Industry News

News from the world of Trucking

• LNG Exporter Venture Global Files for IPO    (2024-12-20)
  Venture Global Inc., one of the biggest suppliers of liquefied natural gas in the U.S., filed for what could be one of the largest initial public offerings of 2025.
• WARN Act claims against Yellow likely to be reduced    (2024-12-20)
  A Thursday opinion from a federal bankruptcy judge said Yellow didn’t provide proper notification ahead of layoffs but its actions were in good faith, meaning the claims may be reduced. The post WARN Act claims against Yellow likely to be reduced appeared first on FreightWaves.
• NHTSA Issues Final Rule Authorizing Whistleblowers    (2024-12-20)
  Any current or former employee or contractor of a vehicle manufacturer, part supplier or dealership may be a whistleblower, NHTSA said.
• Chris Purcell Wins Grand Champion Title at Rush Skills Rodeo    (2024-12-20)
  SAN ANTONIO — For the second time, Chris Purcell was named Grand Champion at the Rush Enterprises Tech Skills Rodeo. He also captured the annual competition’s top prize in 2021.
• Strategic cargo theft leaves drivers, brokers liable for massive losses    (2024-12-20)
  Craig Leinauer of Travelers Insurance discusses the rise of organized cargo theft and freight laundering rings that are leaving drivers, carriers and even brokers liable for millions of dollars in losses. The post Strategic cargo theft leaves drivers, brokers liable for massive losses appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Barr to VP investor relations for Norfolk Southern    (2024-12-20)
  Norfolk Southern has tabbed investment banker Michael Barr as vice president of investor relations and treasurer. The post Barr to VP investor relations for Norfolk Southern appeared first on FreightWaves.
• VW Deal for 120,000 Workers Avoids Layoffs, Plant Closures    (2024-12-20)
  FRANKFURT, Germany — Volkswagen and its employee representatives said they reached a wage deal for 120,000 German workers that avoids plant closings and bars involuntary layoffs through 2030.
• FMCSA Panel Calls for Solutions to Truck Parking Crisis    (2024-12-20)
  A Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration advisory committee met for five hours Dec. 17 to recommend best practices to increase safe parking for truck drivers seeking rest.
• U.S. officials nab truckers at Ontario border with 483 kg of cocaine in trailer    (2024-12-20)
  U.S. border officials arrested two truck drivers attempting to smuggle hundreds of kilograms of cocaine into Canada. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers stopped a British Columbia-registered tractor hauling […]
• Running on Ice: The one with all the trees    (2024-12-20)
  In this edition: The logistics behind Christmas trees, changes to import inspections, and the frozen food competition heats up.  The post Running on Ice: The one with all the trees appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Asia-US container rates climb in latest Freightos index    (2024-12-20)
  Fears of new tariffs and a strike at East Coast ports combined to push up ocean container rates on Asia-U.S. routes in December. The post Asia-US container rates climb in latest Freightos index appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Transparency enforcement 'bad for shippers, brokers and carriers': DAT's Ken Adamo    (2024-12-20)
  In theory, broker transparency could give away the game for freight middlemen and incentivize small trucking companies and shippers...
• A Very WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Christmas ‘24    (2024-12-20)
  Now on demand on A Very WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Christmas Dooner is joined by Craig Fuller; Matt McLelland; Jason Johnson; Rikki; Tom Curee; Jamie Hagen The post A Very WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Christmas ‘24 appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Hyzon to Begin Layoffs in February Without More Funds, Buyer    (2024-12-20)
  Hyzon expects to start laying off U.S. employees in February if the hydrogen fuel cell electric truck maker cannot raise more funds or find a buyer, the company said Dec. 20.
• CloneOps.ai gains seed funding, investor revels in the future of brokerage    (2024-12-20)
  CloneOps.ai has received funding from industry investors including Sope Creek’s Kevin Nolan, who sees a positive future for augmenting human talent in brokerage. The post CloneOps.ai gains seed funding, investor revels in the future of brokerage appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Exploring fraud claims at Kal Freight    (2024-12-20)
  This week: Double brokers grab $1M in toys and porch pirates have a dance off The post Exploring fraud claims at Kal Freight appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Zimmerman, Schloo, Kitzhaber: Finalists for Overdrive's 2024 Trucker of the Year award    (2024-12-20)
  Nearing the conclusion of Overdrive's 2024 Trucker of the Year award program, judges laud 10 Truckers of the Month and name three...
• Inflation Slows, Boosting Hopes for Deeper Rate Cuts in 2025    (2024-12-20)
  The so-called core personal consumption expenditures price index, which excludes food and energy items, increased 0.1% from October and 2.8% from a year earlier.
• Data visibility and demand forecasting help eliminate waste in produce delivery     (2024-12-20)
  Through real-time temperature monitoring, predictive analytics, and smart routing, Forefront Global Logistics minimizes spoilage and ensures that fresh produce reaches its destination at peak quality. The post Data visibility and demand forecasting help eliminate waste in produce delivery  appeared first on FreightWaves.
• China target of new US freight car security rule    (2024-12-20)
  In a security upgrade, the Federal Railroad Administration has issued a final rule that limits railcars and parts made in China. The post China target of new US freight car security rule appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Reverse stock splits: Often a path to oblivion    (2024-12-20)
  Reverse stock splits offer an immediate - if artificial - benefit to companies struggling with low stock prices. But they rarely work out long term. The post Reverse stock splits: Often a path to oblivion appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Consumer Sentiment Up for Fifth Straight Month in December    (2024-12-20)
  The final December sentiment index increased to 74 from 71.8 last month, according to the University of Michigan. The median estimate in a Bloomberg survey called for a reading of 74.2.
• A stand-alone FedEx Freight gives LTL investors another pure play    (2024-12-20)
  A spinoff of FedEx Freight will give investors more options to play the less-than-truckload space. The post A stand-alone FedEx Freight gives LTL investors another pure play appeared first on FreightWaves.
• House Scrambling as Government Shutdown Approaches    (2024-12-20)
  Among the options being discussed is a short-term spending bill that gets Congress through the holidays. It’s still uncertain whether Johnson can secure the necessary votes.
• Globalized trade vs. US protectionism: Round 2    (2024-12-20)
  Current forecasts indicate a significant escalation in tariff levels, potentially rising to an imposing 75% on Mexican goods by September 2026, aligning with a strategic pivot toward a protectionist trade policy. The post Globalized trade vs. US protectionism: Round 2 appeared first on FreightWaves.
• China Races to Ship Batteries to US Before Tax Changes    (2024-12-20)
  Shipments of lithium-ion batteries to the U.S. jumped by 27% to $1.9 billion in November from a year earlier. The export tax rebate for batteries was cut to 9% from 13%.
• Walmart Joins Growing List of Firms Scaling Back Climate Goals    (2024-12-20)
  Prior pledges to reduce operational greenhouse gas emissions by 65% by 2030 and 35% by 2025 are probably not achievable, and the company will consider reviewing its climate targets in 2025.
• EPA OKs California’s tighter diesel NOx rule; can waiver survive under Trump?    (2024-12-20)
  California has received a waiver that allows tighter rules on diesel emissions; will it have a short shelf life? The post EPA OKs California’s tighter diesel NOx rule; can waiver survive under Trump? appeared first on FreightWaves.
• FedEx’s divestiture of LTL business marks end of conglomerate era    (2024-12-20)
  FedEx's decision to spin off its LTL unit marks the end of an era that began nearly 30 years ago when major parcel carriers sought to provide comprehensive transportation solutions for their customers. The post FedEx’s divestiture of LTL business marks end of conglomerate era appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Trump to EU: Buy More US Gas or Prepare for Tariffs    (2024-12-20)
  Trump said on Truth Social that if the European Union does not up its imports, "it is TARIFFS all the way!!!" The U.S. goods and services trade deficit with the EU was $131.3 billion in 2022.
• The freight broker transparency fight four years in the making    (2024-12-20)
  The freight broker transparency fight four years in the making is shining a light on tensions between brokers and carriers The post The freight broker transparency fight four years in the making appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Tariffs could reshape North American supply chains for autos, lumber, agrifoods    (2024-12-20)
  Cross-border trade flows for industries such as autos, lumber and agrifoods could be affected by President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs, experts said. The post Tariffs could reshape North American supply chains for autos, lumber, agrifoods appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Cargo theft, fraud surge during holidays as criminals adopt new methods, reports warn    (2024-12-20)
  Cargo thieves are adopting new, sophisticated methods — including the use of fraudulent credentials and compromised U.S. Department of Transportation authorities — to exploit fleets’ vulnerabilities during the holiday season. […]
• China Airlines to buy Boeing 777-8 freighters    (2024-12-20)
  China Airlines is investing about $2 billion in large, future-generation freighter aircraft from Boeing. The post China Airlines to buy Boeing 777-8 freighters appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Don't let the grinch steal your load | FMCSA gets an earful on truck parking    (2024-12-20)
  FMCSA's MCSAC advisory board developed recommendations for the DOT to expand truck parking. Also: CargoNet warns of heightened...
• CSX hurricane repairs could take until September 2025    (2024-12-20)
  CSX in a filing listed September 2025 for completions of emergency repairs following hurricane damage to the former Clinchfield Railroad route through Tennessee and North Carolina. The post CSX hurricane repairs could take until September 2025 appeared first on FreightWaves.
• FedEx Details Planned Changes During Q2 2025 Earnings    (2024-12-19)
  The Memphis, Tenn.-based transportation services company on Dec. 19 reported net income of $740 million, or $3.03 a diluted share, for the three months ending Nov. 30.
• Congress Passes National Defense Authorization Act    (2024-12-19)
  Congress recently cleared for President Joe Biden’s desk its annual defense policy bill, which includes trucking-centric provisions.
• Toymaker talks bringing some manufacturing home    (2024-12-19)
  Viahart President Molson Hart spoke on the Bring it Home podcast with co-hosts Craig Fuller, founder and CEO of Firecrown Media, and JP Hampstead, strategic analyst at Firecrown, about why he decided to bring some production back to U.S. shores for his toy company. The post Toymaker talks bringing some manufacturing home appeared first on FreightWaves.
• FedEx to spin off LTL unit; lowers full-year guidance    (2024-12-19)
  FedEx said Thursday it will move forward with the separation of its less-than-truckload and legacy package delivery businesses. The post FedEx to spin off LTL unit; lowers full-year guidance appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Trump Faces Setback as House Nixes Spending Plan    (2024-12-19)
  The bill failed by a vote of 235 to 174, with 38 Republicans voting against it in defiance of both Trump and Musk. Nearly all Democrats voted against the spending package.
• FedEx Freight Spinoff to Create Largest LTL Carrier    (2024-12-19)
  FedEx said it plans to spin off its Freight division into a separate publicly traded company, a move that will advance CEO Raj Subramaniam’s push to streamline the giant.
• New legislation would require 10% of China imports to move on US ships    (2024-12-19)
  Shippers would have to move 10% of all seagoing Chinese imports on U.S.-flagged and -crewed vessels under the terms of proposed bipartisan legislation. The post New legislation would require 10% of China imports to move on US ships appeared first on FreightWaves.
• WHAT THE TRUCK?!? of the year    (2024-12-19)
  Inside the final WHAT THE TRUCK?!? newsletter of the year: your top episodes '24 The post WHAT THE TRUCK?!? of the year appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Two Canadians named finalists for TCA’s Highway Angels of the Year award    (2024-12-19)
  Two Canadian drivers – Daljit Sohi driving for Triple Eight Transport, Abbotsford, B.C., and Joseph Carroll driving for Elgin Motor Freight, London, Ont. – are among the five finalists for […]
• Court to Rule on TuSimple Governance, Cash Pile Fate in Q1    (2024-12-19)
  The Delaware Chancery Court ruled that TuSimple co-founder and former CEO Xiaodi Hou’s challenge to board selections and governance changes had enough merit to win the court’s time.
• Strike against Amazon reveals complicated interrelationship among warring parties    (2024-12-19)
  Surveying the issues in the strike against Amazon by the Teamsters union and defining an “employee” can get tricky. The post Strike against Amazon reveals complicated interrelationship among warring parties appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Amazon Workers Strike at Seven Facilities Nationwide    (2024-12-19)
  The Teamsters said the workers, who voted to authorize strikes in recent days, joined picket lines after Amazon ignored a Dec. 15 deadline the union set for contract negotiations.
• Why the intermodal market is in a ‘long peak’ right now    (2024-12-19)
  Intermodal volumes are robust, even past peak retail season. What does it mean for 2025? The post Why the intermodal market is in a ‘long peak’ right now appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Alvys paves the way to improved efficiency – Taking the Hire Road    (2024-12-19)
  Nick Darman, founder and CEO of Alvys, discusses his entrepreneurial journey into trucking and what it took to create a world-class transportation management system and help fleets maximize efficiency and utilization. The post Alvys paves the way to improved efficiency – Taking the Hire Road appeared first on FreightWaves.
• White House to Trump: Get ready for more supply chain shocks    (2024-12-19)
  Looking ahead to the next four years, the White House and DOT recommend building up supply chain transparency and domestic manufacturing. The post White House to Trump: Get ready for more supply chain shocks appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Truck fuel economy improves, according to NACFE Fleet Fuel Study    (2024-12-19)
  The North American Council for Freight Efficiency’s recent fleet fuel study highlighted truck fuel economy gains of 7.77 mpg compared to the national average of 6.9 mpg in 2023. The post Truck fuel economy improves, according to NACFE Fleet Fuel Study appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Congress Clears TSA Clearance Bill for Truckers    (2024-12-19)
  Legislation designed to facilitate commercial drivers’ applications for security credentials was recently cleared by Congress for President Joe Biden’s desk.
• Biden’s Climate Goal Seeks 60% Emissions Cut by 2035    (2024-12-19)
  Biden said the new goal keeps the U.S. on track to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions economy-wide by 2050. It calls for reducing net emissions by 61% to 66% below 2005 levels in 2035.
• Trailer Orders Slip 4% Year Over Year in November    (2024-12-19)
  U.S. trailer orders experienced another month trending below the year-ago results in November, ACT Research reported.
• Several States Targeted Predatory Towing in 2024    (2024-12-19)
  New laws to curb predatory towing practices were passed in five states in 2024, aiming to curtail abusive financial practices targeting ordinary motorists and commercial drivers alike.
• Tender rejections soar to 8.36%, highest level since June 2022    (2024-12-19)
  Tender rejection rates have surged to 8.36%, marking the highest point since June 2022 and a massive one-week surge of 190 basis points. This is the sharpest increase in a […] The post Tender rejections soar to 8.36%, highest level since June 2022 appeared first on FreightWaves.
• 'Paradise Express' at 3 million miles and counting: Michael Castaldi's big-bunk '03 Pete 379    (2024-12-19)
  Michael Castaldi's big-bunk 379 and 2010 Utility reefer put the 'working' in Working Combo, racking up an average of 150,000 miles...
• Shared truckload adoption grows in a rising cost environment     (2024-12-19)
  Now is the time for companies to optimize their operations and onboard new strategic providers to safeguard themselves over the next year.  The post Shared truckload adoption grows in a rising cost environment  appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Trucking Grapples With Economy, Lawsuits, EV Rules in 2024    (2024-12-19)
  In 2024, trucking navigated infrastructure investments and lingering economic challenges. Pressing concerns were truck parking shortages, legal battles and nuclear jury verdicts.
• Rivian Deal Quietly Paves Path for UAW Once Profitable    (2024-12-19)
  Under Rivian and the UAW’s confidential pact, the automaker would adopt a neutral stance toward efforts to organize workers at its Illinois factory where its vehicles are made.
• Trump, Musk Reject Johnson’s Plan to Avert Shutdown    (2024-12-19)
  The drama left Johnson huddling with allies in his Capitol office to come up with a Plan B that would keep the government financed and avoid the political pain of a shutdown come Dec. 21.
• Weekly US rail traffic continues to gain    (2024-12-19)
  Intermodal continues to pace weekly U.S. rail traffic while carloads edged downward, according to the Association of American Railroads. The post Weekly US rail traffic continues to gain appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Mountain ELD, XELD revoked by FMCSA    (2024-12-19)
  These are the two latest ELDs to be removed from the list of certified devices by FMCSA. Also: Trucking conditions saw positive...
• Bustling California Ports to Close 2024 With Record Volumes    (2024-12-18)
  The Port of Los Angeles is set for its busiest December on record, and the Port of Long Beach is on track to have its best-ever year after the hubs handled an early and sustained peak season.