TRANSPORTATION CAPACITY FALLS TO 4-YEAR LOW AS LMI SIGNALS TIGHTER TRUCKLOAD MARKET
December’s Logistics Managers’ Index showed transportation capacity plunging to 36.9 (lowest since October 2021) as utilization and pricing climbed, pointing to the strongest freight environment in 3+ years heading into 2026.
CLASS 8 ORDERS SURGE TO 42,200 IN DECEMBER, BUT ANALYSTS SAY RECOVERY STILL UNCERTAIN
Preliminary FTR data shows the biggest monthly tally in three years, driven by deferred demand and early pre-buy, yet fleets remain cautious amid soft freight and profit pressure.
USPS TO PHASE OUT INELIGIBLE NON-DOMICILED CDL DRIVERS AT MAIL-HAULING CONTRACTORS
The Postal Service said it will tighten vetting and work with contractors to remove drivers not eligible to operate in the U.S., echoing a federal crackdown even as an FMCSA rule remains on hold in court.
BENCHMARK DIESEL SURCHARGE PRICE DROPS TO $3.477/GAL, SIXTH STRAIGHT WEEKLY DECLINE
DOE/EIA’s weekly average fell 2.3 cents to $3.477 while wholesale ULSD was little changed; AAA’s daily national diesel average hovered near $3.53 on Jan. 6 as oil markets shrugged off Venezuela turmoil.
U.S.–MEXICO FREIGHT FLOWS SEEN AS 2026’S BIGGEST STABILIZER FOR TRUCKING DEMAND
Uber Freight executives say resilient cross-border volumes could anchor U.S. trucking this year despite capacity churn and regulatory wild cards around non-domiciled CDLs.
GREENBRIAR EQUITY ACQUIRES MANAGED TRANSPORTATION PROVIDER ESHIPPING
The private equity firm bought Parkville, Missouri-based eShipping to scale its TMS-driven managed transportation and global forwarding platform; terms weren’t disclosed.
STORD BUYS SHIPWIRE FROM CEVA TO EXPAND E-COMMERCE FULFILLMENT FOOTPRINT
The deal adds 12 fulfillment centers, AI tech and access to CEVA’s broader network as Stord pushes for scale and deeper tech-enabled services for SMB brands.
TRINITY LOGISTICS ACQUIRES LONGTIME AGENT GRANITE LOGISTICS, ADDS 135 TEAM MEMBERS
Granite’s two Minnesota locations become Regional Service Centers as Trinity strengthens flatbed, OD and heavy-haul brokerage capabilities with continuity for shippers and carriers.
MGN LOGISTICS ADDS EXPEDITED CARRIER FAST SERVICE, BRINGING 80+ OWNER-OPERATORS
The Easton, Pa.-based provider is bolstering time-critical capacity and adding assets to its tech-driven managed transportation network to improve flexibility and visibility for shippers.
DOT AWARDS $118 MILLION IN FMCSA COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SAFETY GRANTS
The package includes $71.6 million for High Priority CMV and technology deployments and $43.8 million for CDL program implementation to combat licensing fraud and strengthen enforcement at the state level.
TRANSPORT STOCKS HIT RECORD AS DOW JONES TRANSPORTATION AVERAGE CLIMBS TO 18,033.58
Cyclical optimism lifted the DJT to a new all-time high, with Old Dominion Freight Line and Uber among top gainers as investors bet on stronger 2026 freight demand.
AMAZON LOSES BID TO HALT NLRB CASE ON DSPS, KEEPING JOINT-EMPLOYER FIGHT ALIVE
A Ninth Circuit ruling lets the NLRB process proceed in a dispute tied to a former Delivery Service Provider, preserving a key case with broad implications for last‑mile labor models.
SUPPLYONE BUYS WERTHEIMER BOX, DEEPENING MIDWEST CORRUGATED AND E-COMMERCE PACKAGING PLAY
The Chicago-area deal marks SupplyOne’s 46th acquisition, adding custom mailers and branded display capabilities that support shipper packaging needs across LTL, parcel and TL networks.
PORT OF OAKLAND EXPORTS RISE AS TOTAL VOLUMES DIP ON SEASONAL SOFTNESS
Loaded exports grew 3.3% year over year in November on ag and reefer strength, while overall TEUs and imports fell amid carrier service consolidation and weaker demand.
SAFETY GROUPS URGE FMCSA TO END UNDER‑21 INTERSTATE DRIVER PILOT (SDAP)
Crash‑victim advocates called the teen‑driver pilot a “boondoggle,” pressing FMCSA not to extend it and citing higher fatal‑crash risk for drivers under 21 as the agency prepares a report to Congress.
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