FreightCasts

In this episode, we break down the bifurcation in global logistics, where carriers look to higher rates, fewer sailings on key Asia-US route while demand on Asia-Europe lanes strengthens. Domestically, a strange market paradox is emerging as the Cass TL Linehaul Index extends a positive run, with rates rising due to tight capacity even as shipment volumes decline. Structural changes are hitting the workforce hard, evidenced by reports that from factories to fulfillment centers, more layoffs hit U.S. supply chains, including major cuts at Ford and Kroger. These strategic pivots are happening alongside regulatory updates, such as when a new bipartisan caucus targets trucking reform to address CDL integrity and aging infrastructure. Safety concerns are also driving legislative action, as new legislation tackles truck-bridge crashes caused by inaccurate GPS routing in states like New York. Meanwhile, friction is building in the rail sector as rail unions oppose historic transcontinental rail merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern. Finally, to navigate this volatility, the industry is shifting toward predictive technology, exemplified by Inside Cleo’s vision for an AI-native supply chain that thinks ahead. We discuss how these context-aware tools are becoming essential for maintaining service levels amidst permanent labor and capacity shifts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the FreightWaves Morning Minute, we break down the conflicting economic signals heading into 2026 as plummeting operational costs collide with tightening capacity. ⁠Benchmark diesel falls again as oil market selloff picks up steam⁠, with crude futures dipping below $60 per barrel even as retail pump prices struggle to catch up to the drop. Capacity pressures are intensifying from factories to fulfillment centers, ⁠as more layoffs hit U.S. supply chain⁠, including over 4,200 recent job cuts at major companies like Ford and Great Dane. These structural reductions highlight a market realignment that goes beyond typical seasonal dips, creating significant capacity constraints across the sector. New government data reveals that ⁠truck transportation jobs last month were the lowest in years⁠, dropping to levels not seen since June 2021. Despite this decline in employment, the capacity squeeze has pushed the average hourly wage for non-supervisory trucking employees to a record high of $31.40. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we examine major structural shifts in the supply chain, starting with how Wagner Logistics has acquired the contract logistics business of Dawson Logistics to expand its national footprint and industrial capabilities. We also discuss Amazon Air Cargo's new money-back guarantee, a move that offers refunds of up to $10,000 for service failures as the retailer commercializes its internal network. The conversation turns to the southern border, where Uber Freight predicts a freight rebound driven by nearshoring and Mexico's growing role as a top trading partner. We also analyze the political momentum behind the proposed Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern rail merger, which has recently gained bipartisan support from lawmakers in Mississippi and Louisiana. Finally, we highlight the financial risks of operational negligence, focusing on a $44.1 million nuclear verdict against New Prime stemming from a fatal crash involving a driver with inadequate winter training. This is contrasted with industry-wide reliability, as major parcel carriers achieved a 98% on-time delivery rate during the early holiday peak season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the FreightWaves Morning Minute, we discuss the major leadership shuffle as Brad Jacobs steps down as chairman of XPO and GXO to dedicate his full attention to his newest venture. He aims to grow QXO into a $50 billion revenue giant in the building products sector through a strategy of aggressive consolidation and organic growth. Union Pacific has appointed Tony Will, the retiring CEO of CF Industries, to its board of directors as the company prepares for a historic transformation. This executive move precedes the expected December 19 filing for a merger with Norfolk Southern that aims to establish the nation's first transcontinental railroad. We also cover how Amazon is offering a money-back guarantee to air cargo shippers to signal its reliability as a third-party logistics partner. This strategic pivot mirrors the AWS model, leveraging internal logistics capacity and a new digital console to offer high-control service to external customers. Finally, tune in for previews of the latest episodes of Loaded and Rolling and Check Call coming up later today on FreightWaves TV. Don't forget to visit the website to vote for your Favorite Freight Town before the results are revealed in January. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Daily, we unpack a confusing market signal where domestic trucking capacity is tightening due to carrier attrition despite soft demand. Meanwhile, oversupply in the ocean freight market is causing carriers to lose pricing power as vessels return to the Suez Canal. We also explore how upcoming 2026 customs reforms in Mexico aim to crack down on duty evasion but will drastically increase liability for customs brokers. These changes represent a significant shift in trade governance that could reshape cross-border manufacturing compliance. New analysis of FMCSA data reveals a shocking safety gap, showing that midsize trucking fleets have significantly higher crash rates per driver than their larger competitors. This discovery raises critical questions about how shippers should approach carrier vetting to mitigate outsized risk profiles. In executive news, industry titan Brad Jacobs steps down from XPO and GXO to focus his energy on building his new venture, QXO. Additionally, Ryder System announces a leadership transition as CEO Robert Sanchez prepares to retire after doubling the company's revenue during his tenure. Finally, we discuss how Orderful’s new AI-powered platform, Mosaic, aims to eliminate the decades-old headache of manual EDI mapping. This innovation promises to cut integration times from months to weeks for global supply chains. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we discuss how the House approval of digital financial disclosures would impact USPS mail by eliminating the requirement for hardcopy delivery of investor documents. This legislation could further reduce mail volume and revenue for the financially struggling Postal Service, which recently reported a $2.8 billion operating loss. Next, we cover the news that Maersk tabs new CFO, North American chief in global leadership shakeup as the shipping giant attempts to regain ground after losing its top global ranking. Robert Erni joins as the new Chief Financial Officer alongside other regional leadership changes intended to address an evolving market and increased competition. Finally, we look at the data showing Mexico’s heavy-truck exports plunges 22% as light-vehicle demand also dips amid ongoing trade uncertainties and local disruptions. Industry leaders point to U.S. tariffs and road blockades as key factors driving significant declines in production and exports across the automotive sector. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Freight Expectations! In this explosive premiere, Craig Fuller and Matt Leffler pull no punches as they dive into the dark reality of the trucking industry. Find out why Craig believes he “totally screwed up” on a massive news story , how self-certified ELDs are fueling a safety crisis , and why the industry is stuck in a “hellscape” of fraud and cargo theft. The hosts reveal the shocking truth behind the so-called “driver shortage” and argue that the only way forward is through massive government enforcement and regulation. Prepare for the unvarnished truth about the supply chain “we deserve”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The freight market has seen unprecedented changes in the last year, Davis Spencer, vice president of market intelligence at Arrive Logistics joins FreightWaves’ Mary O’Connell to break down some of the biggest trends in 2025 and what key indicators to look for in 2026 that could indicate a market change. Keep up with Live FreightWaves Events Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael Caney, Chief Commercial Officer at Highway, talks to JP Hampstead, strategic analyst at FreightWaves, about the nature of freight fraud in 2025, the technological, policy, and market responses to the fraud, and the second-order impacts to the freight market these responses are having. Keep up with Live FreightWaves Events Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the FreightWaves Morning Minute, we break down PACCAR’s strategic push into zero-emission vehicles with new medium-duty models from Peterbilt and Kenworth. The parent company is doubling down on scalability by building out the necessary charging infrastructure to support these electric fleets. Next, we discuss a historic labor victory as Teamsters locals in Northern California and Nevada secure a groundbreaking regional deal with Sysco. This four-year contract establishes a new industry standard with a 34% wage increase and strong protections against automation. Finally, we look at the monumental filing by Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern to create the nation's first freight-only transcontinental railroad. This move initiates a critical review period that serves as the first real test of the Surface Transportation Board’s tougher consolidation rules. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices