Recent news highlighted in the New York Times showcased such advancements in our industry. This recent article on the rise of trucks using liquefied gas detailed how truck manufacturers are providing the impetus for trucking by switching to cleaner-burning natural gas from the petroleum gas used for years. As a leading example, the author notes that parcel delivery service UPS is currently in the midst of an increase to 800 of its 18-wheelers that run on liquefied natural gas from just over 110. UPS hopes to meet that increase by the end of 2014.  

Liquefied natural gas, or LNG, is a clear, colorless, odorless, non-toxic and non-corrosive natural gas, according to the Consumer Energy Center.  

According to US Energy Information Administration statistics, production of natural gas has increased in production 33 percent in seven years’ time. The production has risen to 25.319 million cubic feet in 2012 from 18.927 million cubic feet in 2005. With this added increase in production, more manufacturers are taking advantage of the availability for transportation use.

Used as a transportation fuel, liquefied natural gas is certainly getting notice from carriers. Demand is rising along with business interests in North America. And many truckers are looking ahead to see if LNG vehicles become a significant factor in long-haul freight. We await that consensus.  

Our Midwest trucking company Calhoun Truck Lines is excited about the future of intermodal shipping and industry advancements like these will help to brighten the industry’s prospects.