Transportation: Page 516

Infinity Transportation Logistics Adds Miami And Toronto To Its Intermodal Service From The Pacific Northwest

Infinity Intermodal

Infinity Transportation Logistics, LLC (ITL) is now providing expedited temperature-controlled domestic intermodal service from Washington State and Oregon to Miami, Fla., and Toronto, Canada.

ITL's door-to-door transit times are now only four to five days to and from the Midwest and just six to seven days to and from various destinations on the East Coast, which is nearly as fast as long-haul trucks. Because of the improved transit times, ITL has been seeing increased interest and usage from fresh produce shippers (apples, potatoes, pears, onions, etc.).

U.S. Farm Boom Fizzles Due To Crop Surplus

While many growers remain profitable, the global commodity slump is increasing pressure on a Midwest economy that was largely shielded from the worst of the financial crisis by high crop prices and land values.

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Workers Sue XPO Logistics Over Misclassifying Drivers As Independent Contractors

Three trucking company subsidiaries of XPO Logistics Inc. were sued in California on Monday for allegedly misclassifying their drivers as independent contractors.

The class-action lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, argues that drivers for XPO subsidiaries Pacer Cartage Inc., Harbor Rail Transport and PDS Transportation Inc. failed to pay minimum wage, provide meal breaks and rest breaks and reimburse business expenses, among other allegations.

Grower Shippers Sue Quaker City Produce Over Non-Payment

The lawsuit alleges that Quaker City failed to pay the plaintiffs — produce suppliers to Quaker City — for the perishable agricultural commodities that the firm purchased from the produce shippers.

Quaker City Produce, will close its doors on the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market, 17 days after the death of company patriarch Jimmy Storey, according to The Produce News.

CSX Grants To Support Transportation Of Healthy Food In 9 States

CSX Corporation Inc.

Charities in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia will receive grants ranging from $4,000 to $10,000 to support and strengthen local transportation and distribution of healthy food.

CSX and The Conservation Fund announced the grant recipients for the 2015 Grant Program for Transporting Healthy Food.

Spot Rates Rise Slightly On Year-End Freight Surge

DAT Freight & Analytics

Demand for van and refrigerated capacity increased sharply on the spot market during the final week of 2015 and first two days of the new year, according to DAT Solutions.

Load-to-truck ratios represent the number of loads posted for every truck available on DAT load boards. The load-to-truck ratio is a sensitive, real-time indicator of the balance between spot market demand and capacity. Changes in the ratio often signal impending changes in rates.

Ocean Ports & Carriers

Study: Trans-Pacific Trade Pact To Favor Japan, Vietnam And Malaysia

Japan, Vietnam and Malaysia are set to get a big economic boost from a sweeping Pacific trade agreement concluded in October, while the U.S. and other North American countries would see much smaller gains from the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

If the Pacific agreement is enacted, Vietnam would get the biggest percentage boost to its economy—about 10 percent by 2030—as its textiles and apparel industry gets new preferential access to the U.S. and other major markets. Japan would see extra economic growth of 2.7 percent by 2030 while the U.S. could expect additional economic growth of 0.4 percent by 2030, according to the study, released by the World Bank.

CV International Acquires M & S Shipping Ltd.

CV International (CVI), a Norfolk, Va.-based freight forwarder and customs broker, has acquired M & S Shipping, Ltd., a Virginia Beach, Va.-based freight forwarder that also provides refrigerated transportation services.

CV International (CVI), a Norfolk, Va.-based freight forwarder and customs broker, has acquired M & S Shipping, Ltd., a Virginia Beach, Va.-based freight forwarder that also provides refrigerated transportation services.

General Mills Inc. Acquires Meat Snack Maker EPIC Provisions

The original EPIC meat, fruit, and nut bar — the first of its kind — has created a new snacking category.

General Mills, Inc. has acquired EPIC Provisions, a premium meat snacks company based in Austin, Texas.

Ocean Ports & Carriers

Virginia Port Signs First U.S. Port Trade Agreement With Cuba

Port of Virginia

The recently-opened Mariel Port, just west of Havana, aims to become a major shipping center as larger ships pass through the Panama Canal and use it as a logistical hub.

Governor McAuliffe (third from left, back row) and the Port of Virginia delegation witnessing the signing of MOU between the Port of Virginia and the Cuban National Port Authority.

Feds Sideline Land Air Express In New England Over Violations

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has ordered Land Air Express of New England based in Williston, Vt., to park its trucks due to violations found during vehicle inspections over the past two years.

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Ocean Ports & Carriers

Featured In Food Logistics: Florida Prepared For Perishables

Florida is home to four of the country’s 10 fastest growing ports, and when the Post-Panamax ships start crossing the expanded canal sometime in the spring of 2016, those numbers are only going to rise.

Crowley employees in Guatemala prepare fresh produce for shipment to the United States.

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