FreightCasts

New reports indicate that ⁠BNSF has hired Goldman Sachs to advise on a potential rail merger⁠, following ongoing merger talks between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern since the first quarter. Publicly held Class One railroads are also scheduled to begin reporting their second-quarter earnings this week. We delve into the US cargo airlines' strong endorsement of the Trump administration's sanctions on Mexico, enacted after ⁠Mexico allegedly violated a 2015 air transport agreement by forcing all cargo carriers to relocate⁠. The U.S. Department of Transportation will now review flight schedules of Mexican carriers and has put European countries on notice for similar potential actions. The episode also highlights the struggles of ⁠small and medium-sized businesses amidst a possible trade war⁠, with some companies adopting new practices like skew normalization to mitigate tariff-related losses. Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka notes that uncertainty has become the new norm, emphasizing how trade policies impact the economy as a whole. Tune in today at 2 PM for a new episode of ⁠Loaded and Rolling⁠ with Thomas Wason on FreightWaves Television. Additionally, mark your calendars for the ⁠Enterprise Fleet Summit ⁠tomorrow and the ⁠Supply Chain AI Symposium⁠ next week on July 30th in Washington D.C.. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On episode 864 of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Thomas Wasson is hosting. We catch up with Todd Waldron, vice president of carrier experience at Truckstop.com and look at their recent driver survey, the role AI is playing for truckers today, and celebrate Truckstop’s 30 year anniversary. We also dive into the LTL world by unpacking the Synchro LTL Claims Index and talk with Bill Jackson, Founder and the creator of the index about how folks can use it.  Watch on YouTube Check out the WTT merch store Visit our sponsor Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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A new proposed deal could reshape freight railroading, with Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern reportedly in merger talks to create the first true transcontinental railroad. Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, owning Union Pacific's primary competitor BNSF Railway, looms large with over $347 billion in cash, sparking speculation of a bidding war that could involve other major railroads like CSX. We also cover the U.S. moves to restrict Mexican airlines over cargo and competition concerns, threatening the long-standing partnership between Delta and Aeromexico. This action by the Trump administration is a direct response to the Mexican government's mandate forcing all cargo flights from Mexico City's main airport to a more distant new airport, a move the U.S. asserts violates their trade agreement. Finally, get an update on ocean rates falling for the fifth straight week, according to Drewry's World Container Index. The key route from Shanghai to Los Angeles saw rates decrease by 4%, while Shanghai to New York dipped 6%, reflecting what analysts describe as a clear sign of weakening global demand for goods after a volatile spike caused by U.S. tariffs on Chinese products earlier this year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On episode 863 of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Thomas Wasson and Rob Carpenter dive deep into infrastructure, inspections, inspiration, and sour intensity. Former FMCSA Administrator Jim Mullins kicks things off with an insider’s view of Derek Barr’s confirmation and what awaits him at an FMCSA now grappling with layoffs, tech transitions, and a weakened workforce. Then, VA Delegate Chad Green joins the show to discuss the spike in teen driver crashes during the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer and the new laws Virginia is enacting to save lives. From there, we pivot to creativity and craftsmanship with Cody McCandless, who walks us through his custom build of the Lacoh Transport Dream Truck, a rolling tribute to freight. Then Ingrid Brown lays down some hard-won wisdom on driver inspections and the top violations of June for Wyoming. We cover how tariffs are souring the costs of Halloween candy. All that plus the FreightTech 100 launch, crash video reaction clips, and more. ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Check out the WTT merch store⁠ ⁠Visit our sponsor⁠ ⁠Subscribe to the WTT newsletter⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠More FreightWaves Podcasts⁠ #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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In Part 4 of our Generational Grit Series, FreightWaves Founder and CEO Craig Fuller sits down with his father, Max Fuller, the visionary founder of U.S. Express, for a deeply personal and revealing conversation. Max shares the untold story of his turbulent relationship with his own father, Clyde, an intimidating yet ultimately generous figure who played a pivotal role in Max’s early career. Discover how a broken-down car led to an unexpected reconciliation and a life-changing opportunity. But the grit doesn’t stop there. Max opens up about the dramatic sale of Southwest Motor Freight, his father’s company, and the shocking events that unfolded under a new, deceptive owner. Witness the strategic genius and sheer determination that led Max to walk away from that chaos and, against all odds, lay the foundation for not one, but two trucking powerhouses: U.S. Express and Covenant Transport. This is a raw, honest look at the resilience required to build a legacy in the world of freight. ⁠Follow the Fuller Speed Ahead Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

⁠Union Pacific is reportedly in early-stage talks to acquire Norfolk Southern⁠, its smaller Eastern rival. This potential tie-up would combine the largest publicly held US railroad with NS, bringing together over 60,000 employees and 60,000 miles of track. ⁠David Steiner has officially taken the helm of the US Postal Service as the new Postmaster General⁠, becoming the highest paid chief executive in the agency's history with a salary over $346,000 plus a 50% bonus.  The Canadian government will begin a confidential vote on Monday for ⁠53,000 Canada Post employees to ratify the state-owned company's final contract offer⁠, despite opposition from union leadership. This vote aims to conclude 19 months of negotiations, which included a 32-day strike and recent mail carrier refusal to work overtime, leading to daily operational losses of $7.3 million per day in June. Tune in today for FreightWaves TV's ⁠What the Truck?!?⁠ live at noon, with replays available on SiriusXM channel 146 from 5 to 7 PM. Don't forget to register for the free ⁠Enterprise Fleet Summit⁠ next Wednesday at 9 AM and get your tickets for the ⁠Supply Chain and AI Symposium⁠ in Washington D.C. in about two weeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Zane Hengsperger of NOX Metals / Delta22 tells JP Hampstead about going from tech to steel manufacturing and the rich heritage of automotive manufacturing in Windsor, Detroit, and the Great Lakes region. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices