FreightCasts

In this episode of Ship Happens, Brad Guinane (CRO, SONAR) and Julie Van De Kamp (CCO, SONAR) sit down with industry leaders to discuss the current state of logistics and their outlook for 2026. Recorded during the annual F3 Event, this episode features interviews with: Ryan Sharp, Senior Manager of Logistics Strategy at Nevados Engineering Josh McGrath, North American Logistics & Transportation Purchasing Senior Manager at Electrolux Brendan Stinson, Director of Transportation Services at Shaw Industries Key Topics Include: The Power of Data: How shippers are moving away from siloed operations to leverage real-time data for better negotiations and predictive analysis. Market Volatility & Tariffs: Strategies for navigating fluctuating market conditions and the shifting landscape of international tariffs. 2026 Market Predictions: Expert takes on when the freight market will reach equilibrium and the potential for a drop in capacity later this year. Handling the Unexpected: Guests share their "Ship Happens" moments—from navigating supply chain disruptions during COVID-19 to managing the fallout of a major bridge collapse in Baltimore. Learn how the implementation of ERP and CRM integrations with SONAR data is giving companies a strategic advantage in an increasingly complex global supply chain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of FreightWaves’ The Daily, we map out the critical operational shifts defining the 2026 supply chain landscape, focusing on risk management over pure technology. We examine how generative AI and OEM partnerships are accelerating Waabi's push for point-to-point autonomous trucking to solve the commercial inefficiencies of the "highway trap." Regulatory risks are rising as a massive budget deficit in California threatens to disrupt federal, leading to significant compliance volatility for carriers. An internal audit highlights systemic weaknesses in the state's safety programs that could make roadside inspections and protocols increasingly unpredictable. On the macro front, a robust 4.3% GDP growth rate in Q3 signals a healthier economic foundation driven by strong consumer spending and exports rather than just import fluctuations. This economic shift is prompting industry leaders to stop designing for certainty and start building supply chains for adaptability to better handle market disruptions. We also discuss how this renewed focus on efficiency is setting the stage for a resurgence in large carrier M&A, including the anticipated spin-off of FedEx Freight. Finally, we analyze the urgent need to harden networks against sophisticated criminal rings that are exploiting commercial freight channels to smuggle narcotics and stolen vehicles across borders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Freightways Morning Minute, we explore why autonomous trucking companies are shifting strategies to tackle surface streets for door-to-door delivery. By ditching the highway-only model detailed in Beyond the highway: Waabi's bet on door-to-door autonomy, these companies aim to eliminate costly first- and last-mile inefficiencies known as the "highway trap". We also break down the latest economic data, which reveals that GDP grew 4.3% in Q3, and it was ‘healthier’ growth driven by robust domestic demand rather than technical anomalies. This expansion signals underlying strength in consumer spending and exports, offering positive news for future freight volumes. Finally, we look ahead to a potential resurgence of deal-making in 2026, highlighted by FedEx Freight’s plans to spin off as an independent public company. While Large carrier M&A proves elusive in 2025, stabilizing volumes and lower interest rates are expected to fuel a massive industry shakeup next year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As 2025 comes to a close, The Long Haul host Adam Wingfield looks back on a year that tested small carriers and owner-operators like never before. This special Year in Review episode features powerful clips and insights from 15 guests, covering the challenges, lessons, and wins that shaped the trucking industry. It’s a reflection on progress, resilience, and what it really takes to keep moving forward in the long haul. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of the FreightWaves Morning Minute examines Amazon’s recent support for Flowers Foods in a Supreme Court case that could redefine legal protections for local delivery drivers. The retail giant argues that single-state drivers do not qualify for the federal arbitration exemption reserved for interstate transportation workers. We also report on the abrupt closure of Queen Transportation, a North Carolina carrier that ceased operations over the Christmas holiday. The shutdown left nearly 90 drivers jobless and highlights the severe liquidity pressures currently facing the trucking industry. Finally, we look at the logistics real estate boom in Arizona, signaled by Walmart’s $152 million acquisition of a massive industrial complex in Glendale. Data from the Phoenix market indicates that local trucking capacity is tightening as major investments reshape the region's supply chain infrastructure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices