FreightCasts

Shippers are facing a dramatically different freight market, one many are ill-equipped to handle. With new staff lacking experience in tight capacity environments and a prolonged supply-side driven market, traditional 'post-and-pray' strategies no longer work. Learn why securing favorable rates now, evaluating routing guides, and strengthening carrier partnerships are crucial for survival. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trucking companies and freight brokers often face payment delays due to complex invoice audits. Upwell's CEO Charley Dehoney discusses how their AI-powered platform automates pre-invoice auditing, solving a critical 'missing link' in the supply chain. Discover how this partnership with Kleinschmidt aims to reduce invoice disputes and accelerate cash flow for carriers nationwide. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Weekly U.S. rail traffic data just dropped, and it's confirming significant strength in the industrial segment of the economy. Total traffic is up an amazing 7.2%, with carloads rising 3.2% year-to-date, despite declines in coal and flat forest products. This is a critical indicator of future freight demand, including trucking, as manufacturers ramp up production. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After being acquired by Shell USA, Multi-Service Fuel Card CEO Aaron Decker reveals how he and his management team executed a bold management buyout to regain control. Discover the fascinating journey of this pioneering fuel card provider, established in 1978, and how they help trucking companies navigate volatile fuel markets, maximize efficiency, and combat fraud. Aaron also shares his outlook on diesel prices and how fleets can protect their bottom line. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Ferguson, CEO of Pivot Supply Chain Solutions, shares the gritty details of starting his freight brokerage during the peak of COVID. From a coat closet to a $50M company, learn the raw truth about establishing credit, covering loads, and building a robust team in a tough market. This isn't your average startup story. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Factoring might be the most argued-about topic in small carrier Facebook groups. Half the comments say it saved their business. The other half say it nearly destroyed it. And everybody's got a story about a contract they didn't read closely enough, a reserve they couldn't get back, or a fee they didn't see coming until it was too late. The frustration is real. And it's earned. But here's the part that doesn't get talked about honestly — a lot of carriers who hate factoring don't hate factoring. They hate the decision they made around it. The company they chose. The contract they signed without understanding. The moment they confused having cash in their account with actually being ahead. Ivan Martinez and George McWilliams have spent years on the other side of that conversation. Between them they've worked with owner-operators and small fleets across every kind of market condition — the freight boom, the recession, the recovery happening right now. George grew up around trucking. This industry isn't abstract to him. Ivan has watched carriers use factoring to grow and watched others use it as a band-aid over a cash flow problem that was bigger than any factoring arrangement could fix. Today we're not here to sell anything. We're here to have the conversation most people avoid — what factoring actually is, where the industry went wrong, what the legitimate criticisms are, and what every small carrier needs to understand before they sign anything. ⁠Follow The Long Haul Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we kick things off by examining a major digital freight platform designed to eliminate the traditional back-and-forth friction between carriers and shippers hunting for committed freight. C.H. Robinson unveiled BidBoardX, a new self-service tool that gives carriers direct access to committed freight opportunities through a single digital interface. The platform allows certified carriers to search opportunities across multiple categories, submit bids for full or partial volume, and track activity without the lengthy phone calls and email exchanges that have historically pushed both sides toward spot market volatility. Next, we explore the parcel sector where FedEx is slowly clawing its way back from an operational meltdown in Vietnam that left shipments stranded and customers furious. The express logistics giant says shipping delays have eased this month after a bungled switch to a different ground delivery provider and the rollout of new technology created widespread disruption, with backlogs decreasing by nearly fifty percent compared to peak levels in early May. Finally, we cover a Boston-based sensor startup pushing its terahertz vision technology closer to automotive serialization with a crucial new partnership with a top German automaker for its flagship Summit sensor. The sensor will be tested against edge cases that continue to expose the limitations of cameras, lidar and radar, including detecting a fallen motorcyclist at a distance or identifying stopped vehicles ahead in dense fog. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When illness or injury forces a truck driver off the road, the financial fallout can be immediate and devastating. The St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund steps in as a vital safety net, offering financial aid for essential needs like rent, insurance, and vehicle payments. Beyond crisis support, they provide crucial wellness programs, from smoking cessation to cancer screenings, helping America's highway heroes stay healthy and on the job. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Weekly AAR rail traffic numbers are in, showing a continued strong week for rail freight in North America. We dive into the data, examining intermodal and carload volumes, and what these trends signal for the second half of the year. Plus, editor Bill Stephens shares his exclusive experience riding Union Pacific's Big Boy, the world's largest operational steam locomotive, on its historic East Coast tour. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Strait of Hormuz has introduced a permanent risk premium into the global oil market, fundamentally altering price dynamics for crude and diesel. Despite some recent drops from March highs, experts like John Kingston warn that supply won't snap back quickly. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For years, the yard has been a forgotten 'dark spot' in the supply chain — unseen and unoptimized. Now, YMX Logistics is changing the game with its autonomous yard operating system. Combining AI, computer vision, and electrification, they're transforming labor-driven functions into controlled systems, driving millions in value by turning a cost center into a strategic asset Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The freight market is gearing up for a dynamic second half of the year, driven by capacity constraints rather than pure volume increases. Get ready for tighter conditions and potentially higher costs as industrial and retail sectors recover. Craig Fuller breaks down the latest SONAR data, Cass Freight Index, and container flows from China to reveal what's truly shaping the market. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Supreme Court's ruling on broker liability is shaking up the freight industry, putting real-time carrier intelligence in high demand. Freight fraud is evolving beyond physical theft, with sophisticated identity deception costing millions. GenLogs' Danielle Spinelli shares how their data provides critical insight into carrier operations, helping brokers and shippers prevent scams and tighten security. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Live from FreightWaves' Domestic Supply Chain Summit, Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent bring you a special edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? featuring three conversations focused on the future of supply chain operations, freight technology, carrier compliance, and risk management. First, Tom Hurwitch, Founder and Principal of Basis Solutions, explains why the next evolution of logistics isn't simply exchanging data—it's operationalizing it. Learn how leading shippers are leveraging AI, automation, and integrated supply chain visibility to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and move toward autonomous decision-making. Next, Andrew Wimer of Descartes joins the show to break down the industry-shaking Montgomery ruling and what it means for freight brokers. The discussion covers carrier vetting, documentation requirements, compliance best practices, insurance implications, and how technology can help brokers demonstrate reasonable care in an increasingly scrutinized environment. Plus, the team previews an upcoming conversation with Verify Carrier's Andrey Drotenko on why the pickup point remains one of the most vulnerable moments in the supply chain. ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Visit our sponsor - KOONER FLEET MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS⁠ ⁠Subscribe to the WTT newsletter⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠More FreightWaves Podcasts⁠ #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we kick things off at the nation's busiest container gateway, where frontloading is fueling a massive early peak season surge. The Port of Los Angeles handled over 840,000 TEUs in May, up seventeen percent from a year ago, driven by strong inventory replenishment, concerns about fuel costs, trade-policy uncertainty, and preparation for upcoming retail seasons. Loaded imports surged twenty-six percent year-over-year, rebounding sharply from May 2025 when import traffic was severely undercut by Liberation Day tariffs on China. Meanwhile, the truckload market's upswing is officially ushering in driver pay hikes across the sector. Joliet-based carrier GP Transco increased pay for all company drivers by five cents per mile, pushing the upper end to seventy-two cents per mile, while Dubuque's Hirschbach announced a ten-cent per mile increase for over-the-road drivers. A supply-led trucking recovery has prompted the need for enhanced driver pay and perks, with heightened regulatory enforcement purging noncompliant drivers from the market since last fall. Finally, the Federal Railroad Administration is greenlighting expanded testing of high-tech track inspection systems as Class I railroads prepare for a major safety upgrade. The FRA recently approved a five-year waiver that lets railroads expand the use of Automated Track Inspection technology, which uses lasers, cameras, sensors, and ground-penetrating radar to scan tracks for defects. CSX plans to start using the waiver on July first, deploying the technology across over three thousand route miles, with early data showing ATI reduces track geometry defects by ninety percent in some cases. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The logistics world is seeing average tariff rates jump by 10x! Curtis Spencer of IMS Worldwide breaks down how Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs) are no longer just a good idea, they're essential for cutting costs and building resilient supply chains. Learn about duty deferral, re-export benefits, and merchandise processing fee caps that can save your business millions. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2026 State of Logistics Report confirms volatility as the new normal, not a cyclical blip. Logistics costs saw an unusual drop this year, driven by a soft freight market and lower ocean rates, marking a supply-driven downturn. Kohran Acar explains the five strategic implications for building supply chain resilience, from prioritizing asset productivity to leveraging AI for enhanced collaboration and automation. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are your fleets investing in the wrong AI dashcam technology? Nuclear verdicts and climbing insurance costs mean you can't afford to treat dashcams like commodity hardware. Dr. Stefan Heck, CEO of Nauto, explains the critical difference between reactive and predictive AI, highlighting how advanced systems can prevent collisions and save lives. Learn why accuracy, speed of detection, and real-time driver coaching are crucial for true safety. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Autonomous trucks are heading to the I-35 corridor between Laredo and Dallas, promising to revolutionize cross-border freight. Andrew Culhane from Torc Robotics discusses how driverless technology can tackle persistent delays at the border and enhance efficiency for the entire supply chain. The strategic importance of this route and the regulatory landscape are paving the way for commercial launch by 2027. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we kick things off by examining a brutal new wave of financial distress hitting the transportation and logistics sector. Over the past ten days, trucking companies, truck dealers, and logistics providers have filed for bankruptcy protection while hundreds of workers faced layoffs nationwide. Notable filings include Laredo-based Triple RRR Carriers, a cross-border trucking company that operated a fleet of 177 power units, and Dallas-area logistics provider Alan Ritchey Inc., which will lay off 232 employees beginning in September. Next, we shift to the truckload sector where a strategic acquisition is poised to expand growth opportunities across the Southeast. Chattanooga-based F2F Transport announced that it has been acquired by LRT Group, a Fort Payne, Alabama-based transportation holding company focused on building transportation-based businesses. The move is expected to create new opportunities for growth and expanded service offerings, including increased access to dedicated freight opportunities for F2F's network of owner-operators. Finally, we explore a closely watched freight index that is signaling a positive inflection point may finally be on the horizon. According to a Monday report from Cass Information Systems, a positive inflection in freight shipments now appears likely after 40 months of year-over-year declines. The multimodal shipments component of the Cass Freight Index dipped just 1.2% year over year in May, the smallest decline in 18 months. Assuming historical seasonal trends, the index is projected to log a 1.8% year-over-year increase in the back half of 2026. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this segment of FreightWaves Today, Alex Guirguis, Co-Founder and CEO of Off The Record, breaks down the severe implications of traffic tickets for Commercial Driver's License (CDL) holders. Guirguis explains why drivers should treat traffic tickets as legal matters rather than simple bills, detailing the unique and strict penalties that apply specifically to commercial drivers. He also shares how Off The Record is helping drivers protect their livelihoods by simplifying the legal process. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The freight market is in a regulatory-driven bull cycle unlike any we've seen. Seth Holm, CEO of West Brow Capital, breaks down the shocking truth about trucking capacity, revealing that potentially only a fraction of carriers meet minimum safety requirements. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

QXO CEO Brad Jacobs sees AI and robotics automation as the biggest trend since humanity began, poised to transform the freight and logistics industry. Jacobs outlines his vision for an automated trucking future, the role of technology in M&A, and his playbook for building multi-billion-dollar enterprises. Discover why he believes automation will drive efficiency and precision across the supply chain, from brokerage to warehousing. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Supreme Court ruling has fundamentally changed compliance for freight brokers. Highway CEO Jordan Graft breaks down what this means for safety standards, risk management, and combating evolving fraud vectors like impersonation and double brokering. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The recent Supreme Court decision on broker liability caught many by surprise. Attorney Doug Marcello explains why this unanimous ruling is a game-changer, potentially leading to 'nuclear settlements' and placing freight brokers in the role of "excess insurers" for trucking companies. This means heightened due diligence and compliance are critical now more than ever. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this packed Monday edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent dive into a fully loaded show breaking down the critical intersections of safety, compliance, and cutting-edge technology in the freight industry . The duo starts with a look at some of the latest headlines making waves across logistics, including a bizarre $1.7 million cargo theft case and a major geopolitical agreement opening up the vital Strait of Hormuz . Turning the focus to risk management, Kameron Sanchez and Samantha Leamon from the Marquee Insurance Group stop by to discuss how carrier expectations are shifting and why taking a proactive stance on safety and regulatory compliance is essential for controlling skyrocketing operating costs . Finally, Mark Miller (CEO of IntraVision) and John Verhaeghe (President of Wayland's) join the show to explore how advanced dash cam technology, AI-driven video scoring via VisionScore, and rapid first notice of loss solutions are empowering fleets to take control of their data and protect themselves in a challenging legal environment. ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Visit our sponsor - KOONER FLEET MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS⁠ ⁠Subscribe to the WTT newsletter⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠More FreightWaves Podcasts⁠ #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we kick things off in Washington, where a renewed push to tax Chinese cargo ships has agricultural shippers warning of catastrophic consequences for U.S. crop exporters. Democratic Senators Mark Kelly and Elizabeth Warren are pressing the Trump administration to reinstate port fees on Chinese vessels, charges that were suspended until November after China applied reciprocal fees. The Agriculture Transportation Coalition warns the proposals threaten the very existence of large segments of U.S. agriculture by denying them the ability to continue exporting. Next, we head west to examine how the nation's busiest container gateway is bracing for a significant downturn while massively ramping up infrastructure spending. The Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners has approved a three point four billion dollar annual budget even as the port forecasts a seven percent decline in box volumes to nine point three million TEUs. Despite the volume decline driven by trade volatility and China's shrinking import share, the budget increase of six hundred sixty-five million dollars over the prior year is mostly driven by a thirty-one percent expansion for capital improvements. Finally, we explore a bold vision for autonomous cross-border freight taking shape along the Texas-Mexico border as industry leaders debate the Green Corridors project at a major Laredo conference. The privately funded initiative proposes a one hundred sixty-five-mile elevated guideway linking Laredo and Monterrey through a network of autonomous freight shuttles. The system would feature secure terminals connected by a closed-loop automated corridor designed to bypass traditional border bottlenecks, with the capacity to handle as many as ten thousand trailers per day in each direction and a targeted twenty thirty launch. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amazon's expansion into the LTL market is raising big questions across the transportation industry. In this episode, Craig Fuller, Tom Albrecht, and attorney Matt Leffler examine why Forward Air could be a strategic acquisition target for Amazon and what such a move would mean for carriers, brokers, and shippers. The conversation explores Forward Air's unique airport-to-airport network, the controversial Omni Logistics merger, and the legal battles that reshaped one of freight's most closely watched companies. The panel also breaks down Amazon's growing logistics ambitions and whether it can successfully build or buy its way into the LTL sector. Beyond M&A, the discussion turns to trucking safety, insurance requirements, freight fraud, FMCSA reforms, and the industry's ongoing struggle with outdated regulations. The hosts analyze proposed safety initiatives from the Truckload Carriers Association, debate higher insurance minimums, and discuss why stronger oversight of CDL training, ELD certification, and carrier registration could reshape the trucking landscape. ⁠Follow the Freight Expectations Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to a Friday edition of What The Truck?!Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent kick off the show with their signature banter before diving into some of the biggest stories shaping freight, transportation, and supply chain today.In this episode:* Amazon's latest move into the LTL market and what it could mean for established carriers* Craig Fuller's analysis of Amazon's freight strategy and whether acquisitions like Forward Air make sense* The Transportation Intermediaries Association's (TIA) push for FMCSA guidance following the Montgomery case* How rising liability concerns and insurance costs could impact brokers, carriers, and the future of the industry* The growing role of technology, compliance, and risk management in modern truckingPlus, Chief Business Development Officer Adam Kahn of Netradyne joins the show to discuss:* How safety technology is transforming fleet operations* Netradyne's partnership with one of the nation's largest Domino's franchise operators* The impressive 66% reduction in at-fault crashes following implementation* Driver coaching, AI-powered safety insights, and building a stronger safety cultureThe crew also talks freight fraud, cargo theft, supply chain AI, LNG export developments, entrepreneurship, and plenty of Friday fun along the way. Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor - KOONER FLEET MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we kick things off with a massive milestone for autonomous trucking as ⁠Volvo Autonomous Solutions plans to remove safety drivers from its trucks in early 2027⁠ and begin fully driverless operations on U.S. highways. The company currently runs commercial freight daily in Texas with safety drivers aboard, but projects it will have over three hundred autonomous trucks operating by the end of 2027, with industrial scaling beginning in 2028 and revenue approaching three billion dollars within five years. Over on the rails, ⁠agricultural retailers are raising serious alarm bells about the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern mega-merger⁠ and its impact on the agribusiness sector. The Agricultural Retailers Association, which represents more than five thousand retail locations nationwide, warns that freight rail rates have risen over forty percent in the past twenty years—seventy percent faster than truck rates—and that further consolidation among the four Class I carriers controlling ninety percent of rail traffic directly threatens supply chain reliability for moving fertilizer, chemicals, and fuel to America's farms. Finally, we explore how ⁠the Transportation Intermediaries Association is pushing FMCSA for federal clarity on approved carrier selection standards⁠ following the landmark Montgomery versus Caribe Transport II Supreme Court decision. With more than ninety percent of authorized motor carriers currently operating without an FMCSA safety rating, the TIA is requesting a federal rulemaking that would establish objective criteria to help brokers and shippers determine whether the use of a given carrier is reasonable based on demonstrable safety performance. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fedex Freight spins off, Amazon announces its entry into the LTL carrier space, and Arcbest announces an early GRI. Is this the biggest news month LTL has seen?    ⁠Follow the Freightonomics Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everybody says trucking is broken. Rates are soft. Insurance costs are crushing carriers. Operating expenses keep climbing. Every week another trucking company shuts its doors, another owner-operator parks the truck, and another driver wonders if it's still worth it. So here's the question: If trucking is so bad right now, how are some fleets and owner-operators still finding a way to win? On this episode of Brake Check, Charles Gracey sits down with two trucking leaders attacking that problem from completely different angles. JR Elrod, President of BAR Transportation, a 30-year trucking veteran who spent more than two decades hauling heavy freight before building a specialized carrier focused on government, project, and niche freight. Tyler Johnston, General Manager of Mercer Transportation, one of North America's most successful owner-operator carriers, with more than 2,200 contractors and nearly 50 years in business. Topics include: Owner-Operator Survival in 2026 Open Deck & Heavy Haul Freight Trends Soft Freight Markets & Rising Costs Driver Retention & Profitability Insurance Costs Crushing Trucking Carrier-Broker Relationships Small Fleet Survival Strategies The Future of Independent Trucking Whether you're an owner-operator, fleet owner, company driver, broker, shipper, or simply trying to understand where trucking is headed next, this conversation delivers real-world strategies from people living it every day. Question for the comments: What's the biggest challenge facing trucking right now: rates, insurance, regulations, freight, or something else? #Trucking #OwnerOperator #Freight #Logistics #TruckDriver #CDL #FreightWaves #BrakeCheck #Transportation #HeavyHaul #OpenDeck #TruckingIndustry #SupplyChain #OwnerOperators #Truckers Follow the Brake Check Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thousands of people enter trucking every year looking for a better future. Many are chasing freedom. Some are trying to build wealth. Others are leaving careers they have spent decades building in hopes of creating something of their own. Some make it. Many don't. In this episode, Adam sits down with Victor "Bigg Vic" Newton, founder of Bigg Vic TV and one of the most recognized voices in trucking entrepreneurship. Before trucking, Vic spent 28 years as a barber, building relationships, serving customers and mastering a trade. Then he made a decision many people only talk about — he bet on himself and started over. Nearly six years later, he has experienced the highs of great-paying freight, the lows of expensive repairs, the challenges of building a small fleet and the reality of operating in one of the toughest industries in America. But this conversation is not really about trucks. It is about ownership. It is about accountability. It is about the decisions that separate the people who survive from the people who quit. Over the years, Vic has built an audience of more than 100,000 subscribers by challenging some of the most common beliefs in trucking. From chasing load boards and buying trucks too early to blaming brokers, rates and market conditions, he argues that many of the problems carriers face start long before they ever book a load. This is not the social media version of trucking. This is the real version. The version where cash flow matters, mistakes are expensive, discipline beats motivation and success often comes down to how you think when things are not going your way. If you are an owner-operator, small fleet owner or entrepreneur trying to build something that lasts, this conversation will challenge the way you think about trucking, business and yourself.  ⁠Follow The Long Haul Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we kick things off by examining a historic first for American energy exports as federal regulators have approved construction of a five-billion-dollar floating platform to produce liquefied natural gas for export in U.S. waters. The controversial project, led by Delfin Midstream of Houston, will be located forty miles off the coast of Louisiana and is expected to begin production in 2030, with Samsung Heavy Industries constructing the platforms and MOL of Japan also connected to the venture. Meanwhile, the e-commerce giant's full entry into the less-than-truckload market is sparking fierce debate over whether Amazon can truly disrupt the LTL space with its asset-light model of roughly thirty terminals. While the announcement sent shares of publicly traded LTL carriers modestly lower, analysts are largely skeptical, noting that Amazon's offering is more akin to what brokers provide and will likely compete primarily with the economy three-to-four-day sub-segment rather than premium service lanes. Finally, we cover a potential lifeline for the embattled van trailer builder as the Commerce Department imposed preliminary countervailing duties on Chinese and Mexican trailer imports ranging from eighty-two to one hundred twenty-nine percent on Chinese products. The decision, which came as S&P Global Ratings downgraded Wabash to B-, will require importers to immediately begin posting cash deposits at the preliminary rates, providing relief to domestic manufacturers facing intense foreign competition. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 6 of Fraud Watch, Phil Brink sits down with Malcolm Harris, host of What the Truck. The conversation focuses on trust, verification, and the future of freight. Malcolm shares his perspective on how the industry is changing and where transportation may be headed in the years ahead. They discuss the balance between relationships and technology, the impact of fraud on daily operations, and the challenges companies face as the industry evolves. The episode also includes a few thoughts on the NBA Finals and the importance of competition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of What the Truck?!, Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent break down Amazon's latest logistics moves—from expanding warehouse robotics across Europe to officially entering the less-than-truckload (LTL) market. What does increased automation mean for workers, shippers, and the future of supply chains? The duo also dives into a growing crackdown on customs fraud, exploring how whistleblowers, tariff enforcement, and the False Claims Act are reshaping international trade. Plus, they unpack rising ocean freight rates, resilient container volumes despite geopolitical disruptions, and what the latest trade data may be signaling for freight markets. Later, Gary Cornelius, VP of Business Development at TCW, joins the show to discuss the industry implications of the Montgomery decision, broker liability, carrier vetting, and what could come next as litigation and regulation continue to evolve. Then, Quarterhill CEO Chuck Myers stops by to talk about the technology powering the transportation infrastructure that keeps freight moving every day. ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Visit our sponsor - KOONER FLEET MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS⁠ ⁠Subscribe to the WTT newsletter⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠More FreightWaves Podcasts⁠ #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we kick things off by examining a massive competitive move that could fundamentally reshape the less-than-truckload landscape. Amazon announced the full expansion of its LTL service to all destinations, rolling out a traditional hub-and-spoke network capable of moving palletized freight anywhere nationwide at lower costs than legacy carriers. The service includes next-day live pickup, same-day drop-trailer options, real-time GPS tracking, and automated appointment scheduling, positioning the e-commerce giant as a serious threat to incumbent trucking companies like FedEx Freight, Old Dominion, and Estes. Next, we shift over to the autonomous trucking sector, where PepsiCo and Gatik have launched the largest commercial driverless freight deployment to date. This multi-year strategic partnership brings fully driver-out trucks into PepsiCo's consumer goods supply chain, with operations already live across Texas, Arizona, and Arkansas serving around two hundred fifty retail locations. These autonomous trucks maintain a ninety-nine percent on-time track record with no safety drivers in the cab, and a South Carolina production facility is set to begin mass-producing Level four autonomous trucks in the second half of twenty twenty-seven. Finally, we explore the trans-Pacific shipping market, where new tariffs are fueling an unusually early frontloading frenzy and peak season. Rate hikes and surcharges that took effect June first sent Asia-to-U.S. West Coast prices soaring fifty-one percent to four thousand eight hundred thirty-six dollars per forty-foot container, while East Coast prices jumped twenty-five percent. With the U.S. Trade Representative announcing new tariffs on sixty countries over forced labor concerns, the National Retail Federation has moved the expected peak season to June from July and predicts June import volumes will run five percent higher than May. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if trucking's biggest problems aren't being ignored... What if they're being protected? On this episode of Brake Check, Charles Gracey sits down with two of the most outspoken voices in trucking to tackle the issues drivers, carriers, and owner-operators are talking about across America. First, Charles Claburn joins the show. With 30 years behind the wheel, more than 3 million accident-free miles, and decades spent advocating for truck drivers, Claburn shares his unfiltered perspective on retention, training, truck parking, regulations, and why so many trucking companies continue making the same mistakes. Then Mike Cobb, CEO of the Federation of Professional Truckers (FOPT), joins Brake Check to discuss the organization's challenge to the ELD mandate, broker accountability, insurance requirements, FMCSA oversight, non-domiciled CDLs, and what real trucking reform looks like from the driver's seat. Topics include: ELD Mandate Debate FMCSA & Federal Regulation Truck Parking Crisis Driver Retention & Turnover Broker Accountability Insurance Minimums Non-Domiciled CDLs Trucking Safety Owner-Operator Challenges The Future of Professional Trucking Whether you're a driver, owner-operator, carrier, broker, or industry leader, this is a conversation you don't want to miss. Subscribe for more hard-hitting trucking conversations every week. #Trucking #OwnerOperator #ELD #FMCSA #TruckDriver #Logistics #Freight #Transportation #CDL #BrakeCheck ⁠Follow the Brake Check Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we kick things off with heartbreaking news from the freight analysis community as Donald Broughton, the bowtie-wearing analyst of freight markets, has died suddenly at home on May 30th. Broughton, who founded Broughton Capital in 2017 and was not known to have been ill, had spoken at the Transportation Intermediaries Association's annual meeting in mid-April and appeared on CNBC in mid-May with a bullish freight outlook. His trademark bow tie and intimate knowledge of freight transportation data made him one of the industry's most respected voices for drawing conclusions about the broader economy. Meanwhile, aggressive consolidation powered by artificial intelligence is fundamentally reshaping the brokerage sector. Cincinnati-based freight broker Fura announced Monday that it has acquired LG Logistics Solutions, marking its sixth acquisition as the AI-powered third-party logistics provider continues its aggressive roll-up strategy. Fura's approach is to migrate each acquired brokerage onto a shared automation platform that handles repetitive work, allowing every business to run leaner and more efficiently than it did as a standalone operation in one of the country's most fragmented service industries. Finally, the country's biggest brokerage is rolling out its next massive AI initiative designed to continuously optimize supply chains around the clock. C.H. Robinson is launching the Lean AI Engineer this month, a follow-up to last year's Lean AI Planner that now autonomously drives 92 percent of Managed Solutions' shipments. This groundbreaking closed-loop AI system runs continuously, holding historical and current data simultaneously across the entirety of a network to proactively identify inefficiencies like multiple LTL shipments headed to the same destination that could be consolidated into a single truckload. The system can heal itself when something breaks without requiring an alert or human intervention first. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to WithSONAR! In this episode, we're walking through the latest enhancements to Key Market Insights—making it easier than ever to monitor the markets and modes that matter most to your business. Inside the dashboard, you can: Filter by Van or Reefer and search for specific freight markets Save your most-used markets for quick access Monitor tender rejections and spot market conditions in real time Track whether markets are tightening or loosening with directional insights from WRI Use the new AI Analysis feature for summaries of market shifts, demand drivers, and actionable strategies tailored to your business These enhancements help teams better understand not just what is happening in the market—but why it's happening and what actions to take next.

Welcome to a packed Monday edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, hosted by Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent! In this episode, we dive deep into a multi-state cargo theft operation that recently led to eight indictments in New York after diverting $4.5 million worth of freight—ranging from beef and copper to massive hauls of cigarettes. Michael also shares a frustrating personal story about the disappearing security of airport valet tickets after his $3,000 Martin guitar vanished on a direct flight. On a brighter note, we highlight the Broker Carrier Summit's exciting launch of the "Veterans in Logistics" initiative in Kansas City, naming John Tozer to lead the charge in connecting military veterans with great careers in transportation. Our first featured guest is small business credit fintech guru Gerri Detweiler, who explains why owner-operators must treat their business credit with the same urgency as their next load. Gerri breaks down how business credit reports are compiled behind the scenes by bureaus like Dun & Bradstreet, Experian, and Equifax to influence lenders, fuel card issuers, and insurance companies. Closing out the show is Aqil Naeem, founder and CEO of the e three group, the first AI transformation partner for middle-market and enterprise freight companies. Aqil explains that as traditional cybersecurity improves, sophisticated bad actors are pivoting to physical cargo theft because defenses in logistics haven't kept pace. ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Visit our sponsor - KOONER FLEET MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS⁠ ⁠Subscribe to the WTT newsletter⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠More FreightWaves Podcasts⁠ #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we kick things off on the rails, where a powerful House committee is backing strict scrutiny for the proposed Union Pacific-Southern Pacific merger. The bipartisan House Appropriations Committee added language to the fiscal 2027 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill during markup on June 2nd, urging the Surface Transportation Board to conduct a rigorous review of the $72 billion deal that would create the first all-freight transcontinental railroad. The committee specifically endorsed the STB's revised 2001 merger rules, which require applicants to not only preserve rail-to-rail competition but offer enhanced competitive options for railroad shippers. Meanwhile, in the cargo security sector, federal prosecutors have indicted eight individuals in what they allege was a massive carrier impersonation scheme targeting shipments moving through logistics facilities in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia between October 2025 and April 2026. Prosecutors allege the group stole approximately $4.49 million worth of products, including lamb, cheese, beef, copper and cigarettes, by obtaining legitimate carrier information and using it to impersonate those carriers at pickup locations with matching carrier names, MC numbers and DOT numbers on their tractor-trailers. Finally, we explore how FedEx is teaming up with a major Chinese carrier to strengthen its air logistics footprint in Asia. FedEx Corp. and the air cargo arm of China Southern Airlines signed a memorandum of understanding in Guangzhou, agreeing to strategically collaborate on ways to improve the efficiency and service capabilities of their air logistics networks. Under the agreement, the companies will explore cooperation opportunities in several areas, including capacity sharing, routes, hub connections, network planning, fleet resources, ground operations and digitalization. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices