New reports indicate that BNSF has hired Goldman Sachs to advise on a potential rail merger, following ongoing merger talks between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern since the first quarter. Publicly held Class One railroads are also scheduled to begin reporting their second-quarter earnings this week.

We delve into the US cargo airlines' strong endorsement of the Trump administration's sanctions on Mexico, enacted after Mexico allegedly violated a 2015 air transport agreement by forcing all cargo carriers to relocate. The U.S. Department of Transportation will now review flight schedules of Mexican carriers and has put European countries on notice for similar potential actions.

The episode also highlights the struggles of small and medium-sized businesses amidst a possible trade war, with some companies adopting new practices like skew normalization to mitigate tariff-related losses. Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka notes that uncertainty has become the new norm, emphasizing how trade policies impact the economy as a whole.

Tune in today at 2 PM for a new episode of Loaded and Rolling with Thomas Wason on FreightWaves Television. Additionally, mark your calendars for the Enterprise Fleet Summit tomorrow and the Supply Chain AI Symposium next week on July 30th in Washington D.C..

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A new proposed deal could reshape freight railroading, with Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern reportedly in merger talks to create the first true transcontinental railroad. Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, owning Union Pacific's primary competitor BNSF Railway, looms large with over $347 billion in cash, sparking speculation of a bidding war that could involve other major railroads like CSX.

We also cover the U.S. moves to restrict Mexican airlines over cargo and competition concerns, threatening the long-standing partnership between Delta and Aeromexico. This action by the Trump administration is a direct response to the Mexican government's mandate forcing all cargo flights from Mexico City's main airport to a more distant new airport, a move the U.S. asserts violates their trade agreement.

Finally, get an update on ocean rates falling for the fifth straight week, according to Drewry's World Container Index. The key route from Shanghai to Los Angeles saw rates decrease by 4%, while Shanghai to New York dipped 6%, reflecting what analysts describe as a clear sign of weakening global demand for goods after a volatile spike caused by U.S. tariffs on Chinese products earlier this year.

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Union Pacific is reportedly in early-stage talks to acquire Norfolk Southern, its smaller Eastern rival. This potential tie-up would combine the largest publicly held US railroad with NS, bringing together over 60,000 employees and 60,000 miles of track.

David Steiner has officially taken the helm of the US Postal Service as the new Postmaster General, becoming the highest paid chief executive in the agency's history with a salary over $346,000 plus a 50% bonus. 

The Canadian government will begin a confidential vote on Monday for 53,000 Canada Post employees to ratify the state-owned company's final contract offer, despite opposition from union leadership. This vote aims to conclude 19 months of negotiations, which included a 32-day strike and recent mail carrier refusal to work overtime, leading to daily operational losses of $7.3 million per day in June.

Tune in today for FreightWaves TV's What the Truck?!? live at noon, with replays available on SiriusXM channel 146 from 5 to 7 PM. Don't forget to register for the free Enterprise Fleet Summit next Wednesday at 9 AM and get your tickets for the Supply Chain and AI Symposium in Washington D.C. in about two weeks.

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An Illinois-based trucking company, Chicago Suburban Express, is scheduled to close its doors on Friday, July 18th. Founded in 1963, the company, also known as CSX, previously offered same-day pickup and truckload shipments across Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and parts of Missouri, employing 41 drivers and operating 33 power units. 

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has announced a new 12-member DOT Advisory Board with the goal of increasing American private investment in national infrastructure projects. Duffy highlighted that while there's a significant opportunity for private capital in infrastructure, much of the current returns are going to foreign investors, and he aims to shift these returns to American investors.

Derek Barrs, the nominee for the top position at the FMCSA, testified before Congress, emphasizing how his law enforcement experience will guide his leadership in the agency. He specifically noted his understanding of challenges faced by roadside inspectors when communicating with drivers lacking English proficiency, and pledged to address issues like fraudulent CDLs and other fraud schemes if confirmed. 

The episode also promotes upcoming FreightWaves TV programming, including new episodes of Bring It Home with JP Hampstead and The Long Haul with Adam Wingfield. Listeners are encouraged to get tickets for the Supply Chain AI Symposium on July 30th in Washington D.C., and to register for the free Enterprise Fleet Summit virtual event next week. Additionally, nominations for the FreightTech 100 awards are now open, with winners to be announced later in the summer and the FreightTech 25 announced at the F3 festival in October.

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Welcome to your FreightWaves Morning Minute, summarizing today's top stories in freight and logistics. We first discuss the alarming rise in cargo theft incidents linked to insider information, a trend highlighted by Tony Pelli of BSI Consulting, with Miami and Los Angeles identified as major hotspots in the U.S.. Criminals are increasingly using methods such as phishing emails, bribing employees, and targeting facilities near logistics hubs to facilitate these thefts.

The Federal Maritime Commission's (FMC) has launched an investigation into Terminal Service Agreements (TSAs) between Port Houston and several major container lines. This probe aims to determine if clauses within these agreements compel carriers, including Maersk and Evergreen Line Joint Service, to route a certain percentage of their loaded containers through Port Houston, potentially disadvantaging competing Gulf ports. 

Additionally, BNSF Railway has launched a new expedited intermodal service connecting Los Angeles to Houston, which significantly cuts transit times by two days. This service, which debuted on July 10, is specifically designed to offer a faster and more cost-effective alternative for customers, particularly those currently draying intermodal loads from Dallas-Fort Worth to Houston. 

Finally, tune in to FreightWaves TV today for new episodes of What the Truck?!? at noon and Truck Tech this afternoon. Also, make sure to mark your calendars for upcoming FreightWaves events, including the Enterprise Fleet Summit on July 23rd and the Supply Chain AI Symposium in Washington D.C. on July 30th.

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