BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Paul Kelly can’t remember a more trying time for Baltimore’s trucking industry.

“I’ve been in this business for 20 years, and this is the worst I’ve seen,” said Kelly, chairman of the Maryland Motor Truck Association’s Intermodal Council and vice president of Baltimore-based Den-El Transfer.

The ever-increasing cost of diesel fuel, coupled with sagging economic conditions, have dramatically slowed activity for Baltimore’s independent truckers and trucking companies, Kelly said.

“Revenues are down across the board,” Kelly said. “The business just isn’t there.”

Diesel costs in the Baltimore area have risen to record highs every day this week, increasing 3 cents from Wednesday to Thursday to an average of almost $4.20 a gallon, according to AAA’s Fuel Gauge Report. In the past year, the average cost for a gallon of diesel in the area has jumped almost 44 percent from $2.92 a gallon.

“The problem is passing that increase to the customer is not an easy task,” Kelly said. “It’s a very competitive business.”

The average Baltimore-area trucker logs about 1,500 miles a week and spends an estimated $375 more per week on fuel than this time last year, Kelly said.

Average fuel surcharges — costs passed on to customers — have spiked from 15 percent to 17 percent in the past year to 25 percent to 35 percent, Kelly said.

“If the customers don’t want to pay that, then the driver, the company or both are going to eat that cost,” Kelly said.

Louis Campion, vice president of the MMTA, said there’s no simple solution to soaring diesel costs, especially when the cost of crude oil accounts for 60 percent of the cost of diesel fuel.

Crude for May rose to a record high of $115.54 a barrel before settling at $114.86 a barrel Thursday on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Campion said the MMTA has encouraged member truckers and companies to keep their fuel surcharge rates up to date, to limit speeding and sudden accelerations and to consider the use of alternative power units when the truck is idle to maximize fuel savings.

MMTA members plan to travel to Washington, D.C., on May 7 to discuss issues facing Maryland’s trucking industry with congressional representatives.

“Fuel is going to be at the top of that list,” Campion said.

acannarsa@baltimoreexaminer.com

Comments from Examiner Readers

12:16 PM MST on Wed., May. 7, 2008 re: "Michigan gas prices at another all-time high"

Examiner Reader said:
The price just was jacked up to $3.899 in Gaylord, the Gas Gouging City. If you plan to visit, bring your own spare gas with you.

Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

7:25 PM MST on Wed., Apr. 23, 2008 re: "Gas prices squeeze consumers, stores"

Examiner Reader said:
Why are our elected officials not stepping up and doing their jobs in serving those who elected them. I want my representative and my senator to be mad has hell beating on someones door getting this gas situation corrected. There is no shortages and someone somewhere is cashing (Bush and friends)in right now and pushing this country into finacial ruin. If heads must roll then get them rolling. If a car could run on milk it's cheaper and that is crazy!

1 agree | 1 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

5:41 PM MST on Tue., Apr. 22, 2008 re: "Average price of gas in Washington hits $3.64"

Examiner Reader said:
Shell station on Madison premium 3.956

Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

12:21 PM MST on Tue., Apr. 22, 2008 re: "Gas prices continue to climb"

Examiner Reader said:
this is only the beginning,they have 9 more months,barring an october suprise to drive this country to its knees.NAFTA is going to work real well when canadas only use for this country is to haul thru it to mexico,and visa versa. and whats china going to do when we'er broke.the rest of the world has already figured out that all they export is crap.

Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

8:08 AM MST on Tue., Apr. 22, 2008 re: "Record diesel costs slowing region�s trucking activity"

Examiner Reader said:
Get over it. Things cost what they cost. I still see an awful lot of Pickups and Suburbans out on the road and everone kows world wide that the US is the biggest consumer of energy. Gas has been expensive in Europe for 50 years and as a result small cars prevail, small trucks too. Finally, stop asking for the government to bail you out; when have you ever seen the government do anything well?

1 agree | 3 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

9:29 PM MST on Sat., Apr. 19, 2008 re: "Gas prices climb as recession fears grow"

Examiner Reader said:
Frankly, I feel like the prices are being manipulated, the working class person has to give up something in order to pay for gas/and other mark ups. The truth be told the American people are fed up with big business and their greed on the backs or workers and their families. The rich can afford whatever the price maybe. The workers have a breaking point. At this rate it will be reached that much sooner

3 agree | 0 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

11:58 AM MST on Fri., Apr. 11, 2008 re: "Report: Gas prices will rise another 75 cents by Memorial Day"

Examiner Reader said:
Hey go to the Mobil Station at Mohegan boulevard in Uncasville...gas prices are over $ 4.00 for the last 6 months honest the regular today is $ 4.84 its so bad the higher in the country

Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

12:54 PM MST on Wed., Apr. 2, 2008 re: "Group urging boycott of big oil, gas companies"

Usually Liberal City Gal said:
I understand the impluse, but I'd like for these prostestors to tell me where I SHOULD buy gas..and then show me a station on my daily commute. Or should I go miles out of my way just to make a point?

Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

12:16 PM MST on Sun., Mar. 30, 2008 re: "Texas gas prices holds at $3.17 gallon"

Examiner Reader said:
the average price here in Maui is $3.92 per gallon! What the hell!

Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

6:25 AM MST on Fri., Mar. 28, 2008 re: "AAA: Gasoline prices down 8 cents across Michigan"

Examiner Reader said:
wat type of gas do you use?

Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

11:58 AM MST on Fri., Mar. 14, 2008 re: "Texas gasoline prices climb further into record territory"

bebee said:
I guess I could just ride a horse to work. As much as I spend on gas I could just buy hay to keep my horse running better.

5 agree | 2 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

12:09 PM MST on Fri., Mar. 7, 2008 re: "No relief on close horizon for rising costs at pump"

jake said:
All the polititians own lots of oil and gas stocks.They will not let the US drill for more oil because there stock is very valueable as long as there is just about enough to go around.They are the real energy problem!

6 agree | 5 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

7:41 AM MST on Fri., Mar. 7, 2008 re: "No relief on close horizon for rising costs at pump"

Examiner Reader said:
Opec says they have the highest stock pile of oil now and that is why they will not pump more oil to ease prices. So my question is, if they have so much oil than why is the price so high? Let's keep the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer.

6 agree | 4 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

5:25 AM MST on Fri., Mar. 7, 2008 re: "No relief on close horizon for rising costs at pump"

Joan said:
There is not enough gas to go around. So raising the price far enough will squeeze the little guy out so the rest of us who can afford it will have gas to burn.Simple as that! That way there will not be an energy problem.BGE is doing the same thing.They will continue to play the market that way!And if Hillery becomes president she will tax the big bad oil companies.And we will pay that tax at the pump!

6 agree | 4 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

9:13 AM MST on Mon., Mar. 3, 2008 re: "Michigan gas prices down a nickel during past week"

Examiner Reader said:
you say the highest price was in marquet not true Gaylord is and hasbeen for over a week $3.21 for reg gas and $3.59 for premium. i dont understand why they can charge somuch when in rapid City a small tucked away town is $3.09 for reg And $3.19 for premium. Gaylord is price gouging because they are right off the freeway and snowmobiles excess that is just wrong

16 agree | 21 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

11:28 AM MST on Wed., Jan. 30, 2008 re: "Gas prices in Ore. drop below national average"

Examiner Reader said:
Why suddenly is Oregon below the national average? Did the state move closer to refineries? How can this be? Is this the Republicans trying to make us a red state?

69 agree | 55 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

10:12 AM MST on Tue., Nov. 27, 2007 re: "High gas prices to add to costs of holiday travel"

Examiner Reader Werner. said:
And thay will keep doing it till people get sick and tired of it.

86 agree | 83 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

10:09 AM MST on Tue., Nov. 27, 2007 re: "Higher gas prices break national record, frustrate local motorists"

Examiner Reader Werner. said:
You must be nuts. You must belive everything you here.

87 agree | 99 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

11:39 PM MST on Sun., Nov. 18, 2007 re: "High gas prices to add to costs of holiday travel"

Examiner Reader said:
What didn't ENRON teach us about market manipulation?

111 agree | 116 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

8:53 AM MST on Wed., Nov. 14, 2007 re: "High gas prices to add to costs of holiday travel"

Examiner Reader said:
It has been a tradition that gasoline prices at the pump escalate prior to the Memorial Day weekend and the Labor Day weekend, both of which are high travel times. Obviously, the suppliers are not satisfied with that. They've decided to manipulate the prices for this year's Thanksgiving's travel, and will probably do so for the Christmas season as well. In January 2008, pump prices for gasoline will decrease slightly, but never to where they were even a year ago. Let's face it: Americans are being robbed at the pump, and nothing can or will be done about it. How shameful.

142 agree | 135 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

4:52 PM MST on Sun., Nov. 4, 2007 re: "Study: Gas Prices Up 16 Cents in 2 Weeks"

Examiner Reader said:
If we want energy independence, less reliance on fossil fuels, and sincerely want to cut greenhouse gas emissions, then we will need to get rid of our collective hysteria against nuclear power. The EU and Japan rely heavily on nuclear-generated electricity - we have some serious catching-up to do...

138 agree | 149 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

8:15 PM MST on Sun., Aug. 12, 2007 re: "Gas prices drop nearly 11 cents in last 2 weeks, survey finds"

Examiner Reader said:
There has to be a new way of approaching this oil dependency issue, because in the past, no matter what we tried, the prices still kept going up, particularly targeting places like SF where Speaker Pelosi lives. Coincidence??... Ever since alt energy started becoming a more viable alternative, the prices of gas started consistently going down. Competition breaks the oil monopoly. I'm sure Exxon and GM, maybe even a few of those Great Lakes and Texan senators are more than a little concerned, maybe even a little shaky in their rattlesnake-skinned boots. The earth is a little unsteady, and this ain't no earthquake.

190 agree | 186 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

3:08 PM MST on Mon., Jul. 9, 2007 re: "State officials to check for �hot fuel�"

OOIDA said:
For more information on Hot Fuel go to www.turndownhotfuel.com

356 agree | 238 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

3:42 PM MST on Thu., May. 24, 2007 re: "Gas prices near record high in Washington; Cantwell has gouging bill"

Examiner Reader said:
why not have a national gas boycott on July 4th? Declare it, Energy Independence Day......

219 agree | 211 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

1:33 PM MST on Tue., May. 22, 2007 re: "Some Twin Cities gas stations charging $3.29 a gallon"

Examiner Reader said:
I believe the oil companies financed the development and push of the gas guzzling SUV's as a response to the fuel efficient cars of the 80's and 90's... then after they flooded the market with the gas guzzlers, jacked up prices.... good recoup of dollars lost on fuel economy cars aye?

214 agree | 252 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

11:29 AM MST on Tue., May. 22, 2007 re: "Higher gas prices break national record, frustrate local motorists"

Examiner Reader said:
Why are you not cheering these higher gas prices because in fact they are good for the following reasons: -Is this not a good thing since in theory this should cut down on driving - more public use of transportation -less traffic on our roads, roads will last longer, less traffic means less accidents, less highway deaths, -less CO2 will will cut down on Global Warming which is the latest rage? I'm saying this with a 'tongue and cheek' tone because why are we not cheering these higher gas prices?

613 agree | 301 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

1:36 PM MST on Fri., May. 18, 2007 re: "Gas prices continue to skyrocket"

Minimum Wage/ Gas Price said:
To the peson who spoke about the SUV's I drive a minivan and i get good mileage i drive to and from work 6 days a week and now it is costing me $80. to fill up the reason why I drive to work is because I like to earn more than minimum wage. I fill up every 11 days so it is still in between paydays. In our society there are many people driving smaller cars but are living from paycheck to paycheck now since gas prices are doubled but pay is the same what does that do for the economy?

350 agree | 338 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

1:30 PM MST on Fri., May. 18, 2007 re: "Gas prices continue to skyrocket"

Minimum Wage/ Gas Price said:
This is getting out of hand.

329 agree | 318 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

1:28 PM MST on Fri., May. 18, 2007 re: "AAA: Average Texas gas price approaches record high"

Minimum Wage/ Gas Price said:
Just wanted to know if anyone else noticed that gas is too high. Minimum wage is $5.15 and gas is $3.29 gal so now some people are working 2 whole days just to pay for gas so that they can go to work for another 7 days. What about the rest of the bills.

304 agree | 253 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

11:29 AM MST on Tue., May. 15, 2007 re: "Gas prices continue to skyrocket"

Examiner Reader said:
I live in Howell and gas is 3.49 a gallen, how can a minimum wage worker aford to even go to work all they are doing is putting everything they make into there cars. We have to find a way to get these gas priceses down. I think some people are really getting rich off of this.

355 agree | 349 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

11:59 AM MST on Mon., May. 14, 2007 re: "Gas prices continue to skyrocket"

Examiner Reader said:
America is a nation of whimps when is comes to gasoline...It's people complain too much but won't take any action by changing the cars or trucks they drive to reduce gasoline demand...It's their own fault. Don't complain about the price of gas as you drive that SUV that gets only 12 miles per gallon but yet you do, you foolish people...There are so many people in the world that would give anything to live just 1/50th as well as you do and yet you still complain you selfish pigs...no wonder the world hates you....

449 agree | 389 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate