News

Well-known transportation equity research analyst Amit Mehrotra is leaving Deutsche Bank, which for now at least is ending equity coverage of transportation companies.

Brock Johns, a leader in the world of transportation management systems, highlighted the need for “convergence” to increase supply chain efficiency.

This week in Borderlands: Nearshoring to continue boosting US-Mexico trucking in 2024; Careismatic Brands to close Dallas distribution hub, lay off 404 employees; ITS Logistics to open office in Fort Worth; and Aztema begins construction of $240M tire plant in Mexico.

The wide range of spot and contract rates being offered may help trigger a strong market shift later in the year.

Tech nonprofit Emerge Career reduces recidivism and poverty rates among convicts by providing access to vocational training and job placement support throughout incarceration and after release.

Now on demand on WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Dooner is joined by Clarissa Rankin; Juan Beana; Nicole Slavin

Regulators pushing to make the electric truck transition go faster are getting pushback from a range of industry stakeholders.

A new report from CNBC shows consumer spending will not dramatically rise this peak season, but a modest uptick is likely. Companies with a clear view of their businesses have an idea what peak season will look like and are preparing.

This week: A Greek company raises $16 million to make vessel disbursement practices easier, Candor Expedite invests in cold chain technology and driver recruiters leverage AI in operations.

Relocalize wants to eliminate middle-mile logistics and reduce emissions by replacing trucks with on-the-spot food supply and distribution microfactories.

The Justice Department’s move to loosen restrictions on pot has drawn a strong reaction from large trucking companies that fear recategorizing the drug could lead to more crashes.

WTT shop opens; what Cass data says about the market; AI load booking and more in the WHAT THE TRUCK?!? newsletter

Recent reports from Ryder System and Knight-Swift highlight significant total cost of ownership and poor range for electric trucks.

Stubbornly persistent silos in the supply chain wreak havoc. The most glaring disconnect shows between strategic supply chain planning and execution.

Getting a commercial learner’s permit at 17 would give disadvantaged students a faster path to truck driver jobs, Connell High School in eastern Washington told regulators.

After gaining enterprise accounts, GoodShip is looking to accelerate its growth to improve its shipper-centric procurement platform.

At Manhattan Associates’ Momentum conference, a Google Cloud executive gave an overview of generative AI’s explosive growth in supply chains.

After hinting at a brokerage and managed services integration in its latest earnings report, Uber Freight has launched a spot market update to Uber Freight Exchange to combine its carrier and shipper networks.

In the wake of the Baltimore bridge collapse, NTSB Chief Jennifer Homendy wants states to start testing their bridges to prevent similar catastrophes.

BNSF Railway has filed an appeal for an asbestos trial verdict that ruled the railroad was liable in the deaths of two people in Montana.

A congressional waiver on sunsetting Boeing’s production of 767 freighters to comply with international emissions rules will benefit FedEx and UPS.

A coalition of far-flung states has filed a lawsuit to fight California’s Advanced Clean Fleets rule.

The $284 billion automotive logistics market needs technologies that enhance supply chain visibility, experts say.

April data from freight payments platform Cass shows freight demand remains near cycle lows.

Brandy D. Christian is stepping down as president and CEO of the Port of New Orleans, a role she has held since 2017.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Texas seized nearly $500,000 worth of cocaine hidden in a semitruck hauling cotton candy.

Less-than-truckload carrier Saia has tapped Matthew Batteh, vice president of finance, as its new chief financial officer.

The air cargo market is maintaining momentum despite entering the slow season, thanks to strong demand for e-commerce and e-cigarettes out of China and a mode shift tied to the Suez Canal cutoff.

The benchmark diesel price used for most fuel surcharges fell for the fifth straight week.

The port at Norfolk, Virginia, has benefited more than any other port from the closing of the Port of Baltimore after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, according to visibility platform GoComet.

An eight-year quest by a parent of two truck-crash victims has cleared a major hurdle with legislation introduced to create a victim-advocate position in the federal government.

Blank sailings are a major factor in maritime shipping and are increasing after ocean carriers gorged on higher Red Sea rates while they could thanks to added capacity. With capacity now cut, rates are rising again.

Now on demand on WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Dooner is joined by Lance Healy; Joost de Vries; Justin Clarke

A federal lawsuit alleges CSX inflated the amount of time employees were charged for taking leave under the Family Medical Leave Act, punished workers for taking the leave, and terminated or suspended over 100 employees for allegedly taking FMLA leave fraudulently.

Federal officials have pushed back a potential CN and CPKC rail worker strike in order to review whether a work stoppage would jeopardize Canadians’ health and safety.

This week in Borderlands: Mexican authorities recorded 153 tractor-trailer thefts in April; BMW begins construction of $860M EV battery plant in Mexico; Port of Beaumont completes $85M roll-on/roll-off dock; Taiwanese automotive supplier opens factory in central Mexico.

NEXT Trucking recently announced product and program updates as part of its tech stack improvements following its merger with CDL-1000.

Purdue University and the Indiana Department of Transportation are creating a roadway capable of wirelessly charging electric vehicles traveling at highway speeds, which researchers hope will lower the costs of electric trucks.

A federal grand jury has indicted an Ohio trucking company owner, alleging the former Department of Defense contractor failed to pay approximately $1.2 million in taxes in a yearslong scheme.

Outspoken consultant shares views on India and Starbucks, among other things.

The U.S. is experiencing a powerful solar storm, with the potential to cause serious GPS problems. With the trucking industry’s reliance on technology, the impact to the industry could be significant.

About $10 million in Minnesota Department of Transportation grants will support 11 freight rail projects, making the state more competitive in the global and national economy, officials said.

Now on demand on WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Dooner and Matt McLelland are joined by Andrew Lockwood; Dushawn Falls; Anthony Slamar

Fleets have practically no idea what electric trucks will be worth when it is time to trade them, one of the reasons for cautious adoption.

FreightWaves’ Carrier Rate Report — presented in partnership with Trimble — provides a review of the previous quarter and a forecast for the coming months. Featuring responses from a carrier survey alongside […]

This week, FreightVana offers a Visa card to its carrier network, SPS Commerce makes an acquisition and we review Symbotic’s Q1 results in the robotics space.

EBITDA losses at Uber Freight grew in the first quarter, but its president expressed strength in the company’s business model.

Radiant Logistics reported an in-line result for its recent fiscal quarter and said the market has moved off the cycle bottom.

A coalition of U.S. and Mexican stakeholders is urging Presidents Joe Biden and Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to address migrant issues impacting cross-border trade.

Inside the newsletter: tornadoes tear through US and warehouses; Zyn shortages?; more

The NTSB is now investigating two incidents involving FedEx Boeing 767 cargo jets, one in Texas and the other in Turkey this week when a plane landed on its nose.

Peloton filed a complaint with the Federal Maritime Commission alleging that Flexport’s practices cost the fitness company millions of dollars in unreasonable detention and demurrage charges.

Lorus Byers, CEO of Carrier Intelligence, increases truck driver retention rates by targeting drivers who fit individual company culture, whether or not they are actively seeking a job.

Amplify by Cass bridges the gap between a shipper’s efficiencies and desire to increase working capital with carriers’ need for timely payment.

Corpay’s first-quarter fleet transaction revenue declined 15% year over year to $108 million.

While it is tempting to forgo tech upgrades during a downturn in an attempt to save money, this approach will leave brokers at an even greater disadvantage when the market inevitably turns. 

Activist investor Ancora elected three members to the Norfolk Southern board, failing to oust CEO Alan Shaw. An Ancora official says “passive investors” are to blame if safety issues recur.

Forward Air’s first quarter missed expectations, sending shares 30% lower in pre-market trading Thursday.

The date for entry into service of two Alaska Airlines aircraft continues to slide because of problems with Boeing’s modification to a cargo configuration.

More than 3 1/2 years after a suspect in a series of staged accidents in Louisiana was slain, there are arrests in the case.

GXO Logistics achieved 6% revenue growth in the first quarter, despite challenging freight market conditions.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has signed into law a bill that largely prevents lawsuits from being filed directly against insurers after truck crashes.

Recovery crews have found the body of the sixth and final person who died in the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore, as crews plan to remove a large section of the wreckage.

Now on demand on WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Dooner is joined by Ryan Turman; Kevin Speers; Kenneth Payne; Shawn Ludgate; Josh Lovan

FedEx Freight, the less-than-truckload unit of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX), is closing seven service centers in the U.S. as the division continues to make alignments to its freight network.

ABX Air’s pilots union is out of Amazon’s doghouse, resulting in an improved labor agreement and a contract to fly 10 freighters.

FleetPulse has spun off from trailer OEM Great Dane and hired industry executives to lead the independent company.

Global ocean carriers are targeting the growing trade from China to Mexico with new express services.

Using off-the-shelf technologies, Daimler Truck created a demonstration autonomous truck that runs on batteries instead of diesel.

RailState’s new $4 million investment will be used for the strategic expansion of the company’s network coverage, including along the U.S.-Mexico border, and product investments to provide customers with accurate, real-time rail network information.

Expeditors recorded year-on-year gains in tonnage for both airfreight and ocean freight for the first time in more than two years.

CX is Mission-Critical In today’s landscape, where high customer expectations define industry standards, assessing your CX is vital. Does it measure up? Explore DDC FPO’s report, 2024 Customer Service Trends […]

AI software provider Paxafe looks to continue its strategic partnership strategy while expanding globally and building its sales team.

Aloha Air Cargo has decided to close its Los Angeles-Honolulu lane, effective June 1, because of weak demand, FreightWaves has learned. The route is marketed by Aloha, which signs customers […]

A monthly supply chain survey shows a reversal in transportation metrics during April but points to improvement on the horizon.

Late in the game, the head of the Surface Transportation Board is speaking out against replacing Norfolk Southern management, suggesting the effort threatens the U.S. rail network.

Insurance rates go up after accidents.There are ways to hold the line on those costs.

C.H. Robinson says it is using sophisticated AI tools to automate responses to emailed quote requests for thousands of customers.

Less-than-truckload carrier XPO will open the bulk of the terminal portfolio it acquired from defunct Yellow Corp. this year.

U.S. trade with Mexico totaled $200 billion in the first quarter, led by shipments of vehicles, auto parts, gasoline and computers.

Amazon has deepened its relationship with Air Transport Services Group, agreeing to lease at least 10 widebody freighters for five years in exchange for rights to increase its ownership stake.

The benchmark diesel price used for most fuel surcharges was down Monday for the fourth week in a row.

UPS announced Monday that Brian Newman, executive vice president and chief financial officer, will step down June 1. The company has begun a search for his successor.

Trucking companies contracting with the U.S. Postal Service will face new reporting requirements and penalties if a bill passed by the House is approved by the Senate.

The Center for Transportation and the Environment launched a project in California to deploy 30 of Hyundai Motor Co.’s hydrogen-powered trucks to fight emissions.

New Class 8 truck orders in April up from a year ago, down from March.

Now on demand on WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Dooner is joined by Frank Hurst; Dr. Mark Manera; Thomas Wasson

Cell phone use is just one of many distractions that can divert truck drivers’ attention away from the road, says Chris Hayes of Travelers Risk Control.

Bluebird Nordic had ambitious growth plans a year ago. Now the cargo airline is out of business.

U.S.-Mexico logistics startup Cargado has raised $6.8 million in seed funding to simplify cross-border logistics.

This week in Borderlands, developers bullish on Texas logistics real estate; Waabi opens autonomous trucking terminal near Dallas; New Zealand logistics company invests in Texas facility; and Tier 1 automotive supplier expands in northern Mexico.

Mother’s Day tightness has returned to the Florida refrigerated freight markets, but this year is different.

Supply chain technology provider Trimble’s first-quarter transportation and logistics revenue totaled $195 million.

The rapid introduction of new competitors and technology in freight is producing a rapid downward trend in brokerage gross margins. To remain competitive, cost visibility and controls are paramount.

TriumphPay’s network expansion provides a source of relief for the many logistics companies that have encountered recent frustrations and hurdles due to their inability to make payments in Mexico’s local currency.

Delivery company DHL will pay $8.7 million to settle a class race discrimination lawsuit alleging that the company assigned Black workers to more dangerous routes than white workers.