Gov. Gavin Newsom has a bill on his desk (passed in the state senate last week) that with his final decision will set the fate of future self-driving trucks, including semi-trucks, for operation in the state of California. The bill would ban autonomous vehicles (over 10,000 lbs.) and as expected, is supported by drivers of the Teamsters union who present an argument of road safety and job protection. A counter argument relates that California has always been a leader and supporter in development of new technologies. Oct. 14^th is the deadline for approval or veto by the governor. (More at: ABC10, “Are self-driving semis coming to California? …” by Elisha Machado, 9/19/2023)

The Panama Canal Authority released a notice last week on September 8^th announcing that it will be suspending bookings for super category vessels from yesterday Sept. 12 through the 30th. This action is a response to counter the backlog caused by the ongoing drought conditions. FreightWaves explains that unless major rainfall changes conditions “the daily transit limits and vessel draft restrictions the ACP imposed earlier this year will need to remain in place until this time next year.” (More at: FreightWaves, “Panama Canal Authority: Vessel transits may be reduced if drought persists” Lori Ann LaRocco, 9/12/2023)

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Hilldrup announced last week its acquisition of Graebel Commercial Services (GCS). In conjunction with the purchase, the GCS segment of business was relaunched as WeSolve Workplace Environments, or more commonly as WeSolve. Scott Snead, President of WeSolve, explains that “WeSolve Workplace Environments is a global, full-service work environment company that offers office relocation planning, coordination, and management services.” (See Hilldrup News, “Hilldrup’s Launch of WeSolve Workplace Environments …” by Jordan McDaniel, 8/1/2023)

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There are concerns that the drought in Germany this year and its impact on the Rhine River water levels may rival river lows in 2018 and 2022. In July water levels hit a low of below 100 cm, down from a high of 350 cm in May (at the Kaub measuring station.) Low water levels cause increased shipping costs due to container ships and some barges sailing half full resulting in more vessels needed to transport goods. (See video about the Rhine) However, recent “heavy rainfall in the Rhine’s upstream regions” has resulted in levels to rise to about 180 cm as of last Friday, "allowing vessels to sail with full loads.” (More at: The Maritime Executive, “Rhine Water Levels Improve …” 07/30/2023)

Yellow Corporation, third-largest less-than-truckload (LTL) carrier ceased operations as of noon this past Sunday, July 30^th. The Teamsters were notified of a pending filing for bankruptcy as 22,000 Teamsters have been a part of the 30,000 employee Yellow workforce. FreightWaves reports that “it (Yellow) laid off most of its nonunion workforce last week and told union employees on Sunday afternoon not to show up.” (See more at: FreightWaves, “Yellow's demise: 2 decades in the making,” Todd Maiden, 07/31/2023)

The U.S. House of Representatives approved an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act(NDAA) prohibiting U.S. ports supported by federal grant money from using China’s state-supported shipping platform known as LOGINK. The technology platform allows China to monitor U.S. traffic of shipping containers. (See more at FreightWaves, “House passes defense bill with ban on Chinese shipping platform,” John Gallagher, 7/14/2023)