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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

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Union Pacific is reportedly in early-stage talks to acquire Norfolk Southern, its smaller Eastern rival. This potential tie-up would combine the largest publicly held US railroad with NS, bringing together over 60,000 employees and 60,000 miles of track. David Steiner has officially taken the helm of the US Postal Service as the new Postmaster General, becoming the highest paid chief executive in the agency's history with a salary over $346,000 plus a 50% bonus.  The Canadian government will begin a confidential vote on Monday for 53,000 Canada Post employees to ratify the state-owned company's final contract offer, despite opposition from union leadership. This vote aims to conclude 19 months of negotiations, which included a 32-day strike and recent mail carrier refusal to work overtime, leading to daily operational losses of $7.3 million per day in June. Tune in today for FreightWaves TV's What the Truck?!? live at noon, with replays available on SiriusXM channel 146 from 5 to 7 PM. Don't forget to register for the free Enterprise Fleet Summit next Wednesday at 9 AM and get your tickets for the Supply Chain and AI Symposium in Washington D.C. in about two weeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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An Illinois-based trucking company, Chicago Suburban Express, is scheduled to close its doors on Friday, July 18th. Founded in 1963, the company, also known as CSX, previously offered same-day pickup and truckload shipments across Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and parts of Missouri, employing 41 drivers and operating 33 power units.  Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has announced a new 12-member DOT Advisory Board with the goal of increasing American private investment in national infrastructure projects. Duffy highlighted that while there's a significant opportunity for private capital in infrastructure, much of the current returns are going to foreign investors, and he aims to shift these returns to American investors. Derek Barrs, the nominee for the top position at the FMCSA, testified before Congress, emphasizing how his law enforcement experience will guide his leadership in the agency. He specifically noted his understanding of challenges faced by roadside inspectors when communicating with drivers lacking English proficiency, and pledged to address issues like fraudulent CDLs and other fraud schemes if confirmed.  The episode also promotes upcoming FreightWaves TV programming, including new episodes of Bring It Home with JP Hampstead and The Long Haul with Adam Wingfield. Listeners are encouraged to get tickets for the Supply Chain AI Symposium on July 30th in Washington D.C., and to register for the free Enterprise Fleet Summit virtual event next week. Additionally, nominations for the FreightTech 100 awards are now open, with winners to be announced later in the summer and the FreightTech 25 announced at the F3 festival in October. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices