Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, April 3, 2024:
Canada’s Pride Group files for bankruptcy protection
Pride Group filed for bankruptcy protection last week. Companies in the Pride Group will file cases under Chapter 15 of Title 11 of the United States Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware seeking recognition of the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) Proceedings within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States and other related relief, the company announced.
“We have taken these steps to commence the CCAA Proceedings and to seek recognition under the Chapter 15 Cases so that we can maintain our current operations, stabilize our business, establish governance controls and monitoring, and develop a plan to restructure for the benefit of our stakeholders,” the company said in a statement. “We believe this is in the best interests of all of our employees, customers, business partners and other stakeholders.”
Pride Group expects to continue operations under the protection of the Initial Order, noting the company does not “anticipate any disruption to the products and services we provide” and “intends to use the protections afforded to it by the Initial Order to reorganize and/or restructure its businesses to address short- and long-term goals. We are optimistic and confident that the Pride Group will emerge from these proceedings as a stronger company with stronger overall financial health.”
Maryland temporarily waives certain IFTA requirements
The Comptroller of Maryland, Brooke E. Lierman, on April 1 authorized the temporary waiver of certain IFTA requirements in Maryland to mitigate the economic impact of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.
As of March 30 at 12:01 a.m. and through May 31 at 11:59 p.m., Maryland will waive IFTA licensing and decal requirements for motor carriers hauling freight to or from a seaport.
Lierman’s office also noted that it expects some IFTA licensees located in the affected area to possibly experience difficulty filing their quarterly IFTA tax returns by the April 30 due date, and as such, the office is granting a waiver of penalties for this filing period.
Those affected by the waiver still must file their first quarter returns no later than June 30 in order to be granted the relief.
Lierman added that she “strongly encourage[s] our neighboring jurisdictions to also waive IFTA licensing requirements temporarily for motor carriers hauling freight to or from a seaport.”
[Related: Baltimore officials update city's truck routes]
Saia inks cross-border partnership with Mexican fleet
Saia Inc. (CCJ Top 250, No. 19) announced April 1 an exclusive partnership between Saia LTL Freight and Fletes Mexico via their less-than-truckload (LTL) division, Carga Express, to serve both companies’ U.S. to Mexico cross-border customers.
As a result of the partnership, Saia will service Carga Express’ shipments entering the U.S., and Carga Express will service Saia’s freight entering Mexico.
The partnership brings together two companies with extensive LTL experience. Celebrating its 100-year anniversary this year, Saia began operations in Houma, Louisiana, in 1924 and today operates 194 terminals across the U.S.
Saia plans to open 15 to 20 new terminals as it adds direct service to new geographies, enhancing its value proposition to customers through a stronger service offering. Likewise, Carga Express has been a leader in the national and international transportation industry for more than three decades.
“We are excited about this new partnership with Carga Express as our companies share similar values when it comes to providing efficient, on-time transportation solutions for customers,” said Saia Vice President of International Juan Barroso. “Our customers will benefit from Carga Express’ network of distribution centers and commitment to providing leading LTL service into and across Mexico.”
[Related: Mexico passes China as top U.S. export partner, and that’s good news for freight]
Two-day UCR meeting upcoming
The Unified Carrier Registration Plan Board of Directors and its Enforcement Subcommittee will hold meetings Thursday and Friday this week to continue to work on developing and implementing the Unified Carrier Registration Plan and Agreement.
The meeting will take place at the Hotel Indigo Savannah Historic District, 201 West Bay Street, Savannah, GA 31401. It will also be accessible via conference call and Zoom. Any interested person may call 1-929-205-6099 (US Toll) or 1-669-900-6833 (US Toll), Meeting ID: 972 4708 8227, to listen and participate. Registration to participate via Zoom for Thursday's meeting is available here, and registration for Friday's Zoom meeting is available here.
On Thursday, April 4, the UCR Board will meet from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Eastern to discuss potential policy changes, hear an update from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on its 2025 UCR Fee proposed rulemaking, hear reports from various subcommittees and more.
On Friday, April 5, the UCR Plan Enforcement Subcommittee will meet from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Eastern. Items on the subcommittee’s agenda include:
- Review a variety of tools and activities undertaken in 2023 to conduct enforcement activities in the states
- Discuss the possibility of roadside enforcement for carriers who have been identified as under-registered
- Discuss how enforcement can support and contribute to inspection audits
- Discuss the awarding of annual UCR Enforcement Award, including criteria for best enforcement efficiency rate, most violations issued overall, and an annual award to the inspector who issues the most UCR violations. The subcommittee may take action to recommend such options to the Board of Directors.
[Related: FMCSA looking to increase UCR fees by 25% for next year]
UPS lands ‘significant’ air cargo contract from USPS
UPS (CCJ Top 250, No. 2) announced it has been awarded a significant air cargo contract by the United Stated Postal Service (USPS).
This award is effective immediately and greatly expands the existing relationship between the two organizations. Following a transition period, UPS will become the USPS’s primary air cargo provider and move the majority of USPS air cargo in the U.S.
“Together UPS and USPS have developed an innovative solution that is mutually beneficial and complements our unique, reliable and efficient integrated network,” said UPS Chief Executive Officer Carol B. Tome.
