Talking Transports

Regulatory, tariff and economic uncertainty continues to paralyze the North American heavy-truck market as a collapse in orders has reduced build rate expectations this year. Visibility should begin to improve in the coming months as we get better clarity on a 2026 recovery. In this episode of the Talking Transports podcast, Tim Denoyer, vice president and senior analyst at ACT Research, joins Lee Klaskow, Bloomberg Intelligence senior transportation and logistics analyst, and Chris Ciolino, senior US machinery analyst, to share his insights about navigating the North American truck market during this pivotal time. Denoyer also discusses the freight outlook, order trends, pricing expectations, energy transition, autonomy, the used market and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The more protectionist policies out of Washington are creating a more uncertain backdrop for North American railroads and the broader freight markets. Yet the industry should be agile and resilient enough to navigate the volume volatility that has come with the ever-changing US tariff policies. In this Talking Transports podcast, Tony Hatch, founder and president of ABH Consulting, joins Lee Klaskow, Bloomberg Intelligence senior transportation and logistics analyst, to share insights about the state of the industry and what might be ahead for railroads. Hatch also discusses regulations, growth opportunities, service levels, consolidations, labor relations, nearshoring among other topics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finding a safe place to park is just one of the many challenges facing truck drivers. There’s just one space for every 11 trucks, according to the American Trucking Associations, which estimates drivers spend 56 minutes looking for available parking, amounting to about $5,500 in lost compensation. In this episode of Talking Transports, Evan Shelley, co-founder and CEO of Truck Parking Club, joins Bloomberg Intelligence’s senior transportation and logistics analyst, Lee Klaskow, to share how his company is tackling the problem, which also poses a safety risk to the driving public. Shelley discusses building scale and explains how his real estate experience led him to the trucking industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Intermodal demand will likely remain volatile from the start-and-stop trade policy coming out of Washington. International demand may get a boost following the US and China lowering their tariffs on one another as part of the announced 90-day truce. Shippers may start to rush to fill warehouses at lower duties. This will help mitigate the drag on domestic intermodal demand created by lower diesel prices. In this Talking Transports podcast, Anne Reinke, president and CEO of the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA), joins Lee Klaskow, Bloomberg Intelligence senior transportation and logistics analyst, to share her insights about the state of the industry against this uncertain backdrop. Reinke also discusses legislative priorities, combating fraud, market-share opportunities and how her career in transports was sparked by boredom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tensions between the US and its trading partners are weighing on dry-bulk demand as economic-growth expectations recede. The global economy could expand 2.6%, based on consensus, down 40 bps from the start of the year and 70 bps below 2024. The US accounts for about 10% of the dry-bulk market, making the sector less tied to protectionist policies out of Washington. Agriculture and metallurgical coal comprise the majority of exports. In this Talking Transports podcast, Hamish Norton, president of Star Bulk Carriers, joins Lee Klaskow, Bloomberg Intelligence’s senior transportation and logistics analyst, to share his insights about the state of the global dry-bulk industry. Norton also discusses tariffs, USTR fees, dry-bulk economics, fuel prices, shipbuilding, asset values and rates.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Geopolitical tensions, shifting trade routes and evolving carrier alliances are redefining the global containerliner landscape. Though demand remains uncertain, a level setting of tariffs could create a surge in demand and lead to renewed congestion and rate volatility. In this Talking Transports podcast, Steve Ferreira, founder and CEO of Ocean Audit, joins Lee Klaskow, Bloomberg Intelligence senior transportation and logistics analyst, to share his insights about the state of the global container industry, which he describes as fragmented, fragile and fine-tuning. Ferreira also discusses tariffs, USTR fees, emissions, rates and how a better offer lead him to a long career in shipping.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The uncertainty created by more protectionist policies out of Washington make supply-chain professional jobs increasingly more stressful and unpredictable. Shippers need to be nimble, patient and not overly reactive to headlines out of the White House. In this episode of the Talking Transports podcast, John Janson, vice president of global logistics at SanMar, joins Lee Klaskow, Bloomberg Intelligence’s senior transportation and logistics analyst, to share his insights about navigating today’s environment. Janson talks about SanMar’s ocean, parcel, less-than-truckload, intermodal and truckload strategies, rates and how its playbook during the pandemic may help it come out of current headwinds in a better position with its customers and transportation providers. The company has been proactively diversifying its exposure to China for some time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Machine learning, generative AI and other technology innovations have the ability to drive safer and more efficient supply chains. Freight-transportation markets are in the early stages of leveraging AI’s capabilities which will be transformational in the years to come. In this Talking Transports podcast, Dr. Yossi Sheffi, director of the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics, joins Lee Klaskow, Bloomberg Intelligence senior transportation and logistics analyst, to share his insights about the opportunities these new technologies can bring and what it takes for wider adoption. Dr. Sheffi also talks tariffs, autonomous vehicles, warehouse robots, value-added tax (VAT) and how his real-world experience as an entrepreneur helps him to be better in the classroom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fraud in the trucking industry has become a major issue for carriers, brokers and shippers alike. The Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) estimates that freight fraud costs supply chains over $1 billion annually in the US. The pandemic, market-participant anonymity and ease have helped spark a new wave of cargo theft. In this Talking Transports podcast, Michael Caney, chief commercial officer of Highway, joins Lee Klaskow, Bloomberg Intelligence senior transportation and logistics analyst, to share his insights about how the company’s technology-based platform is fighting abuse in the industry. Caney also talks about types of fraud, the importance of knowing your customer, double brokering, dispatch services, rising costs for truckers and how stumbling into the freight-brokerage industry led him to Highway.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The global container-liner industry is facing increased uncertainty stemming from the protectionist measures coming out of Washington. Trade between Asia and North America accounts for about 13% of global container trade, with the majority from China to the US. In this Talking Transports podcast, Thomas Lister, CEO of Global Ship Lease, joins Lee Klaskow, Bloomberg Intelligence senior transportation and logistics analyst, to share his insights about its fleet of small-to-midsize containerships could provide some insulation from the growing trade war between the US and China. Lister also talks tariffs, the potential for fees places on Chinese-built ships, the orderbook, remaining disciplined through the cycle, capital allocation and how he talked his way into the marine-shipping industry following graduation from university.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.