FreightCasts

In today’s episode, Michael Caney, Chief Commercial Officer at Highway joins us to talk about their recent funding, how they’re fighting fraud and the new release of their Trusted Freight Exchange.

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Carrier sentiment is suppressed by a weak rate environment as the market waits for necessary fleet rationalization, highlighted by historic levels of Class 8 oversupply exceeding 90,000 units. The physical evidence of financial distress is staggering, demonstrated by the collapse in trailer prices—with 3-year-old 53-foot dry vans now trading for under $20,000—and the high volume of repossessions dominating used equipment sales, where 158 out of 162 units sold by Ritchie Bros. in Q3 2025 were repossessions.

This contraction is bleeding into the tech sector, as evidenced by the Chapter 11 filing of VC-backed freight tech startup Zuum, which listed assets and liabilities betw...

The growing list of bankruptcies in trucking has caught up a significant new participant from the freight tech part of the business, as ⁠VC-backed Zuum files for chapter 11 protection⁠ with assets and liabilities listed in the range of $10 million to $50 million.

The US Trade Representative officially announced the one-year suspension of ⁠port fees on Chinese ships⁠ docking at American ports. This suspension, effective until November 10, 2025, is part of a wide-ranging trade agreement where China simultaneously dropped retaliatory fees on U.S.-flagged vessels.

A legislative package designed to end the 40-day government shutdown includes a major ea...

This episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? features two in-depth conversations focused on how technology is reshaping trucking safety, operations, and cargo security. Host Malcolm Harris first speaks with Kiren Sakhar, Chief Product Officer at Samsara, about how AI-powered dashcams, sensors, and real-time coaching are helping fleets shift from reactive safety practices to predictive, preventative ones. They discuss improvements in driver experience, reduced accidents, and how balanced coaching and recognition can strengthen retention and culture.

In the second segment, Danny Ramon, Director of Intelligence and Response at Overhaul, breaks down the rapid rise in cargo theft, especially sophisticated fraud-bas...

Aifleet is cutting its fleet size from approximately 180 trucks down to about half and letting go of nearly 100 personnel, triggered by the abrupt termination of a contract with a key supplier.

The air cargo market is facing its own shock following a tragic crash, resulting in the temporary grounding of MD-11 freighters by both UPS (27 planes) and FedEx (28 planes) as a precautionary measure, following Boeing's recommendation. Since the MD-11 makes up about 9% of both companies' main fleets, this temporary loss of lift creates significant capacity tightness systemwide heading into peak season.

Simultaneously, U.S. tariff...

Aifleet is undergoing drastic cutbacks, ⁠reducing its fleet from about 180 trucks to a much smaller, undisclosed number⁠, following the abrupt termination of a contract with a key supplier. CEO Marc El Khoury described these fleet reductions as "drastic," but necessary to allow the company a chance to survive in the freight recession, enabling them to pivot almost entirely away from the spot market and focus on a contracted freight model.

In air cargo news, ⁠UPS and FedEx halt MD-11 flying to conduct safety review⁠ after a fatal crash in Louisville last week, following a recommendation from manufacturer Boeing t...

Host Malcolm Harris has a full house for this episode, joined by three experts to tackle the biggest stories in freight.

First, FreightWaves Editor-at-Large John Kingston joins the show to break down RXO's shocking earnings tumble. He explains what triggered Wall Street's steep negative reaction and what it signals for the rest of the brokerage and 3PL sector.

Then, Chief Product Officer at PCS, Danielle Villegas, dives into how AI and smart TMS tools are reshaping operations. She discusses why profit margins, not just volume, are the "new payload" for carriers and shippers.

...

In this episode, we dive into some of the most common problem shippers are seeing in the cold chain. Our guest, Paul Cullmann, Director, North American Sales at Sunset Transportation, joins us to examine where shippers are leaving opportunities for growth on the table as well as where common missteps are happening. For more information, subscribe to ⁠Running on Ice the newsletter⁠ or podcast.

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The FAA has mandated flight reductions—ramping up toward a 10% cut at 40 of the busiest domestic hubs due to air traffic controller shortages—which severely restricts domestic "belly cargo" capacity for high-value shipments but largely spares all-cargo carriers like FedEx and UPS.

The ground market is defined by a financial squeeze hitting 3PLs like RXO, who are struggling as locked-in, lower contractual sales rates are undercut by suddenly spiking buy rates for trucks, evidenced by the National Truckload Index climbing from $1.68 per mile to $1.80 more recently. RXO's CEO calls this structural capacity exit—driven by tighter regulations and sp...

Join Thomas Wasson on this special episode of Truck Tech as he travels to the Michelin Proving Ground to put the all-new Volvo VNL to the ultimate test!
We explore every angle of this cutting-edge tractor, from its revolutionary aerodynamic design (including that slick, wedge-shaped nose!) to the advanced safety and driver-assist technologies.
What's in the Video:

Dr. Zac Rogers and Zach Strickland discuss the October LMI readings and how businesses are being impacted by the government shutdown and the looming tariff ruling.

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We begin with the tragic UPS cargo jet crash near Worldport in Louisville, UPS's critical global hub, which resulted in at least nine confirmed fatalities and exposed the fragility of single-point logistics assets.

This immediate physical disruption led UPS to cancel initial express and deferred operations and suspend the money-back guarantee for all US packages, even as the NTSB worked quickly to recover the flight recorders. Following the accident, night sort operations at Worldport partially resumed to enable next-day air deliveries, though delivery commitments were relaxed for Thursday.

Wall Street severely reacted to 3PL RXO’s...

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Ship Happens! SONAR's Chief Customer Officer, Julie Van de Kamp, is joined by Tim Jed, Supply Chain Leader at DPR Construction, to tackle the (frankly chaotic) world of construction logistics.
They dive into the unique challenges of managing a project-by-project supply chain, navigating market volatility caused by shifting tariffs, and using data to bring order to the chaos. Tim shares his perspective on the current freight environment and explains why, in an unstable market, true collaboration with partners is the most critical tool for when... ship happens.

Learn...

You’ve signed hundreds of rate cons, but have you ever stopped to actually read the fine print? In this eye-opening episode of The Long Haul, Adam sits down with transportation attorney and Armchair Attorney podcast host Matthew Leffler to dissect a real broker-carrier agreement, section by section. If you’re an owner-operator or fleet owner signing rate confirmations without understanding the liability buried inside, you cannot afford to miss this. From indemnification clauses to cargo liability to payment terms, we break it all down in plain English so you can protect your business and stay in control.

⁠F...

The episode opens with the volatile reaction on Wall Street to 3PL RXO's third-quarter earnings, which saw the ⁠stock plummet over 14.8% in pre-market trading after the 6:30 a.m⁠. The logistics provider reported performance that was largely stagnant year-over-year, including a decline in adjusted net income to $2 million and a GAAP net loss of 8 cents per share, prompting the CEO to emphasize strategic scale and cost initiatives for future profitability.

We also cover the ongoing disruption at UPS Worldport in Louisville following the deadly cargo jet crash that happened on Tuesday. Although night sorting operations resumed Wednesday evening to e...

In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into the evolving world of freight tech, automation, safety, and the future of transportation — featuring three powerhouse guests shaping the industry right now.

Guest Lineup:

1. Chris Demetroulis — Managing Director of Transportation at Gallagher
 Chris breaks down the real risk and reward behind autonomous trucking, how insurers will adapt to AVs, and why reducing human error is the key to lowering claims and premiums.

2. Angie Twardawa — CEO of Angie’s Transportation & Co-Founder of Road Lights
 Live from the AAPEX Show in Las Vegas, Angie shares her journey...

The October Logistics Managers' Index data, detailed in the article October LMI shows price increases outpacing capacity growth, shows transportation utilization (57.3) and pricing (61.7) surged, reversing the prior negative freight inversion.

This tight market prediction is worsened by the immediate air cargo capacity shock stemming from the UPS MD-11 crash on November 5th, a tragedy covered in LATEST: Death toll in UPS cargo jet crash rises to 7. This incident led to seven confirmed fatalities and resulted in the indefinite closure of the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport and the complete halt of UPS Worldport operations.

Regulatory...

Details emerge on the devastating UPS MD-11 freighter crash that occurred during takeoff from Louisville, Kentucky, while the widebody cargo jet was bound for Honolulu. The death toll has tragically risen to seven individuals, with 11 injuries reported, leading to the indefinite closure of the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport and the halt of package sorting operations at Worldport.

The Panama Canal Authority is moving full steam ahead with an $8.5 billion, 10-year modernization plan designed to maintain the canal's competitiveness as climate pressures and global trade patterns evolve. This strategy includes constructing two new container terminals, implementing a...

The freight market is living a double life. On one hand, the domestic market is hitting the brakes, defined by shrinking truckload capacity and regulatory friction. On the other, global players and specialized sectors are flooring the accelerator on massive investments.
In this episode, we dissect this "market schizophrenia". We look at how a 32% drop in new tractor builds and stricter enforcement of driver language rules are tightening the screws on capacity. We also explore the massive strategic investments happening in global air cargo, AI-driven safety tech, and specialized healthcare logistics.
But as fleets fight for volume...

For-hire trucking capacity is contracting significantly due to a 32% reduction in tractor builds (taking equipment below replacement levels) and stricter FMCSA English Language Proficiency enforcement, which could affect up to 10% of the driver pool.

Despite shrinking capacity, freight rates are only seeing marginal spot market improvements of 1-2%, failing to keep pace with 3% inflation, due to volume volatility and broader macroeconomic risks. Regulatory friction is also widespread, as a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking the California Air Resources Board from enforcing its Clean Truck Partnership against major OEMs (like Daimler, PACCAR, and Volvo). This legal...

A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction stopping the California Air Resources Board from enforcing the Clean Truck Partnership against truck manufacturers. This block occurred because a state court lawsuit filed by CARB seeking OEM compliance was viewed by the federal court as an attempt to enforce potentially preempted zero emissions standards, particularly since Congress withdrew the EPA waivers that allowed the Advanced Clean Truck rule to go into effect.

UPS has completed the acquisition of Canadian logistics provider Andlauer Healthcare Group for $1.6 billion in cash. Michael Andlauer, AHG's founder and CEO, will now lead UPS Canada...

FreightWaves Founder and CEO Craig Fuller joins host Malcolm Harris for an unfiltered look at what he calls “the busiest news week in trucking history.” They break down why the ATA’s so-called “driver shortage” is a myth, how unqualified drivers and lax regulations have shaken the industry, and why the freight brokerage world is facing its toughest market in years. Craig also dives into Secretary Duffy’s crackdown on noncompliant carriers, the coming shakeout in freight, and how trucking leaders can restore integrity—and profitability—to the road ahead.

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Host Malcolm Harris kicks off a spooky edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? live from Chattanooga, Tennessee, diving into some of the biggest stories shaping trucking and logistics.

First up, OOIDA Executive Vice President Lewie Pugh joins the show to react to Secretary Duffy’s fiery comments on driver qualification standards and language proficiency. Lewie breaks down the long-running myth of the “driver shortage,” calling it a cover for low pay, poor training, and unsafe working conditions. He lays out OOIDA’s priorities—from codifying DOT rules into law to passing the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act—and challenges lawmake...

Host Malcolm Harris kicks off a spooky edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? live from Chattanooga, Tennessee, diving into some of the biggest stories shaping trucking and logistics.

First up, OOIDA Executive Vice President Lewie Pugh joins the show to react to Secretary Duffy’s fiery comments on driver qualification standards and language proficiency. Lewie breaks down the long-running myth of the “driver shortage,” calling it a cover for low pay, poor training, and unsafe working conditions. He lays out OOIDA’s priorities—from codifying DOT rules into law to passing the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act—and challenges lawmake...

The Department of Transportation is escalating its battle against "CDL mills" accused of certifying unqualified drivers, promising to eliminate unsafe operators and investigate fleets that hire them. This heightened regulatory enforcement is already leading to a significant capacity shakeout in the truckload market, which could potentially overshadow Schneider’s tough Q3 earnings report.

DOT Secretary Sean Duffy is expanding driver enforcement to shippers who load up rigs, warning that companies must ensure truck drivers meet federal English language proficiency rules or face substantial penalties. This focus on language compliance follows the sidelining of more than 7,000 truckers reportedly fo...

Transportation Secretary Shawn Duffy announced a major new initiative this week, ramping up efforts to crack down on fraudulent CDL mills and unsafe drivers after increased roadside inspections led to over 7,000 service violations. The Department of Transportation is now focusing on the integrity of the certification process and plans to investigate both driver training programs and trucking companies that hire drivers with questionable credentials, holding them accountable for safety standards.

LTL carrier XPO continues to defy the soft market cycle, reporting significant margin improvement in its LTL segment during the third quarter. The company achieved an 82.7% operating...

SONAR's Director of Freight Market Intelligence Zach Strickland sits down in studio with JP to discuss macroeconomic data around the American manufacturing economy, industrial production, and employment.

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Zach Strickland of Freightonomics sits down with two expert guests: Henry Byers, Director of Pricing at KCH Transportation, and Jared Flinn, Co-Founder and Operating Partner at BulkLoads, to dissect the diverging paths of the freight market and the red-hot bulk market.
The conversation covers critical dynamics impacting the industry, including:

The Great Freight Recession continues its relentless purge in the carrier sector, claiming Illinois-based VIB Trans, a 29-truck carrier, as the ⁠latest casualty to file for Chapter 11 amid deeply depressed spot rates and relentlessly high operating costs⁠. This pain is accelerating due to an 18% drop in freight volumes coupled with immense overcapacity, driven by 310,000 new trucks and 200,000 new CDLs added to the system since 2019.

Strategic experts are anticipating the ⁠Largest capacity purge in history coming⁠ as new regulations tighten enforcement around non-domiciled CDLs and ELP requirements. This regulatory squeeze could eliminate up to 600,000 active drivers from the system...

The push for fleet electrification is running into a massive roadblock: the grid. Thomas Wasson is joined by Tyler Phillipi, CEO of Optigrid, to discuss the immense challenges of infrastructure, grid strain, and the costly delays facing fleets trying to go electric. Tyler dives into the technology behind their new all-in-one charging solution, the Orange Juicer, a battery-integrated DC fast charger that avoids massive construction projects and long waits for utility upgrades. They explore how this "best in a box" approach is helping fleets get the juice they need, stay online, and make the transition to electric a reality.<...

In this follow-up episode of The Long Haul, Adam sits back down with Tyler Harden of TTN Fleet Solutions to dig deeper into one of the toughest realities in trucking — what happens when your truck breaks down and the clock’s ticking against you.

Adam also talks to Natasha Sanders, Senior Business Coach for the Amazon Freight Partner Program.

They unpack how Amazon is building opportunities for entrepreneurs and CDL drivers alike — from launching small trucking companies under the AFP umbrella to offering stable, local driving careers with consistent pay and benefits.We’ll talk about what...

VIB Trans, an Illinois-based carrier with 29 trucks, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy amidst the long-running "Great Freight Recession" .

Brokerage giant C.H. Robinson showed robust profitability for the third quarter, which sent its shares soaring 20% right after the earnings release . The company saw income from operations jump 22.6% and adjusted gross profit for its core North American Surface Transport segment rise 5.6% year-over-year .

We examine the tentative agreement reached between UPS and the U.S. Postal Service to resume last-mile parcel delivery for UPS’s low-cost Ground Saver shipping service . This strategic move is part of a mu...

Host Malcolm Harris kicks off this midweek edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? with headlines shaking up the logistics and freight world. From Craig Fuller’s fiery critique of the ATA’s backpedal on the “driver shortage” narrative to breaking news of an Amtrak–truck collision in San Antonio, Malcolm dives deep into the week’s hottest topics.

He then welcomes Clayton Griffin, President of OTR Solutions, to discuss how broker-carrier relationships, payment terms, and trust shape long-term stability and growth in the trucking industry. Clayton shares new data showing OTR’s carriers are 20% more likely to survive beyond their first year...

The freight market is at a "pivotal moment" as shifting industry narratives meet long-overdue regulatory action and the harsh realities of a capacity glut. Hear how the ATA executed a stunning tactical retreat on their decades-long "truck driver shortage" claim, now admitting the problem is a "shortage of quality drivers" rather than quantity.

This retreat coincides with federal regulators moving to fix a self-created crisis: the DOT issued an emergency rule restricting non-domiciled CDLs that were improperly granted to at least 200,000 non-U.S. residents since March 2019. This massive influx of drivers fueled the "Great Freight Recession," yet...

Truckload carrier ⁠Pamt Corp. books another loss in Q3⁠, reporting a net loss of $5.6 million for the third quarter, marking its fourth consecutive net loss in a market that continues to hammer the freight industry. The company's consolidated revenue dropped 18% year-over-year, and its truckload unit reported a tough 106.7% operating ratio, exacerbated by its high reliance on the tariff-hampered auto industry.

In contrast, ⁠Flatbed trends buttress Landstar amid dry van slump⁠, as the company reported strong flatbed volumes even though dry van freight demand remains soft. Landstar reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.22, just one cent shy of consensu...

In this episode, FreightWaves’ Thomas Wasson sits down with Tio Tom, VP of Safety at Performance Food Group, to explore how one of America’s largest food distributors is transforming fleet safety. From combating distracted driving to detecting fatigue through AI, PFG’s data-driven approach has cut collision risks by more than 50%. Learn how technology, coaching, and compassion are reshaping safety across the industry.

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In this episode, we dive into the world of loardboards. Our guest, Brent Hutto, Senior Advisor for ⁠Truckstop.com⁠, breaks down the evolution of load boards and how they became synonymous with fraud in the industry but they aren’t that bad when used properly. For more information, subscribe to ⁠Check Call the newsletter⁠ or the podcast. 

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DAT, a subsidiary of Roper Technologies, is evolving into an automated, AI-powered freight marketplace, a transformation discussed by executives at the FreightWaves F3 and on the Roper earnings call. This strategic shift is predicated on a series of key acquisitions, including the Convoy tech stack, Trucker Tools, and Outgo, which aim to build capabilities across the entire freight automation workflow, promising savings of $100–$200 per load. 

We dive into the immediate crisis caused by federal attempts to restrict non-domiciled CDLs, a pool that has added over 200,000 licenses since 2019, contributing to the "Great Freight Recession". The U.S. Postal Ser...