FreightCasts

On this Thursday, August 21st, hear about the strategic merger between Workhorse Group and Motiv Electric Trucks, which aims to create one of North America's largest medium-duty electric truck original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) by combining their strengths in last-mile delivery and medium-duty vehicles. This all-stock transaction, valued at $5 million to approximately $105 million and expected to close in Q4 2025, is poised to target the $23 billion medium-duty truck market and generate at least $20 million in cost synergies by the end of 2026. 

Richard Smith, son of FedEx's late founder Fred Smith, has been nominated for the company's board of directors, setting the stage for him to potentially follow in his father's footsteps as CEO. Currently serving as chief operating officer for FedEx Express International and Airline Operations, this nomination is widely seen as a key step in a succession plan, positioning him for increased responsibilities and to continue his father's legacy within the company. 

Fraud-fighting tech company Highway has secured a strategic growth equity investment for its Carrier Identity platform, led by FTV Capital with additional funding from Lead Edge Capital. This investment aims to expand Highway's product suite and accelerate its growth in the freight brokerage market, providing crucial real-time carrier verification to help brokers combat skyrocketing fraud and improve efficiency within their networks. 

Finally, don't miss out on upcoming FreightWaves events, including today's August state of freight webinar and the F3: Future of Freight Festival taking place in Chattanooga this October. You can also register for the Crossborder Summit at the very beginning of next month, and be sure to use the code MORNINGMINUTEF325 for a $900 discount on your F3 ticket.

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In this episode of The Long Haul, Adam sits down with Jessica Dotson, Director of Business Development at Multi Service Fuel Card, Vice Chair of the Women in Trucking Foundation Board, and Chair of the BCS Women in Logistics Events Committee.

Jessica’s story didn’t start in an office—it started at home, supporting her husband on the road as a trucker’s wife. That experience gave her a firsthand view of the challenges families face in this industry and set her on a 15+ year journey across operations, sales, and strategy.

Today, Jessica is focused on giving back—through her work with the Women in Trucking Foundation and initiatives like the Brittany Traylor Scholarship—all designed to create opportunities and open doors for the next generation of women in transportation.

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On this episode of Truck Tech, Thomas Wasson sits down with Maddie Sullivan, Product Marketing Manager at Volvo Trucks, to explore the cutting-edge safety technology built into Volvo’s latest Class 8 models. From industry-first side curtain airbags and the eCall automatic emergency system to electronic parking brakes, ultra-high-strength steel cabs, and advanced driver assist features, Maddie explains how Volvo is setting new safety benchmarks for heavy-duty trucks. Discover how these innovations protect drivers, reduce accidents, and shape the future of trucking safety.

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On today’s episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, host Thomas Wasson is joined by Reed Loustalot, CMO of Truck Parking Club, to discuss groundbreaking new research on the truck parking shortage and how unlocking unused spaces could transform driver efficiency. Reed also shares updates on Truck Parking Club’s new clubhouse and innovation hub in Georgia.Later in the show, Steve Gold, President of the Truckers Network Association, weighs in on a string of tragic truck crashes and exposes systemic flaws in CDL licensing and training. From non-domiciled CDL loopholes to fraudulent schools, Steve explains why reform is urgently needed to protect drivers and the public.Don’t miss this deep dive into two of trucking’s hottest issues: where to park and who’s behind the wheel.

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A ⁠significant leadership transition at Marten Transport⁠, as CEO Tim Kohl retires at the end of September. Executive Chairman Randy Martin will step back into the CEO role on October 1st, following the refrigerated carrier's recent strategic moves to lower its tractor count and sell its intermodal unit. 

The ⁠Port of New Orleans reported continued gains in cargo volume and trade activity⁠ through the first half of 2025. This growth was driven by higher container imports and improved schedule reliability, with overall volumes up 2% year-over-year and 9% compared to the second half of 2024. 

⁠Air Canada has restored services⁠ after a three-day labor dispute with flight attendants led to disrupted flight schedules. The airline reached a tentative settlement for a new four-year contract, though a full return to regular service may take seven to ten days as aircraft and crew are repositioned.

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Join us for a deep dive into the recent Air Canada labor dispute, an event that unfolded rapidly and sent ripples across the logistics and air freight sectors. From the initial strike announcement by CUP flight attendants on August 13th to the government's controversial intervention and the final tentative agreement reached just days later, we unpack the critical timeline. Discover the immediate and significant impact on air cargo, particularly the massive reduction in 'belly hold' capacity on passenger flights, which normally moves a huge amount of freight like pharmaceuticals and perishable goods. We'll also examine the core disagreements over wages and compensation and how this short-lived but high-impact event exposed the fragility of global supply chains, prompting crucial questions about your contingency plans.

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Welcome to a special episode from Samsara Beyond 25 in San Diego, where FreightWaves' Thomas Wasson explores the future of fleet technology and road safety.

In this episode, you'll hear from Frank Kopas, Head of Go-to-Market Strategy at Next Billion AI, a Singapore-headquartered tech company providing API and SDKs for mapping, routing, and navigation. Learn how they tackle complex dynamic route optimization for entire fleets, incorporating real-time events to deliver more accurate ETAs, and navigate unique global routing challenges, from scooters in Asia to hazmat routes. Frank also touches on the role of telematics data and the future of "Math AI" in optimizing routes based on historical data and dispatcher interactions.

You'll also hear from Peter Goldwasser, Executive Director of Together for Safer Roads, an international road safety NGO formed by major fleets and tech companies like Samsara. Discover their work on leveraging technology for safer roads, including programs like the "Truck of the Future" for reducing blind zones. Peter shares key insights from their report with Samsara on in-cab cameras, emphasizing their use as a beneficial tool for training and exculpatory evidence to increase adoption. Plus, get a glimpse into new research on distracted driving and the importance of employee incentive programs based on collected data, which can improve both safety and driver retention.

Tune in to see how these innovations are driving a more efficient, productive, and safer future for fleet operations!

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In this episode, we dive into the industry adoption for the new NMFTA’s LTL freight classification. Our guest, Joe Ohr, COO at the NMFTA breaks down the changes, the adoption and some of the nitty gritty details that comes with implementing industry-changing tech. For more information, subscribe to ⁠Check Call the newsletter⁠ or the podcast.

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⁠Air Canada flight attendant strike caused significant disruption to cargo transport⁠. A tentative agreement was reached, allowing operations to gradually resume after a three-day stoppage. Air Canada's six Boeing 767 freighters maintained a modified schedule during the strike, providing vital continuity for cargo.

The US imposed new reciprocal tariffs on over 90 trading partners, including a ⁠new 20% tariff on imports from Taiwan⁠ effective August 7th. In response, Foxconn plans new tech parks in the US and Mexico, a strategic pivot aimed at helping Taiwanese companies circumvent these tariffs and accelerate regionalized manufacturing.

The ⁠bipartisan Secure Trade Act proposes a 10% baseline tariff on all imports and significantly higher tariffs on goods from China⁠. This legislation aims to reshore manufacturing, reduce reliance on China, and strengthen the Committee on Foreign Investment's power to block foreign investments from "countries of concern".

Shippers are adapting by moving from "just-in-time" to ⁠"just-in-case" inventory strategies⁠. This involves consolidating shipments and building buffers to manage increased volatility, with a notable 32.2% surge in units shipped in March despite dropping order counts.

⁠Truckstop.com acquired Denim⁠, a financial technology company specializing in automated invoicing and factoring. This acquisition leverages AI to automate 75% of payments in under a minute, improving cash flow and operational efficiency for carriers and brokers.

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