Industry News

News from the world of Trucking

• US to Expand Venezuela Oil Access for Traders, Refiners    (2026-01-20)
  The US government plans to allow more trading companies beyond Vitol Group and Trafigura Group to purchase Venezuelan crude, a Trump administration official said.
• December Medium-Duty Truck Sales Cap Sluggish 2025    (2026-01-20)
  Classes 4-7 retail truck sales for the month decreased 15.5% to 19,082 units from 22,586 a year earlier. Medium-duty sales haven’t trended ahead of the prior year since January 2025.
• International Motors Q4 Truck, Bus Sales Skid 34% From '24    (2026-01-20)
  International Motors’ sales volumes dived 34% year over year in the fourth quarter of 2025 to 15,800 trucks and buses from 23,800 in the year-ago period, parent company Traton said Jan. 20.
• Ag container shipments power South Carolina inland port gains    (2026-01-20)
  Soybeans and retail goods fueled a 33% bump in container volume at Inland Port Dillon in 2025.  The post Ag container shipments power South Carolina inland port gains appeared first on FreightWaves.
• USPS solicits retailers to reserve last-mile delivery capacity    (2026-01-20)
  The U.S. Postal Service has launched a new platform for e-commerce retailers to submit bids for its last-mile delivery service. The post USPS solicits retailers to reserve last-mile delivery capacity appeared first on FreightWaves.
• OOIDA warns of data bias in FMCSA safety inquiry    (2026-01-20)
  OOIDA is challenging FMCSA crash-risk research, claiming its reliance on telematics and a lack of control groups will produce unscientific results. The post OOIDA warns of data bias in FMCSA safety inquiry appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Flexport launches tariff refund calculator as Supreme Court weighs tariff authority    (2026-01-20)
  As U.S. importers wait on a Supreme Court decision that could upend the last year of work with constantly changing tariffs, a new tool from Flexport is offering businesses a way to quantify what has largely been an abstract legal debate: how much money they might actually get back. Flxport  launched a Tariff Refund Calculator, […] The post Flexport launches tariff refund calculator as Supreme Court weighs tariff authority appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Trump's Greenland Threats Spark Outrage and Defiance From EU    (2026-01-20)
  Trump's threats have sparked outrage and a flurry of diplomatic activity across Europe, as leaders consider retaliatory tariffs and the first-ever use of the EU’s anti-coercion instrument.
• Long Beach volume to double to 20M containers by 2050    (2026-01-20)
  The Port of Long Beach, half of the busiest U.S. container gateway,  is laying plans to double throughput to 20 million containers by 2050. The post Long Beach volume to double to 20M containers by 2050 appeared first on FreightWaves.
• USPS proposal requiring small parcel dimensions raises compliance fears    (2026-01-20)
  Businesses are worried that they will incur higher costs to comply with a proposed rule from the U.S. Postal Service that would require submission of parcel dimensions for small packages. The post USPS proposal requiring small parcel dimensions raises compliance fears appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Supreme Court Again Doesn’t Rule on Tariffs    (2026-01-20)
  The court is preparing to begin a four-week recess, and under its usual procedures for releasing opinions, the next potential day for a tariff decision is Feb. 20.  
• Wall Street Slumps After Tariff Threats Over Greenland    (2026-01-20)
  President Donald Trump said he would charge a 10% import tax on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the U.K., the Netherlands and Finland because they oppose his Greenland threats.
• R&R Family of Companies sells WLX/WLE units to CJK Group    (2026-01-20)
  R&R Family of Companies has sold its WLX/Western Logistics Express unit to CJK Group just days after closing carrier Taylor Express. The post R&R Family of Companies sells WLX/WLE units to CJK Group appeared first on FreightWaves.
• China’s Soy Purchases Hit 12 Million Tons to Meet US Pledge    (2026-01-20)
  Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Jan. 20 in an interview on Fox Business that Vice Premier He Lifeng confirmed to him that China has completed their soybean purchases.
• Shippers told autonomous technology could lure freight from trucks to rail     (2026-01-20)
  SCHAUMBURG, Ill. – If there’s a white whale that railroads have long hunted, it’s the goal of converting truck traffic to rail. It’s a centerpiece of Union Pacific’s effort to show public benefits to its merger with Norfolk Southern (NYSE: UNP, NSC), but the goal is hardly a new one. Janet Drysdale, chief commercial officer […] The post Shippers told autonomous technology could lure freight from trucks to rail  appeared first on FreightWaves.
• FMCSA Renews CMV Marking Rules as Industry Grapples With Violations and Fraud    (2026-01-20)
  The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is seeking public comment on renewing its commercial motor vehicle marking requirements. While the FMCSA documents over 153,000 marking violations in 2024 alone, an underground economy of swapped placards helps chameleon carriers and Carrier Identity thieves stay one step ahead of investigators. The post FMCSA Renews CMV Marking Rules as Industry Grapples With Violations and Fraud appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Insurance Was Trucking’s Last Real Barrier to Entry. It Collapsed.    (2026-01-20)
  A credit card and fifteen minutes can now put an unvetted operator behind the wheel of 80,000 pounds, with full legal authority to share the road with your family. The underwriting standards that once kept dangerous carriers off the highway have collapsed, and everyone from crash victims to taxpayers is footing the bill. The post Insurance Was Trucking’s Last Real Barrier to Entry. It Collapsed. appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Why Robotaxis Keep Failing While AV Trucks Take the Slow Road to Safety    (2026-01-20)
  In December 2025, Waymo recalled 3,067 robotaxis after its vehicles ran red lights and blew through school bus stop signs at least 20 times in Austin alone, including one incident that occurred moments after a child crossed in front of a vehicle. Meanwhile, Aurora's autonomous trucks have completed over 100,000 driverless miles in Texas without a single school bus incident. The difference is methodology, and understanding that difference might just save your life. The post Why Robotaxis Keep Failing While AV Trucks Take the Slow Road to Safety appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Trucking market holds up in January    (2026-01-20)
  Tender rejections are at 9.97%. The post Trucking market holds up in January appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Idaho farm owner-op's custom '98 379 brings home Pride & Polish hardware, recognition    (2026-01-20)
  Gary Mackay started his One Circle Farm operation in 1980 but added trucking to the business only a decade ago. Now, his custom...
• DOT says it's full steam ahead on autonomous trucking rollout    (2026-01-20)
  DOT top brass says it's protecting trucking from 'illegal foreign drivers' reducing pay, but it's also going full throttle with...
• What we mean when we say 'freight fraud': Ways to defend against the hydra-headed monster    (2026-01-20)
  While many anti-fraud moves at U.S. DOT and FMCSA are heartening, chameleon carriers persist along with all manner of other frauds...
• Six from multi-state cargo theft ring get fines, prison time for $5M haul    (2026-01-20)
  Six members of a cargo theft ring accused of stealing tractor-trailers containing more than $5 million in goods have been sentenced...
• FMCSA revokes more ELDs, implements broker nonpayment rule     (2026-01-19)
  The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on Jan. 13 placed three more electronic logging devices on the revoked devices list for failing to meet the minimum operating requirements.  The devices […]
• Freight index rose in November, BTS reports     (2026-01-19)
  The freight transportation services index (TSI) rose 1.2% in November from the previous month, reversing two months of declines. The index was also 1.2% higher in November than the same […]
• Crossword Puzzle Solution for January 19, 2026    (2026-01-19)
  Here's the solution to the crossword puzzle found in the January 19, 2026 print edition.
• New heavy-haul-specific load board | Revoked ELD reinstated    (2026-01-19)
  Truckstop.com has launched its new Heavy Haul Load Board Pro specifically for heavy and over-dimensional carriers. Also: FMCSA...
• Up to 175 trucks set to compete in MATS PKY Truck Beauty Championship    (2026-01-19)
  The 34th PKY Truck Beauty Championship will take place at the 2026 Mid-America Trucking Show in March.
• Tennessee bill would impose strict penalties for unlawful commercial vehicle operation    (2026-01-19)
  SB 1587 adds $1 million minimum damages, employer liability and ICE notification requirements The post Tennessee bill would impose strict penalties for unlawful commercial vehicle operation appeared first on FreightWaves.
• HwyHaul marks 7 years with AI-powered leap toward autonomous freight    (2026-01-19)
  Hwy Haul is celebrating its seventh anniversary by unveiling a suite of AI-driven tools designed to make freight management fully autonomous. The company announced the launch of its AI Agents and AI Teammates, along with a new cloud-native AI Transportation Management System (TMS) for freight brokers, shippers, and carriers. The release marks Hwy Haul’s transition […] The post HwyHaul marks 7 years with AI-powered leap toward autonomous freight appeared first on FreightWaves.
• In Flowers Foods drivers’ case, employee arbitration vs. litigation issue can’t be overlooked    (2026-01-19)
  The question of arbitration vs. litigation is easy to overlook in the Flowers Foods drivers' Supreme Court case. The post In Flowers Foods drivers’ case, employee arbitration vs. litigation issue can’t be overlooked appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Borderlands Mexico: Volatile trade, rising carrier costs reshaping shipping strategies    (2026-01-18)
  This week in Borderlands Mexico: Volatile trade, rising carrier costs reshape retail shipping strategies; Cainiao launches U.S.–Mexico cross-border logistics service; and Speedora launches white-glove logistics service in Arizona. The post Borderlands Mexico: Volatile trade, rising carrier costs reshaping shipping strategies appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Spot-contract gap collapses to near four-year low    (2026-01-17)
  The truckload spot market erupted this holiday season, putting many long-term rates into obsolescence. The post Spot-contract gap collapses to near four-year low appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Trucking rates have dropped 27% versus CPI    (2026-01-17)
  The U.S. trucking industry continues to face a harsh economic reality: spot rates have failed to keep pace with inflation, squeezing carrier margins and contributing to significant financial pressure on truckers nationwide. Here’s a clear visual of the disconnect — spot trucking rates (via the SONAR National Truckload Index) overlaid against the Consumer Price Index […] The post Trucking rates have dropped 27% versus CPI appeared first on FreightWaves.
• STB rejects “incomplete” UP-NS merger application    (2026-01-16)
  The Surface Transportation Board rejected as incomplete the merger application by Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern to create the first transcontinental railroad.   The post STB rejects “incomplete” UP-NS merger application appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Trump Casts Doubt on Hassett as Next Fed Chair    (2026-01-16)
  President Trump said if Hassett were to leave the White House National Economic Council, it would deprive the administration of one of its most powerful messengers of the economy.
• Guillaume Giroudon to Lead Operations at Mack’s LVO Plant    (2026-01-16)
  Guillaume Giroudon will become general manager of Mack Trucks’ Lehigh Valley Operations manufacturing plant in Macungie, Pa., the Volvo Group division said.
• Cass TL Linehaul Index climbs amid shipment decline    (2026-01-16)
  December data from Cass Information Systems showed truckload rates continued to step higher as shipments moved lower. The post Cass TL Linehaul Index climbs amid shipment decline appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Florida harbor pilot dies after fall from vessel    (2026-01-16)
  A harbor pilot died while disembarking from a cargo vessel on Florida’s northern Gulf coast. The post Florida harbor pilot dies after fall from vessel appeared first on FreightWaves.
• New bill gives Trump power to blacklist foreign ports    (2026-01-16)
  Legislation empowers the President to ban vessels from U.S. waters if they call on foreign ports that have nationalized or confiscated U.S.-owned assets. The post New bill gives Trump power to blacklist foreign ports appeared first on FreightWaves.
• DTNA Q4 Truck, Bus Sales Decline 27.5% Year Over Year    (2026-01-16)
  Daimler Truck North America sold 34,017 trucks and buses in Q4 2025, down 27.5% from 46,906 vehicles in the same period a year earlier, parent company Daimler Truck said Jan. 16.
• 2026 Trucking capacity: Why it will tighten and who gets trucks first    (2026-01-16)
  Trucking capacity has been steadily exiting the market over the past couple of years. These exits, however, came on the heels of the massive COVID-era oversupply, cushioning their impact on the market. With capacity continuing to tighten going into 2026, the industry will start to feel the effects of this long-term constriction.  Underneath the day-to-day, […] The post 2026 Trucking capacity: Why it will tighten and who gets trucks first appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Cargo thieves sentenced to prison for hijacking trucks    (2026-01-16)
  Members of an organized criminal gang that stole trucks with millions of dollars of merchandise received prison sentences ranging from nearly three years to 13 years. The post Cargo thieves sentenced to prison for hijacking trucks appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Union Pacific CEO tells customers they will benefit from merger    (2026-01-16)
  Union Pacific's chief executive fired back at rivals who oppose the merger to create the first transcontinental railroad. The post Union Pacific CEO tells customers they will benefit from merger appeared first on FreightWaves.
• 57 US, Canadian carriers receive 2026 TCA Elite Fleet certification    (2026-01-16)
  The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has announced the 2026 class of Elite Fleet certified carriers. Now in its second year, the program recognizes for-hire truckload fleets that demonstrate excellence in […]
• FedEx Files to Spin Off Freight Unit Into Stand-Alone Company    (2026-01-16)
  FedEx Corp. has filed to spin off its freight division into its own stand-alone business, the company announced Jan. 16. The separation is on schedule to be completed June 1.
• Cox Automotive Launches Cox Fleet for Trucking    (2026-01-16)
  Cox Automotive unveiled Cox Fleet, a new fleet services brand that combines its commercial vehicle maintenance and roadside operations under a single organization.
• Texas Cancels 6,400 CDLs for Immigrant Drivers    (2026-01-16)
  The Department of Transportation has threatened to withhold federal highway funds from any state that didn't work to scrub licenses with discrepancies.
• Sales at Daimler Truck Down 8% in 2025 Amid US Slump    (2026-01-16)
  Weakness in Daimler Truck's key North American market was largely to blame for the decline, with sales slumping 26% to 142,000 vehicles.
• Supreme Court Sets Jan. 20 for Next Opinions    (2026-01-16)
  A ruling against Trump on tariffs would undercut the centerpiece of his economic agenda and deliver his biggest legal defeat since returning to the White House.
• Asia-US shippers could see lower rates from Red Sea return    (2026-01-16)
  A return of major liners to the Red Sea could return massive capacity to shipping and further pressure rates in an uneven market, an analyst says. The post Asia-US shippers could see lower rates from Red Sea return appeared first on FreightWaves.
• How to change a truck tire at 46 below zero: 'Don't panic'    (2026-01-16)
  Alaska-based Dalton Highway heavy hauler Troy Call's got plenty experience at those temps. Long Haul Paul here salutes Call and...
• US House panel advances cargo theft legislation    (2026-01-16)
  Bipartisan legislation that freight transportation stakeholders view as critical in the fight against cargo theft passed the U.S. House Judiciary Committee on Jan. 13. The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA) […]
• Oops! TQL seeks return of incorrect commission payments    (2026-01-16)
  TQL incorrectly made higher payouts to some brokers, is clawing them back. The post Oops! TQL seeks return of incorrect commission payments appeared first on FreightWaves.
• ECONOMIC TRUCKING TRENDS: Trucking sentiment improving, reflecting ‘cautious optimism’    (2026-01-16)
  The mood in trucking is improving, ever so slowly, based on the latest reports to cross our desks. ACT Research characterizes it as ‘cautious optimism’ as clarity around EPA27 emissions […]
• Alberta plans tougher penalties, stricter licensing to clean up trucking    (2026-01-16)
  Alberta is stepping up efforts to clean up the trucking industry, with truck drivers and carriers who flout rules facing increased scrutiny. Citing a rise in fraudulent activity, the province […]
• Venezuela’s New Leader Favors Foreign Investment in Oil    (2026-01-16)
  Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez used her first state of the union message Jan. 15 to advocate for opening the crucial state-run oil industry to more foreign investment.
• Tesla Pores Over 8,313 Potential FSD Traffic Violations    (2026-01-16)
  NHTSA granted Tesla a five-week extension to start addressing a defect investigation into its cars violating traffic laws while its Full Self-Driving system is engaged.
• Trucking rates have bottomed, but catalyst needed to drive meaningful gains in 2026    (2026-01-16)
  After three years of rate misery, the freight market is showing signs it may finally be stabilizing. But if you’re waiting for a clean, confident trucking-rate recovery year in 2026, […]
• Taylor Express closure leaves drivers sleeping in trucks, employees jobless    (2026-01-16)
  Taylor Express shut down without warning on Jan. 12, cutting off support and leaving some truck drivers sleeping in their rigs while trying to get home, former employees said. The post Taylor Express closure leaves drivers sleeping in trucks, employees jobless appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Walmart Names New US Chief Ahead of CEO Change    (2026-01-16)
  David Guggina, who has been the chief e-commerce officer of Walmart U.S., has been promoted to CEO of the division — the company’s biggest and most important business.
• J.B. Hunt Misses Revenue Estimates on Freight Slump    (2026-01-16)
  J.B. Hunt handled fewer longhaul, coast-to-coast shipments during the quarter, with intermodal volumes shifting toward shorter hauls in the eastern U.S.
• Canada Agrees to Cut Tariffs on Chinese EVs    (2026-01-16)
  Breaking with the United States, Canada has agreed to cut its 100% tariff on Chinese electric cars in return for lower tariffs on Canadian farm products, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Jan. 16.
• Aurora, McLeod deliver industry’s first driverless trucking link to TMS platform    (2026-01-16)
  Early rollout driven by customer demand gives McLeod users immediate access to Aurora Driver capacity The post Aurora, McLeod deliver industry’s first driverless trucking link to TMS platform appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Trade Policy and Tariffs Fuel Nearshoring Momentum    (2026-01-16)
  Transportation companies such as C.H. Robinson and XPO have already added services and warehouse space to support customers in Mexico that are shipping or are planning to ship to the U.S.