FreightCasts

We begin with the domestic "Compliance Crunch," a sudden and significant contraction in US trucking capacity driven by intensified immigration enforcement actions causing non-citizen drivers to exit the market, independent of demand. This rapid capacity disappearance resulted in a noticeable -6.7% decrease in unique US DOT numbers between September and October 2025, leading to intense regional volatility where spot rates in places like Gary, Indiana, skyrocketed up to 42%. The squeeze gets tighter in drayage, as ocean carriers and ports strictly enforce accessorial charges to maintain revenue, shifting higher storage and waiting costs to shippers, compounded by new rules restricting non-domiciled CDLs. Globally, we detail the major turbulence brewing over maritime carbon regulation, following the US administration's forceful rejection of the International Maritime Organization's proposed Net-Zero Framework. The US administration labeled the NZF a "European-led neocolonial export" and threatened severe retaliatory measures, including blocking vessels from US ports and imposing extra fees, warning that the global carbon tax could hike shipping costs by 10% or more. Amid this volatility, supply chain leaders must leverage technology that drives actionable resilience and prediction, moving beyond mere visibility dashboards that only show chaos after it happens. AI-powered procurement platforms like Arkestro are helping teams shift from costly, reactive compliance to proactive, predictive sourcing, which can cut sourcing time by 60% to 90% by predicting negotiation outcomes and streamlining bids. On the ground, collaboration platforms such as C3 Hive are becoming the essential connective environment, sitting between a company's transportation, warehouse, and yard management systems to synchronize information and actions across the supply chain. Customers typically report a 90% drop in just calls and emails within two weeks of deployment, proving this action-oriented tech is replacing the phone as the messy integration layer. Finally, we look inside the warehouse walls, where intelligence platforms are rapidly advancing, highlighted by Dexory securing $165 million in funding to accelerate its AI-powered warehouse intelligence platform. Dexory uses autonomous mobile robots that scan over 10,000 locations per hour, creating a real-time digital twin of the warehouse, which speeds up the shift to truly adaptive, self-learning warehouses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

U.S. rail traffic increased for a second consecutive week for the period ending Oct. 4, 2025, with overall volume up 3.6%. North American rail volume also saw gains, rising 4.7% for the week, notably boosted by substantial weekly growth in Mexican rail traffic, which saw intermodal units jump 82.9%. Trade volatility means tariffs are serving as the "Tariffs are the wake-up call supply chains needed” for innovation, compelling savvy leaders to utilize AI to transform resource-intensive procurement tasks. Platforms like Arkestro, which uses behavioral science and AI, are now being adopted by Fortune 500 companies to move from reactive compliance to predictive strategies that can cut 60% to 90% of sourcing time while improving pricing accuracy. We also cover escalating global tensions as the U.S. administration vehemently rejects the IMO’s Net-Zero Framework. Calling the NZF a "European-led neocolonial export," the U.S. warned nations that voting for the mandatory GHG limits and emissions pricing system could lead to severe retaliatory measures, including blocking vessels from U.S. ports and imposing additional port fees. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s a marvelous Monday on What The Truck?!? with your host Malcolm Harris, bringing you the latest on trends, talent, and technology shaking up the freight world. In today’s episode: Tim Crawford, CEO of Tenstreet, breaks down Q3 driver hiring and retention data — including why drivers are staying put, what’s next for recruiting, and how carriers can weather the storm in a tight market.  Carly Gumby, VP of Revenue at Transfix, joins to talk about pricing automation, AI fatigue, and how brokers can win big this RFP season by using data-driven strategies that actually work. Plus: Global headlines on rising tariffs, Canada Post strikes, CH Robinson’s latest tech launch, and what it all means for carriers and shippers. How AI and automation can streamline operations without losing the human touch. Why relationships still drive success — even in an increasingly digital freight world. ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Visit our sponsor⁠ ⁠Subscribe to the WTT newsletter⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠More FreightWaves Podcasts⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maritime trade disputes have escalated with the US and China implementing reciprocal tonnage fees effective October 14th, while the U.S. is aggressively targeting Chinese-made container cranes and intermodal chassis with staggering tariffs up to 270%. The instability is creeping into vital cross-border operations, specifically the US-Mexico e-commerce corridor, following Mexico's mid-August move to raise duties on Chinese imports to 33.5% and roll out stricter data reporting rules. This mix of higher duties and inconsistent enforcement is creating compliance challenges, causing US sellers to reassess using Mexico as a fulfillment hub and potentially shifting inventory back north into the states. Domestically, the truckload market is flashing warning signs of capacity fragility after the National Truckload Index for dry van spot rates rose 2% without the typical corresponding rise in contract tender rejections. Adding to the risk picture, new ATRI data highlights the hidden cost of cargo theft, estimating annual direct costs for motor carriers between $456.7 million and $937.4 million, noting that over 40% of carriers do not report lower-value incidents due to high deductibles and fear of escalating premiums. C.H. Robinson is tackling the need for stability by introducing the Asset Management System (AMS) within its Drop Trailer Plus program, a significant technological upgrade that applies to nearly 50% of the entire truckload market. AMS integrates GPS technology and real-time operational data into the Navisphere platform, transforming trailers into "intelligent assets" that offer SKU-level visibility, enhanced security, and a buffer against capacity shocks and rising crime costs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The U.S. Trade Representative has announced new tariffs on Chinese-made container cranes set to go into effect on November 9th, in response to China’s use of unfair trade practices in shipping and shipbuilding. These levies, which include 100% tariffs on ship-to-shore container cranes, could stack with existing duties, bringing the total assessed tariffs on some Chinese exports to between 125% and 270%. Canadian mail carriers, represented by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, have switched from a nationwide strike to local rotating strikes. Union officials characterized the move as a compromise allowing the restart of mail and parcel service after a two-week national shutdown, although Canada Post has suspended all service guarantees due to the uncertainty caused by the new rotating actions. Amazon is continuing to significantly build out its footprint by opening its largest fulfillment center ever in the Pacific Northwest and simultaneously constructing a large, automated distribution center in Indiana. The facility in Woodburn, Oregon, covers 3.8 million square feet—four times the size of Portland’s International Airport terminals—and Amazon plans to initially hire 3,000 people to run the operation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Malcolm Harris brings the energy for another jam-packed Friday edition of What The Truck?! — where freight meets fire conversation. In This Episode: Ian Jefferies, President & CEO of the Association of American Railroads (AAR), gives us the inside track on: Rail safety and first responder training How policy modernization drives innovation Collaboration between truckers and railroads Combatting cargo theft and organized retail crime Kari Gonzalez, President & CEO of MXV Rail, breaks down how cutting-edge research and tech are transforming rail operations nationwide: Real-world innovation testing at the FAST facility Using AI and machine learning to prevent derailments Climate resilience and infrastructure upgrades How she went from intern to CEO — and why Michael Jordan still reigns supreme Plus, Malcolm dives into this week’s headlines:  Insurance crackdowns on non-domiciled CDLs  Half a million dollars in stolen Nikes?!  A million-dollar tequila heist — where’s Guy Fieri’s stash?  Freight capacity vs. demand and what it means for rates  Craig Fuller drops his new book “Moving the World” ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠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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The trucking industry faces a major disruption as PE-backed flatbed operator Montgomery Transport LLC abruptly filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and ceased operations immediately. This sudden shutdown put approximately 1,000 employees out of work, including 600 truck drivers, highlighting the fragility of transportation companies in today’s economy. Global trade flows are shifting as U.S. maritime gateways saw container imports drop 8.4% in September, with imports from China specifically falling 22.9% year-over-year. These declines, which included dramatic drops in goods like aluminum (43.8%) and footwear (33.9%), come amid the restructuring of U.S. trade using tariffs and other economic pressures. Uzbekistan is positioning itself as the next global IT logistics hub, driven by its growing digital economy and expanding U.S. trade relationships. Government initiatives like IT Park Uzbekistan offer compelling incentives, including 0% tax rates for technology companies, and leverage a young, highly literate workforce ready to serve global markets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Enforcement activities by ICE, targeting non-domiciled CDL holders in southern states, have triggered a capacity shock, rerouting trucks to the Midwest and East Coast and causing regional spot rates to spike despite overall soft national freight volume. Globally, the macro picture confirms a rapid cooling, with new data projecting that US import container volumes will fall below the 2 million TEU mark for the remainder of 2025 due to weakening consumer spending and early peak season frontloading. This softening demand occurs as major Chinese carriers, including Cosco and OOCL, make the surprise move of announcing they will not levy surcharges to offset escalating US port fees set to begin October 14th. Looking ahead, significant capital is flowing squarely into automation and freight tech, signaling a long-term industry focus on efficiency and driverless operations. Autonomous trucking company Kodiak AI made its public debut on NASDAQ with a $2.5 billion valuation, while IKEA acquired the logistics tech platform Locus to improve its delivery fulfillment capabilities amidst surging e-commerce sales. Furthermore, back-office automation is accelerating, exemplified by Mentium, which raised a $3.2 million seed round to deploy AI-powered digital workers specifically focused on automating accounts payable processing for freight brokerages. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The truckload spot market erupted this week as the Serbian news called for drivers to stay off the roads amidst ICE raids. Rates jumped despite weak demand. Dr. Zac Rogers gives the latest LMI report and the import market stabilizes. ⁠Follow the Freightonomics Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices