Industry News

News from the world of Trucking

• ATA Now Cheers the Cleanup of the CDL Mess It Helped Make    (2025-12-25)
  Editorial CommentaryThe views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of FreightWaves or its staff. 2025 is almost behind us, and it has been a tumultuous year for the American trucking industry, as major policy changes coming from the Trump Administration have shaken it to the frame rails. […] The post ATA Now Cheers the Cleanup of the CDL Mess It Helped Make appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Police intercept $4-million drug haul    (2025-12-25)
  A London, Ont., commercial vehicle driver was arrested Dec. 23 and accused of transporting $4.1 million in cocaine. The driver was inspected by Ministry of Transportation officers at the scales […]
• POLL: Owner-ops, what your biz outlook headed into 2026?    (2025-12-25)
  Get ready to turn the page on a new year -- weigh in here with your trucking business outlook for 2026.
• The logistics behind the Christmas ham    (2025-12-25)
  By the time Christmas dinner hits the table, the hardest logistics decisions behind the holiday ham have already been made, often months earlier. For the supply chain, Christmas ham is not a December problem. It’s a forecasting, cold-storage, and execution challenge that begins well before winter weather enters the picture. Ham’s role as a Christmas […] The post The logistics behind the Christmas ham appeared first on FreightWaves.
• ‘Naughty list’: Alberta government looks to protect bridges from big trucks    (2025-12-24)
  Alberta’s transportation minister could hear the horns blaring from inside his office. It wasn’t from a rally or protest on the Edmonton legislature grounds but, as Devin Dreeshen went outside […]
• HOS regs relief in a new state | Cargo theft: Resist complacency over holidays    (2025-12-24)
  Cargo theft during the winter holiday period increased by approximately 82% from 2020 to 2024. Also: Nebraska heating fuel haulers...
• Tariffs, enforcement and cargo theft reshape U.S.–Mexico trade in 2025    (2025-12-24)
  Mexico remained the United States’ largest trading partner in 2025, but policy shifts and enforcement crackdowns reshaped cross-border commerce. The post Tariffs, enforcement and cargo theft reshape U.S.–Mexico trade in 2025 appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Marad chief, FMC nominee confirmed    (2025-12-24)
  The Senate confirms former Maersk Line executive to lead the Maritime Administration, and the first of two nominees for the Federal Maritime Commission. The post Marad chief, FMC nominee confirmed appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Lawsuit Targets California DMV Over Administrative Failures Affecting 20,000 CDL Drivers    (2025-12-23)
  A class-action lawsuit filed in Alameda County seeks to block California's Jan. 5 cancellation of nearly 20,000 commercial driver's licenses. The plaintiffs argue the DMV is punishing immigrant drivers for the agency's own administrative failures while refusing to let them reapply for corrected credentials, violating state law and due process. The post Lawsuit Targets California DMV Over Administrative Failures Affecting 20,000 CDL Drivers appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Police charge truck driver in Hwy. 401 hit-and-run that killed tow truck operator    (2025-12-23)
  Police have charged a truck driver in a hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of a tow truck operator on Highway 401 earlier this month. On Dec. 3 at 7:18 […]
• 30 days to comply: FMCSA details truck broker trustee purge    (2025-12-23)
  New FMCSA guidance mandates brokers using ineligible trust providers must secure a compliant replacement within a 30-day window or face immediate suspension. The post 30 days to comply: FMCSA details truck broker trustee purge appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Slate Asset Management and Hamilton Lane Back Cold-Link Logistics at a critical growth juncture    (2025-12-23)
  In a deal signaling growing investor confidence in the cold-chain logistics sector, Slate Asset Management and Hamilton Lane have acquired a majority equity stake in Cold-Link Logistics, positioning the company for its next chapter of expansion across North America’s rapidly evolving food supply infrastructure.  Cold-Link Logistics, founded in 2016 by brothers Michael and Nick Mandich, […] The post Slate Asset Management and Hamilton Lane Back Cold-Link Logistics at a critical growth juncture appeared first on FreightWaves.
• NYC Congestion Pricing Judge Delays Ruling    (2025-12-23)
  A federal judge delayed his decision on the fate of New York City’s congestion pricing initiative, setting oral arguments for Jan. 28 in the legal fight over new tolls.
• Senate Confirms MARAD, Coast Guard Leaders    (2025-12-23)
  “We have done hard things before. With this committee’s guidance, and in partnership with labor and industry, we can do them again," Maritime Administrator Stephen Carmel told senators.
• Kargo Raises $42 Million to Scale AI Warehouse Tech    (2025-12-23)
  Kargo has secured $42 million in new funding as the warehouse automation company scales its loading dock technology with enterprise customers across multiple industries.
• Love’s factoring business gets bigger, buying trio of companies    (2025-12-23)
  Love’s is adding to its factoring business with the acquisition of three companies. The post Love’s factoring business gets bigger, buying trio of companies appeared first on FreightWaves.
• ANA, Nippon Cargo Airlines begin to merge cargo businesses    (2025-12-23)
  Following its recent acquisition of Nippon Cargo Airlines, All Nippon Airways is moving forward with a restructuring to create a leaner, more focused cargo organization. The post ANA, Nippon Cargo Airlines begin to merge cargo businesses appeared first on FreightWaves.
• How a Carrier Lost Payment on 62 Loads After an Impostor Theft — and Why the Industry Should Pay Attention    (2025-12-23)
  This case didn’t start with a late invoice or a billing disagreement. It started with an impostor. In early 2025, Illyrian Transport LLC — a federally authorized motor carrier — became entangled in a dispute that exposes some of the freight industry’s most uncomfortable fault lines: identity theft, weak verification practices, and the growing use […] The post How a Carrier Lost Payment on 62 Loads After an Impostor Theft — and Why the Industry Should Pay Attention appeared first on FreightWaves.
• 87 truck drivers arrested in Cali immigration initiatives | Rates on strong spot run    (2025-12-23)
  Border Patrol and ICE officers conducted two separate operations that led to the arrests of 87 alleged 'illegal aliens' with CDLs...
• Activist investor pushes Americold to revamp strategy    (2025-12-23)
  Temperature-controlled REIT Americold announced the appointment of two board members as part of a cooperation agreement with activist investor Ancora. The post Activist investor pushes Americold to revamp strategy appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Truck Tonnage Nudges 0.2% Higher in November    (2025-12-23)
  Trucking activity in the U.S. climbed slightly in November, but shipments remain at low levels, according to American Trucking Associations.
• North Shore unveils US semiquincentennial locomotive    (2025-12-23)
  Pennsylvania short line North Shore Railroad has unveiled a commemorative locomotive honoring the U.S. semiquincentennial. The post North Shore unveils US semiquincentennial locomotive appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Gas Prices Are Lower This Holiday Season    (2025-12-23)
  According to data from motor club AAA, the national average for unleaded gasoline has stayed below the $3 mark since Dec. 2, falling to its lowest level of about $2.85 a gallon on Dec. 22.
• Benchmark diesel down yet again, five straight weeks of declines    (2025-12-23)
  Another decline in the benchmark price of diesel has sent that number down by the biggest amount in a five-week period in two years.. The post Benchmark diesel down yet again, five straight weeks of declines appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Declining ferry reliability increases costs for carriers in Eastern P.E.I.    (2025-12-23)
  Declining reliability on the Wood Islands–Caribou ferry is driving up transportation costs for carriers serving eastern Prince Edward Island and straining supply chains across the region’s export-dependent industries, according to […]
• US Holds Off on New Chinese Chip Tariffs Amid Trump-Xi Truce    (2025-12-23)
  The U.S. accused China of engaging in unfair trade practices in the semiconductor sector, but is declining to impose additional tariffs on chip imports until at least mid-2027.
• Market Uncertainty to Follow Trucking Into 2026    (2025-12-23)
  President Trump's approach to renegotiating trade deals has injected unease into international supply chains as well as a domestic trucking industry already 2½ years into a downturn.
• Why Knowing Your Numbers Is a True Competitive Advantage in Trucking    (2025-12-23)
  At Playbook, we’ve recently partnered with ATBS, one of the most trusted accounting and advisory firms in trucking, to help owner-operators and small carriers get clearer on something that has quietly become a competitive advantage in today’s market: understanding profitability at a granular level. Not estimates. Not averages. Not what worked last year. Real numbers, built […] The post Why Knowing Your Numbers Is a True Competitive Advantage in Trucking appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Port Houston November volumes dip, but exports up 8% year to date    (2025-12-23)
  Port Houston’s cargo volumes declined in November amid seasonal and market headwinds. The post Port Houston November volumes dip, but exports up 8% year to date appeared first on FreightWaves.
• CDL Drug Testing Faces Uncertainty After Trump Executive Order    (2025-12-23)
  The order directs expedited rescheduling to Schedule III, but the same agency that's held up oral fluid testing for two years now holds the keys to marijuana testing's future. The post CDL Drug Testing Faces Uncertainty After Trump Executive Order appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Economy Expands at Surprisingly Strong 4.3% Annual Rate    (2025-12-23)
  U.S. GDP from July through September — the economy’s total output of goods and services — rose from its 3.8% growth rate in the April-June quarter, the Commerce Department said Dec. 23.
• FMCSA’s Triangle Study Is All About Driverless Trucks    (2025-12-23)
  A new FMCSA research initiative to evaluate warning triangles and flares is really about building the regulatory foundation for autonomous truck operations. With Waymo and Aurora knocking on the door with exemption requests, the agency needs data to either justify current requirements or clear a path for alternatives. The post FMCSA’s Triangle Study Is All About Driverless Trucks appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Highway Bill Leads 2026 Congressional Agenda    (2025-12-23)
  “We’re going to have a very aggressive legislative agenda coming right out of the gates in January,” House Speaker Mike Johnson said Dec. 16.
• Samsung Unit to Buy ZF’s Driver Assistance Arm for $1.8B    (2025-12-23)
  The deal will combine Harman’s cockpit expertise with market-leading camera technology for the next generation of so-called software-defined cars.
• Gartner debuts 4PL Magic Quadrant as tariffs and disruption reshape logistics    (2025-12-23)
  As tariffs and geopolitical risk reshape global trade, Gartner’s inaugural 4PL Magic Quadrant highlights a shift from execution to full-scale supply chain orchestration. The post Gartner debuts 4PL Magic Quadrant as tariffs and disruption reshape logistics appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Colorado Faces $24M Federal Funding Cut Over CDL Response    (2025-12-23)
  Colorado Gov. Jared Polis called it a case of “crossed wires,” saying the state has “finished the investigation and we are conducting a final review of the findings."
• REPOWR’s data shows it cost more in ‘25 for a short-term dry van rental    (2025-12-23)
  REPOWR has released data revealing trends in the market for short-term van rentals. The post REPOWR’s data shows it cost more in ‘25 for a short-term dry van rental appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Initial reactions to rail merger plan mostly skeptical or negative    (2025-12-23)
  Skepticism over claimed benefits marked reactions to the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger filing. The post Initial reactions to rail merger plan mostly skeptical or negative appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Philadelphia’s Theobald becomes fourth major port chief to exit this year    (2025-12-23)
  The Philadelphia Regional Port Authority announced the retirement of CEO Jeff Theobald, the fourth such leadership change at a North American port this year. The post Philadelphia’s Theobald becomes fourth major port chief to exit this year appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Sikh Coalition sues California to get non-domiciled CDL issuance back    (2025-12-23)
  A class action lawsuit demands California defy orders from DOT and begin reissuing non-domiciled CDLs to some 20,000 drivers.
• Bill would fine brokers 10% of any load hauled by carrier with three or more violations    (2025-12-23)
  Legislation introduced in the House aims to levy a 10% fine on any freight broker that contracts a carrier with three or more...
• FMCSA threatens Colorado with $24.5M funding loss over 'systemic breakdown' of non-domiciled CDL issuance    (2025-12-23)
  FMCSA called out a fifth state for non-domiciled CDL issuance problems, this time saying Colorado issued more than 20% of such...
• Pilot opens two new locations, renovates nine travel centers    (2025-12-22)
  Pilot announced it has opened two new facilities in Eagle Pass, Texas, and Findlay, Ohio. It also completed curb-to-counter renovations at nine travel centers. Renovations were completed in Tilbury, Ont.; […]
• New legislation could upend truck broker margins    (2025-12-22)
  The Kowalski Freight Brokers Safety Act establishes new federal civil penalties and oversight for brokers who hire motor carriers with existing safety violations. The post New legislation could upend truck broker margins appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Schneider Grows Dedicated Fleet to Near 8,600 Tractors    (2025-12-22)
  The expansion of the fleet followed swiftly on the heels of the largest acquisition in Schneider’s 90-year history: the 2024 acquisition of dedicated truckload-focused Cowan Systems.
• Tesla Promotes Post-Crash Door Safety Feature for Some Cars    (2025-12-22)
  Tesla is newly promoting features intended to make it easier for first responders to enter its cars after crashes, following months of scrutiny over the safety of its door designs.
• Jim Beam Stops Production at Key Distillery Amid Bourbon Glut    (2025-12-22)
  Bourbon maker Jim Beam plans to pause production at its main U.S. distillery for all of 2026 after slumping demand caused an oversupply of whiskey. 
• Canada Post, mail carriers tentatively agree on labor deal    (2025-12-22)
  Canada Post and its largest union have finally settled their differences over a labor contract, which must still be approved by rank-and-file letter carriers. The post Canada Post, mail carriers tentatively agree on labor deal appeared first on FreightWaves.
• US Halts Offshore Wind Leases in New Setback for Industry    (2025-12-22)
  The U.S. is suspending leases for all five wind farms under construction off the East Coast in the latest blow to a sector that’s been targeted repeatedly by the Trump administration.
• FBI, TIA Expand Information Sharing on Cargo Theft    (2025-12-22)
  The FBI has been working with TIA to streamline relaying of information and reports from TIA members about cargo theft activity, both traditional and more sophisticated.
• US Trailer Market Nears End of Subdued Year    (2025-12-22)
  U.S. trailer orders fell 37% below prior-year results in November, with freight market pressures continuing to weigh on activity, ACT Research reported. 
• Ports on Track for Record Year Despite Back-End Slowdown    (2025-12-22)
  U.S. port container volumes fell in November, but major gateways including Los Angeles and Long Beach remain on track for one of their strongest years on record.
• Crossword Puzzle Solution for December 22, 2025    (2025-12-22)
  Here's the solution to the crossword puzzle found in the December 22, 2025 print edition.
• Ocean rates: New Year promises a good ‘blanking’ for US East Coast    (2025-12-22)
  The U.S. ocean container market is a tale of two coasts as carriers manage divergent conditions, notes analyst Xeneta.  The post Ocean rates: New Year promises a good ‘blanking’ for US East Coast appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Stord to double e-commerce fulfillment capacity in Kentucky    (2025-12-22)
  Stord, which provides outsourced e-commerce logistics services, said it will lease a large warehouse in northern Kentucky and outfit it with the latest freight management technology and robotics. The post Stord to double e-commerce fulfillment capacity in Kentucky appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Senior Republicans Oppose Trump’s Cannabis Order    (2025-12-22)
  A group of House Republicans are urging President Trump to think twice about reclassifying marijuana as a less severe drug, pointing to potential harm to the nation’s children and young adults.
• Volvo to Open Tacoma Parts Distribution Center in 2027    (2025-12-22)
  Volvo Group plans to build a 115,000-square-foot parts distribution center in Tacoma, Wash., the parent company of Volvo Trucks North America and Mack Trucks said.
• Tariff-Hit German Exports to US Fall Sharply, Analysis Finds    (2025-12-22)
  The value of exports to the U.S. fell by 8% compared with the same period last year. By contrast, exports across the Atlantic had increased by an average of 5% per year between 2016 and 2024.
• 6 Indicted in Louisiana CDL Fraud Scheme    (2025-12-22)
  Per an indictment filed Aug. 28, the individuals solicited and accepted bribes in exchange for providing CDLs to individuals who did not undergo “legally required training or testing.”
• Commentary: How the FMCSA should investigate truck driving schools    (2025-12-22)
  Biden’s FMCSA buried a FOIA request seeking to link driving schools to fatality data. The post Commentary: How the FMCSA should investigate truck driving schools appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Chevron Steers Path to Oil's Biggest Prize in Venezuela    (2025-12-22)
  As tensions mount between Venezuela and the U.S., Chevron remains the only global oil company with access to Venezuela’s immense crude reserves — the largest known.
• Cintas Makes Another Attempt to Buy Out Rival UniFirst    (2025-12-22)
  Cintas said its new bid implies a total value of about $5.2 billion. It represents a 62% premium to the stock’s last closing price after shares fell in the wake of the last offer being rebuffed in March.
• Supply Chain Strategies for an Uncertain Trade Environment    (2025-12-22)
  In this white paper, FreightWaves partnered with Avalara to uncover how supply chain professionals are navigating these rapid changes and continuing to innovate in a complex global environment. The post Supply Chain Strategies for an Uncertain Trade Environment appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Waymos Blocked Traffic During San Francisco Power Outage    (2025-12-22)
  The power failures, which at one point affected 130,000 customers, closed stores and disrupted transit during the busy holiday shopping period — including many Waymo cars.
• 7-Eleven CEO Joe DePinto Retires Amid Broader Revamp    (2025-12-22)
  Joe DePinto, 63, was CEO for two decades and orchestrated its expansion through the acquisition of Speedway and Sunoco gasoline stations.