FreightCasts

Aftertreatment failures don’t usually show up as one big catastrophic bill — they show up as downtime, repeat derates, misdiagnosed parts, and decisions made under financial stress. In this episode of The Long Haul Podcast, I sit down with RJ Bordner to break down the real-world economics of aftertreatment from the perspective small carriers actually live with. We talk about post-warranty realities, OEM versus aftermarket tradeoffs, inventory delays, technician variability, and why “good enough” often ends up being the most expensive choice. This is not a product conversation.This is a decision-quality conversation for owner-operators and small fleets trying to stay moving in a market where every parked truck hurts. ⁠Follow The Long Haul Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Norfolk Southern and CMA CGM have announced a partnership to launch a new "truck-like" intermodal service connecting the Port of Los Angeles to key Midwest markets. This door-to-door option utilizes high-cube containers to offer the flexibility of trucking while reducing emissions through the rail network. Federal investigators are cracking down on safety violations with a massive sting operation targeting sham CDL training schools across the United States. The FMCSA has issued notices to more than 500 providers accused of using unqualified instructors and fast-tracking unprepared drivers onto the road. FedEx is signaling a major shift in strategy by doubling down on premium surcharges and moving away from subsidized low-cost shipping. The company plans to prioritize high-margin sectors like healthcare and heavyweight goods to drive profitability over volume. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Malcolm kicks off the show with a look at current headlines, including UPS’s optimization plan to close 22 sortation centers and the FMCSA’s crackdown on CDL non-compliance in Illinois. The segment also highlights rising cargo theft data, noting that California and Texas accounted for 58% of US incidents in 2025. Headlines are followed up with two great interviews. Robert Nathan, Co-founder and CEO of Envoy AI, shares insights from his 20-year career that began in the warehouse and led to building a top-50 freight brokerage. He emphasizes the need for a shift toward human-centric technology, specifically building “carrier copilots” that empower the individual user rather than just the enterprise. Nathan also highlights the reality of systemic margin compression, advising brokerages to prepare for a future where they must operate profitably at margins as low as 7%. Following Nathan, Chris Torrence, Chief Strategy Officer at MapUp, brings a perspective shaped by military logistics and over 25 years in the industry. Torrence argues against the “pressure cooker” mentality of transactional sales, advocating instead for the cultivation of “reputation capital” and long-term relationships. He stresses the importance of personal branding and authenticity, noting that while technology can always be replicated, the trust built through genuine human connection remains the ultimate differentiator in a crowded market. ⁠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

A new report reveals that California and Texas accounted for more than half of all U.S. cargo theft incidents last year, with electronics remaining a top target for criminals. Thieves are increasingly utilizing deceptive pickup tactics to steal loads, a trend experts warn is expected to accelerate through 2026. The massive merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern faces another delay as the railroads plan to refile their application with federal regulators later this spring. This postponement comes amidst growing political pressure and concerns from state attorneys general that the deal could stifle competition and raise prices. Shipping giant UPS is moving forward with its restructuring plans by identifying 22 package facilities for closure as it seeks to automate operations and cut costs. The company is also facing legal challenges from the Teamsters Union over its attempt to offer voluntary buyouts to thousands of drivers. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Loaded and Rolling, host Thomas Wasson sits down with Steve Oliver of Taylor and Martin to unpack how shifting freight rates, tariff uncertainty, and lower diesel prices are reshaping the new and used truck markets. They explore how auction activity offers real-time insight into freight trends, why equipment scarcity is driving values higher, and how small and midsize fleets are positioning themselves for growth as optimism returns. Oliver also shares details on Taylor and Martin’s expanding auction footprint, major fleet dispersals, and a newly launched engine protection plan designed to give buyers added confidence in today’s evolving market. ⁠Follow the Loaded and Rolling Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is trucking entering a new era? In this episode of Brake Check on FreightWaves, we examine two forces shaping the future of freight workforce development and legal accountability. First, Lindsey Trent of the Next Generation in Trucking Association joins us to discuss the mission of the next generation in trucking. Are we finally fixing the pipeline? What are we getting right  and where are we still missing the mark? Then we turn to the Supreme Court ruling in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II, LLC with Shannon Everett of American Truckers United. We break down:• What the ruling actually means • Whether broker immunity is narrowing • Insurance and liability ripple effects • The impact on small carriers • Non-domiciled CDL concerns • Whether this strengthens accountability  or destabilizes freight This episode connects the next generation entering trucking with the legal framework they’re stepping into. Because when liability shifts, capital shifts. When capital shifts, freight shifts. Welcome to Brake Check. ⁠Follow the Brake Check Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we cover the major consolidation in ocean shipping as Hapag-Lloyd agrees to⁠ acquire ZIM Integrated Shipping Services⁠ in a deal valued at $4.2 billion. This acquisition includes the creation of a new entity to manage security-critical vessels and is expected to be finalized by the end of the year. We also discuss the growing political opposition to the proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern. A coalition of attorneys general is calling on the Department of Justice⁠ to intervene in the deal⁠, arguing that the creation of a rail behemoth will harm competition and drive up costs. Finally, we look at new federal legislation that aims to bring relief to truckers by⁠ capping state fuel taxes⁠ at 50 cents per gallon. States like California and Pennsylvania that do not comply could face significant cuts to their federal highway funding if the bill passes. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, Malcolm kicks things off with the latest headlines in freight, from ELD enforcement updates and cross-border truck exports to major M&A moves and labor tensions shaking up the industry. First up, Craig Leinauer breaks down the biggest mistakes companies make when filing cargo claims — from late reporting and poor documentation to misunderstanding shipment value and contract liability — and shares practical steps to avoid costly insurance headaches. Next, Jennifer Karpus-Romain joins the show to talk about the evolving role of sales and marketing in transportation. She dives into how the Transportation Marketing and Sales Association is innovating with track-based learning, expanding professional development, and building stronger industry connections through events and podcasting. To close it out, Danny Ramon brings his cargo crime expertise to the table, exposing how fraudsters are exploiting bills of lading in increasingly sophisticated schemes. He explains how simple document manipulation can lead to massive losses — and what companies can do to tighten up their defenses. ⁠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

On today’s FreightWaves Morning Minute, we examine the legal battle brewing over New York City's renewed effort to license final-mile delivery giants like Amazon. Supporters argue the Delivery Protection Act creates necessary accountability, while critics warn of years of litigation regarding interstate commerce. In maritime news, Hapag-Lloyd is in advanced negotiations to acquire Israeli carrier Zim in a deal valued at over $3.5 billion. However, the potential acquisition has sparked backlash, including strikes by ZIM employees concerned about job losses. Finally, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance has announced the dates for International Roadcheck 2026, which will take place in mid-May. Enforcement officials will focus heavily on electronic logging device compliance and cargo securement across North America. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Online grocery has exploded from just 2% of orders ten years ago to nearly 20% today but the cold chain hasn’t caught up. On this episode of Running on Ice, host Mary O’Connell sits down with Hanson Li, CEO of Peltier Technology, to talk about the growing complexity at the edge of the cold chain, where products leave controlled environments and enter the chaos of curbside pickup, DoorDash deliveries, and last-mile handoffs. From ice cream tempering to curbside fulfillment bottlenecks, they break down: - Why small and mid-sized cold shippers are stuck in the “middle gap” - How online grocery is creating a real estate crisis inside stores - Why 24/7 refrigeration is wildly inefficient - The hidden risk in temperature handoffs - How automation inside the store (not the warehouse) is the next frontier - And yes… whether cereal is soup 👀 #ColdChain #GroceryTech #Logistics #SupplyChainInnovation #RunningOnIce Follow the Running on Ice Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices