Trucking News

The second-largest US less-than-truckload provider reported a slight increase in shipments in February, and improving US manufacturing may herald stronger demand ahead.

Changing shipping requirements and competitive pressures are reshaping US less-than-truckload networks and LTL terminals themselves at an unprecedented rate.  

The offer made by CEVA in January appeared to be a done deal, but GXO’s competing bid delivered a 26% premium on the CEVA offer and was swiftly accepted by Wincanton’s board.

Using layers of technology from digital documents to artificial intelligence to tracking devices, shippers can detect and even head off the growing threat of cargo crime, experts say.

APM Terminals will make more slots available for retrieving import containers at its Port Elizabeth site as truckers say delays in booking appointments are worsening.

As California-based RK Logistics’ high-tech customers move east to new markets, the logistics provider is following by buying New York-based On Time Trucking. 

The leadership change atop the largest US truckload provider will likely come as a “significant surprise” to the market, according to one industry analyst.

The US LTL producer price index rose 2.6% in January from December, while the equivalent truckload measure fell 2.6%, underscoring differences between the sectors.

Under final guidelines for detention and demurrage billing, only the shipper or consignee can be on the hook for such charges and bills must be sent within 30 days.

Increased driver adoption of apps in the truckload industry was driven in part by now-shuttered broker Convoy, whose technology was relaunched Thursday by forwarder Flexport.

A new 228,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution facility near Laredo’s World Trade Bridge will help Ryder scale operations for cross-border shippers.

Many US truckload customers engaged in annual bids and contract talks are still looking for rate cuts, but the potential for a market turnaround is tempering behavior.

More accretive “tuck-in” deals that expand carrier niche services and coverage appear likely if the Fed cuts US interest rates and freight demand improves. 

A Mexican trucking association launched a strike Thursday, adding to the uncertainty cross-border shippers face in the fast-growing market.

The Journal of Commerce Truckload Capacity Index fell to 2018 levels at the end of 2023 as truckload carriers kept cutting into their fleets to lower costs. 

After the latest round of bidding, the largest US truckload operator has now acquired 25 Yellow facilities, bringing it closer to having a nationwide LTL network. 

Yield and rates are rising at some of the biggest LTL carriers after a strong finish to 2023, although lower fuel surcharges may pull gains down to mid-single digits.

CloudTrucks’ acquisition of Shipwell’s brokerage division signals the importance of giving drivers direct access to loads through the technology platform they use to run their business.

The failure of Mexican customs clearance systems at a national level this week snarled supply chains and may warn of future problems as US-Mexico trade grows. 

Some of the largest truckload carriers, including Werner, Schneider and J.B. Hunt, are putting more emphasis on dedicated fleets as shippers seek stability and security.

Forward’s chief legal officer will take over as interim CEO as Tom Schmitt exits following a contentious legal battle with Omni Logistics.

The largest US freight broker is trying to eliminate the wait at the gate by not only scheduling truck appointments for shippers, but finding optimal appointment times. 

The US Treasury Department is the first major creditor to be repaid by the bankrupt LTL provider, which received the controversial loan early in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Truckload spot rates are creeping higher, but trucking executives see no catalyst for stronger price increases absent higher freight demand, even as capacity slowly tightens. 

A pilot version of a truck appointment scheduling API is part of the hunt for new digital standards for supply chains that are still encumbered by manual processes.

The second-largest US less-than-truckload carrier plans to increase its terminal capacity alongside freight demand, CEO Marty Freeman told the Journal of Commerce.

The deal gives Ryder a significant jolt in dedicated capacity as well as greater scale with existing and new shipper customers.

The largest US broker and forwarder expects ocean spot rates to subside after the Chinese New Year and for US trucking markets to slowly improve throughout 2024.

Building on recent market openings, the point-to-point, long-haul LTL carrier is launching its largest growth push since a 2021 restructuring.

Trucking companies such as Averitt are seeking more diversified freight and deeper connections to customers through transloading. 

UPS CEO Carol Tomé, who was on UPS’s board of directors at the time of the 2015 Coyote acquisition, acknowledged UPS did not fully appreciate how cyclical truckload and intermodal brokerage was at the time.

Artificial intelligence is quickly being integrated into everyday logistics and shipping processes such as truck check-ins, rate quotes and freight payment.

With an amended merger agreement, months of contentious litigation are behind the companies, clearing the way for their combined forwarding and LTL operations. 

The largest US truckload operator is “filling the gaps” in its less-than-truckload network with newly acquired terminals it plans to bring online this year, and is shopping in more locations. 

North American railroads and truckload companies are hopeful rates and demand will rise this year but say there’s too much uncertainty in the market to offer a confident forecast.

Excluding the period immediately following COVID-19 lockdowns, manufacturing activity in the US is at levels that haven’t been seen since 2011 when manufacturers were still recovering from the 20% drop in output caused by the global financial crisis.

After months of courtroom battles, the two companies have a redrawn merger plan that could close this week.

The short-term boost less-than truckload carriers gained from Yellow’s exit lifted rates, but the impetus is fading, speakers at the SMC3 JumpStart 24 conference said.

The move by the largest US logistics provider to use a standardized electronic bill of lading accelerates digitization in the less-than-truckload sector. 

Spot rates rose last week as widespread winter storms froze shipping across a large part of the US, but weak freight demand softened the blow for shippers.