NewsBusiness NewsDaily NewsNews Commentary

FreightCasts

FreightWaves

A full trailer load of freight podcasts from FreightWaves. Enjoy shows like the award-winning WHAT THE TRUCK?!? podcast, Put That Coffee Down, Freightonomics, Fuller Speed Ahead, Great Quarter, Gals and more with one click of the subscribe button. One freight feed to rule them all!

Play

Open in

143 episodes
Avg 52 min
English

Episodes 143

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

September 30 · 1 hr 5 min
FreightWaves Today | September 30
As the third quarter comes to a close, FreightWaves Today looks at the forces shaping freight heading into Q4 — from cargo theft and diesel prices to record-setting intermodal volumes and the evolution of electric trucking. The show opens with a look at a coordinated national cargo-theft enforcement operation that recovered roughly $635,000 in stolen freight, followed by an update on falling diesel prices and new cold-storage warehouse safety requirements in California. Then, Sarit Tamir, founder and CEO of a computer-vision company, explains how warehouses can use cameras they already have to identify hidden sources of lost capacity, including idle dock doors, congestion, blocked aisles and forklift bottlenecks. The episode also features a SONAR intermodal update, with domestic rail container volumes reaching a new annual high and shippers continuing to shift freight from truckload to rail in search of significant cost savings. The discussion examines whether railroads, terminals and drayage providers can keep pace as intermodal volumes continue to grow. Trains Magazine editor Bill Stephens joins the show to break down the latest rail traffic data, including growth in intermodal, chemicals and metals, while discussing drayage capacity, rail service and the bankruptcy of Brightline. Finally, FreightWaves’ Adam Wingfield shares his firsthand experience driving a loaded Tesla Semi. A longtime skeptic, Adam discusses the truck’s acceleration, regenerative braking, camera-based visibility, maintenance advantages and the remaining questions around range and long-haul applications. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 30 · 54 min
Why Canadian Oil Won't Save US Diesel Prices | WHAT THE TRUCK?!?
Malcolm and Mike review recent news, including a breakdown of approximately 1,850 industry layoffs across several states, notable drug and weapon seizures involving semi-trucks on I-69 in Michigan and I-40 in Arkansas, and upcoming events like the Future of Freight Festival in Chattanooga. Then they're joined by Matthew Muester, Chief Economist at Breakthrough, He talks about the volatile diesel market heading into Q4. He breaks down how geopolitical conflicts, crude oil prices (~$90/barrel), and skyrocketing refining margins ($108/barrel crack spread) have pushed total diesel costs to around $200 per barrel. He also shares insights on Canadian crude imports, the long-term outlook for the Keystone XL project, and expectations for diesel pricing into 2027. Finally they have Jefferson Barr, Chief Marketing Officer at Netstock, who discusses insights from Netstock's latest supply chain report. He explains how small-to-midsize businesses (SMBs) are navigating a complex landscape of simultaneous disruptions—such as shifting lead times, freight costs, and raw material access—and emphasizes how leveraging data analytics helps "star" performers outperform "stragglers" in inventory management. ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Visit our sponsor - KOONER FLEET MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS⁠ ⁠Subscribe to the WTT newsletter⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠More FreightWaves Podcasts⁠ #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 30 · 3 min
Cargo Theft Blitz Recovers $635K, California Cold-Storage Crackdown, & Diesel Prices Drop | The Morning Minute
In this episode, we kick things off by examining a landmark law enforcement operation that dealt a major blow to cargo theft networks nationwide. The ⁠coordinated National Supply Chain Blitz resulted in multiple arrests and approximately $635,000 in recovered stolen freight⁠, including thirty stolen transformers worth roughly $600,000 that were located at a Massachusetts facility using fraudulent documentation. Next, we explore how California is tightening regulatory oversight of cold-storage facilities following a devastating industrial fire. Governor Gavin Newsom ⁠signed new legislation requiring emergency financial resources and authorizing significantly higher penalties for safety violations⁠ at large cold-storage warehouses after the massive eight-day Lineage fire in Los Angeles triggered a state emergency declaration and widespread public health concerns. Finally, we cover some welcome news for truckers as ⁠retail diesel prices dropped nearly fifteen cents per gallon⁠ from their recent all-time highs. The decline ends a three-week streak of record-breaking weekly prices and is being driven by increasing crude oil flows out of the Persian Gulf approaching pre-war levels. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 29 · 1 hr 20 min
FreightWaves Today | September 29
FreightWaves Today looks ahead to the fourth quarter and holiday peak season with an in-depth discussion of freight market conditions, capacity, operating costs and the broader economy. Covenant Logistics Group Founder and CEO David Parker joins the show live in Chattanooga to discuss the company’s strategy of moving away from commoditized truckload freight and deeper into specialized, service-intensive operations, including poultry transportation, expedited freight and logistics supporting AI data-center construction. Parker shares his outlook for peak season, contract rates, capacity, driver pay, diesel costs and the potential impact of autonomous trucking and electric trucks. The episode also examines major industry headlines, including Daimler Truck North America’s opposition to proposed NOx noncompliance penalties, Trimble’s strategic review of its transportation and logistics business, and uncertainty surrounding U.S. port fees on China-linked and China-built vessels. The SONAR market update explores tender rejections, spot and contract rates, freight volumes and the tightening capacity environment. With tender rejections around 14%, the discussion examines why the market can remain healthy without reaching the extreme tightness seen during previous freight booms. Economist Jason Miller joins the show for a broader look at the freight economy, including diesel prices, regulatory enforcement, capacity exits, consumer spending, energy markets, interest rates, housing and the driver labor market. Miller also discusses how AI and data-center investment are supporting industrial freight while weaker consumer activity creates potential headwinds. The episode closes with a discussion of changing student-loan policies and their potential implications for consumer spending and freight, along with an update on FreightWaves Today’s new one-hour-plus format. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 29 · 59 min
IS TRUCKING FINALLY AT THE BOTTOM? NOT SO FAST | Brake Check
Is trucking finally at the bottom...or are we still digging? Diesel is around $6.53 a gallon. Rates remain under pressure. Capacity keeps leaving. Cash is getting tighter. And trucking has been hearing the same promise for what feels like forever: “THE RECOVERY IS COMING.” Cool....WHEN? On this episode of Brake Check, Charles follows the money with two guests looking at the trucking market from completely different angles.First, John Larkin, Senior Investment Partner at Venture 53, brings decades of transportation and Wall Street experience to the questions every carrier wants answered: Are we finally at the bottom? How many more trucks have to disappear before rates move? Is freight volume or excess capacity the bigger problem? Who breaks first at $6.53 diesel? And when does buying another truck become an investment instead of a really expensive gamble? Then we put $1 MILLION on the table. Trucking capacity, Freight technology, Brokerage, Warehousing, or cash. Where would John Larkin put HIS money today? Then Jacob Thomas from AtoB joins us to attack the problem from the cab instead of Wall Street. At $6.53 diesel, fuel discounts aren't pocket change anymore. We're breaking down fuel-card savings, where discounts actually come from, hidden costs, fuel fraud, cash flow, working capital and the mistakes that make expensive diesel even MORE expensive. Because surviving this freight market isn't just about waiting for rates to recover. It's about having enough damn money left WHEN THEY DO. SOUND OFF IN THE COMMENTS: If you had $250,000 in cash TODAY, what are you doing? BUY A TRUCK? PAY DOWN DEBT? INVEST IN TECHNOLOGY? OR SIT ON THE CASH? And the bigger question: IS TRUCKING FINALLY AT THE BOTTOM? #Trucking #Freight #Diesel #OwnerOperator #TruckDrivers #FreightMarket #TruckingIndustry #FreightTech #DieselPrices #BrakeCheck ⁠Follow the Brake Check Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 29 · 4 min
Daimler Fights NoX Penalty Loophole, Trimble Sale Still on Table, & China Ship Tax Gap | The Morning Minute
In this episode, we kick things off by examining a fierce regulatory battle over proposed non-compliance penalties that could allow engine makers to simply pay fines rather than meet the drastically tighter nitrogen oxide standard taking effect in 2027. Daimler Truck North America is publicly resisting this controversial loophole, warning that PACCAR's suggestion of treating 6,000–7,000 per-engine penalties as an acceptable business strategy undermines Congressional intent and threatens the investments made by companies that developed compliant technology over the past decade. Next, we explore the freight technology sector where a potential blockbuster divestiture remains in limbo as Trimble keeps multiple interested parties on the hook for its transportation and logistics business. Speaking at the company's Insight 2026 conference, CEO Rob Painter offered no timetable or clarity on whether the strategic review with Goldman Sachs will result in a sale, spinoff, or no transaction at all, even as Trimble continues investing aggressively in new AI-powered tools like Arc Agent. Finally, we discuss a critical regulatory gap that has U.S. port-entry fees targeting China-linked vessels scheduled to resume in November despite last week's broader trade truce extension through January 2027. The discrepancy leaves liner operators and cargo interests in limbo, awaiting formal USTR action to align the maritime-fee suspension with the newly extended diplomatic accord, as no such notice had been issued as of September 28. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 28 · 1 hr 2 min
FreightWaves Today | September 28
On this episode of FreightWaves Today, Julie Van de Kamp and Malcolm Harris break down the biggest stories shaping freight and logistics, from autonomous trucking and artificial intelligence to fraud, cargo theft and the evolving freight market. The show leads with Aurora Innovation’s plan to scale to more than 30,000 driverless trucks by 2030, prompting a discussion about truck utilization, the future ownership of autonomous assets and how widespread autonomy could reshape freight brokerage. The hosts also examine a $105 million alleged trucking investment fraud scheme and proposed changes to Mexico’s customs law that could affect cross-border freight through increased inspections and potential cargo seizures. In the featured interview, Gabriel Ribeiro of Hey Bubba AI discusses how carriers are actually adopting AI, where smaller fleets can begin, and why data security and human oversight remain critical. Ribeiro explains how AI can automate load discovery and negotiation, connect with TMS, telematics, email and phone systems, flag discrepancies in freight documents, provide driver support and create hands-free workflows designed to reduce distraction. The episode also features a SONAR market deep dive, examining rising diesel prices, elevated but relatively stable spot rates, tight capacity, tender rejections and the potential impact of automotive and housing demand heading into peak season. The hosts revisit freight fraud and cargo theft, discuss emerging last-mile delivery technology including drone delivery, and preview the upcoming F3: Future of Freight Festival in Chattanooga. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 28 · 50 min
How a $105M Fake Fleet Scheme Fooled 700+ Investors | WHAT THE TRUCK?!?
On this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent dig into a busy week in freight, from trucking investment fraud and cargo theft to the future of brokerage and autonomous trucking.The show opens with a look at a $105 million alleged semi-truck investment scheme that reportedly involved hundreds of investors and promises of guaranteed weekly returns. Malcolm and Michael break down the warning signs investors should have noticed and the broader lessons around fraud in trucking. The conversation then turns to the evolution of cargo theft, as cyber-enabled schemes increasingly allow criminals to obtain shipment information, impersonate legitimate carriers and steal high-value freight before a truck even arrives. Michael also weighs in on the changing role of brokers and the growing pressure for technology and data to deliver more value across the freight ecosystem. The hosts examine a major RICO lawsuit involving C.H. Robinson and carriers, discussing what the allegations could mean for the brokerage industry, potential discovery of internal communications and the broader question of how brokers create value in a changing transportation market. They also take a look at Aurora's ambitious autonomous-trucking plans, including its goal of operating more than 30,000 driverless trucks by 2030. Then, Bill Cooper, vice president of sales at Fleet Management Solutions, joins the show to discuss the business impact of truck downtime and why preventative maintenance is becoming a strategic advantage. Cooper explains how mobile maintenance can bring the garage directly to a fleet, helping companies perform inspections, preventative maintenance and repairs without taking vehicles out of service unnecessarily. The conversation explores how fleets can combine telematics, fuel data, maintenance information and real-world operating conditions to create more customized maintenance plans and improve uptime. Cooper also discusses the technician shortage, training, the growing complexity of fleet equipment and preparing maintenance teams for electric and autonomous vehicles. ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Visit our sponsor - KOONER FLEET MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS⁠ ⁠Subscribe to the WTT newsletter⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠More FreightWaves Podcasts⁠ #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 28 · 4 min
Aurora's 30K Driverless Truck Plan, $105M Trucking Fraud Scheme, & Mexico Customs Overhaul | The Morning Minute
In this episode, we kick things off by examining Aurora Innovation's aggressive expansion strategy as the autonomous truck developer charts a path toward massive commercial scale. Listen in to discover how ⁠Aurora plans to deploy more than 30,000 driverless trucks by 2030⁠, targeting over five billion dollars in revenue with a sixty percent gross margin. Most of this ambitious growth hinges on transitioning from Aurora owning the trucks to carriers taking ownership under a Driver as a Service model, where carriers pay eighty-five cents or more per mile for the driving technology. Next, we explore a shocking case that federal prosecutors are calling a massive Ponzi scheme in the trucking sector. We break down how ⁠a Nevada man allegedly defrauded hundreds of investors out of $105 million⁠ by selling truck leases with promises of guaranteed passive income. Investigators claim approximately seventy-five million dollars from newer participants went toward earlier payouts, while more than twenty-five million dollars funded luxury purchases including real estate, sports cars and jewelry. Finally, we head south to examine ⁠a proposed Mexican customs law overhaul that could trigger major border delays and cargo seizures⁠ for cross-border freight operations. The legislation would grant Mexican customs authorities greater power to initiate verification procedures and would eliminate an existing fifty percent undervaluation threshold associated with precautionary seizure, potentially impacting thousands of customs operations valued at nearly ninety million dollars. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 28 · 8 min
Real-Time Rates, Right in Your Browser | #WithSONAR
In this episode, we walk through Quick Rates, SONAR’s Chrome extension that gives your team access to real-time rates and market conditions directly from your browser Already have a SONAR login? Click the link below to download the Chrome Extension to your browser! ⁠https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/sonar-quick-rates/dhibohccgihfbghgkcnlnmgddnphafdm⁠ 📩 Have questions? Reach out to cs@gosonar.com or your Account Manager. 💡 Subscribe for more quick SONAR insights! #freighttrain #freighttech #gosonar #sonar #softwareasaservice #logistics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 25 · 2 hr 7 min
FreightWaves Today | September 25
Join host Malcolm Harris and Zach Strickland for today's episode of FreightWaves Today as they dive into the current freight market dynamics, artificial intelligence, and crucial risk management strategies. In Block A, Malcolm sits down with Will Bewley, Co-Founder & CEO of WoFlow, to cut through the noise and negative press surrounding artificial intelligence. Will breaks down how WoFlow approaches AI transformation in practical terms, how businesses can leverage AI to navigate today’s constrained capacity environment without just adding another tool, and the critical importance of data quality. He also addresses common fears about AI replacing logistics jobs and shares where he sees the technology heading next. In Block C, Andy Kuchar, President of Centerline Insurance Company and Chief Risk Officer for Watkins Associated Industries, returns to the show to discuss trailer insurance gaps. Andy highlights three key warning signs that a company might have an uninsured exposure, unpacks common misconceptions surrounding trailer coverage, and explains why brokers, agents, and leasing companies need to pay close attention. Drawing on over 25 years of risk management experience, Andy also touches on nuclear verdicts, rising litigation costs, and offers actionable advice for transportation companies reviewing their overall insurance programs. Plus, stay tuned for the latest market intelligence during our SONAR Update, along with key industry developments in the Morning Minute. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 25 · 45 min
Can You Trust Your Freight Tracking Data? | WHAT THE TRUCK?!?
Freight visibility used to answer one big question: Where is my load? Now the question is becoming: Can I trust what I'm seeing? On this episode of What The Truck?!?, Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent are joined by Andrew Wimer, Associate General Manager at Descartes, to break down the next phase of freight visibility and how multiple tracking signals can give brokers, carriers and shippers a clearer picture of what's actually happening with a load. Wimer explains Descartes MacroPoint ELD Plus, which combines ELD and mobile app tracking into a single session. Instead of relying on one source, the platform can track the truck, trailer and driver simultaneously. If those signals stop telling the same story, transportation teams have another data point to help identify tracking gaps, incorrect information or potentially suspicious activity. They also discuss why drivers still play an important role in freight visibility, how better tracking can accelerate proof of delivery and time to cash, and why accurate driver, truck and trailer information remains critical.Plus, Malcolm and Michael break down some of the biggest stories in trucking, including: Florida troopers recovering stolen tractor-trailers carrying tires and lithium-ion batteries Thieves cutting into a trailer to steal Black Angus beef in Philadelphia 16 trucking and transportation companies entering bankruptcy proceedings A cargo theft survey showing major losses for loss prevention professionals What proposed diesel export restrictions could mean for fuel markets Can two independent tracking signals make freight visibility more reliable and help transportation companies catch problems before it's too late? Watch the full episode to hear Andrew Wimer explain where freight tracking is headed next. Subscribe to FreightWaves and What The Truck?!? for more conversations on trucking, freight technology, cargo theft, logistics and the people moving the industry forward. ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Visit our sponsor - KOONER FLEET MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS⁠ ⁠Subscribe to the WTT newsletter⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠More FreightWaves Podcasts⁠ #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 25 · 4 min
Mexican Drivers' Forced-Labor Suit, Amazon Safety Tech & Pay Bump, & Copeland Cold Chain Deal | The Morning Minute
In this episode, we dive into a deeply troubling federal lawsuit filed by dozens of Mexican truck drivers who allege they were recruited with false promises and subjected to coercive labor practices. Twenty-nine plaintiffs are now suing California-based Omega Compliance Solutions and several U.S. carriers, claiming⁠ they were lured across the border with fraudulent visa promises and trapped through forced-labor tactics⁠ including passport confiscation, unlawful deductions, and deportation threats when they tried to leave. Next, we explore how the logistics giant is setting new benchmarks in last-mile delivery with a massive technology and compensation rollout. Amazon is installing⁠ 360-degree Netradyne cameras on half its Rivian electric vans and injecting $1.9 billion to boost driver pay⁠ by an average of 16 percent nationwide, forcing competitors across the parcel sector to keep pace with both its advanced AI-backed safety systems and rising wage floor. Finally, we cover a strategic acquisition expanding cold chain visibility for some of the most temperature-sensitive freight in healthcare and life sciences. Temperature-control systems provider Copeland has⁠ acquired Dickson to integrate cloud-based monitoring technology⁠ that alerts pharmaceutical and food shippers of potential losses before they occur, combining Dickson's compliance platform with Copeland's 200 million HVAC and refrigeration installations across 40 countries. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 24 · 2 hr 2 min
FreightWaves Today | September 24
FreightWaves Today goes live from Green Bay, Wisconsin, as hosts Craig Fuller and Julie Van de Kamp sit down with some of the biggest names in transportation and technology to discuss the state of freight, innovation and automation. Jim Filter, President and CEO of Schneider, breaks down today’s freight market, including tightening capacity, driver recruiting, intermodal opportunities, cargo theft and the changing liability landscape. He also discusses the potential impact of the proposed Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern combination and makes the case for Green Bay as one of America’s premier freight cities. Craig Dickman, Managing Partner at TitletownTech, explores Green Bay’s freight and startup ecosystem, how transportation develops strong problem solvers and where AI, optimization and emerging technologies could take supply chains next. Brian Figueroa, Managing Director, Transportation at KBX, joins the conversation to discuss the state of freight and Green Bay’s deep connection to transportation and logistics. Finally, Kendra Phillips, VP of Global Transportation Management at Ryder System, Inc., discusses how AI and automation are transforming transportation management and helping companies identify inefficiencies, improve decision making and build smarter freight networks. What does the freight market look like from inside one of America’s biggest transportation hubs, and where is the industry headed next? Watch the full episode for insights from the leaders moving freight, investing in its future and building the technology that will shape what comes next. #FreightWaves #FreightWavesToday #Trucking #Logistics #SupplyChain #GreenBay #FreightTech ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 24 · 25 min
The Fuel Crisis Is Here. Do You Know What It's Actually Costing You? | The Long Haul
Diesel just crossed $6.29 per gallon nationally. For the first time in history.That's not a headline to scroll past. That's a number that should stop every owner-operator and small carrier in this industry dead in their tracks and force them to look at their actual cost structure right now — today — before they take another load. Because most of them haven't. This episode is a solo. No guest. Just me, the data, and the math that too many carriers are avoiding because they don't want to know what it says.We're going to talk about where diesel is, how we got here, where it might go, and — most importantly — how to calculate what this fuel environment is actually costing you per mile, per load, and per month. Because the difference between a carrier who survives this and one who doesn't isn't which loads they take. It's whether they know their real numbers. ⁠Follow The Long Haul Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 24 · 49 min
$6 DIESEL… AND YOUR FUEL SURCHARGE IS SCREWING YOU | BRAKE CHECK
Diesel is above $6 a gallon. But what if the pump isn't the only place your trucking company is getting crushed? One carrier analyzed by Magnus Technologies was reportedly more than $53,000 behind through August because of the timing of its monthly fuel-surcharge resets.Read that again. $53,000. GONE. BECAUSE OF THE MATH. On this episode of Brake Check, Charles goes after both sides of the squeeze hitting carriers right now: keeping good drivers when margins are disappearing and making damn sure your fuel surcharge is actually recovering what diesel is costing you. First, Brad Hackett, Director of Recruiting & Safety at Jett Express, breaks down the “Big Four” behind driver retention: pay, equipment, home time and respect. When fuel destroys your margin, which one do you protect? What actually keeps a driver from leaving for a few cents more? And can running a genuinely safe operation become a recruiting advantage Because seeing FUEL SURCHARGE on the rate confirmation doesn't automatically mean you're getting your money back.And at $6-plus diesel, guessing whether you're profitable isn't good enough. Six-dollar diesel hurts when you buy it. Bad math makes it hurt AGAIN when you don't get it back. CHECK THE DAMN MATH. SOUND OFF: How often does your fuel surcharge reset .... weekly, monthly or quarterly? And have you actually checked whether it's covering your real fuel increase? #Trucking #Diesel #FuelSurcharge #OwnerOperator #TruckDrivers #TruckingIndustry #DieselPrices #Freight #FleetManagement #BrakeCheck ⁠Follow the Brake Check Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 24 · 4 min
Einride-Nvidia Autonomous Partnership, UP-NS Merger Criticized, & Samsara's $2B Fuel Play | The Morning Minute
In this episode, we kick things off by examining a major technology partnership pushing heavy-duty autonomous trucking toward highway operations. Swedish company Einride announced it will build its next-generation autonomous driving system on⁠ Nvidia's Hyperion platform, a compute and sensor architecture designed for Level 4 autonomy⁠. The two companies will collaborate to extend Hyperion's compute, sensor, and safety architecture to the demands of heavy-duty freight, with Einride expecting its fleet footprint to reach 1,500 to 2,000 vehicles by 2028. Shifting gears to the rails, we examine a major merger review that hit a significant snag despite officially moving forward. The Surface Transportation Board declined to dismiss the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern application, but a pointed concurring opinion from board member Richard Kloster revealed⁠ the merger application is shallow and lacks detail on how competition concerns will be addressed⁠. Kloster's skepticism is particularly notable because Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena appeared with President Trump in the Oval Office in September, and Trump subsequently called the merger a good idea. Finally, we explore how fleet technology giant Samsara is going after a massive opportunity hiding in plain sight. The company launched its Fuel Command Center, a new dashboard that⁠ consolidates total and recoverable fuel spend while targeting $2 billion in potential savings⁠ across its U.S. customers in the first six months of 2026 alone. The platform pulls transactions from any fleet's existing fuel card, integrates Coast's spend controls directly, and combats fraud by tying card authorization to vehicle location. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 23 · 2 hr
FreightWaves Today | September 23
On this episode of FreightWaves Today, hosts Craig Fuller and Julie Van de Kamp sit down with leaders from trucking, logistics, transportation law and rail to examine the forces shaping freight markets. John Ferguson, founder and CEO of Pivot Supply Chain Solutions, Inc., joins the show in studio to discuss the state of freight, current supply chain conditions and the trends transportation companies should be watching. Drew Singleton Wilder, founder and CEO of Vicarious Liability Risk Management, and Greg Reed, partner at Hanson Bridgett, tackle transportation risk and liability, including legal exposure across transportation relationships and what businesses should understand about managing risk. Trains Magazine Editor Bill Stephens provides perspective on developments across North American freight rail and what changes in the sector could mean for shippers and the broader supply chain. Pam Polyak, founder of Polyak Trucking and Polyak Consulting, brings an operator’s perspective to the conversation, discussing the realities facing carriers and owner-operators as they navigate changing freight demand, costs and operating conditions. Subscribe to FreightWaves for more transportation and logistics news, analysis and interviews. #FreightWaves #FreightWavesToday #Trucking #Logistics #SupplyChain #Freight #Transportation #Rail #FreightRail #TruckingIndustry #RiskManagement ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 23 · 45 min
Beyond Manual Dispatch & Predictive Safety | WHAT THE TRUCK?!?
Live from the FreightWaves Enterprise Fleet Summit, hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent break down the strategies, technologies, and operational shifts required to scale trucking operations during volatile market cycles. In this episode: Chris Hines, CEO of REPOWR, discusses TOP (Trailer Optimization Platform)—the industry's first system designed to execute trailer repositioning rather than just analyzing data. He breaks down how fleets can eliminate idle trailer time, optimize asset allocation, and turn static trailers into revenue-generating assets. Hayden Cardiff, VP of Safety Solutions at Descartes, explores the gap between regulatory compliance and real-world safety. He shares insights on predicting driver risk before accidents occur, building proactive driver coaching programs, and leveraging AI to identify leading safety indicators. Event Highlights & Giveaways: Details on upcoming FreightWaves events, including the Brokerage Compliance Symposium and F3: Future of Freight Festival, plus a special showcase of the Away Travel convertible backpack giveaway. ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Subscribe to the WTT newsletter⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠More FreightWaves Podcasts⁠ #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 23 · 3 min
16 Carriers File Bankruptcy, Alabama's $100M Rail Terminal, & CDL Rule Faces Court Skepticism | The Morning Minute
In this episode, we kick things off by examining a sobering wave of financial distress as⁠ at least sixteen trucking and transportation companies entered bankruptcy proceedings in less than a month⁠. The geographically widespread filings include both Chapter 11 reorganizations and Chapter 7 liquidations, spanning carriers from small owner-operators to mid-sized fleets operating dozens of trucks across general freight, last-mile, agricultural and specialized operations. Rising diesel fuel prices and elevated operating costs continue to squeeze margins in an already challenging freight environment. Over on the rails, Alabama is pushing forward with a massive infrastructure project as⁠ construction remains on schedule for the Montgomery Intermodal Container Transfer Facility's early 2027 opening⁠. The $100 million, 272-acre terminal will provide direct CSX rail service connecting inland shippers to the Port of Mobile, creating a rail alternative to truck drayage. At full operation, the facility is expected to handle up to 60,000 container units annually and will be equipped with two rubber-tired gantry cranes scheduled for delivery in late 2026. Finally, we unpack a major legal battle over federal trucking rules where⁠ judicial questioning showed more skepticism toward the Department of Transportation's position than toward plaintiffs challenging recent FMCSA changes⁠. During oral arguments before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in Lujan v. FMCSA, judges questioned the DOT's rationale for narrowing acceptable documentation to only an unexpired passport and Form I-94, particularly when non-domiciled applicants can provide ten years of driving history. The new rule, which went into effect this spring, no longer accepts Employment Authorization Documents as proof of eligibility for commercial driver's licenses. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Showing 61–80 of 143 episodes