Ocean freight spot rates have skyrocketed by over 400%, but surprisingly, demand isn’t the primary cause. This SONAR Update breaks down how capacity control and strategic blank sailings by concentrated ocean carriers are driving prices. Plus, we dive into the state of trucking tender rejections, rising operating costs, and the shift towards a more regulated […]
Shared truckload could cut shipping costs 30% to 40% as truckload rates climb. Flock Freight CEO Pat Dillon breaks down how it works, where it fits between FTL and LTL, and why shippers are leaning on it ahead of peak season. In this conversation, Dillon also digs into cargo security, fraud controls, peak-season capacity, and […]
The freight market is undergoing its most significant structural shift since deregulation, with 20-25% of for-hire truckload capacity exiting. RXO’s Jared Weisfeld explains why this supply-driven correction, fueled by ongoing government enforcement and rising operating costs, points to a multi-year recovery ahead. Learn why prior cycle analysis might no longer apply and what shippers should […]
Industrial slowdown ahead? ECRI says the global industrial cycle is topping out, and that could squeeze freight demand and margins in the quarters ahead. Lakshman Achuthan, co-founder of ECRI, breaks down what his leading indicators are showing, why PMIs may confirm the move later, and what a slower industrial economy could mean for freight operators […]
Don’t let traditional metrics fool you. Dr. Jason Miller uncovers how an explosion in data center construction is quietly fueling significant freight demand, often going unnoticed by conventional measures. We dive into how this overlooked sector is influencing the market and what it means for capacity and rates in the near future. Plus, what Federal […]
The freight market is experiencing one of its slowest Mondays this year, with experts noting a significant lack of volume. Is this a seasonal blip or a deeper structural shift? We dive into how contract repricing, rising tender lead times, and intermodal’s surge are impacting the trucking industry. What does this mean for capacity and […]
Inter-Coastal Trucking shares their 2-week Tesla Semi demo experience, revealing surprising driver reactions, range realities, and significant operational savings. Get the inside scoop on electric trucking viability for northeast routes. Intracoastal Trucking, a 100-truck, 600-trailer truckload carrier based in the Northeast, is currently running a two-week demo of a Tesla Semi on some of the […]
Dive deep into FreightWaves SONAR data as we uncover surprising trends in tender lead times. Discover why lead times are extending, even during typical seasonal lulls, and what this ‘orderly tightness’ means for the freight market. We’ll break down the data for markets like St. Louis and Atlanta, offering crucial insights for shippers and brokers. […]
Freight crime is escalating, with new, sophisticated tactics like ‘bump and run’ causing massive losses for shippers and carriers. U.S. Bank’s Jeff Pape breaks down the emerging fraud trends, the crucial role of trust in carrier relationships, and how AI could reshape supply chain security amidst economic shifts. A $111 million theft of semiconductors — […]
Truck drivers face immense challenges, from unhealthy food options to sedentary lifestyles and poor sleep, leading to a significantly shorter life expectancy. Jeremy Reymer, founder of Project 61, reveals how these conditions directly contribute to alarming safety risks on the road. Learn why the trucking industry’s “operating system”—its drivers—are often overlooked, and how Project 61 […]
The freight market is showing what appears to be softness, but a closer look at the Rejection Index reveals a different story. This week’s SONAR update breaks down why current market conditions are actually robust, not cooling off. Learn how intermodal savings and strategic shifts are painting a picture of strength as we head into […]
Freight brokers often face hidden risks with their trailer insurance. Andy Kuchar, President of Centerline Insurance Company, reveals why many trailers are “criminally underinsured” and how common policies exclude crucial over-the-road coverage. Learn the red flags in your current insurance and how dedicated policies protect against massive liabilities, even for small incidents. Freight brokers operating […]
Volvo Trucks is transforming fleet operations with groundbreaking over-the-air (OTA) software updates. Learn how this technology empowers drivers to initiate updates overnight or during breaks, eliminating downtime. Volvo’s Chief Digital Officer Nicole Portello reveals how these updates have already cut unplanned stops by 24% and saved fleets an estimated $60 million in avoided downtime. Discover […]
Rising maintenance costs are hammering fleets. Join Brad Bournes from Love’s Travel Stops as he breaks down the biggest cost pressures today, from surging parts and labor to technician shortages. Discover how leveraging predictive maintenance and smart data tools can transform your fleet operations from a cost center to a strategic advantage. Fleet maintenance costs […]
Tender rejections are stuck near 13.5%, still far above a balanced freight market — but spot rates and volumes are starting to tell a more complicated story. In this SONAR update, we break down why truckload demand softened faster than expected, how intermodal is taking share from long-haul truckload, why short-haul freight still looks firm, […]
FreightWaves Today broadcast live from the Westin in downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee, for Univar Solutions’ annual Carrier Kickoff event, where roughly 100 transportation providers and more than 200 attendees gathered alongside Univar Solutions’ procurement and operations leadership for a supplier conference built around the fact that relationships, not just rates, win freight when trucks get scarce.
Fura’s seventh acquisition is here: High-Rise joins an AI-driven freight brokerage roll-up focused on small and midsize players. Jeff Dangelo breaks down why Fura targets sub-$30 million brokerages, how the company says it can onboard an acquisition in about a week, and where agentic AI is already booking nearly 40% of carriers. If you’re watching […]
The latest rail traffic data is in, and it paints a surprising picture of economic recovery. The Freight Rail Index has reached its second-highest level since 2008, indicating a significant rebound in the industrial sector. We break down the North American carload and intermodal numbers, highlighting key growth areas and shifts in freight patterns, including […]
FreightWaves dives into the surge of new trucking authorities and whether this capacity is sustainable. With tender rejections flat and demand picking up, we explore the risks brokers face with new MC numbers and no safety ratings. Plus, is mode conversion to rail a real solution to truckload capacity constraints? A burst of new trucking […]
GXO Logistics CEO Patrick Kelleher reveals the immense growth in AI data center demand, predicting capacity will triple by 2030. Discover how this surge, along with warehouse robotics and redomestication, is reshaping the global supply chain and creating new opportunities for logistics providers. Kelleher shares GXO’s strategy for tackling these trends, including advanced automation and […]
