FreightWaves NOW

Amazon has aggressively expanded its third-party logistics footprint. They opened their Multi-Channel Fulfillment service to merchants on rival platforms like Shein, Shopify, and Walmart, leveraging their scale to become the default logistics backbone for e-commerce. We analyze the major corporate reality shift in Less-Than-Truckload as FedEx Freight remains firmly on track to become an independent public company by June 2026, trading on the NYSE as FDXF. Despite a constrained LTL market due to a weak industrial economy, FedEx Freight announced a 5.9% general rate increase taking effect January 5th, driven by spin-off cost pressures and rising wages. The episode shares a stark economic warning of "profitless prosperity," which projects steady, slow expansion for US GDP and freight activity through 2029, yet requires operators to fight hard for margins. Persistent inflation is expected, fueled by factors like labor scarcity, fiscal deficits, and rising energy demand, making these rate increases likely to stick. Adding to the inflation headache, the weighted average U.S. tariff rate has climbed to 16.4%, the highest level seen since the 1930s, which is expected to generate 1.3% to 1.4% inflation. We also cover capacity dynamics, noting that while the Outbound Tender Rejection Index remains low (stuck just over 5%) signaling persistent excess capacity, capacity exits are expected to continue as smaller carriers struggle to afford replacing aging truck fleets. Finally, we address critical regulatory changes related to risk and driver welfare, starting with the Department of Transportation launching a major crackdown on cargo theft after a spike of more than 90% between 2021 and 2024. New legislation is also moving fast to ban predatory lease-purchase programs, which were concluded by an FMCSA task force to be "irredeemable tools of fraud and driver oppression" that shift the financial burden onto drivers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FedEx Freight is becoming a standalone public company, with its parent planning to spend $600 million to enhance its IT systems and infrastructure ahead of the separation . Consolidated adjusted earnings for FedEx were strong for the fiscal first quarter, exceeding expectations even though FedEx Freight revenue saw a 3.1% year-over-year decline. Hear the latest on the ongoing labor negotiations as Canada Post prepares to present a new contract offer to unionized mail carriers in an effort to break the existing stalemate. However, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers declined to immediately drop their limited strike action—a ban on delivering marketing mail—and asked why negotiations need to be postponed for another week after two years without new collective agreements. The morning minute also features the opening of the Savage Tooele Railroad in the northwest corridor of Utah, marking the state's first new short line railroad in over a century. This 11-mile route restores a former Union Pacific branch and serves the Lakeview Business Park, a project Governor Spencer Cox hailed as a major step forward for Utah's economy . Tune into FreightWaves TV later today for WHAT THE TRUCK?!? with Malcolm Harris at noon. You can also register for next month's State of Freight which will be live and in-person at the Future Freight Festival (F3). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

August saw an accelerated decline in freight shipments, particularly in less-than-truckload (LTL) volumes, marking the largest year-over-year drop since October 2023. Meanwhile, the Port of Los Angeles experienced record container traffic in July and August due to early holiday stocking, but anticipates a significant slowdown through the end of 2025 as economic caution grows and new ship fees are implemented. In a move to enhance infrastructure, Outpost has secured $1 billion in funding to double its truck terminal network, expanding its national footprint across key logistics hubs. Their proprietary gate automation platform, leveraging AI and computer vision, provides customers with comprehensive asset visibility and flexible service options. The U.S. Postal Service is also modernizing, investing in next-generation package sorting machines like the PILS and MEWS systems to significantly boost processing capacity and reduce operating costs. On the rails, Watco has signed an agreement with Intramotev to deploy its TugVolt autonomous battery-electric railcars, marking the first commercial deployment of such innovative freight rail technology by a railroad operator. Despite these advancements, the industry faces ongoing challenges, as evidenced by a federal appeals court upholding a ruling that requires the defunct Yellow Corp. to pay over $6.5 billion in pension withdrawal liabilities. This decision rejects Yellow Corp.'s argument that federal bailout funds absolved it of this significant debt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Air Canada flight attendant strike caused significant disruption to cargo transport. A tentative agreement was reached, allowing operations to gradually resume after a three-day stoppage. Air Canada's six Boeing 767 freighters maintained a modified schedule during the strike, providing vital continuity for cargo. The US imposed new reciprocal tariffs on over 90 trading partners, including a new 20% tariff on imports from Taiwan effective August 7th. In response, Foxconn plans new tech parks in the US and Mexico, a strategic pivot aimed at helping Taiwanese companies circumvent these tariffs and accelerate regionalized manufacturing. The bipartisan Secure Trade Act proposes a 10% baseline tariff on all imports and significantly higher tariffs on goods from China. This legislation aims to reshore manufacturing, reduce reliance on China, and strengthen the Committee on Foreign Investment's power to block foreign investments from "countries of concern". Shippers are adapting by moving from "just-in-time" to "just-in-case" inventory strategies. This involves consolidating shipments and building buffers to manage increased volatility, with a notable 32.2% surge in units shipped in March despite dropping order counts. Truckstop.com acquired Denim, a financial technology company specializing in automated invoicing and factoring. This acquisition leverages AI to automate 75% of payments in under a minute, improving cash flow and operational efficiency for carriers and brokers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New research from Noël Perry and Truck Parking Club suggests that truck parking problems are more about operational inefficiencies and a lack of awareness rather than an actual shortage of spaces. Although the U.S. has approximately 23.4 million truck parking spaces, only about 3% of this supply is open for public use, pointing to a vast amount of underutilized capacity. Bipartisan legislation, the Secure Trade Act, has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to give Congress more control over trade and tariff policy and to incentivize American-produced domestic goods. This bill codifies the 10% tariff baseline on all imports and establishes higher tariffs for China, including a 35% tariff on non-strategic goods and a 100% tariff on strategic goods, phased in over five years. Truckstop.com announced its acquisition of Denim, a transportation-focused financial technology business and factoring service that automates invoicing. This strategic acquisition aims to help both carriers and brokers better manage and increase security for their businesses, while also reducing time-to-cash and optimizing back-office processes by leveraging Denim's AI and automation to process 75% of payments in under one minute. Stay tuned to FreightWaves TV this afternoon for Loaded and Rolling and Check Call with Mary O'Connell. Remember to visit live.freightwaves.com to register for upcoming events like F3 and the Cross Border Summit to take advantage of registration discounts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Air Canada is facing significant disruption as its flight attendants continue an illegal strike, defying a federal order to return to work. This has led to the indefinite suspension of all Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights, impacting an estimated 500,000 people and disrupting crucial cargo shipments. A tragic Florida crash highlights dangerous gaps in commercial driver licensing standards, revealing a system with minimal practical experience requirements and inadequate attention to cultural and language barriers. The shift to automatic transmissions has removed a natural screening mechanism, and inconsistent state licensing requirements create alarming inconsistencies in driver preparation. California's Clean Truck Partnership is embroiled in multiple legal challenges, with OEMs suing the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the Department of Justice intervening to invalidate the deal. The core dispute questions whether federal Congressional action can override EPA waivers that allowed California's stricter emission standards, which CARB continues to enforce despite federal opinions. SONAR has launched its new "Blue to Blue" mobile app, providing small trucking carriers with affordable, real-time freight market data to identify high-demand, high-rate lanes and maximize profitability. Meanwhile, Xeneta's acquisition of maritime data company eeSea expands its capabilities to offer clients comprehensive data for managing ocean freight contracts based on both cost and service levels, reflecting a trend of strategic mergers in supply chain technology. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Good morning, and welcome to your FreightWaves Warning Minutes! This episode covers US trade with Mexico, which continued to dominate in June, with volumes up 4.4% year-over-year to $73 billion. Mexico held its position as the top US trade partner, ahead of Canada and China, with key imports from Mexico including computers, passenger vehicles, and auto parts. We also discuss the Air Canada flight attendant strike, which saw the Canadian government order both parties back to the bargaining table and into binding arbitration just 12 hours after the strike began. This intervention, deemed necessary to protect the Canadian economy, was strongly opposed by the flight attendants' union, CUPE, which criticized it as undermining workers' rights and favoring Air Canada, leading to a delayed operational restart. Finally, Canada Post is dealing with ongoing labor issues, as it will resume contract negotiations with the mail carriers' union this Wednesday for the first time in three months. This follows the union's overwhelming rejection of Canada Post's final offer, continuing a contentious dispute that has spanned over 18 months and included a 32-day strike last year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Clean Truck Partnership has taken another significant blow, as four major truck manufacturers agreed with the FTC not to comply with the deal's zero-emission goals and settled a multi-state lawsuit. These actions effectively dismantled the CTP, which sought to push truck fleets toward a zero-emission future, especially after federal action eliminated waivers for California's related clean truck rules. The latest report from Cass Information Systems revealed that freight volumes fell faster in July, marking a three-month sequential decline and the largest year-over-year drop since January. Despite the slump in volumes, freight expenditures showed a positive trend for the fourth consecutive month on a year-over-year basis, indicating complex shifts in the freight market. BMO, a prominent lender to the trucking industry, is reportedly exploring the sale of its transportation finance business, with a potential sales price of around $1 billion. This unit's quarterly reports have historically provided valuable, granular data on the trucking industry's health, including insights into impaired loans and overall credit conditions. For more in-depth analysis, be sure to tune into FreightWaves TV for WHAT THE TRUCK?!? live at noon, or catch the replay on SiriusXM channel 146. You can also sign up for upcoming events like F3 and the Cross Border Summit at live.freightwaves.com, using the code MORNINGMINUTEF325 for a discount. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Waabi announced the appointment of former Uber Freight CEO Leor Ron as its new COO, signaling a major transition from research and development to commercialization and scale. This strategic move aims to accelerate Waabi's journey towards a driver-out milestone by year-end and expand partnerships with industry giants like Volvo and Uber Freight. The US and China have extended a pause on higher tariffs for goods from each country until November 10th, narrowly avoiding proposed increases. This extension maintains the US levy on Chinese imports at 30% and China's tariff on American products at 10%, allowing for continued negotiations on key trade issues. Freight tech company GoodShip also announced a successful Series B funding round, securing $25 million to advance its AI-driven freight management platform. This platform has already proven its value for enterprise shippers, helping clients significantly reduce transportation costs by 3-5% and decrease late shipments by 20%. Tune into FreightWaves TV today for a new episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? at noon, with a replay available later. Don't forget to get your tickets for the upcoming F3 event (Use code MORNINGMINUTEF325 for $900 off) and register for the cross border logistics summit in early September, both offering valuable insights and networking opportunities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Teamsters Union and UPS reached a resolution early this morning that successfully averted a strike at several key locations. Despite resolving grievances and a local contract dispute, relations remain tense as the Teamsters navigate buyout offers and alleged contract violations, with the union prepared to set up strike lines in multiple states. Forward Air unveiled their second-quarter earnings, where the company missed expectations with a net loss of $20.4 million, which was worse than the consensus estimate. Revenue saw a 4% year-over-year decline but increased 1% from the first quarter, and no update was provided on the ongoing strategic review that could potentially lead to the company's sale. Echo Global Logistics announced its acquisition of fellow 3PL FreightSaver, a California-based company founded in 2014 by Ryan Renne and Buster Schwab. FreightSaver specializes in truckload, less-than-truckload (LTL), expedited, and specialized shipments; Echo's CEO stated that FreightSaver's customer-centric, tech-enabled business complements Echo's strengths and accelerates its ability to deliver value through managed transportation. Finally, the podcast highlights upcoming content on FreightWaves TV, including Check Call and Loaded and Rolling. Listeners are encouraged to register for the F3: Future of Freight Festival using a special code and also for the Crossborder Logistics Summit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

In today's FreightWaves Morning Minute for Friday, August 8: - Co.Lab seeks freight tech startups for its Sustainable Mobility Accelerator - Tariff fraud enforcement could spike 200% amid DOJ crackdown - Two brokerages rise—one powered by AI, the other by long-term strategy - New What The Truck? airs today at noon ET on FreightWaves TV - Don't miss F3! Use code "MorningMinuteF325" for $900 off registration Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

RXO's recent earnings report (First look: some small signs of improvement sequentially and year-on-year at RXO - FreightWaves), which shows little significant movement compared to last year and the previous quarter, despite their CEO noting good execution in a soft freight market. The planned US-Mexico rail route advances with the release of a crucial environmental report (Planned US-Mexico rail route advances with environmental report - FreightWaves). This critical step forward for the Green Eagle Railroad aims to enhance connectivity and efficiency in North American freight movement. Hear about a major strategic move in air cargo logistics as DHL proactively extends its long-term dedicated transport contract with Cargojet (DHL moves early to renew Cargojet contract until 2033 - FreightWaves), underscoring their confidence and commitment to robust air freight capabilities.  Plus, don't miss details on upcoming FreightWaves TV content and information on the F3 event in October. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Air Lease has cancelled its order for Airbus A350 freighter jets, a move driven by ongoing development delays and a strategic shift to focus on passenger aircraft.  A new legislative proposal that could significantly alter the landscape of U.S. maritime trade by opening U.S. shipping lanes to foreign allies. This bill proposes 5-year Jones Act exemptions, allowing foreign companies to temporarily operate their vessels in America's highly protected coastal trades.  DHL  is anticipating a notable impact on its financial performance due to a new U.S. de minimis policy. The company projects that the recent crackdown on tariff-free trade for inexpensive overseas packages could potentially trim its overall profit by as much as 3%.  Be sure to tune into FreightWaves TV later today for new episodes of What the Truck and Truck Tech, and don't forget to sign up for F3, happening October 21st and 22nd in Chattanooga, Tennessee! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PrimeFlight Aviation has successfully acquired Stratair's cargo handling business, marking a strategic expansion for PrimeFlight and a divestment for Saltchuk Aviation as it downsizes its air cargo footprint. A major legal development has concluded as a judge officially signed off on the settlement in the biometrics case involving Lytx, bringing to an end a long-standing matter closely watched for its implications on data privacy and employee rights.  New legal proceedings are underway following last year's tragic Baltimore bridge collapse, with the owner and operator of the container ship now suing the vessel's builder. This lawsuit alleges a defective design led to the power loss that caused the disaster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Significant concerns surround the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger, which could leave major intermodal customers like J.B. Hunt, Schneider, and STG Logistics without coast-to-coast single-line service benefits. Intermodal analysts predict these companies may need to swap rail partners in the East to adapt to the new competitive landscape, with J.B. Hunt potentially shifting to CSX.  The episode also highlights BNSF Railway's strong financial performance in the second quarter of 2025, where its pre-tax earnings rose by 11.5% to $2 billion. This gain was driven by lower operating costs, despite a decrease in average revenue per car due to factors like lower fuel surcharges.  Furthermore, learn about the unfortunate closure of TGS Transportation, a California trucking company, after 40 years in business. This difficult decision was primarily influenced by the challenging market conditions currently facing the trucking industry.  Tune in to hear all these freight industry updates and more, including a preview of today's WHAT THE TRUCK?!? episode on FreightWaves Television. Catch the replay on SiriusXM channel 146 at 6 p.m. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

NATO has issued a dire warning, stating that global ports face unprecedented cyber threats from state-linked actors, with attacks frequently traced back to Russia, Iran, and China. These sophisticated assaults target critical systems like access control and vessel traffic management, posing a severe risk to global supply chains and military logistics. In rail news, Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern have confirmed advanced discussions for a potential merger that would create the first U.S. transcontinental railroad. While no assurance of a final agreement exists, Union Pacific's CEO emphasized that the railroad industry cannot stand still and requires change. On the trucking front, Heartland Express reported its eighth consecutive net loss in the second quarter, totaling nearly $11 million, or 14 cents per share. This performance was worse than analyst expectations and the prior year's loss, despite the company noting some sequential improvement from the first quarter. Looking ahead, FreightWaves TV has new episodes of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? at noon and Running on Ice at 2 PM today. You can also catch the replay of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? this evening on SiriusXM channel 146. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices