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Carrier Transicold of Syracuse, NY is introducing transport refrigeration control software.
The company is announcing its new trademarked TRU-Tech and TRU-View applications that are easier to custom configuration for transport refrigeration unit (TRU) settings and operations. Successors to Carrier Transicold’s trademarked ReeferManager software, the programs feature simplified interfaces with icons and quick links for faster and easier navigation, according to a news release.
The refrigeration data management software includes the ability to set operational parameters and conduct diagnostic functions. TRU-Tech comes with TRU-View refrigeration data analysis software which provides system performance information and is also available as a standalone application for data analysis without the unit set-up and diagnostic capabilities of TRU-Tech.
The TRU-Tech software can also be used by technicians to monitor system parameters which include sensor inputs and other vital data that may be downloaded for tracking, performance evaluation, recordkeeping or analytics. The TRU-View component can generate graphic reports, showing specific TRU system performance and data can be exported into spreadsheets or PDFs for easy sharing, according to the release. Carrier Transicold manufactures refrigeration units for trucks, trailers and containers.
A Chilean port strike should not significantly affect Chilean grape shipments to North American ports such as Philadephia, Wilimington, NC and Long Beach, CA. However other imported Chilean produce items imported to the U.S. could feel the brunt of the strike more than grapes.
Workers seeking retroactive pay for half-hour lunch breaks began striking January 3 at Chile’s Port of San Antonio.
The port strike appartently is not affecting table grapes loaded in bulk reefers. However, containerized fruit loading at San Antonio and other container ports are being affected.
Strike or no strike, Chilean stone fruit shipments to the U.S. will likely be significantly lower this season. As of mid-January, estimates projected industry-wide losses of 64 percent for Chilean peaches, 59 percent for nectarines and 63 percent for plums.
Depending upon worldwide markets, fruit slated for other countries, could wind up in the U.S. instead. It is a 12-day voyage from Chile to the U.S. East Coast.
Depending on the variety, Chilean stone fruit losses will likely be in the 45-65 percent range this season. Losses were heaviest early in the deal, meaning volume should increase later in the season. While Chilean nectarine and plum import arrivals may pick up later in the season, peaches are more “ify.”
Losses as of January 13 were in the 30-60 percent range, depending on the commodity.
Florida citrus shipments continue to decline, with a disease known as citrus greening being the primary culprit, according the the latest USDA forecast. The shipping estimate shows continuing declines in Florida citrus production, which includes grapefruit as well as oranges and tangerines.
In a Jan. 10 report, the USDA predicts the state’s loadings of oranges, grapefruit and tangerines will decline from one to six percent. All orange volume is now estimated at 115 million equivalent-cartons, down five percent from the December forecast and 14 percent less than last season.
Valencia shipments are off six percent non-valencia oranges — which include early and mid-seasons — declined four percent, with navels decreasing by 200,000 cartons to 1.9 million boxes.
White grapefruit loads dropped one percent from the previous month’s estimate to 4.5 million cartons with the larger-produced color grapefruit unchanged.
For tangerines, loadings dropped six percent with early season fallglo and sunburst tangerines accounting for the 200,000 carton decline. Honey tangerines are seen as remaining unchanged at 1.6 million cartons. Tangelo production remains at 1 million cartons.
Citrus greening has been described by one ag official as “an unprecedented situation dealing with this disease and today’s crop estimate only emphasizes how important it is for research to uncover a solution.”
Though a majority of the state’s oranges ship to processed channels, nearly 70 percent of its navels, about half of its grapefruit and two-thirds of its tangerines ship fresh.
Though a majority of the state’s oranges ship to processed channels, nearly 70 percent of its navels, about half of its grapefruit and two-thirds of its tangerines ship fresh.
Florida citrus, vegetables and strawberries – grossing about $2800 to New York City.
As one of the leading volume spud states, Wisconsin potato shipments have been flying out storages this season, at times nearly 20 percent greater than at the same time a year ago.
20 years ago there were probably 15 or 20 major potato shippers in Wisconsin, but now it’s down to only four – Okray, Alsum, RPE and Bushmans. Loadings should continue through June and into July.
Most Wisconsin packing sheds will finish in April or May, but the big packinghouses have advanced in technology and they ship the year around, because they source potatoes grown outside of Wisconsin.
Wisconsin yields of the crop harvested in 2013 were a little lower than the 2012 crop. But recent shipments have been around18 percent higher than the same period in 2012.
Wisconsin had 63,000 acres of potatoes in 2013, down about 500 acres from 2012.
The early harvest of the new crop of potatoes usually begins in late July, with around 80 to 90 percent of the crop being dug in September, with harvest running into the first two weeks of October.
Wisconsin historically has shipped mostly russet potatoes, but over the decade or so have started growing red potatoes, yellow potatoes and several special items such as purple potatoes.
Central Wisconsin potatoes – grossing about $1,000 to Chicago; $3200 t0 New York City.
By Total Quality Logistics
NASHVILLE—Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty along with Total Quality Logistics (TQL) officials announced the transportation services company will begin operations in Davidson County. The company will open a sales office to meet the needs of its expanding client-base in the Basin Alley Building located at 105 Broadway in downtown Nashville. This expansion represents an investment of $1 million and the creation of 105 new jobs.
With the opening of its Nashville office, TQL operates 22 offices in 11 states across the country.
“I want to thank Total Quality Logistics for its investment in Tennessee and creating these new jobs in Davidson County,” Haslam said. “Today’s investment by Total Quality Logistics shows confidence in our business environment, and the decision to expand here reinforces our goal of becoming the No. 1 state in the Southeast for high quality jobs.”
TQL chose to locate in Middle Tennessee because it gives the company access to outstanding professional talent, a key component to TQL’s ability to serve its customers and increase its market share of the domestic transportation market.
“Tennessee continues to prove itself as a state offering the best business climate in the country, and companies looking to further growth are taking notice,” Hagerty said. “I’m pleased Total Quality Logistics recognizes Tennesseans’ reputation as a friendly and dedicated workforce. I want to welcome Total Quality Logistics to Tennessee and look forward to their continued presence and investment.”
“We are pleased to expand our operations in a state that shares our focus on job creation and economic growth,” TQL Executive Vice President Kerry Byrne said. “We offer careers for entry-level employees that allow them to progress quickly and take on leadership roles. More than 90 percent of the current sales leadership within our organization has been promoted from within.”
“This investment by Total Quality Logistics is a testament to Nashville’s business-friendly environment and our deep and talented workforce in the transportation and logistics industry,” Nashville Mayor Karl Dean said. “I thank the company for choosing to expand in Nashville and create more jobs, which further demonstrates the strength of economic development in our city.”
“We are excited that Total Quality Logistics has chosen to relocate to the Nashville region,” said Jeff Hite, vice president of recruitment for the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. “Because of Nashville’s competitive business climate, educated workforce and high quality of life, we continue to see an influx of strong economic activity in the Nashville area.”
TQL is one of the fastest growing providers of transportation logistics services in North America, connecting shippers who have product that needs to be moved with truckload carriers who have the capacity to move it. The company works with more than 10,000 customers and 50,000 carriers across North America to move more than 800,000 loads a year. TQL moves approximately 3,500 different types of commodities including fresh fruits and vegetables, packaged foods and beverages, meat and poultry, machinery and equipment.
TQL was featured in the November issue of Inc. magazine as one of the top job creators in the country. The publisher of G.I. Jobs magazine also has named TQL one of this country’s Military Friendly Employers.
People can apply for jobs immediately and should start the process online at www.tqljobs.com. Prior experience in the logistics industry is not necessary as new hires with the company participate in a 26-week paid training program. TQL offers its salespeople the opportunity to earn unlimited commissions in addition to their base compensation once they have successfully completed training.
About Total Quality Logistics
Total Quality Logistics is one of the top freight brokerage companies in the nation, with more than $1.6 billion in annual sales. The company, founded in 1997, is privately held and headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, with 22 locations across the nation. TQL was ranked among the nation’s 150 Top Workplaces in 2013 in one of the largest-ever surveys of U.S. companies, with more than 1 million employees participating nationwide. TQL employs more than 2,300 nationwide.
South American grapes and blueberries could reach some U.S. markets quicker under a new pilot program bringing fruit to south Florida ports.
It could mean produce truckers loading more fruit in Florida instead of say, a port like Philadelphia.
Global ocean carrier Hamburg Süd’s delivered the first shipment of imported Peruvian grapes to Port Everglades in Greater Fort Lauderdale under the pilot program on Nov. 29, according to a news release from the port.
“With our state-of-the-art refrigerated cargo containers and our fixed-day of the week liner service between Peru and Port Everglades, we are uniquely positioned to cater to this exciting new business,” Juergen Pump, senior vice president, Hamburg Süd North America, said in the release. “Port Everglades is the first U.S. port of call for our South American West Coast/United States service and we are looking forward to serving the South Florida fresh produce import community,”
Before the pilot program was established, imported South American fruit had to be imported through northern ports such as Philadelphia and then trucked to Southern U.S. market because of concerns over hitchhiker pests, according to the release.
The pilot program, which started Oct. 1, approved a limited number of “cold-treatment” shipments — grapes and blueberries from Peru and Uruguay — to enter the Florida market directly in containers
Numerous shipments of grapes and blueberries from Peru and Uruguay are expected in the next few months, according to the release.
One of the big advantages of the south Florida port is transit time, according to the release. A container traveling from Peru would reach Port Everglades in only 15 days, compared with the 21-day journey to Philadelphia, according to the release.
How green is green when it comes to enviromental issues and dedication to those issues? Is the size of that so-called carbon foot print what it appears? While it can be a mixed bag, what is certain is that truckers are being affected by changes and polices.
For example, one of the biggest changes coming sooner than we may think is noted by Doug Stoiber, vice president of L&M Transportation Services, based in Raliegh, NC.
The LMTS executive states, “Within the next couple of years we’re going to see a whole lot more trucks switching from diesel fuel to liquid natural gas and compressed natural gas. That is going to have an impact on the environment and sustainability and fuel costs.”
Currently the fuel delivery industry in playing catch up, he notes, in developing the infrastructure to service natural gas trucks. Stoiber points out truck manufacturers are lining up to purchase the the new 12 liter Cummins natural gas engine.
Jimmy DeMatteis, president of Des Moines Truck in Norwalk, IA agrees.
“I’m seeing more natural gas trucks, It’s supposed to burn cleaner than diesel engines that are five years and older,” he says, “and are certainly burning cleaner than the seven years before that.”
But there’s another side to the “green” issue that often doesn’t receive the attention.
As the president of Cool Runnings LLC in Kenosha, WI, Fred Plosky makes an observation about the produce industry and how it sometimes approaches transportation from an envirnomental stand point.
“…their (produce) buying intiative isn’t nessarily in agreement with their corporate initiative,” Plotsky observes.
For example, he had a couple of customers that requires Cool Runnings to be a part of Smartway, a voluntary environmental program for trucking.
“While they are saying you need to be a part of Smartway and you need to watch your carbon foot print, they don’t run their business that way,” Plotsky relates.
A Cool Runnings hired truck has had to run an extra 100 miles out of route to pick up nine packages of fruit, because the buyer was wanting to buy the fruit direct (from the shipper) and save money.
“The buyer won’t consolidate this to two pick ups in the same town and then buy those nine boxes off the street (from a wholesaler) in Chicago for an extra $3 a box, as opposed to routing the truck and paying $255 for going up (to the shed) , $55 for the pick up and paying $310 more for those nine boxes. What does that do for your carbon foot print?” Plotsky asks.
Kenny Lund, vice president of the Allen Lund Co. in LaCanada, CA says another anti-environmental policy relates to each state having a different fuel blend. He says this is “killing the refineries” and there needs to be a national fuel blend when the conversion is made twice a year for summer and winter weather.
“There is something like 28 different fuel blends across the U.S.,” Lund states. “You have got refineries serving multiple states. They have to shut down production and reformulate it. That just drives up the cost for everyone.”
Lund recalls a trucker who said it best when it comes to the rules and regulations affecting transportation.
“You have got a lot of people making regulations for the trucks that have never been inside a truck.”
Produce haulers truck a lot of imported fresh fruit from various U.S ports to destinations across America and into Canada. The largest volume of imported fruit this time of year is from Chile, arriving at such U.S. ports as Philadelphia; Wilmington, NC; and Long Beach, CA.
However, at the Port of San Antonio, Chile, dockworkers have been on strike for the past week. It’s gotten so tense that police special forces have intervened.
If some sort of solution to the strike isn’t resolved soon, your loading opportunities at U.S. ports will be significantly affected – in a negative way. Chilean fruit arrivals reach a peak between now and stretching into March.
Information is somewhat sketcky, but demonstrations are persisting and shipments to the U.S. and elsewhere have been hindered by the strikes. Union representatives claim that the government has not honored a recent agreement, due to the stubbornness of a port connected company, which the unions says is unwilling to negotiate.
The second week of the strike would jeopardize the export of an estimated 1.5 million boxes of fresh fruit, worth an estimated $40 million. Even more losses are expected if the dispute remains unresolved.
It is estimated that in February there would be 6 million-plus cases per week of fruit being loaded on boats at the port for export. One union spokesman said of the situation, “this is war.”
Produce crops and shipments dodged another potentially winter killing weather system in early January that produced record lows throughout the Midwest and East. Following close scrunty of fresh produce items being grown in both Florida and Texas, it looks like things are okay, with items coming out of it unscathed.
Strawberries in the Plant City, FL area, just west of Tampa had mostly trouble with too warm weather this winter until the early January winter blast. This time of year, the relatively small area of Florida is the biggest volume shipper of strawberries.
Floridas tomatoes in winter also provide a signiticant amount of loading opportunties. The state also has light volume with a number of other mixed vegetables, plus cirus, all of which escapted unharmed.
Texas
It was a similar story in the Lone Star State. In South Texas, some citrus-growing areas dropped to near 32 degress F., but growers really don’t worry about freezing until it’s 28 degrees F. or lower and then the temperatures need to stay there for awhile.
The cold weather is reported to actually help the Texas citrus crop, since after a mild 2012-13 winter, Asian citrus psyllids and other pests don’t thrive as much when it’s cold. As a result Texas citrus shipments should remain steady and on course.
Here’s a round up of some major Western U.S. produce shipping areas.
California Citrus Shipments
It has been since early December that extended nights of freezing settled into the San Joaquin Valley of California, and as of early January it was appearing the total loss of shipments to the remaining on-tree crop could be at least 30 percent or more. Officials are hoping for more specific information by the end of January.
Citrus growers are finding everything from almost no damage to complete losses in different blocks, and sometimes those blocks are not that far apart. This has made it really difficult to come up with a good damage estimate number.
Southern California produce shipments- grossing about $4700 to Chicago.
Desert Vegetable Shipments
Meanwhile, California desert vegetable shipments have been more lucky thus far. Although the Imperial Valley and Yuma vegetable shipping areas had freezing weather, damage has been minimual. Some veggies such as lettuce, may look a little “roughed up”, but should be okay for shipping.
Imperial Valley/Yuma District desert veggies – grossing about $6600 to New York City.
Idaho Potato Shipments
Idaho continues to ship spuds primarily from the Upper Valley and the Twin Falls-Burley District. The state is averaging around 1,300 truck load equivalents per week, with a higher percentage than most produce items moving by rail.
Idaho potatoes – grossing about $5000 to Atlanta.
Carrier Transicold of Syracuse, NY is introducing transport refrigeration control software.
The company is announcing its new trademarked TRU-Tech and TRU-View applications that are easier to custom configuration for transport refrigeration unit (TRU) settings and operations. Successors to Carrier Transicold’s trademarked ReeferManager software, the programs feature simplified interfaces with icons and quick links for faster and easier navigation, according to a news release.
The refrigeration data management software includes the ability to set operational parameters and conduct diagnostic functions. TRU-Tech comes with TRU-View refrigeration data analysis software which provides system performance information and is also available as a standalone application for data analysis without the unit set-up and diagnostic capabilities of TRU-Tech.
The TRU-Tech software can also be used by technicians to monitor system parameters which include sensor inputs and other vital data that may be downloaded for tracking, performance evaluation, recordkeeping or analytics. The TRU-View component can generate graphic reports, showing specific TRU system performance and data can be exported into spreadsheets or PDFs for easy sharing, according to the release. Carrier Transicold manufactures refrigeration units for trucks, trailers and containers.
A Chilean port strike should not significantly affect Chilean grape shipments to North American ports such as Philadephia, Wilimington, NC and Long Beach, CA. However other imported Chilean produce items imported to the U.S. could feel the brunt of the strike more than grapes.
Workers seeking retroactive pay for half-hour lunch breaks began striking January 3 at Chile’s Port of San Antonio.
The port strike appartently is not affecting table grapes loaded in bulk reefers. However, containerized fruit loading at San Antonio and other container ports are being affected.
Strike or no strike, Chilean stone fruit shipments to the U.S. will likely be significantly lower this season. As of mid-January, estimates projected industry-wide losses of 64 percent for Chilean peaches, 59 percent for nectarines and 63 percent for plums.
Depending upon worldwide markets, fruit slated for other countries, could wind up in the U.S. instead. It is a 12-day voyage from Chile to the U.S. East Coast.
Depending on the variety, Chilean stone fruit losses will likely be in the 45-65 percent range this season. Losses were heaviest early in the deal, meaning volume should increase later in the season. While Chilean nectarine and plum import arrivals may pick up later in the season, peaches are more “ify.”
Losses as of January 13 were in the 30-60 percent range, depending on the commodity.
Florida citrus shipments continue to decline, with a disease known as citrus greening being the primary culprit, according the the latest USDA forecast. The shipping estimate shows continuing declines in Florida citrus production, which includes grapefruit as well as oranges and tangerines.
In a Jan. 10 report, the USDA predicts the state’s loadings of oranges, grapefruit and tangerines will decline from one to six percent. All orange volume is now estimated at 115 million equivalent-cartons, down five percent from the December forecast and 14 percent less than last season.
Valencia shipments are off six percent non-valencia oranges — which include early and mid-seasons — declined four percent, with navels decreasing by 200,000 cartons to 1.9 million boxes.
White grapefruit loads dropped one percent from the previous month’s estimate to 4.5 million cartons with the larger-produced color grapefruit unchanged.
For tangerines, loadings dropped six percent with early season fallglo and sunburst tangerines accounting for the 200,000 carton decline. Honey tangerines are seen as remaining unchanged at 1.6 million cartons. Tangelo production remains at 1 million cartons.
Citrus greening has been described by one ag official as “an unprecedented situation dealing with this disease and today’s crop estimate only emphasizes how important it is for research to uncover a solution.”
Though a majority of the state’s oranges ship to processed channels, nearly 70 percent of its navels, about half of its grapefruit and two-thirds of its tangerines ship fresh.
Though a majority of the state’s oranges ship to processed channels, nearly 70 percent of its navels, about half of its grapefruit and two-thirds of its tangerines ship fresh.
Florida citrus, vegetables and strawberries – grossing about $2800 to New York City.
As one of the leading volume spud states, Wisconsin potato shipments have been flying out storages this season, at times nearly 20 percent greater than at the same time a year ago.
20 years ago there were probably 15 or 20 major potato shippers in Wisconsin, but now it’s down to only four – Okray, Alsum, RPE and Bushmans. Loadings should continue through June and into July.
Most Wisconsin packing sheds will finish in April or May, but the big packinghouses have advanced in technology and they ship the year around, because they source potatoes grown outside of Wisconsin.
Wisconsin yields of the crop harvested in 2013 were a little lower than the 2012 crop. But recent shipments have been around18 percent higher than the same period in 2012.
Wisconsin had 63,000 acres of potatoes in 2013, down about 500 acres from 2012.
The early harvest of the new crop of potatoes usually begins in late July, with around 80 to 90 percent of the crop being dug in September, with harvest running into the first two weeks of October.
Wisconsin historically has shipped mostly russet potatoes, but over the decade or so have started growing red potatoes, yellow potatoes and several special items such as purple potatoes.
Central Wisconsin potatoes – grossing about $1,000 to Chicago; $3200 t0 New York City.
By Total Quality Logistics
NASHVILLE—Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty along with Total Quality Logistics (TQL) officials announced the transportation services company will begin operations in Davidson County. The company will open a sales office to meet the needs of its expanding client-base in the Basin Alley Building located at 105 Broadway in downtown Nashville. This expansion represents an investment of $1 million and the creation of 105 new jobs.
With the opening of its Nashville office, TQL operates 22 offices in 11 states across the country.
“I want to thank Total Quality Logistics for its investment in Tennessee and creating these new jobs in Davidson County,” Haslam said. “Today’s investment by Total Quality Logistics shows confidence in our business environment, and the decision to expand here reinforces our goal of becoming the No. 1 state in the Southeast for high quality jobs.”
TQL chose to locate in Middle Tennessee because it gives the company access to outstanding professional talent, a key component to TQL’s ability to serve its customers and increase its market share of the domestic transportation market.
“Tennessee continues to prove itself as a state offering the best business climate in the country, and companies looking to further growth are taking notice,” Hagerty said. “I’m pleased Total Quality Logistics recognizes Tennesseans’ reputation as a friendly and dedicated workforce. I want to welcome Total Quality Logistics to Tennessee and look forward to their continued presence and investment.”
“We are pleased to expand our operations in a state that shares our focus on job creation and economic growth,” TQL Executive Vice President Kerry Byrne said. “We offer careers for entry-level employees that allow them to progress quickly and take on leadership roles. More than 90 percent of the current sales leadership within our organization has been promoted from within.”
“This investment by Total Quality Logistics is a testament to Nashville’s business-friendly environment and our deep and talented workforce in the transportation and logistics industry,” Nashville Mayor Karl Dean said. “I thank the company for choosing to expand in Nashville and create more jobs, which further demonstrates the strength of economic development in our city.”
“We are excited that Total Quality Logistics has chosen to relocate to the Nashville region,” said Jeff Hite, vice president of recruitment for the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. “Because of Nashville’s competitive business climate, educated workforce and high quality of life, we continue to see an influx of strong economic activity in the Nashville area.”
TQL is one of the fastest growing providers of transportation logistics services in North America, connecting shippers who have product that needs to be moved with truckload carriers who have the capacity to move it. The company works with more than 10,000 customers and 50,000 carriers across North America to move more than 800,000 loads a year. TQL moves approximately 3,500 different types of commodities including fresh fruits and vegetables, packaged foods and beverages, meat and poultry, machinery and equipment.
TQL was featured in the November issue of Inc. magazine as one of the top job creators in the country. The publisher of G.I. Jobs magazine also has named TQL one of this country’s Military Friendly Employers.
People can apply for jobs immediately and should start the process online at www.tqljobs.com. Prior experience in the logistics industry is not necessary as new hires with the company participate in a 26-week paid training program. TQL offers its salespeople the opportunity to earn unlimited commissions in addition to their base compensation once they have successfully completed training.
About Total Quality Logistics
Total Quality Logistics is one of the top freight brokerage companies in the nation, with more than $1.6 billion in annual sales. The company, founded in 1997, is privately held and headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, with 22 locations across the nation. TQL was ranked among the nation’s 150 Top Workplaces in 2013 in one of the largest-ever surveys of U.S. companies, with more than 1 million employees participating nationwide. TQL employs more than 2,300 nationwide.
South American grapes and blueberries could reach some U.S. markets quicker under a new pilot program bringing fruit to south Florida ports.
It could mean produce truckers loading more fruit in Florida instead of say, a port like Philadelphia.
Global ocean carrier Hamburg Süd’s delivered the first shipment of imported Peruvian grapes to Port Everglades in Greater Fort Lauderdale under the pilot program on Nov. 29, according to a news release from the port.
“With our state-of-the-art refrigerated cargo containers and our fixed-day of the week liner service between Peru and Port Everglades, we are uniquely positioned to cater to this exciting new business,” Juergen Pump, senior vice president, Hamburg Süd North America, said in the release. “Port Everglades is the first U.S. port of call for our South American West Coast/United States service and we are looking forward to serving the South Florida fresh produce import community,”
Before the pilot program was established, imported South American fruit had to be imported through northern ports such as Philadelphia and then trucked to Southern U.S. market because of concerns over hitchhiker pests, according to the release.
The pilot program, which started Oct. 1, approved a limited number of “cold-treatment” shipments — grapes and blueberries from Peru and Uruguay — to enter the Florida market directly in containers
Numerous shipments of grapes and blueberries from Peru and Uruguay are expected in the next few months, according to the release.
One of the big advantages of the south Florida port is transit time, according to the release. A container traveling from Peru would reach Port Everglades in only 15 days, compared with the 21-day journey to Philadelphia, according to the release.
How green is green when it comes to enviromental issues and dedication to those issues? Is the size of that so-called carbon foot print what it appears? While it can be a mixed bag, what is certain is that truckers are being affected by changes and polices.
For example, one of the biggest changes coming sooner than we may think is noted by Doug Stoiber, vice president of L&M Transportation Services, based in Raliegh, NC.
The LMTS executive states, “Within the next couple of years we’re going to see a whole lot more trucks switching from diesel fuel to liquid natural gas and compressed natural gas. That is going to have an impact on the environment and sustainability and fuel costs.”
Currently the fuel delivery industry in playing catch up, he notes, in developing the infrastructure to service natural gas trucks. Stoiber points out truck manufacturers are lining up to purchase the the new 12 liter Cummins natural gas engine.
Jimmy DeMatteis, president of Des Moines Truck in Norwalk, IA agrees.
“I’m seeing more natural gas trucks, It’s supposed to burn cleaner than diesel engines that are five years and older,” he says, “and are certainly burning cleaner than the seven years before that.”
But there’s another side to the “green” issue that often doesn’t receive the attention.
As the president of Cool Runnings LLC in Kenosha, WI, Fred Plosky makes an observation about the produce industry and how it sometimes approaches transportation from an envirnomental stand point.
“…their (produce) buying intiative isn’t nessarily in agreement with their corporate initiative,” Plotsky observes.
For example, he had a couple of customers that requires Cool Runnings to be a part of Smartway, a voluntary environmental program for trucking.
“While they are saying you need to be a part of Smartway and you need to watch your carbon foot print, they don’t run their business that way,” Plotsky relates.
A Cool Runnings hired truck has had to run an extra 100 miles out of route to pick up nine packages of fruit, because the buyer was wanting to buy the fruit direct (from the shipper) and save money.
“The buyer won’t consolidate this to two pick ups in the same town and then buy those nine boxes off the street (from a wholesaler) in Chicago for an extra $3 a box, as opposed to routing the truck and paying $255 for going up (to the shed) , $55 for the pick up and paying $310 more for those nine boxes. What does that do for your carbon foot print?” Plotsky asks.
Kenny Lund, vice president of the Allen Lund Co. in LaCanada, CA says another anti-environmental policy relates to each state having a different fuel blend. He says this is “killing the refineries” and there needs to be a national fuel blend when the conversion is made twice a year for summer and winter weather.
“There is something like 28 different fuel blends across the U.S.,” Lund states. “You have got refineries serving multiple states. They have to shut down production and reformulate it. That just drives up the cost for everyone.”
Lund recalls a trucker who said it best when it comes to the rules and regulations affecting transportation.
“You have got a lot of people making regulations for the trucks that have never been inside a truck.”
Produce haulers truck a lot of imported fresh fruit from various U.S ports to destinations across America and into Canada. The largest volume of imported fruit this time of year is from Chile, arriving at such U.S. ports as Philadelphia; Wilmington, NC; and Long Beach, CA.
However, at the Port of San Antonio, Chile, dockworkers have been on strike for the past week. It’s gotten so tense that police special forces have intervened.
If some sort of solution to the strike isn’t resolved soon, your loading opportunities at U.S. ports will be significantly affected – in a negative way. Chilean fruit arrivals reach a peak between now and stretching into March.
Information is somewhat sketcky, but demonstrations are persisting and shipments to the U.S. and elsewhere have been hindered by the strikes. Union representatives claim that the government has not honored a recent agreement, due to the stubbornness of a port connected company, which the unions says is unwilling to negotiate.
The second week of the strike would jeopardize the export of an estimated 1.5 million boxes of fresh fruit, worth an estimated $40 million. Even more losses are expected if the dispute remains unresolved.
It is estimated that in February there would be 6 million-plus cases per week of fruit being loaded on boats at the port for export. One union spokesman said of the situation, “this is war.”
Produce crops and shipments dodged another potentially winter killing weather system in early January that produced record lows throughout the Midwest and East. Following close scrunty of fresh produce items being grown in both Florida and Texas, it looks like things are okay, with items coming out of it unscathed.
Strawberries in the Plant City, FL area, just west of Tampa had mostly trouble with too warm weather this winter until the early January winter blast. This time of year, the relatively small area of Florida is the biggest volume shipper of strawberries.
Floridas tomatoes in winter also provide a signiticant amount of loading opportunties. The state also has light volume with a number of other mixed vegetables, plus cirus, all of which escapted unharmed.
Texas
It was a similar story in the Lone Star State. In South Texas, some citrus-growing areas dropped to near 32 degress F., but growers really don’t worry about freezing until it’s 28 degrees F. or lower and then the temperatures need to stay there for awhile.
The cold weather is reported to actually help the Texas citrus crop, since after a mild 2012-13 winter, Asian citrus psyllids and other pests don’t thrive as much when it’s cold. As a result Texas citrus shipments should remain steady and on course.
Here’s a round up of some major Western U.S. produce shipping areas.
California Citrus Shipments
It has been since early December that extended nights of freezing settled into the San Joaquin Valley of California, and as of early January it was appearing the total loss of shipments to the remaining on-tree crop could be at least 30 percent or more. Officials are hoping for more specific information by the end of January.
Citrus growers are finding everything from almost no damage to complete losses in different blocks, and sometimes those blocks are not that far apart. This has made it really difficult to come up with a good damage estimate number.
Southern California produce shipments- grossing about $4700 to Chicago.
Desert Vegetable Shipments
Meanwhile, California desert vegetable shipments have been more lucky thus far. Although the Imperial Valley and Yuma vegetable shipping areas had freezing weather, damage has been minimual. Some veggies such as lettuce, may look a little “roughed up”, but should be okay for shipping.
Imperial Valley/Yuma District desert veggies – grossing about $6600 to New York City.
Idaho Potato Shipments
Idaho continues to ship spuds primarily from the Upper Valley and the Twin Falls-Burley District. The state is averaging around 1,300 truck load equivalents per week, with a higher percentage than most produce items moving by rail.
Idaho potatoes – grossing about $5000 to Atlanta.