Talking Transports

Freight brokerage remains under pressure, but structural changes may be tightening capacity. In this episode of the Talking Transports podcast, Freight Caviar founder and CEO Paul Jaroslawski joins Bloomberg Intelligence’s Lee Klaskow to discuss how regulatory enforcement around non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses and fraud are reducing supply and lifting spot rates despite weak demand. Jaroslawski shares Freight Caviar’s evolution from memes to magazines and his unique perspective on the industry’s culture, broker-carrier tensions and the evolving technology landscape. He also examines offshore labor trends, growing cargo theft and the impact of potential broker-liability rulings, while emphasizing that relationships — not AI — remain the foundation of the brokerage business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Private ownership can be a strategic advantage in a volatile freight market. In this Talking Transports podcast, Jarrett’s founder and CEO Mike Jarrett tells Bloomberg Intelligence’s Lee Klaskow that remaining family-owned and debt-free allows the company to focus on culture, long-term customer partnerships and disciplined capital allocation rather than quarterly earnings pressure. Jarrett views technology as an enabler of integration, visibility and efficiency but not a replacement for customer relationships. He discusses the state of the company’s managed transportation, brokerage, forwarding, warehousing and fleet-services businesses. The conversation also touches on supply-chain disruptions, trucking supply, LTL pricing discipline, warehousing expansion and why culture — not leverage — anchors Jarrett’s competitive edge.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rail-freight demand is subdued but stable as economic uncertainty and shifting global trade patterns cloud near-term volume expectations. In this Talking Transports podcast, BNSF Chief Marketing Officer Tom Williams joins Bloomberg Intelligence’s Lee Klaskow to discuss the railroad’s demand outlook. Williams highlights the railroad’s improving service, noting that consistent transit times are key to converting more truckload freight to rail. He also outlines how investments in technology, infrastructure and network efficiency have reduced dwell times and improved velocity across the system. The conversation covers trade volatility, tariff impacts on import flows, the proposed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger and why he’s still celebrating his beloved Indiana Hoosiers’ national championship in college football.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Intermodal freight remains a vital but cyclical component of US supply chains, even as prolonged softness in trucking and rail markets pressures margins and balance sheets. In this Talking Transports podcast, STG Logistics CEO Geoff Anderman joins Bloomberg Intelligence’s Lee Klaskow to discuss the company’s proactive Chapter 11 restructuring and strategy to strengthen its financial foundation amid one of the longest freight downturns in recent history. Anderman details how STG’s asset-based intermodal fleet, drayage network and port-centric logistics footprint support resilience despite market volatility. He also addresses regulatory tightening, rail service, the proposed UP–NS merger, weather disruptions, disciplined cost control and targeted technology investments as the company prepares for an eventual freight recovery.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Freight demand remains uneven, but ArcBest is betting on integration and technology to drive long-term growth. In this Talking Transports podcast, ArcBest CEO Seth Runser joins Bloomberg Intelligence’s Lee Klaskow to discuss the company’s evolution from a traditional less-than-truckload into a multibillion-dollar integrated logistics provider. Runser outlines how managed transportation is gaining traction, why dynamic pricing and AI-enabled tools are improving efficiency and how $175 million in annual tech investment supports customer retention and productivity. He also addresses supply-side tightening from regulatory enforcement, union labor dynamics and EV pilots and how ArcBest is positioning for the next freight upcycle despite economic uncertainty. Runser became CEO at the start of the year, capping a 19-year career at the company that began in its management-trainee program.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Escalating US–Israeli strikes on Iran have injected fresh volatility into global energy and shipping markets, pushing Brent crude toward $80 a barrel and sending very large crude carrier spot rates sharply higher. About 20% of global oil and 25% of LNG flows transit the Strait of Hormuz, making the region critical to global trade. In this Talking Transports podcast, Bloomberg Intelligence’s Lee Klaskow convenes BI’s defense, energy, and shipping analysts to assess how the conflict could reshape oil prices, tanker rates, container flows, and broader freight markets. The discussion explores the emerging geopolitical risk premium in oil, insurance-driven tanker disruptions, continued Red Sea diversions and second-order impacts on rail, trucking, air freight and defense contractors. The key question being whether volatility remains a risk premium or becomes a true supply shock.  See {BI IRAN<GO>} for BI’s comprehensive global research on the Iran War. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Railroad freight remains a critical but often overlooked backbone of the economy, even as uncertainty clouds capital investment decisions. Railcar orders have moderated amid tariff concerns and cautious shipper spending, yet Greenbrier’s backlog remains strong, underscoring resilient underlying demand. In this Talking Transports podcast, Greenbrier CEO Lorie Tekorius joins Bloomberg Intelligence’s Lee Klaskow to discuss the company’s strategy to balance cyclical new railcar manufacturing with expanding recurring revenue from leasing and services. Tekorius outlines margin expansion through footprint optimization, steel sourcing discipline and insourcing initiatives, while addressing tariffs, inflationary pressures, rail consolidation and the long-term opportunity to increase freight rail’s share of the transportation pie.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Supply chain technology adoption is shifting from pilots to measurable gains in productivity and margins. In this episode of the Talking Transports podcast, Bloomberg Intelligence’s Lee Klaskow shares conversations from the floor of Manifest conference in Las Vegas, where innovation — not freight volumes — dominated. Vendors spotlighted AI agents for less-than-truckload workflows, robotics for e-commerce packaging, autonomous trucking, corrugate solutions to cut waste and reverse-logistics platforms to speed up resale readiness. C.H. Robinson cited 95% automation of LTL missed pickups, while robotics firm Ultra targets a $2–$3 billion packaging automation opportunity. Last-mile startup GoFo is challenging FedEx and UPS with lower-cost DSP models, while autonomous trucking firm Bot Auto is prioritizing cost-per-mile economics before scaling.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thomas Massalone, president of Pinch Transport with nearly 20 years in oilfield logistics, explains how flatbed LTL tied to oil cycles works. He discusses consolidation-driven growth, AI-driven energy demand boosting infrastructure work, drayage and brokerage opportunities, and practical AI and safety tech adoption. He also covers fleet and leasing choices and how the company combats fraud and inflationary pressures.

Market participants and investors appear optimistic that federal initiatives can drive out slack trucking capacity and ignite a prolonged rate recovery. The Bloomberg Intelligence truckload peer group is up 18% year to date vs. a 1% gain for the broader index. In this episode of Talking Transports, USA Truck CEO and co-owner George Henry joins BI’s Lee Klaskow to examine the early signs of structural tightening in the truckload market. Henry outlines the company’s asset-heavy strategy, with a growing emphasis on dedicated freight, safety-led operations and disciplined spot exposure. The pair also discuss the opportunities that come with being a private, stand-alone company, rate expectations, technology-fueled productivity, inflation and the story behind USA Truck’s logo.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.