FreightCasts

US rail car load volumes are currently outpacing last year's figures⁠, despite looming concerns about incoming ocean containers. Weekly railcar volumes exceeded 502,000, representing a 5.5% year-over-year increase, while year-to-date American railroad traffic is up slightly, contrasting with only a 2% gain in Canadian traffic and a 10% drop in Mexican traffic.  Forward Air is seeking shareholder approval to ⁠change its state of incorporation from Tennessee to Delaware⁠. This strategic maneuver is described as an effort to "resteer the ship" following a challenging merger with Omni Logistics and aims to provide increased flexibility, potentially making it easier to sell the company. The Forward Air board approved this reincorporation plan, which leverages Delaware’s corporate governance framework to explore strategic options like a sale. A group of ⁠West Coast politicians and port leaders are issuing a stern warning that Trump administration tariffs are triggering significant supply chain disruptions⁠ that pose serious threats to both regional and national economies. They stress that the window to minimize the economic harm is rapidly closing, noting that small businesses are already facing consequences similar to those experienced during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Tune in to "⁠What The Truck?!?⁠" today for a segment breaking down the realities of these tariffs, including potential adjustment strategies and whether companies are genuinely passing on costs to consumers. Also, don't forget to secure your tickets for the Freight Fraud Symposium happening next week on May 14th in Dallas, Texas by visiting ⁠live.frightwaves.com⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Episode 833 of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, Dooner is talking to Flexport’s Bill Driegert about resurrecting Convoy Platform. The company has just announced that it has had zero loads stolen over its past 380,000 shipments. Across the industry, cargo thefts were up 27% year over year, and the average value of theft ballooned to $202,364. We’ll find out how Flexport has managed to beat the bad guys.  Can fasteners hang in there against tariffs? Field Fastener’s John Oldham Jr. stops by to talk about how trade policy could be impacting the very goods holding everything together.  Plus, Commercial Carrier Journal gets cooked over driver shortage article; layoffs/bankruptcies hit trucking; GTA6 delayed until 2026; XBOX Series X up $100; and is the port of Seattle really empty?  Chapters 1:30 GTA 6 delayed, XBOX Series X up $100 3:52 Layoffs and carrier bankruptcies 8:33 CCJ gets roasted over driver shortage article 12:01 Is the Port of Seattle really empty? 13:22 Convoy Platform: No thefts over last 380K loads | Bill Driegert 24:06 Menace on 4 wheels 24:21 Tariffs vs fasteners | John Oldham Jr. at Field Fastener Catch new shows live at noon EDT Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on FreightWaves LinkedIn, Facebook, X or YouTube, or on demand by looking up WHAT THE TRUCK?!? on your favorite podcast player and at 5 p.m. Eastern on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Channel 146. Watch on YouTube Check out the WTT merch store Visit our sponsor Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we dive into the world of small and medium sized carriers and government contracting. Our guest, Melanie Patterson founder and managing director at Team Integrity Knowledge Center & Integrity Global Logistics shares how government contracting is a viable option for small to mid-sized reefer carriers. For more information subscribe to Running on Ice the newsletter or podcast. Follow the Running on Ice Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amazon beat expectations in its first-quarter earnings release⁠, but company officials noted that global tariffs are looming over potential profits in upcoming quarters. First-quarter earnings per share were up 64% year over year to $1.59, with both EPS and revenue surpassing Wall Street expectations.  Another round of ⁠layoffs has impacted several businesses across the freight industry⁠, particularly in the Southeast. Companies like C&S Wholesale Services, Adient PLC, and Saks Global announced significant job cuts due to facility closures.  The ⁠bipartisan SHIPS for America Act⁠ is back in front of Congress, aiming to revitalize the domestic maritime industry. This legislation calls for funding to support the build of a fleet of 250 US flag cargo vessels and includes provisions like increasing cargo preference for US government cargo.  Tune in today for the final ⁠What the Truck?!?⁠ episode of the week at noon with Tim Dooner. Also, nominations for the FreightWaves fraud fighters award are ending tomorrow, so be sure to get those in at ⁠live.freightwaves.com⁠. While you're there, register for the Freight Fraud Symposium happening in Dallas, Texas, in just two weeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and John Paul Hampstead bring on Dr. Zac Rogers, co-author of the Logistics Managers’ Index to discuss the influence of tariffs on supply chains. ⁠Follow the Freightonomics Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Long Haul, I’m joined by Garrett Steenblik—founder of Trucker Body Shop and a former driver who turned his own health journey into a full-blown movement. Garrett breaks down how drivers can take control of their health right from the cab of their truck—no gym, no gimmicks. We talk about the realities of being on the road, how to build habits that stick, and practical exercises that work in tight spaces with tight schedules. If you’ve been putting your health on the back burner, this conversation will hit home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aurora Innovation⁠ has officially launched its commercialized driverless trucking operations in Texas, running autonomous trucks without a human driver along the I-45 corridor between Houston and Dallas. The company partnered with Uber Freight and Hirschbach Motor companies for this program, which received praise from Texas Governor Greg Abbott for its potential to move products efficiently, create jobs, and improve road safety. Carrier ⁠Heartland Express⁠ posted another disappointing quarterly result for 2025, reporting its seventh straight net loss on Wednesday. Revenue fell 19 percent year over year, with leadership citing tariff uncertainties, adverse weather, and prolonged industry challenges like cost inflation outpacing freight demand as reasons for the poor performance. ⁠Penske Logistics⁠ is cutting over 300 warehouse jobs from a facility in Missouri after losing a contract with a grocery in the area. A WARN notice reported the permanent closure effective July 15th, with plans to transfer the service to a different warehousing provider and offer employees transfer opportunities to BGDC Distribution. And companies across various sectors are releasing ⁠new plans to adjust services, pricing, and more in response to evolving trade policies⁠. Staff writer Grace Sharkey gathered responses from dozens of companies, including retailers, automakers, and tech giants. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Episode 832 of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, Dooner is sharing the trucking industry’s reaction to Trump’s executive order requiring truck drivers to speak and understand English. The order rescinds a 2016 FMCSA memo that effectively eliminated roadside enforcement of English proficiency.  Adil Ashiq is a former U.S. Merchant Marine captain-turned-supply chain and maritime industry nerd. We’ll find out how to navigate tumultuous trade waters. We’ll look at maritime employment and the Jones Act.  CloneOps’ David Bell talks about who the winners and losers will be in AI lead communication for logistics service providers. Plus, some auto tariffs hit reverse; rate the strap work; 100 truckers vs 1 gorilla, and more.  3:27 Trucking leaders applaud English language Executive Order 12:25 Auto tariffs in reverse? (Craig Video 15:00) 16:14 FreightTech adoption | David Bell 24:51 100 truckers vs 1 gorilla  26:37 Rate the strap work 27:37 Show me the tariffs | Capt. Adil Ashiq 39:57 Maritime policy | Capt. Adil Ashiq 43:25 100 seamen vs 1 gorilla Catch new shows live at noon EDT Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on FreightWaves LinkedIn, Facebook, X or YouTube, or on demand by looking up WHAT THE TRUCK?!? on your favorite podcast player and at 5 p.m. Eastern on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Channel 146. Watch on YouTube Check out the WTT merch store Visit our sponsor Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Truckload carrier Werner Enterprises experienced a historic first-quarter operating loss, attributing the result to factors like elevated insurance costs, extreme weather, a smaller fleet, and changes in customer activity stemming from tariff uncertainty. CEO Derek Leathers stated that this performance "does not represent who we are" and that the company is making near-term moves while keeping an eye on future market changes. UPS plans to eliminate approximately 20,000 front-line positions this year and undergo a significant network restructuring, including closing sortation centers, partly to manage the reduction of unprofitable business from Amazon. The company aims for over $3 billion in cost savings in 2025 as it moves to decrease outbound Amazon deliveries by 50% by 2026. Despite concerns about tariffs and expected volume declines, Gulf Coast ports, including Houston, New Orleans, and Corpus Christi, reported rising freight volumes in March. These ports saw a bump in volumes after a slow February, with Houston experiencing a 7% year-over-year increase, helped by manufacturing raw materials like steel and aluminum and increases in loaded exports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode, Sebastian Baquero founder and CEO of RueData joins us to talk about their tire technology optimization platform. For many fleets tires are their largest expense outside of fuel. ⁠Follow the Loaded and Rolling Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices