Economy

Shippers saw relief in December due to short-lived fuel pullback

Conditions facing U.S. shippers improved in December, primarily due to falling fuel prices in the month. FTR’S Shippers Conditions Index read -6.9 in December, down from November’s reading of -9.

Catalys Lubricants buys Nemco

Oil distributor Catalys Lubricants has announced the purchase of manufacturer Nemco Lubricants and Chemicals, expanding its presence in the Prairies. Its Catalys’ third acquisition in the last six months and…

Control Freight Systems enters brokerage market with Anchor acquisition

Control Freight Systems, recently founded by former Polaris and TransPro executive Jon Saunders, has acquired 3PL Anchor Transportation Services. The business is 37 years old and is being purchased from…

Truck traffic plunged during Canada-U.S. border blockades

Overall cross-border truck traffic plunged in early February as a series of border blockades emerged in the fight against pandemic-related restrictions. While the number of truck drivers was relatively flat…

Truck tonnage continues climb

U.S. for-hire truck tonnage edged up 0.6% in January, according to the American Trucking Associations (ATA), adding to recent gains. “January’s gain was the sixth straight totaling 4.4%,” said ATA…

Ontario to remove tolls on Hwy. 412 and 418

Ontario is eliminating tolls on highways 412 and 418 that run between highways 401 and 407 in Durham Region. “Some things don’t happen overnight but at the end of the…

Fleets employing multiple strategies to cope with parts shortages

With parts and labor shortages forcing fleets to extend truck and trailer trade cycles, fleets are ramping up communication and becoming more creative in how they service equipment. No longer…

Canada’s spot market load volumes ‘literally off the charts’

Canada’s spot market is so strong, freight volumes are off the charts, according to Loadlink Technologies, which had to adjust its reporting charts to accurately reflect January volumes. Loads surged…

Freedom Convoy protesters face suspended insurance, frozen accounts under Emergencies Act

The federal government has invoked the Emergencies Act for the first time in history as it looks to break up Freedom Convoy protests that have occupied Ottawa and blocked border…

Trucking conditions improved in December, says FTR

Trucking conditions improved in December thanks to factors including falling diesel prices, higher freight volumes and strong rates, according to FTR. The analysts expect trucking conditions to remain positive throughout…

PMTC opens annual private fleet survey

The Private Motor Truck Council of Canada (PMTC) is once again measuring the pulse of Canada’s private fleets, opening an annual benchmarking survey in a partnership with the National Private…

Trailer orders soft in January as OEMs manage backlogs

Trailer orders totaled 26,100 units in January, according to preliminary data from ACT Research, representing a soft start to the year and coming in just shy of December’s orders of…

$100,000 fines, jail time coming to Ambassador Bridge and Ottawa protesters

Protesters blocking the Canada-U.S. border at the Ambassador Bridge and occupying downtown Ottawa will face potential $100,000 fines and up to a year in jail under new penalties being introduced…

Acquisitions drove Mullen Group to record revenue

Mullen Group achieved record revenue in the fourth quarter of 2021, thanks largely to the contributions of six companies acquired in the year. Total revenue climbed 48% to a record…

Border blockades cripple auto industry

Automakers in Canada are scaling back production and bracing for continued disruptions as trucker blockades at U.S. border crossings worsen an industry-wide parts shortage. Shipping delays are rippling through the…