TARIFFS, ENFORCEMENT AND CARGO THEFT RESHAPE U.S.–MEXICO TRADE IN 2025
Mexico remained the top U.S. trading partner as new tariffs, tighter customs enforcement and rising cargo theft added cost and complexity to cross-border trucking. Infrastructure pinch points at Texas gateways and a looming 2026 USMCA review keep the outlook volatile.
SENATE CONFIRMS MARAD CHIEF; ONE NEW FMC COMMISSIONER SEATED
Former Maersk executive Stephen Carmel was confirmed to lead the Maritime Administration, while Laura DiBella won confirmation to the Federal Maritime Commission. The moves shape federal oversight touching ports, ocean carriers and intermodal freight that feeds U.S. truck networks.
FMCSA SETS 30-DAY CLOCK FOR BROKERS USING NON‑COMPLIANT TRUST PROVIDERS
New guidance says brokers tied to ineligible BMC‑85 trustees will have 30 days to switch to compliant providers or face immediate suspension. FMCSA also expanded its complaint portal to report broker fraud and regulatory violations, tightening guardrails across the freight market.
LOVE’S EXPANDS FREIGHT FACTORING WITH ACQUISITION OF THREE FIRMS
Love’s Financial bought TBS Factoring Service, Saint John Capital and Financial Carrier Services in its largest factoring deal yet. The purchase broadens services for small and midsize carriers as consolidation accelerates in freight finance and anti‑fraud tech gains priority.
DIESEL BENCHMARK FALLS FOR 5TH STRAIGHT WEEK TO LOWEST SINCE JUNE
The DOE/EIA retail diesel average slid 6.3 cents to $3.544/gal, marking the largest five‑week drop in two years. Softer ULSD futures and global supply dynamics are easing carrier fuel bills as year-end freight moves wrap up.
PORT HOUSTON VOLUMES COOL IN NOVEMBER, BUT EXPORTS CLIMB 8% YTD
November TEUs fell 9% year over year, yet export strength in resin and manufactured goods keeps the port on track for another record year. Gulf Coast export flows continue to support downstream drayage and truckload demand despite softer imports.
SLATE, HAMILTON LANE TAKE MAJORITY STAKE IN COLD‑LINK LOGISTICS
Institutional investors bought control of Cold‑Link to accelerate expansion of its temperature‑controlled network. The deal underscores sustained capital interest in cold chain infrastructure serving food and pharma freight.
REPOWR: SHORT‑TERM DRY VAN LEASE RATES ROSE IN 2025 DESPITE SOFT MARKET
New platform data show average daily dry van rates up to $19.42 as the company pruned users to curb fraud and improved trailer utilization. Flatbed stayed steady and reefer eased, offering a snapshot of equipment scarcity and shifting rental behavior.
ACTIVIST PRESSURE PUSHES AMERICOLD TO ADD DIRECTORS, REVIEW ASSETS
Cold‑storage REIT Americold struck a cooperation deal with Ancora, adding two directors and forming a finance committee to assess divestitures and deleveraging. The realignment follows share underperformance and a cooling post‑pandemic warehouse market.
SHIPPER GROUPS, RIVAL RAILROADS PAN UP–NS MEGA‑MERGER FILING
Early reactions to the Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger application skew negative, citing competition and service risks. Any consolidation that shifts freight from truck to rail will face heavy scrutiny from shippers and regulators in 2026 proceedings.
ANA, NIPPON CARGO TO CONSOLIDATE CARGO OPERATIONS, EASING U.S. HANDLING
After acquiring NCA, ANA will centralize cargo decisions and combine handling at LA and Chicago while keeping separate AOCs. Shippers get a single sales channel, potentially smoothing air‑to‑truck handoffs in key gateways.
CLASS ACTION SEEKS TO HALT CALIFORNIA DMV PLAN TO CANCEL 20,000 CDLS
Advocacy groups sued to stop mass CDL cancellations affecting immigrant drivers, alleging DMV administrative errors and due‑process violations. The case highlights labor risks for fleets amid federal–state friction over non‑domiciled licensing rules.
TRUMP ORDER ON MARIJUANA RESCHEDULING CLOUDS CDL DRUG‑TEST REGIME
An executive order pushing cannabis to Schedule III raises questions about DOT/HHS authority to keep THC in mandatory tests. Carriers are urged to strengthen company policies as regulators sort out potential gaps and oral‑fluid testing remains stalled.
GARTNER LAUNCHES 4PL MAGIC QUADRANT AS SHIPPERS SEEK ORCHESTRATION
The inaugural 4PL ranking elevates providers focused on end‑to‑end governance, visibility and integration amid tariff and geopolitical volatility. Executives say orchestration is displacing point solutions as complex networks require real‑time control towers.
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