March was packed full of logistics-related news and transportation updates. We’ve summed up the most important events and trends that took place during the month:
Sober Steering Aims to Add Sobriety Tests to Steering Wheels
A Canadian company, Sober Steering, makes alcohol-detecting devices attached to steering wheels. It is striving to expand usage to North American trucking companies. For now, the use of devices spreads on steering wheels of school buses in Canada. It has successfully saved the lives of many from drivers under the influence. Read more about Sober Steering technology.
FMCSA will review HOS regulations and ELD rules
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) head Ray Martinez stated that the organization will review HOS rules soon with possible future changes. The information was announced at the annual Truckload Carriers Association meeting. The changes will mainly touch on HOS compliance rigidity, including the 100 air-mile “short haul” exemption, the mandatory 30-minute rest break, and more. Click here to read more about the possible HOS rules changes.
Boeing to stop moving freight on 737 MAX 8 aircraft
The company paused the operation and production of more than 4,500 Boeing 737 MAX 8 planes. The main reason for a decision is the second lethal crash of this model since October. Experts estimate these actions will cost Boeing huge amounts of money, considering the needed space to park planes and pay airline companies for a disruption. Read more about the Boeing pause here.
Ocean carriers will need to increase surcharges by 35 – 40 percent to offset IMO 2020 costs
According to a recent study, ocean carriers will have to increase fuel surcharges in 2019 to maintain margins and deal with the low-sulfur regulations costs from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2020. To stay financially stable, carriers on Asia-Europe ways would need to raise surcharges by 40%, while ones routing through Asia-Americas lanes would increase fees by 33%. Read more about ocean carriers surcharge growth here.
