FEMA’s National Business Emergency Operations Center (NBEOC) has been activated in support of the presidential response to the novel coronavirus / COVID-19 outbreak. 

There will be recurring NBEOC calls on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which will be attended by senior leaders from DHS, FEMA, HHS, and other sector-specific agencies, as well as White House National Security Staff. Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions and/or make comments during the Q&A portion of these calls.   

Dial-In:  800-593-7177, Passcode: 7963614, Time: 3:00 p.m. EST

FMCSA has posted on its website an emergency declaration with respect to targeted, limited relief from Hours of Service (HOS) for COVID-19 emergency efforts. The agency is able to provide additional clarity now and will be working with all stakeholders to address questions that are likely to arise in the near term.

For full details, please click: http://ata.msgfocus.com/c/11sdnTmjUZV16XHjiqdhvigKePMs

We have recently been informed by several companies that there is an email solicitation offering to sell the 2020 Food Shippers of America (FSA) conference attendee list. Our initial investigation has determined that these are “phishing” emails that are attempting to fraudulently secure payment information.

Please note that no company is authorized to distribute or sell any lists for FSA events. FSA does not sell its registration lists or authorize any third party to distribute or sell annual attendee lists, or lists related to any FSA event. FSA recommends that its members and their suppliers avoid any interaction with these fraudulent company(s).

Food Shippers of America is looking for FSA Member Companies to profile in upcoming issues of the bi-annual Food Shippers of America magazine.

Perhaps your company has a storied history that needs telling, or just surpassed a milestone in its growth expectations! We offer a unique opportunity for FSA Member Companies to share with our readers their company's goals and successes, visions and innovations. 

If you would like your FSA Member Company profile to appear in our print and digital publication, please contact Food Shippers at media_advisor@foodshippersofamerica.org.

Who Is Eligible for FSA Membership?

By Noël Perry
By the time you read this we will know clearly the impact of the novel coronavirus outbreak currently circling the globe. Most likely we will have learned that the immediate threat of pandemic was over-stated. However, even a modest continuation of current infection rates will create a visible reduction in, at least, first-quarter growth.

FreightWaves
In an effort to keep grocery stores stocked, Texas Governor Greg Abbott on March 14, waived overweight and oversize restrictions for commercial vehicles operating within the state. A day later, Abbott also waived state law prohibiting alcohol industry trucks from delivering grocery store supplies.

Supply Chain Dive
Air cargo rates from China and other areas within Asia are on the rise, an indication that factories in these areas are coming back online and shippers want to move freight more quickly to market, said several industry leaders. However, most commercial air carriers have scaled back their service in Asia in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, also contributing to the rise in rates.

American Shipper
With growing concern about coronavirus, a nose-diving stock market, and rising fuel costs in the wake of IMO 2020 regulations, FreightWaves spoke with Jim Blaeser, a director with global consultancy AlixPartners, about the impacts these events are having on the U.S. containerized cargo industry.

Progressive Railroading
Though February freight rail traffic fell 8.1% as compared to 2019, the reduction was due in large part to fewer coal carloads, and not directly from coronavirus impacts. Excluding the coal carloads, February 2020 was actually the best month for the year.

DC Velocity
While COVID-19 threatens global supply chains, logistics real estate will prove to be resilient, according to a March study by real estate firm Prologis. The company predicts cargo shipping will rebound soon and increasing e-commerce usage, along with other retail trends, will ultimately boost demand for logistics real estate.

FreightWaves
Though intermodal and imports fell sharply in February, trucking volumes are up more than 5% year-over-year, despite tightening capacity, according to FreightWaves Passport Research. However, the unknown pace of a Chinese production reboot and stalled cargo shipments could mean stockouts if inventories continue to deplete at their current pace.

CDL Life News
North Dakota-based carrier Great Plains Transport is helping their new drivers get settled quicker with a full refrigerator and a guaranteed  paycheck. New drivers are being offered a salary-based pay structure that helps alleviate unexpected financial setbacks like weather delays and detention, plus $50 worth of groceries for their first load.

Progressive Railroading
Despite an unprecedented business climate, Class I CEOs foresee paths to slight growth next year. Click here for access to the full Class I 2020 Outlook e-book with insights and strategies for managing Class I assets in an unsettled environment.

Talking Logistics
Adrian Gonzalez shares his insights and key takeaways from the 65th Annual Food Shippers of America Conference, including the forces that are disrupting and driving the food shipping industry.

Thank you to all our members for your support!

Our Winter 2019 issue of Food Shippers of America magazine is also available in digital format for your phone, tablet and computer viewing. Please click here for immediate access. 

Previous issues of Food Shippers of America may be found in our association website archives, or by clicking here.  

The Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) is making its monthly magazine, 3PL Perspectives, available to all FSA members and suppliers. Please click here for a view of TIA's March issue. 

For more information about any articles appearing in 3PL Perspectives, contact Chris Burroughs at burroughs@tianet.org.

Want to expand intermodal utilization? Looking for ways to reduce truck loads? If you’re interested in learning more about supply chain innovation, EPA SmartWay can tell you how. #supplychain #innovation #fuelsavings www.epa.gov/smartway