GLG News by Intermodal Logistics Experts

Tradewinds reported that Rio Tinto and BHP Billington have finalized contracts with Baosteel for an 80%+ increase in the price of iron ore out of Australia.  This compares favorably to the Vale benchmark achieved earlier this year for a 65% increase out of Brazil and reflects the freight differential...

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported that the Midwest Floods “continued to negatively impact rail freight traffic” during last week, a statement easily verified by a quick check of the weekly carloads of the UP RR which showed at 10% drop in carload for the week ending June 21. However,...

Tradewinds reported that Rhythm of Life Cosmetics has filed a "me too" law suit against Matson Navigation Company (Nasdaq:ALEX) citing the DOJ investigation into the Jones Act liner trades.  This is the first suit against Matson, whom does not participate in the Puerto Rico trade where most of...

  After 67 years of service, Michigan-based Alvan Motor Freight is ceasing operations and will file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.    A Teamsters-covered carrier, Alvan is the latest victim of the brutal operating and cost environment facing all U.S. trucking companies. Alvan President...

  The seasonally adjusted ATA Truck Tonnage Index rose a scant 0.5 percent in may, compared with a revised 0.6 percent drop in April. This is the first month-over-month increase in four months.   The seasonally adjusted index was 3.3 percent higher compared with May of 2007. That marks the...

FedEx is fighting a major threat to its FedEx Ground business model by opposing any changes to its independent contractor status for thousands of its FedEx Ground workers. The issue strikes at the heart of the business model of FedEx Ground, which at $5 billion is the lone major competitor to $50 billion-a-year...

Frozen Foods Express has announced that they will be implementing a Temperature-Controlled Surcharge that will be added to their truck fuel surcharge. While it will probably be slower in getting implemented throughout the industry than many wish, it should be a positive for the segment (and for other...

3pl's in the long-run need to invest in their own logistic infrastructure. This is because some parts of the logistics service can only be well run by owning the infrastructure needed for these operations. Pure 3pl can only be a temporary solution. Subcontractors of the 3pl's will eventually...

  The annual State of Logistics Report issued by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals shows that businesses spent a record $1.4 trillion on logistics last year. That's equal to 10.1 percent of Gross Domestic Product. It's the first time since 2000 that figure has exceeded 10 percent....

The recent announcements of major cutbacks in US light vehicle production will definitely have a negative impact on both railroad traffic volumes and railroad profits. While this traffic only accounts for only 5% of all US carload shipments, its hefty margins contribute much more to the bottom line...