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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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Yesterday · 1 hr 20 min
FreightWaves Today | September 29
FreightWaves Today looks ahead to the fourth quarter and holiday peak season with an in-depth discussion of freight market conditions, capacity, operating costs and the broader economy. Covenant Logistics Group Founder and CEO David Parker joins the show live in Chattanooga to discuss the company’s strategy of moving away from commoditized truckload freight and deeper into specialized, service-intensive operations, including poultry transportation, expedited freight and logistics supporting AI data-center construction. Parker shares his outlook for peak season, contract rates, capacity, driver pay, diesel costs and the potential impact of autonomous trucking and electric trucks. The episode also examines major industry headlines, including Daimler Truck North America’s opposition to proposed NOx noncompliance penalties, Trimble’s strategic review of its transportation and logistics business, and uncertainty surrounding U.S. port fees on China-linked and China-built vessels. The SONAR market update explores tender rejections, spot and contract rates, freight volumes and the tightening capacity environment. With tender rejections around 14%, the discussion examines why the market can remain healthy without reaching the extreme tightness seen during previous freight booms. Economist Jason Miller joins the show for a broader look at the freight economy, including diesel prices, regulatory enforcement, capacity exits, consumer spending, energy markets, interest rates, housing and the driver labor market. Miller also discusses how AI and data-center investment are supporting industrial freight while weaker consumer activity creates potential headwinds. The episode closes with a discussion of changing student-loan policies and their potential implications for consumer spending and freight, along with an update on FreightWaves Today’s new one-hour-plus format. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Yesterday · 59 min
IS TRUCKING FINALLY AT THE BOTTOM? NOT SO FAST | Brake Check
Is trucking finally at the bottom...or are we still digging? Diesel is around $6.53 a gallon. Rates remain under pressure. Capacity keeps leaving. Cash is getting tighter. And trucking has been hearing the same promise for what feels like forever: “THE RECOVERY IS COMING.” Cool....WHEN? On this episode of Brake Check, Charles follows the money with two guests looking at the trucking market from completely different angles.First, John Larkin, Senior Investment Partner at Venture 53, brings decades of transportation and Wall Street experience to the questions every carrier wants answered: Are we finally at the bottom? How many more trucks have to disappear before rates move? Is freight volume or excess capacity the bigger problem? Who breaks first at $6.53 diesel? And when does buying another truck become an investment instead of a really expensive gamble? Then we put $1 MILLION on the table. Trucking capacity, Freight technology, Brokerage, Warehousing, or cash. Where would John Larkin put HIS money today? Then Jacob Thomas from AtoB joins us to attack the problem from the cab instead of Wall Street. At $6.53 diesel, fuel discounts aren't pocket change anymore. We're breaking down fuel-card savings, where discounts actually come from, hidden costs, fuel fraud, cash flow, working capital and the mistakes that make expensive diesel even MORE expensive. Because surviving this freight market isn't just about waiting for rates to recover. It's about having enough damn money left WHEN THEY DO. SOUND OFF IN THE COMMENTS: If you had $250,000 in cash TODAY, what are you doing? BUY A TRUCK? PAY DOWN DEBT? INVEST IN TECHNOLOGY? OR SIT ON THE CASH? And the bigger question: IS TRUCKING FINALLY AT THE BOTTOM? #Trucking #Freight #Diesel #OwnerOperator #TruckDrivers #FreightMarket #TruckingIndustry #FreightTech #DieselPrices #BrakeCheck ⁠Follow the Brake Check Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Yesterday · 4 min
Daimler Fights NoX Penalty Loophole, Trimble Sale Still on Table, & China Ship Tax Gap | The Morning Minute
In this episode, we kick things off by examining a fierce regulatory battle over proposed non-compliance penalties that could allow engine makers to simply pay fines rather than meet the drastically tighter nitrogen oxide standard taking effect in 2027. Daimler Truck North America is publicly resisting this controversial loophole, warning that PACCAR's suggestion of treating 6,000–7,000 per-engine penalties as an acceptable business strategy undermines Congressional intent and threatens the investments made by companies that developed compliant technology over the past decade. Next, we explore the freight technology sector where a potential blockbuster divestiture remains in limbo as Trimble keeps multiple interested parties on the hook for its transportation and logistics business. Speaking at the company's Insight 2026 conference, CEO Rob Painter offered no timetable or clarity on whether the strategic review with Goldman Sachs will result in a sale, spinoff, or no transaction at all, even as Trimble continues investing aggressively in new AI-powered tools like Arc Agent. Finally, we discuss a critical regulatory gap that has U.S. port-entry fees targeting China-linked vessels scheduled to resume in November despite last week's broader trade truce extension through January 2027. The discrepancy leaves liner operators and cargo interests in limbo, awaiting formal USTR action to align the maritime-fee suspension with the newly extended diplomatic accord, as no such notice had been issued as of September 28. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Monday · 1 hr 2 min
FreightWaves Today | September 28
On this episode of FreightWaves Today, Julie Van de Kamp and Malcolm Harris break down the biggest stories shaping freight and logistics, from autonomous trucking and artificial intelligence to fraud, cargo theft and the evolving freight market. The show leads with Aurora Innovation’s plan to scale to more than 30,000 driverless trucks by 2030, prompting a discussion about truck utilization, the future ownership of autonomous assets and how widespread autonomy could reshape freight brokerage. The hosts also examine a $105 million alleged trucking investment fraud scheme and proposed changes to Mexico’s customs law that could affect cross-border freight through increased inspections and potential cargo seizures. In the featured interview, Gabriel Ribeiro of Hey Bubba AI discusses how carriers are actually adopting AI, where smaller fleets can begin, and why data security and human oversight remain critical. Ribeiro explains how AI can automate load discovery and negotiation, connect with TMS, telematics, email and phone systems, flag discrepancies in freight documents, provide driver support and create hands-free workflows designed to reduce distraction. The episode also features a SONAR market deep dive, examining rising diesel prices, elevated but relatively stable spot rates, tight capacity, tender rejections and the potential impact of automotive and housing demand heading into peak season. The hosts revisit freight fraud and cargo theft, discuss emerging last-mile delivery technology including drone delivery, and preview the upcoming F3: Future of Freight Festival in Chattanooga. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Monday · 50 min
How a $105M Fake Fleet Scheme Fooled 700+ Investors | WHAT THE TRUCK?!?
On this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent dig into a busy week in freight, from trucking investment fraud and cargo theft to the future of brokerage and autonomous trucking.The show opens with a look at a $105 million alleged semi-truck investment scheme that reportedly involved hundreds of investors and promises of guaranteed weekly returns. Malcolm and Michael break down the warning signs investors should have noticed and the broader lessons around fraud in trucking. The conversation then turns to the evolution of cargo theft, as cyber-enabled schemes increasingly allow criminals to obtain shipment information, impersonate legitimate carriers and steal high-value freight before a truck even arrives. Michael also weighs in on the changing role of brokers and the growing pressure for technology and data to deliver more value across the freight ecosystem. The hosts examine a major RICO lawsuit involving C.H. Robinson and carriers, discussing what the allegations could mean for the brokerage industry, potential discovery of internal communications and the broader question of how brokers create value in a changing transportation market. They also take a look at Aurora's ambitious autonomous-trucking plans, including its goal of operating more than 30,000 driverless trucks by 2030. Then, Bill Cooper, vice president of sales at Fleet Management Solutions, joins the show to discuss the business impact of truck downtime and why preventative maintenance is becoming a strategic advantage. Cooper explains how mobile maintenance can bring the garage directly to a fleet, helping companies perform inspections, preventative maintenance and repairs without taking vehicles out of service unnecessarily. The conversation explores how fleets can combine telematics, fuel data, maintenance information and real-world operating conditions to create more customized maintenance plans and improve uptime. Cooper also discusses the technician shortage, training, the growing complexity of fleet equipment and preparing maintenance teams for electric and autonomous vehicles. ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Visit our sponsor - KOONER FLEET MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS⁠ ⁠Subscribe to the WTT newsletter⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠More FreightWaves Podcasts⁠ #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Monday · 4 min
Aurora's 30K Driverless Truck Plan, $105M Trucking Fraud Scheme, & Mexico Customs Overhaul | The Morning Minute
In this episode, we kick things off by examining Aurora Innovation's aggressive expansion strategy as the autonomous truck developer charts a path toward massive commercial scale. Listen in to discover how ⁠Aurora plans to deploy more than 30,000 driverless trucks by 2030⁠, targeting over five billion dollars in revenue with a sixty percent gross margin. Most of this ambitious growth hinges on transitioning from Aurora owning the trucks to carriers taking ownership under a Driver as a Service model, where carriers pay eighty-five cents or more per mile for the driving technology. Next, we explore a shocking case that federal prosecutors are calling a massive Ponzi scheme in the trucking sector. We break down how ⁠a Nevada man allegedly defrauded hundreds of investors out of $105 million⁠ by selling truck leases with promises of guaranteed passive income. Investigators claim approximately seventy-five million dollars from newer participants went toward earlier payouts, while more than twenty-five million dollars funded luxury purchases including real estate, sports cars and jewelry. Finally, we head south to examine ⁠a proposed Mexican customs law overhaul that could trigger major border delays and cargo seizures⁠ for cross-border freight operations. The legislation would grant Mexican customs authorities greater power to initiate verification procedures and would eliminate an existing fifty percent undervaluation threshold associated with precautionary seizure, potentially impacting thousands of customs operations valued at nearly ninety million dollars. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Monday · 8 min
Real-Time Rates, Right in Your Browser | #WithSONAR
In this episode, we walk through Quick Rates, SONAR’s Chrome extension that gives your team access to real-time rates and market conditions directly from your browser Already have a SONAR login? Click the link below to download the Chrome Extension to your browser! ⁠https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/sonar-quick-rates/dhibohccgihfbghgkcnlnmgddnphafdm⁠ 📩 Have questions? Reach out to cs@gosonar.com or your Account Manager. 💡 Subscribe for more quick SONAR insights! #freighttrain #freighttech #gosonar #sonar #softwareasaservice #logistics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Friday · 2 hr 7 min
FreightWaves Today | September 25
Join host Malcolm Harris and Zach Strickland for today's episode of FreightWaves Today as they dive into the current freight market dynamics, artificial intelligence, and crucial risk management strategies. In Block A, Malcolm sits down with Will Bewley, Co-Founder & CEO of WoFlow, to cut through the noise and negative press surrounding artificial intelligence. Will breaks down how WoFlow approaches AI transformation in practical terms, how businesses can leverage AI to navigate today’s constrained capacity environment without just adding another tool, and the critical importance of data quality. He also addresses common fears about AI replacing logistics jobs and shares where he sees the technology heading next. In Block C, Andy Kuchar, President of Centerline Insurance Company and Chief Risk Officer for Watkins Associated Industries, returns to the show to discuss trailer insurance gaps. Andy highlights three key warning signs that a company might have an uninsured exposure, unpacks common misconceptions surrounding trailer coverage, and explains why brokers, agents, and leasing companies need to pay close attention. Drawing on over 25 years of risk management experience, Andy also touches on nuclear verdicts, rising litigation costs, and offers actionable advice for transportation companies reviewing their overall insurance programs. Plus, stay tuned for the latest market intelligence during our SONAR Update, along with key industry developments in the Morning Minute. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Friday · 45 min
Can You Trust Your Freight Tracking Data? | WHAT THE TRUCK?!?
Freight visibility used to answer one big question: Where is my load? Now the question is becoming: Can I trust what I'm seeing? On this episode of What The Truck?!?, Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent are joined by Andrew Wimer, Associate General Manager at Descartes, to break down the next phase of freight visibility and how multiple tracking signals can give brokers, carriers and shippers a clearer picture of what's actually happening with a load. Wimer explains Descartes MacroPoint ELD Plus, which combines ELD and mobile app tracking into a single session. Instead of relying on one source, the platform can track the truck, trailer and driver simultaneously. If those signals stop telling the same story, transportation teams have another data point to help identify tracking gaps, incorrect information or potentially suspicious activity. They also discuss why drivers still play an important role in freight visibility, how better tracking can accelerate proof of delivery and time to cash, and why accurate driver, truck and trailer information remains critical.Plus, Malcolm and Michael break down some of the biggest stories in trucking, including: Florida troopers recovering stolen tractor-trailers carrying tires and lithium-ion batteries Thieves cutting into a trailer to steal Black Angus beef in Philadelphia 16 trucking and transportation companies entering bankruptcy proceedings A cargo theft survey showing major losses for loss prevention professionals What proposed diesel export restrictions could mean for fuel markets Can two independent tracking signals make freight visibility more reliable and help transportation companies catch problems before it's too late? Watch the full episode to hear Andrew Wimer explain where freight tracking is headed next. Subscribe to FreightWaves and What The Truck?!? for more conversations on trucking, freight technology, cargo theft, logistics and the people moving the industry forward. ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Visit our sponsor - KOONER FLEET MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS⁠ ⁠Subscribe to the WTT newsletter⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠More FreightWaves Podcasts⁠ #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Friday · 4 min
Mexican Drivers' Forced-Labor Suit, Amazon Safety Tech & Pay Bump, & Copeland Cold Chain Deal | The Morning Minute
In this episode, we dive into a deeply troubling federal lawsuit filed by dozens of Mexican truck drivers who allege they were recruited with false promises and subjected to coercive labor practices. Twenty-nine plaintiffs are now suing California-based Omega Compliance Solutions and several U.S. carriers, claiming⁠ they were lured across the border with fraudulent visa promises and trapped through forced-labor tactics⁠ including passport confiscation, unlawful deductions, and deportation threats when they tried to leave. Next, we explore how the logistics giant is setting new benchmarks in last-mile delivery with a massive technology and compensation rollout. Amazon is installing⁠ 360-degree Netradyne cameras on half its Rivian electric vans and injecting $1.9 billion to boost driver pay⁠ by an average of 16 percent nationwide, forcing competitors across the parcel sector to keep pace with both its advanced AI-backed safety systems and rising wage floor. Finally, we cover a strategic acquisition expanding cold chain visibility for some of the most temperature-sensitive freight in healthcare and life sciences. Temperature-control systems provider Copeland has⁠ acquired Dickson to integrate cloud-based monitoring technology⁠ that alerts pharmaceutical and food shippers of potential losses before they occur, combining Dickson's compliance platform with Copeland's 200 million HVAC and refrigeration installations across 40 countries. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thursday · 2 hr 2 min
FreightWaves Today | September 24
FreightWaves Today goes live from Green Bay, Wisconsin, as hosts Craig Fuller and Julie Van de Kamp sit down with some of the biggest names in transportation and technology to discuss the state of freight, innovation and automation. Jim Filter, President and CEO of Schneider, breaks down today’s freight market, including tightening capacity, driver recruiting, intermodal opportunities, cargo theft and the changing liability landscape. He also discusses the potential impact of the proposed Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern combination and makes the case for Green Bay as one of America’s premier freight cities. Craig Dickman, Managing Partner at TitletownTech, explores Green Bay’s freight and startup ecosystem, how transportation develops strong problem solvers and where AI, optimization and emerging technologies could take supply chains next. Brian Figueroa, Managing Director, Transportation at KBX, joins the conversation to discuss the state of freight and Green Bay’s deep connection to transportation and logistics. Finally, Kendra Phillips, VP of Global Transportation Management at Ryder System, Inc., discusses how AI and automation are transforming transportation management and helping companies identify inefficiencies, improve decision making and build smarter freight networks. What does the freight market look like from inside one of America’s biggest transportation hubs, and where is the industry headed next? Watch the full episode for insights from the leaders moving freight, investing in its future and building the technology that will shape what comes next. #FreightWaves #FreightWavesToday #Trucking #Logistics #SupplyChain #GreenBay #FreightTech ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thursday · 25 min
The Fuel Crisis Is Here. Do You Know What It's Actually Costing You? | The Long Haul
Diesel just crossed $6.29 per gallon nationally. For the first time in history.That's not a headline to scroll past. That's a number that should stop every owner-operator and small carrier in this industry dead in their tracks and force them to look at their actual cost structure right now — today — before they take another load. Because most of them haven't. This episode is a solo. No guest. Just me, the data, and the math that too many carriers are avoiding because they don't want to know what it says.We're going to talk about where diesel is, how we got here, where it might go, and — most importantly — how to calculate what this fuel environment is actually costing you per mile, per load, and per month. Because the difference between a carrier who survives this and one who doesn't isn't which loads they take. It's whether they know their real numbers. ⁠Follow The Long Haul Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thursday · 49 min
$6 DIESEL… AND YOUR FUEL SURCHARGE IS SCREWING YOU | BRAKE CHECK
Diesel is above $6 a gallon. But what if the pump isn't the only place your trucking company is getting crushed? One carrier analyzed by Magnus Technologies was reportedly more than $53,000 behind through August because of the timing of its monthly fuel-surcharge resets.Read that again. $53,000. GONE. BECAUSE OF THE MATH. On this episode of Brake Check, Charles goes after both sides of the squeeze hitting carriers right now: keeping good drivers when margins are disappearing and making damn sure your fuel surcharge is actually recovering what diesel is costing you. First, Brad Hackett, Director of Recruiting & Safety at Jett Express, breaks down the “Big Four” behind driver retention: pay, equipment, home time and respect. When fuel destroys your margin, which one do you protect? What actually keeps a driver from leaving for a few cents more? And can running a genuinely safe operation become a recruiting advantage Because seeing FUEL SURCHARGE on the rate confirmation doesn't automatically mean you're getting your money back.And at $6-plus diesel, guessing whether you're profitable isn't good enough. Six-dollar diesel hurts when you buy it. Bad math makes it hurt AGAIN when you don't get it back. CHECK THE DAMN MATH. SOUND OFF: How often does your fuel surcharge reset .... weekly, monthly or quarterly? And have you actually checked whether it's covering your real fuel increase? #Trucking #Diesel #FuelSurcharge #OwnerOperator #TruckDrivers #TruckingIndustry #DieselPrices #Freight #FleetManagement #BrakeCheck ⁠Follow the Brake Check Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thursday · 4 min
Einride-Nvidia Autonomous Partnership, UP-NS Merger Criticized, & Samsara's $2B Fuel Play | The Morning Minute
In this episode, we kick things off by examining a major technology partnership pushing heavy-duty autonomous trucking toward highway operations. Swedish company Einride announced it will build its next-generation autonomous driving system on⁠ Nvidia's Hyperion platform, a compute and sensor architecture designed for Level 4 autonomy⁠. The two companies will collaborate to extend Hyperion's compute, sensor, and safety architecture to the demands of heavy-duty freight, with Einride expecting its fleet footprint to reach 1,500 to 2,000 vehicles by 2028. Shifting gears to the rails, we examine a major merger review that hit a significant snag despite officially moving forward. The Surface Transportation Board declined to dismiss the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern application, but a pointed concurring opinion from board member Richard Kloster revealed⁠ the merger application is shallow and lacks detail on how competition concerns will be addressed⁠. Kloster's skepticism is particularly notable because Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena appeared with President Trump in the Oval Office in September, and Trump subsequently called the merger a good idea. Finally, we explore how fleet technology giant Samsara is going after a massive opportunity hiding in plain sight. The company launched its Fuel Command Center, a new dashboard that⁠ consolidates total and recoverable fuel spend while targeting $2 billion in potential savings⁠ across its U.S. customers in the first six months of 2026 alone. The platform pulls transactions from any fleet's existing fuel card, integrates Coast's spend controls directly, and combats fraud by tying card authorization to vehicle location. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 23 · 2 hr
FreightWaves Today | September 23
On this episode of FreightWaves Today, hosts Craig Fuller and Julie Van de Kamp sit down with leaders from trucking, logistics, transportation law and rail to examine the forces shaping freight markets. John Ferguson, founder and CEO of Pivot Supply Chain Solutions, Inc., joins the show in studio to discuss the state of freight, current supply chain conditions and the trends transportation companies should be watching. Drew Singleton Wilder, founder and CEO of Vicarious Liability Risk Management, and Greg Reed, partner at Hanson Bridgett, tackle transportation risk and liability, including legal exposure across transportation relationships and what businesses should understand about managing risk. Trains Magazine Editor Bill Stephens provides perspective on developments across North American freight rail and what changes in the sector could mean for shippers and the broader supply chain. Pam Polyak, founder of Polyak Trucking and Polyak Consulting, brings an operator’s perspective to the conversation, discussing the realities facing carriers and owner-operators as they navigate changing freight demand, costs and operating conditions. Subscribe to FreightWaves for more transportation and logistics news, analysis and interviews. #FreightWaves #FreightWavesToday #Trucking #Logistics #SupplyChain #Freight #Transportation #Rail #FreightRail #TruckingIndustry #RiskManagement ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 23 · 45 min
Beyond Manual Dispatch & Predictive Safety | WHAT THE TRUCK?!?
Live from the FreightWaves Enterprise Fleet Summit, hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent break down the strategies, technologies, and operational shifts required to scale trucking operations during volatile market cycles. In this episode: Chris Hines, CEO of REPOWR, discusses TOP (Trailer Optimization Platform)—the industry's first system designed to execute trailer repositioning rather than just analyzing data. He breaks down how fleets can eliminate idle trailer time, optimize asset allocation, and turn static trailers into revenue-generating assets. Hayden Cardiff, VP of Safety Solutions at Descartes, explores the gap between regulatory compliance and real-world safety. He shares insights on predicting driver risk before accidents occur, building proactive driver coaching programs, and leveraging AI to identify leading safety indicators. Event Highlights & Giveaways: Details on upcoming FreightWaves events, including the Brokerage Compliance Symposium and F3: Future of Freight Festival, plus a special showcase of the Away Travel convertible backpack giveaway. ⁠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
September 23 · 3 min
16 Carriers File Bankruptcy, Alabama's $100M Rail Terminal, & CDL Rule Faces Court Skepticism | The Morning Minute
In this episode, we kick things off by examining a sobering wave of financial distress as⁠ at least sixteen trucking and transportation companies entered bankruptcy proceedings in less than a month⁠. The geographically widespread filings include both Chapter 11 reorganizations and Chapter 7 liquidations, spanning carriers from small owner-operators to mid-sized fleets operating dozens of trucks across general freight, last-mile, agricultural and specialized operations. Rising diesel fuel prices and elevated operating costs continue to squeeze margins in an already challenging freight environment. Over on the rails, Alabama is pushing forward with a massive infrastructure project as⁠ construction remains on schedule for the Montgomery Intermodal Container Transfer Facility's early 2027 opening⁠. The $100 million, 272-acre terminal will provide direct CSX rail service connecting inland shippers to the Port of Mobile, creating a rail alternative to truck drayage. At full operation, the facility is expected to handle up to 60,000 container units annually and will be equipped with two rubber-tired gantry cranes scheduled for delivery in late 2026. Finally, we unpack a major legal battle over federal trucking rules where⁠ judicial questioning showed more skepticism toward the Department of Transportation's position than toward plaintiffs challenging recent FMCSA changes⁠. During oral arguments before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in Lujan v. FMCSA, judges questioned the DOT's rationale for narrowing acceptable documentation to only an unexpired passport and Form I-94, particularly when non-domiciled applicants can provide ten years of driving history. The new rule, which went into effect this spring, no longer accepts Employment Authorization Documents as proof of eligibility for commercial driver's licenses. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 22 · 2 hr 1 min
FreightWaves Today | September 22
The freight market is shifting as carriers, brokers and shippers head toward Q4. On this episode of FreightWaves Today, we break down the latest trucking industry news, freight rates, insurance risks, fuel prices, capacity trends and the outlook for the 2026 peak season. In this episode: Trucking litigation & legal developments — We examine the latest developments in the Super Ego case and discuss the growing legal exposure facing carriers, brokers and other participants in the freight ecosystem. Cargo theft — Florida authorities recover stolen tractor-trailers in a coordinated cargo theft investigation, highlighting the continued threat of freight and equipment theft. Driver safety & crash risk — New Samsara data shows how combinations of risky driving behaviors can dramatically increase crash risk and why fleets are increasingly focused on identifying patterns rather than isolated safety events. Transportation insurance — Andy Sharpe, founder and CEO of MeshVI, joins the show to discuss real-time insurance verification, missing asset risk, certificate of insurance accuracy, insurance fraud and the growing importance of vehicle- and driver-level coverage data. Freight market update — We look at tender rejections, spot rates, intermodal volumes, freight demand and regional market conditions as the industry approaches peak season. Houston freight market — Houston has rapidly shifted from one of the loosest markets to one of the tightest, providing an important look at changing capacity conditions. Diesel & energy prices — Diesel prices continue to climb, putting additional pressure on trucking costs and potentially influencing both freight rates and consumer demand. Q4 freight outlook — We discuss whether peak season will be muted, how capacity exits are affecting the market, and what current conditions could mean for freight rates heading into 2027. Contract rates & routing guides — We examine changing shipper routing-guide strategies, the narrowing gap between spot and contract rates, and why double-digit contract rate increases could be on the table for 2027. Fuel markets with John Kingston — John Kingston joins us to discuss oil, diesel, geopolitical developments and the energy factors affecting trucking and transportation. Key topics: trucking news, freight market update, freight rates, truckload market, spot rates, contract rates, diesel prices, trucking insurance, cargo theft, carrier capacity, routing guides, peak season, transportation logistics, freight demand, supply chain, trucking industry and 2027 freight outlook. Subscribe to FreightWaves for daily coverage of the trucking, freight, logistics and supply chain industries. #FreightWaves #FreightWavesToday #Trucking #Freight #Logistics #SupplyChain #Truckload #FreightRates #Diesel #TruckingNews #Transportation #TruckingIndustry ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 22 · 1 hr
$7 DIESEL? + FMCSA CRACKDOWN?= BRACE YOURSELF! | BRAKE CHECK
$7 DIESEL? FMCSA CRACKDOWN. WHAT’S NEXT? This may be one of the biggest Brake Check conversations we've put together. Two problems are hitting American trucking at the same damn time: The cost of running is exploding... The rules for running are getting tighter.... And instead of asking somebody on social media what they THINK about it, we're going straight to the people who actually know. FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs joins Charles Gracey to talk about what’s happening inside the agency right now ... the recent Safety Innovation Expo, CDL integrity, training providers, English proficiency enforcement, ELDs, fraud, bad actors, hours of service, truck parking and the technology FMCSA believes could actually make trucking safer. The question we're putting directly to the Administrator: WHEN DOES THE PROFESSIONAL TRUCKER ACTUALLY FEEL THE DIFFERENCE Then energy analyst Phil Flynn of The PRICE Futures Group joins us as diesel pushes deeper into historic territory. Why can crude get cheaper while diesel gets MORE expensive? What does the exploding diesel crack spread actually mean? Why is America exporting diesel while American truckers are getting crushed at the pump? Would stopping exports actually lower prices — or create an even bigger mess later? Would more drilling fix it? Do we need more refining? Would a trucker shutdown actually move diesel prices? And the question nobody wants to ask: COULD DIESEL HIT $7? Then Phil gets the HARD STOP: One lever. More drilling. More refining. Restrict exports. Release reserves. Or let the market rebalance. WHICH ONE ACTUALLY HELPS THE AMERICAN TRUCKER? No slogans No social-media economics SHOW US THE MATH & RESULTS One guest runs the agency writing and enforcing trucking's rules. One guest has spent decades reading the energy market. And the American trucker? YOU'RE PAYING FOR BOTH....SO WE GET YOU THE ANSWERS YOU WANT! SOUND OFF: What's hurting your operation more right now ... FUEL, RATES, or REGULATION? #Trucking #Diesel #FMCSA #TruckDrivers #OwnerOperator #DieselPrices #TruckingIndustry #FuelPrices #Freight #BrakeCheck ⁠Follow the Brake Check Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 22 · 3 min
Super Ego Court Win, Florida Cargo Theft Bust, & Samsara's High-Risk Driver Data | The Morning Minute
In this episode, we kick things off by examining a major legal development in the controversial Super Ego trucking network case. A federal judge has ⁠dismissed several counts against Aleksandar Mimic in a lawsuit filed by drivers⁠, though drivers' claims against Super Ego Holding and nine affiliated defendants remain fully intact. Court records reveal that an all-day settlement conference made significant progress toward resolving the case, even as the judge's dismissal reshapes the litigation. Next, we explore a coordinated cargo theft operation as Florida's task force ⁠recovered two stolen tractor-trailers hauling tires and batteries⁠ along Interstate 95. Troopers arrested one driver at a travel center on charges including first-degree grand theft of automobile tires worth over one hundred thousand dollars, though a second suspect fled on foot and remains at large. Finally, we unpack groundbreaking research from Samsara showing that ⁠just ten percent of the highest-risk drivers account for nearly half of all fleet crashes⁠. The company's Compounding Risk Report reveals that combinations of risky behaviors—like mobile phone use, distraction, and harsh braking together—create exponentially greater crash risk than isolated safety events, allowing fleet managers to focus coaching resources on the behavioral patterns most strongly linked to accidents. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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