Author Archives: just2bruce

‘Firms undervaluing their drivers caused this shortage crisis across Europe’

Posted on September 8, 2021 | 2 comments

Europe has much the same problem as the US when it comes to a driver shortage for logistics.

And the problem made it into consciousness for a similar reason– a new regulation that required drivers to take 45 hours of rest outside their truck, and other work rules. The rules were made for safety reasons, and they make a lot of sense.

But the effect was to prevent drivers from using extra hours to earn money from firms that pay too little. ‘Make it up on volume’ is possible only if you have enough hours to do it.

So drivers increasingly are simply walking away from driving jobs, or quitting and looking for jobs from those few companies that pay more fairly.

The speakers in the article make it plain that trucking firms themselves brought this shortage on, by not paying drivers fairly and not providing fair working conditions.

It’s much the same story in the US.

By Alex Whiteman 08/09/2021

‘Firms undervaluing their drivers caused this shortage crisis across Europe’ – The Loadstar

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Posted in entrepreneurship, Labor Economics, Logistics, Supply Chains, Trucking

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Cheers to that! Heineken first customer for zero-emission inland vessel

Posted on September 8, 2021 | 1 comment

It’s fitting that a beer company would be the first customer for an electric ship on inland canals.

The ship is unique, because it uses rcontgainers of rechargable batteries as power. The containers can be swapped at either end of the voyage to renew the power source.

Inland waterway traffic in Europe is very important to reduce the level of pollution fom trucks. Most EU countries have set goals to increase the amount of inland waterway barge traffic, to reduce the trucks on the road. This vessel is even better, since it does not generate any emissions at all, whereas a diesel barge would generate some.

Hope they get more of them!

7 September 2021 Port Technology International Team

Cheers to that! Heineken first customer for zero-emission inland vessel – Port Technology International

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Posted in Logistics, Ports, Shipping, Sustainability

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Oregon to get new 1m teu container port

Posted on September 8, 2021 | Leave a comment

So this is news for the West Coast; there aren’t many 1M teu container ports there. But guess the location: Coos Bay, OR.

Coos Bay is a lovely oceanside town, a favorite with retirees and nature lovers. A friend of mine recently moved there.

The folks there aren’t going to be wild about a big container port, with all the trucks jamming up the highways and the air and other pollution being spread. In fairness, the plan does include rail to the port, which should reduce the need for drayage trucks. But it won’t eliminate them.

Andrew Cox September 8, 2021

Oregon to get new 1m teu container port – Splash247

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Posted in Logistics, Managerial Econ, Ports, Shipping, Supply Chains

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