FreightCasts

Get ready for a jam-packed episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Host Malcolm Harris tackles back-office inefficiencies, the critical world of cold chain logistics, and the "cold truth" about major issues facing the trucking industry today.

On This Episode:

Eliminating Email Brokerage Chaos

Clayton Griffin, President of OTR Solutions, joins the show to discuss why email is an outdated and inefficient primary tool for brokerage operations.

Discover the common manual tasks that bog down back-office teams and slow down post-delivery workflows.

Clayton breaks down the vulnerabilities email creates, including exposure...

This episode of FreightWaves Daily unpacks a massive safety crisis involving fraudulent CDL schools, where a regulatory loophole has allowed unqualified drivers to self-certify without state oversight. New enforcement measures are projected to remove nearly 200,000 drivers from the road, creating a high-stakes trade-off between highway safety and available capacity.

State officials and industry leaders are warning that this rapid reduction in the driver pool could severely disrupt supply lines and increase operational costs. We examine the tension between these necessary safety crackdowns and the potential for a severe economic shock.

Shifting to market signals, the...

Union Pacific has delayed their rail merger filing for its proposed combination with Norfolk Southern until mid-December. The 4,000-page application faces significant opposition from other Class I railroads and shippers concerned about the effects of consolidation.

In automotive news, Michigan-based Bollinger Motors shuts down amid financial woes after missing payroll for at least two periods. The EV truck maker has ceased operations, leaving the future of its parent company, Bollinger Innovations, uncertain as it executes a cost-reduction plan.

Finally, Amazon tests 30-minute delivery in two US cities using urban micro-fulfillment centers to speed up orders...

In this episode, get into the future of parcel shipping. Our guests, Taylor Pawelka, Vice President of Marketing & Alliances at ProShip & Varsity Logistics, and Grace Sharkey, Senior Manager of Comms and PR at Orderful, break down their white paper findings around the future of parcel shipping and what gaps companies are experiencing. For more information, subscribe to ⁠Check Call the newsletter⁠ or the podcast. 

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10 Roads Express will shut down operations and end its USPS contracts. This wind-down represents the largest trucking failure since Yellow, removing thousands of trucks from the road following severe revenue losses.

We also examine the stark divergence in global shipping, where Asia-US container rates fell 32% in a single week due to overcapacity. Conversely, Asia-Europe rates have surged effectively by 40% as carriers navigate complex security issues in the Red Sea.

On the regulatory front, the DOT is cracking down on safety standards by kicking 3,000 truck driver trainers off its registry for failing to meet new federal...

10 Roads Express to shut down operations, end USPS contracts and terminate its postal agreements by late January. The major mail hauler plans to complete its remaining service obligations despite a recent history of labor disputes with the Teamsters.

The episode also covers Inside the Amazon-Teamsters showdown: What’s next?, highlighting a union victory for drivers in Kentucky alongside legislative battles in New York,. Additionally, federal proceedings at the NLRB continue to assess whether Amazon should be classified as a joint employer for delivery drivers.

In regulatory news, the DOT kicks 3,000 truck driver trainers off registry fo...

In this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, host Malcolm Harris closes out the first day of December with a full lineup of industry leaders shaping the future of freight, logistics, and AI.

We kick off with Jason Burns, former Vanderbilt wide receiver turned podcaster and last-mile logistics veteran. Jason shares insights from his “Last2First” journey, the evolution of the final-mile sector, and what leaders should prioritize heading into 2026.

Next, Stefan Heck, CEO of Nauto, breaks down how predictive AI is transforming fleet safety. From real-time driver alerts to collision-prevention intelligence, Stefan explains why human + AI c...

Join host Mary O’Connell as she speaks with Chevron’s Principal Biofuels Scientist, Dave Slade, about the critical shift toward lower carbon intensity fuels! Dave explains why fuel diversity - including renewable diesel, biodiesel (B10, B30, and B100), CNG, and hydrogen - is essential for fleets aiming for net-zero carbon emissions.

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This week, we examine the unprecedented regulatory storm targeting the U.S. trucking labor market, which combines aggressive DHS I-9 audits with powerful financial enforcement by FinCEN. These federal pressures, including stricter CDL requirements, are accelerating the market capacity correction by forcing thousands of non-compliant drivers out of the industry and stabilizing depressed freight rates.

The air freight sector is simultaneously reeling from a severe, unexpected capacity crunch right at the peak shipping season. We detail why FedEx canceled all MD-11 cargo flights for December following the discovery of fatigue cracks, representing an 8% loss of mainline capacity...

Overcapacity in the Trans-Pacific container trade lanes nullified November general rate increase plans, causing prices on Asia to US West Coast lanes to drop 32% last week to $1,900 per FEU. We discuss the latest data on falling East Coast rates and the continued emphasis on container shipping challenges, including the potential return of traffic to the Suez Canal route amid Red Sea tensions.

Mexican truckers and farmers have begun removing highway and border blockades after reaching agreements with federal authorities to address concerns over escalating highway insecurity, rising cargo theft, and overdue subsidy payments. These disruptive protests severely...

Day 2 of F3: Future of Freight Festival brings the energy, the insights, and the triple-threat lineup. Host Malcolm Harris goes live from downtown Chattanooga to dive into the evolving world of freight tech, AI, payments, and innovation—straight from the leaders building the future.

Guest #1 — Garrett Wolfe, EVP of Market Strategy, TriumphGarrett breaks down Triumph’s purpose-built, verified freight transaction network, how their data and payments ecosystem powers trust, fraud prevention, and smarter decision-making, and why AI is a tool—not a buzzword—to be deployed when it improves customer outcomes.Guest #2 - Daniel Lucas, VP of Innovation & Bus...

This episode highlights Airbus kicking its A350 freighter program into high gear, with the prototype finalized and flight tests set for next October, aiming for a late 2027 service entry. Learn how the A350F promises a 40% reduction in fuel consumption and features a massive 175-inch wide cargo door, giving it a significant edge in handling bulky industrial cargo.

We also examine major rail consolidation, specifically the Surface Transportation Board approval of Fortress Investment Group's acquisition of two new regional lines, the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway and the Akron Barberton Cluster Railway. This deal expands Fortress's roster of...

Welcome to another episode of What the Truck?! with host Malcolm Harris coming to you remotely from sunny Florida as we head into Thanksgiving weekend! Today’s double-header is packed with breaking news, powerful storytelling, and industry insights you don’t want to miss.

First, FreightWaves insider and investigative journalist Noi Mahoney joins the show to break down some of the biggest headlines in freight:

Major rail merger concerns at BNSF

The halted PFG–US Foods mega-merger

A shocking roundup of recent drug-smuggling busts involving auto parts, produce, and more

How...

Welcome to the daily market update focusing on critical friction points that are reshaping the supply chain. We examine the accelerated federal crackdown, including Border Patrol turning back two Mexican truckers in Arizona, and how tech firms like Highway are responding with new broker screening features for non-domiciled CDL drivers.

While new compliance technology risks reducing available trucking capacity, potentially pushing spot market freight rates up, the industry is simultaneously enduring a massive labor contraction across the entire sector. Over 11,900 workers were laid off in five weeks due to diverse factors like slower electric vehicle adoption at...

We start with major security vulnerabilities, as authorities in the U.S. and Canada are intercepting millions in narcotics cleverly hidden within legitimate shipments, including a $16 million meth bust found in plaster vases. Tune in to hear more about these enforcement actions, where drugs have been concealed in commodities ranging from auto parts and berries to lettuce.

The conversation then shifts to the back office, where new technology is being utilized to fight freight fraud and enhance compliance. We discuss Highway’s new, optional feature that allows brokers to screen out carriers based on whether the primary ac...

Freight has faced turbulence from every direction: trade tensions, shifting regulations, and a government shutdown. Join JP Hampstead, Strategic Analyst at FreightWaves, and Zach Strickland, Head of Freight Market Intelligence at SONAR for this month's State of Freight, presented by Triumph, as they discuss: - How the capacity crunch is impacting the market for holiday shipping - The latest tariff rulings and their effect on global trade - How the government shutdown influenced freight demand

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In this Thanksgiving edition of Third & Long, Adam Wingfield and co-driver Kaylee Nix break down one of the biggest stories shaking the trucking world: California’s CDL compliance battle with the FMCSA, the threat of losing $158 million in federal funding, and the lawsuits claiming civil rights violations.

This episode goes deep into the political tension between state and federal authority, how these policies affect small carriers and owner-operators, and what the fallout could mean for the industry moving forward.

We cover:

FMCSA vs. California — federal funding, compliance failures, and courts stepping in

Ci...

The 100-year-old P Judge and Suns Trucking and Warehousing Company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in New Jersey, listing both assets and liabilities between $1 million and $10 million.

The podcast covers the ongoing debate surrounding the proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, which UP CEO Jim Vena advocated for at the RailTrends industry conference. Vena stressed that the United States should not be the only country in North America without seamless rail service, noting that the merger is necessary to enable railroads to compete with the trucking industry.

Strong opposition to the deal comes...

Welcome to a special Thanksgiving-week edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?! with your host, Malcolm Harris! Even though he’s out of the studio and home for the holidays, Malcolm is still delivering—like DoorDash—with a jam-packed double feature you won’t want to miss.

Today’s Lineup

John Kingston – Editor-at-Large, FreightWaves

John joins to break down his latest article on what he calls the “jobs apocalypse” hitting logistics. From AI-driven workforce disruption to what’s happening inside Trimble’s panels, he digs into:

Why AI could eliminate thousands of entry-level logistics jobs

Experts at the Trimble Insight conference are forecasting a "significant reduction" in employment levels as rapidly maturing AI tools become cheaper and more efficient than human workers.

This technological shift is already translating into measurable gains, with companies like C.H. Robinson openly connecting rising profitability directly to a shrinking workforce. However, achieving the full strategic potential of AI requires clean and comprehensive data, meaning much of the current investment is directed toward routine tasks that don't rely on perfect data, such as calling drivers or getting quotes.

Regulation is increasing alongside technological pressure where...

The container ship ONE Henry Hudson was towed out to anchorage at the Port of Los Angeles after an electrical fire that began onboard while it was berthed was substantially contained. The incident temporarily suspended port operations, closed four of the seven container terminals, and led to a mile-wide safety zone, though no injuries were reported among the 23-person crew.

Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers reached a tentative collective bargaining agreement following over two years of bitter negotiations and strike activity by more than 50,000 mail carriers. The agreement comes as the national mail...

Malcolm Harris brings a stacked lineup diving into e-commerce logistics, fleet operations, and the growing impact of AI across the supply chain.

Headlines:

Malcolm breaks down the latest in freight, including FMCSA bond enforcement, driver shortages affecting farm labor, Maersk’s relocation to Charlotte, 3PL marketing ROI insights, and rising cargo theft trends.

Featured Guests

Carlos Barbosa — VP of E-commerce Solutions, ePost Global

Carlos shares insights from ePost Global’s new report analyzing 20 million international shipments, revealing why multi-carrier strategies outperform single-carrier setups by 37%. He explains how speed, reliability, cost s...

A preliminary investigative report has been released by the National Transportation Safety Board regarding the fatal UPS MD-11 freighter crash in Louisville. The report cited fatigue cracks in the left-wing engine mount, which separated shortly after liftoff, leading UPS to continue grounding its remaining MD-11s per FAA guidelines, a situation explored further in "NTSB links fatigue cracks to fatal crash of UPS cargo jet - FreightWaves".

The broadcast also covers Walmart’s impressive Q3 performance, which included a 27% jump in global e-commerce sales and a nearly 70% increase in sales for same-day delivery. Walmart continues to leverage it...

Freight data suggests a muted peak season from a demand perspective, but ongoing capacity reductions make it hard to say it will be a complete non-event.

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The U.S. freight market is grappling with a massive security crisis as cargo theft surges 29% in Q3 driven by organized crime targeting electronics and high-value pharmaceuticals. We analyze how carriers must implement comprehensive security measures and establish clear policies to ensure truck cameras succeed in litigation, especially regarding how crucial video retention rules are.

The logistics industry faces a dramatic regulatory shift as the FMCSA’s tighter bond enforcement looms over freight brokers in 2026, taking full effect on January 16, 2026. These new rules mandate immediate operating authority suspension for bond shortfalls and require BMC-85 trust funds to be...

Truck parking is one of the most talked-about challenges in our industry — but recently, some are claiming the problem doesn’t even exist. In this episode, Adam sits down with Andrew King, Director of Operations at OOIDA Foundation, to cut through the noise.

We dig into the flawed assumptions behind a recent parking report, break down federal data from Jason’s Law, and challenge the idea that drivers are just “bad planners.” If you’re tired of surface-level takes, this episode goes deep into policy, equity, and what real change should look like for small carriers.

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The NTSB released its findings about the container ship Dali crash from last year, determining that an improperly placed wire label caused the cargo vessel to lose power and drift out of control into the pier of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing the collapse and the deaths of six construction workers.

A.P. Moller-Maersk announced that it has selected Charlotte, North Carolina, as the new location for its North American headquarters, a move that comes after decades of having offices in New Jersey. The relocation of the North American HQ to Charlotte is expected to add 500...

Malcolm Harris brings together three powerhouse guests who are shaping the future of trucking, supply chain, and transportation technology.

First up, Kenneth Hanover, Director of North American Sales & Customer Support at Fleetguard (now operating under Atmos), dives deep into the company’s Cummins-rooted heritage, its commitment to engineering-first product excellence, and how Fleetguard empowers truckers through right-to-repair advocacy, unmatched warranties, and one-stop filtration solutions. Ken also shares a fun take on how loud an 18-wheeler’s horn really should be—and why truckers deserve both a squeaker and a foghorn.

Next, Nidhi Gupta, Co-founder and CEO of Portcas...

Dive into the proposed rail mega-merger of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, which Republican legislators warn threatens to raise consumer costs, reduce competition, and create "captive shippers". This controversial deal would combine systems controlling nearly 45% of all U.S. rail tonnage across 43 states, raising serious questions about long-term service reliability and inflationary pressure on American households.

The trucking market remains in a recession due to a collapse in demand and a significant industrial recession, confirmed by indices like the SONAR Outbound Tender Volume Index (OTVI). Despite low demand, the market could face a radical supply shock if...

Learn how EV maker Harbinger secured significant capital and a key initial fleet order in Harbinger lands $160M Series C, inks initial FedEx deal for 53 electric trucks. The electric vehicle manufacturer raised $160 million in Series C funding, bringing its total to $358 million, and simultaneously received an initial order for 53 Class 5 and Class 6 electric vehicles from FedEx. Harbinger’s proprietary electric platform offers competitive acquisition costs and modular batteries, ranging from 140 to over 200 miles, positioning the company to lead the mass adoption of medium-duty electric trucks.

Next, we dive into the contentious rail industry merger detailed in Rail me...

In this episode of Loaded and Rolling, host Thomas Wasson sits down with the team from Dreyev to discuss how their technology distinguishes itself in a saturated market of driver safety solutions.

Thomas is joined by Maggie Stys (CEO & Co-Founder), Roberto Sicconi (CTO & Co-Founder), and Peter Smelzer (Fleet Risk Advisor) to explore how their platform detects and addresses distractions and drowsiness without relying on complex hardware installations.

Topics covered in this episode include:

Dreyev’s Differentiator: What makes this tech different from the flood of "driver monitoring" solutions currently available.

Meet Wa...

In this episode, we dive into the world of cybersecurity. Our guest, Joe Ohr, COO at the NMFTA breaks down trends in cybersecurity and how the NMFTA is positioning itself as the hub for cybersecurity reporting and calling out bad actors. For more information, subscribe to Check Call the newsletter or the podcast. 

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Starting with tech rollouts, Trimble bets big on AI to fix trucking’s workflow bottlenecks. It debuted its new cloud-native, modular, AI-powered Transportation Management System (TMS), designed as a single intelligence center for enterprise operations. New AI agents, such as the Order Intake Agent, automate administrative tasks like data extraction from emails and PDFs, potentially eliminating manual review for up to 90% of standard orders.

Efficiency is also the core strategy behind major network redesigns at FedEx, who is focused on prioritizing high-quality B2B business and sectors like high-tech freight and healthcare logistics, while using generative AI to...

A Delaware bankruptcy court has cleared the path for the final liquidation of Yellow Corp.'s estate, which will distribute as much as $700 million to creditors, but the order could face an appeal from Yellow’s largest equity holder, MFN Partners.

We discuss the poor third-quarter results for ocean carrier CMA CGM, which saw group net income fall 72.6% year-over-year and revenue drop 11.3%. The carrier attributed this downturn to geopolitics, trade tensions in the U.S., and a corresponding slowdown in maritime activity, though it noted an improvement quarter-over-quarter after trade between the U.S. and China picked ba...

Malcolm kicks off the week with energy, industry insights, and a packed lineup of guests who deliver deep expertise across transportation safety, branding, and heavy-haul logistics.

Malcolm opens with key headlines impacting the freight world — from upcoming USPS parcel price hikes to fluctuating global trade patterns, ocean carrier earnings, FMCSA’s new crash-risk study, and shifting M&A trends in the freight sector.

The episode’s interviews begin with Chris Isley, Risk Control Specialist at Travelers Transportation, who breaks down the complexities of heavy equipment transportation, load securement standards, DOT compliance, specialized permits, escort coordination, and the s...

The current intersection of federal regulation and enforcement is creating significant market risk, forcing carriers to exit and fundamentally tightening liability for both carriers and the shippers who hire them. The immediate shockwave comes from California, where the cancellation of 17,000 non-domiciled CDLs—over 9% of the state's for-hire carrier base—is expected to cause substantial capacity constraints and firm up outbound freight rates, signaling national enforcement scrutiny.

This episode unpacks the crucial precedent set by California's AB5 enforcement action, which resulted in an $868,000 penalty against three companies, including shipper Costco and 3PL Ryder Last Mile. Ryder and Costco were...

On November 13th FreightWaves Founder & CEO Craig Fuller took on DAT’s industry veteran Ken Adamo in a debate that covered everything from market forecasts and capacity crunch to tech disruption and the future of brokerage. Presiding over the debate was the one and only Armchair Attorney, Matt Leffler

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Three major companies—Mega Nice Trucking, Ryder Last Mile, and Costco Wholesale Corp—are facing what is likely the first significant enforcement action of California's AB5 regulation in the trucking industry, resulting in an $868,000 fine. The California Labor Commission cited the trio for contractor misclassification and resulting wage theft, finding that Ryder and Costco exercised both direct and indirect control over delivery drivers, thereby establishing a joint employer relationship with the carrier. 

The trucking industry continues to monitor the fight over the Department of Transportation's non-domiciled Commercial Driver's License rules following the cancellation of 17,000 CDLs in California. Altho...

The European Union is expected to revoke duty-free status for parcel imports through the elimination of the de minimis rule for small parcel imports, which is expected to be fully implemented by 2028. This significant policy change aims to level the playing field for European businesses and limit the influx of low-cost goods, especially considering that 91% of low-value shipments last year originated from China.

We also track how global trade volatility and depressed freight rates have severely impacted ocean carriers, leading to Hapag-Lloyd's nine-month profits dropping nearly 50% from $1.83 billion down to $946 million. This decline occurred despite a 9% rise...