Topic: Transportation

A new report recently issued by DHL eCommerce, a subsidiary of global logistics services provider, Deutsche Post DHL Group, examined how both business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce shippers are getting ready for peak season, in terms of their key objectives and priorities.

Rail carloads, at 227,209, were down 0.7% annually, and intermodal containers and trailers, at 269,719 units, fell 6.4% annually.

For 2025, NRF said it is calling for total holiday season spending to come increase between 3.7%-to-4.2% annually, coming in between $1.01 trillion-to-$1.02 trillion. In 2024, holiday sales saw a 4.3% annual gain, to $976.1 billion.

FTR reported that preliminary October Class 8 truck net orders, at 24,300 units, saw an 18% gain, from September to October, while falling 22% annually. ACT reported that Preliminary Class 8 orders came in at 24,500 units in October, for a 21% annual decline,

The October Services PMI, at 52.4 (a reading over 50.0 or above represents expansion and below 50 indicates contraction), increased 2.4% over September's 50.0 reading, which was preceded by expansion in 13 of the previous 14 months before September.

A new Truckstop.com and Bloomberg survey shows small fleets and owner-operators expect demand to hold steady or improve through early 2026.

The national average rose 3.5 cents, coming in at $3.753 per gallon, for the week of November 3.

Louisville officials say the crash is the worst air disaster in the city in decades

Industry consultant says these tariffs will create winners and losers in today’s trucking industry.

Late last week, a bipartisan Senate duo—John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.)—penned a letter to leadership at the Surface Transportation Board (STB), including STB Chairman Patrick Fuchs, Vice Chair Michelle Schultz and Member Karen Hedlund, in which they stated they plan to “closely scrutinize” the proposed Class I railroad merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, with a focus on being able to demonstrate long-term competition in the freight rail sector, with clear and tangible improvements.

The report’s benchmark reading, the PMI, at 48.7 (a reading of 50 or higher indicates growth), was off 0.4% compared to September, contracting, at a faster rate, for the eighth consecutive month, with the overall economy growing, at a slower rate, for the 66th consecutive month.

With expedited review underway, businesses brace for possible refunds, new trade measures, and prolonged market volatility.

UPS said in April this is part of its ongoing plan to become the top global player in healthcare logistics.

The $387 billion U.S. truckload sector is still stuck in a three-year freight recession, with soft demand, rising bankruptcies, and tariff-driven volatility continuing to weigh on carriers. Yet, amid mergers, bankruptcies, and shifting global trade, leading operators like J.B. Hunt, Knight-Swift, and Werner are adapting business models, pursuing cross-border growth, and investing in efficiencies to weather the downturn.

As rail and intermodal rebound from years of underinvestment, new technology and AI-driven analytics are helping to modernize networks, improve service levels, and restore shipper confidence. With visibility, safety, and fluidity on the rise, industry leaders say rail’s digital transformation is finally catching up—setting the stage for a new era of intelligent, data-driven logistics.

The first year of deregulation under the Trump administration is reshaping the trucking industry, as federal agencies roll back emissions rules, language requirements, and speed limiter mandates. While supporters hail the moves as “pro-trucker,” critics warn that looser oversight could slow the industry’s shift toward cleaner, safer, and more autonomous operations.

AI-driven digital freight matching platforms are transforming the brokerage landscape, helping shippers and carriers automate workflows, boost utilization, and navigate the lingering freight recession. Industry leaders say technology adoption is now table stakes, with consolidation, predictive pricing, and hybrid human-tech models driving the next wave of growth and efficiency.

Data, AI, and automation are transforming motor freight management as shippers, carriers, and brokers use digital tools to cut costs, improve visibility, and manage risk in a volatile market. Experts from Gartner and MIT say the real advantage comes when companies align people, processes, and technology to turn digital investments into lasting performance gains.

Given the myriad of challenges facing the LTL market, it is likely that current market conditions are likely to remain intact, barring a true indication of a demand catalyst.

The live event in Nashville, Tenn., featured 60-plus leaders, and also honored several companies with awards for supply chain excellence.