Trucking news and briefs for Friday, Jan. 10, 2025:
Port strike thwarted for second time in 3 months
The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) reached tentative agreement on a new six-year deal, which would avoid – for the second time – a strike across major U.S. ports set to kick off Jan. 15 that would have snarled supply chains coast-to-coast.
ILA members went on strike last October disrupting the flow of cargo and goods over those docks. The short-lived strike ended after Biden Administration officials helped broker a tentative deal that raised the base hourly rate to $63 from $39 over six years, an increase of 62%. The two sides agreed to extend the labor contract, with ILA members agreeing to go back to work through January 15, meaning a new strike could occur.
Under the new deal, the two sides agreed to continue to operate under the current contract until the union can meet with its full Wage Scale Committee and schedule a ratification vote, and USMX members can ratify the terms of the final contract. The deal, both sides said, includes automation at the ports, which had been a sticking point with workers.
"This agreement protects current ILA jobs and establishes a framework for implementing technologies that will create more jobs while modernizing East and Gulf coasts ports – making them safer and more efficient, and creating the capacity they need to keep our supply chains strong," two sides said in a joint statement. “This is a win-win agreement that creates ILA jobs, supports American consumers and businesses, and keeps the American economy the key hub of the global marketplace.”
Torc set to open autonomous truck hub in Dallas-Fort Worth
Autonomous truck technology company Torc, an independent subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG, this week announced it has signed a leasing agreement for a facility located in Hillwood’s AllianceTexas development that will serve as Torc’s autonomous truck hub in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
The new location will be a hub for Torc’s autonomous testing efforts, customer freight pilots, and future commercialization slated for 2027.
The site will feature a customer experience center, offices, and dedicated control centers for fleet management and operations. Well into productization, Torc’s expansion in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area positions the company for the next phase of autonomous driving and provides a strategic advantage due to its proximity to a major freight route between Dallas and Laredo, Texas, on Interstate 35, the company said.
"Establishing our presence in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, a key region for the future of autonomous trucking, is a critical milestone for Torc," said Peter Vaughan Schmidt, Torc’s CEO. "This new hub will enable us to better serve our current and future customers, enhance our operational capabilities, and drive forward the adoption of autonomous technology in the logistics industry. As we work toward commercialization, the new hub will give us access to talent, resources and routes that we didn’t previously have, and we’re excited about the growth opportunities ahead."
The hub will be located at 13119 Old Denton Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76177, and Torc plans to start occupying the new space early this year. The new site includes a 17-acre facility and 22,000 square feet of office space. The facility will be built out over the first half of 2025, ensuring it complies with the standards required for autonomous vehicle operations.
[Related: How autonomous trucks will impact the trucking workforce]
BlueGrace Logistics acquires FreightCenter
Third-party logistics provider BlueGrace Logistics announced it is acquiring FreightCenter, a prominent online transportation solutions provider that started 26 years ago.
The move expands BlueGrace’s customer base by integrating FreightCenter’s clients with BlueGrace’s suite of logistics tools and services.
FreightCenter will continue to operate as an independent business under its current brand, ensuring continuity for its customers and partners.
FreightCenter customers will gain access to BlueGrace’s unified transportation management system, BlueShip TMS, enabling seamless freight management across various shipping modes. They will also benefit from BlueGrace’s truckload and less-than-truckload services, supported by a vast carrier network and competitive pricing options. Additionally, FreightCenter’s customers will now get access to EVOS load optimization tools, stemming from another recent acquisition BlueGrace did in 2024.
“We’ve known and respected the team at FreightCenter for over a decade, having watched them grow and succeed every year, so it’s a great addition to our family,” said Bobby Harris, CEO and Founder of BlueGrace Logistics. “This acquisition is the perfect opportunity to enhance the logistics experience for thousands of customers. By integrating our advanced technology, deep industry expertise, and extensive carrier network, we are committed to delivering solutions that meet their unique shipping needs”
Additionally, BlueGrace Managed Logistics offerings can provide tailored solutions to meet FreightCenter’s higher-volume customers’ needs, BlueGrace said.
