Industry News

News from the world of Trucking

• Get More Bang for Your Buck    (2024-04-29)
  Did you know truck drivers listen to SiriusXM an average 55+ hours each week? The SiriusXM Fleet Program keeps your drivers informed, engaged, and entertained along every mile. Our 150+ channels of ad-free music, as well as sports, news, talk…
• AI Optimized Revenue: Ship Smarter, Drive Profits    (2024-04-29)
  The shipping and supply chain industry, a linchpin of global commerce, has long wrestled with outdated and error-prone data handling processes. Traditionally, businesses have relied on tedious manual processes, accepting them as a necessary cost of operations.  The boom of AI has opened the door to innovate workflows that are custom-tailored fixes. 
• AI Revolutionizes 3PL: Saves Time, Gains Margin    (2024-04-29)
  The shipping and supply chain industry, a linchpin of global commerce, has long wrestled with outdated and error-prone data handling processes. Traditionally, businesses have relied on tedious manual processes, accepting them as a necessary cost of operations.  The boom of AI has opened the door to innovate workflows that are custom-tailored fixes. 
• Labor Deal Signing Bonuses Dampen Record Allison Sales    (2024-04-26)
  Signing bonuses linked to a labor contract ratified by United Auto Workers members in January hurt profits at Allison Transmission Holdings in the first quarter of 2024.
• Ontario’s towing industry struggles under new regulations: PTAO cites gaps, unfair practices    (2024-04-26)
  It has been nearly five months since Ontario introduced new legislation regulating the towing industry. The Professional Towing Association of Ontario (PTAO) supports the intent behind the legislation but has […]
• FirstElement opens world’s first commercial truck stop for hydrogen-fueled vehicles    (2024-04-26)
  FirstElement Fuels has opened the world’s first large-scale hydrogen fueling station for heavy trucks. Located near the Port of Oakland, the station has capacity to fill 200 trucks a day […]
• TFI Profit Falls 17.1% on ‘Worse Than Expected’ Market    (2024-04-26)
  Profits at TFI International fell 17.1% year-over-year in the first quarter of 2024 on the back of what CEO Alain Bédard said was a particularly weak freight environment.
• Universal Logistics Reports 12.5% Revenue Boost for Q1    (2024-04-26)
  Universal Logistics Holdings well surpassed expectations with both revenue and earnings increasing year-over-year during the first quarter of 2024, the company reported.
• Commercial Hydrogen Fueling Station to Open in California    (2024-04-26)
  OAKLAND, Calif. — FirstElement Fuel will open what it is calling the world’s first heavy-duty high-flow hydrogen fueling facility to the public in May. 
• Iowa Customs unveils new Peterbilt 589 product line    (2024-04-26)
  Custom products for the successor to the iconic Peterbilt 389 include air bag covers, air cleaner panels, battery boxes and slip...
• BNSF Signs On to Federal Safety Hotline for Some Workers    (2024-04-26)
  OMAHA, Neb. — BNSF will become the second major freight railroad to allow some of its employees to report safety concerns anonymously through a federal system without fear of discipline.
• New Jersey-based driver shut down after crash, multiple DUIs    (2024-04-26)
  A driver who rear-ended a car and fled the scene was later found and placed out of service, then violated that order and was found...
• NHTSA Investigates Whether Tesla Autopilot Recall Did Enough    (2024-04-26)
  DETROIT— The U.S. government’s auto safety agency is investigating whether last year’s recall of Tesla’s Autopilot driving system did enough to make sure drivers pay attention to the road.
• Exxon, Chevron Fall as First-Quarter Earnings Miss Estimates    (2024-04-26)
  Exxon Mobil and Chevron declined after disappointing first-quarter performances despite posting strong production gains in marquee oil projects in Guyana and the Permian Basin.
• FreightWaves Infographics: FMCSA sees ‘significant impacts’ on truck drive times in Baltimore area    (2024-04-26)
  The post FreightWaves Infographics: FMCSA sees ‘significant impacts’ on truck drive times in Baltimore area appeared first on FreightWaves.
• FreightTech Friday: Wabash sees success with trailers-as-a-service    (2024-04-26)
  Glen Stewart, director of strategic programs at Wabash, discusses the company’s Trailers-as-a-service (TaaS) offering, which is designed to help increase asset uptime. The post FreightTech Friday: Wabash sees success with trailers-as-a-service appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Cargo airline Amerijet warns of pilot furloughs amid downsizing    (2024-04-26)
  Amerijet, trying to pull out of a downward spiral, is floating possible furloughs to address a pilot surplus. The post Cargo airline Amerijet warns of pilot furloughs amid downsizing appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Hub Group sees Q1 revenue fall 13% year over year to $999M    (2024-04-25)
  Soft freight market conditions continue to create market headwinds as Hub Group’s first-quarter revenue declines 13% year over year. The post Hub Group sees Q1 revenue fall 13% year over year to $999M appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Crash data involving new truck, bus drivers getting worse    (2024-04-25)
  A requirement that motor carriers pass a written safety exam before being issued a DOT number will be delayed again as new drivers involved in fatal crashes are on the rise. The post Crash data involving new truck, bus drivers getting worse appeared first on FreightWaves.
• See around the consensus    (2024-04-25)
  While supply chains remain uncertain, here's how SONAR can help freight keep the status quo. The post See around the consensus appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Intermodal Chassis Manufacturers Pull Back on Output    (2024-04-25)
  Intermodal chassis manufacturers are scaling back production as a result of weak demand as well as a supply overhang, company executives said.
• Transportation Intermediaries Association blasts new DOL overtime rule    (2024-04-25)
  The U.S. Department of Labor announced a final rule that will ensure overtime pay for some salaried and highly compensated employees – a move that critics say could hurt brokers operating small businesses. The post Transportation Intermediaries Association blasts new DOL overtime rule appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Buttigieg to Defend Fiscal 2025 Budget in Congress    (2024-04-25)
  The nation’s top transportation officer will defend the White House’s fiscal 2025 funding request for his department when he appears before congressional funding panels.
• Top 100 For-Hire Carriers: How to Get on the List    (2024-04-25)
  Find out how your trucking business stacks up by submitting data for the 2024 Transport Topics Top 100 For-Hire Carriers publication.
• Pam sets Dutch auction to buy back shares; battered stock price soars    (2024-04-25)
  Truckload carrier Pam is running a Dutch auction to buy back its shares, which soared on the news. The post Pam sets Dutch auction to buy back shares; battered stock price soars appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Low-carbon fuels crucial in transitioning to ZEVs: Pembina Institute    (2024-04-25)
  While electrification is the quickest and most economical method for reducing emissions in the medium- and heavy-duty vehicle (MHDV) sector and it is currently applicable to most vehicle classes, clean fuels will […]
• Truck, Trailer Reefer Weakness Hurts Carrier Global Profits    (2024-04-25)
  Carrier Global profits dropped in the first quarter of 2024, with results hurt by weaker North American truck and trailer refrigeration sales, the company said April 25.
• OOIDA president talks regulatory challenges facing owner-operators    (2024-04-25)
  Todd Spencer, president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, highlights regulatory challenges at the FreightWaves Small Fleet & Owner-Operator Summit. The post OOIDA president talks regulatory challenges facing owner-operators appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Liquid Hydrogen Fast-Fill Pumps Promise Speedy Fueling Times    (2024-04-25)
  OAKLAND, Calif. — Hydrogen fuel cell technology holds significant promise for over-the-road trucking applications, but refueling with hydrogen can be complex, experts said at an event.
• Starting an American dream from scratch – Taking the Hire Road    (2024-04-25)
  Stefan Trifan, president of APL Cargo, immigrated to the U.S. and built a successful carrier from the ground up, despite prejudice and discrimination. The post Starting an American dream from scratch – Taking the Hire Road appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Gulf Coast ports report cargo volume surge in March    (2024-04-25)
  Cargo flows expanded at ports in Houston, New Orleans and Mobile in March but fell slightly at the Port of Corpus Christi. The post Gulf Coast ports report cargo volume surge in March appeared first on FreightWaves.
• NTSB Nominee Homendy on Senate Panel’s Agenda    (2024-04-25)
  A vote on the nomination of Jennifer Homendy to continue her term as chairwoman of the National Transportation Safety Board is on a Senate panel’s calendar.
• Landstar Reports Revenue Decline for Q1    (2024-04-25)
  Landstar System Inc. experienced a decline in revenue and earnings during the first quarter of 2024, the company reported April 24.
• Knight-Swift Reports Earnings Drop Amid Revenue Growth    (2024-04-25)
  Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings saw its first-quarter bottom-line results swing from a profit to a loss.
• Mullen Group Reports Lower Revenue for Q1    (2024-04-25)
  Mullen Group experienced a decrease in revenue and earnings during the first quarter of 2024, the company reported April 25.
• Tesla Promises Semi Truck Production to Begin in Late 2025    (2024-04-25)
  Tesla Inc.’s touted Class 8 Semi tractor is likely to begin rolling off the company’s Reno, Nev., production line late next year, according to a senior executive.
• First Ship Leaves Port of Baltimore via Deeper Channel    (2024-04-25)
  The first of 11 ships trapped for a month behind the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge left the Port of Baltimore April 25 using an alternate shipping channel that had just opened.
• FMCSA Plans to Revamp Registration Process    (2024-04-25)
  Federal trucking regulators are in the early stages of developing a new online registration process aimed at reducing fraud and improving transparency and efficiency.
• Federal suit alleges AI system injured Union Pacific employee    (2024-04-25)
  Wyoming locomotive engineer Andrew Kirol claims in a lawsuit that he was injured when an AI system used by Union Pacific gave incorrect information to locomotives on the train on which he was working. The post Federal suit alleges AI system injured Union Pacific employee appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Landstar still waiting for break in freight recession    (2024-04-25)
  Broker Landstar System’s first quarter showed the year-over-year declines are lessening while the trucking industry awaits an inflection to a prolonged freight recession. The post Landstar still waiting for break in freight recession appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Covenant Q1 Profit Slumps 76% on Freight Rate Weakness    (2024-04-25)
  Covenant Logistics Group profits tumbled in the first quarter of 2024, with freight rates and volumes taking a toll on earnings as expected.
• Micron Clinches Up to $13.6 Billion in US Grants, Loans    (2024-04-25)
  The U.S. plans to award Micron Technology Inc. $6.1 billion in grants and as much as $7.5 billion in loans to help the memory-chip maker build new American factories.
• Mullen Group’s Q1 earnings hit by slowing economy    (2024-04-25)
  Mullen Group’s Q1 earnings reflected a slowing economy and reduced freight demand. “Using our first quarter results as a barometer for the state of the general economy, one could conclude […]
• Hertz Reports $392 Million Loss    (2024-04-25)
  Hertz reported a loss that was nearly three times worse than analysts expected as it accelerated sales of electric vehicles to reduce its fleet of Tesla models that have weighed on profits.
• Amazon Web Services to Build Data Center in Northern Indiana    (2024-04-25)
  NEW CARLISLE, Ind. — Amazon Web Services plans to invest $11 billion to build a data center in northern Indiana that will create at least 1,000 new jobs, state and company officials announced.
• White Paper: Battery electric vs. hydrogen fuel cell vs. HVO – which is the winning technology?    (2024-04-25)
  In this white paper, Einride compares the three most talked-about alternatives to diesel – battery electric, HVO biofuel, and hydrogen fuel cell – based on four essential factors for long-term viability. The post White Paper: Battery electric vs. hydrogen fuel cell vs. HVO – which is the winning technology? appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Caterpillar Volumes Slip From Year-Ago Levels    (2024-04-25)
  Caterpillar Inc. reported first-quarter results that showed machinery sales slipping from a year earlier and warned that the trend is expected to continue in its second quarter.
• Union Pacific’s First-Quarter Profit Creeps Up 1%    (2024-04-25)
  OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific’s first-quarter profit crept 1% higher as the railroad tightened up on expenses — particularly its fuel bill — even though it delivered slightly less freight.
• Economic Growth Slowed Sharply Last Quarter to 1.6% Pace    (2024-04-25)
  WASHINGTON — The nation’s economy slowed last quarter, growing at an annual rate of 1.6% in a sign that the high interest rates may be taking a toll on borrowing and spending.
• Why LTL shippers need additional insurance coverage    (2024-04-25)
  Shippers at constant risk of damaged freight, and often only recover a fraction of the value with carrier liability, says Echo Global Logistics SVP Molly Mangan. The post Why LTL shippers need additional insurance coverage appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Carrier failures have "declined mostly steadily, but they are still higher than seen before the pandemic"    (2024-04-25)
  Even with the large number of carrier failures, the market still has 94,000 more for-hire carriers than it did immediately before...
• FMCSA, police investigate double broker's odd inspections history    (2024-04-25)
  Maroon Express Inc., a revoked carrier authority/double broker under investigation within FMCSA, has one clean inspection on their...
• Fleet owner pleads guilty to reincarnating carriers, loan fraud    (2024-04-25)
  The DOT Office of Inspector General said Roderick Billingslea committed CARES Act fraud, fraudulently receiving over $500K. Also...
• Knight-Swift cutting costs, focuses on asset utilization     (2024-04-24)
  Knight-Swift Transportation said Wednesday it will cut costs and focus the bulk of its investments away from truckload-related offerings in the near-term. The post Knight-Swift cutting costs, focuses on asset utilization  appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Covenant’s operating numbers mostly hold up in challenging first quarter    (2024-04-24)
  In a quarter of tough earnings report, Covenant Logistics performed relatively well. The post Covenant’s operating numbers mostly hold up in challenging first quarter appeared first on FreightWaves.
• FMCSA standing up registration fraud team    (2024-04-24)
  Federal regulators are taking the first steps to crack down on scams caused by hackers into the trucking industry’s government registration system. The post FMCSA standing up registration fraud team appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Ford Beats Sales Estimates on Strong Demand for Work Trucks    (2024-04-24)
  Ford Motor Co., rapidly retooling its electric vehicle strategy in a decelerating market for plug-ins, posted first-quarter results that beat expectations on strong sales of work trucks.
• Loadsmart spotlights small fleets’ technology needs and opportunities    (2024-04-24)
  A key sales executive at LoadSmart discusses the company’s TMS capabilities and where it fits today with the needs of smaller fleets. The post Loadsmart spotlights small fleets’ technology needs and opportunities appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Softer Global Truck Tire Demand Drags on Michelin Q1 Sales    (2024-04-24)
  Michelin posted a 4.1% year-over-year decrease in tire sales in the first quarter of 2024, citing softer overall demand in the truck and specialty tire segments.
• New VTNA, Mack Tractors to Leave Plants With HVO in Tank    (2024-04-24)
  All Class 8 tractors rolling off VTNA and Mack Trucks production lines are set to depart manufacturing facilities with hydrotreated vegetable oil or renewable diesel in their fuel tanks.
• No surprises in Norfolk Southern earnings as COO Orr makes debut    (2024-04-24)
  New Norfolk Southern COO John Orr made his debut on the railroad’s earnings call, but there was little talk about an ongoing proxy fight. The post No surprises in Norfolk Southern earnings as COO Orr makes debut appeared first on FreightWaves.
• DOT Grant Program Focuses on Commercial Ports    (2024-04-24)
  The U.S. Department of Transportation announced grants for ports and supply chain corridors as part of the White House’s strategy for advancing a zero-emission freight landscape.
• Michael Kornhauser talks need for commercial vehicle navigation    (2024-04-24)
  Michael Kornhauser, sector vice president of transportation at Trimble, advocates for commercial navigation as an essential tool to keep drivers safe, legal and efficient on the job. The post Michael Kornhauser talks need for commercial vehicle navigation appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Hawaiian Airlines slowly adds freighters for Amazon business    (2024-04-24)
  Hawaiian Airlines won’t fly as many cargo jets for Amazon as expected this year because of supply issues and Amazon’s timing preference for integrating aircraft into the fleet. The post Hawaiian Airlines slowly adds freighters for Amazon business appeared first on FreightWaves.
• Charging infrastructure planning, phased approach vital for EV transition    (2024-04-24)
  Get charging infrastructure ready in advance and use a phased approach to transition to electric vehicles, early adopters of electrification advise. Carriers must focus on the energy management challenge, so […]