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Fleet sizes vs. fast food locations: How they compare

Welcome to the WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Newsletter presented by Drive Axle. In this issue: Fleet sizes vs. fast food locations; drivers share their pay; DIY port; and more.

Fleet sizes vs. fast food restaurant locations

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https://www.freightwaves.com/news/fleet-sizes-vs-fast-food-locations-how-they-compare

FMCSA crackdown on carrier fraud halves newly granted authorities

FMCSA’s crackdown on carrier fraud halves new authorities
(Chart: CarrierOK)

Recent identity verification changes by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration are having a major impact on the number of newly minted operating authorities, according to research from CarrierOK. Beginning in early 2025, the FMCSA rolled out a new identity verification process that starts with applicants being redirected to Idemia, a third-party identity verification vendor. The next steps include the collection...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/fmcsa-crackdown-on-carrier-fraud-halves-newly-granted-authorities

TACO in container ship data

Ocean carriers are maintaining pricing power

This chart of ocean spot rates has moved in a manner similar to stock market averages. (Chart: SONAR)

By now, most of us have seen memes about a new and creative way to say “Buy the dip,” which is, of course, Trump Always Chickens Out, or TACO. In addition to being a philosophy for timing stock trades, I argue it’s a way to think about supply chain management, to make measured temporary adjustments while keeping in mind that draconian tariffs will...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/taco-in-container-ship-data

Check Call: ‘Uncommon Carriers’ brings the freight – and the history

(GIF: GIPHY)

It’s the end of the month, which means it’s time for another book review. We’re taking a step out of management, negotiation, leadership and sales books to the world of transportation from an outsider’s point of view. “Uncommon Carriers” by John McPhee follows the author as he travels with a wide range of carriers.

The book is divided into six essays based on the mode of carrier McPhee is accompanying: hazmat truck drivers, ocean cargo ships, Mississippi River barges, canals of the...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/check-call-uncommon-carriers-brings-the-freight-and-the-history

RXO Q2 2025 truckload market forecast: Inflation continues but at slower pace

(Chart: RXO)

RXO recently released its Q2 Truckload Market Forecast, which found that despite economic turmoil, the U.S. truckload space remained relatively calm according to shippers’ KPIs. RXO’s Curve forecast reported a 9.1% year-over-year increase in spot rates, a slight drop from the 11.6% growth in Q4 2024. Notably, contract rates grew for the first time since late 2022.

FreightWaves’ Todd Maiden writes, “A trend – largely in place since 2023 – of soft freight demand, reductions in carrier...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/rxo-q2-2025-truckload-market-forecast-inflation-continues-but-at-slower-pace

Aurora keeps person in the driver’s seat for driverless hauls

Humans are back in the driverless driver’s seat but only as window dressing, according to a recent update from Aurora Innovation. In a blog post, Aurora Chairman and CEO Chris Urmson said Paccar, one of the company’s OEM partners, “requested we have a person in the driver’s seat, because of certain prototype parts in their base vehicle platform.” This comes after Aurora announced the launch of its driverless trucking service on May 1. Astute observers would note the vehicle showcased in the...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/aurora-keeps-person-in-the-drivers-seat-for-driverless-hauls

Running on Ice: Heart transplants get a second life

All thawed out

(Photo: Vector_Leart/Shutterstock)

There has been some new research around organ donors. Researchers have discovered a molecular process that occurs when donor hearts are preserved in cold storage, which contributes to failure after transplant, a study in both humans and animals shows. The team, a collaboration between Michigan Medicine and Mayo Clinic, also found a therapy to reduce that damage using medication that is typically prescribed for high blood pressure.

The current...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/running-on-ice-heart-transplants-get-a-second-life

Trade War Command Center quantifies import turmoil

‘Air pocket’ makes its way to port and intermodal volume

SONAR Trade War Command Center

In April, numerous U.S. ports set records for import volume. The SONAR Trade War Command Center application shows expected steep month-over-month declines in import volumes based on a 14-day moving average of bookings by date of departure. Most notably, volume headed for the Port of Long Beach is down 36%. That port has the most relative exposure to China, which makes up more than 60% of its import volume. 

(Cha...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/trade-war-command-center-quantifies-import-turmoil

Check Call: Cybersecurity threats come from everywhere 

(GIF: GIPHY)

Cybersecurity company Trellix has released “The Cyberthreat Report – April 2025.” The report identifies insights into cybersecurity threats as well as how to make actionable plans on fighting cyber criminals. 

The report has thrown a spotlight on an alarming 136% surge in advanced persistent threat (APT) detections against U.S. organizations in Q1 2025. The report paints a grim picture of an increasingly volatile digital battlefield, where critical sectors like telecommunications...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/check-call-cybersecurity-threats-come-from-everywhere

Chinese EV truck maker Windrose launches long-haul tractor

Chinese EV truck maker Windrose launches long-haul tractor
(Photo: Thomas Wasson/FreightWaves)

Chinese OEM and EV truck maker Windrose Technology recently announced the launch of its first-ever EV long-haul sleeper truck in the U.S. The EV tractor touts a 420-mile range. Phoenix-based JoyRide Logistics will operate the trucks in a partnership with Windrose. Charging infrastructure will be powered by EO Charging, with the initial rollout beginning in Arizona, California and Nevada.

“This isn’t just...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/chinese-ev-truck-maker-windrose-launches-long-haul-tractor

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