FreightWaves NOW

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FreightWaves NOW is your daily source for the most impactful news in logistics. We break down the complex world of freight—covering trucking, rail, air, and ocean markets—to bring you actionable insights. Whether you are a carrier, shipper, or broker, we provide the data-driven context you need to navigate a volatile market.

  1. Ghost Fleets, Florida’s $50k Fines, and the AGX Freight Collapse | The Daily

    3 HR AGO

    Ghost Fleets, Florida’s $50k Fines, and the AGX Freight Collapse | The Daily

    Join us for today’s deep dive into a supply chain defined by intense scrutiny, from federal relief to aggressive state enforcement. We begin with Washington, where bipartisan legislation aims to reform the DataQs appeals process, finally giving drivers a fair shot against flawed safety records. However, the tone shifts dramatically at the state level, where Florida is advancing severe penalties that include vehicle impoundment and $50,000 fines for unauthorized immigrant drivers. This legislative push is part of a broader trend, as federal regulators press forward with data collection on non-domiciled CDLs despite significant pushback. We also analyze confusing enforcement patterns, where a surge in English Language Proficiency violations points toward the existence of "ghost fleets" masking their true size. The data reveals impossible discrepancies between reported truck counts and the volume of roadside inspections. On the financial front, the sudden collapse of AGX Freight highlights the fragility of brokerage cash flows and the immediate risks to carriers. This shutdown exposes the inadequacy of the current $75,000 bond system, which often leaves truckers unpaid and vulnerable to fraud when brokers fail. Finally, we look ahead to a pivotal Supreme Court case regarding broker liability for negligent selection, which could fundamentally reshape risk management across the industry. We explore whether these compounding pressures are pushing small operators out of the market entirely. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    6 min
  2. China Loses Panama Ports, Maersk Drops Amerijet, FMCSA Driver Crackdown | Morning Minute

    4 HR AGO

    China Loses Panama Ports, Maersk Drops Amerijet, FMCSA Driver Crackdown | Morning Minute

    In today’s episode, we discuss the Panama Supreme Court's ruling that forces a Hong Kong-based firm to give up its concessions at the Panama Canal ports. This legal decision comes as the U.S. president continues to assert the necessity of American influence over the strategic waterway. Next, we look at Maersk Air Cargo's strategic pivot to cancel its flying partnership with Amerijet in favor of utilizing its own larger, more efficient jets. This transition reportedly includes selling aircraft to Amazon and has triggered upcoming layoffs for roughly 20% of Amerijet's pilot workforce. Finally, federal regulators are doubling down on plans to enforce restrictions on foreign truck drivers despite facing fierce legal challenges from California and 18 other jurisdictions. The FMCSA argues that collecting historical data on non-domiciled CDL holders is essential for safety, even as the rules remain temporarily frozen by the courts. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    3 min
  3. Bomb Cyclone Targets East Coast, C.H. Robinson’s AI Surge, and Waabi’s $750M Raise | The Daily

    1 DAY AGO

    Bomb Cyclone Targets East Coast, C.H. Robinson’s AI Surge, and Waabi’s $750M Raise | The Daily

    A severe bomb cyclone is targeting the East Coast, threatening to freeze supply chains just days after a similar crisis left trucks stranded in Louisiana. Drivers and fleets are urged to prioritize safety and understand their rights regarding coercion as winter weather intensifies along critical corridors like I-95. While the physical world battles ice, Wall Street celebrates C.H. Robinson's surging stock price following reports of impressive profit margins. The company credits its "lean AI" strategy for decoupling volume growth from headcount, signaling a fundamental shift in how brokerages manage efficiency. The autonomous sector also sees massive investment as Waabi secures $750 million to expand its "physical AI" technology for both trucking and robotaxis. This funding round supports a major partnership with Uber to deploy thousands of autonomous vehicles, aiming for commercialization by 2027. In the courts, major business groups are backing freight brokers in a Supreme Court case that could redefine liability for trucking accidents. Proponents argue that federal law should shield brokers from state-level negligent hiring claims to prevent a costly patchwork of regulations. On the legislative front, a new bill offers a lifeline for heavy-duty towing operators by addressing restrictive length regulations during recovery operations. The proposed Towing Safety Act aims to clear accident scenes faster and improve roadside safety for first responders. Legal troubles continue for the R&R Family of Companies as new lawsuits allege the firm continued operations and accumulated debt while insolvent. Meanwhile, legacy carrier Schneider prepares for a leadership transition with Jim Filter set to take the helm as CEO this summer. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    6 min
  4. Tesla Semi Production Ramp, Schneider CEO Transition & DHL’s Truck-Air Service | Morning Minute

    1 DAY AGO

    Tesla Semi Production Ramp, Schneider CEO Transition & DHL’s Truck-Air Service | Morning Minute

    On this episode of the FreightWaves Morning Minute for January 29, 2026, we look at how logistics providers are adapting to market volatility with creative new trade lanes. DHL Global Forwarding has introduced a hybrid truck-air service that relays goods from China through Uzbekistan to Istanbul, offering a faster alternative to ocean freight for bulky shipments. In carrier news, a trucking giant is preparing for a major change at the top as Schneider announces a leadership transition scheduled for this July. Longtime executive and Marine Corps veteran Jim Filter will succeed Mark Rourke as CEO to guide the company through the evolving freight landscape. Finally, Tesla is highlighting progress on its Semi truck even as the company faces a sharp decline in overall profitability for the year. Executives confirmed that tooling is now in place in Nevada to begin the mass production ramp of the electric class 8 vehicle in early 2026. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    3 min
  5. Werner acquires FirstFleet, retailers exit 3PL, & Gatik goes fully driverless | The Daily

    2 DAYS AGO

    Werner acquires FirstFleet, retailers exit 3PL, & Gatik goes fully driverless | The Daily

    The freight market is aggressively correcting toward specialization, highlighted by Werner Enterprises' decision to acquire dedicated carrier FirstFleet for $245 million. This strategic move adds over 2,400 tractors to their fleet and secures stable revenue streams in an otherwise volatile sector. While carriers expand, major retailers like American Eagle and Office Depot are pulling the plug on third-party logistics services to refocus on core operations. These companies realized that selling "supply chain as a service" became an operational nightmare that distracted from their primary retail goals. Automation takes a giant leap forward as Gatik launches fully driverless commercial trucking operations in Texas, Arkansas, and Arizona. By removing the safety driver entirely, the company is effectively solving the middle-mile challenge for Fortune 50 retailers moving perishable goods. Efficiency drives major changes at UPS, where the parcel giant plans to eliminate 30,000 jobs while downsizing its network to manage lower Amazon volumes. The company is also modernizing its air capacity by permanently retiring its aging MD-11 fleet in favor of more efficient Boeing 767s following a recent fatal crash. Financial scandals rock the brokerage world as a new lawsuit alleges the R&R Family of Companies continued operating while insolvent, racking up millions in unpaid bills. Court filings claim the founders transferred valuable property to themselves even as lenders urged an orderly wind-down of the business. Finally, regulators have opened a public comment period regarding the controversial under-21 interstate trucking program amid strong industry debate. While large fleets push to extend the pilot to address labor shortages, safety advocates warn of higher crash risks associated with younger drivers. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    7 min
  6. American Eagle & Office Depot Exit 3PLs; Gatik Goes Fully Driverless; Diesel Prices Surge | Morning Minute

    2 DAYS AGO

    American Eagle & Office Depot Exit 3PLs; Gatik Goes Fully Driverless; Diesel Prices Surge | Morning Minute

    Major retailers are retreating from the logistics sector as American Eagle and Office Depot pull the plug on their third-party services. This strategic pivot returns focus to core retail operations, forcing thousands of outside brands to find new fulfillment partners. On the technology front, Gatik has reached a major milestone by launching fully driverless commercial trucking operations at scale in North America. These autonomous medium-duty trucks are now executing daily revenue-generating routes across Texas, Arkansas, and Arizona without human intervention. Drivers and consumers are also feeling the pain at the pump as diesel prices surge amid a severe winter cold snap. Refinery disruptions in the Gulf Coast and high heating oil demand have pushed the benchmark up by more than 16 cents in just two weeks. Finally, tune in to FreightWaves TV at noon today for a new episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? featuring Malcolm Harris. If you miss the live broadcast, you can always catch the replay on YouTube. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    2 min
  7. 3PLs dominate industrial leasing, Alaska Airlines vs. Amazon & C.H. Robinson’s AI fix | The Daily

    3 DAYS AGO

    3PLs dominate industrial leasing, Alaska Airlines vs. Amazon & C.H. Robinson’s AI fix | The Daily

    The logistics sector is sending mixed signals in early 2026, with some data pointing to a boom while other indicators suggest fragility. On the growth side, 3PLs are dominating industrial leasing as corporations aggressively outsource their complex supply chains. Financial metrics back up this optimism, with Triumph Financial reporting rising invoice sizes and the addition of major fleets like J.B. Hunt to their network. This consolidation suggests big players are circling the wagons around platforms that provide stability and value. Operational efficiency is also improving, as C.H. Robinson uses AI agents to automate ready-checks and reduce unnecessary return trips by 42%. These technological advancements are helping stabilize networks by cutting out pure waste like fuel and driver time. However, friction remains in the air cargo sector, where Alaska Airlines is dissatisfied with its Amazon contract due to pilot scheduling issues and thin margins. The airline is looking to renegotiate terms or exit the deal as it struggles to optimize utilization between passenger and cargo operations. Regulatory and geopolitical risks are also mounting, highlighted by a court decision denying a reprieve for non-domiciled CDL renewals in California. Furthermore, global trade lanes face renewed uncertainty after Houthis threatened new attacks in the Red Sea, potentially forcing ships back around the Cape of Good Hope. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    6 min
  8. Court denies CA CDL renewal bid; Alaska Airlines dissatisfied with Amazon contract | Morning Minute

    3 DAYS AGO

    Court denies CA CDL renewal bid; Alaska Airlines dissatisfied with Amazon contract | Morning Minute

    In today’s episode, we discuss a legal setback for truck drivers in California after a federal judge declined to force the state to resume non-domiciled CDL renewals. The court ruled that intervention could jeopardize millions in federal highway funding, creating a catastrophic risk for the state. Next, we look at turbulence in the air cargo sector as Alaska Airlines signals dissatisfaction with its Amazon contract. Executives indicate that while they are meeting delivery standards, the current operating margins are too thin to be sustainable long-term. Finally, we examine how Smith System is modernizing fleet safety by replacing paper checklists with a digital trainer platform. This new cloud-based tool integrates with telematics to turn one-time training events into a consistent, data-driven safety culture. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    3 min
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About

FreightWaves NOW is your daily source for the most impactful news in logistics. We break down the complex world of freight—covering trucking, rail, air, and ocean markets—to bring you actionable insights. Whether you are a carrier, shipper, or broker, we provide the data-driven context you need to navigate a volatile market.

Information

  • Creator
    FreightWaves
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    2K
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © FreightWaves
  • Show Website
    FreightWaves NOW

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