Freight Issues - Rubber-Lined Tank Trucks

We are currently having some difficulty scheduling rubber-lined tank trucks in a reasonable period of time.  This challenge is caused in large part due to the new DOT regulations that reduced the hours that drivers can drive before taking a mandated rest period.  Another reason is that the improving economy means not enough trucks are available for hire to meet the demand to move bulk shipments.

The new law means drivers cannot spend as much time on the road as they did before passage of the law.  Truckers are not willing to wait long for loading or unloading, since that time now counts against their driving hours.  Likewise, they are unwilling to spend significant time driving empty to pick up a load at a distant location.

This problem affects all types of trucking.  It is magnified with rubber-lined tankers, which are not numerous to begin with.  Drivers of these tankers choose their routes to minimize time driving empty, regardless of customer needs.  They will show up for a pickup only when they have a previous delivery in the immediate area.

This problem does not have an easy solution.  One answer is for the truck line to purchase additional equipment, but with reduced productive, revenue-generating time available per truck, this will lead to higher freight rates.  We expect this issue to continue for several months.

While the law affects all shipments (box trailer, stainless steel tankers, rubber-lined tankers) we see the most problem with the shipments requiring rubber-lined trailers.  This will involve primarily shipments of PAC, PAC blends, aluminum chloride,  aluminum chloride blends, and zinc chloride based products. 

Please allow 4-6 days lead time for scheduling shipments of these products to your customers.  We may have your product in stock, but without a truck it may not be possible to meet tight delivery schedules.  If your customer is in a bind, we can ship product in totes in emergency situations.