Conditions for shippers pulled back slightly to a reading of 5.4, but was still at its strongest level since May 2020, according to the Shippers Conditions Index from industry forecaster FTR. The only category for shippers that improved in January was looser capacity. “The Shippers Conditions Index is likely to hold firm unless overall economic conditions deteriorate significantly from present levels,” said Todd Tranausky, vice-president of rail and intermodal for FTR. “Looser truckload capacity, slowing imports, and improving rail service should all support stable to improving shippers’ conditions through the balance of the year.” Software transportes 3000

Nikola says it has received orders for 100 hydrogen fuel-cell-electric (FCEV) Class 8 trucks, with deliveries set to begin in the fourth quarter. “We believe Nikola is the only company in the U.S. with a Class 8 hydrogen FCEV available in calendar year 2023, engineered and assembled in the U.S., as well as a variety of upcoming hydrogen energy solutions,” Michael Lohscheller, Nikola’s president and CEO, said during remarks to the Automotive Press Association. (Photo: Nikola) “Customers are recognizing this and are demanding zero-emissions trucking solutions to fulfill their shipping needs and to meet their environmental, social and governance goals. And it will have quite an effect, as one heavy-duty…

Natural Resources Canada is looking to fund Indigenous-led projects to increase awareness about zero-emission vehicles and clean fuels, and install electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The funding is available under the Zero-Emission Vehicle Awareness Initiative, and the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program. Approved awareness programs could cover up to 75% of eligible project costs, up to a maximum $150,000 per year. Applications are accepted until March 31, 2024, although related project activities can stretch over several years, until March 31, 2026. (File photo: John G. Smith) Charging projects could also receive up to 75% of total project costs up to a maximum of $2 million per project. The intake process for…

A truck driver has pleaded guilty to careless driving causing the death of a 65-year-old animal rights activist. Andrew Blake appeared by video today before an Ontario court and pleaded guilty to the provincial offence.  Regan Russell was demonstrating outside a pig slaughterhouse west of Toronto on June 19, 2020 when she was run over by a semi-trailer as it pulled into the plant. Animal rights activist Regan Russell was killed in an accident during a protest outside Fearman’s Pork. (File photo: Toronto Pig Save) An agreed statement of facts, read by the Crown prosecutor, said Blake should have been aware Russell was standing near the driveway and eventual path…

The federal government has introduced a new pilot project to connect skilled refugees to in-demand jobs including truck driving. Beginning this summer employers can tap into the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP), which pairs refugees and other qualified people to Canadian employers facing labor shortages in key occupations. Over the next few years, the program will welcome 2,000 qualified refugees and other displaced people. The program also allows people who need international protection to apply. (Photo: istock) “Canada is a global leader in helping skilled refugees connect with employers struggling to find workers in critical areas, while giving newcomers the opportunity to restart their careers and their lives here in…

Hiring students can help transportation and logistics companies meet current needs, build a talent pipeline and beat the competition for the best candidates. Companies should make hiring students a part of their recruitment toolkit in an industry where only 8% of the workforce is under the age of 25, a quarter is over 55 years old, and the job vacancy rate continues to grow, said Ramon Smits, manager, stakeholder relations, Trucking HR Canada (THRC) during a webinar. Smits said the federal government is offering a student work placement subsidy through THRC. Employers must be related in some way to transportation or logistics. They could be manufacturers that transport their products,…

Trucking HR Canada (THRC) has announced a project, funded by the Government of Alberta, it says will support Alberta employers with recruitment and retention efforts. THRC has partnered with the Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA) to deliver project activities, according to a news release. The three-year project, HR Connects: Growing the HR Capacity of Alberta’s Trucking and Logistics Companies is designed to help employers build up their human resources management policies and practices. With just under $1 million in funding, the project will not only help the province’s trucking and logistics sector, but all other sectors supported by truck transportation, Trucking HR says. (Photo: iStock) According to recent THRC labor…

Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) has produced the 750,000th truck at its Mount Holly, N.C., truck plant. The M2 106 Plus was presented to Penske Truck Leasing during a recent ceremony. “Since it opened, the Mt. Holly plant has earned a strong reputation of manufacturing excellence based on teamwork, collaboration and partnership with our valued customers,” said Jeff Allen, senior vice-president, operations and specialty vehicles, DTNA. (Photo: DTNA) “As the longstanding home to our M2 and SD vehicle lines, we’re honored to present the milestone 750,000th truck from Mt. Holly, an all-new M2 106 Plus, to Penske Truck Leasing.” The plant was opened by Freightliner in May 1979, and began…

Transport Canada is looking to introduce a new series of fees for businesses that create or repair Means of Containment (MOCs) like tank trailers to transport dangerous goods. The fees for initial registrations or certificate renewals would apply to those who design, manufacture, requalify or repair the equipment, inspect it, or train companies that conduct MOC work. Most certificates are renewed every five years. Registrations and renewals for container facility operators or service providers would ultimately cost $1,700, while design engineers would pay $808. Those fees would be phased in at 60% on March 31, 2025, and increase 10% per year until reaching the full amount on April 2028. There…

Take a large dollop of patience, add a liberal helping of empathy, mix in a calm attitude and you have a recipe for an ideal professional driver. When you sprinkle in almost 3 million accident-free miles during a 24-year career and place a Highway Angel award on the top, you get Lee Wood. He has not received a single speeding ticket as well. How has he stayed and kept others safe on the road for so long? Lee Wood has been trucking for 24 years. (Photo: Lee Wood) The Skelton Truck Lines driver tries to help others as much as he can, is nice to everyone, offers them the benefit…