We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • SUBMISSIONS
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
  • STRATEGY
  • GLOBAL
  • LOGISTICS
  • MANUFACTURING
  • PROCUREMENT
  • VIDEO
    • News & Exclusives
    • Viewer Contributed
    • CSCMP EDGE 2022 Startup Alley
    • Upload your video
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • White Papers
    • Webcasts
    • Events
    • Blogs
      • Reflections
      • SCQ Forum
    • Mobile Apps
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
  • STRATEGY
  • GLOBAL
  • LOGISTICS
  • MANUFACTURING
  • PROCUREMENT
  • VIDEO
    • News & Exclusives
    • Viewer Contributed
    • CSCMP EDGE 2022 Startup Alley
    • Upload your video
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • White Papers
    • Webcasts
    • Events
    • Blogs
      • Reflections
      • SCQ Forum
    • Mobile Apps
Home » FMCSA relaxes hours of service in pipeline hacking response

FMCSA relaxes hours of service in pipeline hacking response

Trucks could haul fuel to restore energy supply as petroleum firm seeks recovery from ransomeware attack.

colonial_pipeline_Screen_Shot_2021-05-10_at_3.08.21_PM.png
May 10, 2021
Ben Ames
No Comments

Federal regulators on Sunday lifted hours of service (HoS) rules for truck drivers transporting gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel as part of the government’s emergency response to a cyber-attack that has frozen a critical oil pipeline connecting Texas to New Jersey.

The 5,500-mile pipeline was turned off on Friday after Atlanta-based Colonial Pipeline Co. said it discovered that hackers had installed ransomware in its systems. In response, the company halted all pipeline operations, hired a third-party cybersecurity firm, and contacted law enforcement and other federal agencies. 

By Sunday night, the company had restarted some “smaller lateral lines between terminals and delivery points,” but said its four main lines remained switched off. As IT experts continue efforts to repair the computer damage, the company on Monday said it was looking for ways to restore oil flows.

“We continue to evaluate product inventory in storage tanks at our facilities and others along our system and are working with our shippers to move this product to terminals for local delivery,” Colonial Pipeline said in a release. “Actions taken by the Federal Government to issue a temporary hours of service exemption for motor carriers and drivers transporting refined products across Colonial’s footprint should help alleviate local supply disruptions and we thank our government partners for their assistance in resolving this matter.”

The oil freeze is significant because Colonial Pipeline says its system delivers some 45% of total fuel consumed on the East Coast.

By temporarily lifting its caps on truck drivers’ hours behind the wheel, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) could help the transportation industry use trucks to work around the frozen pipeline. The exemption applies to drivers hauling certain refined petroleum products in Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.

The increased demand for trucking capacity to move the stuck fuel comes as freight markets were already at their tightest point in years, due to pandemic disruptions such as a lingering shortage of drivers and a steep economic recovery.

According to the load board network operator DAT Freight & Analytics, spot truckload rates remained near all-time highs during the week ending May 3, just a year after they bottomed out during pandemic business and travel closures.

The Portland, Oregon-based firm’s statistics did not cover tanker trucks, but said the seven-day average line-haul rate (excluding fuel surcharges) for dry vans was $2.27 a mile last week, 95 cents higher than the same period one year ago. Likewise, spot refrigerated freight averaged $2.61 per mile (up 94 cents) and the average flatbed rate was $2.62 per mile (up 93 cents).

https://t.co/G8r7jOk5Nm

— Colonial Pipeline (@Colpipe) May 10, 2021
Energy Trucking
KEYWORDS Colonial Pipeline FMCSA
    • Related Articles

      DOT eases weight limits on fuel trucks to work around pipeline hack

      Command Alkon Addresses Pipeline/Forecast Issue in Building Materials Industry

      Characteristics and Advantages of Oil Pipeline Transportation of Oil Pipelines

    Benames
    Ben Ames has spent 20 years as a journalist since starting out as a daily newspaper reporter in Pennsylvania in 1995. From 1999 forward, he has focused on business and technology reporting for a number of trade journals, beginning when he joined Design News and Modern Materials Handling magazines. Ames is author of the trail guide "Hiking Massachusetts" and is a graduate of the Columbia School of Journalism.

    Recent Articles by Ben Ames

    CMA CGM revenue plunged more than 30% as spot freight rates plunged in Q1

    Flexport buys Shopify Logistics in move to build single source fulfilment hub

    Redwood Logistics expands Mexico footprint as nearshoring trend gains steam

    You must login or register in order to post a comment.

    Report Abusive Comment

    Most Popular Articles

    • Report: Sagging freight stats show that trucking sector is returning to its historic mean

    • Survey: parcel delivery drivers are frustrated by using their own smartphones for work

    • Heavy transport across two continents

    • Survey: most Americans unaware that truckers face shortage of parking spaces

    • Supply chain executives not yet seeing expected results from technology investments

    Featured Video

    20221107korber large vs

    Enhancing Customer Experience with Your Supply Chain Strategy

    Viewer Contributed
    With the rise of e-commerce, many businesses have had to transform their warehouses to handle online orders in addition to regularly scheduled inventory shipments. This means warehouses need more information than ever before to ensure they can meet customers' needs. As a result, companies need to select warehouse...

    FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

    • Three layers of forklift safety: Promoting operating best practices

    • The Complete Guide to Automated Packaging

    • Five tips for parcel success in 2023

    • Guide to Pallet Rack Safety

    View More

    Subscribe to Supply Chain Quarterly

    Get Your Subscription
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • E-NEWSLETTERS
    • ADVERTISING
    • CUSTOMER CARE
    • CONTACT
    • ABOUT
    • STAFF
    • PRIVACY POLICY

    Copyright ©2023. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing