Talking Transports

Saia’s expansion plans are helping it mitigate weak less-than-truckload (LTL) demand, but that also comes with higher costs and margin pressures as new facilities build density. The company added 21 new facilities with plans to open up to six in 2025. Tonnage has increased 12-13% during the first two months of the year, while its competitors are experiencing mid- to high-single-digit declines. In this episode of the Talking Transports podcast, Saia’s President and CEO Fritz Holzgrefe joins Lee Klaskow, Bloomberg Intelligence’s senior transportation and logistics analyst, to discuss the outlook for the LTL market and the company’s network build-out. Capital spending will remain elevated this year even after declining 28% from 2024, as Saia continues to expand. Holzgrefe also talks about the driver market, the competitive landscape and how he went from peanuts to trucking.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dry-bulk rates are well below their pandemic peaks and are now hovering around operating costs for many fleets. The outlook will be challenging this year as supply growth is expected to outpace demand by 230 bps, based on a forecast by Clarksons. In this Talking Transports episode, Jan Dieleman, president of Cargill Ocean Transportation, joins Lee Klaskow, Bloomberg Intelligence senior transportation and logistics analyst, to share his insights about what’s on the horizon for its fleet of about 700 chartered vessels. Cargill is on the long path to reach the IMO’s goal of zero emissions by 2050 through innovations and testing biofuels and wind, as well as taking delivery of five dual-fuel methanol ships this year. Dieleman also talks tariffs, regulations, discusses Red Sea voyages and his long career moving dry- and wet-bulk cargos around the world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Port of Los Angeles is a major gateway for freight moving in and out of the US, which is key to the regional and national economies. The pull-forward benefits from anticipated new US implemented tariffs, and a potential strike at US East Coast and Gulf ports, helped drive 19% volume growth in 2024. This year, comparisons will become more difficult and may result in low-double-digit declines in 2H. In this Talking Transports podcast, Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, joins Lee Klaskow, Bloomberg Intelligence senior transportation and logistics analyst, to share his insights about what’s over the horizon for North America’s busiest container port. Seroka also discusses the company’s emission goals, technology-driven productivity gains and how his career in shipping started with a plane ticket from his dad.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Geopolitical-fueled supply-chain dislocations have provided a constructive supply-demand backdrop for product and chemical-tanker fleets in 2025. The crisis in the Red Sea, sanctions on Russian energy exports and potential US tariffs have increased ton-miles and absorbed capacity. Time charter rates remain above historical averages despite coming off their robust levels over the past three years, which will weigh on earnings this year. In this Talking Transports podcast, Gernot Ruppelt, CEO of Ardmore Shipping, joins Lee Klaskow, Bloomberg Intelligence senior transportation and logistics analyst, to share his insights into the state of the product tanker market. Ruppelt also discusses the company’s integrated trading strategy, focus on innovation to drive operating costs lower and capital-allocation priorities.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben Gordon, founder of BGSA Holdings and Cambridge Capital, shares his expertise on the booming M&A activity in transportation and logistics. He highlights growing optimism among supply chain executives as they anticipate significant growth in 2025. The conversation dives into notable deals like RXO’s acquisition of Coyote, showcasing strategic expansions. Gordon also discusses how factors like technology, market conditions, and personal transitions motivate sellers, and the potential for IPO growth in logistics and tech sectors.

The growth in machine learning and artificial intelligence can drive significant productivity gains for trucking carriers and shippers. Those leaning into these new technologies will be able to make better decisions and drive improved economic outcomes. Transports appear to be in the early innings of this new technology revolution. In this Talking Transports podcast, Rob Painter, CEO and president of Trimble, joins Lee Klaskow, Bloomberg Intelligence senior transportation and logistics analyst, to share his insights into what AI has meant for the company and its customers. Painter also discusses internet of things (IoT), the importance of compounding and how Trimble is connecting supply chains through the life cycle continuum of sourcing, planning, executing and settling.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tariff risk has forced many companies to take a long hard look at their supply chains. In this Talking Transports podcast, Didi Caldwell, CEO and president of Global Location Strategies and America’s factory whisper, joins Lee Klaskow, Bloomberg Intelligence senior transportation and logistics analyst, to share her insights into what it takes for an industrial-development project, which are key for long-term railroad carload growth, to get off the ground. Caldwell also discusses how she spent the first half of her career moving companies out of the US and the second half helping them move back.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FedEx and UPS are trying to navigate an ever-changing parcel industry as volume mix shifts toward more-expensive home deliveries and increased competition from the likes of Amazon.com, which have weighed on margins. These legacy players are focused on productivity improvements, expense controls and restructuring networks in the hopes of thriving in this complex environment. In this Talking Transports podcast, Satish Jindel, president of SJ Consulting and ShipMatrix, joins Lee Klaskow, Bloomberg Intelligence senior transportation and logistics analyst, to share his insights about what’s shaping the parcel and less-than-truckload landscapes. Jindel also discusses many aspects of the LTL market, including, consolidation, FedEx Freight’s spinoff and carriers’ pricing power.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The trucking industry could transition to a more robust environment after the freight recession of the past two years. A more probusiness Trump administration may spur domestic freight growth and be more sympathetic to the issues facing the trucking industry, according to Chris Spear, president and chief executive officer of the American Trucking Associations. In this Talking Transports podcast, Spear joins Lee Klaskow, Bloomberg Intelligence’s senior transportation and logistics analyst, to share his insights how a more common-sense approach to lower emissions could be better for the industry, environment and economy. Spear also discusses the driver shortage, legal reforms, autonomous trucking and hopes for a return to finding common ground in Washington.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Technology will be a driving force in shaping the transportation and logistics industry for years to come given the productivity improvements afforded by artificial intelligence and machine learning. It may also spur a new era of consolidation within the freight brokerage industry, as those companies without the scale and capital will find it increasingly difficult to compete. In this Talking Transports podcast, Ken Beyer, CEO of Transportation Insights (TI) and Nolan Transportation Group (NTG), joins Lee Klaskow, Bloomberg Intelligence senior transportation and logistics analyst, to share his insights about where the freight markets are heading and how the company has leveraged technology to increase productivity by three-fold. Beyer also discusses where he sees trucking in 2025 and the importance of building a people-first organization. Find this and other Bloomberg Intelligence podcasts at BI PODCASTS <GO>.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.