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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

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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

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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