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FreightWaves

A full trailer load of freight podcasts from FreightWaves. Enjoy shows like the award-winning WHAT THE TRUCK?!? podcast, Put That Coffee Down, Freightonomics, Fuller Speed Ahead, Great Quarter, Gals and more with one click of the subscribe button. One freight feed to rule them all!

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Today · 1 hr 10 min
FreightWaves Today | November 10
Is peak season real? Truckload tender rejections hold near 12.9%, about double last year, and the Nvidia chip cargo theft shows how exposed freight is to fraud. FreightWaves Today for November 10, 2026 covers it. In this episode, we break down the freight market with data from FreightWaves SONAR. We cover truckload rejections, volumes, reefer capacity, diesel prices, air cargo, drone delivery, and the AI agents now booking freight. What’s in this episode: 📉 Truckload market and peak season outlook: Outbound Tender Rejections are flat at about 12.5–12.9%, roughly twice last year’s level. Tender volumes are up 12% year over year and 3% from October. We also look at whether rate relief before Thanksgiving will be limited this year. ❄️ Reefer market: Refrigerated tender rejections are near 21%, up from 12.6% a year ago. We also cover the strong El Niño’s potential impact on winter weather and protect-from-freeze capacity. 🚛 Spot rates by mode: We compare reefer, flatbed, and dry van spot rates. We also cover the Pacific Northwest seasonal surge and why flatbed demand tied to AI data center buildout remains strong. 📰 Top freight headlines: The RICO lawsuit against C.H. Robinson and TQL: jury selection isn’t expected until April 2028, and TQL is pushing for dismissal. COSCO Shipping Holdings reports an 81% jump in Q3 profit, with Trans-Pacific revenue up 61%. Six pallets of Nvidia hardware worth $11.4 million vanish on an Oakland-to-Fort Worth shipment, part of a wave of data center freight thefts. 🔐 Cargo theft and freight fraud: Why high-value freight needs stricter carrier vetting, security protocols, and counterparty checks. 🤖 AI agents in logistics: Joel Clum (Chief Commercial Officer) and Nick Ciubotariu(CTO) of ShipStation Global discuss the 250+ AI agents behind their platform, from email-to-quote-to-booking automation to sales tools. We also cover how small and mid-sized shippers can use AI to compete with enterprise shippers. ✈️ Air cargo and drone delivery: Eric Kulisch on why Air cargo rates are up about 30% year over year, with volumes up about 6%, driven by AI equipment shipments. Wing plans a $125 million Texas drone factory and expanded Walmart delivery, while Zipline raises new funding ahead of the FAA’s long-awaited drone rules. ⛽ Diesel prices and energy: John Kingston on the DOE average diesel price falling 16.5 cents, post-election moves in crude futures, Iran conflict risk, and the Strait of Hormuz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today · 35 min
THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY ISN'T DEAD… AND WE FOUND THE PROOF! | BRAKE CHECK
🔥 BRAKE CHECK went LIVE from the Stars, Stripes & White Lines Truck Show at EchoPark Speedway outside Atlanta, Georgia, thanks to the Bennett Family of Companies! We traded the boardrooms, industry predictions, and doom-and-gloom headlines from trucking media for the REAL heartbeat of American trucking: THE PEOPLE! In this episode: THE EXTINCTION DEBATE: Are American trucking companies really disappearing, or is somebody selling a narrative that doesn’t match reality? REAL OWNERS, REAL STORIES, REAL TRUCKING. We sit down with the owner of Storlie Construction and the owner of Lifetime Nut Covers to hear firsthand from the people building businesses and keeping this industry rolling. PLUS A SURPRISE FOR TONY JUSTICE! The Bennett Family of Companies delivers an unforgettable moment for country music artist and trucking favorite Tony Justice! THE INDUSTRY TEMPERATURE CHECK: We take the microphones straight to the people of trucking to find out what’s REALLY happening beyond the headlines. No corporate talking points No polished PR answers No crystal balls predicting the end of American trucking. Just real people, real businesses, and the passion that keeps this industry alive, because before you declare an entire industry DEAD, you might want to check its pulse! Join Charles for another episode of BRAKE CHECK on FreightWaves, where we ask the questions others won’t and bring the conversations directly to the people who matter. NOW IT’S YOUR TURN! 👇 Is the American trucking company really facing extinction, or is the industry being counted out too soon? DROP YOUR TAKE IN THE COMMENTS! 👍 LIKE if you believe American trucking is worth fighting for. 🔔 SUBSCRIBE to FreightWaves for more Brake Check episodes, hard-hitting trucking conversations, and stories from the road. AMERICAN TRUCKING ISN’T DEAD, AND WE WENT LOOKING FOR THE PROOF Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today · 3 min
RICO Suit Vs. C.H. Robinson, TQL Eyes 2028; COSCO Profit Up 81%; $11.4M Nvidia Theft
In today’s Morning Minute, a massive RICO lawsuit filed by a coalition of carriers against brokerage giants C.H. Robinson and TQL won’t reach jury selection until April 3, 2028, 17 months away. TQL is pushing to move the case to state court in Ohio based on forum selection clauses, with a scheduling conference set for November 23. In ocean freight, China-based COSCO Shipping Holdings reported an 81% surge in third-quarter profit to about $2.58 billion, with revenue up 29% to $11.34 billion as geopolitical disruptions forced longer voyages and kept container rates elevated. Trans-Pacific revenue rose 61% on just 13% volume growth. Finally, six pallets of Nvidia hardware worth a reported $11.4 million vanished en route from Oakland to Fort Worth, part of a broader wave of data center freight thefts totaling nearly $111 million. A note on names: the transcript appears to be auto-generated, and a few entities look garbled. I wrote “TQL” (Total Quality Logistics, which is based in Ohio) where it says “TCL,” and “COSCO” where it says “Costco,” since COSCO Shipping Holdings is the China-based container carrier. I also read “Claremont, Ohio” as Clermont County, Ohio, and left it as “state court in Ohio” in the description. Please confirm these against the source before publishing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Yesterday · 10 min
Unlock Lane-Level Intermodal Savings | #WithSONAR
In this episode of #WithSONAR, we walk through SONAR’s Intermodal pricing tool in Rate Intelligence, helping you compare truckload and intermodal rates, track market trends, and identify potential conversion savings across your network. Learn how to: Compare intermodal spot and contract rates against truckload pricing. Track rate trends and domestic and international intermodal volume. Calculate potential conversion savings using your current contract rates and annual load volume. Analyze long-term lane-level rate and demand trends to identify opportunities to reduce transportation costs. 📩 Have questions? Reach out to cs@gosonar.com or your Account Manager. 💡 Subscribe for more quick SONAR insights! #freight #freighttech #gosonar #sonar #softwareasaservice #logistics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Yesterday · 1 hr 11 min
FreightWaves Today | November 9
On Monday’s freight edition of FreightWaves Today, the team reflects on a week at the Up Summit and Cape Week, then dives into the day’s top transportation and supply chain stories, guest interviews, and the latest freight market data from Sonar. In this episode: 🚀 Up Summit takeaways: Reflections on the future of aviation and aerospace, how autonomy, flying taxis, and drone delivery could reshape cargo and even where people choose to live, and why public-private partnerships and government-funded innovation matter 📰 Top headlines: BNSF’s third quarter earnings rise as revenue growth outpaces volume growth Walmart and Zipline expand drone delivery to hundreds of new store locations A major methamphetamine seizure in a South Texas produce truck highlights cargo security challenges 📦 Freight market check-in: Is the consumer pulling back, and what are rejections and demand telling us about peak season? Plus a look at the impact of the CSX tech outage and New Mexico flooding on rail volumes 🎙️ Guest interview: Heidi Wyle, founder and CEO of Venti (an MIT spinout), on autonomous trucks for ports, rail yards, and other supply chain facilities, how they’re deployed, and when over-the-road autonomy could arrive 📊 Sonar update: New flatbed and LTL data in Truckload National Insights, tender rejections, demand trends, spot and contract rates, and a preview of Sonar’s upcoming MCP for accessing data through your AI tools 🔒 Fraud Watch (brought to you by Highway): The latest on freight fraud and stolen load trends 🤖 Guest interview: Adrian Smith, co-founder and CEO of Ripple, on tariffs and trade after the midterms, doing logistics business in the Middle East, why customs work is a strong fit for AI, and how to deploy the right AI model for the right job 📅 Coming up: Tomorrow’s Fuel Tuesday episode with John Kingston on the state of the energy markets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Yesterday · 3 min
BNSF Q3 Earnings Climb, Walmart Drone Delivery Expands, & CBP Meth Seizure in Texas | The Morning Minute
In this episode, we kick things off by examining a strong financial performance from one of the nation's largest Class I railroads. Listen in to learn how BNSF's third-quarter earnings rose 19.3% to $1.73 billion as higher freight volumes and improved operating efficiencies helped offset increased fuel costs. Operating revenue growth substantially exceeded shipment growth, demonstrating strong pricing power in the current market and providing a larger contribution to parent company Berkshire Hathaway during a period when its overall operating earnings declined. Next, we explore the retail sector where ultra-fast delivery is taking to the skies in a massive way. We discuss how Walmart is scaling up drone delivery in partnership with Zipline, which raised $1.5 billion in new funding to expand operations from 300 new store locations nationwide. With more than 2 million drone deliveries already completed since 2021, this expansion underscores the fierce race among big retailers to build out same-day and one-hour delivery networks. Finally, we cover a major narcotics seizure that highlights persistent cargo security challenges at the southern border. Federal authorities announced that CBP officers discovered over 1,000 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in a produce truck hauling leeks as it entered South Texas on October 30th. The seizure, valued at nearly $1 million, was part of Operation Southern Surge, a federal initiative that had resulted in 89 arrests and more than 1,600 pounds of narcotics seized as of early November. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Friday · 1 hr 45 min
FreightWaves Today | November 6
Innovation is taking flight—and the future of freight, logistics, aviation and space is changing faster than ever. On this episode of FreightWaves Today, we're broadcasting from the Up Summit at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, where some of the world's most innovative companies and technology leaders are exploring what's next for transportation, robotics, autonomous systems and space commercialization. We sit down with Robert Rose, founder and CEO of Reliable Robotics, to discuss the future of autonomous aviation and what pilotless cargo aircraft could mean for the freight industry. From retrofitting existing aircraft with autonomous technology to improving collision avoidance, increasing safety and expanding regional air cargo networks, Rose explains how autonomous flight is moving closer to commercial reality. We also discuss the company's demonstration flights in Albuquerque and its plans for airport-to-airport cargo operations. We also talk with a NASA safety and mission assurance leader about the next generation of nuclear-powered spacecraft, NASA's plans for space nuclear propulsion, and the extraordinary engineering and safety challenges involved in sending nuclear technology to Mars. The conversation explores how these technologies could enable future deep-space missions and potentially influence nuclear power applications here on Earth. Plus, we explore the growing role of advanced robotics and automated manufacturing, and sit down with Harrison Shih, head of DoorDash Labs, to discuss drone delivery, autonomous ground robots and how multiple delivery methods can work together to make last-mile logistics faster and more accessible. From autonomous aircraft and drone delivery to space reactors and advanced manufacturing, this episode examines the technologies that could reshape how goods, people and information move. IN THIS EPISODE: Reliable Robotics and the future of autonomous cargo aviation How pilotless aircraft could improve air cargo efficiency and safety FAA certification and the challenges of integrating autonomous aircraft NASA's nuclear-powered propulsion and the mission to Mars Space exploration, nuclear safety and next-generation technology Advanced robotics and automated manufacturing DoorDash Labs and the future of drone delivery Why multimodal delivery networks will shape the future of logistics The future of transportation isn't limited to the road. We're exploring what comes next. Subscribe to FreightWaves for the latest news, analysis and conversations shaping freight, transportation and supply chain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thursday · 2 hr 32 min
FreightWaves Today | November 5
Join FreightWaves Today live from Cape Canaveral, Florida, at UP.Summit, where the innovators, founders, government leaders and defense industry executives shaping the future of aviation, aerospace and transportation are coming together. In this special episode, we explore how emerging technologies are transforming the way people and freight move — from autonomous aircraft and next-generation military aviation to electric cargo planes and the future of airfreight logistics. Our conversations include: Merlin: Founder Matt George discusses building an autonomous pilot, how AI-powered flight systems could improve aviation safety, and the potential to bring autonomy to military and commercial cargo aircraft. We also explore Merlin's work with the U.S. Air Force and its partnership with Textron. Sorian Aerospace: We look at the Sandman, an autonomous supersonic training aircraft designed to help prepare military pilots for the next generation of aerial warfare, including the growing role of unmanned aircraft and collaborative combat systems. REGENT / Sea glider technology: Discover how electric, wing-in-ground-effect vehicles could create a new category of coastal transportation, connecting communities, ports and offshore operations with speed and efficiency. BETA Technologies: Head of Policy Chip Palamni explains the evolution of electric aviation, the economics of electric cargo aircraft, reduced maintenance costs and the opportunity to rethink regional airfreight networks. We also discuss BETA's aircraft, medical cargo deliveries and potential hub-bypass routes. Defense, aviation and aerospace leadership: Conversations explore America's defense innovation ecosystem, the importance of domestic manufacturing, emerging drone threats and the supply chains needed to maintain U.S. technological leadership. From drone delivery and autonomous flight to military readiness, domestic manufacturing and the aerospace supply chain, this episode examines the technologies and companies that could reshape aviation and freight transportation. The future of freight isn't limited to highways, railroads and ocean shipping. A new era of aviation innovation is taking shape — and we're on the ground at UP.Summit to explore what's coming next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thursday · 36 min
The Green Mile — Where Small Carriers Actually Win
Most small carriers start every morning the same way. Coffee, phone, load board. They're competing with every carrier in the country for freight that's three states away, at a rate set by whoever will take the least. Meanwhile, inside twenty miles of their own front door, there are manufacturers, distribution centers, food processors, and warehouses that ship freight every single week. Some of them have trucks lined up at the gate right now, and the carriers in that line didn't find the freight on a board. Somebody picked up a phone. Somebody walked in. This is a solo masterclass on the Green Mile, the twenty-mile circle around your operating zip code, and why working your home court is one of the most durable moves a small carrier can make. It includes a live screen demo of how I use Google to find shippers in any area, then covers how to read them, how to walk in the door, how to price what you win, and how to protect it once you've got it. No guest. Just the strategy, step by step. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thursday · 1 hr 6 min
TRUCKING'S FUTURE IS ON TRIAL | BRAKE CHECK
Washington writes the rules. Silicon Valley wants the wheel. Regulators control the paperwork. But who's looking out for the American trucking companies keeping this country moving? The future of trucking is being decided, the question is, WHO GETS A SAY? Brake Check goes LIVE from the National Association of Small Trucking Companies (NASTC) Annual Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, bringing some of the industry's most recognizable voices together for a conversation that refuses to dodge the tough questions. Joining Charles, - David Owen — President, NASTC - Kevin Rutherford — Trucking business expert and industry voice - Ellen Voie — Trucking industry leader and advocate - Rick Gobble — Trucking industry voice ON THE DOCKET: ENFORCEMENT: Are we leveling the playing field or burying good carriers in red tape? AUTONOMOUS TRUCKING: Is technology advancing the industry or advancing past the people who built it? WASHINGTON & REGULATIONS: Who's really influencing the decisions that impact America's truckers? FMCSA & MOTUS: Modernization or another headache for the small carriers trying to do business? THE AMERICAN TRUCKING COMPANY: Can small carriers survive the pressure, politics, and promises of tomorrow? No carefully scripted corporate talking points. No pretending everyone agrees. Just real industry voices tackling the issues shaping the future of American trucking. Because the people making a living in trucking deserve more than a front-row seat to decisions about their future. They deserve a voice. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU: If YOU could put Washington, trucking's biggest organizations, and the autonomous-trucking industry on the witness stand, what's the ONE question you'd demand they answer? Drop it in the comments. We might just bring your question into a future episode. LIKE if American trucking deserves a seat at the table. COMMENT with your opinion SHARE with a driver, owner-operator, or fleet owner who needs to hear this conversation. SUBSCRIBE to FreightWaves for more Brake Check episodes where we put trucking's toughest issues under the microscope. #BrakeCheck #TruckingIndustry #NASTC #FreightWaves #AutonomousTrucking #FMCSA #OwnerOperators #SmallBusiness #TruckingNews #AmericanTrucking Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Wednesday · 1 hr
FreightWaves Today | November 4
Freight markets remain tight as shippers navigate rising transportation costs, rail disruptions, and uncertainty heading into the holiday peak season. Meanwhile, the rapid growth of autonomous vehicles is raising an important question: how do we measure whether self-driving trucks and vehicles are truly safe to operate? On this episode of FreightWaves Today, Julie Van de Kamp and Zach Strickland break down the latest freight market data, examine major transportation earnings, and welcome experts to discuss autonomous vehicle safety and the latest developments across North American rail. In this episode: 🤖 The Future of Autonomous Vehicle Safety with Luc Vincent, Special Advisor at Empiric Earth: Why autonomous vehicles need more than billions of routine driving miles to prove they are safe. Vincent explains how rare real-world events—such as near misses, road debris, flooding, severe weather, and unusual driver behavior—can help train and validate autonomous systems. He also introduces APEX, Empiric Earth's developing safety-testing framework designed to measure autonomous vehicle performance across different driving scenarios and potentially provide a standardized scorecard for regulators. 📊 SONAR Market Update with Zach Strickland: A look at truckload tender rejections, spot rates, and capacity trends as the market approaches the holiday season. Zach examines why the dry van market remains tight despite some softening in rejection rates, why refrigerated capacity is especially constrained, and which markets are showing the strongest rate increases. He also highlights Los Angeles as a market to watch amid potential port disruptions and shifting intermodal volumes. 🚂 Rail Market Update with Bill Stephens, Trains Magazine Editor: The latest Association of American Railroads traffic numbers, including North American rail traffic growth, intermodal volumes, carloads, and key commodity trends. Stephens explains how severe flooding in New Mexico disrupted BNSF's Southern Transcon and how a technology outage at CSX affected train operations and interchanges. The conversation also explores the ripple effects on Los Angeles and Long Beach port operations, railcar positioning, third-quarter railroad earnings, fuel surcharge revenue, and productivity. 📈 Transportation Earnings and Freight Headlines: A closer look at Expeditors International's strong third-quarter results, growth in airfreight and ocean volumes, and the impact of AI infrastructure demand. The hosts also discuss GXO Logistics' record new business wins and sales pipeline, along with ArcBest's latest LTL and brokerage results. They examine how heavier shipments, higher fuel costs, and fuel surcharge revenue are shaping transportation company performance. ⛽ Diesel Market Volatility: The latest movement in diesel and crude oil prices, including the sharp futures selloff tied to geopolitical headlines and the rapid rebound as uncertainty surrounding negotiations continued. Plus, the latest supply chain developments: Potential labor disruption at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and what a strike could mean for peak-season freight. Flooding-related service interruptions along a major BNSF intermodal corridor. The CSX technology outage and its impact on rail network operations. Tight refrigerated capacity and changing spot market conditions across key freight markets. The transportation industry is facing a complicated mix of tight capacity, rising costs, infrastructure challenges, and rapidly evolving technology. Get the latest data, analysis, and industry perspectives on FreightWaves Today. Subscribe to FreightWaves for the latest transportation news, freight market intelligence, and supply chain insights. #FreightWaves #FreightWavesToday #FreightMarket #Trucking #AutonomousVehicles #SONAR #RailFreight #Intermodal #SupplyChain #Logistics #DieselPrices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Wednesday · 3 min
Expeditors' AI-Fueled Quarter, GXO Record Contract Wins, & Diesel Futures Whipsaw | The Morning Minute
In this episode, we kick things off by examining the stellar third-quarter performance at logistics giant Expeditors International, where revenue surged 42% year-over-year to $4.1 billion, heavily boosted by hyperscaler demand from tech giants building out AI infrastructure. The asset-light customs broker and freight forwarder saw diluted earnings per share climb 61% to $2.65, crushing Wall Street consensus by 42 cents, while airfreight volume accelerated throughout the quarter—rising 8% in July, 13% in August, and 19% in September. Next, we explore the warehousing sector where contract logistics provider GXO Logistics is riding a wave of momentum with third-quarter revenue of $3.59 billion and organic revenue growing 6.4%—the fastest pace in over three years. The company secured $375 million in new business wins during the quarter, a massive 34% year-over-year increase, while its sales pipeline swelled to a record $3.1 billion, signaling robust demand for outsourced warehousing and supply chain services. Finally, we cover the dramatic volatility gripping diesel markets as geopolitical headlines whipsaw oil traders. While the DOE's benchmark retail diesel price fell six cents to $6.29 per gallon, the December ultra low sulfur diesel futures contract plunged 25.45 cents on Monday to $4.42—the lowest level since October 6th. Brent crude crashed 10.94% on hopeful news about U.S.-Israel-Iran negotiations, only to rebound Tuesday when reports emerged that Iran and the U.S. were "far from a deal." Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
November 3 · 26 min
Unlocking Fleet Readiness: Streamlining Compliance, Tolling, and Data Integration | Loaded and Rolling
Live from Trimble Insight, FreightWaves Trucking Analyst Thomas Wasson sits down with Frances Kilgour, VP of Business Development & Channel Management at Drivewyze / Fleetworthy, at the Barkcast booth.In this episode of Loaded and Rolling, Frances shares insights from her trucking roots and unpacks Fleetworthy’s expanding mission around "fleet readiness"—unifying driver compliance, weigh station bypass, and toll management under a single cohesive ecosystem. Key Discussion Points: Breaking Down Data Silos: Why carriers are tired of disconnected safety and operational reports, and how API-first integration delivers a single source of truth across dispatch and back-office teams. Continuous Compliance vs. Checklists: Shifting safety management from an annual review to real-time driver and vehicle readiness, reducing inspection anxiety at the scale house. Smarter Tolling Decisions: Balancing time vs. toll expenses, in-cab route advisory, and using automated reconciliation to identify mismatched transponders and dispute bogus toll charges. The Future of AI & Automation: How agentic AI pilots are helping fleet managers query their data directly, identify critical cost outliers, and prepare for autonomous inspections. ⁠Follow the Loaded and Rolling Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
November 3 · 1 hr 1 min
FreightWaves Today | November 3
Freight markets are tightening, diesel prices are creating new challenges for carriers, and the latest economic indicators suggest stronger freight demand could be on the horizon for 2027. On this episode of FreightWaves Today, Julie Van de Kamp and Malcolm Harris break down the latest headlines and welcome an impressive lineup of industry experts to discuss what’s happening across transportation, trucking, and the broader supply chain. In this episode: Freight Market Outlook with Chris Pickett, Chief Commercial Officer at Flock Freight: How shippers and carriers are adapting to rising truckload rates, constrained capacity, and higher fuel costs. Pickett explains how shared truckload can help shippers reduce transportation costs, improve trailer utilization, and navigate an increasingly challenging freight market. He also shares his outlook for freight rates heading into 2027. SONAR Market Update with Julie Van de Kamp: A deep dive into the latest ISM Manufacturing PMI and Logistics Managers Index (LMI) reports. Julie examines manufacturing growth, transportation capacity, rising logistics costs, tender rejections, and freight volumes to explain why capacity constraints could persist into 2027. Trucking Insurance with Peter Niro of Progressive: What motor carriers need to understand about underwriting, managing risk, cargo coverage, refrigerated freight claims, and controlling insurance costs. Niro also discusses how safety technology and accurate operational data can help fleets protect their businesses. Diesel Market Update with John Kingston, FreightWaves Editor-at Large: An in-depth look at the latest diesel price movements, global oil market volatility, geopolitical uncertainty, declining fuel inventories, and what carriers and consumers could face heading into winter. Plus, the latest freight headlines: Operation Guardian and increased federal and state scrutiny of CDL eligibility. P.A.M. Transportation's third-quarter financial results and ongoing truckload cost pressures. Manufacturing growth and what improving new orders could mean for future freight demand. The freight market is changing quickly. Stay informed with the data, analysis, and conversations that matter to trucking and supply chain professionals. Subscribe to FreightWaves for the latest transportation news, market intelligence, and industry insights. #FreightWaves #FreightWavesToday #Trucking #FreightMarket #SupplyChain #SONAR #DieselPrices #Logistics #Truckload #FreightIndustry ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
November 3 · 34 min
THE DEATH OF AMERICAN TRUCKING? NOT SO FAST! | BRAKE CHECK
Some say the American trucking company is becoming an endangered species. Small carriers are getting squeezed, regulations keep piling up, costs keep climbing, and apparently somebody forgot to tell the American trucker it's time to surrender. But is American trucking really dying, or are we confusing a tough industry with a dying one? On this episode of Brake Check on FreightWaves TV, Charles takes the gloves off and goes straight to the people working in the trenches.Joining the conversation are Hunter Owen, VP of Sales, and Hunter Shearer of Truck Parking Club, alongside Alex Idol of NASTC Safety & Compliance, as we separate industry doom and gloom from the realities of running a trucking business in America. We're talking survival, truck parking, regulations, compliance, the challenges facing small carriers, and why counting the American trucking company out might be the dumbest prediction in freight. Because here's the thing: The American trucking company isn't dead....but the people keeping it alive deserve a hell of a lot more than another obituary. No corporate talking points, No participation trophies.... Just real conversations about the people and businesses keeping America moving. THE BIG QUESTION: Is American trucking actually dying, or is the industry making survival harder than it needs to be? Sound off in the comments. We want to hear from the drivers, owner-operators, and carriers living it every day. LIKE | COMMENT | SUBSCRIBE for more Brake Check on FreightWaves TV. #BrakeCheck #FreightWaves #AmericanTrucking #TruckingIndustry #OwnerOperators #SmallCarriers #TruckDrivers #NASTC #TruckParkingClub ⁠Follow the Brake Check Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
November 3 · 3 min
230-Plus Immigrants Arrested in CDL Crackdown, Pamt Reports Q3 Loss, & Manufacturing PMI Beats | The Morning Minute
In this episode, we kick things off by examining a massive federal immigration enforcement operation that swept through the trucking industry last month. Federal and state law enforcement agencies ⁠arrested more than 230 undocumented immigrants during a 72-hour crackdown spanning 15 states⁠, with more than 40 commercial driver's license holders detained as part of Operation Guardian. This coordinated enforcement action signals escalating federal and state scrutiny of commercial drivers' immigration status and CDL eligibility nationwide. Next, we explore the truckload sector where Pamt Corp. is struggling to dig out from under relentless cost pressures. The carrier ⁠reported a net loss of $8.1 million in the third quarter and posted a brutal 109.1% operating ratio⁠, marking twelve straight operating losses for the truckload unit. Elevated driver procurement costs and spiking diesel fuel prices continue to outpace pricing improvements despite the company's efforts to align customer rates with inflationary increases. Finally, we cover U.S. manufacturing data that is delivering some genuinely encouraging signals for freight demand. Manufacturing supply executives surveyed in October ⁠returned a 55.5 reading for the Institute for Supply Management's Manufacturing PMI, beating analyst expectations⁠ by a full percentage point. U.S. manufacturing activity remained in growth mode for a tenth straight month, with production expanding to the highest level in five years and directly supporting the modestly improving demand trends that public LTL carriers reported last week. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
November 2 · 1 hr 1 min
FreightWaves Today | November 2
In today’s episode of FreightWaves Today, Julie and Zach dive into the biggest stories across the supply chain, from record-breaking electric fleet orders to shifting contract rates and Q3 earnings. First, Cristiano Façanha from the Smart Freight Center joins the show to discuss the Zero Emission Truck Shipper-Carrier Alliance Leading Electrification (ZET-SCALE) program’s massive order of 2,500 Class 8 electric trucks, led by Tesla Semis. He breaks down how demand aggregation is bringing down high vehicle costs, why Tesla stood out, and how regional freight hubs are making widespread truck electrification economically viable. Then, Zach breaks down his SONAR "Chart of the Week," analyzing 25 years of Cass freight data to explain why predicting the current freight cycle is a fool’s errand, how the market remains historically volatile, and what today's 12.7% tender rejection rate tells us about market tightness heading into the holidays. Finally, FreightWaves Finance Editor Todd Maiden joins for a deep dive into Q3 earnings. They unpack why LTL carriers like Old Dominion are outpacing margin expectations despite rising diesel prices, how truckload giants like Knight-Swift are capitalizing on spot exposure, and why major carriers expect double-digit contract rate increases in 2027. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
November 2 · 3 min
Flexport Volumes Surge 40%, Freight Cycles Defy Forecasting, & Covenant Eyes Double-Digit Hikes | The Morning Minute
In this episode, we kick things off by examining how artificial intelligence is dramatically reshaping freight forwarding economics. Listen in to learn how ⁠Flexport's freight volumes surged 40% while headcount grew only 5%⁠, driven by AI tools deployed across customs, routing, and engineering. The company's ocean peak started early this year, fueled partly by massive tariff refunds following a Supreme Court ruling, while data center cargo now accounts for around 8% of global air freight capacity and is projected to triple next year. Next, we explore a sobering look at freight market history that reveals why ⁠each freight cycle over the past 25 years has differed dramatically from the last⁠, making it nearly impossible to forecast when cycles begin and end. The post-Great Recession period set many expectations of what "normal" looks like, but COVID was the freight market's second black-swan event in just three years. Remarkably, rates were up 10% in September while volumes rose only 2%, which is hard to reconcile with weak demand. Finally, we cover a major truckload carrier's aggressive forecast as ⁠Covenant Logistics CEO David Parker expects double-digit contract rate hikes in 2027⁠, driven by rising operating expenses, tightening driver capacity, and continued federal safety enforcement. Shippers resetting contracts in recent months are paying about 12.8% more than the rates they replaced, up from 4.1% during the same period last year. Parker also predicts regulators will eventually require third-party ELD certification, noting that 30% of trucks may be operating with manipulated hours-of-service records. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
October 30 · 1 hr 1 min
FreightWaves Today | October 30
The freight market is showing signs of a shift, and this episode of FreightWaves Today breaks down what the latest carrier earnings reveal about the direction of the industry. Craig and Julie examine third-quarter earnings from Werner, Landstar, Old Dominion, Saia, Schneider and C.H. Robinson, highlighting improving spot market conditions, stronger truckload pricing and continued strength in the LTL sector. The show also features an in-depth conversation with executives from Schneider and Norfolk Southern about their expanded intermodal partnership. They discuss the strategy behind the move, opportunities to convert truck freight to rail, investments in network capacity, and what the partnership could mean for customers as intermodal demand continues to grow. Plus, Premier Trailer Leasing CFO Craig Barth joins the show to explain why trailer utilization is reaching record levels, what's driving demand for newer equipment, and why fleets are increasingly turning to leasing. He also shares an important warning about fraudulent trailer rental listings and how trucking companies can protect themselves from scams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
October 30 · 3 min
RXO Posts Strong Q3, Amazon Shipping Costs Jump 11%, & Covenant Revenue Surges 68% | The Morning Minute
In this episode, we kick things off by examining the freight brokerage sector's remarkable turnaround as RXO delivers adjusted EBITDA of $51 million in Q3, crushing its own forecast and marking the second consecutive quarter of profitability after years of spotty net income performance. The Charlotte-based broker's truckload segment shifted heavily toward the spot market, which accounted for 59% of volume in the quarter, as the company prepares for its acquisition by C.H. Robinson. Next, we explore how the e-commerce giant is navigating a challenging logistics environment as Amazon's third-quarter shipping costs jumped 11% year over year, driven by fuel inflation and higher linehaul rates pressuring its massive delivery network. Despite these headwinds, the Seattle-based company achieved record operating income of $28.1 billion and a remarkable 13.9% operating margin through better inventory placement, shorter shipping distances, and package consolidation across its one-million-robot fulfillment network. Finally, we break down how a Tennessee-based carrier's strategic pivot toward contracted freight is paying off as Covenant Logistics posted a 68% surge in its Managed Freight segment revenue and delivered net income of $10.7 million in Q3. Despite shrinking its average tractor fleet by nearly 9%, the Chattanooga carrier reported freight revenue per total mile climbed nearly 20% to $3.03, with approximately 80% of its asset-based fleet now operating under long-term contracts. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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