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The amount of freight carried by the private transportation industry fell by 1.5 percent in February.

According to the United States Department of Transportation’s Freight Transportation Services Index, the amount of freight carried by the for-hire transportation industry declined 1.5 percent in February from January, following two consecutive months of increases. Shipments measured by the DOT’s Freight Transportation Services Index rose 12.9 percent over the last 22 months, after declining in the previous 16.

Freight shipments have increased in 16 out of the last 22 months. In February, freight shipments were around the same level as in September 2008, when the amount of freight began to decline.

The DOT’s Transportation Services Index measures the month-to-month fluctuations in freight shipments in ton-miles, which are then combined into one index.

Freight factoring can be done an number of ways. For more information on truck factoring, please contact TBS Factoring LLC by calling 800-207-7661.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration would not be affected by a shutdown of the federal government.

According to officials with the United States Department of Transportation, all Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration positions are funded by multi-year appropriations, indefinite appropriations, or contract authority, including the federal gas tax. Officials also said FMCSA has sufficient balances of liquidating cash to operate for a limited period during a lapse in annual appropriations.

The Federal Highway Administration is also exempt from furloughs, the agency said. If the balance of annual appropriations is not sufficient, however, an agency shutdown plan might need to be implemented.

For more information on truck factoring, please contact TBS Factoring LLC by calling 800-207-7661. 

NAFTA trade in January was 19.5 percent higher than the year before.


According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics of the United States Department of Transportation, trade using surface transportation between the U.S. and its North American Free Trade Agreement partners, Canada and Mexico, was 19.5 percent higher in January 2011 than in January 2010. Trade in January this year reached $67.7 billion.


The Bureau of Transportation Statistics, a part of the Research and Innovation Technology Administration, reported that the value of U.S. surface trade with Canada and MExico in January 2011 rose 42.7 percent in two years from January 2009, which had the lowest amount of trade of any month since January 2004 at $47.5 billion. Trade value this year was up 4.0 percent from the early recession level of January 2008.


For more information on freight factoring, please contact TBS Truck Factoring, LLC, by calling 800-207-7661.

Truckload freight capacity increased by 4 percent nationwide last week, a new report says.

According to TransCore Trendlines DAT Network of load boards, truck postings increased 3.8 percent for dry vans, 5.8 percent for refrigerated vans, and 2.4 percent for flatbeds on the network, compared to the previous week. TransCore Treadlines is a weekly barometer for spot market freight trends.

Truckload freight volume for vans fell by 1.8 percent last week, and reefer loads dropped by 3.8 percent. Loads designated for flatbeds increased by 1.9 percent on the spot market.

The data indicates that the load-to-truck ratio declined for all equipment types as capacity increased. Viewed as a key measure of truckload demand and capacity, the ratio dropped to 4.2 loads per available truck, down from 5.4 percent.

For more information on trucking factoring, please contact TBS Truck Factoring, LLC, by calling 800-207-7661.

FTR Associates' Shippers Condition Index remained at the low value of -5.2 in February.

According to the March Issue of FTR's Shippers Update, the company expects the index to fall further as the outlook for capacity shortages worsens in the seasonally strong spring months. The Shippers Condition Index examines all market influences that will affect shippers.

A reading above zero on the index suggest a favorable shipping environment. The Shippers Condition Index in January stood at -8.8, improving to -5.2 in February.

FTR Senior Consultant Noel Perry said February's weak showing was the effect of normal seasonal weakness in freight. "Shippers should not be heartened by the upward movement in the index this month," Perry said. "The March number will drop sharply as the spring surge in freight arrives."

To learn more about Trucking Factoring, please contact TBS Factoring LLC at 800-207-7661.

A surge in oil prices and demand for foreign cars pushed imports up at the fastest pace in 18 years in January, giving the country the largest trade deficit in six months.

According to data released by the Commerce Department Thursday, the january deficit increased 15.1 percent to $46.3 billion. Exports reached an all-time high of $167.7 billion with a 2.7 percent jump, but imports rose at nearly twice the pace of exports, to $214.1 billion. America's foreign oil debt rose 9.5 percent, adding to concerns that higher oil prices could slow economic growth.

The data also tracks other countries trades. China reported a surprising trade deficit of $7.3 billion in February. The county typically runs huge trade surpluses. A surge in commodity prices pushed imports up 19.4 percent. China's exports fell 2.4 percent.

Truck Factoring can be done a number of ways. For more information, please contact TBS Factoring LLC by calling 800-207-7661.

A new report shows an increase in truckload freight availability during the last week of February.

According to a report published by TransCore Treadlines, truckload freight availability on TransCore's DAT Network of load boards increased by 7.6 percent during the week ending February 26. The increase in freight was likely due to a significant upswing in flatbed loads, which surged by 20 percent, while flatbed truck capacity fell 4.3 percent.

Dry van freight availability declined slightly, with a 3.4 percent drop, while dry van capacity increased 4.3 percent.

Load volume in the refrigerated segment dropped 1.7 percent compared with the previous week.

Rates for all equipment types continue to decline in Los Angeles, but not as sharply as in January, according to the report. Rates on outbound freight from Southern California traditionally reverse in March.

Freight factoring can be done a number of ways. For more information, please contact TBS Truck Factoring, LLC, by calling 800-207-7661.

Orders for durable manufactured goods outside of transportation fell in January by the largest amount in two years.

According to a report issued Thursday by the U.S. Commerce Department, orders for long-lasting manufactured goods fell 3.6 percent last month, the largest decrease since January 2009. Total durable goods orders increased by 2.7 percent, but the rise was driven by a large rebound in orders for commercial aircraft. 

Manufacturing has been a strong performer during this recover and, despite January's weak numbers, economists expect that to continue. Orders totaled $200.5 billion last month, considered a health level by economist. January's order total is more than 25 percent higher than the recession low of March 2009.

Transportation aside, most other categories of durable goods showed weakness last month. Orders for non-defense capital equipment fell 6.9 percent in January to $62.3 billion. Many economists view this drop as a temporary setback, anticipating growth this year as companies respond to tax changes intended to spur spending.

If you would like information on truck factoring, please contact TBS Truck Factoring, LLC, by calling 800-207-7661.

Boyd Brothers Transportation has honored a freight driver for staying safe on the road for more than 3 million miles.

The Clayton, Alabama-based company extended honors Friday to Isaiah "Ike" Hamilton. The 22-year veteran driver has a driving record free of chargeable accidents or incidents. "I always tell people to keep God first and stay focused on what you're doing. It's only natural that safety comes with that," Hamilton said. "A lot of it is common sense, but it takes a lot of hard work and determination to stick with it and not get distracted by everything out there."

Boyd Brothers threw a large celebration for Hamilton's achievement and presented him with a bonus check. He also received a gold watch, belt buckle, trophy, company pin, and cap. "It feels good to be recognized for this," Hamilton said. "My family is very proud of me and I'm thankful for the support they've shown me over the years. ... I've always been treated fairly at Boyd Bros.,"

Truck Factoring can be done a number of ways. For more information, contact TBS Truck Factoring, LLC, by calling 800-207-7661.

Heavy-duty truck sales increased by 25 percent in January, compared to the year before.

According to figures released by Ward's Automotive, Class 8 sales totaled 9,236 trucks in the United States last month. In January 2010, only 7,387 heavy-duty trucks were sold. The year-over-year improvement was the 13th consecutive as the industry continues to recover from the 2009 sales hole.

January sales were off 21.3 percent compared to December 2010. Historically month-to-month declines at the beginning of the year are common.

Daimler Trucks North America's Freightliner nameplate led the field, selling 3,170 trucks last month, a seven percent decline from December but a 40.5 percent year-over-year improvement. Navistar was the runner up with 2,276 International brand trucks, gaining 2.8 percent from the previous month and 3.9 percent from January 2010.

Trucking Factoring can be done a number of ways. For more information, contact TBS Truck Factoring, LLC, by calling 800-207-7661.