C.H. ROBINSON URGES SUPREME COURT TO SET NATIONAL STANDARD FOR FREIGHT BROKER LIABILITY
In a merits brief in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II, the broker asks SCOTUS to affirm uniform federal rules that preempt state negligence claims, arguing accountability should rest with motor carriers to avoid a costly patchwork of laws.
FTR: SHIPPERS’ CONDITIONS INDEX TURNS NEGATIVE AS RATES AND CAPACITY TIGHTEN
FTR’s SCI fell to -2.9 in November, reflecting higher freight rates, tighter capacity and a brief uptick in fuel costs—signaling a tougher near-term environment for shippers heading into 2026.
ATA LAUNCHES 2026 DRIVER COMPENSATION STUDY SURVEY
ATA opened its biennial pay survey through March 30; past reports showed driver pay rose despite a freight recession, while modest rate gains forecast for 2026 could limit room for significant wage increases.
FOUR STATES RAISE DIESEL AND GAS TAXES FOR 2026; UTAH CUTS RATES
Michigan, New Jersey, Minnesota and Florida implemented pump tax increases effective Jan. 1, while Utah slightly reduced motor fuel taxes, shaping carrier fuel costs and highway funding allocations for the year ahead.
BNSF WARNS UP–NS RAIL MEGAMERGER COULD DRIVE HIGHER PRICES
CEO Katie Farmer questioned the premise that Union Pacific’s proposed $85B takeover of Norfolk Southern will boost volumes, suggesting price hikes could follow; UP counters the deal will spur competition and strengthen the supply chain.
HOUSE TRANSPORTATION LEADERS TARGET EARLY MARKUP FOR BIPARTISAN HIGHWAY BILL
Chair Sam Graves signaled a markup in coming months to reauthorize surface transportation programs before the September deadline, with priorities including safety, permitting reforms and funding stability for freight corridors.
USDOT DEPUTY SECRETARY TOUTS SAFETY AND PROJECT DELIVERY AT TRB MEETING
Steven Bradbury emphasized a “safety, prosperity, innovation” agenda and said USDOT is accelerating multimodal grants and enforcement while backing big-ticket projects to improve freight and commuter networks.
ITS LOGISTICS: LOW VOLUMES INTO JANUARY; POSSIBLE TARIFF RULING COULD JOLT FLOWS
The January Port/Rail Ramp Freight Index flags muted import demand, rising Southeast/Northeast routing, and an impending Supreme Court tariff decision that could shift booking patterns around Lunar New Year.
FLEXPORT: CARRIERS DELAY PEAK SURCHARGES; PRE-LUNAR NEW YEAR PRESSURE PERSISTS
Record January capacity and low blank sailings keep rate levels firm as shippers front‑load; Europe faces weather‑driven hub disruptions, while India–U.S. lanes show available space and mostly steady pricing.
AIRGROUP: NEW IRAN-LINKED TARIFFS, PORT CRANE UPGRADES, AND RISING CYBER RISK SHAPE 2026 FREIGHT
This week’s market update notes tariff uncertainty, major crane investments at JAXPORT and Oakland, and elevated cyberattacks on logistics networks; it also flags DOL scrutiny of independent contractor rules and a foiled trailer theft.
U.S. RAIL TRAFFIC UP 9.7% TO START 2026; CARLOADS SURGE 16.7% YEAR OVER YEAR
AAR reports first‑week gains led by coal and nonmetallic minerals, while intermodal rose 4.4%—a constructive sign for truck‑rail competitive dynamics early in the year.
PORT OF OAKLAND CLOSES 2025 WITH STABLE VOLUMES AS EXPORTS CLIMB
December throughput dipped 1.7% year over year as loaded exports rose 10.9% and imports fell 12.8%; full‑year TEUs were essentially flat versus 2024 amid uneven global trade conditions.
MCLEOD COMPLETES INTEGRATION TO LET CARRIERS BOOK AURORA DRIVERLESS CAPACITY IN TMS
LoadMaster and PowerBroker users can now tender, track and receive automated updates on autonomous loads within existing workflows, as Aurora advances a driver‑as‑a‑service model for 2026 deployments.
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