I screwed up. Yesterday, the FreightWaves team was informed by a source we considered credible that CRST was shutting down a significant portion of its operations—what we understood to be its entire over-the-road (OTR) division. Unfortunately, the article was written in a way that made it easy to misinterpret as the entire company closing. That’s […]

Department of Homeland Security agents are conducting aggressive workplace audits across Northern and Central California trucking companies, with a heavy focus on Punjabi-owned carriers, according to a detailed account aired November 28 on Punjab Radio USA. Harpreet Thera, owner of a mid-sized fleet operating since 1997, told the station that DHS served him with a […]

The Administration has announced a major new initiative targeting the financial channels used by undocumented immigrants, marking a strategic and powerful shift in enforcement priorities. Moving beyond traditional border security measures, this action focuses on financial institutions and money transmitters that facilitate the transfer of funds from undocumented workers to their home countries, effectively targeting […]

As truckers celebrate the Thanksgiving holidays, the U.S. trucking industry stands on the brink of another tradition: the annual capacity purge.  The annual capacity purge happens between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day, each year and involves a significant increase in motor carriers leaving the industry compared to other times in the year. This seasonal trend, clearly […]

Highway, a leading firm in freight fraud mitigation and carrier identity, has introduced a feature allowing brokers to screen out carriers employing drivers with non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs).  Regulatory Context Driving Industry Change The introduction of this feature is a direct response to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) interim final rule, published […]

If the current freight climate continues, a number of freight brokerages—many of them large—will likely fail over the next year. The current market presents a toxic combination of sluggish freight volumes and firming spot rates, which is the worst possible environment for freight brokers. Understanding the Market Dynamics Freight brokerages act as intermediaries between shippers […]

As someone who’s spent decades immersed in the freight and logistics industry, I’ve learned that freight data often tells the story of the broader economy long before traditional indicators catch up. Right now, that data is painting a stark picture: The U.S. economy is entrenched in a goods recession. While consumer spending on services might […]

In his appearance on Fox News’ “The Will Cain Show” today, Duffy signaled a notable expansion in his enforcement strategy, pivoting from primarily holding trucking companies (carriers) accountable to also targeting shippers for enabling non-English-proficient commercial truck drivers. This move aims to broaden road safety measures amid ongoing crashes and debates on immigration and federal […]

With the Federal Government shut down, SNAP benefits are at risk right now, and this could lead to a significant drop in consumer spending—and by extension, freight volumes—for as long as the shutdown drags on.  According to SONAR data, we’re already seeing freight volumes down 18.5% year-over-year.  October’s end usually kicks off peak season, but […]

WASHINGTON — In a press conference on Thursday, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean Duffy unveiled an aggressive new initiative targeting so-called “CDL mills” — commercial driver’s license schools accused of certifying unqualified drivers, many of whom lack English proficiency, basic operating skills, and proper citizenship documentation. The move comes as part of a […]

During a press conference on commercial driver’s license (CDL) enforcement, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy responded to a reporter’s questions about the truck driver shortage and the potential impacts of stricter rule enforcement. The discussion focused on workforce challenges in the trucking industry and the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) approach to addressing them. The press […]

VIB Trans, Inc., an Illinois-based trucking carrier operating a fleet of 29 trucks, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection amid the Great Freight Recession, the longest downturn in trucking history. Headquartered in Wood Dale, a suburb of Chicago, VIB Trans employed 34 drivers to support its operations. According to federal safety records, the company […]

Industry economist projects that 600,000 active drivers could be eliminated from trucking Update 5:30 pm ET: FreightWaves received clarifying comment from Highway on the state of their system. A Highway representative said, “the Highway system is not static. It is an adaptive system. Fraudsters can’t “reverse engineer” what changes continuously based on new patterns, behavioral […]

The ‘driver shortage’ myth might finally die.

Introduction to the Emergency Interim Final Rule On September 29, 2025, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced an emergency interim final rule to restrict non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs). This significant regulatory action, issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), aims to address widespread abuse in issuing these licenses […]

Postal employees must be US citizens, while contractors are not held to the same standard. The US Postal Service outsources a large portion of its linehaul network, using a network of carriers and brokers. The number of non-domiciled CDL drivers among its contractor network surprised everyone, including USPS executives. 

Overview of Current Issues in Truck Driver Training and Licensing The trucking industry faces a critical safety crisis that has largely gone unnoticed by the American public. Each year, approximately 100,000 truck crashes occur on U.S. highways, resulting in roughly 5,000 fatalities annually. These alarming statistics point to serious flaws in the system that qualifies […]

The American trucking industry is facing unprecedented challenges, marked by a deepening economic crisis and deteriorating highway safety standards. While supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic brought attention to the transportation sector, the narrative surrounding these issues has been largely mischaracterized, particularly regarding the nature and extent of the purported truck driver shortage in […]

Travis Rhyan, the founder of 10-4, an early pioneer in the freight visibility space has now set out to create an AI-powered platform for small truckers. I had the chance to interview Travis about his journey and plans for Carrier1. Here is the interview: Craig Fuller: Welcome, Travis. Thank you for taking the time to […]

Enforcement and Insurance Implications A change in insurance policies could be coming to the trucking industry, signaling a major shift in their approach to non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). As enforcement of the new non-domiciled CDL rule takes shape, insurance companies are likely to position themselves to avoid potential liability exposure. According to an insurance […]

Mutha Trucker, a YouTube news source covering the trucking industry has reported that Montgomery Transport LLC, a Birmingham, Alabama-based trucking company, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and ceased operations effective immediately. 1000 employees out of work as trucker files for bankruptcy The sudden shutdown has left hundreds of drivers stranded across America as the company’s […]

There’s something happening hereWhat it is ain’t exactly clearThere’s a man with a gun over thereA-telling me I got to beware That’s the song that’s playing in my head as I try to make sense of what I’m seeing in the freight market. The spot market heat map in SONAR, which tracks sudden shifts in […]

On September 26, 2025, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced an emergency order requiring states to immediately stop issuing or renewing non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). This directive ends a widespread practice in many states of issuing CDLs to non-citizens without employment-based visas or extending them well beyond the expiration of holders’ work visas. […]

The U.S. trucking industry is facing a crisis of overcapacity, safety lapses and national security risks, exacerbated by decades of deregulation and lax enforcement. Since March 2018, the number of active for-hire carriers has nearly doubled from 138,000 to 212,000 today, a 54% increase. According to SONAR’s OTVI index, freight volumes are only 1.2% higher […]

There’s been considerable discussion recently about how we use AI for content production at Firecrown across all our brands. Setting aside misrepresentations, we’d like to clarify how our team leverages AI and the expectations we established months ago. Any media company not using AI at this point is already behind, particularly in the digital space. […]

DAT Freight & Analytics has announced the acquisition of the Convoy platform from Flexport. Sources suggest the price was around $250m in cash. DAT intends to shift away from its main business: a dumb load-board service that connects brokers with carriers. Convoy, a venture-backed unicorn, shut down abruptly in October 2023. Flexport snapped up its […]

The trucking industry finds itself mired in one of the most protracted freight recessions on record, a predicament exacerbated by a flood of capacity that has outstripped demand. This surplus stems from an industry with negligible barriers to entry, where supply can readily overshoot, challenging the American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) persistent claim of a perpetual […]

The American Trucking Associations (ATA), once the pre-eminent voice of the trucking industry, is losing ground. Its president, Chris Spear, is not pleased. Last week, I posted on X a chart from SONAR, based on Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) data, showing that independent owner-operators are capturing a growing share of the trucking industry […]

New immigration restrictions could curb driver availability, trigger a massive capacity crunch, and pull the trucking industry out of The Great Freight Recession. The Trump administration’s English Language Proficiency (ELP) mandate, effective June 2025, is already limiting the 3.5 million driver pool, particularly impacting immigrants, who according to the BLS account for at least 20% […]

The English Language Proficiency (ELP) rule, now in effect, could significantly reduce trucking capacity. For a decade, large truckload carriers have embraced regulations like the ELD mandate and Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse to limit market capacity, but effects were typically short-lived. The ELP mandate, enforced by a DOT Executive Order, requires commercial drivers to demonstrate […]

This week, I was drawn into the feud between Project44 and FourKites, fierce rivals in logistics tech. Matt Elenjickal, FourKites’ CEO, misrepresented my comments about Project44’s Movement platform as a quote from Jett McCandless, Project44’s CEO. He also misstated their context to unfairly damage Project44’s reputation. Those were my words alone. In a LinkedIn post, […]

On June 8, 2025, a trailer carrying 2,810 Nintendo Switch 2 consoles, valued at $1.4 million, was stolen, discovered missing during a pre-trip inspection at a Love’s Travel Stop in Bennett, Colorado. This major gaming hardware heist highlights the vulnerability of high-value cargo. Rising Cargo Theft Cargo theft surged 27% in 2024, with 3,625 incidents […]

The success of the Israeli military can be linked back to support from the U.S.

Project44 (P44) has a new business plan, and it’s remarkably ambitious. Jett McCandless, Project44’s founder and CEO, has a long-term vision to position Project44 as the operating system for the logistics industry, seamlessly integrating every component and shipment across a shipper’s network, all powered by AI. This vision extends far beyond visibility, which has become […]

What happens now that a federal court striking down tariffs as “unconstitutional”?

The trucking industry has faced its longest and deepest downturn in history, beginning in March 2022. This prolonged slump, known as the Great Freight Recession, has driven many trucking companies out of business. A sluggish goods economy contributed, but the primary cause is excess capacity. During the COVID-19 pandemic, high freight rates and government stimulus, […]

The 90-day tariff pause is likely to provide a bump to transportation rates as shippers take advantage of the new window.

Trump signs executive order mandating that all commercial truck drivers be proficient in English and the slowdown in imports is expected to show up in US ports this week.

Apollo Global Management has a grim warning for the trucking industry: a recession is coming and mass layoffs will come with it.

The model railroad industry relies on Asia-sourced parts and pieces for success and tariffs could spell disaster for this niche hobby.

A potential truck buying surge in anticipation of stricter emissions rules has been canceled.

Join us for a one-day Freight Fraud Symposium in Dallas, Texas, on May 14, 2025.

In another aggressive move against China’s shipping dominance, the Trump administration has proposed fees on Chinese ships calling U.S. ports.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has issued a decree that effectively ended the popular “border-skipping” strategy many U.S. e-commerce sellers used to avoid tariffs on Chinese goods.

The Panama Canal, a marvel of engineering and a critical artery of global trade, has once again become the center of geopolitical tension.

The freight industry is experiencing a notable shake-up this week, with several key developments signaling potential long-term shifts in market dynamics.

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.

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.

SONAR’s latest release introduces a game-changing feature: the National Insights Landing page. This powerful tool provides a comprehensive overview of the freight market, highlighting shifts in capacity, demand and fuel prices. The intuitive interface spotlights weekly top-moving markets, allowing users to quickly identify trends and opportunities.

DAT, the dominant leader in the load board business, has sneaked an abusive and predatory term into its agreements with clients. No one should ever sign DAT’s default agreement. 

Domestic manufacturing can be a huge driver for trucking freight demand.

In late 2024, retail giant Macy’s revealed a shocking accounting scandal involving its parcel delivery expenses. It said a single employee had managed to hide approximately $151 million in delivery costs over nearly three years, causing significant disruption to the company’s financial reporting and raising questions about its internal controls.

Hey truckers, listen up! The freight market’s heating up, and it’s looking good for your wallets. Let’s break down what’s happening and what it means for you out on the road.

As we approach the final days before Christmas, it’s becoming evident that the truckload market has experienced a peak season stronger than those of the past two years.

In a stunning turn of events, California-based trucking company Kal Freight Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, unveiling a web of fraudulent activities that have sent shockwaves through the industry. The company faces serious allegations of financial misconduct and asset mismanagement.

In the ever-evolving landscape of the freight industry, a new phenomenon is emerging that threatens to upend the delicate balance between shippers and carriers. Known as “carrier revenge,” this impending shift in market dynamics promises to reshape how goods are transported across the nation.

The SONAR National Truckload Index (NTI) has reached levels not seen in nearly two years, surging from $2.38 per mile to $2.52. The last time truckload spot rates were this high was on Jan. 23, 2023.

Tariff-related growth in US manufacturing would increase freight needs between suppliers.

President-elect Donald J. Trump has taken a stand against port automation during contract talks between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX).

In a significant advancement for the freight brokerage industry, SONAR, the leading provider of high-frequency freight market data, has unveiled the Coverage Guide, an AI-powered offering within its new Broker Tool Kit. This cutting-edge application aims to simplify the complex decision-making process for freight brokers, enhancing efficiency and profitability.

Previously known as FreightWaves SONAR, the supply chain data platform rebrands to “SONAR,” highlighting its core focus on the supply chain data platform. 

If China retaliates against tariffs on exports to the U.S. with its own tariffs, it could increase prices for Chinese consumers.

The freight industry must take a series of steps to combat an epidemic of fraud.

While imposing tariffs in the past has done damage to the U.S. economy, today’s incoming tariffs are likely to have a different outcome for a multitude of reasons.

Consumers are concerned that imposing tariffs means retailers will raise the price of goods. But retailers are likely to look for other sourcing options and new strategies.

China isn’t about to let its export market go belly-up. Instead, it will do what it always does – pump money into its industries to soften the blow of U.S. tariffs.

After the most prolonged freight recession in history, the market has been showing signs of recovery over the past few months.

COVID-19, a shift in China’s main focus, an imbalance in U.S. trade with China and more all mean reassessing how nations engage with global trade.

President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign focused heavily on tariffs against China. Now that he’s won, tariffs are getting a lot of attention. But the issue has more than economic implications. It is about national security.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind for fleets considering to haul a load for FEMA or any other disaster relief project 

While the U.S. government works to ease the lack of truck parking, it will take more to solve the problem.

NOAA released its May hurricane forecast, in which it spells out a warning to shippers to prepare for significant disruptions.

Firecrown Media acquires Kalmbach Media’s Trains and Astronomy, expanding further into the transportation space now including trains and space.

C.H. Robinson is facing scrutiny from investors as it stock trades low. Can it evolve quickly enough to satisfy Wall Street?

The end to one of the worst freight markets in history may be closer than it appears.

Trucking and logistics companies are seeing a massive downturn. FreightWaves has reported on the biggest shutdowns and layoffs since 2022.

There’s no debate that the freight industry is hurting right now, but it’s not because volume is low. We have an oversupply of trucks.

Trucking bloodbath expands to lenders as industry experiences one of the sharpest downturns in history.

Convoy’s story, while tragic for investors and insiders, should prove cautionary for other founders.

Industry could see more freight brokerage closures amid a changing financial climate.

The proliferation of freight brokerages is giving truckers a lifeline.

Dozens of household names are already using this new way to book trucking capacity in a way that reflects the larger market.

Hurricanes can destroy key infrastructure for freight transportation. Emergency freight can demand thousands of truck drivers. 

There’s no perpetual, industry-wide truck driver shortage. The market quickly corrects any shortage of labor.

Tender rejection data in the FreightWaves SONAR data platform shows that the freight market bottomed on May 14. Since then, conditions for carriers have slowly been improving.

Trucking companies are fleeing the market and volumes are starting to rebound. This is good for the freight industry.

Small trucking companies are taking over the industry. Decades of global and domestic policies have made this happen.

UPS’ CEO announced that drivers will be making $170,000 a year in pay and benefits by the end of a five-year employment contract. This is just the beginning for jobs in the physical economy.

A strike is looming at Yellow — and it could finally be the end for the long-troubled trucking company.

Yellow has suffered from financial mediocrity that has led to the inevitable outcome. 

Some bullish commentators have suggested that strong heavy-duty truck sales means a recession isn’t looming. Further context is needed.

Load board fraud hurts the American trucking industry and should be a top priority for everyone in the space.

Trucking rates are now below 2019 levels, but operating costs are much higher. Demand for trucking is set to get even lower this year.

It has been a year since I wrote “Why I believe a freight recession is imminent.”

There are encouraging signs that demand is returning to the U.S. trucking market, based on high-frequency truckload volume data from FreightWaves SONAR.

Hay signos alentadores de que la demanda está volviendo al mercado del transporte por carretera de EE.UU., según los datos de alta frecuencia de volumen de carga de camiones de FreightWaves SONAR. Su Outbound Tender Volume Index, u OTVI, mide el volumen de solicitudes de licitación de carga en el mercado norteamericano.  Los datos de […]

¿Se adelantó la calma del primer trimestre, en noviembre y diciembre de 2022?   Para los transportadores, el primer trimestre es siempre el período más difícil en el calendario anual de transporte de mercancías, cuando los minoristas despejan su exceso de inventario de vacaciones, la construcción hace una pausa por el clima gélido y todo es […]

Early freight data and channel checks would suggest the freight market could be stabilizing and clearer skies are ahead. 

Debate on whether we are in a freight recession has been raging since the first quarter of 2022. The conclusion is now obvious: Freight volumes have collapsed this year, dragging down spot rates with them.

It will be years before the Tesla Semi — or any electric vehicle — becomes a trucking industry standard.