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The California Air Resources Board said it is now enforcing the identification and reporting requirements for California-based transport refrigeration units on trucks, trailers, shipping containers and rail cars assigned to terminals in the state.

Rising costs for container fees, administrative expenses and environmental requirements in the midst of an economic downturn are causing shippers, importers and retailers to consider alternatives to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach for shipping their goods, according to trade association officials.

Most Transport Topics readers have experienced the current downturn firsthand — dwindling freight demand, fluctuating fuel prices, clean-engine mandates and downward-spiraling leading indicators.

Federal researchers said they have confirmed manufacturers’ claims that single wide tires can boost a truck’s fuel economy, but one tire expert said they may not be suitable for every fleet.

FleetCor Technologies, which operates an international network of fuel-card programs, said it has acquired Corporate Lodging Consultants from Nautic Partners of Providence, R.I., to broaden its service offerings.

Trailer maker Wabash National Corp. said it is exploring strategic alternatives — including divestitures, changes to its capital structure and a merger or a sale — following a default under a revolving credit agreement.

The U.S. diesel average inched up last week 0.7 cent a gallon to $2.228, following two weeks of major increases, while the gasoline price dipped, the Department of Energy reported.