Articles
Chassis King produces periodic articles relating to the shipping, trucking, and intermodal transportation industries. Have an article idea? Email us at sales@chassisking.com.
Don't Be Fooled by Imitations!
Posted 1 month ago
When looking to purchase used 20ft tri-axle or 40ft tri-axle chassis there's something you should know - you may get a tandem chassis which has been modified to a tri-axle. Modifications are done in several ways:
* A 48ft tandem chassis is cut down to 40ft and a 3rd axle is installed
* A 3rd axle is installed to a 40ft tandem chassis
* A 3rd axle is installed to a 20ft tandem chassis
These modified tri-axles may cost less than the originals but their reliability can also be lower. The lighter steel construction of the original two axle chassis may not be suitable for stresses of three axles and hence, lead to premature failures. Keep in mind that you will be hauling overweight containers. Not to mention that the modified design may not comply with the US bridge formula and weight laws. For example, a modified 20ft tri-axle chassis may not be long enough or the axles not spaced properly on the 40ft modified tri-axle.
Needless to say, make sure you are getting original tri-axle chassis by asking the right questions and/or using an experienced container chassis surveyor.
read full article
Early Positive Sign
Posted 2 months ago
December and early 2010 stats are encouraging., After 2 1/2 years, container imports saw an increase in December according to the Port Tracker. And this trend should continue in 2010 as retail stores expect sales to improve. "The US economy is experiencing positive growth, with imports on the rise as a result of re-stocking and a rising consumer demand", Brian Hackett from Hackett Associates said.
Early evidence of this trend can be found in the trucking and shipping industry. Truckload demand rose in early 2010 with little sign of a post-holiday downturn, according to Morgan Stanley. Meanwhile NYK Line says it is seeing stronger trans-Pacific demand than expected.
read full article
Ports React to Wake-Up Call
Posted 8 months ago
For many years, cargo growth came easily to the nation’s largest port complex, Los Angeles-Long Beach, thanks to an unparalled network of marine terminals, distribution facilities, and intermodal rail capabilities. It started in the 1990’s with the massive shift of manufacturing to Asia and climbed to an annual average of 11% from 1995 to 2006. The peak occurred in 2006 with containerized imports at 8,171,709 loaded TEUs’, nearly doubled the total from 1999.
read full article
