SCS Weekly Rundown | April 30th, 2024
Excess Capacity Is Masking Freight Trends
This surplus is concealing significant changes in U.S. transportation patterns.
In the past five years, Dallas has seen a massive surge in outbound freight volumes,
overshadowing declines in other hubs like Ontario and Atlanta. This capacity glut mutes
usual market signals like rate adjustments, which can obscure critical decision making.
As an equilibrium approaches, disrupted regions may face re-calibrated shipping rates.
Dive into this story in its entirety by clicking here.
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Historic UAW Trucking Deal Prevents A Strike
Daimler Truck North America and the UAW have reached a new contract agreement.
The new four-year contract covers over 7,400 workers, including some significant wage
increases, profit sharing, cost of living adjustments and future assurances. The President
of the UAW praised the new agreement for its emphasis on job security and it's scaling,
equitable compensation for workers across all roles.
Read about this agreement in full here.
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Gulf Coast Cargo Levels Are On The Upswing
A robust increase in cargo shipments drives growth across Gulf Coast ports.
Gulf Coast ports experienced a notable cargo volume surge in March, driven by a rebound
in global trade and heightened by growing demand for goods. Port officials highlight the
regions robust shipping activity as a sign of the resilience and potential for ongoing
economic growth in the surrounding infrastructure.
Get more information on this statistical trend here.
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AI System Under Fire for Union Pacific Mishap
A federal lawsuit has been filed, claiming injury due to conflicting AI directives.
In a federal lawsuit against Union Pacific, a locomotive engineer claims that an AI system
provided conflicting speed commands resulting in his injury. This technology, deployed
over a year ago to enhance locomotive efficiencies and cut down on fuel usage, functions
autonomously without requiring engineer intervention. Despite Union Pacific's defense of
the system as essential for energy management, the lawsuit raises concerns about their
insufficient training and safety measures.
For more information on this story, click here.
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