The Top Logistics News Stories of 2017

The Logistics Management editors have hand picked the most influential news stories impacting the Logistics and Supply Chain markets in 2017. Read about the impact of some of the biggest developments in the market all in one place. From details about the Food Modernization Act, mergers and aquisitions, and new trucking regulations, these events have had the a large impact on the Logistics and Supply Chain Markets over the course of this year. 

Top 10 Articles of 2017

Chao is confirmed by Senate as next DOT Secretary (Jan.) 

In perhaps the most quiet of all President Trump’s Cabinet picks, Elaine Chao overwhelmingly was voted in by the Senate as the next United States Department of Transportation Secretary by a 93-6 margin.

Food Safety Modernization Act calls for changes in operations for food shippers and carriers (Jan.)

The main objective of the food safety rule, according to the FDA is to “protect foods from farm to table by keeping them safe from contamination during transportation” and also “prevent practices during transportation that create food safety risks, such failure to properly refrigerate food, inadequate cleaning of vehicles between loads and failure to properly protect food.  

FedEx’s Smith again leads push for twin 33s, truckload carriers again push back (Feb.)

Polar opposite lobbying efforts of two major factions of the trucking industry again are on a collision course over proposed use of twin 33-foot trailers nationwide – again.

Blockbuster deal in truckload! Knight and Swift to merge to create $6 billion TL giant (April)

The merger creates a new entity with $6 billion enterprise value. Swift already had been the largest TL carrier with close to $4 billion in revenue. 

UPS adds Saturday ground pickup service offering (April)

Through this effort, UPS said it has increased operating capacity while not making additional investments in buildings, vehicles, or trucks, with the company noting that it will create more than 6,000 new jobs when it is fully implemented.

Uber Freight makes official entrance into trucking market (May)

While it has been anticipated for a while, ubiquitous ride-sharing service Uber said this week it has officially entered the freight transportation arena, specifically truckload brokerage, with the introduction of Uber Freight.

U.S. exits Paris Agreement. What happens now? (June)

While it was widely expected, President Trump formally stated that the United States will exit the Paris Agreement.

CSX cites gains in service efficiencies from Precision Scheduled Railroading improvements (Sept.)

Coming on the heels of back and forth correspondence with the Department of Transportation’s Surface Transportation Board (STB) over various service issues, Jacksonville, Fla.-based Class I railroad carrier CSX said that things have started to turn the corner for the better.

Shippers ready to “bear the brunt” of higher trucking rates as ELD implementation set to begin Dec. (Oct.)

The tightest truckload market in at least four years will be further exacerbated by the long-awaited mandate, effective in December, that trucks are outfitted with electronic logging devices which the government says will crack down on drivers working excess hours behind the wheel.

Amazon-Whole Foods deal presents wide range of supply chain questions

Nearly $14 billion deal set to not only shake up the grocery sector but also change the sector's supply chain playbook, too.