U.S. freight demand, spot rates, load availability, and market trends that impact owner-operators and carriers.
Canada’s federal government unveiled sweeping Canada Post reforms on Thursday, September 25, 2025, that will phase out door-to-door delivery for most households and reorient standard letter mail to travel primarily by ground. Hours later, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers…
Analysts have trimmed truckload earnings expectations heading into third-quarter reporting, reflecting a market that looks sturdier on the surface than it feels at the margin. The latest FreightWaves analysis points to lowered profit forecasts across several TL names as demand…
A fresh FreightWaves analysis warns the U.S. container import engine is sputtering under the weight of new trade barriers, with an analyst predicting a sharp downshift into late 2025. For trucking, that points to fewer boxes to pull off the…
Union Pacific’s bid to absorb Norfolk Southern has turned labor politics on their head this week, with the nation’s largest rail union flipping from skepticism to support after securing a written pledge of career‑long job protection for train and yardmaster…
Introduction As of September 22, 2025, U.S. spot markets are navigating the seasonal transition into Q4 with a mix of softer month-over-month volumes and sharply tighter year-over-year capacity. National load postings fell 2.1% week over week and 13.0% month over…
With the U.S. set to begin phasing in new fees on Chinese-linked vessels on October 14, Maersk told customers it will not add a surcharge or alter service plans — even as major shipowner Seaspan moves to reflag roughly 100…
The Upper Midwest is entering its annual “capacity pivot,” when thousands of trucks migrate from long-haul lanes to short agricultural runs. As corn comes off the stalks, carriers reassign drivers to hoppers, end dumps and live-bottom trailers, elevators extend hours,…
Independent drivers and carrier representatives lined up at the Environmental Protection Agency this week urging the agency to unwind the Biden-era greenhouse-gas standards for heavy-duty trucks — a rare on-the-record show of support from freight’s front line for President Trump’s…
Introduction The week of September 15–21, 2025 closed with 3,175 new USDOT registrations, comprised of 2,925 carriers, 89 brokers, and 161 entities categorized as “others” (freight forwarders, intermodal/drayage, private fleets, etc.). Activity followed a classic midweek crest and weekend trough:…
Introduction Freight markets entered mid-September with mixed signals: spot prices mostly flat week over week, load-to-truck ratios higher than a year ago, and operating costs stabilizing alongside diesel. Under the surface, macro factors are doing the heavy lifting. August retail…
