Industry Insights

Massive Freight Transportation Market Growth Pushes Toward Asia The freight transportation management market is set to expand by more than 9% annually through 2019, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The market research company figures the industry will grow from $15.3 billion in 2014 to $23.69 billion by 2019 at an estimated compound annual growth rate of 9.14%. The expansion of international trade is a major part of the equation and creates “an enormous opportunity for the vendors of this market to provide on-demand, real-time updated and intelligent solutions,” MarketsandMarkets says. Asia-Pacific is projected to significantly rise in its […]

Freight Contracts Modified to Meet Ebola Exposure Trade associations within the shipping industry are changing their freight contracts to lower loss exposure for companies transporting cargo or traveling to countries affected by Ebola. The new contracts are designed to protect crews from contracting the virus and can lead to rerouting, delays and quarantines in port. Intertanko, an association whose members own most of the global tanker fleet, has implemented an Ebola clause in its contracts stipulating its members’ ships will seek alterative ports of call should a risk to the health of the crew be identified. Charterers would be liable […]

On Sunday, Roanoke was one of the first sureties to submit an eBond through FastBond™! We now welcome you to use FastBond™ to process your first-ever eBond! Key points for getting started: Read the latest CBP Policies and Procedures for eBond. These are the procedures of record until further notice by CBP. Continue to use FastBond™ to issue your bonds and contact Roanoke to process riders and terminations. NEW: Look for the “My Issuing Authority” link on the left bar of the FastBond™ Issue Bond screen; notice that expanded authority on STBs for foreign principals has been provided. We will also be conducting an eBond webinar tomorrow at 1:00 PM CST. […]

Self-Driving Trucks Shift Cargo Strategy If you plan to be in business in 15 years, you need to start planning for the impact of self-driving trucks. The goal of this high-tech industry is to reduce fuel consumption and emissions while increasing highway safety. As the technology evolves, more driverless functions, or driver-assist add-ons, will be installed in commercial vehicles until finally—estimates are 2025 or so—truly driverless trucks will be road ready. “Wireless platooning” is one advancement that could roll out soon in a pilot phase. Platooned trucks drive in tandem, one following at a pre-set, but very close, distance using […]

In observance of the upcoming Christmas holiday, our offices will close at 1:00PM on Wednesday, December 24th and remain closed through Friday, December 26th. We will resume normal office hours on Monday, December 29th. We will also close at 3:00PM on Wednesday, December 31st and remain closed through Friday, January 2nd for New Year’s. We will re-open on Monday, January 5th at 8:30AM. Wishing you the best during this holiday season, and happiness in the New Year!

West Coast Port Congestion Causes Holiday Havoc Retail executives, frustrated en masse by West Coast port congestion, say their goods are paralyzed in transit this holiday buying season and fourth-quarter sales numbers will suffer. Port and ground transportation problems are causing delays, and it is now taking up to a month for shipments to clear ports, according to comments made to The Wall Street Journal by Tommy Bahama president and COO Doug Wood. Contract disputes appear to be at the heart of the problems. The Pacific Maritime Association, which negotiates with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union on behalf of […]