IAMC News Briefs—Week of June 5, 2023
By John Salustri
GENERAL MOTORS NEWSROOM—GM is planning to enhance two manufacturing facilities in Flint, MI to produce next-generation internal combustion engine (ICE) heavy-duty trucks. The upgrades, at a cost of $1 billion, will “enable the company to strengthen its industry-leading full-size truck business,” stated the firm. Further product and timing details were kept under wraps. At the Flint Assembly plant, $788 million will go for next-gen truck assembly, including an expanded body shop building. At the Flint Metal Center, $233 million will go for such features as new stamping dies to support their manufacture.
https://news.gm.com/newsroom.detail.html/Pages/news/us/en/2023/jun/0605-flint.html
SUPPLY CHAIN DIVE—The website broke the news that work stoppages flared up last Friday, leading to hampered operations at the ports of Oakland and Los Angeles. Negotiations between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association have been dragging on for more than a year. “Today, the ILWU is staging concerted and disruptive work actions that have effectively shut down operations at some marine terminals at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach,” the PMA stated. “The Union is also staging similar work actions that have shut down or severely impacted terminal operations at the Ports of Oakland, Tacoma, Seattle, and Hueneme.”
In an update, a Maersk advisory email to customers went out on Monday informing readers that, “At this time, operations remain impacted at certain West Coast ports. Gates generally remain open at all ports though there have been some specific terminals closed during Monday’s first shift. These terminals were anticipated to open for the second shift. Customers are reminded to secure their cargo as soon as it becomes available.”
https://www.supplychaindive.com/news/West-Coast-port-negotations-labor-shortage/651969/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Issue:%202023-06-02%20Breaking%20News:%20Supply%20Chain%20%5Bissue:51027%5D&utm_term=Supply%20Chain%20Dive
TRANSPORT DIVE—Werner Enterprises has installed auxiliary power units in half of the trucks that came online in the first quarter. The move is part of a greater capital-savings plan the firm sees as cutting costs by $34 million annually. “As we work to be good stewards of our environment, auxiliary power units were installed [on those trucks], reducing truck engine idle fuel consumption,” CEO, chairman and president Derek Leathers said in an earnings call.
https://www.transportdive.com/news/werner-apu-additions-2023-seek-fuel-savings/651662/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%20Weekly%20Roundup:%20Transport%20Dive:%20Daily%20Dive%2006-03-2023&utm_term=Transport%20Dive%20Weekender
MAERSK NEWSROOM—The A.P. Moller, billed as the world’s first container vessel powered by green methanol, will sail its maiden voyage to Copenhagen on September 14 for its formal naming ceremony. Presiding over the event will be Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, who has accepted the honorary position of godmother of the new feeding vessel. The 2100 TEU A.P. Moller, which will enter regular service in the Baltic Sea, is just one part of owner A.P. Moller-Maersk’s goal to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. By 2030, Maersk aims to transport a minimum of 25% of ocean cargo via green fuels, compared to a 2020 baseline.
https://www.maersk.com/news/articles/2023/06/06/ursula-von-der-leyen-to-be-godmother-of-landmark-green-methanol-powered-vessel
REBUSINESSONLINE.COM—Vertical construction has commenced at North Fayette Industrial Park, a $100-million, 164-acre development in the Pittsburgh suburb of Fayette. The vision of the developer, Ashford Partners, is for nine buildings totaling 850,000 square feet, with the first asset delivering by yearend. Thirty-foot clear heights, 10 loading docks and two drive-in doors are planned features of each.
https://rebusinessonline.com/ashford-partners-begins-vertical-construction-on-100m-industrial-project-near-pittsburgh/