West Coast port terminal operators have asked for federal mediation to break a logjam in the eight-month contract negotiations with longshoremen.

The price of diesel plunged 13.8 cents to $3.281 a gallon, the lowest level in four years, the Department of Energy reported Dec. 22.

The pace of China’s economy tapered in the third quarter, leading to a slower rate of growth in truck demand, according to the most recent quarterly China Commercial Vehicle Outlook, published jointly by ACT Research Co. and China’s State Information Center.

Volvo Group’s North American heavy-duty truck deliveries rose 21% in November from the same month last year, the company reported.

November trailer orders rose 43% to the fourth-highest level ever, following October’s record high, to 36,000 units, ACT Research Co. reported.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The trucking industry continues to see a shortage of technicians, industry officials said here at an annual gathering and competition of technicians who work for the biggest U.S. truck dealership.

Diesel will average $3.07 a gallon next year, the Department of Energy said Dec. 9, lowering its most recent forecast by 31 cents.

Diesel’s pump price dove 7 cents to $3.535 a gallon, the biggest drop in two years, the Department of Energy reported Dec. 8, as oil plunged to a new five-year low near $63 a barrel.

Several trucking companies announced driver pay increases earlier this month.