Are You A Logistics Guru?

As we begin to leave 2008 behind the auto markets are in a slump, financial institutions are fighting for a bailout, (not to beat a dead horse)  but in all the economy is just plain awful.  Lets hope in 2009 there will be some bounce back.

Since freight transportation volumes have been down for the past three consecutive years, its official,  the "transportation peak season" is a thing of the past.  Well I came across this logistics quiz designed to take you back a year in logistics and test your knowledge in various sections of the logistics industry. Take this logistics quiz to see if you are Logistics Guru who is prepared for 2009.   Credit be given to logisticsmanagment.com for creating this great logistics quiz.  

For grins...

The Good Old Days....

Remember back when the cost of a gallon of gas was pocket change. Well in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, people were filling their tanks for 35 cents.

Yes, its true 35 cents! A Citgo gas station advertised their "Premium"gas for $3.43 but the pump cost read $0.349 a gallon. I'm sure it was a wild circus waiting in line for the pumps. But to bad it lasted only for 90 minutes. Read the rest of the story here :

Stupid Cheap Gas

Let me know if you have stumbled upon stupid cheap gas.

Totally irrelevant but funny....

Improving The US Infrastructure

The nation’s roads, bridges, airports, ports, intermodal links and waterways are deteriorating to an embarrassing point where it threatens U.S. competitiveness. This is just one of the many domestic problems the next president will have to face. Regardless of who's elected, if the economy is to grow, you need reliable transportation.

I believe that expansion of our transportation infrastructure should be one of the top domestic priorities. The nation hasn't added a new runway at any significant airport since Denver International Airport opened in 1995. This issue isn't a widely discussed issue in the news due to the economy and election. But who ever is elected as the next president, should realize that growth in the economy isn't possible with out improving the infrastructure that delivers it.

UPS Places Largest Hybrid Truck Order

On May 13th UPS placed the largest ever order on 200 hybrid electric vehicles. This has been the largest order yet of such a truck by a big company. They also ordered 300 Natural Gas Vehicles (NGV) for the U.S. Fleet.

UPS has been working with alternative fuel research to help mitigate climate change risks. These fleets operate not only in the U.S., but also in Germany, France, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and the UK.

Currently UPS is the industry leader in alternative fuel vehicles.

Going Green

Because of growing gas prices and transportation costs, logistics companies are moving more toward going green. Why, not? It not only saves tons of money, but it saves the economy and ozone.

A few of the big players so far have been Wal-Mart, Xerox and SC Johnson. Some companies have even bought Toyota Priuses for technicians.

It is good to see this move, everyone can benefit.

Ports Fee Approved

A $15 dollar per 20 foot equivalent on loaded containers entering or leaving the Los Angeles and Long Beach port has been approved. This fee will be added to truck or rail leaving the port and was approved by the port commissioners.

The fee will be applied once per loaded container, helping to avoid double charges. The first terminal to handle the container will collect the fee. Fees will not be collected on empty container moves.

The new fees are expected to generate around $1.4 billion for transportation projects.