FreightWaves

5 Rookie Mistakes Every New Owner-Operator Should Avoid

The road from company driver to owner-operator is filled with freedom, but also filled with landmines. The kind that do not show up in a YouTube video or a dispatcher’s sales pitch. Every year, thousands of drivers step out on their own with a truck, a dream, and a high interest truck note—only to find out the hard way that running a trucking business is nothing like just running a truck. The margins are thinner. The hours are longer. And the mistakes are much more expensive. Especially when...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/5-rookie-mistakes-every-new-owner-operator-should-avoid

The Truth About Deadhead and Here Are Ways to Fix It

Deadhead is the silent killer in trucking operations. It doesn’t show up on rate cons. Brokers don’t mention it when quoting loads. And yet, it quietly eats into fuel budgets, labor hours, equipment life, and profit margins week after week. For small carriers and owner-operators—especially those using public load boards like Truckstop or DAT—deadhead is one of the most overlooked contributors to financial instability.

This article breaks down what deadhead really costs, why it’s more dangerous...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/the-truth-about-deadhead-and-here-are-ways-to-fix-it

How can freight tech companies stand out in a crowded field?

The freight technology landscape is evolving rapidly, but adoption remains uneven across the logistics industry. During the April 30 episode of What the Truck?!?, host Timothy Dooner sat down with David Bell, founder of CloneOps.ai, to talk about the challenges and opportunities facing logistics companies as they navigate technological transformation. 

While freight tech companies have been adding value to logistics operations for years, many smaller companies remain hesitant to embrace new...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/how-can-freight-tech-companies-stand-out-in-a-crowded-field

U.S. and China reach comprehensive economic and trade agreement lowering tariffs

After weeks of uncertainty, the United States and China have formalized a new Economic and Trade Agreement aimed at addressing longstanding concerns and establishing clearer guidelines for commerce.

Strengthening Bilateral Economic Ties

The agreement underscores the critical importance of the economic relationship between the world’s two largest economies. Both nations have explicitly acknowledged that expanded trade, sticking to international market norms, and market-based outcomes serve their...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/u-s-and-china-reach-comprehensive-economic-and-trade-agreement-lowering-tariffs

How to Craft a Shipper Outreach Strategy That Works Part 2

The first contact gets their attention.
The second one gets you remembered.
The third through seventh? That is what closes the freight.

If you think outreach ends after the first cold call or email, you are leaving real money and long-term freight relationships on the table. In Part 1, we broke down the foundation: identifying your ideal shippers, building prospecting lists, and initiating contact through a structured cadence.

But this is where most small carriers fall off.
They do the hard part of...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/how-to-craft-a-shipper-outreach-strategy-that-works-part-2

Roehl Transport Celebrates Fifth ATA President’s Award for Safety Excellence

Roehl Transport has once again been recognized as one of the nation’s safest trucking companies, securing an unprecedented fifth President’s Award from the American Trucking Associations (ATA). This honor, awarded to companies that demonstrate exceptional safety records, programs, and community outreach, confirms Roehl Transport’s position as a safety leader in North America’s trucking industry.

On April 24, 2025, several key Roehl Transport leaders accepted the award during the ATA’s Safety...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/roehl-transport-celebrates-fifth-ata-presidents-award-for-safety-excellence

How to Save on Commercial Truck Insurance in 2025 Without Cutting Corners

If you have opened a commercial truck insurance renewal this year and felt your stomach drop, you are not alone. Based on reported industry averages from late 2023 and early 2024, most one-truck operations were paying anywhere between $11,000 and $16,000 annually for primary liability and cargo coverage, depending on freight type and operating region. With modest increases expected through 2025, especially for new authorities and small fleets, many small carriers are now budgeting between...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/how-to-save-on-commercial-truck-insurance-in-2025-without-cutting-corners

How CFOs can cut costs through innovative logistics solutions

As businesses grow and expand, one of the many critical responsibilities of CFOs is managing capital expenditures (Capex) and operational expenditures (OpEx) efficiently. Real estate, warehousing and logistics are significant areas of concern for CFOs, as they represent a substantial portion of a company’s ongoing expenses. 

With shifting market dynamics and e-commerce demand on the rise, it’s crucial for CFOs to explore alternatives that minimize these costs while maintaining operational...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/how-cfos-can-cut-costs-through-innovative-logistics-solutions

Why cross-border trade will boom even with tariffs

As geopolitical tensions rise and tariffs continue to fluctuate, one might expect a slowdown in international trade, especially in discretionary consumer goods. Despite these pressures, cross-border e-commerce is booming, signaling a profound shift in the way consumers shop and brands sell across the globe.​

According to Statista, global cross-border e-commerce sales are expected to reach $7.9 trillion by 2030, up from just over $785 Billion in 2021. That represents a significant portion of all...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/why-cross-border-trade-will-boom-even-with-tariffs

The future of autonomy in physical operations

Because of both the pressing challenges driving adoption and the promising solutions emerging through innovation, autonomous technology is changing the business landscape in striking ways.

A recent panel discussion hosted by Samsara brought together leading experts in autonomous technology to explore how automation is transforming physical operations across industries. 

“At Samsara, we work with the world of physical operations, from construction to logistics to food and beverage distribution,...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/the-future-of-autonomy-in-physical-operations

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