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In this episode, we kick things off by examining a strategic bet on orchestration software as national parcel carriers continue to shed unprofitable volume. Last-mile delivery technology company Burq is wagering that enterprise retailers will pay for orchestration platforms that sit above the growing bench of regional carriers and gig courier networks. With fifty-five percent of retailers now using carriers outside FedEx, UPS and the U.S. Postal Service, and alternative carriers moving two point six billion parcels last year, the last-mile delivery duopoly is rapidly eroding. Next, we discuss a messy legal battle in the air cargo sector that has officially come to an end. Miami-based charter operator Global Crossing Airlines has dismissed its thirty-million-dollar breach-of-contract lawsuit against Ascent Global Logistics and terminated their exclusive brokerage agreement. GlobalX had alleged its former investment partner failed to honor an agreement to steer air cargo business its way, and during the second quarter, the carrier's cargo revenue dropped two point nine million dollars, or about fifty percent, year over year. Finally, we explore a sophisticated international freight fraud operation as Armenian authorities busted a Yerevan-based group that posed as American carriers and converted stolen freight proceeds into crypto. Cyber police raided commercial space inside a Yerevan hotel on July twenty-third, where suspects allegedly used specialized computer equipment to gain trust from businesses arranging transportation services, then redirected shipments to different locations instead of completing intended deliveries. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Craig Fuller and Julie Van de Kamp on FreightWaves Today as they break down the critical developments shaping the freight, logistics, and supply chain markets. In the morning minute, they A look at an alarming $111 million wave of high-tech cargo thefts targeting semiconductor and data center freight, featuring coordinated "bump and run" syndicate tactics. Plus, an urgent FBI tax fraud investigation involving self-employed truck drivers in Georgia, and Mexico's surging heavy-duty truck production and export gains. Drone Warfare & Supply Chains: Analysis of Ukraine's drone strikes on Russian distribution hubs—including Wildberries facilities—and what targeting fulfillment networks means for modern logistics vulnerability. Freight Payments & Shippers of Choice: Jeff Pape (US Bank Corporate Payment Systems) stops by to discuss rising freight payment predictability, early holiday peak planning, emerging AI applications in logistics, and credit quality across the sector. SONAR Market Update: Craig and Julie break down SONAR’s Tender Lead Time Index (OU.TLT), examining why shippers are tendering freight further in advance, how lead times impact tender rejections, and how to utilize the SONAR Coverage Guide to manage spot rate volatility. Real-World Tesla Semi Demo: Bob Lewis from Intercoastal Trucking shares first-hand driver feedback from testing the Tesla Semi in hard Northeast corridors, discussing range management, regenerative braking, maintenance savings, and charging infrastructure challenges. The Freight Cycle Debate: Ken Adamo (Chief Strategy Officer at Ease Logistics) and Dr. Jason Miller engage (Michigan State University) in a debate over capacity supply, driver availability, data center demand surges, and regulatory enforcement shifts. 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 alarming wave of high-tech cargo theft that's costing the freight industry a staggering fortune. Cargo thieves have stolen nearly $111 million in data center freight since early June, with individual cases ranging from $2 million to a jaw-dropping $38 million. In a disturbing new tactic, criminals deliberately crashed into security escorts protecting high-value technology shipments, then continued driving with the loads in what experts call the "bump-and-run" method. Next, we discuss a massive fraud case unfolding in Georgia where the FBI is urgently seeking truck drivers nationwide who may be victims in a 54-count tax fraud indictment. Federal prosecutors charged 62-year-old Diane Marie Poe, owner of Genuine Financial Services in Walton County, with 32 counts of bank fraud and 14 payroll-related tax offenses. Prosecutors accuse Poe of keeping money that customers provided for estimated tax obligations instead of delivering promised services, with at least 26 identified clients working as self-employed truck drivers who relied on her company for bookkeeping and tax preparation. Finally, we head south to examine how Mexico's heavy-duty truck production surged 51.8% in July as tariff tensions continue to simmer. Mexico's National Association of Bus, Truck and Tractor-Trailer Producers reported that manufacturers produced 14,675 heavy-duty vehicles during July, while exports climbed 66.7% year over year to 13,117 units. With a staggering 92.4% of Mexico's truck and bus exports through July shipped to the United States, ANPACT officials are urging policymakers to preserve the USMCA's core principles and renewing their call for changes to Section 232 tariffs. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of FreightWaves Today, hosts Craig Fuller and Julie Van de Kamp explore key headlines and developments across the logistics, trucking, and transportation sectors. The show features discussions on the state of trailer insurance, driver recruitment and health, alongside live market analysis via FreightWaves SONAR. Andy Kuchar explains that freight brokers and logistics companies utilizing leased trailer pools are frequently exposed to unmanaged liability risks. Many traditional commercial auto policies contain exclusions for trailers when they are over the road. He points out three warning signs of coverage gaps: reliance on "contingent" coverage language, assuming a third-party driver’s Certificate of Insurance protects you, and lacking a dedicated trailer policy. In our SONAR Update, we see that tender rejections have moderated around 13.5%, overall rejection metrics and spot rates remain significantly higher compared to recent years (up ~21% year-over-year). Craig and Julie characterize explain that this is typical seasonal behavior before the late-summer and Labor Day ramp-up. Jeremy Reymer introduces Project 61, a non-profit initiative created to address the alarmingly low average lifespan of commercial truck drivers (61 years old). The program focuses on practical, free lifestyle improvements for drivers centered on food/nutrition, movement, sleep/recharge, mental health, and preventative care. The segment highlights how driver health directly correlates to highway safety and accident risk reduction. In our 2nd hour, it's return of the Matt! Matthew Leffler joins Craig for an episode of Freight Expectations. The two cover the FMCSA’s proposed rulemaking to codify English language proficiency as an out-of-service violation. They also dive deep into asymmetric warfare, drone technology, and potential vulnerabilities across U.S. logistics infrastructure, fuel refining capacity, and transport hubs. 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 violent cargo-theft case that underscores the escalating danger of rail corridor crime in Southern California. After gunfire erupted from a moving BNSF freight train during a confrontation with suspected burglars, authorities arrested five men on charges ranging from attempted murder to cargo theft and conspiracy. The arrests came after task force members discovered equipment used to burglarize rail cars, highlighting how armed theft crews endanger railway employees while disrupting freight moving through critical corridors. Next, we explore how consolidation is reshaping the finished vehicle sector as Overland Park–based Acertus officially acquires Auburn, Massachusetts–based Fisher Shipping, expanding its carrier network and relationships with original equipment manufacturers and dealers. Fisher Shipping will continue to operate under its existing banner while gaining access to Acertus' expansive platform with enhanced fraud prevention and real-time shipment visibility. The deal follows another massive acquisition this week in which Proficient Auto Logistics agreed to acquire Hansen & Adkins for one hundred thirty million dollars, creating a combined entity expected to haul over four million vehicles annually. Finally, we break down how ocean carrier Maersk is betting that vertical integration from port to doorstep is the key to winning the last-mile battle in e-commerce logistics. According to Maersk executives, last-mile delivery is no longer just a cost center—it's a data intelligence engine that reveals upstream issues like inventory allocation, product development, and order response times. Rather than building its own delivery fleet, Maersk manages a pool of carriers on customers' behalf through a multi-carrier model with single API integration, creating one consistent customer experience that connects every link from vessels crossing the ocean to final doorstep delivery. 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 a New Orleans courtroom where jury selection has begun for a disbarred attorney accused of orchestrating the murder of a federal witness. Prosecutors allege Sean Alfortish conspired to kill Cornelius Garrison, a so-called "slammer" who intentionally sideswiped eighteen-wheelers in a sprawling staged truck crash scheme and later began cooperating with the FBI. The case is part of a massive federal probe that has charged sixty-three defendants in connection with an operation spanning over a decade, where participants recruited passengers and paid drivers to target big rigs carrying large commercial policies, then filed fraudulent lawsuits seeking insurance payouts. Next, we shift over to the rails where a coalition of seven Republican state attorneys general is urging the Surface Transportation Board to reject Union Pacific's proposed acquisition of Norfolk Southern. In a letter filed on August eleventh, the attorneys general argued the railroads have not demonstrated the merger would serve the public interest or strengthen rail-to-rail competition. The coalition took particular aim at the proposed Committed Gateway Pricing arrangement, contending it would apply to only zero point nine percent of U.S. rail traffic and could actually result in higher rates for many shippers. Finally, we head south to examine the critical role of cross-border trade as new Census Bureau data confirms Mexico's dominant position in U.S. commerce. Laredo, Texas, remained the nation's busiest international trade gateway, handling a massive thirty-six point five billion dollars in cross-border trade during June—accounting for more than one-third of all U.S.-Mexico commerce. The port's performance highlights its critical role as the primary conduit for automotive parts, vehicles, machinery, electronics and other manufactured goods moving between the two countries. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of FreightWaves Today, hosts Craig Fuller and Julie Van de Kamp dive into the latest industrial data, market updates, and expert interviews across the freight, logistics, energy, and rail sectors. In the morning minute we have the 3 top stories of the day including: Congress pushes to tie USPS executive bonuses directly to 95% on-time delivery metrics via the bipartisan "No Bonuses for Bad Service Act", Werner Enterprises CEO Derek Leathers addresses seasonal spot market trends, capacity tightening, and rate outlooks, and Michigan regulators suspend Northern Michigan University's CDL training program amid a nationwide fraud crackdown. Our first guest, Tom Kloza, Chief Energy Advisor at Gulf Oil, breaks down rising diesel prices, global refining capacity constraints, and how emerging drone warfare poses unprecedented risks to oil infrastructure. In the SONAR update, Julie gives a detailed look at current tender rejections sitting at 13.5%, rising import container volumes, domestic rail mode shifts, and carrier authority changes. Then Patrick Kelleher, CEO of GXO Logistics, stops by to discuss peak season expectations, rapid growth in AI data center construction, manufacturing re-shoring, and tests with humanoid robotics in the warehouse. Trains Magazine's Bill Stephens is back with the latest numbers from Association of American Railroads (AAR) weekly volume data, strong non-coal carload gains, and a federal court ruling upholding the FRA's two-person crew rule. And lastly, Jeff Dangelo, CEO of Fura, announces the acquisition of High Rise (their 7th deal) and explains how AI is streamlining operations and unlocking massive EBITDA improvements for small-to-midsize brokerages. 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, where lawmakers are aggressively tying executive pay to actual delivery performance at the struggling Postal Service. A bipartisan bill barring USPS executives from receiving bonuses until on-time delivery hits ninety-five percent was approved by the Senate Homeland Security Committee last week. The No Bonuses for Bad Service Act comes as the mail carrier missed its on-time target for all eight delivery categories in fiscal year 2025, lost twenty-five billion dollars over the last three years, and reported a two point five billion dollar loss for the third quarter. Next, we shift over to the truckload sector, where Werner Enterprises is shrugging off recent spot market softness and doubling down on the supply-driven recovery. Speaking at Deutsche Bank's Chicago Industrials Summit Tuesday, Chairman and CEO Derek Leathers told investors the company remains unfazed by the seasonal slowdown in July truckload spot market trends. Leathers estimates that eight hundred fifty to nine hundred CDL schools have been forced to close due to insufficient training standards, powering Werner's turnaround with the company's one-way truckload fleet seeing revenue per truck per week jump twenty-eight percent year over year in the second quarter. Finally, we cover the nationwide crackdown on fraudulent CDL training programs as state regulators in Michigan join the fight. The Michigan Department of State issued a summary suspension to Northern Michigan University Truck Driving School on August fifth following an investigation that uncovered multiple alleged violations. Among the most significant allegations, regulators said the school provided behind-the-wheel instruction to students without first verifying they possessed valid commercial learner's permits and allowed students to sign blank instructional documents that were subsequently completed. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to today’s episode of FreightWaves Today! In this episode, we explore the cutting-edge technology, Q2 financial results, supply chain strategies, and market dynamics shaping the logistics and transportation industry. Here is what we cover in today’s show: AI-Powered Freight Execution with Overroute Alex Reed, Founding CEO of Overroute, joins the show to discuss the official launch of their AI-led freight execution platform. Developed in a year-long co-design partnership with J.B. Hunt, the platform uses AI agents to automate shipment coordination, detect exceptions, and streamline customer communications directly within existing carrier systems. Alex breaks down how the technology works day-to-day, how exceptions are handled, and the role of human oversight in AI-driven logistics. RXO Q2 Earnings & Market Share Growth Drew Wilkerson, Chairman and CEO of RXO, breaks down the company’s Q2 financial performance and market strategy. RXO reported strong volume growth across its business, with truckload volume outperforming the market by growing 2%. Drew shares how a 42% spot mix drove gross profit per load, the impact of agentic AI on operational productivity, and why he believes the freight market is in the early stages of a recovery. Managing Summer Retail Surplus & Returns Amrita Bhasin, Co-Founder and CEO of Sotira, returns to discuss how retailers are navigating late-summer return spikes and excess seasonal inventory heading into fall. Amrita explains how Sotira leverages AI to match overstock inventory with secondary buyers and donation markets—helping brands protect their bottom line while keeping surplus goods out of landfills. Transportation M&A & Freight Market Capacity Craig Decker, Managing Director at Brown Gibbons Lang & Company, provides an inside look at the dealmaking environment across logistics and transportation. Craig explores how capacity leaving the system—rather than a surge in demand—is driving early signs of freight market recovery, and what buyers and sellers need to know about transportation M&A activity heading into 2026. 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 massive consolidation move reshaping the finished vehicle logistics market. Jacksonville-based Proficient Auto Logistics announced a one hundred thirty million dollar agreement to acquire California-based Hansen & Adkins, a deal that will push the combined company's market share to roughly 25 percent of the new car hauling market. The acquisition will more than double Proficient's fleet to over seven hundred twenty-five company-owned units and add four hundred million dollars in annual revenue, with the deal expected to close in mid-August as the auto haul industry faces rising regulatory pressures and tightening capacity. Next, we explore a brewing battle in the parcel sector where a Senate bill aimed at solving Zip code confusion is triggering fierce pushback from postal leadership. The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee endorsed legislation requiring the U.S. Postal Service to designate unique Zip codes for eighty-three communities, but Postmaster General David Steiner is warning that the mandate would cause irreparable harm to both the organization and its customers. Steiner claims implementation would cost well over eight hundred million dollars, completely erasing last quarter's hard-fought performance gains for an agency that has lost nearly fifteen billion dollars over the past twenty-one months. Finally, we break down strong second-quarter results from one of the nation's largest freight railroads as BNSF Railway reported pre-tax earnings rising nearly fourteen percent on higher volume and revenue. Parent company Berkshire Hathaway disclosed that BNSF's earnings climbed to two point zero six billion dollars as revenue increased fourteen point six percent to six point five six billion, driven by a six and a half percent volume surge and higher revenue per unit. Consumer products traffic grew nine point three percent thanks to increased West Coast imports and tightening truck capacity, while agricultural and energy shipments jumped eleven and a half percent, though the railroad's operating ratio deteriorated slightly as fuel costs surged sixty-eight percent year over year. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s show, we dive into the shifting macro landscape, major breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, and new solutions for fleet electrification:  Freight Market Shakeout: Ryan Farlow, Industrials Senior Analyst at RSM, discusses how regulatory enforcement, small-carrier cost pressures, and changing capital costs could trigger a capacity shakeout to rebalance freight pricing.  Enterprise AI at Scale: Adrian Smith, Co-Founder and CEO of Ripple, breaks down their record enterprise deployment with global freight forwarder JAS, detailing how bespoke AI automation transforms core workflows.  Autonomous Tech Milestones: Raquel Urtasun, Founder and CEO of Waabi, explains how the Waabi Driver achieved zero-retraining AI generalization by seamlessly transferring to the Volvo VNL Autonomous platform without new data.  Electrification Solutions: Pat White, VP of Commercial at OptiGrid, highlights how battery-integrated fast chargers enable fleets to bypass long utility delays and slash deployment timelines from years to weeks. 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 leadership change at an integrated asset-backed 4PL that's betting big on carrier verification technology. Mariner Logistics recently named Justin Turner as chief executive officer, handing the Coppell, Texas operation to an executive who spent the past decade scaling brokerages and freight tech companies, including a critical role helping Flock Freight grow revenue from roughly ten million dollars to more than five hundred million dollars. The company's proprietary Sentinel Protocol continuously scores carriers and lanes rather than checking them once at signup, applying multi-source verification to every shipment. Meanwhile, consolidation is accelerating in the managed logistics sector as Tampa-based BlueGrace Logistics acquired Idaho 3PL Truk TMS, a broker focused on less-than-truckload transportation with a heavy concentration in the Pacific Northwest. Truk TMS had been operating as a BlueGrace partner and will now have full access to the company's technology platform and carrier network of over two hundred fifty thousand carriers, marking BlueGrace's third acquisition in recent years. Finally, we cover a freight fraud scheme that highlights the vulnerabilities in distributor delivery verification as Pennsylvania authorities filed fifteen criminal charges involving fraudulent Little Debbie delivery invoices. The City of Washington Police Department alleges that distributor James Powell created fake invoices showing Little Debbie products reaching Pennsylvania retail stores when the deliveries never occurred, using forged employee signatures to falsely verify receipt of merchandise. Powell now faces multiple felony counts including forgery, theft by deception, and fraudulent business practices, with authorities seeking over seventeen thousand dollars in restitution. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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In this episode, we kick things off by examining a major safety recall affecting nearly six thousand brand-new Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks. PACCAR is pulling model year 2027 vehicles due to a critical defect in the power distribution center that could cause drivers to lose engine power, antilock brakes, or windshield wipers without any dashboard warning. The problem originated from contaminated soldering at a supplier facility, though PACCAR estimates only 0.3 percent of recalled trucks actually have the defect. Meanwhile, a sophisticated fraud operation is targeting heavy-duty trucking suppliers across Western Canada as twelve businesses shipped truck tires, engine oil, and trailer parts on fraudulent credit card orders that initially appeared legitimate. Saskatchewan RCMP launched an investigation in March after companies across the province discovered that approved transactions ultimately failed, with callers having provided credit card details that prompted shipments before the payments declined. Finally, we cover a massive workforce reduction in Ohio as International Motors lays off 1,341 employees following the sale of its Springfield facilities to Canadian manufacturer Roshel. The sale is expected to close October 2nd, effectively ending the facility's contract manufacturing agreement with a major automotive company and paving the way for Roshel to transform the sprawling campus into a U.S.-based production hub for commercial, specialty, and armored vehicles. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of FreightWaves Today, co-hosts Zach Strickland and Julie Van de Kamp break down the latest market-moving headlines across the freight, logistics, and supply chain landscape. Driver Pay & Payroll Trends: Mike Ritzema, President and Founder of Superior Trucking Payroll Service, joins the show to discuss the Driver Pay Index reaching a record 170.04. He walks through what real payroll data reveals about rising driver compensation, surging turnover rates in June, and how carrier owners can adjust pay structures to navigate tightening margins. Scaling D2C Cold Chain Fulfillment: Juan Camilo Meisel, Founder and CEO of Grip, dives into the fast-growing world of direct-to-consumer perishable logistics. Juan shares insights on shipping over $3 billion in temperature-sensitive goods, why frozen products are leading the charge, and the strategic addition of industry veteran John Hummel as President of Grip Fulfillment to drive their next phase of expansion. Freightnomics & Macroeconomic Update: On the second half of the show, Zach Strickland and DJ Donahue break down the latest ISM manufacturing data, ADP labor metrics, and modal shifts between truckload and intermodal. Plus, Dr. Zack Rogers drops in for his monthly analysis of the Logistics Managers' Index (LMI), breaking down inventory cost deltas, capacity contractions, and what to expect heading into Q4. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we kick things off by examining the latest quarterly results from third-party logistics provider RXO, which posted a mixed second-quarter performance. While net income remained at a five cents per share loss, the company achieved what it described as a historic sequential increase in profit per load driven by a massive jump in truckload spot mix. That spot mix surged to forty-two percent in the second quarter, up from just thirty-three percent in the first quarter, as the strengthening freight market provides a tailwind for the broker. Next, we explore the encouraging turnaround at Forward Air, which is showing real signs of recovery following what analysts have called a messy merger with freight forwarder Omni Logistics. The company reported its best quarterly performance since the January 2024 combination, with consolidated revenue climbing nine percent year-over-year and consolidated adjusted EBITDA rising eighteen percent to ninety-three million dollars. The expedited freight segment led the charge with a solid twenty-four percent year-over-year revenue increase, benefiting from less-than-truckload freight that had previously been lost to a depressed truckload market now returning. Finally, we cover the heavy-duty truck market where North American Class 8 net orders totaled twenty-two thousand units in July, down thirty-one percent from June. However, industry analysts are clear that the slowdown reflects limited production availability rather than softening freight demand, with calendar-year 2026 production essentially sold out. Through July, 2026 Class 8 net orders are running one hundred twenty percent higher than the same period last year, underscoring robust replacement demand and improving fleet utilization. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of FreightWaves Today, hosts Craig Fuller and Julie Van de Kamp break down critical news across the freight and logistics landscape, from financial health and quarterly earnings to regulatory shifts, market indices, and tariffs. James Gellert, Executive Chairman of Rapid Ratings, joins to discuss financial health across middle-market and private companies. He highlights cash-conversion cycle pressures, rising leverage, PE hold extensions, and how high-interest environments affect supply chain counterparty risk. Jay Edlin, CEO of Wove, stops by the studio to share how their AI-powered ingestion engine helps customs brokers and shippers navigate HTS updates and Section 301 tariff changes in real time. Trains Magazine Editor Bill Stephens breaks down North American rail traffic data. Excluding coal, carload growth remains strong alongside intermodal gains, pointing to continued industrial economy momentum. CEO Geoff Anderman discusses STG Logistics emerging from bankruptcy with a restructured balance sheet, the current state of drayage and intermodal demand, and ongoing modal conversion opportunities. 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 harsh financial realities facing the truckload sector, where Pamt Corp. posted its seventh consecutive quarterly net loss and a staggering 110.6% adjusted operating ratio in its truckload division. Despite slashing its fleet by over four hundred tractors in three years, the company is finally seeing emerging signs of relief with a four percent sequential increase in revenue per loaded mile and constrained driver supply creating potential rate correction opportunities ahead. Next, we explore a major consolidation in the specialized bulk sector as Canadian hauler Trimac Transportation acquired California Freight, a bulk food-grade logistics provider operating eight terminals across California and Nevada. This strategic acquisition brings approximately five hundred tractors and tank trailers hauling raw milk, plus over four hundred thousand square feet of food-grade storage space that aligns directly with Trimac's long-term growth strategy. Finally, we break down another critical win for shippers in the ongoing legal battle over vicarious liability, where a Texas appeals court blocked liability claims against Atlas Aerospace in a fatal 2018 trucking collision case. This marks the second recent Texas court decision rejecting shipper liability for failing to control carrier selection, while C.H. Robinson continues its aggressive appeal of the massive six hundred four million dollar Lipe vs. Lupus Superior verdict. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Craig and Julie cover the entire supply chain spectrum in this packed episode! GEODIS CEO Laura Ritchey recaps her first year leading the company, while John Brooks introduces the new WOW Supply Chain Activity Index from Warehouse on Wheels. Plus, Sope Creek Capital’s Kevin Nolan breaks down recent earnings and freight trends, Port of LA Executive Director Gene Seroka celebrates a record-breaking month, and FreightWaves’ Eric Kulisch unravels the mystery of a ghost fleet of unbranded cargo planes. 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 manufacturing surge that's creating serious momentum across the freight landscape. July's Institute for Supply Management Manufacturing PMI jumped to 55.6, the highest reading since May 2022 and well ahead of analyst expectations. This manufacturing recovery is showing up directly in less-than-truckload volumes, with four publicly traded LTL carriers reporting tonnage up 2.6 percent year over year in the second quarter, and preliminary July results showing even stronger growth at 5.1 percent year over year. Next, we discuss a major driver misclassification case as drayage drivers who hauled for STG Logistics in New Jersey are eligible for a piece of a more than $2.2 million payout following the settlement. The suit, which dates back to 2023, was the first filed under a 2021 New Jersey law targeting employers who misclassified full-time workers as independent contractors. Eligible drivers can receive a lump sum based on their earnings from January 2017 to the present. Finally, we explore how a strategic investment is expanding global widebody cargo capacity as Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings completed its transaction to take a 49 percent stake in Iceland-based Air Atlanta, the all-cargo carrier and lessor announced on Monday. As part of the deal, Atlas subsidiary Titan Aviation acquired fourteen widebody freighter aircraft owned by Air Atlanta and leased them back, while Air Atlanta's CEO and vice presidents acquired a 51 percent controlling interest in the operating companies. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Craig and Julie have a jam packed show to start of the week! FreightWaves Finance Editor, Todd Maiden, starts things off talking railroad earnings. He breaks down how major carriers like Schneider National handily beat expectations, signaling the early stages of a capacity-constrained rate recovery. Schneider captured double-digit rate increases on contract renewals during Q2. Zak Andersoe, Chief of Staff and VP of Corporate Relations at BNSF, outlined why the railroad strongly opposes the proposed merger between Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS). He explains how the merger creates an unprecedented level of market power (over 50% market share in the combined entity), which BNSF argues will ultimately raise prices and reduce competition for shippers—particularly bulk and carload shippers who lack competitive alternatives. Trent Broberg, CEO of FullBay, highlighted key trends and operational pressures across heavy-duty maintenance shops. Brian Fielkow, EVP of Risk Resources at Acrisure, detailed how safety directly drives productivity and enterprise value. Alex Tabarrok, Chair in Economics at George Mason University, presented findings from a white paper on autonomous vehicle (AV) adoption and opposition. 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 how Schneider National is aggressively pushing rates higher in a tight capacity environment. The Green Bay-based carrier handily beat second-quarter expectations and raised its full-year outlook, declaring that the truckload market is only in the early stages of rate recovery as it captures double-digit increases on contract renewals. Next, we explore the autonomous trucking sector where Aurora Innovation is spelling out exactly what its driverless technology will cost carriers. The Pittsburgh-based developer reported a second-quarter loss of two hundred seventy million dollars and detailed the per-mile pricing behind its two distinct business models, targeting different revenue ranges for its transportation-as-a-service and driver-as-a-service offerings. Finally, we cover the rapidly evolving enterprise artificial intelligence landscape as a leading CEO argues that the competitive battleground has shifted away from model quality entirely. Speaking at the Supply Chain AI Symposium in Chicago, Reindeer's founder explained that large language models are becoming commoditized and that the real edge now lies in the maintenance layer—detecting when workflows drift and adjusting agents without costly engineering intervention. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s a action-packed Friday episode of FreightWaves Today! Host Craig Fuller, Julie Van de Kamp, and guest host Max Fuller dive deep into the latest earnings releases, critical market shifts, and major legal developments rocking the supply chain industry. In this episode, we cover: Spotlight on ArcBest: President & CEO Seth Runser joins the show to discuss ArcBest's impressive Q2 performance, signs of an early demand recovery, their strategic rebranding (consolidating Molo and Panther), and the launch of the new ArcBest View platform. Freight Market Deep Dive: A breakdown of 5 key market pillars—from capacity exits and durable spot rates to shifting driver recruiting dynamics. C.H. Robinson & Earnings Roundup: Senior Editor John Kingston drops by to unpack C.H. Robinson's earnings call, headcount reductions, and the lingering overhang of recent litigation. Legacy Carriers & Market Supercycle: Covenant Logistics Founder & CEO David Parker sits down to discuss Covenant’s transition away from one-way OTR, driver market constraints, rising insurance burdens, and why we might be in the early stages of a freight supercycle. Freight Expectations: Transportation attorney Matt Leffler breaks down the massive $604M Lupus Superior nuclear verdict against C.H. Robinson, the legal concept of vicarious liability/co-employment, and why this case represents an existential threat to the freight brokerage model. 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 massive equipment theft bust as law enforcement officers across the Carolinas recovered thirteen semi-trucks, three trailers, and two motor vehicles worth over one million dollars during an ongoing Florence County investigation. Two North Carolina men face grand larceny and conspiracy charges for allegedly stealing nine commercial motor vehicles between November 2022 and October 2025, with the eighteen-vehicle recovery highlighting the critical importance of fast reporting and secure parking controls. Next, we explore the less-than-truckload sector where XPO delivered record-breaking second-quarter results that crushed Wall Street expectations with adjusted earnings per share of one dollar and seventy cents. The Greenwich-based carrier's LTL unit posted a seventy-nine point nine percent adjusted operating ratio, three hundred basis points better year-over-year, with management declaring the industry is still in the early innings of a multiyear double-digit rate growth cycle. Finally, we cover how Saia's softer full-year margin outlook sent shares tumbling twelve percent in midday trading Thursday despite delivering better-than-expected quarterly earnings. The Johns Creek carrier now expects to hit the lower end of its guidance range, with the addition of thirty-three new service centers since 2022 dragging on margins as these fresh facilities still trail the legacy network with operating ratios in the low-ninety percent range. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Malcom and Julie are live from the Westin in downtown Chattanooga at the Univar Solutions Carrier Kickoff Event. Key Segments & Highlights Rob McRae (VP of Transportation, Univar Solutions): Explains the strategy behind Univar's Carrier Kickoff and why investing in face-to-face relationships with carriers—especially in the specialized chemical and liquid bulk space—creates long-term reliability and market protection. Details what it takes to be awarded "Shipper of Choice," including driver engagement, internal talent recruitment, and maintaining disciplined, service-focused carrier scorecards. Brad Hadley (VP of National Accounts, Saia LTL Freight): Analyzes the industry shift of shipments moving from truckload to less-than-truckload (LTL) as truckload capacity tightens and rates rise.Highlights Saia's capital investments, terminal expansions, and their internal "Dock-to-Driver" training program designed to develop CDL drivers from within. Brian Riley (VP of National Account Sales, Arrive Logistics): Breaks down the "trilogy" relationship between shippers, carriers, and service providers. Discusses how shippers can navigate tightening capacity, handle lower-volume "tail" lanes, and adopt proactive contract adjustments to avoid volatile spot market pricing. Ben Caplenor (EVP of Operations, LRT Solutions): Shares insights on operational growth, prioritizing service and safety amidst industry headwinds, and how smaller carriers can leverage cost-effective technology to free up team bandwidth. Tyson Wimberly (SVP of Sales & Revenue Management, Covenant Logistics): Discusses Covenant's evolution into a full-service logistics organization, its focus on alternative fuel sustainability, and the critical importance of predictable scheduling and fair pay for professional truck drivers. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join the Craig and Julie as they dive deep into a jam-packed Wednesday broadcast covering the latest Q2 earnings, market trends, rail updates, and freight technology! In This Episode: Market Dynamics & Q2 Earnings Overdrive: The hosts unpack earnings season highlights across the supply chain, analyzing surging revenue metrics, tight capacity, and how asset-based carriers like Werner Enterprises, Night-Swift, and Old Dominion (posting an unheard-of 70.1 operating ratio!) are navigating the market recovery. Trailer Optimization with Repower: Chris Hines, CEO of Repowr ("The Trailer Whisperer"), discusses the launch of TOP (Trailer Optimization Platform). Learn how automating execution layers and managing trailer pools helps carriers eliminate empty miles, improve driver retention, and stop revenue leak. Inside an Employee-Owned Fleet: Brent Nussbaum, CEO of Nussbaum Transportation, shares why transitioning to an ESOP in 2018 transformed their culture, maintained an impressive ~30% turnover rate, and created sustainable growth. Plus, a look at how Nussbaum is leveraging their new pricing technology, BidRight. Rail Industry & STB Merger Updates: Bill Stevens, Editor of Trains Magazine, drops in for the weekly Association of American Railroads (AAR) report. The team breaks down carload and intermodal trends, along with key takeaways from the "Future of Rail" symposium regarding Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern's proposed transcontinental merger. OEM Market Analysis: Chris Versace (Chief Investment Officer at Tematica / Portfolio Manager at TheStreet Pro) analyzes transport stocks, UPS’s restructuring struggles against Amazon Flex, and PACCAR’s strong demand outlook amidst the impending EPA 2027 emissions pre-buy. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Live from Chattanooga, Tennessee, hosts Craig Fuller and Julie Van de Kamp broadcast from the Future of Rail Symposium to break down the latest shifts transforming the freight and logistics industry. In this episode, Craig and Julie dive deep into the critical role of freight rail as the backbone of the American industrial economy. They discuss recent market shifts, safety technology investments, regulatory updates, and why AI-driven data center expansion and energy sector growth are creating massive opportunities for rail networks. Plus, they examine the ongoing fallout from recent legal precedents impacting freight brokers and trucking liability. Later in the episode, Zach Strickland (Head of Freight Market Intelligence) sits down with FreightWaves rail and intermodal expert Stuart Charles to dissect the latest SONAR market data. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Freight Waves Today, hosts Craig Fuller and Julie Van de Kamp break down one of the most transformative developments in recent logistics history: a staggering $640 million nuclear judgment involving C.H. Robinson that has sent shockwaves through the brokerage industry and freight markets.Plus, we explore how AI data center expansion is reshaping flatbed and bulk capacity, the latest trends in last-mile retail delivery, and a custom tech solution built specifically for truck drivers!Dennis McCaffrey, SVP of Enterprise Sales at RXO, drops by to share war stories from the early days of ExpressOne and XPO. He breaks down how RXO scaled into the 3rd largest freight broker, the power of managed expedite platforms, and what the next 12–18 months look like for capacity.Hackathon Winner Spotlight: RateSafe: Hackathon winner Sean Conley (VPA & Director of Business Development at Vantage Logistics) introduces RateSafe—an app built using Sonar’s API that cuts through the noise to tell drivers what not to book based on personalized operating costs and home-time expectations.Last-Mile Delivery & Retail Trends: Jake Stein, VP of Retail Growth at Burke, breaks down the shift from ultra-fast delivery to extreme reliability, multi-carrier last-mile orchestration, and the realistic timeline for drone delivery.The "Capacity Tax" & AI Data Centers: Blake Ezell, VP of Customer Success & Support at IntelliTrans, joins to challenge the market recovery narrative. Discover how hyperscale AI data center construction is quietly consuming massive amounts of flatbed and bulk capacity—creating a bidding war for specialized freight. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This jam-packed episode of FreightWaves Today covers major industry-shaking news, featuring a massive nuclear lawsuit judgment against C.H. Robinson, key updates across intermodal rail,yard security technology, and last-mile logistics. The show opens with the fallout from a $604 million nuclear lawsuit verdict handed down in Dallas County Court against C.H. Robinson and motor carrier Lupus Superior following a fatal multi-vehicle pileup in Mississippi. Cassandra Gaines, Founder of Carrier Assure, and FreightWaves journalist John Kingston join to analyze what this landmark post-Montgomery decision means for freight brokers nationwide. Later in the show, the hosts speak with Paul Svindland (CEO of Mallory Alexander and former CEO of Celadon) about his career navigating distressed supply chain companies, before exploring yard security, booming rail earnings, and the impact of the housing slowdown on last-mile delivery. 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 acquisition that signals a massive shift in how financial services companies are approaching the independent carrier market. Freight factoring firm BasicBlock has officially acquired TrueNorth, an AI dispatcher and free loadboard platform, dramatically expanding BasicBlock's service offerings beyond traditional financing. By integrating TrueNorth's centralized invoice tracking, fuel, insurance, compliance and load-searching tools, BasicBlock gains critical data and operational capabilities to support its broader vision of building a comprehensive financial ecosystem around trucking customers. Next, we discuss one of the largest nuclear verdicts in trucking history and the massive implications for the brokerage sector. A Dallas jury delivered a verdict of approximately six hundred four million dollars in a case stemming from a fatal March 2021 crash that killed three people, with defendants including logistics giant C.H. Robinson and carrier Lupus Superior. Legal sources say a court rejecting the FMCSA satisfactory rating as a valid defense is a major concern for the brokerage industry in the post-Montgomery legal landscape, and C.H. Robinson plans to appeal. Finally, we explore how Tesla is ramping up commercial vehicle production as part of what executives are calling the company's largest investment cycle ever. Austin-based Tesla reported second-quarter revenue of twenty-eight point two four billion dollars, up twenty-six percent year over year, while highlighting major progress on launching production of the Tesla Semi Class 8 electric truck at its Nevada manufacturing facility. The Nevada Tesla Semi factory remains on schedule, with full production expected to begin later this year as capital expenditures more than doubled to support the aggressive expansion. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is the freight market finally turning a corner? On today’s episode of FreightWaves Today, Craig Fuller and Julie Van de Kamp break down a massive week of Q2 earnings, major rail updates, and supply chain headlines! We sit down with Josh Phelan, CVP of Operations at J.B. Hunt, to discuss driver constraints, cost inflation, contract vs. spot rate momentum, and why this cycle might look very different for carriers big and small. Plus, FreightWaves' own Todd Maiden breaks down Knight Swift’s massive Q2 earnings beat. And Paul Tonsager, CEO & Founder-Integrated Multi-Modal Solutions, LLC talks industry growth. 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 milestone in the autonomous trucking race as Pittsburgh-based Aurora Innovation launched its second-generation driverless hardware across ten commercial freight routes in the U.S. Sun Belt. Unlike its first-generation trucks, the new fleet is built to run with no passive observer at all, erasing what one Morgan Stanley analyst called "one of the last remaining asterisks around the technology." Engineered for a one-million-mile operating life and designed for volume production rather than pilot-scale trials, Aurora is leaning heavily on manufacturing partner Roush, which is targeting an annual production run-rate of one thousand trucks by year-end. Meanwhile, the nation's largest truckload carrier is declaring that a structural recovery is finally here. Knight-Swift Transportation reported second-quarter adjusted earnings per share of sixty-three cents, smashing consensus by twelve cents and coming in twenty-eight cents higher year-over-year. CEO Adam Miller credited aggressive regulatory enforcement by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Department of Transportation for forcing out non-compliant capacity and creating what the company called a "rapid progression in truckload market conditions." Contract rates climbed throughout the quarter, with revenue per loaded mile accelerating from low-single digits in April to eight percent in June, while Knight-Swift's tender rejection rate was twice the industry average. Finally, over on the rails, CSX is riding a powerful volume rebound to beat Wall Street expectations. The Jacksonville-based Class I railroad reported second-quarter revenue of three point nine four billion dollars, up ten point one percent year-over-year, while earnings per share came in at fifty-four cents, beating analyst consensus estimates by four point two percent. Carload volumes improved by six point one percent, a dramatic swing from just zero point one percent growth a year ago, with intermodal traffic surging across CSX's eastern U.S. network. Free cash flow swung dramatically from negative one hundred fifteen million dollars in the second quarter of twenty twenty-five to positive six hundred eighty-seven million dollars this quarter. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of FreightWaves Today covers key developments across logistics, freight technology, and the industrial economy: Key Episode Highlights & Topics Industry News & AI Breakthroughs: The hosts review major headlines, including JB Hunt's partnership with startup Overroot to deploy AI-led freight execution platform agents across millions of loads. They also examine Forward Air's nonbinding agreement to retain 50% to 75% of a crucial $250 million account (believed to be NVIDIA) that was at risk due to customer diversification, alongside MARAD's agreement with the Port of Long Beach to test small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). Modal Shifts & Bulk Logistics with Circle Logistics: Nicholas Schipe, Director of Premium Transportation at Circle Logistics, discusses automotive expedited shipping, intermodal conversions, and chemical/liquid bulk freight. He highlights how supply disruptions, port downtimes, and domestic energy production trends (like wastewater and transformer oils) drive modal shifts between rail and truckload. AI and Automation in Warehousing: Andre Luecht, Global Strategy Lead for Transport & Logistics at Zebra Technologies, details how "physical AI," mobile devices, and environmental sensors (e.g., tracking temperature, shock, and ripening gases) empower frontline warehouse workers. He explains how smart assistants give frontline workers instant access to tribal knowledge and standard operating procedures. AAR Rail Data Analysis: The hosts break down the latest Association of American Railroads (AAR) weekly report, pointing to overall volume growth (up 3.4% total traffic, 3.8% intermodal) as a strong indicator of industrial momentum. They contrast solid U.S. demand with declines in Canadian auto parts and commodities tied to trade policy uncertainties. Class 8 Truck Orders & Used Market Dynamics: Chris Ciolino (Industrials Analyst from Bloomberg Intelligence) shares insights on strong Class 8 truck orders and dealer sentiment. He notes that while order backlogs are full through early 2027, much of the volume represents replacement demand ahead of EPA 2027 regulations rather than aggressive fleet expansion, due in part to driver shortages, engine pricing, and tariff impacts. Earnings & Financial Trends with Triumph: Aaron Graft, CEO and Founder of Triumph, breaks down their spectacular Q2 earnings. He reports a 26% increase in average invoice size in their factoring business and highlights why this tight, supply-driven freight market feels structural rather than short-lived. He also discusses operational efficiencies, their 65% market touch in brokered freight, and the rapid 49% growth of their LoadPay digital wallet product. 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 AI breakthrough that could fundamentally transform freight execution across North America. J.B. Hunt Transport Services has partnered with a startup to publicly launch an AI-led freight execution platform following a year-long co-design process. The platform leverages AI agents to automate shipment coordination, reading live data, detecting exceptions, and managing customer communications while working within carriers' existing systems. Overroute's technology is now deployed across J.B. Hunt's business units, with AI agents working behind the scenes on millions of loads. Meanwhile, Forward Air just pulled off a critical rescue of a massive customer relationship that nearly sank the entire company. The logistics provider secured a deal to keep at least half of a $250 million account that had threatened to pull all of its business back in May. Forward's shares had plummeted over forty percent following the warning that it might lose a customer responsible for ten percent of its annual revenue, and the potential loss also foiled its plan to sell the company. Shares of Forward Air surged nineteen percent in early trading following Tuesday's announcement. Finally, we explore how the nation's busiest container port is about to become the testing ground for nuclear-powered maritime operations. The U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration will sign the first-ever agreement with the Port of Long Beach to test small modular reactors for commercial vessels and other potential port uses. Separately, Bluecore Energy, a startup headquartered at the Port of Long Beach, announced it has raised ten million dollars to develop floating, barge-mounted reactors to power ports and eventually cargo ships. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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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! 🚛🤖 Craig Fuller and Julie Van de Kamp co-host this special live edition from one of the premier gatherings of logistics, transportation, and artificial intelligence leaders. Together, they welcome some of the industry's top innovators to separate AI hype from reality and explore how artificial intelligence is already reshaping freight, transportation, and supply chain operations. Featuring conversations with executives from across the logistics ecosystem, this episode dives into where AI is creating measurable ROI today, where companies are still struggling, and what organizations need to do to successfully implement AI at scale. From enterprise adoption and autonomous workflows to TMS evolution, document automation, appointment scheduling, and the future of human-AI collaboration, this episode is packed with practical insights for carriers, brokers, shippers, and technology providers alike. Featured Guests Eric Rempel – Chief Innovation Officer, Redwood Val Marchevsky – Uber Freight Jett McCandless – Project44 Alyssa Norcross – Revenova Megan Orth – C.H. Robinson David Bell – CloneOps In this episode: * Is AI a bubble—or the biggest technology shift in decades? * Why AI isn't replacing logistics professionals as fast as many think * The biggest mistakes companies make when implementing AI * How to measure real ROI from AI initiatives * Why clean, connected data is still the foundation of successful AI * AI's growing impact on TMS platforms and enterprise software * The future of SaaS in an AI-driven world * How logistics companies are using AI for document processing, workflow automation, appointment scheduling, and customer service * Why change management—not technology—is often the biggest obstacle to AI success * Human-in-the-loop AI and why judgment still matters * Building AI-ready organizations and preparing employees for the future of work * What brokers, carriers, and shippers should look for when evaluating AI vendors * The next frontier of AI across freight and supply chain operations Whether you're leading digital transformation, evaluating AI vendors, building logistics software, or simply trying to understand where the industry is headed, this special live edition of FreightWaves Today delivers valuable insights from the executives putting AI to work across the global supply chain today. #FreightWaves #FreightWavesToday #SupplyChain #SupplyChainAI #ArtificialIntelligence #Logistics #FreightTech #Transportation #Trucking #Automation #EnterpriseAI #Redwood #UberFreight #Project44 #CHRobinson #CloneOps Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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: 🚛 Syd Brown, CEO of NFI * Why NFI exited the one-way truckload business * How dedicated fleets and warehousing transformed the company into a $3.8 billion logistics powerhouse * Why driver shortages are returning * The impact of freight fraud and stricter carrier enforcement * Why safety investments are becoming a competitive advantage * How shippers are responding as freight capacity tightens 🌍 Stuart Chirls, FreightWaves International Reporter * Breaking down the latest developments in the Strait of Hormuz * What a potential blockade means for global trade * Rising ocean freight rates and supply chain disruptions * Why importers are front-loading freight ahead of additional uncertainty * The growing importance of alternative shipping routes through the Middle East 🤖 Jake Dettmer, SVP of Product at Optimal Dynamics * Using AI to optimize freight acceptance before dispatch * Why maximizing revenue matters more than minimizing empty miles * Forward-looking fleet optimization strategies * The future of AI-powered trucking operations * Is AI in logistics entering a bubble—or just getting started? ⛽ John Kingston, FreightWaves Energy Expert * Weekly diesel price update * How geopolitical tensions are impacting fuel markets * What trucking companies should expect from diesel prices in the weeks ahead 🌊 Captain Rahul Khanna, Global Head of Marine Risk Consulting at Allianz Commercial * How geopolitical tensions are reshaping global maritime risk * The insurance industry's perspective on disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz * The biggest threats facing global shipping today * How shipping companies are preparing for increased security and operational risks * What cargo owners, carriers, and logistics providers should watch as global trade routes evolve * Why marine risk has become one of the most critical factors in supply chain resilience 📰 Top stories covered: * Project44 splits into two companies with the launch of LSP44 * AI-native logistics technology and the future of transportation management * Risinger Brothers driver classification lawsuit receives class-action status * Freight market conditions continue tightening * Driver recruiting challenges return as regulatory enforcement increases * Intermodal volumes continue climbing * Why shippers may soon face higher transportation costs Whether you're a carrier, broker, shipper, owner-operator, or logistics technology leader, this episode breaks down the biggest freight, supply chain, transportation, and economic stories shaping the industry today. Subscribe for daily freight market analysis, supply chain news, trucking updates, logistics technology, AI insights, and exclusive interviews from the industry's leading experts. #FreightWaves #Trucking #Logistics #SupplyChain #Freight #Diesel #OilPrices #Project44 #AI #Transportation #Shipping #TruckingNews #FreightMarket #NFI #SupplyChainAI Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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