Author Archives: just2bruce

Rail/Intermodal: Still on track, but not immune to challenges

So rail is asking for re-regulation?  Give me a break.  When things get tough they simply want government relief.

This article authored by Jeff Berman is interesting, and even more so taken with others in the issue.  Those talk about how the balance between long haul trucking and intermodal may be shifting.  Trucking costs are going up, and folks are shifting to intermodal.  This places a greater load on the rail network, and since rails don’t make the money on intermodal that they do on commodities, they are wary of making capital investments to speed up intermodal flows.  Are higher regulated rates the answer?  I doubt it.

Logistics management logo

2015 State of Logistics Rail/Intermodal: Still on track, but not immune to challenges – Article from Logistics Management.

Drewry: Carriers Opt for Ships over Containers

Port Technology reports that shipping companies are not buying as many containers as before.  maybe it’s temporary, maybe an attempt to get other parties to buy them..

Drewry: Carriers Opt for Ships over Containers.

Port truck drivers vying to join union get state, federal boost – LA Times

Union and Trucking company views on the recent NLRB decision.  This is simply the NLRB deciding to allow a vote. It is not yet requiring unionization. If the truckers vote against it, the union won’t be there.

Port truck drivers vying to join union get state, federal boost – LA Times.

The questions about abuses of labor market power by Pac9 are nowhere near explained or dealt with yet.  Unionizing the workers is only one approach.