Spotlight
Horizon Freight wins a battle in an "employee or contractor" driver case, but impact is limited
Horizon Freight wins a battle in an "employee or contractor" driver case, but impact is limited

The decision in favor of Horizon turned on a narrow question of where one of the employees’ case should be heard.

Read More →
How empowering drivers can contribute to a better fleet safety culture
How empowering drivers can contribute to a better fleet safety culture

Spireon hosted a webinar in collaboration with FreightWaves earlier this week to explore the importance of building a fleet safety culture and how to do it the right way.

Read More →
Venture places a 4.1 million square-foot bet on NY/NJ industrial market
Venture places a 4.1 million square-foot bet on NY/NJ industrial market

Largest industrial facility in Port of NY/NJ region to be built in 2 years.

Read More →
Brokers and forwarders: West Coast action not just tariffs
Brokers and forwarders: West Coast action not just tariffs

Executives from MoLo, Steam, and Arrive gave insight into the complexity of West Coast freight market volatility, which goes beyond tariffs, and talked about how brokerages and shippers are responding.

Read More →
Trouble for truckers: another big snow storm to hit the Rockies this weekend
Trouble for truckers: another big snow storm to hit the Rockies this weekend

Another in a long series of autumn snow storms to make trouble for truckers in the Rockies this weekend. Snow, ice to make some roads dangerous.

Read More →

FREIGHTWAVES' SONAR CHART OF THE WEEK (NOV 11- NOV 17, 2018) 

SONAR aggregates data from hundreds of sources, presenting the data in charts and maps and providing commentary on what freight market experts want to know about the industry- in real time.

If you are interested in gaining insights with thousands of freight market charts and maps, sign up for a SONAR demo.

Insurance & Claims Management
How can tech help drivers sleep?
How can tech help drivers sleep?

In partnership with Reliance Partners ...

Since July 2017, dayzz has been developing an evidence-based, personalized sleep training app for enterprise workforces to improve sleep quality while reducing healthcare and employer costs.

Futures trading isn't gambling, and leaving yourself exposed can be risky: DTN's Susich
Futures trading isn't gambling, and leaving yourself exposed can be risky: DTN's Susich

It’s a tricky balance between risk and safety, but in the trucking world, before freight futures, there was no way to protect a company’x exposure.

It's all about repetition: how drivers and fleets prepare for severe weather
It's all about repetition: how drivers and fleets prepare for severe weather

In partnership with Reliance Partners ...

Think you’re well acquainted with the fundamentals? Safety is about more than just good planning and communication.

How Scroll is developing data security solutions on blockchain
How Scroll is developing data security solutions on blockchain

In partnership with Reliance Partners ...

Still in its infancy, blockchain is increasingly being adopted by companies seeking data security solutions. Scroll is one such company.

Distracted driving could be solved for fleets with a simple technology
Distracted driving could be solved for fleets with a simple technology

In partnership with Reliance Partners ...

The company’s patent-pending approach is differentiated by its reliability, low power consumption, and what they call seamless integration.

Health risks of over-the-road truckers under new study
Health risks of over-the-road truckers under new study

In partnership with Reliance Partners ...

A Canadian research team is trying to better understand factors that impact driver’s health, safety, and wellness.

5 steps drivers can take to lower their risk of being involved in a crash
5 steps drivers can take to lower their risk of being involved in a crash

In partnership with Reliance Partners ...

Learn how truck drivers can be more proactive about safety on the roadways in light of the recent increase in fatal crashes.  

The emerging urgency to protect yourself against cyber crimes
The emerging urgency to protect yourself against cyber crimes

In partnership with Reliance Partners ...

As we witness an open flow of IT information from vehicles of all kinds, it is critical to consider firewalls and anti-malware protection as well as cyber liability insurance coverage.

King of the Road? 3 reasons to keep truckin’
King of the Road? 3 reasons to keep truckin’

In partnership with Reliance Partners ...

It’s been a wild year, and while at times it may feel more like riding a bull than being “King of the Road,” just hang on a little longer. The times are changing and they’re changing fast.

Brake safety day: raising awareness to raise safety standards
Brake safety day: raising awareness to raise safety standards

In partnership with Reliance Partners ...

Many of the 1,600 violations were easily preventable, but no one had caught them prior to the surprise inspection.

Data in, data out: What’s data got to do with driver retention?
Data in, data out: What’s data got to do with driver retention?

In partnership with Reliance Partners ...

One of the most important opportunities remains frequently overlooked when it comes to data: the human element.

We have the technology: is solving drunk driving as easy as it sounds?
We have the technology: is solving drunk driving as easy as it sounds?

In partnership with Reliance Partners ...

The idea that technology will save lives is exciting on the one hand. On the other, just how seamless will the technology be? Will it be optional or mandatory?

Top 3 ways to attract and retain supply chain talent
Top 3 ways to attract and retain supply chain talent

In partnership with Reliance Partners ...

A survey of nearly 16,000 warehouse workers uncovers three key factors to attracting and retaining supply chain talent in anticipation of holiday peak season and single-digit unemployment rate.

162 transportation and logistics companies make the 2018 Inc. 5000
162 transportation and logistics companies make the 2018 Inc. 5000

In partnership with Reliance Partners ...

If you’re obsessed with growth, you’ll love the report. If you’re obsessed with logistics and the movement of freight, you’ll love the news even more.

Training drivers post-incident, in nice small nuggets
Training drivers post-incident, in nice small nuggets

The idea behind the new training program is to work with the drivers involved in an incident right away, wherever they are, and not eat up too much of their time.

Women make better drivers than men so why aren't there more during a capacity crunch?
Women make better drivers than men so why aren't there more during a capacity crunch?

In partnership with Reliance Partners ...

Among other things, women are known to take fewer risks on the road and also drive more carefully compared to men, thereby reducing the number of accidents caused due to negligence.

Technology as a means to improve safety, retention
Technology as a means to improve safety, retention

In partnership with Reliance Partners ...

Savvy companies know how to utilize technology to help solve retention issues, which, with patience, will lead to stronger quarters.

DOT pilot program to study the safety of 18-20 year-old commercial drivers
DOT pilot program to study the safety of 18-20 year-old commercial drivers

Sponsored by Reliance Partners…

The DOT’s pilot program to study the feasibility of 18-21-year-old drivers will have an insurance impact, but what exactly do insurance providers think of the proposal?

Cybersecurity is fast becoming critical, yet remains a non-core competency for most executives
Cybersecurity is fast becoming critical, yet remains a non-core competency for most executives

In partnership with Reliance Partners ...

With autonomous vehicles virtually at our doorstep, it is becoming mission critical for carriers and drivers to protect themselves. Points of vulnerability will be exploited by those who seek to cause harm, economically or otherwise.

Can you solve the driver problem by making trucking cool again?
Can you solve the driver problem by making trucking cool again?

Sponsored by Reliance Partners…

Other than the economy slowing and unemployment rising, is there a solution to the driver problem?

Data driven solutions: a conversation with John Seidl
Data driven solutions: a conversation with John Seidl

Sponsored by Reliance Partners…

On the heels of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s announcement regarding the Solving for Safety Visualization Challenge, FreightWaves spoke with Reliance Partners’ John Seidl to learn more about risk management in the industry.

How can owner-operators get the best deal on trucking insurance?
How can owner-operators get the best deal on trucking insurance?

Sponsored by Reliance Partners…

There are a lot of reasons why it’s hard for owner-operators to get the best deal possible on their truck insurance. Owner-operators are busy.

Developing better compensation packages for retention and improving insurance
Developing better compensation packages for retention and improving insurance

Sponsored by Reliance Partners…

One of his specific points of focus for improving driving retention has to do with compensation packages. Compensation packages have become more sophisticated in recent years, but there is room for improvement.

Alert: June 7 is one of the most dangerous days for truck drivers
Alert: June 7 is one of the most dangerous days for truck drivers

On June 7th, the highest odds for a truck being in a collision will occur between 4 pm and 7 pm and between 9 pm and midnight, accounting for 21% and 19% of the day’s accidents, respectively, almost twice what would be expected if accidents occurred at random times.

Award-winning Reliance setting itself apart through diversity and attractive work culture
Award-winning Reliance setting itself apart through diversity and attractive work culture

Sponsored by Reliance Partners…

FreightWaves visited the Reliance office in downtown Chattanooga this week to speak with COO and president, Chad Eichelberger and Laura Anne Howell and get a sense of what makes the secret sauce so special.

A panel of top trucking execs weighs in on ELDs, pricing and the driver squeeze
A panel of top trucking execs weighs in on ELDs, pricing and the driver squeeze

Everyone sees the market as strong and staying that way, but are there other headwinds in the trucking sector?

Trailer interchange and why you need the insurance
Trailer interchange and why you need the insurance

Sponsored by Reliance Partners…

Depending on the limit and deductible you choose, your trailer interchange coverage should add between $100 and $1500 a year to your overall insurance cost.

How to document and report accidents fast for lower claims
How to document and report accidents fast for lower claims

Sponsored by Reliance Partners…

Regardless of whether the accident was the driver's fault, documentation helps support the ease and efficiency of the process. The point is, document first, ask questions later.

Two controversial approaches to “solving” the scarcity of commercially-licensed drivers
Two controversial approaches to “solving” the scarcity of commercially-licensed drivers

Sponsored by Reliance Partners…

Two very different approaches could give some breathing room to the tightening CDL driver shortage.

Safety must become a core value for new driver hiring
Safety must become a core value for new driver hiring

Brought to you by Reliance Partners…

Begin the process by providing clarity and expectations first on the basics, such as driving, detention, and layover, the nuts-and-bolts of the driving job.

FREIGHTWAVES MARKET INSIGHTS
Maersk: 'significant slowdown' expected on U.S. freight volumes once January hits
Maersk: 'significant slowdown' expected on U.S. freight volumes once January hits

Good times at U.S. ports not expected to last as world’s largest shipping line warns trade war will rear up at start of next year.

Read More →
Technology drives efficiencies amid a global trade slowdown
Technology drives efficiencies amid a global trade slowdown

“We went through a period when growth of shipping was 2-3 times the growth in international economy. I don’t think those times are coming back.”

Read More →
Ontario, California dethrones Atlanta as largest outbound market
Ontario, California dethrones Atlanta as largest outbound market

Ontario California has toppled the Atlanta market, the reigning capital of freight volume in the country. Surging volume is to blame. How long will the elevated volume last?

Read More →
Weekly Market Update: All’s not quiet on the western front
Weekly Market Update: All’s not quiet on the western front

The freight market remains slow in most parts of the country except for one. Will it spill into other regions?

Read More →
Shippers respond to volatile market by increasing lead times in the second half of the year
Shippers respond to volatile market by increasing lead times in the second half of the year

Lead times increasing are a sign that shippers are taking capacity shortages seriously. Carriers and brokers that depend on spot market freight are left wanting.

Read More →
Santa’s sled is using the ports
Santa’s sled is using the ports

SONAR’s OTVI.LAX is clearly indicating that the strength in the inbound loaded container flow out of the Long Beach/LA port is continuing and gathering momentum.

Read More →
Weekly Market Update: Are the markets tricking us into thinking they are turning?
Weekly Market Update: Are the markets tricking us into thinking they are turning?

The freight market is showing the first signs of turning in over a month. Is this the start of retail season?

Read More →
East coast containers running at a discount due to overwhelmed west coast ships
East coast containers running at a discount due to overwhelmed west coast ships

East coast bound containers from China are getting a pre-holiday discount as shippers increase volume to North America in front of tariff increases.

Read More →
Yes Virginia, there will be a Santa Claus this year
Yes Virginia, there will be a Santa Claus this year

SONAR’s Headhaul Index map and the HAUL.JOT Index are both showing that the return to growth in inbound loaded container flow first seen in the Long Beach/LA port is continuing and gathering momentum.

Read More →
Demand for flatbeds drop off. Is this a sign of an industrial economy slowdown?
Demand for flatbeds drop off. Is this a sign of an industrial economy slowdown?

Demand for flatbeds always drop off this time of year, but is this a sign of a broader industrial slowdown?

Read More →
Weekly Market Update: A tale of two Octobers
Weekly Market Update: A tale of two Octobers

October of 2018 has been very different from the same month a year ago thus far. We have had 2 major hurricanes make landfall and the economy is still strong. So why does it seem so different?

Read More →
Savannah outbound volumes shoot up 26% as Southeast deals with Hurricane Michael
Savannah outbound volumes shoot up 26% as Southeast deals with Hurricane Michael

Outbound tender volumes have shot up 26% out of the Savannah market as the Southeast deals with hurricane Michael

Read More →
Weekly Market Update: Volume continues to fall as Michael bears down on Florida Panhandle
Weekly Market Update: Volume continues to fall as Michael bears down on Florida Panhandle

Truckload volume continues to decline to annual lows after the first week of October. Freight volume is redistributing out west as Michael hits the Southeast U.S.

Read More →
Trucking rates are starting to plateau, but market remains strong says ATA economist
Trucking rates are starting to plateau, but market remains strong says ATA economist

Gains in rates will moderate in coming quarters, but underlying issues of driver availability will keep market tight.

Read More →
FREIGHTWAVES FACTS & FIGURES
Prime Impact
Prime Impact

“Amazon Prime, the company's $119/year membership program which offers free two-day shipping and now boasts more than 100 million members, seems to be a key driver of their growth.”

Read More →
Retail Activity Rebounds
Retail Activity Rebounds

Retail activity posted the strongest gain in five months, as big gains in auto sales and rising gasoline prices helped to drive overall activity. Core spending grew at a more moderate pace, but the broad-based nature of the gains is encouraging headed into the holiday season.



Read More →
A Driver's Perspective: The Best Rigs and Equipment?
A Driver's Perspective: The Best Rigs and Equipment?

The following answers were pulled from the 2018 King of the Road survey from Atlas Van Lines.

Read More →
Time-line: Nikola Motor Company Introducing Hydrogen-Electric Tractors to Europe
Time-line: Nikola Motor Company Introducing Hydrogen-Electric Tractors to Europe

As it continues work toward disrupting the traditional diesel-powered truck market in North America, Nikola Motor Company is eyeing another continent: Europe.

Read More →
A Driver's Perspective: Who have you assisted in moving?
A Driver's Perspective: Who have you assisted in moving?

The following answers were pulled from the 2018 King of the Road Survey from Atlas. Who have you assisted in moving?

Read More →
A Driver's Perspective: How are you being more eco-friendly?
A Driver's Perspective: How are you being more eco-friendly?

The following answers were pulled from the 2018 King of the Road survey from Atlas Van Lines.

Read More →
A Driver's Perspective: The Best & Worst things about being on the road
A Driver's Perspective: The Best & Worst things about being on the road

Answers were pulled from the 2018 King of the Road survey from Atlas Van Lines.

Read More →
Transport Tech Rising: Venture Capital Trends (Part 3)
Transport Tech Rising: Venture Capital Trends (Part 3)

Freight.Tech conducted a study mapping trends in TransportTech venture capital investment over the past five years. We’ve pulled out some of the results.

Read More →
Old Dominion Operating Metrics - Oct 18 vs Oct 17
Old Dominion Operating Metrics - Oct 18 vs Oct 17

We look at Old Dominion’s latest operating metrics update.

Read More →
Class 8 Truck Orders: October 2018
Class 8 Truck Orders: October 2018

FTR and ACT Research have both released their preliminary estimates of Class 8 truck orders in October. Here are the highlights.

Read More →

RECENT ARTICLES

Featured
Horizon Freight wins a battle in an "employee or contractor" driver case, but impact is limited
Horizon Freight wins a battle in an "employee or contractor" driver case, but impact is limited

The decision in favor of Horizon turned on a narrow question of where one of the employees’ case should be heard.

How empowering drivers can contribute to a better fleet safety culture
How empowering drivers can contribute to a better fleet safety culture

Spireon hosted a webinar in collaboration with FreightWaves earlier this week to explore the importance of building a fleet safety culture and how to do it the right way.

Venture places a 4.1 million square-foot bet on NY/NJ industrial market
Venture places a 4.1 million square-foot bet on NY/NJ industrial market

Largest industrial facility in Port of NY/NJ region to be built in 2 years.

Brokers and forwarders: West Coast action not just tariffs
Brokers and forwarders: West Coast action not just tariffs

Executives from MoLo, Steam, and Arrive gave insight into the complexity of West Coast freight market volatility, which goes beyond tariffs, and talked about how brokerages and shippers are responding.

Trouble for truckers: another big snow storm to hit the Rockies this weekend
Trouble for truckers: another big snow storm to hit the Rockies this weekend

Another in a long series of autumn snow storms to make trouble for truckers in the Rockies this weekend. Snow, ice to make some roads dangerous.

Prime Impact
Prime Impact

“Amazon Prime, the company's $119/year membership program which offers free two-day shipping and now boasts more than 100 million members, seems to be a key driver of their growth.”

Increasing penetration of APIs fuels rise of Freight.Tech 25 winner project44
Increasing penetration of APIs fuels rise of Freight.Tech 25 winner project44

Shippers seeking visibility into their freight will find APIs provide an easier solution than legacy data interchange systems.

Branson’s Virgin Group takes stake in Florida commuter rail company Brightline
Branson’s Virgin Group takes stake in Florida commuter rail company Brightline

Richard Branson, the billionaire founder of the Virgin Group that has dabbled in hundreds of businesses over the years, can now add U.S. commuter train operator to his portfolio.

Imports surge at Port of Oakland
Imports surge at Port of Oakland

In a normal year, the Port of Oakland stands out from other U.S. ports for exporting more than it imports. Not this year.

FreightWaves releases asset based truckload carrier benchmarking data and weather overlay feature in SONAR
FreightWaves releases asset based truckload carrier benchmarking data and weather overlay feature in SONAR

FreightWaves adds benchmark KPIs for asset based carriers and new weather mapping feature.

Private freight marketplace startup Emerge raises $20 million in seed funding
Private freight marketplace startup Emerge raises $20 million in seed funding

Emerge, a startup providing Private Freight Marketplace (PFM) and TMS, and striving to increase visibility into freight supply chains, has raised $20 million in a seed round led by Greycroft Partners.

Did Tesla recently buy some trucking companies for the Model 3? There are only a few crumbs to go on
Did Tesla recently buy some trucking companies for the Model 3? There are only a few crumbs to go on

There are no filings with the SEC that indicate the company purchased an actual trucking company, just some tweets and statements to Bloomberg.

Uber and Lyft: revenue growth in line as companies eye an IPO next year
Uber and Lyft: revenue growth in line as companies eye an IPO next year

Uber and Lyft saw a steady growth in revenue this quarter, as they continue to invest heavily in mobility sharing segments, with Uber forking out into food delivery and truck hauling segments as well.

Industrial output edged up again in October, fueled by an uptick in manufacturing activity
Industrial output edged up again in October, fueled by an uptick in manufacturing activity

Industrial output rose for the fifth consecutive month in October, with strength in the manufacturing sector outweighing softening activity in mining production. Hurricane season again disrupted activity, with Hurricane Michael restraining total production slightly during the month.

Solving for NOx: Can the industry can meet a new EPA standard?
Solving for NOx: Can the industry can meet a new EPA standard?

There is no timeline for implementation of any new NOx rulemaking, but there are a couple of key questions that must be answered: What will the limits be and how much will this cost?

Orange Business Services joins the Blockchain in Transport Alliance
Orange Business Services joins the Blockchain in Transport Alliance

By joining BiTA, Orange Business Services confirms its co-innovation approach with customers and partners to help enable the wide adoption of blockchain applications in digital supply chain solutions by standardizing developed use cases.

Today’s Pickup: imports continue surge as consumers spend and tariffs loom
Today’s Pickup: imports continue surge as consumers spend and tariffs loom

Imports into the U.S. grew an estimated 5-10 percent last quarter while U.S. exports to China fell 25-30 percent.

dexFreight founders celebrate BiTA anniversary, call for more collaboration
dexFreight founders celebrate BiTA anniversary, call for more collaboration

dexFreight founders Hector Hernandez and Rajat Rajbhandari want the supply chain community to realize that blockchain is for them.

CVSA issues guidance discouraging random inspections when drivers are in off-duty status, sleeping
CVSA issues guidance discouraging random inspections when drivers are in off-duty status, sleeping

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance issued new guidance dissuading enforcement officials from waking up sleeping drivers in order to perform random inspections.

Retail Activity Rebounds
Retail Activity Rebounds

Retail activity posted the strongest gain in five months, as big gains in auto sales and rising gasoline prices helped to drive overall activity. Core spending grew at a more moderate pace, but the broad-based nature of the gains is encouraging headed into the holiday season.



Deadly wildfires still raging in California: why they're getting larger and so hard to fight
Deadly wildfires still raging in California: why they're getting larger and so hard to fight

Two huge wildfires in California have killed dozens of people, scorched nearly 200,000 acres of land. Winds and drought set the stage.

FedEx Freight testing last-mile delivery service; Dallas is pilot location
FedEx Freight testing last-mile delivery service; Dallas is pilot location

Pilot underway in Dallas-Ft.Worth market.

A truckload carrier CEO warns: not everybody is on the technology bandwagon
A truckload carrier CEO warns: not everybody is on the technology bandwagon

U.S. Xpress CEO Fuller warns that a lot of companies are still working with 30-year-old technology.

Nikola Motor finishes $205M Series C funding, eyes $1B round next year
Nikola Motor finishes $205M Series C funding, eyes $1B round next year

The year 2018 has been a big one for Nikola Corporation, and investors continue to line up to support the hydrogen-electric truck startup. Next year might be even bigger.

SwanLeap tops Deloitte’s Fast 500 and CEO Hollister talks “secret sauce”
SwanLeap tops Deloitte’s Fast 500 and CEO Hollister talks “secret sauce”

SwanLeap tops another prestigious list recognizing the fastest-growing North American companies in technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, and energy tech sectors based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2014 to 2017.

What The Truck?!? - November 15, 2018
What The Truck?!? - November 15, 2018

JP and Chad bring you a special broadcast from Texas Station at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas. They’re joined by special guest, FreightWaves’ executive editor, John Kingston. First, they discuss the MarketWaves afterhours party with Uber Freight and what kind of Texas-sized beers they’re imbibing. Then, they discuss some of this week’s headlines.

Propane was overlooked in a FMCSA HOS exemption, but it's now included
Propane was overlooked in a FMCSA HOS exemption, but it's now included

The original notice failed to include propane. It can become a factor particularly if deliveries go on past 12 hours.

Retail activity rebounds, boosted by auto and gas sales
Retail activity rebounds, boosted by auto and gas sales

Retail activity posted the strongest gain in five months, as big gains in auto sales and rising gasoline prices helped to drive overall activity. Core spending grew at a more moderate pace, but the broad-based nature of the gains is encouraging headed into the holiday season.

Omnitracs is pushing towards digital transformation through Rubrik’s API-driven automation
Omnitracs is pushing towards digital transformation through Rubrik’s API-driven automation

Omnitracs would be leveraging Rubrik’s APIs to accelerate its journey towards digital transformation, with a reported 90% saving in time spent working on legacy solutions.

Hublock Becomes a Member of the Blockchain in Transport Alliance
Hublock Becomes a Member of the Blockchain in Transport Alliance

Hublock, a software solution based on data-sharing layer has joined the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA), an organization dedicated to determining best practices and standards relating to blockchain in the transportation/logistics/supply chain marketplace.