FreightWaves NOW

RXO's recent earnings report (First look: some small signs of improvement sequentially and year-on-year at RXO - FreightWaves), which shows little significant movement compared to last year and the previous quarter, despite their CEO noting good execution in a soft freight market. The planned US-Mexico rail route advances with the release of a crucial environmental report (Planned US-Mexico rail route advances with environmental report - FreightWaves). This critical step forward for the Green Eagle Railroad aims to enhance connectivity and efficiency in North American freight movement. Hear about a major strategic move in air cargo logistics as DHL proactively extends its long-term dedicated transport contract with Cargojet (DHL moves early to renew Cargojet contract until 2033 - FreightWaves), underscoring their confidence and commitment to robust air freight capabilities.  Plus, don't miss details on upcoming FreightWaves TV content and information on the F3 event in October. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Air Lease has cancelled its order for Airbus A350 freighter jets, a move driven by ongoing development delays and a strategic shift to focus on passenger aircraft.  A new legislative proposal that could significantly alter the landscape of U.S. maritime trade by opening U.S. shipping lanes to foreign allies. This bill proposes 5-year Jones Act exemptions, allowing foreign companies to temporarily operate their vessels in America's highly protected coastal trades.  DHL  is anticipating a notable impact on its financial performance due to a new U.S. de minimis policy. The company projects that the recent crackdown on tariff-free trade for inexpensive overseas packages could potentially trim its overall profit by as much as 3%.  Be sure to tune into FreightWaves TV later today for new episodes of What the Truck and Truck Tech, and don't forget to sign up for F3, happening October 21st and 22nd in Chattanooga, Tennessee! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PrimeFlight Aviation has successfully acquired Stratair's cargo handling business, marking a strategic expansion for PrimeFlight and a divestment for Saltchuk Aviation as it downsizes its air cargo footprint. A major legal development has concluded as a judge officially signed off on the settlement in the biometrics case involving Lytx, bringing to an end a long-standing matter closely watched for its implications on data privacy and employee rights.  New legal proceedings are underway following last year's tragic Baltimore bridge collapse, with the owner and operator of the container ship now suing the vessel's builder. This lawsuit alleges a defective design led to the power loss that caused the disaster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Significant concerns surround the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger, which could leave major intermodal customers like J.B. Hunt, Schneider, and STG Logistics without coast-to-coast single-line service benefits. Intermodal analysts predict these companies may need to swap rail partners in the East to adapt to the new competitive landscape, with J.B. Hunt potentially shifting to CSX.  The episode also highlights BNSF Railway's strong financial performance in the second quarter of 2025, where its pre-tax earnings rose by 11.5% to $2 billion. This gain was driven by lower operating costs, despite a decrease in average revenue per car due to factors like lower fuel surcharges.  Furthermore, learn about the unfortunate closure of TGS Transportation, a California trucking company, after 40 years in business. This difficult decision was primarily influenced by the challenging market conditions currently facing the trucking industry.  Tune in to hear all these freight industry updates and more, including a preview of today's WHAT THE TRUCK?!? episode on FreightWaves Television. Catch the replay on SiriusXM channel 146 at 6 p.m. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NATO has issued a dire warning, stating that global ports face unprecedented cyber threats from state-linked actors, with attacks frequently traced back to Russia, Iran, and China. These sophisticated assaults target critical systems like access control and vessel traffic management, posing a severe risk to global supply chains and military logistics. In rail news, Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern have confirmed advanced discussions for a potential merger that would create the first U.S. transcontinental railroad. While no assurance of a final agreement exists, Union Pacific's CEO emphasized that the railroad industry cannot stand still and requires change. On the trucking front, Heartland Express reported its eighth consecutive net loss in the second quarter, totaling nearly $11 million, or 14 cents per share. This performance was worse than analyst expectations and the prior year's loss, despite the company noting some sequential improvement from the first quarter. Looking ahead, FreightWaves TV has new episodes of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? at noon and Running on Ice at 2 PM today. You can also catch the replay of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? this evening on SiriusXM channel 146. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trucking and logistics company Forward Air is on the verge of a potential acquisition, with several private equity firms, including Clearlake Capital and Apollo Global Management, submitting bids, causing its shares to surge 10%. This interest follows intense pressure from activist investors after the company's heavily contested merger with Omni Logistics, which shareholders criticized for its structure and the large debt burden it placed on Forward. In maritime news, a historic order has been placed for a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessel to be built at a Philadelphia shipyard, marking the first of its kind in the U.S. in nearly 50 years. This joint-build project by Hanwha Ocean and Hanwha Philly Shipyard aims to comply with new rules proposed by the United States Trade Representative, which are designed to counter China’s dominance in shipping and shipbuilding by requiring a percentage of U.S. LNG exports to be transported on U.S.-flagged and crewed vessels. On the railroad front, CSX reported a decline in its second-quarter profits, with operating income falling 11% and revenue decreasing 3%. Despite these financial setbacks, executives expressed encouragement regarding the railroad's operational recovery during the quarter, highlighting improvements in on-time performance. CSX anticipates overall volume growth for the year, driven by numerous industrial development projects becoming operational and the ongoing conversion of freight from highway to intermodal transport. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices