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FedEx's board of directors elected R. Brad Martin as chairman following the passing of founder Fred Smith, and a decision to reduce the board's size to 12 members. The company expressed profound gratitude for Smith's vision and contributions, as Martin, previously vice chairman, now leads the audit and finance committees. Maersk has suspended services to Israel’s busiest port, Haifa, and halted cargo acceptance due to ongoing conflict and safety risks from missile attacks. This decision was made prior to new missile attacks, which occurred despite reports of a potential ceasefire. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has announced a five-year, $10 million research initiative to study the long-term health effects of the 2023 railroad derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. This marks the first large-scale coordinated federal program to address community health concerns, focusing on public health tracking, chemical exposure impacts, and multi-disciplinary communication. Also, tune into FreightWaves TV for programs like Check Call and Loaded and Rolling, and mark your calendars for upcoming events like the Enterprise Fleet Summit on July 23rd. Don't miss the Supply Chain AI Symposium on July 30th in Washington D.C., where a special ticket offer allows combining it with your F3 ticket for a reduced price. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Global tensions as oil prices react to geopolitical events, with Brent crude ticking up after the US strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, though prices later flattened as tankers moved through the Strait of Hormuz. Despite Iran's parliament voting to close the strategic waterway, top leadership approval is required, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged China to discourage such a shutdown given its critical impact on global oil consumption. Spot rates for large crude oil tankers from the Persian Gulf to China have surged dramatically amid heightened Middle East stability concerns, nearly doubling to over $57,000 per day for the largest crude carriers. Despite threats to close the Strait of Hormuz, major container lines like Maersk and CMA CGM continue their sailings, closely monitoring the situation while maintaining operations. In industry news, we pause to honor the passing of Frederick W. Smith, the visionary founder of FedEx, who died at age 80, transforming a college term paper idea into an $87.7 billion global overnight delivery powerhouse. Smith's pioneering concepts, military service, and strategic financial moves, like a high-stakes blackjack win, shaped FedEx into a company whose legacy touches virtually every corner of global logistics. The US truckload market continues to face significant challenges, with carrier revocations, or trucking businesses shutting down, running 16% higher year-over-year through mid-2025, reflecting sustained industry vulnerability. Recent regulatory enforcement, including renewed English language proficiency rules and stricter CDL fraud crackdowns, may be raising entry barriers, while softening demand and rising operating costs further squeeze profitability. Supply chain investments are on the rise in Mexico to support growing trade with the US, its largest trading partner. This includes Evans Transportation opening a new office in Laredo, DP World launching a freight forwarding hub in Mexico City, Geodis Logistics opening a new office in Guadalajara, We Store Frozen building a cold storage facility in Laredo, and Japanese firms Tokai Kogyo and Benchmark Electronics expanding their manufacturing footprints. FreightWaves is proud to spotlight the dawn of a new era with the AI Excellence in Supply Chain Award, recognizing game-changing use of artificial intelligence in logistics. The Supply Chain AI Symposium in Washington, D.C., happening this July, will crown industry leaders harnessing AI, machine learning, and large language models to drive smarter, more resilient, and sustainable supply chains. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heightened tensions in the Middle East have caused spot rates for large crude oil tankers from the Persian Gulf to China to surge over 50%. This surge comes after a U.S. attack on Iran and threats to close the Strait of Hormuz, a route for about 20% of the world's oil, equating to over $57,000 per day for a roundtrip charter.  Frederick W. Smith, who founded FedEx Express Corp. fifty-four years ago and revolutionized parcel delivery by using aircraft for overnight delivery, passed away over the weekend at the age of 80. FedEx CEO Raj Subramaniam stated that "Fred was more than just the pioneer of an industry and the founder of our great company. He was the heart and soul of FedEx – its People-Service-Profit culture, values, integrity, and spirit," underscoring his profound impact.  The Supreme Court has weighed in on California's ability to create its own environmental regulations via waivers from the EPA, a ruling that was more procedural than substantive on regulatory lawmaking. This decision, which overruled a D.C. Circuit Court case regarding a challenge to California's Clean Cars One Act, could benefit how trucking groups fight state regulations impacting their industry going forward.  Don't miss What The Truck?!? live at noon today on FreightWaves TV, with the replay available on SiriusXM channel 146. Also, mark your calendars for the free Enterprise Fleet Summit on July 23rd and the Supply Chain AI Symposium on July 30th in Washington D.C., with a special combo ticket available for the latter and the Future of Freight Festival. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

C.H. Robinson announces groundbreaking adoption of AI agents to classify LTL freight, a move set to revolutionize classification, enhance efficiency, and accuracy in logistics. This innovation is particularly significant given upcoming changes to the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) system and is expected to generate operating leverage in North American Surface Transportation (NAST) by automating over 75% of LTL orders. Canada Post reached a collective bargaining agreement with its second-largest union, the Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association (CPAA), after 18 months of negotiations. This deal grants postmasters an 11% wage increase over three years, while a standoff continues with their largest union, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), prompting government intervention. DHL Express Canada requested for an exemption from new legislation banning replacement workers during strikes or lockouts, forcing them to suspend operations. The company argues this cessation significantly harms businesses and communities, affecting over 50,000 international shipments daily, but the union, Unifor, strongly opposes any special treatment. Explore the swift resolution of a legal battle between DAT Freight & Analytics and factoring company OTR Solutions, bringing a quick end to a dispute over factoring services. This settlement allows DAT to market the factoring services of Outgo, a company it recently acquired, on its platform, which had been previously suspended by a court order. FourKites CEO allegedly manipulated comments by FreightWaves' CEO to unfairly criticize Project44’s Movement platform, highlighting competitive rivalries in logistics technology. This behavior, which included misrepresenting the context of the statements, raises questions about ethical conduct, given FourKites' history of purported unethical actions against Project44. Recent flooding and rockslides shut down a critical stretch of Interstate 40 between the North Carolina and Tennessee border. This key route was previously ravaged by Hurricane Helene last September and only partially reopened in February 2025, emphasizing its vulnerability to natural disasters. This episode ensures you stay ahead of the curve in freight and logistics news. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, the audio file delves into C.H. Robinson's groundbreaking AI agent, a proprietary technology poised to revolutionize less-than-truckload (LTL) freight classification by adapting to upcoming changes in the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) system. As North America's largest third-party logistics (3PL) provider for LTL freight, C.H. Robinson's innovation promises enhanced efficiency and accuracy across the logistics industry by automating tasks that previously defied automation for decades. The podcast also covers the swift resolution of the legal dispute between factoring company OTR Solutions and DAT Freight & Analytics, with OTR voluntarily dismissing its lawsuit. This settlement enables DAT to fully launch Outgo, a recently acquired financial services and factoring company, through the DAT One platform. In global news, the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict has not yet severely impacted freight markets, but significant concerns persist regarding the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This strategic passage is vital for Persian Gulf nations, exporting 20% of the global oil supply, and any disruption could dramatically affect oil prices and international shipping routes. Listeners can catch Tim Dooner on What the Truck?!? for the latest on the Project44 and Fourkites feud, and Mario Connell on Running on Ice discussing cold chain efficiency with E-Road. Registration is open for the upcoming Enterprise Fleet Summit on July 23rd and the Supply Chain AI Symposium on July 30th in Washington D.C.. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An Ohio couple that owned multiple trucking companies pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges related to COVID-19 loan programs, fraudulently obtaining over $900,000. Ajay and Ruhi Chawla used these funds primarily for real estate acquisitions instead of employee payroll for their four trucking-related businesses. A new U.S. Department of Transportation enforcement policy is drawing criticism from the Truck Safety Coalition, who warn it could lead to "political interference" and undermine safety oversight. The policy would allow truck drivers and companies under investigation to petition DOT officials, potentially causing a "chilling effect" on federal regulators and risking disciplinary action against FMCSA investigators. Independent terminal operator Outpost has acquired four new facilities, bringing its national network to 25 locations, with plans to add another eight to ten by year-end. Supported by a $500 million capital fund, Outpost offers truck parking, maintenance partnerships, and cross-dock facilities, differentiating itself from traditional travel centers by focusing heavily on truck capacity rather than free parking.  A trailer carrying 2,810 Nintendo Switch 2 consoles, valued at $1.4 million, was stolen overnight from a Love's Travel Stop in Bennett, Colorado. This high-value cargo heist highlights a 27% surge in cargo theft, with the scale of the operation suggesting potential inside involvement due to the specialized equipment needed to move the heavy pallets.  The Port of Los Angeles experienced a surprising dip in May container volumes, snapping a 10-month growth streak, with imports falling 9% year-over-year. An economist warned that ongoing tariffs, averaging 55% on Chinese imports, could effectively increase costs to American families by about $2,500 annually, disproportionately affecting lower-income households. FedEx has deployed an AI-powered robotic arm at its Cologne, Germany, air gateway to improve package sorting precision, the first of its kind in FedEx’s European network. This robot processes up to 1,000 small packages per hour, ensuring labels are correctly oriented for scanning, which enhances efficiency and reduces physical strain on employees. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An Ohio couple pleaded guilty to fraud charges involving COVID-era loan programs for their trucking companies. These funds, totaling over $900,000, were reportedly misused for real estate acquisitions instead of employee payroll. We also discuss the ongoing debate surrounding new enforcement rights proposed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, with the Truck Safety Coalition warning of negative impacts on investigations. Conversely, the American Trucking Associations supports these rules, viewing them as a path to greater accountability. Furthermore, learn how electronics manufacturer Jabil is making a significant $500 million investment to expand its cloud and AI data center infrastructure in the U.S. Southeast. This new facility, expected to be operational by mid-2026, aims to meet the surging demand for AI, serving major clients like Apple, UPS, and Amazon. Don't miss today's What the Truck?!? live on FreightWaves TV at noon, and register for the free Enterprise Fleet Summit virtual event on July 23rd. Plus, grab your tickets for the Supply Chain AI Symposium in Washington D.C. on July 30th, with a bundle deal available for the Future of Freight Festival in October. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A dramatic incident happened in the Persian Gulf, where a "dark fleet" tanker collided with another crude oil vessel near the Strait of Hormuz, igniting a fire amidst rising GPS disruptions in the region. This critical maritime choke point, responsible for a fifth of the world's oil and gas supply, continues to be a hotspot for geopolitical tensions. Shifting to international trade, President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer have announced a significant easing of tariffs between their nations. This new agreement zeroes out aerospace import tariffs from the UK and reduces auto tariffs to 10% on the first 100,000 vehicles, a sharp drop from the previous 27.5% duty. On the fuel front, benchmark diesel prices have seen their biggest upward move since January, rising 10 cents per gallon to $3.571, largely driven by escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. While crude oil prices briefly dipped, market anxieties over tightened diesel availability persist, especially given Iran's role as a supplier of heavier crude. In North America, DHL Express Canada is preparing to suspend parcel operations due to a tough labor dispute with Unifor, impacting 2,100 workers. A new Canadian law prohibiting replacement workers has forced DHL's hand, leading to an indefinite shipment embargo starting Tuesday night with full operations pausing by Friday. A serious crackdown on safety and fraud in Florida has led to the arrest of eight individuals, including two state employees, for selling fraudulent driver's licenses to undocumented migrants. Shockingly, some of these illicitly obtained licenses were commercial, enabling unqualified individuals to potentially operate tractor-trailers, posing a significant threat to highway safety. Finally, in the skies, Saudi Arabia-based AviLease has made a bold entry into the widebody air cargo market with a direct order for 10 Airbus A350 freighters. These state-of-the-art jets promise remarkable fuel efficiency and the capacity to carry up to 120 tons, featuring the industry's largest cargo door for oversized shipments and even 20-foot containers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's FreightWaves Morning Minute, we cover significant developments in the freight industry, including recent bankruptcy filings from two trucking companies and a distribution service, with creditors seeking millions. Get the full story on these financial challenges, including specific companies like Dolche Truckload Corp., Contract Managed Services, and GD Transport, and the millions claimed by their creditors, by reading "Creditors claim millions as freight bankruptcy filings roll in - FreightWaves". California's Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's decision to revoke the state's zero-emission vehicle waivers, labeling the federal action unlawful and unconstitutional. This legal challenge impacts key environmental regulations like the Advanced Clean Trucks Act, the nitrogen oxide rule, and the Clean Cars 2 regulation. We also report on DHL Express Canada's decision to suspend parcel operations, effective this Friday, June 20th. This suspension is a direct consequence of an escalating labor dispute and new Canadian legislation prohibiting the use of replacement workers. Additionally, tune in for upcoming FreightWaves TV events like "Check Call" and "Loaded and Rolling," and mark your calendars for the virtual Enterprise Fleet Summit. For registration and ticket information on these and other events such as the Supply Chain AI Symposium and Future of Freight Festival. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump announced a significant trade deal with China, which he states is nearly complete and pending final approval from himself and China's president. This agreement reportedly includes China providing rare earth metals upfront, with the U.S. receiving 55% tariffs and China 10%, highlighting an "excellent" relationship between the two nations. The Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) has released their annual logistics report, revealing a substantial increase in the logistics portion of the U.S. GDP for 2024. This share rose by $133 billion to $2.58 trillion, marking a 5.4% increase from the previous year, and is not expected to decrease soon. Union Pacific is actively rolling out a multifaceted technology strategy designed to benefit both truckers and rail shippers across its network. Key initiatives include the implementation of API solutions for real-time shipment updates, comprehensive GPS tracking for containers, and the utilization of RailPulse technology for real-time railcar data. These advancements, alongside an updated website and customer portal, aim to improve service, reduce wait times at intermodal ramps, and enhance overall safety and efficiency. Tune in today to FreightWaves TV for a new episode of What The Truck?!? At noon, followed by Truck Tech with Thomas Wasson later this afternoon. Don't forget to sign up for the Enterprise Fleet Summit on July 23rd and the Supply Chain AI Symposium on July 30th in Washington D.C.. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices