Industry News

Released: June 28, 2011

New NASSTRAC Web Site Helps Shippers Take Action on Freight Advocacy Issues

Federal and state authorities continue to consider and adopt initiatives that have a direct impact on transportation and supply chain. As one of its primary missions, NASSTRAC continues to be a leader in opposing unwise or excessively burdensome regulation in such areas as security, global trade, and workforce and operational requirements. To help accomplish this mission, NASSTRAC recently launched a new web site, www.FreightAdvocacy.org, which helps educate shippers on key transportation issues, keeps them updated on advocacy developments, and ultimately provides them with the means by which they can quickly and efficiently communicate concerns to the appropriate government officials. "Through well-orchestrated advocacy initiatives such as www.FreightAdvocacy.org, NASSTRAC continues to communicate shipper concerns with greater impact and at a lower cost than if each shipper member acted alone," said Brian Everett, Executive Director.

> For more information, visit FreightAdvocacy.org.

 

Shippers Encouraged to Reach Out To Congress Representatives on Hours Of Service

As a NASSTRAC member, you're likely aware of recent proposed changes by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in current truck driver hours of service rules. Clearly, changes to the current rules will result in increased costs, negatively impact an already significantly driver shortage, and ultimately reduce trucking industry productivity. NASSTRAC has launched a new advocacy campaign using a letter template that will allow you to quickly and easily articulate your concerns to your individual members of Congress.

> Encourage Your Congress Reps to Vote "No" to Changes on HOS

 

Truck Tonnage Index Falls 2.3 Percent In May

The American Trucking Associations' advance seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index decreased 2.3% in May, after decreasing a revised .6% in April. The drop in April was slightly less than the .7% ATA reported on May 25. The latest drop placed the SA Index at 112.3 (2000=100) in May, down from the April level of 114.9. The not seasonally adjusted index, which represents the change in tonnage actually hauled by the fleets before any seasonal adjustment, equaled 115.9 in May, which was 2% above the previous month. Compared with May 2010, SA tonnage climbed 2.7%, although this was the smallest year-over-year gain since February 2010. In April, the tonnage index was 4.8% above the previous year. After seeing the truck tonnage over the last four months hitting a soft patch, there is renewed concerns over the economic recovery. "With oil prices falling and some of the Japan-related auto supply problems ending, I believe this was a soft patch and not a slide back into recession," said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello, "and we should see better, but not great, economic activity in the months ahead."

 

Durable Goods Orders Rise 1.9 Percent

New orders for U.S. manufactured goods rose 1.9% in May, helped by a jump in aircraft sales, and the U.S. Commerce Dept. revised its estimate of Q1 GDP growth. The increase followed a drop of 2.7% in April, when orders were affected by a slow month for aircraft orders and automotive supply chain disruptions following the Japan earthquake. Excluding the volatile transportation section, durable goods orders increased .6% after a revised .4% drop in April that had previously been estimated at a 1.6% decline. Durable goods orders are a leading indicator of manufacturing health and are closely watched in the transportation industry as a gauge of future freight demand. Nearly 21% of all Regular members of NASSTRAC are manufacturers.

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