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NCLTL BULLETIN -
JUNE 30, 2007
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ANNUAL CONFERENCE REVIEW
Special thanks are in order to all the fine persons that made our 2007 76th Annual Conference a great success especially to our guest speakers:
Steve Bowie, US Customs & Border Protection
Chuck Odom, Averitt Express
Bill Pugh, National Motor Freight Tariff Association
Mike Regan, Transzact
Charlie Finley, Terminal Trucking
Jon Fee, Attorney, Alston & Bird
Gordon Mackenzie, UPS Freight
Dr. Gary Petty, National Private Truck Council
Tom Moore, National Private Truck Council
Don Deese, Hub Group
Tom Guthrie, NC Ports Authority
Marty Schlosser, Virginia Port Authority
We also want to thank our event sponsors once again. Their unselfish contributions made our conference an incredible value! If your company would like to sponsor an event for next year’s conference please notify the League office.
Fred Piercy, ABF
Mark French, Averitt Express
Danny McAllister, Belue Trucking
Ken Wall, Cargo Logistics
David Schrenger, Dart Transit
Dennis McCaffery, Express-1
Colleen Connor, Express-1
Syd Cuningham, JB Hunt
Chip Overbey, Old Dominion
Buddy Holson, Roadway.yourway
Tommy Alexander, SC State Ports Authority
Gordon Mackenzie, UPS Freight
Marty Schlosser, Virginia Ports Authority
Debbie Dowdle, Virginia Ports Authority
Hank Albrecht, Wynne Transport
NCLTL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
Scholarship Committee Chairman Levi Wright has announced that the winner of this years’ scholarship is:
Ms. Tanesha Marshall, rising sophomore at N.C. A&T State University, Greensboro NC. Tanesha is serving an apprenticeship this summer with the Department of Transportation in Washington DC.
DART TRANSIT SIMULATOR
Many of the attendees gave the Dart Simulator a try, learning what its really is like to face the challenges of driving an 80,000# rig down the highway. From what we heard, not many were able to successfully complete the course. One of our members even killed some people and most of them wrecked. It was not easy as the Dart Instructor was capable of making rain, sleet, snow, hazardous road conditions ,etc. The novices walked away with a much great appreciation of what our professional drivers go through every day. The League appreciates its carrier members and their drivers. We hope that Dart will consider returning with the Simulator at a future meeting. The Simulator is very expensive and is a great teaching tool.
STB SECTION 5A DECISION ON REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF EFFECTIVE DATE
A decision was served June 28, 2007 in STB Ex Parte Nos. 656 and 656 by the Surface Transportation Board to extend until January 1, 2008 the effective date of its May 7, 2007 decision in regard to the proceeding (revoking continued ratemaking immunity). The STB’s June 28 decision was issued in response to the requests from the NCC and others for an extension of the effective date to follow STB’s specific advice to take advantage of the business review procedure administered by the Department of Justice. In accordance with the STB’s specific advice the NCC will restructure its classification-making process to permit its continued operation without antitrust immunity. The NMFTA maintains that this is not enough time to complete the DOJ’s business review process. A copy of this decision is available to any party of interest provided they are a dues paid member.
NOTICE OF APPEAL
We have learned that the NMFTA and NCC has filed an appeal July 3 requesting the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit to review the STB’s May 7, 2007 decision disapproving their Section 5a agreement. The NMFTA and NCC maintain that the decision is flawed and quite vulnerable. They will also determine whether and when to file a motion requesting a stay of the effective date of the May 7 decision pending determination of the litigation. NMFTA Chairman Bill Pugh has the following Congressmen in full support the their efforts: Nick Rahall, John Mica, Bart Gordon, Brian Higgins, John Duncan, Thomas Reynolds, Jim Cooper and Michael McCaul. The League office will continue to keep the membership advised as to any developments. IMPORTANT: Both the NMFTA and SMC3 continues to publish their products and to do business as usual, in specific reference to the National Motor Freight Classification 100 series and the popular Czarlite rates; both products being freely used by many of our members. Furthermore, both these parties have assured the League that their products will continue to be available regardless of any possible cessation of antitrust immunity.
SHIPPERS BENEFIT FROM STB RULING?
A recent article by the DC Velocity staff touts the recent STB antitrust immunity ruling and claims that the ruling, once implement could save shippers anywhere from 5 to 10 percent on truck rates. An informal sampling from some LTL carriers did not support this idea, however. In fact, we are probably looking at an increase in freight rates come next spring justified by increased equipment cost (07 engines must comply with the new EPA law resulting in increased engine costs from 5-$10,000), higher insurance costs and fuel costs, increased labor costs, etc.
TRUCKERS PAY MOST OF TOLLS
Gov. Ed Rendell, PA, is looking at privatizing the Pennsylvania Turnpike. He claims that privatization would bring the state between $12 and $18 billion in a lump-sum payment and between $800 million and $1.6 billion per year in ongoing revenue. Rendell claims that the state needs $1.7 billion to repair to repair its roads and bridges and to keep public transportation going. The American Trucking Association and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association and the American Highway Users Alliance has long criticized toll privatization and used potential Chicago Skyway and the Indiana Toll Road, which were recently privatized for $1.8 billion and $3.9 billion as examples when tolls are combined with privatization. Most groups believe that privatization would lead to increased tolls for truckers.
YADKIN RIVER BRIDGE REPLACEMENT (HB 292)
As previously reported several weeks ago, the NC DOT would like to replace the bridge across the Yadkin River and the Rowan-Davidson County line with a toll facility. Almost all carriers including the NCTA vigorously opposes the tolling of any existing roads or bridges. The League also voted for the same ruling 2 years ago. Now the Turnpike Authority is studying the possibility of a toll bridge and in fact HB 292 has passed and is now in the Senate. Studies will include an EPA investigation. The League should stand strong and united in its opposition of tolling any existing roads and bridges.
NEW TRAILER LENGTH LAW IN NC
NC Gov. Easley has signed into law in NC, which establishes that there is no longer a 60-foot total combination vehicle length limit when a 48-foot trailer is used. While it doesn’t do the same for 53-foot trailers, the law does make an important change regarding STAA routes. DOT can now approve new STAA routes for just 53-footers and not necessarily twin trailers. Before it was both or neither. We should see substantial growth in routes where 53-footers meet all legal requirements. This bill gives DOT some welcome flexibility and will increase the areas where 53-footers can legally travel.
CHARLOTTE AIRPORT FACTS
The new runway is on schedule for 2009. The Interstate spur from I-485 to the airport is as yet to be funded. The Charlotte Intermodal facility is still set to open in 2010.
INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING UPDATE FROM ROBERT HARMON, SCANWELL LOGISTICS
NCLTL member Robert Harmon has the following observations:
Carriers:
Space shortage
Equipment shortage
Most carriers had over booking minimum 30%-60%
China Customs:
Due to some illegal practices by the shippers in China, mis-declaration of the commodity and volume in cheating for VAT refund, the Customs increased the inspection percentage from 10%-35%.
Due to the high heat and Shanghai rainy season, the customs inspectors slow down the inspections, which end up the delaying the cargo release and miss the vessel departure.
Customs I.T. Issue: Due to the heavy congestion of the date transmitting, customs and terminal computers are in an over capacity slow down even have short down EDI entry which created another problem for cargo releasing.
BUSH SIGNS LAW STALLING PLAN TO ADMIT MEXICAN TRUCKS
President Bush has signed in a law stalling the DOT plan aimed at permitting trucks from Mexico to deliver goods in the US. Additional limits to the DOT’s plan, include as parts of a bill that passed the House by the overwhelming majority, were added to a supplemental spending bill for the Iraq war.
NEW CONTAINER SERVICE TO NORTH CHINA FROM WILMINGTON
Hanjin Wilmington docked at the NC State Ports Authority in Wilmington, making the first call of the new North China service. The call inaugurated a second weekly service from the port’s longtime container-shipping partner, the CKYH Alliance, and marks the first Hanjin Shipping Co. vessel to call at the Port in several years. The new AWE North Loop provides weekly service to Qingdao, Ningbo and Shanghai in China and Busan, Korea.
MENLO ACQUIRES 3PL
Menlo Logistics has signed an agreement with Cougar Logistics Corp., to purchase Cougar Holdings Pte. Ltd. And Cougar Express Logistics. The transaction is valued at $33.9 million and will close in 90 days pending regulatory clearance and shareholder approval. Cougar Express recorded $23 million last year.
MR. REID ARMSTRONG
Former Yellow Freight President, Reid Armstrong, passed away on June 26 in Huntersville NC after a lengthy illness. He is survived by his wife and 2 daughters. He was 69
ROADWAY FUNDRAISING GOLF OUTING
Roadway Express will host a Golf Outing at the Tradition, 3800 Prosperity Church Rd., Charlotte NC on July 11 9:00 AM. Cost $100 per golfer or $400 per team. Includes green fees, lunch, goodie bag and door prize drawing. Sponsorships and donations welcome. The outing will benefit Christina’s smile and direct donations are tax deductible. Contact
www.christinassmile.golfreg.com.
MEETINGS AND SEMINARS
The Port of Virginia will host the Third Annual Motor Carrier Management & Safety Conference, Thursday, August 2 and Friday August 3 a the Virginia Beach Executive Center, 5655 Greenwich Rd., Virginia Beach, VA. Guest speaker will be VA Secretary of Transportation, Pierce R. Homer. For more information please contact Kathy Raymond at 757.498.2562 or
http://drivesafehr.org/motocarriersafety.shtml
CSCMP Taiwan 2007 August 1-2, 2007 at the Westin Taipei, Taipei City. Lean Logistics and Six Sigma, guest speaker Dr. Thomas J. Goldsby, Assoc. Professor Supply Chair Management, Univ. KY. For more information or to register visit the CSCMP Taiwan 2007 website.
A seminar will be held July 17-18 at the CPCC Harris Campus, 3210 Harris Campus Dr. Charlotte NC. Subject: US Census Bureau Automated Export System & Commodity Classification; AES PcLink Workshop. Learn directly from the US Census Bureau how to properly classify your products for export and how to file your shippers’ export declaration online. Co-sponsored by the US Census Bureau, US Export Assistance Center, SunTrust Bank and Central Piedmont Community College. Contact Juanita.harthun@mail.doc.gov or call 704.333.4886
The Lost Prevention Conference will hold its annual meeting October 14-17, Imperial Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Theme will be “Linking perspectives: Prevention’s Common Ground”. For information visit www.1pclink.com or call 800.845.8090 xt 5869
POSITION WANTED
A highly qualified business professional is seeking a positioning global supply chain logistics, wholesale/retail distribution, warehousing. Person holds 2 degrees and has over 8 years experience. If interested please contact the League office for details.
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