Tag Archives: transportation

BLS data indicates truck transportation employment growth may be slowing

Posted on September 6, 2022 by | 2 comments

This interesting article dissects the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) monthly report. Truck job growth might be slowing, but warehouse jobs are declining. Is that due to increased automation? Or is it due to fewer people wanting the jobs, when the economy has so many others?

One good thing in this article is a discussion of the seasonally adjusted number in comparison to the absolute number. Economists consider the seasonally adjusted number more important for forecasting and for deducing the economics of the situation. However, we do what to know the absolute number of reports.

The BLS reports are always of some interest, and this article captures the facts nicely.

John Kingston Friday, September 2, 2022

BLS data indicates truck transportation employment growth may be slowing – FreightWaves

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Posted in Labor Economics, Logistics

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US freight rail links reach deal with unions

Posted on August 31, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Unions have reached a deal with rail lines on a contract for the next five years.

There will be a 24% wage increase over the next five years, with 14.1% immediate, and five payouts of $1000 per worker.

The terms are along the lines recommended by the Presidential Emergency Board (PEB). The board was appointed to prevent workers from striking for 30 days while the disputants continued talking, and to make recommendations for a reasonable settlement.

This agreement should provide a framework for the additional unions that have not reached agreements yet.

It’s good to know that it’s likely there will not be a rail strike this fall to disrupt supply chains that use rail. We have enough disruptions now, and need to get back to something approaching normal in the rail industry.

Rail is currently viewed in the US as one of the major factors in port congestion today. The rails claim that they have labor shortages. The increased salaries might help them keep and recruit workers. The other factor is work load, and that will be determined by the interaction between the union workers and the management at the rail locations throughout the country.

August 30, 2022 ByJack Donnelly

US freight rail links reach deal with unions – Port Technology International

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Posted in Logistics, Rail

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Rapidly plunging Rhine remains supply chain problem

Posted on August 22, 2022 by | 1 comment

Low water levels in the Rhine River severely impact barge and shipping traffic. The Rhine is one of the most important inland shipping routes in Europe. EU nations have for years now tried to emphasize getting freight traffic off the roads and onto rivers via barge.

One of the most severe impacts is to refineries along the Rhine. They have had to shut down because of lack of supply. That’s bad for Europe, because of the shortage of petroleum fuels due to the Ukraine war.

This map shows the problem.

Source: S&P Global Commodity Insights.

The depth measurements at Kaub, shown in the middle of the map, increased in the last few days due to extensive rain in Switzerland, but remain far below normal levels. There’s not enough water to float some barges that would normally be used for river cargo and petroleum products.

It’s a blow for the EU caused by a natural problem. Is global warming to blame? We don’t know, but cyclical droughts have been known for years, and clearly disrupt our plans. Trucking congestion is rising fast, and is neither as efficient nor as clean as the barge traffic.

John Kingston Friday, August 19, 2022

Rapidly plunging Rhine remains supply chain problem even as some relief looms – FreightWaves

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Posted in Logistics, Ports, Shipping, Supply Chains

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