Bulk Freight News & Industry Updates - Stay Ahead in Trucking

Viterra grain company recently announced plans to build a grain facility in Dalhart, which they expect to be completed by mid- 2025. The new facility will be located near the intersection of Chamberlain Road and Highway 54. It will include a state-of-the-art grain handling system and loop track served by Union Pacific Railroad.  “We’re excited to be building in the Dalhart area,” said Viterra spokesperson Hannah Fuxa. “We anticipate that the construction of the new site, along with the

The Bull Attorneys, a premier law firm based in Wichita and Garden City handling cases in the Midwest and nationwide, well-known for their expertise in grain truck and farm equipment accident cases, is pleased to announce the expansion of their legal services to include livestock accident claims. With a proven track record of success in representing victims of agricultural accidents, The Bull Attorneys are now extending their comprehensive legal support to individuals and families affected by

ADM is expanding a successful trial program for wheat deliveries with a new logistics initiative that uses Voltloader electric tractor units in the United Kingdom for direct delivery of flour from ADM’s processing facility in Corby, Northamptonshire, to Jacksons Bakery in Corby. “We are thrilled to launch this new initiative with Voltloader for our flour deliveries to Jacksons Bakery in Corby,” said Ashley Fuller, commercial director, ADM Milling UK. “ADM possesses distinctive capabili

Farmers should brace for even tighter margins and implement applicable risk management practices based on the latest crop price estimates from the University of Illinois farmdoc team. Current levels of futures contracts suggest appropriate budgeting for 2024 crop production is down to $4 per bushel for corn and $10.50 for soybeans. Those prices would result in low returns for 2024, much lower than the most recent low-price period from 2014 to 2019

Farmers are feeling less optimistic about the future of the ag economy, according to the latest survey from Purdue University. “More people are pointing to lower crop and livestock prices as their top concern this month. That was chosen by 30 percent of the people in the survey,” says Dr. Jim Mintert, Director of the Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture. That was ranked as the Number Two concern overall for the 400 U.S. farmers who took part

In 100 years, when the 2024 presidential election is in our grandkids' grandkids' history books, and everyone who actually lived through it is long gone, I'm not sure they're going to believe it was real. There was an assassination attempt on one candidate, and the other candidate – the one who wasn't shot at – is the one that dropped out? And just a few months before balloting takes place? I barely believe it and I watched it happen.  You'll likely never forget where you were w

Safety investigators have warned the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to tighten electronic logging device (ELD) requirements to prevent trucking companies and their drivers from creating fake driver hours-of-service (HOS) logs. The recommendation by the National Transportation Safety Board was included in a crash report issued on Wednesday concluding that truck driver fatigue, due to excessive driving time and limited opportunity to sleep, was the probable cause of a Decemb

It's a no brainer insurance premiums are high, as a business owner it's smart to shop your insurance and see if you can save. Why not explore how much you could save on your premium? We've saved bulk haulers thousands on their insurance costs just by giving us the opportunity to quote them. If you're feeling uneasy about what you're currently paying, reach out to us. We have winning quotes because we know bulk freight and most people are paying for coverages they don't need for bulk hauling.<

Michigan State Police have launched a new statewide safety campaign aimed at commercial truck drivers. The MSP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division is extending its reach by sending safety messages to the electronic logging devices of truckers. MSP Inspector Patrick Morris told us how this new program will work. “Now we have the ability to message directly to the trucking industry,” Morris said. “Either they can receive it audibly if they choose to, or they can display through the geofence m

The California Department of Motor Vehicles on Friday issued draft regulations on the operation of autonomous vehicles on highways, paving the way for self-driving trucks to commence long-haul deliveries. The state agency is planning a framework which would initially require safety drivers for both light- and heavy-duty operations. The DMV is accepting written feedback on the language of the draft until Oct. 14.  

They’re literally the biggest players on the transportation landscape: tankers, flatbeds, big rigs and box trucks that roam the nation’s highways and haul billions of tons of freight worth trillions of dollars. But even the century-old trucking industry is facing changes. “I usually start [at] like 1, 2 o'clock, something like that, 12 o’clock. Depends what kind of work I’m doing,” says Ernest Duran, a semi-truck driver in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Why such an early start? Dur

Minnesota OSHA has fined a trucking company over $600,000 after a worker died at one of their facilities in March.  The worker died in March 2024 at Wayne Transport Inc’s facility in Virginia, Minnesota. The company is based in Rosemount, Minnesota, and employs around 700 truck drivers at 12 trucking terminals.  According to Northern News Now, MNOSHA inspected Wayne Transport’s terminals after the death of the worker and issued 10 citations for gene

SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - Sioux City-based Wilson Trailer Company will lay off dozens of its employees at the end of September. A listing on Iowa Workforce Development’s WARN website says 58 people will be laid off on September 30th. Those workers were notified Thursday. Wilson Trailer maintains its corporate headquarters, and a production plant at 4400 S. Lewis Blvd., in Sioux City.

Liquid Trucking recently established Siouxland Transloading, a new facility adjacent to the tank truck carrier’s terminal in South Sioux City, Nebraska, intended to “upgrade” the chemical supply chain in the Midwest. Siouxland is positioned on 6 acres conveniently accessible from State Highway 20 and Interstate 29. The facility currently has one loading rack for transferring liquid products, including sulfuric acid, caustic soda, and sodium bisulfite, between tank cars and trailers, an

When it comes to understanding trucking industry zero-emissions regulations: “It’s all about figuring out CARB’s regulations,” said Mari Mantle, regulatory affairs manager at Cummins. It’s a sentiment that practically everyone in the trucking industry can relate to. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has Advanced Clean Truck (ACT)–a regulation aimed at OEM zero-emissions vehicle (ZEV) sales; Advanced Clean Fleet (ACF)–a regulation aimed at fleet’s purchasing and operating ZEV; and the

Jason Cowan is like a grandmaster chess player when it comes to his Silver Creek Transportation business. Now approaching 40 trucks strong after growing before, through and since the pandemic from the single digits, Silver Creek's certainly benefited from Cowan's forward-thinking tendencies, crucial for any business owner with a mind toward anticipating trucking's inevitable down cycles. We've been in one of those for quite some time now, of course, and as in prior cycles, Cowan's not

According to the latest data from Truckstop and FTR Transportation Intelligence for the week ended August 9, it appears that the spot market is moving normally at rate levels that closely match those during the same week last year. Overall broker-posted spot rates declined as expected during the week, although rates for refrigerated equipment were up slightly. Spot rates for both dry van and flatbed equipment declined week over week as they almost always do duri

Renewable diesel as a drop-in fuel for diesel combustion engines is starting to gain traction in the U.S. trucking industry, said suppliers, distributors and federal energy researchers. Industry interest has sparked based on the benefits that renewable diesel delivers, such as reduced carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions compared to petroleum diesel, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory said. Renewable diesel also reduces carbon intensity on average by 65% when compar

If you're a carrier with a fleet of trucks, adding a brokerage division can unlock new opportunities and diversify your business. Many trucking companies are expanding into brokerage services to increase revenue and protect against market fluctuations. BulkLoads Permitting can help you easily obtain your brokerage authority. We provide comprehensive permitting services, including IFTAs, new carrier or brokerage authorities, and safety and compliance support. Contact us today for all yo

A Nashville, Tennessee-based freight brokerage ceased operations Tuesday, laying off around 130 employees after its parent company pulled the plug on operations without warning, according to sources familiar with the layoffs. A manager for Universal Capacity Solutions (UCS) told FreightWaves on Thursday that a skeleton crew is staying on to help with the wind down and ensure that trucking

Nobody wants to haul "cheap freight," but there's value in knowing your audience when you're putting on the salesman's hat any small business owner inevitably wears. At this past Spring's edition of the Broker Carrier Summit event, ICV Express owner-operator Ilya Denisenko did the unthinkable -- literally offering to haul for a broker for free. With just months with his authority, and brokers circling the wagons, increasingly demanding inspections and completely locking out n

Be safe out there. Keeping the harvest crew safe is a high priority for operations when the combines start rolling out of the sheds. Simple things such as getting enough sleep or eating right can make all the difference in keeping farmers performing at the top of their game during harvest, although most producers will admit that these tasks often are difficult to accomplish in the heat of the season. Ellen Duysen, coordinator and outreach specialist for the Center for Ag Safety and Hea

A lot of times, when I ask members who cancel or don’t renew whether they utilized our shipper database or posted their truck availability, many reply that they didn’t or didn’t even know about it. That’s on us, and I sincerely apologize. We haven’t done enough to fully educate our users on how to maximize the benefits of BulkLoads. Let’s dive into some key strategies that carriers, brokers, and shippers can use to get the most out of BulkLoads—secrets that many might not know. Timing

Trucking leaders noted positive factors in the market during Q2 and July — while still warning that an inflection point is not yet here. Companies such as P.A.M. Transportation Services, Schneider National and Werner Enterprises observed signs of seasonality and pointed to other encouraging factors during their Q2 earnings calls. Firms including Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings also highlighted changing patterns of carriers rejecting loads. “That’s one of the first indicatio

FTR reports that U.S. trailer net orders climbed 26% month-over-month (m/m) to 5,961 units in July but, that orders were down 38% year-over-year (y/y). Orders came in well below FTR’s seasonal expectations, and were 64% below the monthly average order level for the last 12 months. Despite the m/m gain, the company said July 2024’s net order total was the fourth-lowest in the past four years, adding that cancellations as a percentage of total gross orders remained above 30% for the third conse

Tim Morris of Island, Kentucky, says he and approximately 30 regional drivers for Perdue Transportation Inc., headquartered in Salisbury, Maryland, were blindsided Monday when they were called in to a meeting and company officials told them without warning to clean out their trucks and hand in their fuel cards and badges. Morris said he and other PTI private fleet over-the-road drivers who were let go hauled refrigerated loads of mainly chicken and turkey products for Perdue Farms’ fac

Groendyke Transport Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire all tank truck assets of Linden Bulk Transportation from Depot Connect International, a leading provider in the tank container services industry. The companies anticipate a closing date of Sept. 23, 2024. The acquisition will expand the footprint of Groendyke, headquarted in Enid, to Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey and solidify its strong presence in the Gulf, according to a Groendyke press release. “W

It was no doubt a bittersweet last weekend in Waupun, Wisconsin, at what could well be the final edition of the decades-running Waupun Truck-N-Show, where Overdrive News Editor Matt Cole was on hand talking to many among the owner-operators and other truckers in attendance. One such was Dane Wisniewski, owner of three-truck small fleet HDR, LLC, headquartered there in the state. Owner Wisniewski recalled fondly his time attending the show during every single one of his years i

August is when most of our annual semi tractor and trailer inspections are due. Generally, August is a slow time of the year, so we can rotate the trucks through and not disrupt any schedules. However, the main reason August is the month for inspections because harvest is around the corner and we want trucks in the best condition in order to minimize downtime. During corn harvest, one combine is capable of harvesting more than 3 truckloads of corn each hour. Though we probably could, a

In 2024, if you’re still dispatching your drivers each morning by sending text messages or relying on outdated methods like spreadsheets or even pen and paper, you’re missing out on significant opportunities to optimize your business. These methods are not only time-consuming but also inefficient. When the trucking industry tightens, as it has now, improving operational efficiency is critical. By streamlining your dispatching process, you free up time to focus on the bigger picture—growing yo

A new Michigan law authorizes heavier electric trucks on state roadways. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law a bill to authorize electric-powered trucks to weigh up to 82,000 pounds – up from 80,000 pounds.

Determining the right rate for hauling freight is a fundamental question in the trucking industry, and it’s one that every trucking company must address. Unlike many other industries, trucking involves a variety of variables—from the distance between pick-up and drop-off points to loading and unloading times, reload opportunities, hours of operation, and more. These factors can cause rates to vary widely, making it a complex task to calculate a fair and profitable rate. This post aims to help

Custom Commodities Transport, a logistics company delivering comprehensive solutions to shippers, has a new brand, logo and messaging to more accurately reflect the company’s capabilities. The new name, Custom™, promotes the expanded capabilities of the company and the customer focus of the solutions provided. Custom is the combination of the original bulk transportation provider Custom Commodities Transport, warehouse operator Plastic Conversion Services, transload terminal operator L

In for-hire trucking, shippers pay carriers to move freight. This payment is generally a per-mile rate with a fuel surcharge. Freight rates are the primary source of income in for-hire trucking and a major indicator of the industry's health. Rates are the products of countless market conditions. Different trucking segments have slightly different rates, particularly between spot and contract freight.

Semis, big-rigs, or tractor-trailers—whatever you call them—are ubiquitous on American roadways and are the most common means of transport for goods in the country. But 18-wheelers can contribute to dangerous situations. Rushed drivers, cramped roadways, a lack of parking, and large blindspots lead to accidents and fatalities. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration laws have been in place since the 1930s, and state truckers should not drive more than 11 hours in a 14-hour p

Agriculture experts predict high yields across the Midwest, with grain silos overflowing into on-pile storage this fall. While farmers will be breaking records with their harvests, grain prices are expected to remain low. Currently, corn is $3.80 a bushel, and soybeans are running for $9.51 a bushel. University of Illinois Extension Commercial Agriculture Educator Kevin Brooks expects those prices to not change too much in the coming years.  

One of the most common and important questions we receive is about payment: How do you get paid using BulkLoads? After all, getting paid is crucial in trucking. Unlike many other industries, trucking requires a significant amount of capital upfront for equipment, insurance, licensing, labor, and fuel. Ensuring prompt payment for your services is essential.  

Raise your hand if you knew that Congress is debating a bill this summer that could slow the pace of climate change, produce cleaner drinking water, restore habitat for endangered wildlife and improve the American diet. No? It’s the farm bill, the massive food and agriculture policy vehicle that Congress updates every five years (in theory), and, frankly, most people don’t follow it closely. The sprawling legislation is simultaneously so parochial and so complicated that even most

In the 1996 Christmas movie classic, “Jingle All The Way,” Arnold Schwarzenegger’s mattress salesman, Howard Langston, faces off against a rival dad in a desperate race to find a Turbo Man toy that has all but sold out on Christmas Eve. While many of us could likely relate to the regret of leaving our holiday shopping until the last minute and the panic of trying to secure something suitable for our loved ones, it’s highly unlikely that those working in retail supply chains can relate

Grain shippers are calling on CN, CPKC, the TCRC and the Government of Canada to put posturing and politics aside for the good of Canadians to ensure a rail strike does not occur. The strike would have happened in May 2024 were it not for a decision by the Minister of Labour to send the matter to the Canadian Industrial Relations Board. A work stoppage at any time inflates the cost of food, imposes cost on grain handlers and farmers, and damages Canada’s trade relationships. In anticip

 has been a long ugly road for the trucking industry in the U.S. since Covid caused one of its deepest recessions in history. But now, it is showing "signs of life" as demand ticks higher and prices remain suppressed, according to the Financial Times. Requests for U.S. shipments increased by an average of 9% year-over-year in Q2 2024, the financial news site says. Tender rejections, indicating carriers' willingness to accept loads, rose by 1.3% compared to the same per

"Great and simple way to get paid for your loads. Less time chasing your money more time looking for loads." - Jon Miller, Rachel & Jon Express LLC Get back to finding loads that work for you and your business. With Smart Freight Funding you can easily submit your loads and trust that you will get paid the next day. As Jon said, less time chasing it and more free time to grow your business. Check out how Smart Freight Funding can take your operation to the n

If you ask grain farmers about their biggest input costs, they are likely to talk about equipment purchases, fertilizer prices or the cost of various crop protection products. One huge cost, grain freight rates are seldom top of mind because producers pay indirectly. Grain buyers pay the huge cost of grain movement by rail and the cost is baked into the price they pay for grain. When a grain company bids $7.50 a bushel for wheat for example, there’s no indication of how much that price

For some time, the trucking industry has been struggling with rising insurance coverage, but risk management issues also plagued fleets this year. Although high premiums have been a top concern, industry leaders and state regulators have taken action to curb other insurance challenges that greatly affect the industry at large. For instance, the California Department of Insurance, the nation’s largest state consumer protection agency, took steps to ensure that commercial insurance cover

Two years ago, Galen Lee was trying to buy a plot of land in Fruitland to farm, but he was outbid by a housing developer for twice as much as he could offer. Lee is a fourth generation farmer in Payette County, and he raises sugar beets, peppermint, asparagus, alfalfa, corn and beef.  This year, those developers converted 20 acres of that piece of land in Fruitland into housing developments. Next year, they will develop it into more housing, Lee said.  “It’s frustrating a

Used Class 8 truck prices took a big hit in June, falling 7.6% from May and 20% from June 2023, according to the latest State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks report by ACT Research. The average retail price for used Class 8 trucks in June was $54,300, ACT said. “We signaled the price drop last month, based on the fact that freight growth remains somewhat elusive,” said Steve Tam, Vice President at ACT Research. “Prices are expected to remain stable at this

A coalition of trade groups, led by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, are urging House of Representatives leaders to pass the $755 million truck parking bill to expand truck parking across the nation. The Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act, which boasts 49 co-sponsors from both sides of the political aisle, passed the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee by a 60-4 vote in May 2023.  

During these dog days of summer, you're probably sitting by some body of water, be it a pool, pond, lake, or ocean, enjoying your summer before you hit the ground running when you return after a much-deserved vacation. In my world, Inside the Beltway, legislative life almost always screeches to a halt around this time of year. However, this is an election year, so the screech has been louder and more prevalent than in previous years. Going into this year’s election, we have seen the le

Layoffs continue across the commercial transportation and freight industry, according to a new round of worker reduction notices in Florida, Texas, Illinois and Wisconsin. It is the second round of layoffs since the beginning of July. Averitt Express, Bath & Body Works Logistics Services, ShipBob, and Henry Avocado Corp. announced a total of 218 layoffs earlier in the month. Menzies Aviation Menzies Aviation announced July 17 that it will eliminate 40

The average long-term (contract) rate for dry van truckloads (yellow) has dropped about 3%-5% since July 2023, according to FreightWaves invoice data. The more short-term focused-spot rate (white) is moving in the opposite direction, increasing around 5%-6% y/y. The spot market is still offering strong discounts to contract rates in general — the chart is a relative view and measuring percentage change from the start — but those discounts are shrinking as we approach bid season. What does thi

Deere & Co. cut nearly 500 salaried workers in Iowa and Illinois, with 319 employees slashed at the iconic tractor and combine manufacturer's global headquarters and production facility, both in Illinois, according to notices the Illinois Commerce and Economic Opportunity released Friday. Deere told Illinois officials that 298 white-collar workers were cut at the company's Moline world headquarters, and 21 employees were laid off from the company's John Deere Harvester Works manufa

The Multistate Tax Commission is considering changes to how trucking receipts are sourced for determining state income taxes, a move that industry stakeholders are very much against. For nearly 40 years, states have taxed interstate freight moved by trucks on a mileage-based model. However, some states are lobbying for a destination-based model, which can significantly alter how trucking receipts are divvied up. According to the current rule, states receive revenue from freight

When it comes to developing the next round of leaders for America’s trucking family businesses, straightforward communication may be the X factor in a successful transition—or a failed one. In a survey just published by The Smith Family Business Initiative at Cornell University, with the help of Family Enterprise USA and The Roberts Group, communicating effectively with the next generation of family trucking business leaders emerged as the biggest hurdle. As far as I know, no su

If you're currently paying more than $15k then you may be overpaying on your premium. BulkLoads Insurance Agents are shaving thousands off of bulk hauler's insurance premiums. With access to market knowledge and contacts, we know what to look for to save you thousands. Don't let the general insurance agencies continue to overprice your rate. Reach out today to find out how we can help.

A Thurston County Superior Court judge has denied an effort to make the state Department of Ecology find a way to assure farmers are exempt from paying fuel surcharges under the state’s cap-and-trade program as intended. Judge Chris Lanese dismissed a lawsuit earlier this week that would have required the agency to reopen rulemaking to fix the exemption process. The Washington Farm Bureau, the Washington Trucking Association and others sued the department a year ago after months

New worker safety regulations meant to log how many hours truckers are on the road may have inadvertently exposed millions of U.S. 18-wheelers to hackers who could take control of entire fleets of vehicles, according to a new Colorado State University paper. Jake Jepson, co-author and graduate research assistant at Colorado State University, said it's important to create guard rails as the nation's transportation networks, power grids, water systems and other critical infrastructure mo

A semi-annual survey of freight brokers from Bloomberg Intelligence and truckstop shows brokers are hopeful that demand could pick up in the latter half of the year. "Though freight brokers continued to face challenging demands and rates in the first half of the year, there are some signs that the worst may be over."

Loans to trucking companies have been one of the troubled parts of bank portfolios the past two years, but the worst may just be over.  Shipping volumes on trucks fell at a lower pace in the second quarter of the year, according to a new U.S. Bank report on trucking conditions, a sign that the industry's fortunes could be turning. Trucking companies boomed during COVID as home-bound consumers splurged on goods and deliveries, but the industry's financial results had been spiraling as s

Two years ago, Galen Lee was trying to buy a plot of land in Fruitland to farm, but he was outbid by a housing developer for twice as much as he could offer. Lee is a fourth generation farmer in Payette County, and he raises sugar beets, peppermint, asparagus, alfalfa, corn and beef.  This year, those developers converted 20 acres of that piece of land in Fruitland into housing developments. Next year, they will develop it into more housing, Lee said.  “It’s frustrating a

Driver turnover is one of the trucking industry’s most ubiquitous and evergreen concerns. The annual industrywide turnover rate has consistently come in at over 90% since the 1990s. Conversations about turnover and retention often hinge heavily on pay, but that is only part of the story. While drivers certainly care about their paychecks, another factor may be even more responsible for this yearly exodus: poor engagement. It is true that drivers often receive a bump in pay – via higher

Total Transborder Freight by Border in May 2024, Compared to May 2023: Transborder freight between the U.S. and North American countries Canada and Mexico: Total transborder freight: $138.9 billion of transborder freight moved by all modes of transportation, up 2.0% compared to May 2023 Freight between the U.S. and Canada: $66.0 billion, down 2.4% from May 2023 Freight between the U.S. and Mexico: $73.0 billion, up 6.3% from May 2023 <

As farmers across the U.S. are on track to harvest some of their biggest corn and soybean crops ever, the Federal Reserve says the ongoing decline in commodity prices is putting farm income in questionable territory. “Regional Fed banks in Chicago and Minneapolis say the farm income outlook had weakened in recent months,” according to the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book. “Agricultural conditions in the Kansas City Fed’s District says farmers faced headwinds from weak crop prices. Elevated

U.S. trailer orders in June remained below the previous year’s levels, according to ACT Research. Preliminary net data indicated a 19% year-over-year decline, with orders dropping to 6,300 units. However, this total represented a slight increase compared to the previous month. “This month’s data shows 26,000 trailers were ordered in Q2 2024, a 14% contraction compared to the same quarter in 2023. June’s net orders bring the year-to-date tally to 74,500, a reduction of 23,900 uni

A new study by the National Corn Growers Association shows American corn growers were responsible for a $152 billion boost to the U.S. economy in 2023. The report looked at the number of ways corn growers help shape the economy, including economic output, contributions to the Gross Domestic Product, tax revenues, labor income, and employment statistics. “The data shows that growers remain deeply rooted in rural America, where they serve as pillars of economic growth

For the first time in nearly two years, the average cost of moving goods by truck is set to rise 0.2% annually this month, signaling a potential end to the trucking recession, according to Bloomberg. Trucking executives are optimistic, noting demand is returning to pre-pandemic levels. Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. CEO Adam Miller expects demand to build at the end of the third quarter and see seasonal activity in the fourth quarter. The Russell 3000 Trucking Index, inclu

Whether disruptions are happening or not, shippers should have contingency plans in place, experts say, which was a hard lesson learned during the pandemic. Though as that crisis subsided, 2024 has not been a smooth year for ocean shipping stakeholders. Risks along the Red Sea have created longer transit times, fueling congestion at some ports in Asia. Along with higher ocean rates and a looming East and Gulf Coast labor contract expiration, shippers are also facing a volatile ocean ma

Here's what TMS user Mike Korte from K2 LLC has to say: "What I have discovered is the TMS portion is cost-effective in our industry, and easy to use for us older guys, it truly has made my life easier. I probably would not do what I'm doing today if it wasn't for TMS. It just, it makes my life so much easier. The whole purpose was to enjoy my truck and help guys t

An explosion occurred at Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM)’s processing complex in Decatur on Sunday morning. A spokesperson from ADM said a “potential smoldering event” was found at an elevator in the building around 6:30 a.m. Upon investigation, surrounding operations were shut down and the complex was evacuated. The Decatur Fire Department was called to the scene. The elevator exploded an hour later at 7:30 a.m. The spokesperson said no one was hurt in the incident. However, the e

The national Outbound Tender Reject Index topped out at its highest level in nearly two years just before the Fourth of July, a smidge above 6.5%. The more interesting pattern might be the fact that the OTRI has been perfectly mirroring the 2019 pattern since mid-May. Is the 2019 market a good blueprint for the rest of 2024? What's Similar?  The 2019 freight market was extraordinarily loose and characterized by deflating rates and a strong capacity bleed-off. Th

Broker transparency and the enforcement of 49 CFR 371.3, pertaining to records to be kept by brokers and carriers' right to review the record, remain among the hottest debates in trucking, with small carriers and owner-operators demanding visibility from brokers, and big brokers who would rather keep their cards close to their chest.  Earlier this year, Overdrive surveying, detailed in this report, found about 3 in 4 owner-operators want brokers to reveal the rates shippers pa

Major rulemaking deadlines were again extended as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration pushed back several decisions to 2025. The FMCSA’s proposed truck speed limiter rule was scheduled to be published this June but is now delayed to May 2025. It would require that trucks over 26,000 pounds be equipped with an electronic speed governor set to a currently undetermined maximum speed. This is the second time the rule has been pushed, with the first being originally scheduled by mid-20

The latest release of ACT’s For-Hire Trucking Index suggests the supply-demand balance between the fleet and freight is narrowing, ACT Research reported Thursday. ACT states the Volume Index decreased 5.5 points in June to 48.9, seasonally adjusted (SA), from a Roadcheck-assisted 54.4 in May. “Volumes have been fairly flat this year, but they’ve improved to ‘less worse’ on a year over year basis, with the index averaging 48.8 through the first half of this year, versus

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has asked Congress to give the agency the statutory authority to assess civil penalties for unauthorized brokerage violations — both the double-brokering and fraud problems as well as a significant increase it has seen in household goods consumer complaints.   The report to Congress was in response to the Joint Explanatory Statement accompanying the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which required FMCSA to report on efforts

When it comes to developing the next round of leaders for America’s trucking family businesses, straightforward communication may be the X factor in a successful transition—or a failed one. In a survey just published by The Smith Family Business Initiative at Cornell University, with the help of Family Enterprise USA and The Roberts Group, communicating effectively with the next generation of family trucking business leaders emerged as the biggest hurdle. As far as I know, no su

In the competitive trucking sector, growth hinges on strategic moves that extend beyond daily operations. From market expansion and cost efficiencies to talent acquisition and competitive advantage, acquisition can offer a multitude of opportunities. First and foremost, do you have a clear objective for what you want the acquisition to achieve? This is a critical step that many buyers often overlook, as many believe that an acquisition is necessary to grow, emphasized Spenc

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is alerting truckers about fraudulent emails purported to be from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. OOIDA, which represents small-business truckers, has received several reports from members about an email scam that attempts to hijack a motor carrier’s authority. The email, which appears to come from FMCSA, includes attachments of forms MCSA-5889 or MCS-150 and asks carriers for their USDOT PIN. “Although t

Money. It's either the root of all evil, the thing that makes the world go 'round or, somehow, both.  In either case, it's the top factor that truck drivers said would lure them away from their current job and to another fleet. CCJ's What Drivers Want survey, conducted this spring in partnership with Lytx, revealed – even if unsurprisingly – that 35% of drivers claim being offered more money would be the main reason they would consider changing jobs and driving for another fle

Federal regulators are delaying several rulemakings affecting the trucking sector, including a controversial rule that would limit new trucks’ engine speeds. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s proposed truck speed limiter rule, scheduled to be published last month, has been delayed to May 2025, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s latest agenda released by the White House Office of Management and Budget. The proposed rule, which would require that

Nobody enjoys locking themselves into a contract that either they don't understand or may not be able to work with later. Contracts can get in the middle of your business and trying to grow it. We hate contracts and we believe that you should be in charge of your money. BulkLoads offers freight factoring through our partner company, Smart Freight Funding, to do just that for you. No contracts No minimums Paid in 24-hours Take control of your busine

As farmers across the U.S. are on track to harvest some of their biggest corn and soybean crops ever, the Federal Reserve says the ongoing decline in commodity prices is putting farm income in questionable territory. “Regional Fed banks in Chicago and Minneapolis say the farm income outlook had weakened in recent months,” according to the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book. “Agricultural conditions in the Kansas City Fed’s District says farmers faced headwinds from weak crop prices. Elevated

U.S. trailer orders in June remained below the previous year’s levels, according to ACT Research. Preliminary net data indicated a 19% year-over-year decline, with orders dropping to 6,300 units. However, this total represented a slight increase compared to the previous month. “This month’s data shows 26,000 trailers were ordered in Q2 2024, a 14% contraction compared to the same quarter in 2023. June’s net orders bring the year-to-date tally to 74,500, a reduction of 23,900 uni

It was the Tik Tok video that sealed the deal for Sourav Saini. A minute-long spiel from a Punjabi-speaking influencer, singing the praises of Navkin Transport, a new trucking business in Brampton, Ont., where Saini lives. "There is a top-notch company providing trips to the U.S.," said the ad. "It's a great company with great work and guaranteed trips … We will rock!" Saini, 24, already had his trucking licence and had been looking for a way into the industr

 recent survey seems to confirm what many truckers have long believed: other motorists don't know how to drive around big trucks. A survey of 1,000 people by FinditParts found the majority of other motorists -- the folks truckers refer to as "four wheelers" -- don't realize they are unseen when in the blind spots of tractor-trailers. It also found about two-thirds of people who say they feel unsafe around big rigs, blame the trucker and their rig. The key i

The American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council and Decisiv said that combined parts and labor expenses fell 1.7% during the first quarter of 2024, according to data released in the latest Decisiv/TMC North American Service Event Benchmark Report. “Lower parts and labor costs are welcome news to fleets, who have been weathering substantial increases for much of the last several years,” said TMC executive director Robert Braswell. “This important parts and labor

Deliveries are getting faster than ever in the U.S., but the faster movement of goods is undercutting the country’s climate progress.  In a new study published July 18 in the journal Nature Energy, a CU Boulder researcher and his collaborator estimate that federal regulations aimed at enhancing heavy-duty trucks’ energy efficiency could be as much as 20% less effective than policymakers initially anticipated.  That’s because the regulations make trucking cheaper. As a result, mo

Despite economic headwinds, including rising operating costs and high capital costs in contrast with low freight rates, momentum in merger and acquisition deals continues. According to data from S&P Capital IQ, the transportation and logistics sector saw a total deal value of $29.7 billion with 52 disclosed deals from November 2023 to April 2024,

On Friday, the Supreme Court, in a 6-3 ruling along ideological lines, overturned Chevron and handed authority back to Congress and the courts. Overturning the doctrine is a significant ruling that limits federal regulatory power. The Chevron doctrine, established in 1984, had directed courts to defer to federal agencies' reasonable interpretations of ambiguous laws. The decision was split along ideological lines, with the conservative majority voting to overturn Chevron

Frances Hall, former co-owner of Bill Hall Jr. Trucking, has been sentenced for her role in a scheme to avoid $9 million in workers’ compensation premiums. During her appearance on July 10 in Austin’s 147th District Court, Hall was sentenced based on a plea she entered in May. Under the plea agreement, Hall received 10 years deferred adjudication, was ordered to pay $150,000 in restitution, and will undergo treatment as the probation department recommended.

The trucking industry is turning a corner after a prolonged freight recession that succeeded the Covid boom in transportation rate and services, according to logistics executives. Data from Motive, which tracks trucking visits to North American distribution facilities for the top five retailers, shows volume up 30% year-over-year in June. Hamish Woodrow, Head of Strategic Analytics founder and CEO of Motive, told CNBC it is seeing significant freight being moved into all retaile

A group of Louisiana trucking firms and a moving and storage company are challenging the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) on a new rule that changed how independent contractors are classified. The trucking industry has shared concerns that the rule could necessitate reclassifying independent drivers as employees, thus escalating costs and reducing driver autonomy. In February, Frisard’s Transportation first filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana

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Truck driving is vital to ensuring that the economy functions appropriately. However, there has been quite a bit of stressful news related to trucking, and that trend is continuing. The latest is that several truck drivers could have their commercial driver’s licenses downgraded in the coming months. This would be the case for drivers who fail to meet specific guidelines. According to CDL Life, 171,361 truck drivers with either their full CDL or a CLP could soon have their licenses d

According to the latest State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks by ACT Research, the used Class 8 average retail sale price ebbed 1.5% lower month-over-month to $58,400 in May. “On a year-over-year basis, used retail prices were 15% lower,” said vice president at ACT Research, Steve Tam. “We anticipate the price outlook will soften in our next update, owing to a weaker than expected freight market. Prices are expected to remain stable through most of 2024, transitioning to

The U.S. winter wheat harvest is running ahead of schedule and is stronger than expected, federal agriculture officials said Friday. A bumper crop means lower prices for wheat buyers, like flour mills, food companies and farmers who feed grain to livestock. But U.S. growers are watching their profits wither as they coax some of the highest yields on record from their land.

Reginald Walton had just rolled his 18-wheeler into Louisiana, eastbound on Interstate 10 after making a Texas delivery, when he spotted what looked like a discarded baby doll sitting on the embankment. Then he saw movement. “I noticed that it moved and I called 911 and told them I thought I saw a child on the side of the road,” Walton told The Associated Press in a Friday telephone interview. Walton, of Texarkana, Texas, didn’t know it as he maneuvered his semitrailer to the roadside Tuesday mo

Bath & Body Works Logistics Services announced June 18 that it laid off 85 employees from a distribution center in Columbus, Ohio. The layoffs are tied to clothing retailer Express filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, officials said. “The [distribution] facility provides logistics and shipping services to the Express clothing brand. On April 22, Express filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and announced its plan to close 100 stores. Since that time Express’s volume has remained low

Trucks are on the move, with around 72.6% of the nation's freight by weight, according to trucking industry statistics from the American Trucking Associations' professionals. That makes the goal of this blog all the more finite, as truckers pave the way for the American economy to thrive. In this post, we're going to provide an in-depth analysis of the current trends, key statistics, and future forecasts for the US trucking industry in 2024. By the end of this Cota Systems extensive re

Freight carriers that want to challenge regulations that govern them may have received a significant boost from the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday in a decision that overturns a 40-year precedent of deference given to federal agencies. The high court decided 6-3 to overrule the Chevron doctrine, a policy challenged in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo that requires lower courts to defer to regulatory agencies in legal challenges of regulations that agencies have inte

Wider adoption of low- and zero-emission commercial trucks will depend on the development of new fueling and charging infrastructure, but industry stakeholders will need to overcome a variety of challenges along the way. Energy sector leaders high­lighted the importance of government incentives, consistent energy policies and industry partnerships to ease the transition toward cleaner trucks and the infrastructure to support them. “We are trying to skate where the puck is,” said

As more and more people continue to shop online, the United States also continues to face a decline in qualified truck drivers to to get those goods delivered. From those aging out or retiring, to barriers of entry for younger workers, experts say several factors are causing the massive shortage. But a community college in North Carolina is leading the charge in helping high school students prepare and qualify early to meet the demand. Johnston Community College has been trainin