Top Stories
Borderlands: Mexico
Borderlands Mexico: US apparel importers scrambling after Mexico imposes tariffs
This week in Borderlands: US apparel importers scrambling after Mexico imposes tariffs; Source Logistics opens warehouse in Laredo; brokerage giant opens office in Fort Worth; and industrial manufacturer plans Fort Worth distribution hub.
Chart of the Week
Truckload’s shrinking length of haul
Weather and Critical Events
Transportation companies mobilize to support LA Fire relief efforts
American Shipper
CMA CGM postpones some US peak season surcharges
Global Supply Chain
Lawmaker introduces bill to allow purchase of Panama Canal
Business
China’s economy is sputtering
American Shipper
Container shipping from Asia to the US just got more expensive
SONAR High Frequency Data
| Market | Percent Change | *Today’s Value | Last value |
|---|---|---|---|
| NTI.USANational Truckload Index | 0.01 | $2.53 | $2.51 |
| NTIL.USANTI (Linehaul Only) | 0.01 | $1.98 | $1.96 |
| NTIDL.USANTI (Linehaul Daily) | 0.04 | $2.03 | $1.96 |
| OTRI.USAOutbound Tender Rejection Index | 0.01 | 7.96 | 7.85 |
| OTVI.USAOutbound Tender Volume Index | -0.01 | 10643.41 | 10712.06 |
| Market | Percent Change | *Today’s Value | Last value |
|---|---|---|---|
| MQFWSCTP.USASupply Chain Tech Index | 0 | $3991.01 | $3985.65 |
| Market | Percent Change | *Today’s Value | Last value |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMOTRI.LAXIntermodal Outbound LA Tender Rejection Rate | -0.05 | 2.84% | 2.99% |
| IMOTRI.CHIIntermodal Outbound CHI Tender Rejection Rate | 0 | 0.52% | 0.52% |
Latest News
The Stockout
Numerous issues on shippers’ radar to start year
Labor strife, volatile freight rates and fraud all have disruptive potential.
The Stockout
Mexican decree ends ‘border-skipping’ strategy
State of Freight Webinar
State of Freight for December: Freight economy due for ‘directional’ change
During the State of Freight webinar for December, Craig Fuller and Zach Strickland discuss how a market shift could impact carriers, brokers and shippers in 2025.
State of Freight live: A bullish post-election trucking market assessment
At an in-person State of Freight, FreightWaves CEO Craig Fuller and SONAR Director of Freight Market Intelligence Zach Strickland talked about why they think the freight market has turned.
Election to strongly impact freight economy
Supply chains will see direct effects regardless of the outcome of the presidential race. But what specific impacts on the freight industry are likely under a Harris versus a Trump administration?
Chart of the Week
Chart of the Week
Rejection rates hit highest level since 2022 – but could have been higher
Supply chain and transportation managers are trying their best to mitigate their exposure to what will inevitably be a more challenging environment in 2025.
Chart of the Week
Why are shippers increasing lead times?
Chart of the Week
Will the maritime momentum continue in 2025?
Chart of the Week
Rising rejection rates amid demand drop reveal truckload capacity exodus
Editor's Picks
Truck Driver Issues
Slight drop in trucking jobs in December wraps up overall down employment year
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a slight decline in truck transportation employment in December, wrapping up a down year in the sector.
Logistics/Supply Chains
Demand for 4PL services forecast to surpass $104B by end of 2030
Trucking Regulation
Daimler halts ICE truck sales in Oregon, citing dispute on clean truck credits
Trucking
The reefer market isn’t cooling down
American Shipper
Air Cargo
Logistics companies charter Etihad freighters to transport Chinese goods
Etihad Cargo is supporting two logistics companies with dedicated freighter operations from China to two European cities.
Modern Shipper
Borderlands: Mexico
Mexico ends border-skipping loophole e-commerce companies frequently exploit
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has issued a decree that effectively ended the popular “border-skipping” strategy many U.S. e-commerce sellers used to avoid tariffs on Chinese goods.
E-commerce & Fulfillment
E-commerce logistics startup Cart.com acquires OceanX
E-commerce & Fulfillment
Federal court upholds ban on TikTok in the US
Bankruptcies and Layoffs
Layoffs and Bankruptcies
Bankruptcies, closures and fraud: Key trucking stories in 2024
2024 was another brutal year for trucking companies and freight brokerages. Thousands of firms called it quits, sought bankruptcy protection or both. Fraud-related stories also dominated the headlines. FreightWaves looks back at some of the year’s key stories.
Layoffs and Bankruptcies
More than 4,500 freight-related layoffs slated for firms nationwide
Layoffs and Bankruptcies
Missouri carrier, affiliate blame dispute with engine maker for bankruptcy
AskWaves
Maritime
How safe is Red Sea? Different shipping lines have different answers
Shipping stocks are under pressure as some ocean carriers show faith in military protection from Red Sea attacks.
Technology
Net-Zero Carbon
Viewpoint
How to cut transportation emissions, evaluate new zero-emission vehicles
Head of product at Walmart GoLocal, Vijay Cherukuru, gives a rundown of how to decarbonize fleets and choose next-generation zero-emission vehicles amid a continually changing EV landscape.
