Commerce Express Weekly Road Map: February 15th, 2022
Keeping you informed on the latest news/insights in our industry.
Commerce Express Blog
Truckload carriers have continued to raise trucker pay as more demand has increased, not just for retaining and recruiting truckers, but for consumer goods as well. Many experts are expressing the need to make the industry more appealing for someone who is expected to take this kind of job, where the lifestyle is not your typical working lifestyle. To put things in perspective in 2021, the trucking industry was down approximately 80,000 truckers, reported the American Trucking Associations.
Trucking Update
- The trucking industry finished 2021 on a high note, with many in the industry expecting that to continue through 2022. U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which measures the monetary value of final goods and services, jumped 6.9% in the fourth quarter, and as the inventory investment across the country increased, the goods transport sector of the GDP saw a 15.4% quarter-over-quarter growth since 2020, reported FleetOwner.
- The U.S. is temporarily suspending avocado imports from Mexico after an American official received a threatening call, reported Insider. This suspension comes after avocado prices hit record highs following up to the Super Bowl this past Sunday. According to Bloomberg, the price spike was due to an increase in production costs, a labor crunch, and a supply chain logjam. No word on when this temporary suspension will end but USDA officials say the suspension will go as long as necessary to ensure worker safety.
- Parts of the south could see severe thunderstorms and heavy rain Wednesday into Thursday this week, reported Freightwaves. In addition, high winds threaten a risk of rollovers for drivers early this week, from the Sierra Nevada to the Desert Southwest, reported Freightwaves. Lastly, the Plains to the Great Lakes are expecting heavy snow and icy conditions late this week, as a cold front going across the Pacific Northwest and the Rockies early Monday will occur, according to Freightwaves. St. Louis to Chicago, Detroit, Toronto and Montreal are all expected to receive heavy snow, up to 6 inches, regions near the south are more likely to see ice than snow.
- Major lanes of concern, according to Freightwaves
- Interstate 55 from Chicago to St. Louis
- Interstate 65 in Indiana from Gary to Indianapolis
- Interstate 70 from Topeka, Kansas, to Indianapolis
- Major lanes of concern, according to Freightwaves
Industry FAQ's
Are robots needed in warehouses?
The implementation of robots in warehouses does prove to provide advantages to efficiency and additional safety measures – even though it is a non-traditional way to improve such warehouse difficulties.
What are the required documents to ensure a successful cross-border shipment from Mexico?
Bill of Lading, A commercial invoice, NAFTA Certificate or Origin, Packing List, Customs Declaration, and Shipper’s Export Declaration. If you need more information on what these documents mean, reach out to us today!
Rail Update
- The Port of Savannah attained its 18th consecutive monthly record as they handled 479,700 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) January 2021, up 4% from last January reported Freightwaves. Additionally, intermodal rail volumes at the Port rose by 10%, which is also a record. The Georgia Ports Authority added nine working tracks back in November, which helped pushed the Port’s rail lift capacity by 2 million TEUs per year, according to Freightwaves.
- Two passenger rail organizations are asking the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to be aware of the unintended short-term and long-term difficulties the proposed reciprocal switching regulations could have on their personal operations as reported by Railway Age. This comes after an Executive Order in 2021 by the Biden Administration to increase competition was put in place.
- Two rail-served inland ports at the South Carolina ports posted year-over-year volume declines. According to the South Carolina Ports Authority, Inland Port Greer reported 9,301 rail moves in January and the Inland Port Dillion reported 1,942 rail moves – both were decreases from last year in January.
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