Industry News

News from the world of Trucking

• Pennsylvania begins construction on PennSTART testing facility    (2025-12-09)
  Pennsylvania announced the start of construction on PennSTART, a closed-loop testing facility intended to support the development of emerging transportation technologies. The total investment from all sources in the project’s […]
• Farmers Say Trump Aid Brings Relief but Not Recovery    (2025-12-09)
  “This is kind of a Band-Aid — we need more markets more than we need aid,” said Missouri farmer Marty Richardson, adding that he feels like 2026 will be just as bad as this year.
• Nvidia Wins Approval to Sell H200 Chips to China    (2025-12-09)
  President Trump granted Nvidia, America’s most-valuable company, permission Dec. 9 to export its high-end H200 chip to China, watering down years of U.S. national security safeguards.
• Maersk Opens New Ground Freight Site Near Port of Savannah    (2025-12-09)
  Maersk says the Savannah, Ga., facility follows recent ground freight openings in Lake City, Ga., and Dallas-Fort Worth, and creates an ecosystem of integrated services.
• Home Depot Issues Cautious 2026 Outlook    (2025-12-09)
  The U.S. housing market has weighed on Home Depot as high interest rates prompt consumers to remain on the sidelines for big-ticket purchases and projects that require financing.
• Small-Business Optimism Rises on Strong Sales Outlook    (2025-12-09)
  In addition to sales expectations and hiring intentions, the overall index was boosted by a slight improvement in plans to increase inventories and earnings trends.
• Trump Signals Possible Cuts to Some US Tariffs    (2025-12-09)
  Asked in an interview with Politico whether he’d rule out cutting tariffs on more goods than coffee, beef and bananas, Trump said he would “on some, and on some I’ll increase tariffs.”
• Group vows to fight efforts to weaken car, truck safety standards     (2025-12-08)
  The leader of a highway safety coalition said the group is prepared for what is expected to be a critical year ahead for transportation in the United States.  “We know […]
• Revoked ELDs up 62% so far in 2025    (2025-12-08)
  The FMCSA accelerated its effort to remove illegal and substandard electronic logging devices from service. The post Revoked ELDs up 62% so far in 2025 appeared first on FreightWaves.
• The sand must flow: Aurora’s driverless fleet hits Permian roads    (2025-12-08)
  30 autonomous trucks to haul proppants nonstop on public roads in deal with Detmar Logistics The post The sand must flow: Aurora’s driverless fleet hits Permian roads appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Trump Targets Tariffs on Canadian Fertilizer, Indian Rice    (2025-12-08)
  President Donald Trump signaled Dec. 8 that he could impose fresh tariffs on agricultural products, including Canadian fertilizer and Indian rice.
• PepsiCo Plans Layoffs as It Looks to Finish Elliott Talks    (2025-12-08)
  PepsiCo plans to review its North American supply chain as it wraps up negotiations with Elliott, according to sources. The company also warned workers of incoming “structural changes.”
• Trump Urges Tractor Makers to Cut Costs as Farmers Aided    (2025-12-08)
  President Trump pressured farm equipment manufacturers to drop prices for tractors, his latest efforts to address Americans’ concerns about shaky economic conditions.
• Detmar Logistics to Start Autonomous Ops With Aurora in '26    (2025-12-08)
  Last-mile logistics specialist Detmar will use Aurora’s in-house Peterbilt tractors to ship the proppant 20 hours a day on public and private roads in the Permian Basin oil and gas field.
• Consumers See Stable Inflation as Job Outlook Improves    (2025-12-08)
  Fed officials are widely expected to cut their benchmark interest rate for a third straight time Dec. 10, in a bid to safeguard against worsening labor market conditions.
• Feds OK automation, say railroads can make fewer visual track safety checks    (2025-12-08)
  The Federal Railroad Administration approved a waiver to allow for the expanded use of automatic track inspection technology. The post Feds OK automation, say railroads can make fewer visual track safety checks appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Morgan Stanley sees supply-side ‘spark’ for trucking in 2026    (2025-12-08)
  The next upturn in the trucking industry could be driven by the supply side, a pattern observed in the past three upcycles, according to a report released Monday by Morgan Stanley. The post Morgan Stanley sees supply-side ‘spark’ for trucking in 2026 appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Blockades choke Mexico’s border trade as farmers, truckers escalate unrest    (2025-12-08)
  Rolling protests and road blockades by farmers and truckers across Mexico have impacted major border crossings, stranding tens of thousands of cargo trucks. The post Blockades choke Mexico’s border trade as farmers, truckers escalate unrest appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Crossword Puzzle Solution for December 8, 2025    (2025-12-08)
  Here's the solution to the crossword puzzle found in the December 8, 2025 print edition.
• Non-Domiciled CDL Drivers and Highway Safety: What the Numbers Say, What They Don’t, and How Social Media Fills the Gaps    (2025-12-08)
  The debate over non-domiciled CDL holders — and immigrant CDL drivers who entered the workforce after 2019 — has exploded across social media. One viral crash video turns into a sweeping accusation. One fraudulent licensing scandal becomes proof of a national crisis. One politician posts a clip, and suddenly the internet decides an entire segment […] The post Non-Domiciled CDL Drivers and Highway Safety: What the Numbers Say, What They Don’t, and How Social Media Fills the Gaps appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Retailers see container import hangover for 2026    (2025-12-08)
  Year-over-year declines in import cargo volume at major container ports are expected to continue in 2026 due to the impact of tariffs and ongoing trade policy uncertainty. The post Retailers see container import hangover for 2026 appeared first on FreightWaves.
• o9 Solutions accuses SAP of trade secret theft in high-stakes supply chain software dispute    (2025-12-08)
  Three executives downloaded more than 20,000 files before leaving o9 Solutions for SAP. The post o9 Solutions accuses SAP of trade secret theft in high-stakes supply chain software dispute appeared first on FreightWaves.
• US Says China Is Meeting Trade Commitments    (2025-12-08)
  Bloomberg previously reported that after a series of orders placed in late October — the first of this season — China’s purchases of American soybeans appeared to have stalled. 
• Heavy debt load, flat container shipments lead Moody’s to cut TRAC rating    (2025-12-08)
  Chassis provider TRAC has had its debt rating cut by Moody’s. The post Heavy debt load, flat container shipments lead Moody’s to cut TRAC rating appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Trucking Announcements: New leadership at HTC, Apps Transport Group    (2025-12-08)
  Each week, trucknews.com lists notable events, promotions and awards in the trucking industry. This week, Huayi Tire Canada appointed Dave Hatch as its vice president of sales and operations, while Apps Transport […]
• Trump Unveils $12 Billion Aid for Farmers    (2025-12-08)
  The aid comes amid rising frustration among farmers on the slow pace of Chinese purchases, which Beijing clamped down on earlier this year in retaliation for Trump’s tariff barrage. 
• US, India Work to Mend Ties After Tariff Rift    (2025-12-08)
  India-U.S. relations have also soured because of Trump’s assertions he brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan during the conflict in May and used trade as a bargaining chip.
• China Trade Surplus Booms to $1T Despite US Export Drop-Off    (2025-12-08)
  While China's shipments to the U.S. plummeted 29% in November, strong growth in sales to regions like the European Union and Africa more than offset the slump.
• Commentary: the trucking industry needs better crash data    (2025-12-08)
  Why not include a preventable crash rate in CSA scores? The post Commentary: the trucking industry needs better crash data appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Asia-US container rates uptick can’t obscure recent plunge    (2025-12-08)
  A recent uptick in eastbound container rates couldn’t offset trans-Pacific prices that are 20%-30% lower than a month ago. The post Asia-US container rates uptick can’t obscure recent plunge appeared first on FreightWaves.
• FMCSA moves against non-compliant ELDs: Three more revoked    (2025-12-08)
  In the wake of FMCSA's stricter scrutiny of ELDs, three already registered landed on the 'Revoked Devices' list. Carriers using...
• Pride & Polish: Finalists set to compete for top honors    (2025-12-08)
  Three finalists in each of five categories -- Antique, Interior, Limited Mileage, Working Bobtail and Working Combo -- have been...
• CVSA asks for FMCSA guidance on paper medical card waiver    (2025-12-08)
  With nine states still yet to fully implement FMCSA's electronic medical certificate system, CVSA is asking for guidance on drivers...
• Minn. pauses nom-domiciled CDLs, disputes some of DOT’s claims    (2025-12-07)
  The state of Minnesota said it has paused issuing non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses after the U.S. Department of Transportation threatened to withhold federal funding.  Minnesota has 212,327 standard CDL holders […]
• Borderlands Mexico: Trump mulls scrapping USMCA as industry groups push for renewal     (2025-12-07)
  This week in Borderlands: Trump mulls scrapping USMCA as industry groups push for renewal; DP World opens Querétaro warehouse to support Mexico’s nearshoring boom; and East Coast Warehouse & Distribution launches first Texas operation. The post Borderlands Mexico: Trump mulls scrapping USMCA as industry groups push for renewal  appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Truckload spot rates spikes are telling us something    (2025-12-06)
  Truckload spot rates have seen sharp, intermittent spikes this year, though none have lasted. These sharper swings may signal what’s coming next year. The post Truckload spot rates spikes are telling us something appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Two Minnesota carriers shut down, idling 200 drivers    (2025-12-06)
  Over the weekend, two Minnesota-based carriers under the True North Equity Partners umbrella ceased operations overnight, putting approximately 200 drivers out of work. MinStar Transport and Transport Design Inc., each operating fleets of around 100 trucks, announced their immediate closures in communications to employees and partners, according to multiple reports circulating in trucking communities on […] The post Two Minnesota carriers shut down, idling 200 drivers appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Element Fleet Management buys Car IQ    (2025-12-06)
  Element Fleet Management has announced its acquisition of Car IQ, expanding the company’s connected fleet ecosystem wit the addition of connected vehicle payments. The company says it now offers the […]
• How America’s trucking industry became a hellscape    (2025-12-05)
  Over the past few months, I’ve spoken with hundreds of senior executives at America’s largest trucking companies. Nearly all say they only recently discovered the massive influx of foreign drivers and motor carriers. Most assumed the trend was gradual; none realized it was exponential. Few had ever heard the term “non-domiciled CDL” until this summer […] The post How America’s trucking industry became a hellscape appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Police find truck, driver wanted in collision that killed tow truck operator    (2025-12-05)
  Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have located the commercial motor vehicle and identified the driver wanted in connection with a fatal collision on Highway 401 that killed a tow truck operator. […]
• Mississippi sending illegal truckers to ICE    (2025-12-05)
  Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith is urging colleagues to use a transportation spending bill to clamp down on CDL violators. The post Mississippi sending illegal truckers to ICE appeared first on FreightWaves.
• New Platts Policy Excludes Russian-Origin Fuel    (2025-12-05)
  The step by Platts, a unit of S&P Global Energy, effectively eliminates one source of supply that might be cheaper than others. The move will align with European Union rules.
• 6 Nations Challenge EU’s Combustion Car Deadline    (2025-12-05)
  “We can and we must pursue our climatic goal in an effective way, while not killing our competitiveness in the meanwhile since there is nothing green in an industrial desert,” EU leaders said.
• Ohio trucking company operator gets 30 months for income tax evasion    (2025-12-05)
  The owner of an Ohio trucking company has been sentenced to 30 months for income tax evasion. The post Ohio trucking company operator gets 30 months for income tax evasion appeared first on FreightWaves.
• CRST Posting Gains in Tough Market, CEO Says    (2025-12-05)
  While the protracted freight market slump has yet to turn around, CRST's dedicated truckload business is having its best year in three years, CEO Mike Gannon says.
• 50 truck fleet shuts down    (2025-12-05)
  The closure of James R. Smith Trucking, Inc., a family-owned operation based in Cullman, Alabama, that marked its 70th year in 2025, underscores the dire state of the freight market. Detailed in a Cullman Daily article, the shutdown of this 1955-founded carrier signals another casualty in a wave of trucking bankruptcies sweeping the industry. A […] The post 50 truck fleet shuts down appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Human-trafficking sweep nets multiple arrests at Washington truck stops    (2025-12-05)
  Nearly a dozen people were arrested during an overnight Washington State Patrol (WSP) operation targeting human trafficking and prostitution near truck stops in Pierce, King and Snohomish counties. The undercover […]
• DHL Supply Chain takes delivery of first Tesla Semi    (2025-12-05)
  DHL Supply Chain has taken delivery of its first all-electric Tesla Semi. The addition expands its fleet of Class 8 electric vehicles in North America to more than 150, according […]
• Top US, Chinese Officials Pledge Cooperation on Trade Deal    (2025-12-05)
  Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer held a video call with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng on Dec. 5, according to China’s state-run news agency Xinhua. 
• RXO vs. C.H. Robinson: the growing financial divide widens some more    (2025-12-05)
  RXO credit rating faces challenges, while C.H. Robinson continues to shine. The post RXO vs. C.H. Robinson: the growing financial divide widens some more appeared first on FreightWaves.
• First Brands Flails as Customers Don’t Know Who to Pay    (2025-12-05)
  First Brands is asking the judge overseeing its bankruptcy to set up a framework that will give comfort to clients that they can send money to the company without risk of double payment.
• Cast your vote for America’s favorite freight town!    (2025-12-05)
  FreightWaves is building recognition for the freight and logistics centers that play crucial roles in our daily lives. We want to bring together community voices from across the country to identify which towns are doing the most to drive our supply chain forward. The post Cast your vote for America’s favorite freight town! appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Torc Taps Innoviz for Short-Range Lidar Requirements    (2025-12-05)
  Autonomous trucks require long-range lidar systems to identify objects far ahead and short-range sensors to capture detailed data in complex driving situations.
• 'Peanut's Pride': Owner-op's second chance after close brush with death    (2025-12-05)
  Charles 'Peanut' Pilkington and his 2005 Peterbilt 379, featured here, were lucky to survive this certifiable 'act of God,' a...
• UPS pilots and company resume contract talks, enlist federal mediator    (2025-12-05)
  With fresh memories of the fatal crash of a freighter aircraft last month, UPS pilots and the company have resumed collective bargaining with the help of the National Mediation Board. The post UPS pilots and company resume contract talks, enlist federal mediator appeared first on FreightWaves.
• NEVI Funds Available Again for EV Charging Networks    (2025-12-05)
  Dollars from the $5 billion infrastructure program that Joe Biden’s White House crafted to speed EV adoption are flowing again after the Trump administration froze the funds earlier this year.
• Port of Mobile launches $100M Pier B South overhaul    (2025-12-05)
  The Alabama Port Authority has begun the $100 million reconstruction of Pier B South, while construction advances on the Montgomery Intermodal Container Transfer Facility. The post Port of Mobile launches $100M Pier B South overhaul appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Inflation Indicator Eases Path to Interest Rate Cut    (2025-12-05)
  The data shows that inflation was muted in September and will bolster the case for a cut to the Fed’s key interest rate at its next meeting Dec. 9-10.
• Minnesota Catches FMCSA Heat for Non-Domiciled CDLs    (2025-12-05)
  “Our audit exposes yet another example of foreigners taking advantage of Minnesota services under Governor Walz’s watch,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said.
• Transportation Insight Holdings names Alan Gershenhorn interim CEO as Ken Beyer departs    (2025-12-05)
  ATLANTA – Transportation Insight Holdings, LLC (together with its affiliates, the “Company”), a leading provider of non-asset, tech-enabled logistics and brokerage solutions in North America servicing more than 14,000 shippers and over 80,000 carriers through Transportation Insight (“TI”), Nolan Transportation Group (“NTG”), and its proprietary Beon™ Digital Logistics Platform (“Beon”), on Thursday announced that Alan […] The post Transportation Insight Holdings names Alan Gershenhorn interim CEO as Ken Beyer departs appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Profitable Ram Brand Is Key to Stellantis Turnaround    (2025-12-05)
  "Ram has many superpowers," CEO Antonio Filosa said during a conference organized by Goldman Sachs — including raking in the most profits of any of the automaker's 14 brands.
• Ocado Gets $350 Million From Kroger for Warehouse Closures    (2025-12-05)
  Ocado Group will receive a one-time cash payment of $350 million from Kroger, more than previously announced, after the U.S. grocer decided to close three automated warehouses.
• TTC names Stefanovich president during 110th gala, hands out $44K in scholarships    (2025-12-05)
  Left Lane Associates president Peter Stefanovich was named The Toronto Transportation Club’s (TTC) president following its annual general meeting at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Stacey Large, associate vice president […]
• Dow's Transportation Average Blazes 9-Day Winning Streak    (2025-12-05)
  Equity traders looking for signs that a blistering stock market advance is set to continue may take their cue from the companies that move goods across America’s roads, rails and waterways.
• English-language crackdown exposes how cheap labor and CDL fraud are remaking trucking    (2025-12-05)
  Trucking executives say surging transient foreign labor, fraudulent CDLs and lax oversight have been undercutting legitimate U.S. carriers. The post English-language crackdown exposes how cheap labor and CDL fraud are remaking trucking appeared first on FreightWaves.