The Intermodal Logistics Podcast

InTek Logistics

Stay up to date on all things intermodal, spotlighting the road plus rail transportation solution and the logistics of today's market - with a little fun mixed in - on the Intermodal Logistics Podcast.

  1. 4d ago ·  Video

    Investing in U.S. ports

    Ports are vital links in the global supply chain, but those responsible for running key U.S. trade hubs say they need an equipment upgrade. National Association of Waterfront Employers (NAWE) President Carl Bentzel joins The Intermodal Logistics Podcast to discuss a survey of 25 port executives NAWE released in May. Carl tells us how those member executives agreed on a need for $6.7 billion in new equipment across the country over the next five years to help domestic ports keep up with demand - and global competition. He explains how new cranes are a particular need to handle larger ships, while other upgraded gear will add to port efficiency and safety. But there are tariff concerns, and Carl points out cranes are a particular problem as virtually all production takes place in China - which faces hefty tariffs (though NAWE is hoping for exemptions). He additionally notes that port leadership is working with labor unions to ensure any upgrades would fit automation language in their current contracts. While the executives have identified the issue, he tells us that paying for the investments will need to be a priority in the federal government. NAWE is hopeful for a Maritime Security Trust Fund (much like the existing Highway Trust Fund) to help with port infrastructure costs. Beyond port investments, Carl discusses his extensive background, which includes a recent stint as a Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Commissioner across the Trump and Biden Administrations and his concurrent role as National Maritime Safety Association Executive Director. And he tells us how port awareness has grown since the pandemic, the current activity level, and why NAWE is concerned about the proposed Union Pacific - Norfolk Southern railroad merger. For more on NAWE, visit www.nawe.us. As for our podcast, subscribe or follow now to catch new episodes as soon as they're out, and please do rate and review us. Have a question? Contact us at podcast@inteklogistics.com. And visit our website, www.inteklogistics.com to learn more.

    46 min

  2. Jun 11 ·  Video

    Humble-y changing autonomous trucking

    The concept of autonomous vehicles has been around for years, but just as taxis are beginning to take off, a new entrant in trucking is ready to hit the ground running - the Humble Hauler. Humble Robotics Founder/CEO Eyal Cohen joins us on The Intermodal Logistics Podcast to discuss his young company and why, after several years in the space, he chose to focus on freight. Eyal explains how the Humble Hauler can help with drayage capacity around ports and rail terminals with its ability to carry containers (currently 40 footers, and soon a 53 foot option). He discusses how he was inspired for its very unique cab-less,  futuristic design by the Port of Long Beach's automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and how his team took that to the next level by making them worthy of public roads with a targeted range of 150 miles - all while keeping them lightweight (key for intermodal and freight in general). We also talk about timing - with Waymo's footprint growing and a real need for added capacity in drayage as stringent regulations are causing drivers to leave the business. He tells us how Humble plans to handle charging these EVs and how they're addressing road safety, cargo security, tracking and traditionally human interactions. And we talk about what types of companies are showing interest, when these will go live, and what other plans Humble has coming soon. Learn more about Humble Robotics at https://humblerobotics.ai/. As for our podcast, subscribe or follow now to catch new episodes as soon as they're out, and please do rate and review us. Have a question? Contact us at podcast@inteklogistics.com. And visit our website, www.inteklogistics.com to learn more.

    43 min

  3. May 26

    Homebuilding and freight

    Robust homebuilding offers a tremendous lift to freight volumes, so on this episode, we put new home starts (and the general housing market) in focus with Kevin Oakley, Managing Partner with Do You Convert. Kevin takes us through the positives and negatives of the marketplace, where public and private builders diverge in terms of inventory and flexibility, how much building is taking place now - and how much buyer interest exists (now and in the future), and how COVID still factors in to where the market stands today. Plus, he explains the role of elevated mortgage rates in demand, how those rates are calculated beyond the Federal Reserve, and where they appear headed. We also discuss how tariffs and fuel prices are affecting builders, inflation, where intermodal is coming into play on those shipping expenses and how logistics generally is becoming a greater focus for some in efforts to control costs and maintain material supply.  Before all that, we talk about Kevin's background in homebuilding marketing, what Do You Convert does, and have a discussion on the role of AI in the industry (and beyond). Find more on Do You Convert at www.doyouconvert.com, where you can also get Kevin's podcasts including Market Proof Marketing. Follow him on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/in/kevinoakley) for more insights as well. As for our podcast, subscribe or follow now to catch new episodes as soon as they're out, and please do rate and review us. Have a question? Contact us at podcast@inteklogistics.com. And visit our website, www.inteklogistics.com to learn more.

    46 min

  4. May 13

    The long (and short-line) of Texas rail freight

    They say everything is bigger in Texas, and that may be true of the freight environment, which includes vast swathes of land, a wide variety of goods and commodities, the Gulf Coast, and the U.S.-Mexico border. But keeping it all moving isn't just reserved for big carriers, short-line railroads and shallow water ports like those operated by TNW Corporation also play a vital role.  TNW Director of Business Support & Development Joey Evans joins us to discuss it's key place in the Texas supply chain and the state's freight market today. Joey explains how short-line railroads differ from larger rail carriers (and why they're all important), his role as Texas Short Line & Regional Railroad Association President (and why upgrading infrastructure matters), and the areas of the state that TNW's four short-lines cover. Plus, he goes over the importance of transloading, how short lines handle containers, TNW's Port of Victoria operations, and how the company is dealing with higher diesel prices. Joey also takes us through its cross-border role, what's moving the most through Texas these days, and why technology is a differentiator for short line railroads. Learn more about TNW Corporation at www.tnwcorporation.com. As for our podcast, subscribe or follow now to catch new episodes as soon as they're out, and please do rate and review us. Have a question? Contact us at podcast@inteklogistics.com. And visit our website, www.inteklogistics.com to learn more.

    34 min

  5. Apr 30

    Capital Ideas, Cargo Theft and Chameleon Carriers

    Just a couple of weeks after a gathering of industry pros at the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) Capital Ideas Conference, President & CEO Chris Burroughs joins us again on The Intermodal Logistics Podcast to share a recap of the Phoenix gathering, the hot topics covered there (and still percolating), and the general mood he's seeing in the freight world today. Atop the list is an issue TIA has long focused on, cargo theft, and Chris explains some concrete progress made by the FMCSA, the FBI and in Congress to combat this continually concerning problem. We touch on how awareness has risen and technology has evolved to help - but also how technology has helped thieves, too. Chris also shares the definition of chameleon carriers - which have also gained in profile due to media coverage of late - and explains why they're dangerous when it comes to road safety. And he reacts to a recent CBS Sunday Morning report that he says unfairly singled out C.H. Robinson - pointing out the difficulty of safe carrier verification as an area that the government needs to assist with. Chris goes over the big issue on the minds of many TIA members that was part of that report, the Supreme Court Montgomery case, which could have implications on broker liability for accidents caused by carriers they use - with the ruling pending. And finally, we hit on AI, and even the film Sideways. Learn more about TIA at www.tianet.org, where you can also find their Cargo Theft Hotline, recently created in partnership with the FBI. As for our podcast, subscribe or follow now to catch new episodes as soon as they're out, and please do rate and review us. Have a question? Contact us at podcast@inteklogistics.com. And visit our website, www.inteklogistics.com to learn more.

    45 min

  6. Apr 10

    Truck fleet, capacity, rates & outlook

    Plenty is happening in (and to) the trucking market of late, so we welcome back an old friend to The Intermodal Logistics Podcast to check on where it stands. ACT Research VP and Senior Analyst Tim Denoyer joins us as our first ever in-studio guest, to go over truck production and the state of the fleet, and what that signals for capacity and activity going forward. Plus, we address FMCSA enforcement measures and their effects on the market, how high diesel prices from the Iran conflict are changing driving behaviors (and how they're affecting costs), and why the combination of elevated rates and fuel seem to setup an opportunity for intermodal. Additionally, Tim takes us through his thoughts on the volume picture - with a look at manufacturing, the Federal Reserve (and interest rates), tariffs and whether AI data centers are making a dent. For more from Tim and the ACT team, visit www.actresearch.net. And you can also check out the monthly Cass Transportation Index updates at www.cassinfo.com/freight-audit-payment/cass-transportation-indexes. As for our podcast, subscribe or follow now to catch new episodes as soon as they're out, and please do rate and review us. Have a question? Contact us at podcast@inteklogistics.com. And visit our website, www.inteklogistics.com to learn more.

    40 min

  7. Apr 2

    Agriculture shipping today

    Whether it's domestic, import or export, shipping agricultural products involves unique challenges - challenges that the co-founder and Executive Director of the Agriculture Transportation Coalition (AgTC) Peter Friedmann has been tackling on behalf of membership for many years. Peter joins us on this edition of The Intermodal Logistics Podcast to offer an overview of the organization, what goods and products fall under the ag umbrella, how they ship and more. Included in the "and more" is a discussion of the vital role of intermodal, perhaps surprising to some who think of bulk grain shipping. He explains how many different items require containers to move - and how intermodal and transloading (something we also discuss in this blog: www.inteklogistics.com/blog/the-third-option-bulk-and-agricultural-shippers-dont-know-about) helps them get where they're needed. Plus, he goes over the import, export and domestic scenarios involved - highlighting key locations like ports and rail terminals that make movement happen. Additionally, Peter points out how cargo theft is affecting agriculture in multiple ways, both with targeted products like whey protein and beef, and with thieves simply breaking seals on containers then leaving the contents - making them no longer viable for use. Learn more about AgTC at www.agtrans.org and get more detail on their Annual Meeting coming up May 18-21 (which Peter also discusses) at agtrans.org/events. Subscribe or follow us now to catch new episodes of The Intermodal Logistics Podcast as soon as they're out, and please do rate and review us. Have a question? Contact us at podcast@inteklogistics.com. And visit our website, www.inteklogistics.com to learn more.

    33 min

  8. Mar 19

    The diesel spike & the trucking market

    The spike in diesel prices is starting to show up in the trucking market - with implications for intermodal as well. That's according to DAT iQ Principal Analyst Dean Croke, our guest on this episode of The Intermodal Logistics Podcast. In a wide-ranging conversation, Dean goes over how the sudden increase in fuel related to the Iran conflict has changed the equation for trucking carriers, essentially eliminating margin especially for smaller, independent contractors. He tells us how elevated diesel prices may keep capacity (already a bit tight) out of the market, lead to a greater pursuit of contract versus spot rates, and send shippers toward intermodal to keep shipping costs down. Speaking of capacity, Dean explains how many have exited the market due to FMCSA enforcement activities - and why a driver safety focus is a good thing in relation to a large portion of suspect training facilities being shuttered. He also takes us through produce season, which areas are hot and which are not so much, the issues at both the Canadian and Mexican borders, port activity and why the reefer market may be especially tight at times this year. Plus, Dean and Rick recap their time at the J.P. Morgan Industrials Conference in Washington. Get more from Dean through the DAT Freight & Analytics YouTube channel youtube.com/@datfreight and website www.dat.com/blog/author/dean-croke. And learn more about DAT iQ at www.dat.com/iq. Subscribe or follow us now to catch new episodes of The Intermodal Logistics Podcast as soon as they're out, and please do rate and review us. Have a question? Contact us at podcast@inteklogistics.com. And visit our website, www.inteklogistics.com to learn more.

    52 min
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About

Stay up to date on all things intermodal, spotlighting the road plus rail transportation solution and the logistics of today's market - with a little fun mixed in - on the Intermodal Logistics Podcast.

Information

  • Creator
    InTek Logistics
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    98
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Intermodal Logistics Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Intermodal Logistics Podcast

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