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Federal Maritime Administrator Clyde J. Hart Jr. has emerged as the leading, if not the sole candidate, to head the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, but probably only for a short term.

Estimates by the Department of Transportation show the proposed hours-of-service rules would prevent 2,600 accidents, 2,996 injuries and 115 fatalities annually, but fewer accidents do not necessarily translate into lower insurance costs for trucking.

This afternoon's headlines: >UPS seeks more air routes into China to counter FedEx's big lead; West Virginia may seek audit of trucking company following I-79 accident; and Trader.com to launch local heavy machinery sites.

A federal appeals court in Illinois ruled Landstar Inway is liable for freight damage that occurred in Mexico during a 1997 haul, even though the carrier’s contract contained tariff language stating it was not responsible for losses over the border.

As the Teamsters strike against Overnite Transportation Co. passes its sixth month, both sides appear to be reaching out to the public for support of their positions.

In the news this morning: Logistics analyst says online exchanges will have to decide whether to compete or cooperate with third-party firms; New Jersey town wants state truck ban expanded; and Software developer turned trucker releases upgrade for free drivers log software.

Trucking and other businesses in the mature sectors of the economy will sneeze first if there is an interest rate “flu” brought on after the May 16 meeting of the Federal Reserve.

This afternoon's headlines:Paccar CIO discusses his firm's online ventures; Labor, Industry not pleased with OSHA's proposed ergonomics rules; and Web site looks to match loads for flatbed carriers.

Two industry groups, representing truckers and their inspectors, asked the federal government to allow more time to respond to proposed changes in the hours of service for commercial drivers.

Hours of service, Internet commerce and trucking association politics are on the agenda for the annual meeting of the National Tank Truck Carriers Association.