~ HAPPY HOLIDAYS ~

2011: what a year!!! Many new faces and going new places, and we all can say that we have much to be grateful for during this eventful year in the refrigerated produce transportation industry, and are looking forward to continued success for our Customer and Carrier Partners.

Once again this year, we have decided to offer our best wishes by way of a charitable donation to families through the North Shore Christmas Bureau as our way of contributing to those less fortunate. This, along with our year round support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation BC/Yukon Region, helps us put assistance and smiles where they really count.

It has been a sincere pleasure to have worked with so many great people throughout 2011 and to have helped keep driving the road ahead and ensuring the safe, secure, and on time delivery of goods.

Best wishes to you and your families for a Happy Holiday, Merry Christmas, Season’s Greetings, and a Happy New Year!!

From all the Staff at United World Cargo

The Festivities Have Begun!!!!!

Busy week here at UWC! Yesterday, we held our first annual gingerbread people decorating contest. There were 10 teams in total, and each person had their own gingerbread to decorate; then a vote was cast.

And the winners were… the Coconut Team!!! Here, a sample of their work:

A great job was done by everyone! Today, the festivities continue with a Secret Santa gift swap!!!!

Safe Travels

Winter road conditions are in full effect, especially in the Pacific North West. Rain, sleet, black ice, slush, and snow are going to be regular road conditions for this winter season. As drivers know, these are especially prevalent on mountain passes.

Below some tips on how to be prepared for winter driving conditions:

1. Make sure to do a pre-trip inspection before each trip. Although this is a year round recommendation, this is even more important during the winter months.


2. Clear the snow and ice from your tractor and trailer to ensure good visibility, check tires, wiper blades, lights, and fluids.

3. Pack the winter essentials: flashlight, batteries, gloves, rain gear, first aid kit, extra fluids, windshield scraper/brush, jumper cables, and tire chains, to name a few.

4. Drive with caution - drive slower, give yourself time, allow for more space between other cars and trucks, accelerate and brake slowly, watch the road carefully for black ice and other winter conditions.

Also, below are the links to State websites that we monitor daily for mountain pass conditions:

• Washington: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Traffic/passes

• Oregon: http://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/RCMap.asp?mainNav=RoadConditions&curRegion=3

Drivers: please be reminded to call ahead for current road conditions or contact the UWC Customer Service Department on our trucker dedicated line - 1.877.273.7400 - for up to the minute highway condition updates!! Preparedness is key!! Don't experience delays and time constraints due to winter weather road conditions on mountain passes.

And now, a view from our office that lets you see that we are in full winter mode!!!

Pulp Thermometers are Here!!!

The second shipment of UWC pulp temperature thermometers have arrived at TC Trans in Blaine, WA!

A pulp temperature thermometer is one of the most necessary items in a driver’s toolkit, along with a pen, notepad, and camera equipped mobile phone. A pulp temperature thermometer is a mandatory tool for all produce loads; All UWC loads MUST be pulped at pickup and delivery!

Pulp at Pickups

As per our Carrier Loading Guidelines, UWC instructs each and every driver to, at the point of loading, pulp the product that they are picking up and record the temperature on the bill of lading (BOL). If access to the loading dock is not allowed, drivers must record “shipper load and count” on the BOL. The reason for noting either one of these events on the BOL is that it can help protect the carrier if any issues arise upon delivery. It is critical that if the pulp temperatures at pickup are any different than what is written on the BOL and/or on the UWC Load sheet, the driver MUST contact UWC immediately, prior to leaving the shed. We can then take the appropriate action and advise all interested parties.

Pulp at Deliveries

The same instructions go for the delivery stage – drivers must record product pulp temperatures on the bill of lading at the time of delivery. If drivers do not have access to the unloading dock, “receiver unload and count” must be written on the BOL. This will further help protect drivers; our primary goal is to prevent exposure to claims and other additional costs.

Pick Yours Up Today!!

Our pocket temperature thermometers feature a 15 second response time and a magnifying lens, and can be used from -40°F to 160°F. They have a +/- 2 °F accuracy, and come with a pocket clip. They also feature an accompanying sleeve for protection. Make sure to wipe your thermometer with a clean moist cloth after each use, and protect it by keeping it in the sleeve.

So, pick up your UWC pulp thermometer at TC Trans today. They are FREE*!!!! And while there, don’t forget to also pick up copies of our Carrier Loading Guidelines and Product Temperature Guidelines Brochures!!!!

* Limit 1 pocket temperature thermometer per driver

The Way of the Smart

For a few years now, the California Environmental Protection Agency has been working on initiatives to reduce climate changing emissions from tractor-trailers and refrigerated trailer units. UWC has been closely monitoring all initiatives in order to provide information and updates to our followers, which can be found published in various posts on this blog, and in various editions of our monthly newsletter The Road Ahead.

Today, we are focusing on facts related to Tractor-Trailer Greenhouse Gas Regulations and the US Environmental Protection Agency SmartWay Transport Partnership Program.

What is the purpose of the regulation?

The CA Air Resources Board has developed this specific regulation in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that are produced by heavy-duty tractors by making them more fuel efficient. Fuel efficiency will be improved by requiring the use of aerodynamic tractors & trailers. These tractors & trailers will also be required to be equipped with low rolling resistance tires.

Tractors & trailers that are subject to this regulation must either use the US EPA SmartWay certified tractors & trailers, or retrofit their existing fleet with SmartWay verified technologies.

Who is affected by the regulation?

The regulation applies primarily to owners of 53’ or longer box-type trailers, including both dry van and refrigerated units, and owners of heavy-duty tractors that operate on CA highways, regardless of what state the vehicle is registered in. Owners are responsible for replacing or retrofitting their affected vehicles with compliant aerodynamic technologies and low rolling resistance tires. Drivers, motor carriers, California-based brokers, and California-based shippers that operate or use these types of vehicle also share the duty for compliance with the regulation. One or all of these parties may be held accountable for operating or using non-compliant vehicles on CA highways.

What are the requirements of the regulation? Compliance dates

For tractors subject to the regulation:

• 2011 and newer model year (MY) sleeper-cab tractors that pull affected trailers must be SmartWay certified, beginning January 1, 2010.

• 2011 and newer MY day-cab tractors that pull affected trailers must use SmartWay verified low rolling resistance tires, beginning January 1, 2010.

• All 2010 and older MY tractors that pull affected trailers must use SmartWay verified low rolling resistance tires beginning January 1, 2013.

For trailers subject to the regulation:

• 2011 and newer MY 53-foot or longer box-type trailers must, beginning January 1, 2010, be either
              o SmartWay certified or
              o Retrofitted with SmartWay verified technologies

• 2010 and older MY 53-foot or longer box-type trailers (with the exception of certain 2003 to 2009 MY refrigerated-van trailers) must meet the same aerodynamic device requirements as 2011 and newer MY trailers either:
              o By January 1, 2013, or
              o According to a compliance schedule based on fleet size which allows them to phase-in their compliance over time.

• 2010 and older MY trailers must use SmartWay verified low rolling resistance tires by January 1, 2017.

• 2003 to 2009 MY refrigerated-van trailers equipped with 2003 or newer MY transport refrigeration units have a compliance phase-in between 2017 and 2019.

So, most operators and other interested parties using equipment that is 2010 or older have a least 1 year to start complying with some of the regulations. To comply, operators may purchase a SmartWay certified tractor and/or trailer, which will come already equipped with the approved technologies. Older units can become compliant by the following retrofits: low rolling resistance tires, trailer rear fairings, trailer side skirts, trailer front gaps, and other SmartWay approved technologies.

Checking In

For more general information, and specific information on the type and number of technologies required, visit the CARB website and the SmartWay website. Have any opinions about the CA Air Resources Board’s multiple regulations, or experiences in retrofit options? Please share!

References:
California Environmental Protection Agency
Air Resources Board. Facts about Tractor-Trailer Greenhouse Gas Regulation. http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/HDGHG/HDGHG_Genl_Fact_Sheet.pdf. Accessed on 12/01/2011.