Tag Archives: transportation

US freight rail links reach deal with unions

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

Rapidly plunging Rhine remains supply chain problem

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

Klaipeda looks to position itself as the Blue Economy capital of the Baltics

Klaipeda is in Lithuania, the only substantial port in that country. Geographically it is well-positioned for the maritime industry of the Baltic Sea. A map is instructive.

Lithuania is close to Russia on the east, and Sweden on the west, and also on routes to Finland, Denmark, Germany, Poland, and Norway. There are many opportunities for trade over the sea here.

The conference planned by Klaipeda is connected with Norway, one of the most important locations for maritime innovation.

I’m planning to attend online. I will be listening especially for green innovations and plans to meet European sustainability and ESG goals for the maritime industry.

The Baltic States area has become more important due to the war in the Crimea. Lithuania blocks access to the Russian port of Kaliningrad, which is in an island of Russian territory separated from the main body of Russia. Recently permission was granted to allow transport across Lithuania to Russia, despite the sanctions on Russian shipping. Lithuania is an EU country.

Press Release.

Klaipeda looks to position itself as the Blue Economy capital of the Baltics – bruce@ahartman.net – ahartman.net Mail