Market Updates: Dec. 19th, 2023

As of December 18^th, the national average price of diesel is $3.894. Dropping 9.3 cents compared to the week prior.
Class 8 sales drop in November – for the fourth consecutive month
Port of Los Angeles is planning to add a near-dock chassis facility and container storage yard. This facility will be used for storing, maintaining and repairing chassis. Plus, a temporary storage yard for empty containers.
Over 1,100 union workers at DHL express are on strike at a Cincinnati air cargo hub – since Dec. 7^th. As of December 15^th – members of Local 100 in a variety of U.S. cities have refused to cross picket lines by CVG workers. DHL says they will not resume bargaining until January

U.S. Customs Border Protection has halted freight rail operations at two Texas ports of entry Freightwaves reports.
Surface Transportation Board has extended the deadline – to December 20^th – on feedback for its proposed rule on reciprocal switching.
Union Pacific is expanding their on-dock rail service at Port Houston – including access to four more inland markets
Georgia Ports Authority approves $127 million for building the Blue Ridge Connector – an inland rail terminal. This new terminal will serve a variety of industries such as consumer goods, heavy equipment, food, and forest products.

Canada:

Contract talks out at the Port of Montreal appear to have stalled, as a deadline for a potential strike looms (would not be earlier than January 4^th).
- The dockworkers union chief negotiator cites the maritime employers have yet to make an offer on a new pay package, as the reason for the stall.
- Shippers are ‘urging’ the Canadian government to get involved in avoiding a potential strike.

Mexico:

In the third quarter of 2023, Mexico averaged 57 thefts per day from cargo trucks, per Overhaul.
- Food and drinks, miscellaneous goods, and building and industrial materials remained the top three most stolen product types.

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