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WASHINGTON — The cost of moving and storing goods nationwide fell 3.5% last year, the first decline in logistics-related ex-penses in six years, despite 2% higher transportation expenses. Manufacturers and retailers slashed inventories and excess capacity limited the ability of freight carriers to raise prices, according to a new report.

The average price paid for retail diesel jumped another 7.4 cents last week to $2.572 a gallon, marking the sixth straight week of increases in the price of trucking’s main fuel for a total rise of 38.7 cents, the Department of Energy reported.

Heavy-duty U.S. truck sales continued their severe slide into a fifth month, as retail volume fell 39% in May, while the year-to-date total now lags the pace of last year by 33.9%, according to WardsAuto.com.

Diesel emission standards change again in January 2010, but unlike the previous modifications when all manufacturers used essentially the same emission-controlling technology, medium-duty truck buyers next year will have a choice of competing systems.

WASHINGTON — Setting up what could be a major confrontation between Congress and the White House over transportation policy, a key House committee unveiled a $500 billion blueprint to remake the U.S. transport system, while on the same day the administration instead proposed extending the current plan for 18 months.

Initial jobless claims increased last week, but the number of Americans collecting jobless benefits fell the week before for the first time since January, the Labor Department said Thursday.

UPS Inc. has launched a new Web-based system that it says will allow companies to more easily manage parts inventory and order and ship parts.

Ryder System said that it has reached an agreement with Intelligent Global Pooling Systems to manage the flow of plastic pallets.