A major trucking company has announced the acquisition of a tanker truck from TransVac, a Louisiana-based company specializing in the transportation of chemicals and petroleum products in tankers. Along with providing drilling mud disposal services at oil and gas wells, TransVac boasts more than 45 power units and drivers who are certified to handle hazardous materials, as reported by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). John Rakoczy, executive vice president of Kenan Advantage Group, described the TransVac deal as a strategic move to enhance the company's services for existing chemical customers by increasing capacity and strengthening its presence in the Louisiana and Arkansas markets. He also noted that the deal includes the acquisition of additional chemical storage space.
With a fleet of over 5,800 tractor units and a network of 300 terminals, Kenan Advantage Group has established itself as a leader in bulk transportation of fuel, energy, and food products across North America. The company's acquisition of a tanker truck from TransVac exemplifies its commitment to expanding its capabilities and serving its customers with the highest level of quality and efficiency.
The process of obtaining and renewing commercial driver's licenses (CDL) in Minnesota has been streamlined with the recent repeal of a law that limited third-party CDL testing. Previously, individuals seeking a CDL faced long wait times due to the limited number of testing sites in the state – only 26 available for over 10,000 applicants annually. Under the previous law, public institutions were required to provide 180 hours of CDL training before being eligible to offer third-party testing. This restriction resulted in only four schools meeting the criteria to conduct CDL testing, causing delays for many applicants.
Starting from August 1, any Minnesota public institution that offers driver's license training is now authorized to administer driver's license testing. This significant change has eliminated the lengthy wait times, providing truck drivers with greater access to CDL testing services.
Estes, a truckload carrier, recently finalized leases for seven terminals previously operated by the Yellow Corporation. This strategic move has resulted in a substantial growth of 290 doors added to Estes' national network, which currently consists of 11,832 doors. Furthermore, the company has ambitious plans to further expand its door count to 940 by the end of next year.
The terminals that Estes will be relocating to includes key cities such as Milwaukee, Minneapolis, and Charlotte, as well as midsize cities like Rockford, South Bend, and Eugene. Of particular note is the new Charlotte facility, which will boast an impressive 275 doors and become the largest service center within the Estes network. In addition to acquiring the terminals, Estes purchased 29 from Yellow for $284 million and secured leases for an additional 10 properties that were previously leased to Yellow. This move is indicative of Estes' commitment to expanding its operations and enhancing its service capabilities. Earlier this year, the company also bolstered its fleet by acquiring 6,800 trailers, thereby increasing its capacity to 45,000 units.
Danish logistics company DSV has solidified its commitment to sustainability by signing a groundbreaking agreement with Volvo AB on August 22. The agreement entails the purchase of 300 electric heavy trucks, marking the largest order to date for the Swedish manufacturer. In addition to the electric trucks, DSV has also included 500 trucks running on diesel and gas in the order.
With this significant investment, DSV is set to bolster its fleet and become one of the leading operators of heavy electric trucks in Europe. Despite challenges faced by manufacturers in developing electric vehicles, such as high costs and infrastructure limitations, Volvo AB has managed to outperform its competitors Daimler Truck Holding AG and Traton SE in terms of sales. Recent statistics show that nearly 2% of Volvo's truck and bus sales consist of electric vehicles, while the share for Daimler and Traton is only about 0.5%.
Union Pacific has announced the implementation of surcharges on shipments originating from Southern California. The decision comes as a response to the high demand for domestic containers, particularly for the EMP and UMAX container service.
A spokesperson for Union Pacific highlighted the company's proactive stance in addressing the increased demand by working to enhance capacity on trains to meet the needs of shippers. Union Pacific announced that in accordance with the terms of the Mutual Commitment Program (MCP), which offers shippers container capacity in exchange for volume commitments, it is declaring Southern California a “constrained market.” Starting from September 1, the surcharges will amount to $300 per shipment for Standard MCP and $500 per shipment for Aggregate MCP.
The Volvo Group has announced its plans to construct a new heavy-duty truck manufacturing plant in Monterrey, Mexico. The facility will primarily produce heavy-duty conventional vehicles under the Volvo and Mack brands, as well as include body and paint manufacturing for cabs.
With the goal of increasing production capacity and expanding its presence in Canada and Latin America, the Volvo Group is strategically positioning the new plant to meet growing market demands. The company anticipates the plant to commence operations by the close of 2026. The new Mexican facility will play a crucial role in advancing the company's growth and reinforcing its position as a leading player in the industry.
A recent press release from the Chicago-based LTL trucking company revealed plans for an expansion of its cross-border service to include Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton. The company's spokesperson highlighted that the new service to Western Canada will be facilitated from Seattle. This announcement follows the earlier expansion into Toronto and Montreal via Detroit, marking a strategic move to enhance coverage in Eastern and Central Canada.
Chief Operating Officer Tomasz Jamroz expressed the company's long-standing interest in broadening its service offerings, particularly in key Canadian regions. Seattle was selected as the operational hub for the Western Canada expansion due to its reputation for high service quality, efficiency, and on-time performance within the company's network of facilities.
Love's unveiled its newest location in California, marking its 16th store in the state. Situated at the intersection of Highway 99 and Taft Highway in Bakersfield, the new store is among the company's largest, boasting a spacious layout with over 111 dedicated parking spaces for professional drivers. In addition to ample parking, the facility offers a host of amenities catered towards both drivers and travelers alike. Love's further revealed plans for the upcoming launch of a Speedco store nearby, providing even more convenience for customers. Additionally, the site will feature eight RV sites equipped with water and sewer hookups, catering to those in need of overnight accommodations.
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