will emphasize the facilities’ significance in the supply chain when they meet with White House officials and members of Congress during the annual Legislative Summit hosted by the American Association of Port Authorities. The executives will stress the importance of sea and land ports, especially how they kept the supply chain stabilized during the COVID-19 pandemic. The summit will be held March 27-29 in Washington.

Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings has reached an agreement to acquire U.S. Xpress Enterprises for about $808 million, the companies announced March 21. The deal is expected to close late in the second quarter or early third quarter, and U.S. Xpress will continue to operate as an independent brand. Knight-Swift, based in Phoenix, ranks No. 7 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of the largest for-hire carriers in North America. U.S. Xpress, with headquarters in Chattanooga, Tenn., is No. 23.

Many of the largest ports in the U.S. saw year-over-year drops in container cargo in February. The Port of Los Angeles saw a 43% drop, the Port of Long Beach saw a 32% drop, and the Northwest Seaport Alliance reported a 24% decline.Officials say they are trying to take advantage of the lower volume to focus on infrastructure projects to prepare for when business begins to accelerate.