FreightCasts

Join us for today's freight roundup as we explore the financial maneuvers and technological breakthroughs transforming the logistics landscape. This episode dives into how activist investor Ancora has carved out a niche in the transportation sector, driving leadership shakeups at major companies like Norfolk Southern and Forward Air to boost shareholder returns. We also analyze the 2025 holiday rush, where large parcel carriers significantly improved on-time delivery rates despite facing higher volumes than the previous year. Data reveals that the U.S. Postal Service achieved the largest performance jump, while UPS maintained the highest overall reliability during the peak season. In technology news, we discuss a major milestone in electric infrastructure where Purdue University achieved the first U.S. wireless charging of a heavy-duty truck traveling at highway speeds. This innovative system delivered 190 kilowatts of power to a moving vehicle, a breakthrough that could eventually allow for smaller batteries and increased cargo capacity. Looking at cross-border trade, we profile a Mexican-built logistics startup, WeShip, which has set its sights on U.S. expansion after rapid growth in its home market. The company aims to compete in the concentrated American parcel sector by leveraging software designed by former e-commerce operators to solve real-world shipping pain points. Finally, we address developing concerns in the brokerage space as the R&R Family of Companies faces uncertainty amid executive departures and reports of payment delays. Industry sources warn of potential operational disruptions across the Pittsburgh-based group's subsidiaries, including R&R Express, alongside signals of credit tightening. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At Trimble Insight 2025, Thomas Wasson talks with Trimble’s Rishi Mehra about the rapid evolution of fleet technology. They explore how AI is transforming route optimization, driver navigation, fuel planning, order intake, and back-office workflows—without replacing human expertise. From capturing dispatcher tribal knowledge to enabling voice-driven, in-cab AI copilots, this episode breaks down what’s real, what’s coming, and how fleets can unlock immediate ROI in a tight freight market. ⁠Follow the Loaded and Rolling Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this post-holiday hangover episode of Freight Expectations, Craig Fuller and Matt Leffler tackle the “dumbest law” in trucking and why a pending Supreme Court ruling could change your wallet forever. The hosts go scorched-earth on the Tesla Semi, revealing why charging just one truck takes as much power as 4,000 American homes, and break down the “Dumbass” Safety Act that could effectively ban the world’s safest carriers from hauling broker freight. From explaining why your magazines are legally exempt from tariffs to the urgent need for a Yellowstone-style show to educate a “clueless” Congress, it’s an unfiltered deep dive into shrinkflation, federal supremacy, and the supply chain “we deserve”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s FreightWaves Morning Minute, we discuss Allegiant Air’s $1.5 billion acquisition of Sun Country Airlines, a merger heavily supported by Amazon through the addition of two extra cargo jets. This strategic move allows the combined company to leverage year-round cargo revenue to offset the seasonality of leisure travel, with cargo earnings expected to top $215 million this year. In technology news, researchers at Purdue University have successfully demonstrated the ability to wirelessly charge a heavy-duty truck while it travels at highway speeds. By delivering 190 kilowatts of power through pavement-embedded coils, this breakthrough could drastically reduce the need for massive EV batteries and allow carriers to haul more freight. STG Logistics has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, utilizing a pre-negotiated deal to eliminate nearly $1 billion in debt while securing $150 million in new capital. Company leadership insists this is a restructuring rather than a liquidation, aiming to use the fresh funding to support operations and emerge from the process in approximately five months. Finally, tune in to FreightWaves TV for a state of freight webinar with Craig Fuller and Zack Strickland to help navigate the 2026 market. Following that, a new episode of Loaded and Rolling features Thomas Wasson discussing the intersection of AI and human expertise in fleet management. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Monday edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, host Malcolm Harris breaks down the biggest headlines shaping the freight and supply chain world—and then sits down with three industry leaders to unpack what 2026 is already throwing at transportation professionals. Andrew Wimer, VP of Strategic Operations at Descartes, kicks things off with a deep dive into freight tech, operational resilience, and why trust with carriers and drivers is more important than ever. He also shares how AI and automation are being used to fix visibility gaps without creating more friction on the road. Lida Zurabashvili, Founder of Freight Freedom, joins the show to share her journey from truck driver to brokerage owner. She talks transparently about building a carrier-first brokerage, fighting fraud and scams in today’s market, and why long-term relationships—not quick wins—are the key to sustainable success. Rounding out the episode in studio is Sebastian Waters, Director of Maintenance Services at PLM Fleet. With nearly two decades of experience, Sebastian delivers practical winter maintenance advice for fleets, covering everything from preventive maintenance and reefer reliability to diesel, batteries, and cold-weather readiness. From market pressures and layoffs to freight tech, fleet operations, and broker-carrier trust, this episode is packed with real-world insight for anyone moving freight today. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Subscribe to the WTT newsletter⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠More FreightWaves Podcasts⁠ #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Daily, FreightWaves investigates a startling report on national security, detailing Dragon in the Cab: How China Quietly Embedded Itself in American Trucking. We discuss the growing concerns regarding unvetted drivers hauling military freight and the specific vulnerabilities found within U.S. port infrastructure. In major corporate news, we cover the return of a legacy fleet to private domestic ownership as Former, current USA Truck execs acquire TL carrier from DSV. Conversely, we analyze a severe financial crisis in the last-mile sector, looking at the factors behind Last mile provider FAST Group's post-merger meltdown. The industry's financial volatility is further highlighted by the news that STG Logistics files Chapter 11, charts path forward. We also touch on regulatory and labor enforcement, including a whistleblower victory where a Texas carrier ordered to pay more than $100K to fired driver and a security-related contract cancellation where USPS insourcing forces Denver contractor to layoff 700 workers. Finally, we examine critical economic indicators showing a shift in supply chain strategies as Warehouses empty in December. This segment explores how historic lows in inventory levels may force shippers back into a reactive, just-in-time operating environment for the year ahead. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the FreightWaves Morning Minute, we discuss how activist investor Ancora carves out a niche in the transportation sector by forcing shakeups at major companies like C.H. Robinson and CSX. Ancora director Conor Sweeney highlights the firm’s strategy to drive returns by replacing leadership and restructuring boards at underperforming logistics giants. We also analyze recent trade statistics showing that while global demand grew, U.S. container traffic fell in November due to ongoing trade tensions. Import volumes in North America dropped nearly 4% for the eighth consecutive month, sharply contrasting with double-digit growth seen in regions like sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, the show covers the latest employment figures as truck transportation jobs remained flat in December, hitting their lowest point in four and a half years. This stagnation in the trucking sector is accompanied by a significant drop in warehouse jobs, which have plummeted by over 150,000 from their peak in 2022. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to #WithSONAR! This week, we’re diving into Batch Rate Intelligence, SONAR’s multi-lane pricing tool designed to support short-term pricing decisions and RFP strategy with downloadable, market-aligned rate intelligence. In this session, you’ll learn how to: -Access Batch Rate Intelligence within SONAR applications -Upload lanes using the downloadable template or work directly in the UI -View real-time broker-to-carrier spot rates updated daily -Compare spot and contract rates (where available) to evaluate margin and spread -Understand lane scores to gauge capacity difficulty and pricing leverage -Monitor daily rejection rates to anticipate spot rate pressure -Export full datasets for Excel-based RFP analysis and customization Batch Rate Intelligence is an add-on within SONAR and is especially valuable as we head into RFP season, helping ensure your pricing reflects real-time market conditions. 📩 Have questions? Reach out to cs@gosonar.com or your Account Manager. 💡 Subscribe for more quick SONAR insights every week! #freighttech #freighttech #gosonar #sonar #softwareasaservice #logistics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we dive into the world of freshness and shelf-lives. Our guest, Karl McDermott, General Manager, UBQ Network and Chief Saas Officer at DeltaTrak, breaks down DeltaTraks’s Freshness Index and how getting days back into shelf life is possible. For more information, subscribe to Running on Ice the newsletter or podcast. Follow the Running on Ice Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Friday edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, host Malcolm Harris breaks down the biggest stories shaping freight right now — from layoffs and carrier consolidation to aggressive DOT enforcement and tightening compliance standards — before diving into two powerhouse conversations that deliver a true blueprint for brokerage success. First up: Malcolm is joined by Trent Tulloh, CEO & Founder of Forever Freight Broker, for a no-nonsense discussion on: Why relationships (not AI) are the future of brokerage How to build trust with carriers and shippers Training brokers the right way Why paying carriers fairly drives long-term growth What new brokers are getting wrong — and how to fix it Then Malcolm sits down in-studio with Seth Shaver, EVP of Sales at Steam Logistics, for a candid conversation on: Grit, resilience, and longevity in freight sales Building winning teams and culture in tough markets Leadership lessons from scaling through multiple market cycles What young brokers must understand to survive and thrive This episode is packed with real talk, practical insight, and hard-earned lessons from leaders who’ve lived the freight grind — not just talked about it. ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Subscribe to the WTT newsletter⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠More FreightWaves Podcasts⁠ #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices