FreightWaves NOW

On this episode of the FreightWaves Morning Minute for January 29, 2026, we look at how logistics providers are adapting to market volatility with creative new trade lanes. DHL Global Forwarding has introduced a hybrid truck-air service that relays goods from China through Uzbekistan to Istanbul, offering a faster alternative to ocean freight for bulky shipments. In carrier news, a trucking giant is preparing for a major change at the top as Schneider announces a leadership transition scheduled for this July. Longtime executive and Marine Corps veteran Jim Filter will succeed Mark Rourke as CEO to guide the company through the evolving freight landscape. Finally, Tesla is highlighting progress on its Semi truck even as the company faces a sharp decline in overall profitability for the year. Executives confirmed that tooling is now in place in Nevada to begin the mass production ramp of the electric class 8 vehicle in early 2026. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The freight market is aggressively correcting toward specialization, highlighted by Werner Enterprises' decision to acquire dedicated carrier FirstFleet for $245 million. This strategic move adds over 2,400 tractors to their fleet and secures stable revenue streams in an otherwise volatile sector. While carriers expand, major retailers like American Eagle and Office Depot are pulling the plug on third-party logistics services to refocus on core operations. These companies realized that selling "supply chain as a service" became an operational nightmare that distracted from their primary retail goals. Automation takes a giant leap forward as Gatik launches fully driverless commercial trucking operations in Texas, Arkansas, and Arizona. By removing the safety driver entirely, the company is effectively solving the middle-mile challenge for Fortune 50 retailers moving perishable goods. Efficiency drives major changes at UPS, where the parcel giant plans to eliminate 30,000 jobs while downsizing its network to manage lower Amazon volumes. The company is also modernizing its air capacity by permanently retiring its aging MD-11 fleet in favor of more efficient Boeing 767s following a recent fatal crash. Financial scandals rock the brokerage world as a new lawsuit alleges the R&R Family of Companies continued operating while insolvent, racking up millions in unpaid bills. Court filings claim the founders transferred valuable property to themselves even as lenders urged an orderly wind-down of the business. Finally, regulators have opened a public comment period regarding the controversial under-21 interstate trucking program amid strong industry debate. While large fleets push to extend the pilot to address labor shortages, safety advocates warn of higher crash risks associated with younger drivers. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Major retailers are retreating from the logistics sector as American Eagle and Office Depot pull the plug on their third-party services. This strategic pivot returns focus to core retail operations, forcing thousands of outside brands to find new fulfillment partners. On the technology front, Gatik has reached a major milestone by launching fully driverless commercial trucking operations at scale in North America. These autonomous medium-duty trucks are now executing daily revenue-generating routes across Texas, Arkansas, and Arizona without human intervention. Drivers and consumers are also feeling the pain at the pump as diesel prices surge amid a severe winter cold snap. Refinery disruptions in the Gulf Coast and high heating oil demand have pushed the benchmark up by more than 16 cents in just two weeks. Finally, tune in to FreightWaves TV at noon today for a new episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? featuring Malcolm Harris. If you miss the live broadcast, you can always catch the replay on YouTube. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The logistics sector is sending mixed signals in early 2026, with some data pointing to a boom while other indicators suggest fragility. On the growth side, 3PLs are dominating industrial leasing as corporations aggressively outsource their complex supply chains. Financial metrics back up this optimism, with Triumph Financial reporting rising invoice sizes and the addition of major fleets like J.B. Hunt to their network. This consolidation suggests big players are circling the wagons around platforms that provide stability and value. Operational efficiency is also improving, as C.H. Robinson uses AI agents to automate ready-checks and reduce unnecessary return trips by 42%. These technological advancements are helping stabilize networks by cutting out pure waste like fuel and driver time. However, friction remains in the air cargo sector, where Alaska Airlines is dissatisfied with its Amazon contract due to pilot scheduling issues and thin margins. The airline is looking to renegotiate terms or exit the deal as it struggles to optimize utilization between passenger and cargo operations. Regulatory and geopolitical risks are also mounting, highlighted by a court decision denying a reprieve for non-domiciled CDL renewals in California. Furthermore, global trade lanes face renewed uncertainty after Houthis threatened new attacks in the Red Sea, potentially forcing ships back around the Cape of Good Hope. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode, we discuss a legal setback for truck drivers in California after a federal judge declined to force the state to resume non-domiciled CDL renewals. The court ruled that intervention could jeopardize millions in federal highway funding, creating a catastrophic risk for the state. Next, we look at turbulence in the air cargo sector as Alaska Airlines signals dissatisfaction with its Amazon contract. Executives indicate that while they are meeting delivery standards, the current operating margins are too thin to be sustainable long-term. Finally, we examine how Smith System is modernizing fleet safety by replacing paper checklists with a digital trainer platform. This new cloud-based tool integrates with telematics to turn one-time training events into a consistent, data-driven safety culture. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The regulatory battle between Washington and Sacramento reaches a boiling point as the DOT threatens to strip California of its authority to issue commercial driver's licenses. This unprecedented "nuclear option" escalates beyond the initial dispute over non-domiciled credentials and could leave hundreds of thousands of drivers unable to operate in interstate commerce. On the weather front, the FMCSA has issued a massive 40-state regional emergency declaration to assist with relief efforts during Winter Storm Fern. While the Northeast battles snow, the Southeast faces dangerous ice storm conditions that have left over one million people without power and grounded thousands of flights. In market news, FedEx Freight prepares for its spinoff as a standalone company with a freshly assigned investment-grade credit rating. Meanwhile, Alaska Airlines leverages its acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines to launch new international cargo routes into London and Rome. Finally, analysts predict a dramatic rise in transportation M&A activity by late 2026, though buyers remain focused on specialized carriers rather than general freight. This recovery favors companies with defensible service models while pure spot market brokerages may continue to struggle. 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 examine the escalating standoff between federal regulators and California that could paralyze the nation's largest trucking workforce. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is threatening to strip the state of its commercial licensing power over safety concerns regarding 17,000 non-domiciled licenses. Markets are also bracing for a major shift, with analysts predicting a dramatic spike in logistics mergers and acquisitions by the end of 2026,. Investors are increasingly favoring specialized tech platforms over generic brokerages, exemplified by Echo Global Logistics' recent move to acquire ITS Logistics. Finally, the nearshoring boom is driving tangible infrastructure investments along the southern border. DSV has broken ground on a massive regional headquarters in Arizona to support growing cross-border trade, joining other industry giants in expanding their footprint to capture Mexico-bound freight. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The industrial economy flashes a warning sign as CSX reports a dip in revenue and pivots back to a strategy of strict cost discipline. Executives cite subdued demand as the primary driver for abandoning previous growth targets in favor of efficiency. In the brokerage sector, the sudden collapse of the R&R Family of Companies serves as a brutal cautionary tale about rapid expansion and cash burn. Former employees reveal how failed acquisitions and maintenance costs spiraled into a crisis that left drivers stranded. Legal risks for 3PLs escalate after a Texas court rules Landstar is fully liable for a $23 million accident verdict, overturning a previous jury decision. This ruling intensifies the stakes for an upcoming Supreme Court decision on broker liability regarding the federal preemption of state negligence claims. On the infrastructure front, Congress advances a spending package that includes a record $200 million for truck parking to improve safety and retention. Meanwhile, the adoption of electric trucks gets a boost through a new charging partnership aimed at achieving cost parity with diesel on major freight corridors. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Friday edition of the Morning Minute, Isaiah Buchanan reports on a major legislative win for drivers as the House passes a spending bill that dedicates $200 million to truck parking. This first-of-its-kind line item now heads to the Senate, where lawmakers are racing against a January 30 government shutdown deadline. A Texas court has delivered a massive blow to Landstar System, ruling that the company must pay 100% of a $23 million accident verdict rather than the 15% originally assigned by a jury. The freight giant intends to vigorously appeal the judgment, which has already caused the company to lower its earnings expectations for the quarter. The episode also explores a pivotal upcoming Supreme Court case regarding whether federal law preempts state negligence claims against freight brokers. The Department of Justice argues that allowing these lawsuits would create a patchwork of liability standards, while advocates fear preemption leaves a dangerous gap in safety accountability. Finally, listeners are invited to catch a new episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? featuring Malcolm Harris, airing at noon on FreightWaves TV. If you miss the live broadcast, the full episode will be available for streaming on YouTube. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode analyzes a massive shift in the logistics landscape as Echo Global Logistics moves to acquire ITS Logistics in a deal creating a $5.4 billion combined entity. We discuss why this merger signals a strategic pivot toward asset control as the industry anticipates a future market turn. Attention then turns to the Southeast, where logistics leaders are bracing for Winter Storm Fern and its potential to freeze critical supply chain arteries. The forecast is drawing concern across the industry as conditions threaten to mirror the disruptions seen during the historic 2021 Texas freeze. We also break down the latest financial results from Knight-Swift, which reported a quarterly loss but signaled optimism for margin improvement in 2026. Management believes that exiting weaker players will help correct the market balance, even as rail networks also prepare for severe weather disruptions. On the international front, CMA CGM has reversed its course on returning to the Red Sea, choosing to divert ships around Africa due to safety risks. This decision highlights the ongoing volatility in global shipping lanes and the resulting inflationary pressures on transit times and fuel. Finally, we explore significant regulatory updates, including the Trump administration’s support of C.H. Robinson in a Supreme Court case that could define broker liability. We also look at the FMCSA’s long-awaited rollout of the Motus registration system, designed to finally crack down on chameleon carriers and industry fraud. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices