Road Scholar | Transport Blog's

Protect from freeze season, which most identify as the end of October through April, is here.   Industries reliant on temperature-sensitive products must prioritize protect-from-freeze shipping to prevent costly damages.   This season is particularly crucial for sectors such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, and chemicals, where exposure to freezing temperatures can compromise product integrity. 1. Pharmaceuticals Medications, vaccines, and biologics are particularly vulnerable to temperature fluctuations.   Freezing can destroy the molecular structure of vaccines, alter the composition of liquid medications, and degrade the efficacy of biologic treatments.   For example, insulin and other injectable drugs must be kept within a strict temperature range to remain effective. Freezing temperatures can cause these products to crystallize or lose potency, leading to ineffective treatments and potential health risks for patients. 2. Food and Beverage Frozen food is common,

  Cargo theft is an evolving threat, and one growing trend is Motor Carrier (MC) Number Manipulation.   This method involves cargo thieves purchasing MC numbers from legitimate trucking companies and using them to steal freight, often with devastating consequences.   Trusted by brokers, these criminals impersonate the original carriers to steal loads before abandoning the MC number. Scott Cornell of Travelers explains that these schemes have surged, particularly post-COVID, as many truckers sold their MC numbers after spot rates peaked.   Thieves are exploiting this market, luring unsuspecting brokers into fraudulent deals and pilfering high-value goods.   Cornell notes, “They’re real in the sense that they have trucks and an MC number, but their intent is nefarious.” Why MC Number Manipulation is on the Rise MC numbers are essential for conducting business in the trucking industry, and older numbers carry more credibility, especially among brokers.   However, with the econom

As the peak shipping season intensifies, cargo theft is seeing a noticeable surge.   Keith Lewis, vice president of operations at CargoNet, shared that just a few weeks ago, 75 thefts were reported in a single week, suggesting the possibility of nearly 4,000 thefts annually if this trend holds.   This year has seen an overall rise in thefts, with the industry anticipating more criminal activity during the holiday season. This spike underscores the critical need for businesses to bolster their security efforts as organized criminal groups exploit the fast-moving supply chain. Peak Season: A Breeding Ground for Theft The fourth quarter is notorious for increased cargo theft, with security often being sacrificed for speed as companies rush to meet the holiday demand.   Danny Ramon of Overhaul noted that this trend is not just about opportunistic crimes but increasingly strategic, organized thefts.   The rapid pace of shipping leaves room for security lapses, and organized criminal

  The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) agreed to suspend a strike on Thursday, marking a significant development in labor relations at major East and Gulf Coast ports.   Sparked by the union’s demands for a wage increase and concerns over port automation, the strike threatened the U.S. economy just weeks before national elections.   Negotiations between the ILA and the United States Maritime Alliance led to a breakthrough—a 62% wage increase over six years, a substantial jump from the employer’s initial offer.   This victory for the dockworkers, who are among the most powerful in blue-collar industries, highlighted the critical role ports play in global trade.   The strike garnered high-level attention, with the Biden administration working behind the scenes to mediate an agreement, avoiding prolonged disruptions.   Had the strike continued, it could have compounded the nation’s economic challenges, especially after natural disasters like Hurricane Helene.   As

Road Scholar Transport is showcasing its dedication to raising awareness for several important causes this October with five specially designed awareness trucks.   Here's a closer look at the causes: Down Syndrome: There are three types of Down syndrome:   Trisomy 21 (the most common, consisting of about 95% of cases in which there is an extra chromosome 21 in every cell), Translocation (around 3% where the additional chromosome is attached to another instead of on its own), and Mosaicism (around 2%, in which only some cells contain the extra chromosome).   Each year, around 1 in 640 babies (or less than 1%) are born with this. There are certain physical features that Down syndrome individuals have in common including slanted eyes, short neck, absence of a nasal bone, small ears, a protruding tongue, short stature, white spots in the colored part of the eyes, weak muscle tone, and a single crease on the palm of the hand.   There are certain conditions that people w