FreightWaves NOW

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In this episode, we kick things off by examining a massive escalation in the U.S.-Canada trade fight as President Trump announced sweeping fifty percent tariffs on roughly twenty billion dollars worth of Canadian imports scheduled to take effect in thirty days. Using an obscure authority from the Tariff Act of 1930, the new duties will apply even to goods that qualify under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, prompting Ontario's premier to demand reciprocal measures if the tariffs take effect. Next, we explore a high-stakes legal battle heading for oral arguments this fall as federal agencies prepare to defend the FMCSA's controversial restrictions on non-domiciled commercial driver's licenses in the D.C. Court of Appeals on September 15. Petitioners argue the February rule will render ineligible ninety-seven percent of noncitizens who currently hold a CDL, broadly prohibiting asylum seekers, refugees, and DACA recipients from obtaining licenses even though they are legally authorized to work in the United States. Finally, we cover a new threat to a critical shipping corridor as Houthi rebels in Yemen declared a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia at the Bab al-Mandab Strait at the southern end of the Red Sea. This escalation comes just as major container carriers had recently announced a return of scheduled services to the key route connecting Asia with Europe and North America, raising the risk of wider disruption in a region that is strategically vital for global energy exports and maritime traffic. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this action-packed episode of FreightWaves Today, hosts Julie Van de Kamp and Malcolm Harris break down the biggest stories impacting global supply chains, cross-border commerce, and freight fraud.From escalating military conflict in the Strait of Hormuz to billion-dollar federal fraud busts and deep dives into freight market economic trends, we've got you covered! The Strait of Hormuz & Legal Liability Nitsana Darshan-Leitner (Founder & President, Shurat HaDin / Israeli Law Center) joins the show for a discussion on Iranian missile strikes on oil tankers, legal recourse for shipowners, international sanctions, and military blockades. Verified: $1B Cargo Theft Ring & CDL Fraud Crackdown Philip Brink (Head of Fraud, Media, and Education at FreightWaves) unpacks the FBI's $1B international cargo theft network, the DHS/DOT crackdown on 75 fraudulent CDL training schools, and Indiana State Police interdictions. Freight Economy Data & AI Infrastructure Bubble? Dr. Jason Miller (Supply Chain Professor, Michigan State University) on why AI data center buildouts are driving electrical/steel freight, whether an AI CapEx bubble is forming, and capacity forecasts through 2027. Digital Broker Liability & Carrier Vetting in Court Cassandra Gaines (Founder & CEO, Carrier Assurer) breaks down how broker technology and unmanaged data can be used in court, mitigating nuclear lawsuits, double-brokering traps, and shipper liability at the guard shack. 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 massive milestone for North American cross-border commerce as Mexico remained the United States' largest overall trading partner in May, recording $87.23 billion in two-way trade. Trade between the U.S. and Mexico surged 17.06% year-over-year, fueled by $33.05 billion in U.S. exports and $54.18 billion in imports, with the port of entry in Laredo, Texas, remaining the nation's busiest international trade gateway. Next, we shift over to the air cargo sector where United Airlines is riding a massive wave of disruption-driven pricing power straight to the bank. The carrier's cargo revenue surged 22.6% to $527 million in the second quarter as it benefited from a sharp rise in air cargo rates related to disruptions from the Iran war and the strongest volumes since the Covid-fueled boom in 2020. Higher yields were the main contributor, with global shipping space on aircraft falling more than 12% in the Middle East due to ongoing war risks. Finally, we explore a major bet on American shipbuilding coming to the Texas coast as autonomous maritime technology company Saronic selected the Port of Brownsville for Port Alpha, a planned $3 billion-plus next-generation shipyard that will dramatically expand U.S. shipbuilding capacity while creating up to 10,000 jobs in South Texas. The software-defined facility will focus on building autonomous maritime vessels for commercial and defense applications, initially occupying 835 acres with room to expand to nearly 4,400 acres. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to another jam-packed episode of FreightWaves Today! In today's broadcast, we break down the latest shifting dynamics across the logistics, freight, and supply chain industries. From major LTL restructuring news and federal crackdowns on CDL fraud to exclusive expert insights on AI and global geopolitics, we've got everything you need to stay ahead of the curve.We dive deep into ArcBest's massive rebranding and workforce optimization, look at why the mid-July "summer doldrums" aren't as weak as they seem, and discuss the future of purpose-built, sovereign AI models in logistics. Finally, in our Freight Expectations segment, we debate the real economic impact of the ongoing conflict in the Strait of Hormuz and break down the unprecedented $1.5 trillion U.S. defense budget.Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to never miss an update on the freight economy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of FreightWaves Today features a comprehensive breakdown of the major industry earnings reports that shook the market, with a primary focus on JB Hunt's impressive quarterly performance. Key discussion topics include: Earnings Analysis: Beyond JB Hunt, the hosts discuss the bullish outlook from Prologis and the tightness in industrial warehouse capacity, indicating a shift in supply chain geography toward the center of the country. M&A in Freight: Eddie Zakowski and Spencer Tenney provide expert insight into the current mergers and acquisitions landscape. They debate the challenges private equity faces when entering the asset-heavy trucking market versus the relative success found in specialized freight niches (e.g., bulk, chemical). Industry Trends: The segment covers the impact of the Montgomery decision on carrier liability, the state of the spot market, and how capacity constraints are influencing shipper behavior and carrier recruitment. Freightonomics: Zach Strickland and Ben Peterson conclude the show by analyzing the Pricing Power Index (PPI), discussing how shippers can improve their "shipper of choice" status through facility efficiency, load leveling, and improved payment strategies. Viral Coverage: The hosts touch on recent real-world disruptions, including the harrowing video of a CN Rail train crew escaping wildfires in Ontario, Canada, and the broader impact of extreme weather on air quality and logistics operations. 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 the powerful momentum shift toward the rails that's creating massive growth opportunities for the nation's largest intermodal player. J.B. Hunt Transport Services just reported a blockbuster second quarter, with intermodal volumes jumping ten percent year-over-year and significantly outpacing the broader market. Eastern intermodal volumes surged sixteen percent year-over-year, driven by conversion activity at levels the company has not seen in more than a decade, while revenue of three point five billion dollars crushed analyst expectations. Next, we explore a high-stakes legal battle in federal court where truck manufacturer Navistar defeated a sixteen point five million dollar lawsuit over delayed deliveries during the pandemic-era supply crunch. A Michigan jury sided with Navistar on Monday, rejecting breach of contract and fraud claims brought by GLS LeasCo and Central Transport, and concluding the company was not liable for damages related to the delayed delivery of one thousand one hundred International tractors ordered in twenty twenty-two. Finally, we head to the Midwest where a major Wisconsin carrier is partnering with Tesla to evaluate the electric Semi in dedicated Chicago operations. De Pere-based Paper Transport Inc., which has logged over eighty-seven million miles using compressed and renewable natural gas, is assessing the battery-electric truck in an environment where predictable routes and consistent mileage provide ideal conditions for real-world testing as Tesla ramps toward volume production this year. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to a special edition of FreightWaves Today, broadcast LIVE from the Supply Chain AI Symposium in Chicago!

In this episode, we kick things off with a sobering snapshot of the freight industry's ongoing financial pain. Four companies are eliminating nearly 250 jobs at logistics and distribution facilities across New Jersey, North Carolina, Illinois, and California, while nine transportation and logistics-related companies have recently sought bankruptcy protection. The largest announced workforce reduction involves Fusion Transport, a New Jersey logistics provider planning to lay off seventy-nine employees at its Piscataway facility effective October first, while bankruptcy filings continue to pile up across multiple freight segments. Next, we shift over to the agricultural freight sector, where a strategic acquisition is dramatically expanding access to specialized livestock hauling services. Springfield, Missouri-based BulkLoads announced Monday that it has acquired Livestock Network, an online load board and community serving the livestock transportation industry since 2000. Livestock Network members will now gain access to BulkLoads' broader ecosystem of products, including Smart Freight Funding for freight factoring, Bulk Insurance Group, BulkTMS transportation management software, and Bulk Freight Insights market intelligence. Finally, we unpack a staggering shift in driver compensation as the Truck Driver Pay Index surged by 13.5 percent in just two months. Jointly calculated by AscendTMS and Superior Trucking Payroll Services, the index hit 170.04 in June, up from 150.83 in April — easily the highest two-month gain in the history of the index, which has been calculated since 2020. With a typical lag of four to six months between higher spot rates and driver pay, experts suggest more increases are likely in the coming weeks and months. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Based on the episode transcript, here's a YouTube description that highlights the biggest stories and guest interviews while optimizing for search. The global supply chain is facing another major test as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz continue to evolve. On today's FreightWaves Today, Craig Fuller and Joey discuss the latest developments after President Trump reverses course on a proposed transit fee and instead announces a blockade targeting Iranian trade. What does it mean for oil prices, diesel costs, ocean shipping, and the broader freight market? Joining the show:

In this episode, we kick things off by examining the massive strategic restructuring at project44 that splits the visibility giant into two distinct businesses. The company is separating into project44, which will serve enterprise shippers as a decision intelligence platform, and LSP44, a newly launched AI-native infrastructure business built exclusively for logistics service providers. LSP44 launches with day-one profitability and processes a staggering seven hundred six million carrier events daily across four continents. Next, we explore a significant development in the legal arena as a driver misclassification lawsuit against Illinois-based Risinger Brothers Transfer gains class action status. The drivers allege that Risinger misclassified them as independent contractors rather than employees, and that wage deductions for truck payments, insurance, fuel, and maintenance left some drivers earning below minimum wage for all hours worked under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Finally, we break down a strategic infrastructure project in the Middle East as DP World plans a new UAE port near Fujairah to bypass the Strait of Hormuz. The new container terminal would lessen dependence on the UAE's Port of Jebel Ali and route cargo through the Gulf of Oman instead. This move comes amid heightened regional tensions and President Trump's recent suggestion that the U.S. seize control of the critical chokepoint and charge vessels a toll for passage. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to another Monday edition of FreightWaves Today! Hosts Craig Fuller and Julie Van de Kamp are back in the studio to break down a massive week for the logistics and transportation sectors. As the market continues its recovery, we tackle the latest geopolitical escalations impacting global shipping routes, preview the start of Q2 earnings season with JB Hunt, and look at how artificial intelligence is transforming truck financing and historical transactional standards like EDI. Featured guests: Tobias Waldeck – Chief Revenue Officer at Daimler Truck Financial Services. Tobias gives his perspective on exiting the longest freight recession on record, normalizing truck replacement cycles, and the booming flatbed activity driven by AI data center infrastructure. Kevin Bangston – CEO of Daimler Truck Finance. Kevin discusses the shifting ecosystem of captive truck financing, navigating final EPA emissions rulings, and utilizing AI for administrative relief and analytic predictability. Mark Vitner – Chief Economist at Piedmont Crescent Capital. Mark shares insights on the strengthening manufacturing sector, GDP growth forecasts for the second half of the year, inventory replenishment cycles, and the unique challenges facing the current housing market. Christopher Versace – Chief Investment Officer & Thematic Strategist at Tematic Research. Christopher analyzes logistics stocks, hyperscaler CapEx spends, chip demand, and why structural shifts in heavy truck orders keep him bullish heading into the Q2 earnings cycle. Erik Kiser – CEO & Founder of Orderful Technologies. Fresh off a $35 million funding round with Koch Disruptive Technologies, Eric highlights how Orderful is utilizing AI models to completely disrupt and automate traditional EDI onboarding experiences. 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 with a major escalation in the Middle East that's sending shockwaves through global energy markets and ocean shipping. Iran on Saturday attacked a feeder container ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz, setting the seven-thousand-TEU GFS Galaxy ablaze and forcing the crew to abandon ship. Iran over the weekend declared the strait closed to vessel traffic and expanded missile and drone attacks across the region, pushing Brent crude up about twelve percent, European natural gas up nearly seventy percent, and U.S. gasoline futures up roughly ten percent since late last week. Next, we explore the automotive sector where Toyota is making a massive three-point-six-billion-dollar bet on Texas manufacturing with a stunning expansion in San Antonio. The Japanese automaker is shifting production of its popular Tacoma pickup from Baja California, Mexico, to San Antonio as part of an investment that will double the size of its Texas manufacturing campus and create two thousand new jobs over the next four years. Finally, we break down how Wall Street is raising the bar for trucking carriers heading into second-quarter earnings season. Deutsche Bank analyst Richa Harnain is forecasting mainly beats across her transportation coverage, with less-than-truckload carriers leading the charge. She expects median earnings-per-share growth of fifteen percent year-over-year for the second quarter and twenty-one percent for the third quarter, marking a meaningful improvement from the three percent increase the group recorded in the first quarter. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Friday, and while the domestic spot market is hitting a bit of a post-holiday summer lull, the freight industry at large is facing massive structural, legislative, and tech shifts. In this episode of FreightWaves Today, hosts Craig Fuller and Julie Van de Kamp sit down with top industry analysts and experts to break down the biggest headlines moving the market this week. We dive deep into a jaw-dropping $104 million nuclear jury verdict against Mesilla Valley Transportation, unpack the EPA's newly finalized 470-page NOx emissions regulations, and discuss reports that tech giant Trimble is planning to sell off its transportation division. Plus, maintenance and legal expert Matt Loeffler stops by for Freight Expectations to sound the alarm on a sophisticated new type of trailer leasing fraud emerging on social media. Featured guests: Lee Klaskow (Senior Transportation Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence): Joins us to break down Wall Street's red-hot interest in truckload and LTL stocks, why the current capacity correction feels more structural than cyclical, and what to expect from the upcoming Q2 earnings season. Bart De Muynck (Founder, Bart De Muynck LLC): Weighs in on reports that Trimble is looking to divest its transportation unit. We discuss why European software like Transporion often struggles to gain a foothold in North America, and how modern architecture and real-time AI solutions are shifting the enterprise software landscape. Matt Leffler (The Armchair Attorney): Returns for Freight Expectations to dissect the legal mechanics of the massive $104M verdict, how cross-border carriers manage equipment safety, the heavy technical/cost burden of the EPA's new diesel aftertreatment regulations, and a dangerous new asset scam hitting independent truckers. 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 strategic financial comeback landing at precisely the right moment for the intermodal sector. STG Logistics has emerged from Chapter 11 protection after slashing its funded debt by approximately ninety percent and securing one hundred fifty million dollars in fresh capital from Fortress, Fidelity and Invesco. The timing couldn't be better: intermodal is currently thirty-one percent cheaper than over-the-road truckload service, helping drive an eight percent year-over-year increase in total intermodal traffic on U.S. Class I railroads during the second quarter. Next, we explore a major wrongful death verdict sending shockwaves through the truckload sector. An El Paso jury has awarded one hundred four million dollars against Mesilla Valley Transportation and one of its drivers following a fatal crash in twenty twenty where an MVT driver and company trainer fell asleep at the wheel, causing his tractor-trailer to drift onto the shoulder and strike a parked box truck, killing co-driver Orlando Robles who was asleep in the sleeper berth. The jury awarded Robles' son twenty million dollars in compensatory damages and seven point five million dollars in punitive damages, with the overall verdict totaling one hundred four million dollars for the surviving family. Finally, we unpack a costly contractual bind forcing the U.S. Postal Service to fly mail it would rather send by truck. According to a report from the agency's Office of Inspector General, postal officials are spending more than intended because minimum volume commitments under its UPS air cargo contract prevent shifting more pieces to cheaper surface transportation. The percentage of First-Class mail traveling by air skyrocketed from two percent in October twenty twenty-four to fifty percent by March twenty twenty-five, directly contradicting the Postal Service's broader strategy to shift volume to trucking contractors and save money. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to FreightWaves Today! In this jam-packed episode, we break down why the freight market is showing intense resilience during a typical holiday lull and look ahead at what could be the next massive freight super cycle. From massive rail network mergers to the latest macro-economic strains shifting supply chains, we've got the data, the insights, and the expert perspectives you need to stay ahead of the curve. Anne Reinke, President & CEO of the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA), joins the show to discuss why domestic intermodal is booming, tackling data fragmentation via AI, and battling the disturbing rise of mid-transit cargo theft. Chris Wofford, Managing Partner of Wofford Advisors, weighs in on the return of private equity, capital deployment, asset vs. asset-light valuations, and whether structural changes are driving an industry consolidation "barbell." Zach Strickland is joined by Dr. Zach Rogers to unpack the latest Logistics Managers' Index (LMI) data. Discover the widening divide between large and small firms, inventory stocking trends, and why transportation utilization has hit its highest rate expansion in eight years. 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 with an exclusive look inside the massive rail merger that could reshape the U.S. economy. During the July Fourth weekend celebration in Philadelphia, FreightWaves spoke with Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena and Norfolk Southern CEO Mark George about their pending merger alongside the iconic Big Boy No. 4014 steam locomotive. As the Surface Transportation Board begins its formal review, the executives remain highly optimistic about approval despite extensive regulatory hurdles ahead. Meanwhile, a potentially groundbreaking New York City law targeting Amazon and its Direct Service Providers has gone quiet for the summer, but sources say significant changes may be brewing. The proposed Delivery Protection Act shows no action since an April public hearing as amendment season unfolds behind closed doors. The legislation would prohibit subcontracting deliveries and require all last-mile workers to be directly employed by facility operators, though backers appear open to changes including a possible joint employer structure. Finally, we explore Mexico's trucking industry as it faces a brutal driver shortage that's threatening cross-border trade and domestic freight movement. A new survey by the International Road Transport Union reveals that fourteen percent of commercial driver positions in Mexico are sitting vacant, the second highest rate among eighteen markets surveyed. With roughly ninety thousand trucks currently sitting idle due to the shortage, and that figure potentially climbing above one hundred eight thousand by 2028, the crisis poses a critical threat to manufacturers and exporters that depend on road transportation. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Freight Racing Day! It's Wednesday, which means we are diving deep into the massive waves of data shaping the industrial economy. From the newly released Logistics Managers Index (LMI) to record-breaking rail reports, we are breaking down everything you need to know about the current, highly robust state of the freight market. In this episode, we address major industry shifts—including the brutal California regional operating environment that led to the sudden shutdown of Mountain Valley Express. We also dive into the rising complexities of "digital secondary accidents" and how legal engineering is targeting transportation brands online. Finally, we analyze the booming numbers in the raw materials sector and head over to the Middle East for a crucial geopolitical update on the Strait of Hormuz. 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 the latest developments in the proposed mega-merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern. The two Class I railroads just submitted critical new data requested by the Surface Transportation Board addressing control questions over key interchange terminals and equipment cooperatives. Despite delays in formal review, the partners remain committed to closing their massive eighty-five billion dollar deal by mid-2027. Shifting gears to the parcel sector, we explore how DHL Group raised its full-year earnings forecast after posting remarkable second-quarter results that included a twenty-nine percent jump in pre-tax income. The Germany-based logistics giant attributed the strong performance to favorable demand conditions compared to the tariff-impacted prior year, efficiency savings, and staggering capacity constraints in air cargo driven by the Iran war. Finally, we cover the harsh realities of the freight recession as another LTL carrier confirms it has shut down operations effective July seventh. Mountain Valley Express, a small regional operator with thirteen terminals across California, Arizona, and Nevada, is the latest casualty in a brutal operating environment that has claimed numerous carriers despite aggressive growth plans announced just months earlier. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this packed episode of FreightWaves Today, hosts Craig and Julie dive deep into the major issues transforming the logistics world right now—from massive international cargo theft rings to the critical deployment of emergency technology in global disaster zones. First, we tackle the latest headlines exposing a staggering $10 million international freight fraud indictment. Then, we explore how freight tech providers are integrating real-time databases to fight identity theft and double brokering at no additional cost. Finally, we cover the financial shifts on the rails as Greenbrier reports a softer second quarter but raises dividends. Featured Guests: Tony Urban – Executive Vice President of Transportation Information Systems at Cass Information Systems. Tony (the "OG" of freight bill processing) shares how Cass leverages its stability as a federally regulated bank to help shippers secure working capital, reduce friction, and build layered security protocols to combat pervasive payment fraud. Vidya Sampath (Senior Product Manager of Disaster Relief) & Jeff Schweitzer (Principal Technical Product Manager for Disaster Relief) – Amazon. The tech and retail giant breaks down how they utilize their massive global footprint, dedicated fulfillment hubs, and rapid-response tech kits to deliver power and communication infrastructure to disaster areas like Venezuela and the Mariana Islands in a matter of hours. John Kingston – Market Expert & Journalist. John breaks down the unprecedented "nutty" crack spread that has blown out to levels never seen before, highlighting a major divergence between collapsing wholesale crude numbers and stubbornly high retail diesel prices. Michelle Livingstone – Supply Chain Veteran & Board Member. Drawing from her decades of leadership at Home Depot and major transportation boards, Michelle talks about the evolution of hurricane response, the massive value of aiming for "Shipper of Choice" status, and the urgent need to empower and bring more women into logistics leadership roles. 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 massive criminal indictment that reveals the scope of organized freight fraud across the United States. Federal prosecutors have charged eight individuals in an alleged international conspiracy that stole at least ten million dollars in cargo over a three-year period, targeting everything from electronics and liquor to meat and cryptocurrency mining machines. The criminal organization allegedly impersonated legitimate carriers to obtain transportation contracts, then diverted freight and removed tracking devices before selling the stolen goods. Meanwhile, the industry is fighting back against this pervasive fraud threat with powerful new technology tools. We explore how AscendTMS has integrated SearchCarriers into its carrier verification platform, giving freight brokers and shippers access to real-time carrier and broker data at no additional cost. This collaboration is designed to help transportation providers combat freight fraud, double brokering, identity theft and unsafe carrier selection while simplifying due diligence across over sixty-nine thousand companies worldwide. Finally, we shift over to the rails to discuss the challenges facing major equipment manufacturers in a tough market environment. Railcar maker Greenbrier reported weaker second-quarter earnings as lower railcar deliveries weighed on revenue, with earnings per share coming in at just forty-seven cents versus eighty-nine cents in analyst estimates. Despite serious margin pressure, management raised the quarterly dividend by six percent and updated full-year guidance upward, signaling continued confidence in cash generation. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Freight markets are navigating a post-holiday slowdown while cargo theft, fraud, and fuel prices remain top concerns across the supply chain. In this episode of FreightWaves Today, Craig Fuller and Julie Van de Kamp break down the latest freight headlines, analyze SONAR market data, discuss ocean shipping trends, and explore how AI and identity verification are changing logistics.Featured Guests:Jesús Guerra — President of Energy, The Pilot CompanyJesus discusses the state of the oil and diesel markets, the impact of fuel volatility on trucking, renewable diesel and biodiesel, and how the proposed SEED Act could help reduce fuel costs while strengthening America's energy infrastructure.Brandon Fried - Director, Air Forwarders AssociationBrandon Discusses lessons that the domestic trucking market can learn from air cargo security regimes, the recent changes to IATA's direct airway bill liability, and how Amazon Air Cargo is impacting market competition.Bryan Lewis — CEO, IntellicheckBryan explains why identity verification has become one of the most important tools in the fight against freight fraud. He discusses emerging threats driven by AI-generated fake documents, organized cargo theft, and how verifying the individual taking possession of freight can protect shippers, brokers, and carriers.Pawan Joshi - Chief Strategy Officer, E2open:Pawan Discusses the reality of modern, multi-party supply chains. Pawan details how strategic tracking platforms, active sensors, and rapid event horizons help shippers detect freight disruptions and theft in real-time. 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 with a stunning embezzlement case that rocked a Texas freight brokerage when a former controller pleaded guilty to stealing over three point two million dollars from Austin Freight Systems. The thirty-four-year-old fraudster executed one hundred forty-seven payments between October 2023 and March 2025, depositing the stolen funds into personal accounts and funneling over one million dollars through an online gambling platform. Despite the massive theft, the company confirmed it remains financially sound and continues normal operations. Meanwhile, we explore the heated debate unfolding in Washington as the bipartisan CORCA bill advances to the Senate amid controversy over cargo theft data and federal enforcement expansion. The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act passed the House by a massive three hundred forty-eight to sixty margin and would establish a new coordination center within Homeland Security Investigations. Critics argue documented cargo theft represents only a small fraction of freight moved, while supporters maintain current reporting systems capture just one in every ten full truckload thefts nationwide. Finally, we head south to examine a disturbing trend where cargo theft incidents in Mexico are falling but attacks on truckers have turned brutally deadly according to official government statistics and industry reports. While cargo theft investigations dropped twenty-one percent in the first five months of 2026, fourteen truck drivers have been killed in highway attacks as criminal groups deploy increasingly aggressive tactics. Mexico's National Freight Chamber reports robbers are now using firearms and opening fire on drivers rather than waiting for vehicles to stop, with the State of Mexico and the Veracruz-Puebla corridor identified as the nation's most dangerous freight routes. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The freight market heads into the Fourth of July weekend with strong momentum—and we're breaking down everything you need to know.Craig Fuller and Max Fuller are joined by Matthew Leffler to discuss the latest freight market developments, North American trade, Supreme Court decisions impacting the trucking industry, broker liability, insurance trends, and what they all mean for carriers, brokers, and shippers. In this episode: America 250 and the state of the U.S. economy Why rail data points to a major American manufacturing resurgence The latest trends in trucking demand and freight volumes USMCA, tariffs, and the future of North American supply chains The Supreme Court's Montgomery decision and its impact on broker liability Insurance, tort reform, and what carriers and brokers need to know A look inside the Volvo VISTA World Championship for elite truck technician. Special Guests: Matthew Leffler – Freight attorney and legal analyst Doug Marcello – Attorney, Saxton & Stump Chris Ingram – Service Technician, Beaver Truck Centre and Volvo VISTA World Championship finalist Lewie Pugh - Executive Vice President, OOID 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 massive shift in how freight contract pricing is getting done as Triumph debuts a powerful new RFP management tool designed to help brokers keep pace with drastically compressed pricing cycles. In today's supply-constrained market, some shippers are now repricing contracts as frequently as every thirty days, a brutal acceleration from the traditional annual cycles. The platform draws on real transaction and carrier payment data tied to more than one hundred seventy thousand carriers, providing visibility into approximately seventy percent of North American brokered freight transactions. Next, we explore a major legal battle that could reshape broker disclosure requirements across the entire industry. The case involving Pink Cheetah and Total Quality Logistics heads to oral arguments before the U.S. Appeals Court for the District of Columbia on September eleventh. The dispute centers on documents revealing that the carrier received only fifty-six percent of payment for a load, with TQL extracting approximately forty percent commission rather than the customary fourteen to sixteen percent. Finally, we unpack the critical developments surrounding North America's signature trade pact after the U.S. rejected automatic renewal of USMCA in its current form, triggering annual reviews until issues are resolved or the agreement expires in twenty thirty-six. Despite North American trade reaching historic highs last year, this decision creates uncertainty for the trucking industry and the hundreds of billions of dollars in cross-border freight moving annually through major gateways like Laredo, Detroit-Windsor, and Otay Mesa. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It is hump day, which means it's the best day of the week—the release of the weekly American Association of Railroads (AAR) tonnage index! In this packed episode, we dive deep into the legal and insurance crises gripping the freight industry, analyze how extreme heatwaves are altering refrigerated shipping, track global energy volatility, and break down the massive intermodal surge redefining logistics. Featured Guests: Ted Bassett – Head of the Personal Injury Law Firm Group at Merrick   Niles Openheimer – Chief Revenue Officer at CoverWell   Matt Munster – Chief Economist at Breakthrough   Bill Stevens – Editor and Writer at Trains Magazine / Trains Pro 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 in Washington with a blockbuster Supreme Court ruling that dramatically expands presidential authority over independent regulatory agencies. The six-three decision in Trump v. Slaughter overturns nearly a century of precedent and is likely to decide the fate of STB member Robert Primus, whom President Trump fired without cause last August. With the Surface Transportation Board now short-handed and facing the largest rail merger in history, the president can more easily install policy-aligned replacements at a critical moment for freight rail regulation. Next, we shift over to the ocean shipping sector where Israel's flag carrier officially transitions to new leadership today. Chen Lichtenstein takes the helm at ZIM Integrated Shipping Services following the departure of Eli Glickman, who resigned in April after Hapag-Lloyd's four point two billion dollar acquisition. Glickman is credited with an astounding turnaround that reshaped ZIM into an agile, digitally-focused global player ranked tenth in the world by capacity. Finally, we explore how the freight industry's transition to electric trucks is revealing that intelligent charging strategy may matter even more than the hardware itself. BetterFleet CEO Dan Hilson explains that managing dense electric fleets requires abandoning the diesel fueling playbook entirely due to brutal demand charges and time-of-use pricing penalties. The company's machine learning platform staggers charging across networks of slower chargers, throttling power to avoid costly spikes while capturing off-peak pricing to deliver enormous savings. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The freight market is changing fast—and this episode of FreightWaves Today breaks down the biggest legal, technology, energy, and market developments shaping transportation. We kick off the show with breaking news on the Florida U-turn lawsuit and discuss why CH Robinson was named in litigation despite having no involvement in the crash. We also debate broker liability, the post-Montgomery legal landscape, Florida's CDL policy, and whether the industry should rethink barriers to entry for new drivers. In this episode, we feature interviews with: Jonah McIntire, Chief Platform Officer at Trimble How AI is transforming transportation management systems Why data—not software—is becoming the industry's biggest competitive advantage The future of AI-powered logistics platforms Will AI eliminate logistics jobs? How Trimble is modernizing legacy transportation software and expanding into the SMB market John Kingston, FreightWaves Editor-At-Large The latest on the Florida U-turn lawsuit and broker liability Global energy markets and diesel price volatility The impact of geopolitical tensions on fuel costs Ocean shipping rates, the Strait of Hormuz, and what to expect for freight markets in the second half of the year The future of EVs, decarbonization, and transportation energy David Spencer, Arrive Logistics Why trucking capacity continues to tighten What carriers and brokers should expect during the July 4 "Super Bowl" freight week Contract vs. spot market dynamics Shipper pricing expectations and routing guide challenges Where freight rates are headed through the rest of 2026 and what could drive the next leg of the market Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we kick things off in South Texas, where developers are building a massive new rail infrastructure project designed to transform Laredo from purely a trucking gateway into a true multimodal freight hub. Following authorization from the Surface Transportation Board, Kraus Development and Ironhorse Resources plan to construct the two point six-mile Laredo Gateway Industrial Railway, connecting Gateway International Rail Park directly to Union Pacific's Laredo Subdivision. With capacity for more than twelve thousand railcars annually—potentially representing the equivalent of roughly sixty-two thousand truckloads—this short-line railroad will serve a sprawling industrial park in a border crossing that already processes between fourteen thousand and eighteen thousand commercial trucks every day and accounts for nearly thirty-nine percent of all U.S.-Mexico trade by value. Next, we explore the technology sector, where Trimble is aggressively expanding its product lineup with a brand-new transportation management system built directly from its massive European acquisition. The company has officially launched Trimble TMS for Shippers, a product that grew out of its twenty twenty-two acquisition of Europe's Transporeon for just under two billion dollars. Rather than forcing shippers to rip out existing systems, the new TMS offering uses a modular, cafeteria-style approach where customers can bolt on specific features like freight procurement, rate management, or carrier tendering to their current infrastructure and only pay for what they need. Finally, we cover a workforce development proposal in Florida that has hit a major roadblock as Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed a bill that would have allowed CDL training for certain state prisoners. The bill, which passed both houses of the Florida legislature with no opposition, was part of a larger vocational training measure targeting nonviolent inmates with two years or less remaining on their sentence. In his veto letter, DeSantis cited the program would be unnecessarily burdensome to the Department of Corrections and raised significant public safety concerns about authorizing incarcerated individuals to operate commercial vehicles in public thoroughfares. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The freight market is heating up—and this week's episode breaks down why. We kick off the show with a look at record-setting trucking spot rates, why the July 4 holiday is the freight industry's "Super Bowl," and what tightening capacity means for carriers, brokers, and shippers heading into the second half of the year. Then we dive into the day's biggest logistics headlines, including: A $1.3 million cargo theft recovery near Chicago Boeing's major freighter deal with China Southern Airlines A growing biometric privacy class-action lawsuit impacting the trucking industry Our featured guests include: Steve Lockington, President & CEO of Geotab Vitality, on how behavioral science, telematics, and positive incentives are improving driver safety, retention, and fleet performance. Burak Cendek, Managing Director at AutoTech Ventures, discussing the venture capital landscape and where transportation technology is headed next. Michael Farkas, Founder & CEO of NextNRG, on AI, energy infrastructure, remote fueling, and the impact of lower oil prices on freight. Gabe Ribeiro, Head of Partnerships & Marketing at Hey Bubba, on building community and innovation in trucking. Plus, Craig Fuller delivers a SONAR market deep dive covering: All-time high trucking spot rates Tender rejection trends Blue-to-Blue freight markets Fuel prices vs. freight pricing What carriers and brokers should expect in the weeks ahead Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we kick things off by examining a massive cargo theft recovery near Chicago that reveals the sophisticated nature of organized freight crime. The Cook County Sheriff's Office recovered two stolen trailers containing over $1.3 million in copper wire and data center equipment at a truck yard in Elk Grove Township. Both trailers had been equipped with stolen license plates and were linked to the same unidentified driver, though no arrests have been announced yet. Next, we shift over to the air cargo sector where a state-owned Chinese carrier is making a landmark move that signals a major thaw in trade relations. China Southern Airlines placed an order with Boeing for seven freighter aircraft, including five of the all-new 777-8F models expected to hit the market in 2028. This represents the first purchase of the 777-8 freighter by a mainland China carrier and comes after China reopened its market to Boeing during President Trump's May visit to Beijing. Finally, we explore how a biometric privacy lawsuit filed in 2021 by an Illinois truck driver has just expanded into a potentially costly class action. A federal judge granted class status to the case against Universal Intermodal Services over fingerprint scanners used at its Harvey, Illinois facility. The broader class definition brings in workers from a Universal Logistics subsidiary and third-party staffing agencies, significantly expanding the scope of potential damages under Illinois' stringent Biometric Privacy Act. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this packed episode of FreightWaves Today, Craig Fuller, Malcolm Wilson, and the FreightWaves team break down one of the most important weeks of the year for trucking: the lead-up to the July 4th freight surge — often called trucking's “Super Bowl.” They discuss tightening capacity, rising spot rates, driver shortages, and why many large carriers believe the freight market has officially turned. The conversation also explores the future of autonomous trucks, AI in logistics, and how brokers and shippers are preparing for a potentially volatile peak season. This episode features insights from industry leaders and experts, including: Ken Adamo, Chief of Analytics at Ease Logistics and former DAT executive Dr. Jason Miller, supply chain economist and professor at Michigan State University Max Fuller, transportation industry veteran and founder of U.S. Xpress Fabrizio Alvear, Co-Founder and President of ePost Global Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we kick things off in California, where warehouse workers launched the first ILWU strike against a major sugar producer in decades. The walkout at C&H Sugar's massive Bay Area refinery involves roughly ninety to one hundred unionized employees fighting over healthcare, retiree benefits, sick leave, and overtime rules. While American Sugar Refining offered a twenty percent wage increase, workers say the company proposed slashing half their annual sick days, ending retiree medical coverage, and limiting premium overtime pay. Meanwhile, in Washington, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration quietly suspended its biennial update requirement for entities that missed their deadline since June first, a clear signal that the Motus registration portal rollout continues to struggle. Despite FMCSA leadership characterizing the technical issues as minor, industry consultants report that conflicting government data is preventing carriers from operating, creating serious compliance headaches across the sector. Finally, we examine how the U.S. Postal Service has delayed a shutdown until the early 2030s through accounting maneuvers, but the fundamental liquidity crisis remains unresolved. Postmaster General David Steiner warned senators that USPS carries nearly thirty-one billion dollars in debt against just eight point nine billion in unrestricted cash, as mail volume has plummeted by more than half since two thousand while delivery addresses continue growing by one million annually. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FreightWaves Today hosts Craig Fuller and Julie Van de Kamp come to you live from Samsara Beyond 2026. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of FreightWaves Today, hosts Julie Van de Kamp and Malcolm Harris break down the latest developments shaping freight, trucking, and supply chain markets as the industry heads toward the end of Q2 and the July 4 holiday rush. We cover two major FMCSA regulatory changes that remove long-standing compliance requirements for carriers, including the elimination of CDL self-reporting requirements and the printed ELD manual mandate. We also discuss Saia's aggressive network expansion and what it signals about confidence in the freight market. In our SONAR market update, we examine rising tender rejections, tightening capacity, spot rate expectations, and why housing could be the missing catalyst that drives the next phase of freight demand. We explore how housing starts, construction activity, and consumer spending impact truckload and flatbed markets across the country. Follow the FreightWaves NOW 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 advancement in commercial vehicle safety technology that's targeting mass production across the Class 8 market. Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems has officially selected Aeva to integrate 4D LiDAR sensors and perception software into its next-generation collision mitigation systems for Class 8 trucks. With roughly 300,000 new Class 8 trucks entering the North American market annually, this program is targeting mass production of one of the first LiDAR-based L2+ driver assistance solutions for commercial vehicles, marking a strategic shift toward using advanced perception technology in active safety systems rather than just higher levels of autonomy. Next, we shift to cross-border logistics, where Echo Global Logistics is making an aggressive play to dominate the entire U.S.-Mexico freight corridor. The Chicago-based third-party logistics provider has formally unveiled a new suite of intra-Mexico domestic transportation services, giving shippers a fully integrated supply chain solution spanning both sides of the border. The expansion includes city-to-city freight transportation, port drayage, domestic intermodal services, and managed transportation solutions across Mexico, all integrated with Echo's existing cross-border operations and allowing the company to capture growing freight movements tied to nearshoring trends. Finally, we explore how autonomous technology is officially moving beyond pilot programs and into full-scale daily operations at a major logistics hub. DHL has transitioned autonomous vehicles from its Fast Forward Challenge into live daily operations at its Singapore facility, partnering with Zelostech to operate fully electric, driverless vehicles for point-to-point transfers between logistics facilities on campus. Each vehicle averages 40 trips and covers 28 kilometers daily, delivering consistent performance at roughly half the operating cost of diesel trucks while cutting emissions to support customers' sustainability goals. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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