FreightCasts

CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs challenges the long-standing obsession with operating ratios and pushes for volume growth, especially in high-potential areas like intermodal. He believes railroads can achieve both high profit margins and volume growth, emphasizing interline partnerships as a critical strategy to access new markets and improve service. Global trade winds are literally shifting freight patterns, with China drastically reducing its U.S. soybean imports due to trade tensions and retaliatory tariffs. This significant decrease in exports is creating a substantial drop in freight demand, particularly affecting Midwest states and potentially leading to job losses across trucking, rail, and port operations. High-stakes trade negotiations between the U.S. and South Korea, involving a proposed $350 billion South Korean investment fund aimed at underwriting U.S. shipbuilding, manufacturing, and other critical development. Despite reported stalls in discussions over foreign exchange markets and recent tensions, strategic commitments like Hanwha Group's $5 billion investment in a Philadelphia shipyard highlight re-industrialization efforts. At home, the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are showing positive trends, reporting improved truck and rail dwell times in August 2025. This reflects strong coordination between terminals, trucking partners, and railroads, ensuring supply chains remain reliable during peak shipping season despite high cargo volumes. Uber Freight has launched its Dedicated EV Fleet Accelerator Program in partnership with Tesla. This program aims to overcome major adoption barriers for electric trucks by offering subsidized access to Tesla Semi-trucks, guaranteed freight demand, and direct operational support. We also address recent operational realities, including the temporary outage of critical FMCSA public data, which underscored the absolute importance of timely and accessible information for trucking safety and compliance. Finally, the ongoing liquidation of Yellow Corp. continues to reshape the LTL landscape, with over 200 service centers sold for nearly $2.4 billion, significantly realigning physical assets and market capacity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Visit our sponsor⁠ ⁠Subscribe to the WTT newsletter⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠More FreightWaves Podcasts⁠ #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Major carriers like DHL Express and FedEx Express are making significant, strategically expanded, and sustainability-focused moves. ⁠DHL recently inaugurated a new $94 million international hub at Barcelona International Airport⁠, which boasts a seven-fold capacity increase, processing over 20,000 pieces per hour, and features a full solar array and 37 electric chargers for its vans. Similarly, ⁠FedEx opened a new 19,000-square-foot dedicated freight facility at East Midlands Airport in the UK⁠, operating separately from parcel sorting to boost cross-border air shipments and improve asset utilization. Next, we shift stateside to US ports, specifically the ⁠LA-Long Beach complex, which is showing surprisingly strong efficiency numbers for August 2025⁠. Truck dwell time averaged just 2.73 days, while rail dwell time significantly improved to 4.98 days, demonstrating effective coordination between terminals, truckers, and railroads even with high cargo volumes. ⁠Diesel is currently presenting a "tale of two prices" with retail stability contrasting with surging futures⁠. The weekly average retail price remained stable around $3.739 a gallon, but ultra low sulfur diesel futures surged over 10 cents in two days, reaching its highest settlement since late July due to geopolitical factors and attacks on Russian oil infrastructure. Supreme Court's upcoming review of two important broker liability cases, ⁠TQL v. Cox and Montgomery v. Caribe II⁠, on September 29th. These cases will determine the interpretation of the FAAAA safety exception regarding whether it covers brokers or just carriers, a critical point that has led to conflicting circuit court decisions. Additionally, we note the recent, thankfully quick, ⁠resolution of a brief outage of public FMCSA data⁠, which highlighted the industry's reliance on this information for critical safety checks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Large chunks of publicly available data on carriers have vanished from the FMCSA's website, impacting transparency for safety scrutiny efforts. Neither the FMCSA nor the Department of Transportation has yet offered an explanation for this significant data disappearance. Yellow Corp. is selling a Baltimore service center for $4.7 million, with only 11 terminals now remaining from its original 325-plus locations. Yellow has successfully sold over 200 service centers for nearly $2.4 billion since beginning its liquidation process. The surprising boost in container rates, influenced by positive trade negotiations between China and the US, include a potential TikTok deal. Rates from China to the US West Coast surged 7% week-over-week and 34% since late August, with East Coast prices also rising due to general rate increases and demand before China's Golden Week.  Finally, don't miss Malcolm Harris and Adam Wingfield on FreightWaves TV today at noon, discussing Truck Driver Appreciation Week. Remember to grab your last-chance tickets for the Future of Freight Festival in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on October 21st and 22nd. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we dive into what peak season might look like this year. Our guest, Karl Fillhouer, VP of Sales and Operations at Circle Logistics, breaks down why this peak season looks a little different than anticipated and how to prepare for anything and everything. For more information, subscribe to ⁠Check Call the newsletter⁠ or the podcast. ⁠Follow the Check Call Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) is sounding the alarm over broker liability. The Supreme Court is currently weighing requests to hear two cases, Total Quality Logistics v. Cox and Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II, which highlight conflicting circuit court rulings that create an "acute existential threat" for small brokers. A significant victory against cargo theft, as California authorities recovered over $1.4 million in stolen consumer electronics. This bust was made possible with the assistance of cargo security platform Overhaul, whose real-time tracking capabilities enabled law enforcement to pinpoint the cargo and arrest eight suspects. Michigan-based Kalitta Air prepares to operate the world's first Boeing 777-300 aircraft converted from passenger to cargo configuration. These "Big Twin" jets, modified by Israel Aerospace Industries, boast a 110-ton payload and will replace aging 747s, significantly boosting long-haul capacity for e-commerce shipments despite earlier certification delays. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WHAT THE TRUCK?!? kicks off a brand-new chapter as Kaylee Nix welcomes the show's new host, Malcolm Harris. From his early days at Coyote to his journey through Steam Logistics, Axle Logistics, and beyond, Malcolm shares how freight shaped his career and why Chattanooga feels like home. He talks about his passion for storytelling, his vision for connecting the freight community, and what listeners can expect as he takes the reins of this iconic show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this solo episode of The Long Haul, Adam tackles one of the freight industry's most loaded topics — the crackdown on English Language Proficiency and the targeting of non-domicile CDL holders. What starts as a safety policy is revealing deeper issues around bias, access, and who gets to belong in trucking. If you're ready for a raw, honest conversation about what's really happening, this one's a must-listen. ⁠Follow The Long Haul Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CloudTrucks has expanded its "Road to Independence" program by launching FleetFirst Leasing LLC, a new lease-to-own provider aimed at making truck ownership more accessible for company drivers. This initiative stands in stark contrast to a widespread Class A CDL fraud scheme in Louisiana, where six people were indicted for selling passing grades without required tests for approximately $6,500. A federal judge in Georgia allowed a lawsuit to proceed against GFA Alabama Inc. and Glovis Georgia, alleging a "bait and switch" scheme where Mexican professionals recruited for engineering roles were assigned lower-paying manual labor jobs. Separately, the industry's largest lobbying groups, ATA and OOIDA, are clashing over priorities for the next highway bill, differing on issues like hair testing and allowing 18-20 year olds in interstate commerce, yet agreeing on truck parking and combating freight fraud. In strategic global logistics, Radiant Logistics acquired an 80% stake in Weeport, a Mexico City-based provider, significantly strengthening Radiant's presence in Mexico and North America due to nearshoring. Finally, the liquidation of Yellow Corp.'s rolling stock generated approximately $175.7 million in net proceeds, contributing to the estate's roughly $623 million in cash, though former employee claims and the final bankruptcy plan remain uncertain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Container rates remained largely unchanged last week despite a drop in freight volumes on most major trade routes. Rates from Asia to the US West Coast ports held steady at $1,700 per FEU, and $2,700 per FEU to East Coast ports, as carriers grapple with demand ahead of China's Golden Week. You can read more about this in "Ocean rates unchanged even as freight volumes decline - FreightWaves". Six individuals were arrested in Louisiana for a scheme to falsely issue Class A Commercial Driver's Licenses without applicants completing the required tests. This conspiracy involved bribes to pass both the knowledge and skills tests, with all six facing charges including conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud. Learn more about this in "Louisiana scheme to obtain class A CDLs without passing tests snags six in sweeping indictment - FreightWaves". A significant contract dispute continues between Canada Post and the union representing 50,000 mail carriers, with no agreement reached since their last meeting in May. Canada Post recently reported its largest-ever quarterly loss of US$294 million pre-tax for the second quarter, stating the union's counter-offer does not address necessary structural changes. For further details, see "Canada Post and union contract divide widens - FreightWaves". Finally, nominations are currently open for the Shipper of Choice Award until September 30th, with winners to be announced on October 20th, ahead of the F3 festival. You can also register for the F3 event in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on October 21st and 22nd, and a free Cross-Border Summit on September 10th, by visiting live.freightwaves.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Loaded and Rolling, host Thomas Wasson sits down with Tim Crawford, cofounder and CEO of Tenstreet, to break down the latest driver recruiting trends from their UConnect 2025 conference. From why minutes can make or break a hire, to how app-based communication is reshaping recruiting, Crawford shares data-driven insights on what carriers must do to attract and retain drivers in a tough freight market. Discover why drivers are shifting toward private fleets, how application behavior signals broader economic shifts, and what fleets can do to streamline their hiring process and stand out in a competitive labor market. ⁠Follow the Loaded and Rolling Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we break down how EDI isn't an antiquated thing of the past. Our guests, Grace Sharkey, Senior Manager of Comms and PR and Blake Harries, Senior Channel manager from Orderful, talk about how EDI is part of a broader picture when it comes to a resilient and successful supply chain. For more information, subscribe to ⁠Check Call the newsletter⁠ or the podcast. ⁠Follow the Check Call Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mexico's industrial boom, highlighted by the new $540 million Wellness Development Hub in Huamantla, is the first of 15 centers projected to attract $277 billion in investment and 300,000 jobs by 2030. Cross-border opportunities face challenges, exemplified by the U.S. labor dispute against Mexican meatpacker Alimentos Grole, resulting in a suspension of goods liquidation due to alleged worker rights suppression. Additionally, a major U.S. appeals court ruling found most of Trump's broad import tariffs unlawful, creating a critical window of uncertainty regarding future import costs until October 14th. Prepare for peak season parcel surcharges, with major carriers like UPS, DHL, FedEx, and USPS implementing additional fees from September/October through January, varying based on package specifics and shipping volume. In innovation, autonomous trucking advancements include Torc Robotics' partnership with Edge Case Research to develop a comprehensive safety case for Level 4 autonomous trucks, aiming for fully driverless commercial long-haul trucks by 2027. Trimble launched its new Freight Marketplace, a platform designed for long-term contractual agreements rather than spot loads, with Procter & Gamble as its first major shipper. A critical industry safety concern addresses the Trump administration's cancellation of a three-year FMCSA study on sexual harassment and rape in the trucking industry, a significant setback for policies protecting vulnerable groups. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Major parcel carriers like UPS and DHL are hiking surcharges ahead of the holiday season, with UPS adding fees for residential services, next-day air, oversized packages, and high-volume shippers starting September 8th. These increases, which follow earlier announcements from FedEx and UPS, are designed to ensure operational reliability through January 17th. In a significant legal development, a federal court has ruled most of President Trump's tariffs illegal, finding that the emergency law he used did not grant him authority to levy them in a 7-4 decision. This decision could impact tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico, though they will remain in place through October 14th to allow for an appeal to the US Supreme Court. In trucking technology, Torque Robotics has partnered with Edge Case Research to develop robust safety cases for Level 4 autonomous trucks, with Edge independently assessing Torque's driverless safety framework. This collaboration supports Torque's commitment to safety and independent validation, aiming to launch fully autonomous long-haul trucks in the U.S. by 2027. Don't miss today's FreightWaves TV programming, including a new episode of Check Call with Mary O'Connell at 12:30, followed by Loaded and Rolling with Thomas Wason at 2 PM. Also, remember to register for the upcoming F3 event at live.freightwaves.com and use the code MORNINGMINUTEF325 to save up to $900 on your ticket. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, host Thomas Wasson breaks down the day's top headlines — from Wawa's first travel center with truck parking to Aurora and McLeod's autonomous TMS integration, tariff-driven import surges, and shake-ups at the STB. Then, Thomas dives into the future of renewable fuels with special guests from Nopetro and Hexagon Agility. Nopetro's Scott Brenner and Kevin Hyatt explain how fleets are adopting renewable natural gas (RNG) from landfills and dairy farms, while Hexagon Agility's Eric Bippus and Ian MacDonald share insights on their record CNG truck orders and the rollout of Cummins' new X15N natural gas engine. From infrastructure and maintenance savings to regulatory shifts and long-haul viability, this episode uncovers how RNG and CNG are shaping the next era of freight sustainability. ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Visit our sponsor⁠ ⁠Subscribe to the WTT newsletter⁠ ⁠Follow the Podcast⁠ ⁠More FreightWaves Podcasts⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover how Aurora and McLeod Software have partnered to integrate autonomous trucks directly with mainstream Transportation Management Systems (TMS), marking an industry first. This "plug-and-play" integration aims to streamline autonomous vehicle adoption for mid-sized fleets of 100 to 1,000 trucks, supporting vital functions like scheduling and invoicing, with a full rollout planned for 2026 to McLeod's 1,200+ customers.  On the infrastructure front, convenience store giant Wawa has entered the travel center business, opening its first facility in Hope Mills, North Carolina, offering 18 free parking spots and high-speed diesel lanes. While primarily targeting short-haul drivers and mid-trip stops without offering showers, this initiative highlights the critical and ongoing need for more truck parking capacity.  In air freight, strategic partnerships are expanding capacity and control, with Atlas Air providing dedicated Boeing 777 freighters to Etihad Airways and DSV for key routes. These moves offer major players greater command over their capacity and schedules in complex supply chains, emphasizing reliability and logistics ownership.  Furthermore, Flexport has teamed up with BlackRock to offer up to $250 million in supply chain financing, including term loans, asset-based lines of credit, and crucial tariff financing. This initiative provides businesses with vital working capital to bridge the gap between inventory purchase and sales, directly addressing current trade risks and evolving supply chain financing needs.  On the trade policy front, Mexico is proposing a 50% tariff on a range of Chinese imports for its 2026 budget, aiming to protect domestic manufacturers and address U.S. concerns about Chinese goods entering via Mexico. Additionally, Mexico has implemented an immediate ban on finished footwear imports and suspended small-package shipments to the U.S., impacting e-commerce platforms as the U.S. ends its de minimis tariff exemption for low-value imports.  Finally, U.S. container ports saw a temporary jump in July volume due to front-loading ahead of potential new tariffs, but the overall trend reveals a six-month downtrend, with a projected 5.6% year-over-year decrease in total 2025 import volume. This unusual decline suggests a major strategic realignment, with some inbound volume diverting to other North American ports outside the U.S..  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we dive into the factors that are causing perishable ecommerce to grow at breakneck speed. Our guest, Kasia Wenker VP of Solutions Engineering at ITS Logistics, breaks down what the future of fulfillment and delivery would be in the U.S. and wher the strongest applications are making the biggest changes. For more information, subscribe to ⁠Running on Ice the newsletter⁠ or podcast. ⁠Follow the Running on Ice Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and Thomas try to sort through what has become a hyper political economic environment that is weighing heavily on supply chains. Also: The truckload market has started to pick up in front of Labor Day. ⁠Follow the Freightonomics Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dale Jordan from BDO USA discusses the tax implications of the One Big Beautiful Bill with JP Hampstead, including bonus depreciation, R&D expensing, and other provisions designed to stimulate manufacturing investment and reindustrialization. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover how C.H. Robinson's aggressive adoption of AI has significantly boosted its stock price, even in a weak freight market, leading to a 52-week high. Learn about their new "Always-on Logistics Planner," an agentic AI-driven "digital teammate" within its Managed Solutions 4PL arm, which autonomously handles tasks 24/7 and has achieved 100% customer adoption among its clients. We confront the growing peril of escalating cargo theft, a critical concern in the industry, with North American cargo thefts surging 27% year-over-year in 2024, resulting in $455 million in stolen goods across 3,625 incidents. Hear how Ceva Logistics alone suffered over $18.3 million in losses from eight incidents, often due to security policy breakdowns like using unvetted carriers or inactive GPS trackers, making warehouses particularly vulnerable. Analyze major shifts in international trade, including a new EU-US trade truce framework designed to stabilize container flows for goods like pharmaceuticals and agricultural products on transatlantic lanes. However, this framework notably excludes automobiles, with continued high tariffs leading to a 16.8% decline in European car exports to the U.S. in the first half of this year, potentially shifting consumer demand towards domestic or Asian suppliers. Examine developments in workforce and infrastructure, as FedEx Supply Chain is laying off 611 employees in Memphis after Cummins Inc. moved a significant portion of its distribution to a new 3PL in Indianapolis for efficiency. In stark contrast, South Korea's Hanwha Group announced a $5 billion investment to expand its Philadelphia shipyard, aiming to increase shipbuilding capacity to 20 vessels annually and double the local workforce to 3,000 by 2025 as part of a larger $150 billion commitment to revitalizing the U.S. maritime sector. Finally, we unpack the serious rail regulatory turbulence caused by President Trump's firing of STB member Robert E. Primus, creating a 2-2 partisan split and leaving the board short two members. This controversial move comes just months before a major merger application (Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern) is expected and has already stalled other important rail proceedings, raising concerns that it could weaken the board and harm the freight rail network, consumers, and the economy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The official framework for the EU-U.S. trade truce has been released, aiming to halt escalating trans-Atlantic trade tensions and steady container flows. This agreement, though not yet legally enforceable, maintains existing tariffs on most European Union exports to the U.S. and on automobiles until reciprocal tariff reductions are implemented by Brussels. DHL Global Forwarding is expanding its cold chain logistics capabilities in Asia Pacific with the opening of a dual-certified pharmaceutical facility at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). This 38,000-square-foot site, the first in KLIA's Free Commercial Zone, offers flexible storage certified for both 15–25°C and 2–8°C, enhancing DHL's leadership in healthcare logistics and addressing rising demand for temperature-sensitive transportation. Ceva Logistics has been targeted by a crime ring in eight separate incidents over the past year, resulting in the theft of high-value electronics exceeding $18.3 million. These thefts are largely attributed to repeated breakdowns in security policy, including outsourcing to unvetted motor carriers and inadequate warehouse security, amidst a broader 13% year-over-year increase in cargo theft incidents in the second quarter, where warehouses are significant targets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Thomas Wasson breaks down the latest trucking headlines — from federal threats to cut highway funds over English proficiency enforcement to CDL testing scandals, clean energy truck orders, and shifting credit conditions in transportation finance. Michael Caney, CCO at Highway, joins the show to discuss the company's growth investment, the launch of the Trusted Freight Exchange, and the battle against freight fraud. Later, Zach Strickland, Head of Freight Market Intelligence at SONAR, shares insights on SONAR's new Blue to Blue app, shifting freight market conditions, and what to expect heading into peak season. Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

BMO's transportation unit is a bellwether for credit and lending conditions in trucking. The bank's loan book dipped to $13.67 billion in Q3, the lowest since early 2023, and while write-offs are down, provisions for potential credit losses and gross impaired loans remain significantly higher than pre-downturn levels. Canada Post has significant labor issues, which led to its largest-ever pre-tax loss of US$294 million in Q2 2024 due to a 36.7% plummet in parcel revenue. This decline was largely driven by uncertainty from a prolonged labor dispute, pushing shippers to private carriers and highlighting the high cost of instability. On the innovation front, we cover the expanded integration between Motive and Fleetio in fleet management technology. This partnership centralizes fuel, maintenance, and telematics data for fleet operators, automating workflows and providing crucial visibility into costs that can comprise up to 75% of operating budgets. Freight rates have taken a considerable dive, with Asia-to-U.S. spot rates falling 60-70% since a July frontloading surge. This is attributed to increased vessel capacity, limitations within U.S. Customs' IT systems, and carriers actively shifting vessels to avoid new punitive port fees on Chinese-linked ships. Cross-border trade policy is changing, specifically the surging use of USMCA claims among Canadian and Mexican imports into the U.S.. This increase is prompted by new 50% tariffs on numerous products containing steel, aluminum, or copper, making compliance vital for managing costs despite administrative burdens and documentation requirements. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

U.S. businesses are increasingly claiming USMCA exemptions as rising tariffs on steel, aluminum, and other goods push import costs higher. This has led to a sharp increase in USMCA compliance for goods from Canada, reaching 81% in June, and from Mexico, now at 77%. Massachusetts state troopers sentenced after involvement in a CDL fraud scheme. Calvin Butner received three months in jail and Perry Mendes one month, both for falsifying CDL test scores and giving passing grades to unqualified applicants. Three other individuals involved in the scheme are still awaiting their sentencing. Canada Post has also made headlines, reporting its largest-ever pre-tax loss of US$294 million in the second quarter due to a significant drop in parcel volumes. This decline, which has been steady since December, resulted from a prolonged contract dispute with mail carriers that pushed shippers to private carriers. Overall revenue for Canada Post was down 7.3%, with a 36.7% decrease in parcel revenue. Finally, be sure to tune into FreightWaves TV for WHAT THE TRUCK?!? today at noon, or catch a replay this evening on SiriusXM channel 146. You can also get tickets for upcoming events like the Crossborder Fleet Summit and the Future of Freight Festival in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we dive into the pivotal shifts creating a complex and challenging freight landscape. We start at the U.S.-Mexico border, where a fascinating paradox is unfolding: U.S. tariffs are leading to job losses in the maquiladora industry, even as wages and foreign investment hit record highs. Then, we shift tracks to the rail industry, where Warren Buffett's BNSF is rejecting the mega-merger trend, creating a strategic split among Class I railroads. We also cover urgent regulatory changes, including the sudden elimination of the de minimis exemption that's throwing international parcel shipping into chaos, and the federal crackdown on trucker compliance that comes with multi-million dollar penalties. Finally, we break down why trans-Pacific ocean rates have plummeted to pre-Red Sea crisis lows, despite ongoing geopolitical risks. This is your essential guide to the interconnected forces that will define your operational strategy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The benchmark diesel price, which has now declined for a fifth consecutive week, reaching $3.708/gallon for a total drop of 10.4 cents since late July. This downward trend is linked to relative oil price stability, even as Midwest refinery issues impact gasoline prices without significantly affecting diesel. Korean Air has made a significant order for eight Boeing 777-8 freighter aircraft, part of a larger $50 billion deal that helps Boeing compete with Airbus in the next-generation widebody freighter market. This strategic acquisition highlights a push for efficiency in air cargo, as the new freighters promise 30% better fuel efficiency and 25% lower operating costs per ton. The rail merger debate heats up as CPKC advocates against further Class I rail consolidation, asserting that such mergers are unnecessary and could trigger an undesirable industry restructuring. Instead, CPKC champions interline partnerships, citing its collaboration with CSX on the Southeast Mexico Express service as an example of achieving benefits without integration risks. The Department of Transportation's (DOT) warns California, New Mexico, and Washington, threatening to withhold millions in federal highway funds for allegedly failing to enforce federal English proficiency standards for truck drivers. This action follows a fatal accident involving a driver with reported language issues and a history of non-compliance, with states given 30 days to rectify the situation. Explore the Trump administration's challenge to California's Clean Truck Check (CTC) rule, with the EPA proposing to disapprove its application to out-of-state trucks due to concerns about the Commerce Clause and the Clean Air Act. While the rule remains in effect for California-based vehicles, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) views the EPA's move as illegal interference, signaling a potential legal battle over state versus federal authority. Also don't miss the FreightWaves Q3 2025 Carrier Rate Report, sponsored by Trimble, offering a comprehensive review of Q2 performance and forecasts for the coming months. This valuable resource combines carrier survey responses with SONAR data to provide essential intelligence for strategic planning, covering supply, earnings, and demand forecasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we dive in what to watch out for and keep an eye on when implementing AI at an organization. Our guest, Adrian Coutsoftides, CEO & Co-founder of Solitude AI breaks down how to ensure data privacy and utilizing AI correctly within an organization. For more information, subscribe to ⁠Check Call the newsletter⁠ or the podcast. ⁠Follow the Check Call Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Berkshire Hathaway Chairman Warren Buffett announced his company will not bid for CSX or Norfolk Southern, opting instead for BNSF Railway to form closer alliances for growth synergies. This decision came after Union Pacific's $85 billion deal to acquire Norfolk Southern, despite Wall Street expectations for a competitive bid. The American Trucking Association (ATA) is facing a lawsuit from three former employees of its Transport Topics publication, alleging wrongful termination based on age and race discrimination. The plaintiffs claim their 2024 firings were age-motivated and done under the pretext of restructuring, with one plaintiff, Lorrie Grant, also alleging racial discrimination. Highway has launched its Trusted Freight Exchange (TFX), powered by Triumph, aiming to provide brokers and carriers a more secure alternative to traditional load boards and combat freight fraud. The TFX platform incorporates identity proofing to block anonymous traffic, broker-specific compliance rules, and credit assurance from Triumph, allowing carriers to confirm payment means before booking loads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, host Thomas Wasson covers the latest headlines in freight before diving deep into driver wellness with Travelers' Monica Rinaldi. She breaks down the mental and physical health challenges truckers face on the road and what fleets can do to better support them. Then, Kenworth's Sarah Abernathy joins to spotlight the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award, celebrating veterans who've successfully moved into transportation. Finally, Kenworth's Alex Reid takes us under the hood of the iconic W900 Legacy Edition as the legendary model nears the end of its run. Plus: breaking news on ATA lawsuits, import trends, new rail partnerships, and even a little cow jazz. ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Visit our sponsor⁠ ⁠Subscribe to the WTT newsletter⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠More FreightWaves Podcasts⁠ #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A decade-long misclassification lawsuit involving NFI drivers is being settled for over $5 million. This landmark case could see individual payouts ranging from $30,000 to more than $50,000 for eligible drivers, as detailed in this comprehensive report:⁠ NFI driver misclassification case in New Jersey could reach individual payouts of $50k⁠. We also cover global postal operators suspending parcel services to the U.S. due to new de minimis rules and airline embargoes. Learn why many European and Asian postal services are pausing or restricting shipments to the U.S. in this in-depth article:⁠ Global postal operators suspend parcel service to US⁠. Stay informed on significant leadership changes at South Carolina Ports, with CEO Barbara Melvin resigning after nearly 30 years to pursue new personal and professional opportunities. Discover more about her impactful tenure, including the Port of Charleston becoming the busiest southern port on the U.S. East Coast, and the port's record performance in fiscal year 2025 here:⁠ South Carolina ports chief resigns, citing ‘personal reasons'⁠. Don't miss FreightWaves TV's ⁠What the Truck?!?⁠ Live at noon today and be sure to register for the upcoming ⁠Cross Border Logistics Summit⁠ at the beginning of September. Additionally, you can secure your tickets for the ⁠Future of Freight Festival⁠ happening this October in Chattanooga, all part of the extensive FreightWaves event offerings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we dive into ColdTrack's 100% pack accuracy guarantee. Our guests, Luke Vaccaro, COO at ColdTrack and Josh Lett, SVP Customer Experience at Deposco break down how ColdTrack got to 100% accuracy and how it could be the new standard in the industry. For more information, subscribe to ⁠Running on Ice the newsletter⁠ or podcast. ⁠Follow the Running on Ice Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thomas Wasson breaks down the top stories in freight, including the Trump administration's sudden pause on work visas for foreign truck drivers and what it means for the industry. It's also an “autonomous trucks” edition, featuring in-depth conversations with Shahrukh Kazmi, Chief Product Officer at Volvo Autonomous Solutions, on their new VNL autonomous trucks running freight in Texas, and Shawn Kerrigan, COO of Plus, on their path to commercial launch and partnerships with global OEMs. From labor disruptions to driverless tech, this episode dives into the challenges and opportunities shaping trucking's future. ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Visit our sponsor⁠ ⁠Subscribe to the WTT newsletter⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠More FreightWaves Podcasts⁠ #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trump administration has placed an  immediate pause on new commercial truck driver work visas. This decision, stemming from safety concerns and a desire to protect American truckers' livelihoods, impacts both H-2B temporary and EB-3 permanent visas, foreshadowing a potential capacity crunch. Next, we dive into the contentious debate over truck vehicle weight limits, where retailers are pushing for increases to boost freight efficiency and lower costs. However, this faces strong opposition from safety advocates and a divided trucking industry, with the truckload segment firmly against bigger, heavier trucks. DHL Express extends its contract with Global Crossing Airlines for four months, covering the crucial peak season. GlobalX, utilizing Airbus A321 freighters for daily routes between DHL hubs, saw significant growth including a 7% revenue increase and doubled net income in Q2. J.B. Hunt Transport Services has appointed Brad Delco as its new CFO, effective September 1st. This strategic financial leadership appointment underscores J.B. Hunt's commitment to disciplined growth, operational excellence, and cost discipline in a challenging market. The macro freight market outlook remains murky, with the August State of Freight webinar revealing historically weak demand; national truckload volumes are significantly down year-over-year and below 2019 levels. Despite shrinking carrier capacity and rising tender rejection rates, the market is stuck in a "range-bound" cycle of stagnant volumes and rates, driven by consumer spending shifts, weak housing/auto sectors, and pervasive business uncertainty. A new US-EU framework agreement on reciprocal, fair, and balanced trade designed to boost transatlantic economic ties. This comprehensive deal includes the EU eliminating tariffs on US industrial goods, market access for US agricultural products, and substantial commitments in energy and tech, beyond just tariff reductions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

⁠Trump's administration has placed an immediate pause on new commercial truck driver work visas⁠. Secretary of State Marco Rubio cited concerns that the increasing number of foreign drivers endangers American lives and undercuts American truckers' livelihoods, a decision that followed a fatal semi-truck crash in Florida and is supported by the ATA. A framework agreement was announced on Thursday to boost transatlantic economic ties and resolve trade imbalances. Under this deal, the ⁠EU will eliminate tariffs on all U.S. industrial goods⁠ and grant preferential market access for various American agricultural products, while the U.S. commits to applying a maximum 15% tariff rate on most EU goods. Furthermore, ⁠FedEx is turning its attention to Europe⁠, sending specialists from its U.S. ground, parcel, and freight units to streamline operations and improve efficiency, particularly in route planning and package efficiency. This initiative is a major part of FedEx's plan to cut an additional $1 billion in structural costs this fiscal year, building on the $4 billion already eliminated in the past two years. Finally, stay updated with FreightWaves TV, featuring new episodes of ⁠WHAT THE TRUCK?!?⁠ with Thomas Wasson and ⁠Running on Ice⁠ with Mary O'Connell airing today. Don't forget to register for the upcoming ⁠F3: Future of Freight Festival⁠ on October 21st and 22nd, and use the code MORNINGMINUTEF325 to receive a $900 discount on your ticket. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Craig Fuller and Zach Strickland as they cover the latest in freight market movements for the month of August. ⁠Follow the Freightonomics Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FedEx is undergoing a massive strategic overhaul, aiming to cut another $1 billion in costs this fiscal year, with a primary focus on its European operations. They are leveraging U.S. expertise, consolidating facilities, and heavily investing in AI and machine learning through their Dataworks team to boost efficiency and monetize data from millions of customers and packages daily. Next, we tackle the growing problems of supply chain fraud and data fragmentation, highlighting exciting new developments. Highway, a carrier verification platform, secured a strategic investment to expand its product suite, offering real-time verification and serving as a crucial first line of defense against skyrocketing fraud for over 1,050 brokers. Additionally, Loop and Data2Logistics have merged to address "dark data" by using Loop's AI-powered DUX platform to convert raw supply chain information into structured, usable intelligence, dramatically cutting invoice processing time and enhancing visibility into true supply chain costs. Shifting to the human and geopolitical factors, the freight landscape is experiencing significant labor shifts. Over 3,090 freight-related job cuts have been announced since July 18th across 12 states, affecting sectors like party goods, logistics, and auto parts due to bankruptcies, closures, and declining demand. On the trade front, the U.S. has expanded its 50% tariff on imported steel and aluminum to over 400 additional product categories, effective immediately, impacting goods like auto parts and railcars, prompting Mexico to seek an exemption. Finally, we examine a complex discussion on the rail side concerning border operations. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLET) president is pushing the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for mandatory crew changes at the U.S.-Mexico border, citing English proficiency and safety concerns, particularly regarding Mexican safety inspections. However, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) argues that current cross-border practices are safe, efficient, and create U.S. jobs, as non-U.S. crews are trained in U.S. rules and undergo vetting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Thursday, August 21st, hear about the strategic merger between Workhorse Group and Motiv Electric Trucks, which aims to create one of North America's largest medium-duty electric truck original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) by combining their strengths in last-mile delivery and medium-duty vehicles. This all-stock transaction, valued at $5 million to approximately $105 million and expected to close in Q4 2025, is poised to target the $23 billion medium-duty truck market and generate at least $20 million in cost synergies by the end of 2026.  Richard Smith, son of FedEx's late founder Fred Smith, has been nominated for the company's board of directors, setting the stage for him to potentially follow in his father's footsteps as CEO. Currently serving as chief operating officer for FedEx Express International and Airline Operations, this nomination is widely seen as a key step in a succession plan, positioning him for increased responsibilities and to continue his father's legacy within the company.  Fraud-fighting tech company Highway has secured a strategic growth equity investment for its Carrier Identity platform, led by FTV Capital with additional funding from Lead Edge Capital. This investment aims to expand Highway's product suite and accelerate its growth in the freight brokerage market, providing crucial real-time carrier verification to help brokers combat skyrocketing fraud and improve efficiency within their networks.  Finally, don't miss out on upcoming FreightWaves events, including today's August state of freight webinar and the F3: Future of Freight Festival taking place in Chattanooga this October. You can also register for the Crossborder Summit at the very beginning of next month, and be sure to use the code MORNINGMINUTEF325 for a $900 discount on your F3 ticket. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Long Haul, Adam sits down with Jessica Dotson, Director of Business Development at Multi Service Fuel Card, Vice Chair of the Women in Trucking Foundation Board, and Chair of the BCS Women in Logistics Events Committee. Jessica's story didn't start in an office—it started at home, supporting her husband on the road as a trucker's wife. That experience gave her a firsthand view of the challenges families face in this industry and set her on a 15+ year journey across operations, sales, and strategy. Today, Jessica is focused on giving back—through her work with the Women in Trucking Foundation and initiatives like the Brittany Traylor Scholarship—all designed to create opportunities and open doors for the next generation of women in transportation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Truck Tech, Thomas Wasson sits down with Maddie Sullivan, Product Marketing Manager at Volvo Trucks, to explore the cutting-edge safety technology built into Volvo's latest Class 8 models. From industry-first side curtain airbags and the eCall automatic emergency system to electronic parking brakes, ultra-high-strength steel cabs, and advanced driver assist features, Maddie explains how Volvo is setting new safety benchmarks for heavy-duty trucks. Discover how these innovations protect drivers, reduce accidents, and shape the future of trucking safety. ⁠Follow the Truck Tech Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, host Thomas Wasson is joined by Reed Loustalot, CMO of Truck Parking Club, to discuss groundbreaking new research on the truck parking shortage and how unlocking unused spaces could transform driver efficiency. Reed also shares updates on Truck Parking Club's new clubhouse and innovation hub in Georgia.Later in the show, Steve Gold, President of the Truckers Network Association, weighs in on a string of tragic truck crashes and exposes systemic flaws in CDL licensing and training. From non-domiciled CDL loopholes to fraudulent schools, Steve explains why reform is urgently needed to protect drivers and the public.Don't miss this deep dive into two of trucking's hottest issues: where to park and who's behind the wheel. ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Visit our sponsor⁠ ⁠Subscribe to the WTT newsletter⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠More FreightWaves Podcasts⁠ #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A ⁠significant leadership transition at Marten Transport⁠, as CEO Tim Kohl retires at the end of September. Executive Chairman Randy Martin will step back into the CEO role on October 1st, following the refrigerated carrier's recent strategic moves to lower its tractor count and sell its intermodal unit.  The ⁠Port of New Orleans reported continued gains in cargo volume and trade activity⁠ through the first half of 2025. This growth was driven by higher container imports and improved schedule reliability, with overall volumes up 2% year-over-year and 9% compared to the second half of 2024.  ⁠Air Canada has restored services⁠ after a three-day labor dispute with flight attendants led to disrupted flight schedules. The airline reached a tentative settlement for a new four-year contract, though a full return to regular service may take seven to ten days as aircraft and crew are repositioned. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices