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RALEIGH, N.C. — After four years of learning, technician Christopher Tate, 37, overcame the challenges of 81 competitors, 14 skills station hurdles and a four-hour written test to lay claim to the title of grand national champion of SuperTech 2009.

The Obama administration last week issued its proposed new fuel efficiency and first-ever national greenhouse gases reduction standards for passenger cars and light trucks.

Shipping, trucking and logistics firm Horizon Lines said that it will add regularly scheduled vessel container service between Tampa, Fla., and Puerto Rico, the Associated Press reported.

The National Transportation Safety Board has instituted a policy banning texting and talking on cell phones by its employees while they are working, the Associated Press reported.

Are third-party logistics providers a necessary division in the trucking industry? My opinion is “yes.” We are a group of people who work hard to keep customers and drivers happy, at an agreeable rate.

Eighty-two maintenance technicians will compete for national industry honors, while fleet managers grapple with clean-vehicle technology options and universal equipment warranties at SuperTech and the fall meeting of the Technology & Maintenance Council.

PITTSBURGH — Alex Bugeya of Ontario, Canada, became a competitor for the first time this year and earned the right to represent his province at the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s North American Inspectors Championship here.