FreightCasts

An Ohio couple that owned multiple trucking companies pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges related to COVID-19 loan programs, fraudulently obtaining over $900,000. Ajay and Ruhi Chawla used these funds primarily for real estate acquisitions instead of employee payroll for their four trucking-related businesses. A new U.S. Department of Transportation enforcement policy is drawing criticism from the Truck Safety Coalition, who warn it could lead to "political interference" and undermine safety oversight. The policy would allow truck drivers and companies under investigation to petition DOT officials, potentially causing a "chilling effect" on federal regulators and risking disciplinary action against FMCSA investigators. Independent terminal operator Outpost has acquired four new facilities, bringing its national network to 25 locations, with plans to add another eight to ten by year-end. Supported by a $500 million capital fund, Outpost offers truck parking, maintenance partnerships, and cross-dock facilities, differentiating itself from traditional travel centers by focusing heavily on truck capacity rather than free parking.  A trailer carrying 2,810 Nintendo Switch 2 consoles, valued at $1.4 million, was stolen overnight from a Love's Travel Stop in Bennett, Colorado. This high-value cargo heist highlights a 27% surge in cargo theft, with the scale of the operation suggesting potential inside involvement due to the specialized equipment needed to move the heavy pallets.  The Port of Los Angeles experienced a surprising dip in May container volumes, snapping a 10-month growth streak, with imports falling 9% year-over-year. An economist warned that ongoing tariffs, averaging 55% on Chinese imports, could effectively increase costs to American families by about $2,500 annually, disproportionately affecting lower-income households. FedEx has deployed an AI-powered robotic arm at its Cologne, Germany, air gateway to improve package sorting precision, the first of its kind in FedEx’s European network. This robot processes up to 1,000 small packages per hour, ensuring labels are correctly oriented for scanning, which enhances efficiency and reduces physical strain on employees. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An Ohio couple pleaded guilty to fraud charges involving COVID-era loan programs for their trucking companies. These funds, totaling over $900,000, were reportedly misused for real estate acquisitions instead of employee payroll. We also discuss the ongoing debate surrounding new enforcement rights proposed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, with the Truck Safety Coalition warning of negative impacts on investigations. Conversely, the American Trucking Associations supports these rules, viewing them as a path to greater accountability. Furthermore, learn how electronics manufacturer Jabil is making a significant $500 million investment to expand its cloud and AI data center infrastructure in the U.S. Southeast. This new facility, expected to be operational by mid-2026, aims to meet the surging demand for AI, serving major clients like Apple, UPS, and Amazon. Don't miss today's What the Truck?!? live on FreightWaves TV at noon, and register for the free Enterprise Fleet Summit virtual event on July 23rd. Plus, grab your tickets for the Supply Chain AI Symposium in Washington D.C. on July 30th, with a bundle deal available for the Future of Freight Festival in October. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode, Reed Loustalot, Chief Marketing Officer at Truck Parking Club, co-founder and board member of LOST FR8 joins us to tell his story, how to turn memes into d dreams, and Truck Parking Club is helping solve the truck parking problem. ⁠Follow the Loaded and Rolling Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we dive into the new world of Transfix’s flatbed pricing tool. Our guest, Jonathan Salama, founder of Transfix, breaks down the motivation behind the rollout of the flatbed pricing tool and how they got to this point. For more information subscribe to ⁠Check Call the newsletter⁠ or the podcast. ⁠Follow the Check Call Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A dramatic incident happened in the Persian Gulf, where a "dark fleet" tanker collided with another crude oil vessel near the Strait of Hormuz, igniting a fire amidst rising GPS disruptions in the region. This critical maritime choke point, responsible for a fifth of the world's oil and gas supply, continues to be a hotspot for geopolitical tensions. Shifting to international trade, President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer have announced a significant easing of tariffs between their nations. This new agreement zeroes out aerospace import tariffs from the UK and reduces auto tariffs to 10% on the first 100,000 vehicles, a sharp drop from the previous 27.5% duty. On the fuel front, benchmark diesel prices have seen their biggest upward move since January, rising 10 cents per gallon to $3.571, largely driven by escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. While crude oil prices briefly dipped, market anxieties over tightened diesel availability persist, especially given Iran's role as a supplier of heavier crude. In North America, DHL Express Canada is preparing to suspend parcel operations due to a tough labor dispute with Unifor, impacting 2,100 workers. A new Canadian law prohibiting replacement workers has forced DHL's hand, leading to an indefinite shipment embargo starting Tuesday night with full operations pausing by Friday. A serious crackdown on safety and fraud in Florida has led to the arrest of eight individuals, including two state employees, for selling fraudulent driver's licenses to undocumented migrants. Shockingly, some of these illicitly obtained licenses were commercial, enabling unqualified individuals to potentially operate tractor-trailers, posing a significant threat to highway safety. Finally, in the skies, Saudi Arabia-based AviLease has made a bold entry into the widebody air cargo market with a direct order for 10 Airbus A350 freighters. These state-of-the-art jets promise remarkable fuel efficiency and the capacity to carry up to 120 tons, featuring the industry's largest cargo door for oversized shipments and even 20-foot containers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's FreightWaves Morning Minute, we cover significant developments in the freight industry, including recent bankruptcy filings from two trucking companies and a distribution service, with creditors seeking millions. Get the full story on these financial challenges, including specific companies like Dolche Truckload Corp., Contract Managed Services, and GD Transport, and the millions claimed by their creditors, by reading "⁠Creditors claim millions as freight bankruptcy filings roll in - FreightWaves⁠". ⁠California's Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's decision to revoke the state's zero-emission vehicle waivers⁠, labeling the federal action unlawful and unconstitutional. This legal challenge impacts key environmental regulations like the Advanced Clean Trucks Act, the nitrogen oxide rule, and the Clean Cars 2 regulation. We also report on ⁠DHL Express Canada's decision to suspend parcel operations, effective this Friday, June 20th⁠. This suspension is a direct consequence of an escalating labor dispute and new Canadian legislation prohibiting the use of replacement workers. Additionally, tune in for upcoming FreightWaves TV events like "⁠Check Call⁠" and "⁠Loaded and Rolling⁠," and mark your calendars for the virtual Enterprise Fleet Summit. For registration and ticket information on these and other events such as the ⁠Supply Chain AI Symposium⁠ and ⁠Future of Freight Festival⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On episode 850 of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Dooner discusses a recent series of busts revealing the shady underbelly of the CDL industry. Danielle Chaffin joins to break down CDL scams in Massachusetts, Oregon, and Florida, exploring their connection to the rise in fatal semi-truck crashes and rampant freight theft. Following several major accidents involving Amazon Relay-hired trucks, Chaffin dives into data on the carriers operating within Amazon’s network.  GenLogs’ Ryan Joyce discusses their cameras monitoring highways nationwide. With a network of sensors spanning California to New York, Minnesota to Texas, Washington to Florida, Joyce explains how GenLogs’ cameras help solve freight theft cases and recover stolen loads. We’ll also explore the most active carriers on the road. GenLogs has released its Most Observed Carrier Report, revealing which companies’ trucks appear most frequently on their cameras. Plus, imports rebound to 2024 levels, the impact of war on diesel prices, and more. Catch new shows live at noon EDT Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on FreightWaves LinkedIn, Facebook, X or YouTube, or on demand by looking up WHAT THE TRUCK?!? on your favorite podcast player and at 5 p.m. Eastern on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Channel 146. Watch on YouTube Check out the WTT merch store Visit our sponsor Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we dive into the world of embedded sensor technology. Our guest, Venu Gutlapalli, CEO and Co-Founder of Tag-N-Trac breaks down how embedded sensors can provide real-time data compared to passive temperature loggers the pharmaceutical industry currently uses. 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

This week on The Long Haul, Adam sits down with Kara Brown—supply chain marketing powerhouse, author of The Revenue Engine, and CEO of LeadCoverage—to expose why most small carriers are wasting time and money trying to get noticed. Kara breaks down the exact mistakes holding carriers back, the marketing myths that need to die, and the three-step framework she’s used to help logistics companies scale to 7+ figures. If you think marketing is just for brokers and big fleets, this episode will flip that mindset on its head. Whether you’re running one truck or building a team, this conversation will help you turn attention into revenue—without “random acts of marketing.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thomas Wasson brings you another special edition of Truck Tech from the ACT Expo! This episode offers a comprehensive look at the advancements in fleet electrification and autonomous trucking. First, join us at the Greenlane booth with CEO ⁠Patrick Macdonald-King⁠. Discover how their new flagship charging facility in Colton, CA, is supporting major fleets like Convoy and Iron Ride. Learn about: Greenlane's expansive public charging network vision for EV and hydrogen. The latest in charging technology, including 400 kW chargers and future-proofing for megawatt charging. The benefits of integrated apps (like with Volvo) for seamless charging experiences. Greenlane's approach to amenities and services at charging hubs. The strategic partnerships and optimistic outlook for continued EV adoption despite regulatory shifts. Next, we shift gears to Volvo Trucks North America with insights into their innovative powertrain and autonomous solutions. Hear from Product Marketing Manager ⁠Duane Tegels⁠ regarding: The D13 Turbo Compounding engine, a fuel-efficiency staple for long-haul applications. How Volvo optimizes its proprietary engine, transmission, and chassis for maximum performance. Real-world fuel economy figures and the "down speeding" technology for efficiency. Then, ⁠Johan Agebrand⁠, Director of Product Marketing, discusses Volvo's commitment to low NOx engines and regulatory compliance: The advanced after-treatment system designed to meet strict California Air Resources Board (CARB) omnibus regulations. How heated SCR systems significantly reduce NOx emissions during critical cold starts and warm-ups. Volvo's long-term strategy for emission reduction, looking ahead to EPA 2027 standards. Finally, ⁠James Davis⁠, Sales Manager for Volvo Autonomous Solutions, provides details on the Volvo VNL autonomous truck powered by the Aurora driver: The ground-up design with redundant safety systems for autonomous operations. Volvo's "transportation as a service" model, taking on the risk of autonomous fleet ownership. The current pilot operations with DHL and Uber freight between Dallas and Houston. The pathway to "driver-out" operations and the significant efficiency gains expected in long-haul routes. This episode is a must-watch for anyone tracking the exciting innovations in the commercial vehicle sector! #TruckTech #ACTExpo #EVCharging #ElectricTrucks #Greenlane #VolvoTrucks #AutonomousTrucking #LowNOxEngine #CARB #EPA2027 #FleetManagement #Logistics #SustainableTransportation #CleanEnergy #FutureOfFreight #HeavyDutyTrucks #AuroraDriver #TransportationAsAService #InnovationInTrucking #SupplyChain ⁠Follow the Truck Tech Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices