SWAN Transportation Insurance Update: October 2024

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Transportation Insurance Update: October 2024.

Welcome,

One of the biggest news stories this year in the transportation industry was strike activity by the International Longshoremen's Association. Ports in the United States handle over 2 billion tons of freight every year, and those goods must then make their way across the country.

Luckily, a potential strike on the West Coast was averted. But the East Coast was not so fortunate. That action involved some 47,000 port workers and impacted 36 ports primarily along the East Coast and the Gulf Coast.

The West Coast did feel ripple effects, however, with ports in that region becoming busier than usual to help take up the slack by handling diverted cargo. For example, the Port of Long Beach handled 913,000 shipping containers in September, an increase of 18% above normal volumes.

In the best of times, American ports are not efficient. Trucking fleets in both regions needed to adapt quickly to the different demands each area presented.

We are able to assist fleets in situations like this in two ways. One is by helping to guide fleet operators around the threat of bottlenecks with Amy Luong, our Drayage and Intermodal Specialist. She can also assist with port equipment rentals, how to deal with additional vehicular volume, and gaining UIIA certification for port entry.

A second option is by identifying applicable cross-border shipping options to and from Mexico with the expertise of Kevin Mealey, our Cross-Border Transportation Specialist. He can also help with insurance needed for cross-border activities, including coverage for B-1 drivers.

These are just some of the ways SWAN can provide value-added expertise that can optimize your fleet operations, even in times of industry upheaval. Should you have any questions for myself or our team, I invite you to contact us directly. With our diverse areas of expertise and commitment to staying one step ahead, we look forward to serving you and your success.

Until our next update, we thank you for being part of our community and welcome your feedback as we work to help you grow your business and Sleep Well At Night.

Thank you,

Chris Mahlberg, TRS
Founder & Owner
SWAN Insurance
Call: 858-381-3108 | Visit: swan-ins.com | Connect: LinkedIn

Events Offer Opportunities to Gain and Share Expertise

SWAN Insurance professionals participated in two important recent events this month.

The MCIEF Western Conference hosted by the Motor Carrier Insurance Education Foundation was held in Phoenix. The gathering offers a unique blend of cutting-edge education and unparalleled business networking opportunities. It was a great opportunity to stay up to speed on the industry while making solid connections with our carrier partners.

The second event was BajaMak held in Baja California, Mexico, a business forum aimed at strengthening the supply chain for the industry in the region through an industrial exhibition, business meeting, conferences and workshops. Attendees had a chance to meet our insurance experts in cross-border transportation to gain advice for enhancing their businesses.

ATA Releases
2024 Trends Report

As we monitor what's happening in the transportation industry to ensure our insurance solutions meet the needs of today's fleets, the American Trucking Association has issued an important report on trends in the business.

Trucks moved 11.18 billion tons of freight in 2023, down from the 11.46 billion tons hauled the previous year.

Industry revenues grew to $987 billion, up from $940.8 billion in 2022, despite the lower tonnage.

Small businesses dominate the industry as 95.5% of carriers operate 10 or fewer trucks and 99.6% operating fewer than 100 power units.

Cross-border trade remains a robust source of freight with trucks moving 84.5% of goods across the U.S> and Mexico border in 2023.

We know navigating the ever-changing industry can be overwhelming. Call on SWAN to get the latest approaches to growing and protecting your business for the long haul.

Friendly and reliable, finding the best prices and are always willing to help. - Carlos Vazquez, C&M Elite Delivery

SWAN Shares Insurance Perspective for NEMT Providers at NEMTAC 2024

This year's NEMTAC Transform 2024 event generated the highest turnout yet! Our Director of Transportation Marc Crawford participated in a discussion hosted by Broda, a leading innovator in healthcare seating.

During the Advancing Patient Safety in NEMT panel led by Broda National Account Executive Ed Bandas, Marc focused on risk factors in the "care, custody and control" responsibility undertaken by drivers and operators when transporting patients, citing this situation as the #2 exposure for liability claims.

He noted the process must be handled directly, safely and efficiently and starts as soon as a provider places their hands on a wheelchair. Marc also reviewed some worst-case scenarios including the transport of bariatric patients and providers not having required EMT certification.

If you are currently providing NEMT services or are considering this area for expanding your fleet operations, please don't hesitate to contact Marc to learn more about these situations and the insurance considerations associated with them.