News roundup, May 27: Diesel prices tick up for first time since January

Updated May 28, 2020

Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, May 27, 2020: 

Fuel prices increase slightly after 19-week decline
The U.S.’ average price for a gallon of on-highway diesel increased for the first time since the beginning of the year during the week ending May 26, according to the Department of Energy’s weekly report.

Prices had fallen nearly 70 cents over 19 consecutive weeks from $3.079 per gallon during the week ending Jan. 6 to $2.386 per gallon during the week ending May 18 before a slight uptick of four-tenths of a cent during the most recent week.

Diesel prices now stand at $2.39 per gallon nationwide. The nation’s cheapest fuel can be found in the Gulf Coast region at $2.175 per gallon, followed by the Midwest region at $2.23 per gallon.

The most expensive fuel can be found in California at $3.182 per gallon, followed by the Central Atlantic region at $2.666 per gallon.

Cargo theft volumes increased year-over-year in the first quarter of 2020, while the average value of thefts decreased.Cargo theft volumes increased year-over-year in the first quarter of 2020, while the average value of thefts decreased.

Cargo theft volumes increased in first quarter
Cargo theft activity was higher year-over-year in the first quarter of 2020 despite a drop in theft values, according to data gathered from police reports and insurance companies by cargo theft recording firm SensiGuard.

The firm reports a 49% increase in theft volume with a 9% decrease in value in 2020’s first quarter compared to the same quarter a year ago. SensiGuard recorded a total of 217 cargo thefts during the first quarter of 2020 with an average loss value of $105,659. No thefts during the period were worth more than $1 million, the firm notes.

Miscellaneous items were the most commonly stolen cargo, accounting for 29% of the total during the quarter. Miscellaneous thefts were mostly made up of mixed loads, which typically hold a variety of cargo for mixed retail stores, SensiGuard says. Food and drinks were in the second spot in the quarter, making up 15% of total thefts.

Theft of full truckload as the most common theft type at 62% of all reported thefts. The increase, SensiGuard says, is due to a decrease in the pilferage rate, which was 6% lower than the first quarter of 2019.

Partner Insights
Information to advance your business from industry suppliers

California continues to be the most stolen from state, the firm reports, with 19% of the total in the U.S. The state was led by thefts of electronics and food and drinks. California was followed by Texas (12% of total thefts), Illinois (12%), Florida (11%) and Georgia (8%).

Konexial intros new trailer security system
Kenexial unveiled Wednesday its My20 Locking System, a keyless, high-security, digital smart-locking system used to provide trailer and container security for the company’s My20 ELD and Fleet Management customers.

The system, developed in partnership with Nokē, uses Nokē’s smart-locking hardware, dual-layered encryption keys and and controlled from Konexial’s My20 software. The system can lock, unlock, track and control all lock access from anywhere.

The system is available in two forms: HD Padlock and Lock Block. The HD Padlock is made of hardened steel and is made to withstand tough environments and extreme weather conditions. The Lock Block is a heavy-duty, steel housing that offers additional protection for the HD Padlock to provide an extreme-security, tamper-resistant, keyless locking system.

I-17 near Phoenix closed this weekend
Parts of I-17 south of downtown Phoenix will be closed this weekend for a construction project. Southbound I-17 will be closed at 7th Avenue, and northbound I-17 will be closed between the I-10 interchange and 7th Avenue, from 10 p.m. Friday, May 29, through 5 a.m. Monday, June 1.

The Arizona DOT recommends drivers consider using I-10 in the downtown area as an alternate freeway route while the I-17 closures are in place.

Showcase your workhorse
Add a photo of your rig to our Reader Rigs collection to share it with your peers and the world. Tell us the story behind the truck and your business to help build its story.
Submit Your Rig
Reader Rig Submission