U.S. freight demand, spot rates, load availability, and market trends that impact owner-operators and carriers.
Cross-border truck traffic at U.S.–Mexico ports of entry continued moving largely as normal on Wednesday, even as the federal government entered a shutdown at 12:01 a.m. EDT on October 1. Early industry reporting indicated that cargo lanes remained open and…
C&M Transport is set to acquire Barrett Directline Delivery Services, combining two specialists in time-critical ground freight at a moment when manufacturers and retailers continue to prize fast-cycle replenishment. The deal, announced October 1, positions the Ohio-based carrier to broaden…
President Donald Trump has approved new tariffs on imported wood products that will ripple quickly through U.S. freight networks, especially flatbed and dry van. A presidential proclamation issued September 29 levies a 10% duty on softwood timber and lumber and…
Introduction I’ve hauled freight through plenty of soft patches and hot streaks. This week’s board says we’re in that tricky middle: capacity is tightening week over week, but most spot rates are barely moving. Using verified data through September 29,…
Interstate Personnel Services, the employee-owned parent of Paschall Truck Lines, is in negotiations to acquire New Ulm, Minnesota–based J&R Schugel, a move aimed at bringing temperature-controlled capacity into its network. The prospective deal would fold a well-known refrigerated specialist into…
China is weighing a new countermeasure in the escalating maritime spat with Washington: restricting port access for vessels that “serve” the U.S. market, according to a report first flagged by FreightWaves. The move would be a direct response to U.S.…
FreightWaves reports that a federal funding lapse won’t stop freight from moving, even as Washington shutters nonessential operations at the start of the new fiscal year. The big picture: freight corridors, ports and border crossings are expected to stay open,…
Interstate Personnel Services, the employee-owned parent of Paschall Truck Lines, has entered talks to acquire New Ulm, Minnesota-based J&R Schugel, according to a report published September 30. The potential tie-up would unite two ESOP carriers at a moment when scale,…
Introduction During the week of September 22–28, 2025, new USDOT registrations totaled 3,312 entities, comprising 3,044 motor carriers, 101 brokers, and 167 “others” (freight forwarders, cargo tank facilities, etc.). Compared with the prior week (September 15–21), total registrations rose by…
CSX has removed Joe Hinrichs as chief executive and installed veteran industrial executive Steve Angel, a move the Jacksonville-based railroad announced on September 29 after weeks of investor agitation and rising merger speculation across the rail sector. Hinrichs resigned effective…
