The Daily Dash: Truckload sector shines bright; Amazon drones ready to fly

An analyst with UBS has raised his forecast for the truckload sector for this year, believing that fundamentals are lining up for a good second half. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

The Daily Dash is a quick look at what is happening in the freight ecosystem. In today’s edition, at least one analyst believes the truckload sector is ready to run in the second half of 2020. Plus, Amazon gets approval for drone delivery, Dallas is the new center of the autonomous world, and what to know to get through a visit from an insurance underwriter.

Truckload earnings shine bright

At least one analyst believes in the truckload market. An analyst with UBS (NYSE: UBS) has raised his forecast for the sector for this year, believing that fundamentals are lining up for a good second half.  

Todd Maiden explains what the analyst is seeing: Analyst ups estimates for truckload carriers in 2H 2020

Look to the skies for your next delivery

Amazon’s drone delivery ambitions are much closer to reality after the Federal Aviation Administration granted approval to the e-tailer to operate drones beyond visual line of sight. 

Vishnu Rajamanickam explains what this means for air delivery: Amazon now authorized to fly commercial delivery drones

The center of the autonomous world

Dallas will become the new hot spot for autonomous truck testing after Waymo announced it will begin testing vehicles in the city. There are now at least five companies testing autonomous technology in the Dallas region.

Noi Mahoney has details on where Waymo’s trucks will be going: Waymo picks Dallas for driverless trucking hub

Don’t dread the insurance visit

Insurance underwriters want to know everything about a fleet before agreeing to insure it. But that doesn’t mean everything must be in pristine shape before they arrive. 

Jennifer Nuest explains how fleets should handle the loss control visit: Commentary: Make the insurance loss control visit work for your business

Stories we think you’ll like:

Hitachi will benchmark Workhorse operations and build dealer network

Brokers using digital freight matching win more freight and satisfied shippers

Milwaukee Tools among new factories in Mexico; Querétaro restricts cargo truck access

Tight trucking market may hamstring Laura recovery effort

Trimble adds new features to TMS products, integrations with KeepTruckin and project44

Tyson Foods, trucking groups mobilize to help Hurricane Laura survivors

Did you miss this?

Chassis owners are overcharging truckers that must rent the equipment to move containers. That’s the basis of a complaint from the American Trucking Associations’ Intermodal Motor Carriers Conference group, which has registered its complaints with the Federal Maritime Commission.

Chris Gillis has more on this story: Truckers seek $1.8B from ocean carriers for alleged chassis overcharges

Hammer down, everyone,

Brian Straight

Managing Editor

Click for more FreightWaves articles by Brian Straight.

You may also like:

Technology is changing the way freight brokerages operate

Answers to 7 critical questions on oversize/overweight permits

Trucking companies caught in Trump’s payroll tax deferment order

Upcoming FreightWaves Events
Compliance

Brokerage Compliance Symposium

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Awards

F3 Awards Dinner

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
FreightTech

F3: Future of Freight Festival

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

October 27, 2026 – October 28, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Compliance Brokerage Compliance Symposium Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
Awards F3 Awards Dinner Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
FreightTech F3: Future of Freight Festival Oct 27 – Oct 28 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now

Brian Straight

Brian Straight leads FreightWaves' Modern Shipper brand as Managing Editor. A journalism graduate of the University of Rhode Island, he has covered everything from a presidential election, to professional sports and Little League baseball, and for more than 10 years has covered trucking and logistics. Before joining FreightWaves, he was previously responsible for the editorial quality and production of Fleet Owner magazine and fleetowner.com. Brian lives in Connecticut with his wife and two kids and spends his time coaching his son’s baseball team, golfing with his daughter, and pursuing his never-ending quest to become a professional bowler. You can reach him at bstraight@freightwaves.com.