Today's Trucking Staff

Mounties and APTA Join Cargo-Theft Fight

FREDERICTON, NB - Trucking, law enforcement and insurance interests are coming together to address what they say is the growing problem of cargo theft in one part of Canada. The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Atlantic Provinces Trucking Trucking Association (APTA) are set to formally announce a program on Wednesday to help raise awareness of and combat cargo theft, which includes stealing trucks or trailers containing merchandise. Cargo theft in Atlantic Canada and across the country has become a serious issue, according to ICB, the national industry association representing Canada's private home, auto and business insurers. "Not only does it put the safety of Canadians in jeopardy, it can cost the Canadian economy billions of dollars and is often linked to organized crime, which uses the proceeds to fund activities such as gun and drug smuggling," the group said in a release. Today's Trucking will have more details about this following the full announcement.

Trucking HR Canada Looks to Boost Mentoring for Women

OTTAWA - Trucking HR Canada is asking for your input so it can gather information on the role mentoring can play to support more women in the trucking industry.

See That Glowing Truck? It’s Using Plasma to Save Fuel

BETTENDORF, IA -- A new generation of aerodynamic improvements for tractor-trailers to reduce fuel consumption is being tested and if you see one you can tell by how its glowing.

TTSAO Growing, Increases Board Members

MILTON, ON -- The Truck Training Schools Association of Ontario (TTSAO) has appointed three new people to its current board of directors as the group increases its size and scope.

Hearing Focuses on Truck Emissions, Fuel Economy Rules

CHICAGO, IL - Regulators got an earful this week when it comes to a proposed second phase of commercial truck greenhouse gas emissions and fuel efficiency standards in the U.S., which Canada is expected to follow.

Toronto Braces for Traffic Problems with Parapan Am Games

TORONTO -- The Greater Toronto area faces another wave of traffic problems following the recent Pan Am Games, but this time around conditions may be a little less intense.

Tremcar Opens New Quebec Service Center

Levis, QC -- The tanker trailer manufacturer Tremcar has opened a new Quebec service center, that was a long time in the making, according to the company.

Diesel Prices Continue Decline, Canadian Crude Tumbles

LONDON, ON and WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Fuel prices continue falling, returning to levels seen earlier in the year while also hitting their lowest price in several years south of the border, according to figures released this week. The petroleum information services provider The Kent Group reports average Canadian cost of diesel shed another $0.006 this week, hitting $1.086 per liter. This marks its sixth consecutive weekly drop and is at its lowest level since early February. Compared to this week a year ago the average cost of diesel is down $0.212. Prices are varied across the country, averaging $1.14 per liter in the Atlantic Provinces, $1.226 in Quebec, $1.166 in Ontario and $1.16 in the Western Provinces. This happened as national average cost of regular grade gasoline fell $0.008 over the past week to $1.176 per liter, the third straight weekly decline and its lowest price since last May.

International Freight Lifts N.A. Intermodal Growth

CALVERTON, MD -- Intermodal freight volume jumped 4.5 percent during the second quarter of the year in North America, with international shipments surpassing expectations, according to a new report from the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA). It said despite some softening due to declining trailer volumes, domestic containers, which includes Canada and the U.S., buoyed the overall domestic market segment in the two countries with 3.5 percent growth. "International volumes displayed one of the largest increases since IANA began keeping records in 2000," said Joni Casey, president and CEO of IANA. "While much of the strong performance in second quarter was due to the recovery from the first quarter's port congestion issues, strengthening imports also played a role in pushing international volumes higher. We are also optimistic that the domestic market will continue to show gains, as the over-the-road segment begins to tighten." The seven highest-density trade corridors, accounting for 65.8 percent of total intermodal volume, rose 4 percent this quarter, just below the 4.5 percent industry average. Growth rates for each individual corridor varied widely.

North American Truck Orders Stage July Surprise

BLOOMINGTON and COLUMBUS, IN - Two newly issued preliminary reports show North America increases in both heavy-duty and medium-duty truck orders.

Survey Wants to Know Your Biggest Trucking Concerns

ARLINGTON, VA -- Do you think a lack of qualified drivers is what's dragging the trucking industry down? Do truckers pay too much tax? Now is your chance to have a say.

Series Aims to Improve Work, Home Life

ETOBICOKE, ON - A "lunch and learn" series of that aims to improve your communications skills as a leader in trucking, better your responses to pressure situations and even improve home and work life is set begin next month.

Canada Unveils New Emissions Standards

OTTAWA - The Canadian government has announced changes to new vehicle and fuel standards for on-road vehicles to reduce air pollution and align them with U.S. regulations.

Dicom Transportation Purchases U.S. Last Mile Carrier

CHICAGO, IL -The Montreal-based trucking and logistics provider Dicom Transportation Group has added last mile capabilities in the Eastern U.S. through the acquisition of the Courier Express Enterprises group of companies.

Soo Crossing Getting New Lights

SAULT STE. MARIE -- It's lights out on the International Bridge arches connecting the cities of Sault Ste. Marie as a cost-saving lighting replacement project prepares to take a highly visible step forward.