FreightWaves Today

Weekly U.S. rail traffic data just dropped, and it's confirming significant strength in the industrial segment of the economy. Total traffic is up an amazing 7.2%, with carloads rising 3.2% year-to-date, despite declines in coal and flat forest products. This is a critical indicator of future freight demand, including trucking, as manufacturers ramp up production. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Po...

After being acquired by Shell USA, Multi-Service Fuel Card CEO Aaron Decker reveals how he and his management team executed a bold management buyout to regain control. Discover the fascinating journey of this pioneering fuel card provider, established in 1978, and how they help trucking companies navigate volatile fuel markets, maximize efficiency, and combat fraud. Aaron also shares his outlook o...

John Ferguson, CEO of Pivot Supply Chain Solutions, shares the gritty details of starting his freight brokerage during the peak of COVID. From a coat closet to a $50M company, learn the raw truth about establishing credit, covering loads, and building a robust team in a tough market. This isn't your average startup story. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more ab...

In this episode, we kick things off by examining a major digital freight platform designed to eliminate the traditional back-and-forth friction between carriers and shippers hunting for committed freight. C.H. Robinson unveiled BidBoardX, a new self-service tool that gives carriers direct access to committed freight opportunities through a single digital interface. The platform allows certified ca...

When illness or injury forces a truck driver off the road, the financial fallout can be immediate and devastating. The St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund steps in as a vital safety net, offering financial aid for essential needs like rent, insurance, and vehicle payments. Beyond crisis support, they provide crucial wellness programs, from smoking cessation to cancer screenings, helping America's...

Weekly AAR rail traffic numbers are in, showing a continued strong week for rail freight in North America. We dive into the data, examining intermodal and carload volumes, and what these trends signal for the second half of the year. Plus, editor Bill Stephens shares his exclusive experience riding Union Pacific's Big Boy, the world's largest operational steam locomotive, on its historic East Coas...

The Strait of Hormuz has introduced a permanent risk premium into the global oil market, fundamentally altering price dynamics for crude and diesel. Despite some recent drops from March highs, experts like John Kingston warn that supply won't snap back quickly. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For years, the yard has been a forgotten 'dark spot' in the supply chain — unseen and unoptimized. Now, YMX Logistics is changing the game with its autonomous yard operating system. Combining AI, computer vision, and electrification, they're transforming labor-driven functions into controlled systems, driving millions in value by turning a cost center into a strategic asset ⁠Follow the FreightWave...

The freight market is gearing up for a dynamic second half of the year, driven by capacity constraints rather than pure volume increases. Get ready for tighter conditions and potentially higher costs as industrial and retail sectors recover. Craig Fuller breaks down the latest SONAR data, Cass Freight Index, and container flows from China to reveal what's truly shaping the market. Follow the Freig...

The Supreme Court’s ruling on broker liability is shaking up the freight industry, putting real-time carrier intelligence in high demand. Freight fraud is evolving beyond physical theft, with sophisticated identity deception costing millions. GenLogs' Danielle Spinelli shares how their data provides critical insight into carrier operations, helping brokers and shippers prevent scams and tighten se...

In this episode, we kick things off at the nation's busiest container gateway, where frontloading is fueling a massive early peak season surge. The Port of Los Angeles handled over 840,000 TEUs in May, up seventeen percent from a year ago, driven by strong inventory replenishment, concerns about fuel costs, trade-policy uncertainty, and preparation for upcoming retail seasons. Loaded imports surge...

The logistics world is seeing average tariff rates jump by 10x! Curtis Spencer of IMS Worldwide breaks down how Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs) are no longer just a good idea, they're essential for cutting costs and building resilient supply chains. Learn about duty deferral, re-export benefits, and merchandise processing fee caps that can save your business millions. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Pod...

The 2026 State of Logistics Report confirms volatility as the new normal, not a cyclical blip. Logistics costs saw an unusual drop this year, driven by a soft freight market and lower ocean rates, marking a supply-driven downturn. Kohran Acar explains the five strategic implications for building supply chain resilience, from prioritizing asset productivity to leveraging AI for enhanced collaborati...

Are your fleets investing in the wrong AI dashcam technology? Nuclear verdicts and climbing insurance costs mean you can't afford to treat dashcams like commodity hardware. Dr. Stefan Heck, CEO of Nauto, explains the critical difference between reactive and predictive AI, highlighting how advanced systems can prevent collisions and save lives. Learn why accuracy, speed of detection, and real-time...

Autonomous trucks are heading to the I-35 corridor between Laredo and Dallas, promising to revolutionize cross-border freight. Andrew Culhane from Torc Robotics discusses how driverless technology can tackle persistent delays at the border and enhance efficiency for the entire supply chain. The strategic importance of this route and the regulatory landscape are paving the way for commercial launch...

In this episode, we kick things off by examining a brutal new wave of financial distress hitting the transportation and logistics sector. Over the past ten days, trucking companies, truck dealers, and logistics providers have filed for bankruptcy protection while hundreds of workers faced layoffs nationwide. Notable filings include Laredo-based Triple RRR Carriers, a cross-border trucking company...

In this segment of FreightWaves Today, Alex Guirguis, Co-Founder and CEO of Off The Record, breaks down the severe implications of traffic tickets for Commercial Driver's License (CDL) holders. Guirguis explains why drivers should treat traffic tickets as legal matters rather than simple bills, detailing the unique and strict penalties that apply specifically to commercial drivers. He also shares...

The freight market is in a regulatory-driven bull cycle unlike any we've seen. Seth Holm, CEO of West Brow Capital, breaks down the shocking truth about trucking capacity, revealing that potentially only a fraction of carriers meet minimum safety requirements. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

QXO CEO Brad Jacobs sees AI and robotics automation as the biggest trend since humanity began, poised to transform the freight and logistics industry. Jacobs outlines his vision for an automated trucking future, the role of technology in M&A, and his playbook for building multi-billion-dollar enterprises. Discover why he believes automation will drive efficiency and precision across the supply cha...

The Supreme Court ruling has fundamentally changed compliance for freight brokers. Highway CEO Jordan Graft breaks down what this means for safety standards, risk management, and combating evolving fraud vectors like impersonation and double brokering. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The recent Supreme Court decision on broker liability caught many by surprise. Attorney Doug Marcello explains why this unanimous ruling is a game-changer, potentially leading to 'nuclear settlements' and placing freight brokers in the role of "excess insurers" for trucking companies. This means heightened due diligence and compliance are critical now more than ever. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Po...

In this episode, we kick things off in Washington, where a renewed push to tax Chinese cargo ships has agricultural shippers warning of catastrophic consequences for U.S. crop exporters. Democratic Senators Mark Kelly and Elizabeth Warren are pressing the Trump administration to reinstate port fees on Chinese vessels, charges that were suspended until November after China applied reciprocal fees....

In this episode, we kick things off with a massive milestone for autonomous trucking as Volvo Autonomous Solutions plans to remove safety drivers from its trucks in early 2027 and begin fully driverless operations on U.S. highways. The company currently runs commercial freight daily in Texas with safety drivers aboard, but projects it will have over three hundred autonomous trucks operating by the...

In this episode, we kick things off by examining a historic first for American energy exports as federal regulators have approved construction of a five-billion-dollar floating platform to produce liquefied natural gas for export in U.S. waters. The controversial project, led by Delfin Midstream of Houston, will be located forty miles off the coast of Louisiana and is expected to begin production...

In this episode, we kick things off by examining a massive competitive move that could fundamentally reshape the less-than-truckload landscape. Amazon announced the full expansion of its LTL service to all destinations, rolling out a traditional hub-and-spoke network capable of moving palletized freight anywhere nationwide at lower costs than legacy carriers. The service includes next-day live pic...