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Articles by John Schulz
Democrats move to control key Congressional committees in wake of election wave
Change is coming to Washington and transportation interests will have new leadership of some key committees when the new Congress convenes next Jan. 4. After a blue wave mid-term election gave Democrats control of both the Senate and House of Representatives, President Donald Trump struck a conciliatory note in a post-election call with CBS. “I think they’re gonna work with me,” Trump said of Democrats.
State of Truckload: Less capacity, more leverage
The prolonged slump in the $397 billion truckload (TL) sector may finally be giving way to a recovery—but not necessarily because freight demand has come roaring back. After years of stagnant rates, rising operating costs and intense competition, thousands of carriers have exited the market. That capacity reduction is now helping to shift pricing power back toward the carriers that remain, with both spot and contract rates beginning to rise.
Industry stakeholders are urged to prepare for potential Congressional power shift in 2027
Changes are coming to Washington with Democrats hoping Election Day results in Democratic control of one or both chambers of Congress following the 2026 midterm elections. That could usher in an expansive oversight agenda focused on the Trump Administration and those interacting with it, according to politicians and lobbyists. Issues such as affordability and economic fairness issues, the technology sector—particularly artificial intelligence—data centers, and child and consumer safety.
Record-high diesel prices cause truckers to rethink equipment, capacity, rates
The great diesel surge of 2026 is taking a toll on shippers’ transportation budgets, carriers’ fuel bills and everyone else’s supply chain plans. For trucking, until the diesel crisis hit about seven months ago, two major issues were in the forefront of lobbying: use of independent contractors within new Labor Department rules and clean air regulations with a delay of electrification of heavy trucks.
TL, LTL executives bemoan lack of drivers, capacity for ‘choppy’ fall peak
Top trucking executives from both the less-than-truckload (LTL) and truckload (TL) sectors of the industry are predicting tighter than normal capacity for this late-fall peak season. Welcome to the newest freight capacity crunch, the first significant tightening of equipment capacity in at least three years—or back to the Covid recovery boom of 2023.
ATA seeking experienced hand as it begins search to succeed Spear as CEO
The American Trucking Associations (ATA), the largest Washington lobbying group advocating for heavy trucks on Capitol Hill and for its 50 related state associations, is in the midst of a national search for its 10th president and chief executive officer. ATA’s move comes in the wake of the sudden resignation of Chris Spears in August. ATA’s Board of Directors is charged with establishing a search committee to identify the organization’s next president and CEO.
Transport leaders tell Congress to fully fund transport in stop-gap legislation
Transportation interests are urging Washington to fully fund projects for the current fiscal year with a stopgap continuing resolution while this current do-little Congress gets ready for its autumn election-year recess with precious few working days left on its Congressional calendar. Congress is currently considering the BUILD America 250 Act ahead of the Sept. 30, 2026 expiration of the current law.
Trucking execs say they have positive momentum heading into Q4
Trucking’s quarterly reports from publicly held carriers are on the rebound as shippers enter peak season with fewer, more costly options. Trucking executives and analysts say this supply-demand balance is tilting toward carriers after three years of imbalance that favored shippers that eliminated more than 10% of overall truck capacity.
Trucking executives, analysts bullish on market outlook for remainder of year
It seems the pricing pendulum has finally swung in favor of trucking carriers, just as peak freight season has arrived. Shippers, who’ve had the upper hand the past three years, are facing tougher market conditions that have drastically changed since the first of the year. Trucking capacity has been reduced. The government is cracking down on foreign-born truck drivers, affecting capacity. Tariffs are in place on both power units and trailers, affecting cost and capacity.
37th State of Logistics: Stronger through disruption
Persistent adaptation is in. Five-year plans are out. That’s one of the central themes emerging from the latest State of Logistics (SoL) report, the supply chain industry’s most closely watched annual assessment of logistics and transportation trends. The message is clear: If disruptions and rising costs haven’t yet impacted your operation, chances are they soon will.
37th State of Logistics: LTL
Less-than-truckload (LTL) freight—the $63 billion trucking sector known for its high barriers to entry and concentrated pricing power—is showing signs of renewed strength in 2026. An improving industrial economy, resilient consumer spending, and tighter trucking capacity are fueling cautious optimism among LTL carriers. Jason Seidl, transportation analyst at TD Cowen, says LTL pricing momentum continued to build in the first quarter of 2026.
37th State of Logistics: Truckload
The highly fragmented $390 billion truckload industry—where market leader Knight-Swift Transportation controls barely 1.5% of total market share—is showing signs of recovery after three challenging years. Analysts say the improvement is not being driven by a sudden surge in economic activity. Instead, they point to a combination of deferred demand, retail inventory replenishment, improving industrial activity, and a long-awaited correction in trucking capacity.
New State of Logistics report finds volatility is new normal shaping global supply chains, requiring continuous adaptation by logisticians
Persistent adaption is in and five-year plans are out. That’s one of the central themes of an authoritative new report on the logistics industry. The 2026 State of Logistics (SoL) report finds persistent disruptions on everything, from wars to energy sources to worker shortages are forming a new supply chain paradigm of persistent disruption that has emerged for shippers and logistics providers.
New Transportation Bill Comes With a 5-Year, $580 Billion Price Tag
Congress moved a step closer toward replacing the federal highway funding law after a key House committee approved a five-year, $580 billion transportation package that includes several provisions tied to trucking and freight movement. What’s Related The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee voted 62-2 in late May to advance the BUILD America 250 Act, a surface transportation reauthorization bill that would fund highway, rail, and transit programs through fiscal year 2031.
New highway bill tab, 5 years, $580 billion, is working through Congress
Congress is eying a short-term extension followed by a more serious replacement for the bill authorizing hundreds of billions of dollars in federal-aid for the nation’s highways, bridges and transit options. Slowly but surely, a replacement for the federal highway use reauthorization bill is shaping up in Washington. The current law expires Sept. 30 and will likely be replaced in the short term by an extension at current funding levels.
FMCSA views Motus as a way to streamline registration processes for new applicants
What is Motus, and how is it going to affect motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, intermodal equipment providers, and cargo tank facilities operations? The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) says Motus is “a modern, secure platform” that allows businesses to easily manage vehicle registrations and control authorized access all in one place.
A new reality for cross-border trade
At the World Economic Forum in Davos this year, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney didn’t mince words about the future of U.S.-Canada trade. “Let me be direct,” said Carney. “We are in the midst of a rupture, not a transition. Our old relationship with the United States—a relationship based on steadily increasing integration—is over.” Over the past two decades, Carney added, crises across finance, health, energy, and geopolitics have exposed the risks of extreme global integration.
Private fleets gain ground in an uncertain market
The state of private trucking is in “an historically strong position,” driven by its commitment to service and safety—as well as lingering capacity concerns when North American ground freight volumes return to a more “normal” state. That’s the view of Gary Petty, president and CEO of the National Private Truck Council (NPTC), who points to several factors behind this strength.
After 3 sub-par earnings years, motor carriers see ‘fundamentally less slack’ in brighter days ahead
For motor carriers, the last three years have might as well lasted as long as dog years as they struggled with sub-par demand for freight services. Trucking rate increases and profitability have remained scant. There are signs that may be changing. Trucking profitability in the first quarter—usually the slowest 13 weeks of the calendar—has started to turn in the carriers’ favor, for the first time in about three years. Satish Jindel, principal of SJ Consulting, agreed.
ATA joins fight to stem $18 billion-a-day losses from cargo theft
At estimated losses of $18 billion a day, cargo theft is becoming one of the most pervasive criminal activities in this country. And it must be profitable as the problem keeps getting worse. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) recently joined a broad coalition of freight, retail and manufacturing officials to pressure the Justice Department to implement congressionally mandated measures to counter what it called a sharp rise in cargo theft and organized retail crime.
Penske Logistics adds AI platform to provide insight and add visibility to supply chains
Penske Logistics announced today it has launched what it calls Supply Chain Insight (SCI), a secure AI technology platform and mobile application that provides customers with what it calls a robust real-time view of their supply chain operations across freight transport and warehousing. Penske said the product is for supply chain leaders who are under increased pressure to drive greater operational efficiency in the wake of rising fuel costs, evolving regulations and economic challenges.
Top 50 Trucking Companies: Strategy separates the leaders
(Photo: Getty Images) From pricing discipline and capacity planning to technology and AI, the nation’s top carriers are navigating a soft freight market while positioning their networks for the next cycle of demand. Subscribe to our weekly e-mail update Don’t miss out on the best in supply chain. Get premium resources and in-depth, comprehensive feature articles written by the industry's top experts – delivered. This is an excerpt of the original article.
Same old story for shippers, asked to recover from steep fuel surcharges again
Like a roller coaster, worldwide prices for diesel and gasoline continue to set records in the first oil crisis because of the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran. U.S. diesel prices—the fuel used for most freight and delivery trucks — is going for an average of $5.64 a gallon nationally in April. That’s up from about $3.76 a gallon before the war began, per AAA. In California, diesel costs more than $7 a gallon.
NMFTA acts to slow $6.6 billion-a-year fraud industry in trucking
Fraud in the U.S. surface transportation freight arena is estimated roughly at $6.6 billion annually. That is only one estimate. Others are significantly higher. Whatever the annual theft tab is, one thing is clear: the annual freight bill covering theft and malfeasance in the trucking industry would dwarf the size of most trucking companies in America. The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) is fighting back.
Top 50 Trucking Companies: Strategy separates the leaders
LM Topics Logistics Motor Freight A. Duie Pyle From pricing discipline and capacity planning to technology and AI, the nation’s top carriers are navigating a soft freight market while positioning their networks for the next cycle of demand. They’re the best of the best—carriers with the vision to anticipate where the trucking market is heading and the operational discipline to deliver day in and day out.
Trucking hails move by Trump administration to remove ‘destructive’ rule regarding independent contractors
Trucking interests are applauding a move by the Trump administration to tighten up regulatory language affecting an estimated 350,000 independent contractors. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) commended the rule that rescinds what it called a “destructive, Biden-era classification standard” affecting contractors. ATA has long pushed for this proposed rule to protect over 350,000 independent truckers.
“Dalilah’s Law” legislation focused on tightening loopholes on foreign CDL holders
The route to earning and keeping a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is going to get rougher, if Congressional Republicans and the White House get their way. In late February, Sen. Jim Banks (R- Ind.) introduced a bill to require anyone with a CDL to be recertified by a state within six months after the law is enacted.
2026 Market Update: LTL holds the line
(Photo: Getty Images) Carriers are maintaining rare pricing discipline in a tepid market, but rising costs and lingering overcapacity will test how long that resolve can last. Subscribe to our weekly e-mail update Don’t miss out on the best in supply chain. Get premium resources and in-depth, comprehensive feature articles written by the industry's top experts – delivered. This is an excerpt of the original article. It was written for the March-April 2026 edition of Supply Chain Management Review .
Dedicated trucking comes of age
Now firmly in the era of e-commerce, motor carriers and their best customers are increasingly fine-tuning—and in some cases blending—their operations, a trend underscored by the rapid growth of “dedicated” or contract carriage. While the precise size of the dedicated trucking market is difficult to quantify, it clearly includes many of the industry’s largest and most sophisticated carriers.
UPS plans cuts of 30,000 jobs, irking Teamsters union that points to $9 billion in profits last year
UPS recently announced it made $8.7 billion in profit last year on the same day that the world’s largest transportation company will reduce its workforce by 30,000 in primarily part-time positions. Why is this happening? That’s what the Teamsters union, whose largest membership is at UPS, wants to know. Union officials say this is not happening because UPS is in any financial trouble. It also says it’s not happening because it won record pay increases in the last UPS contract.
2026 Market Update: LTL holds the line
Despite ongoing weakness in the much larger for-hire truckload sector, carriers in the $53 billion less-than-truckload (LTL) market are extending a three-year run of strong yield management. Yet even as they continue to flex their pricing power in a sector defined by high barriers to entry, industry leaders say they have not seen a market this soft in a generation or longer. “In one word, I would describe it as ‘tepid,’” says Chuck Hammel, president of Pitt Ohio, a major Northeastern LTL carrier.
2026 Market Update: LTL holds the line
Despite ongoing weakness in the much larger for-hire truckload sector, carriers in the $53 billion less-than-truckload (LTL) market are extending a three-year run of strong yield management. Yet even as they continue to flex their pricing power in a sector defined by high barriers to entry, industry leaders say they have not seen a market this soft in a generation or longer. “In one word, I would describe it as ‘tepid,’” says Chuck Hammel, president of Pitt Ohio, a major Northeastern LTL carrier.
Economic outlook for 2026 ‘feels expensive,’ U.S. Chamber head says
The economic uncertainty and rising costs that have hung over the trucking industry specifically and the overall U.S. economy in general is continuing in the New Year, the nation’s top business lobbyist predicts. Suzanne Clark, head of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said in her annual “State of American Business” outlook that the nation “is begging” for a path to a better future. “It feels expensive,” Clark said.
Trucking market plagued by ongoing economic uncertainty, new report by FTR says
Trucking demand likely will remain relatively flat in 2026, continuing about a three-year market slump in industrial activity. That’s the word from Indianapolis-based freight transportation consultancy FTR. But there are some green shoots out there that optimists can point to as the economic uncertainty that hung over from the past couple of years may finally dissipate in 2026. Avery Vise, vice president of trucking for FTR research group, said during a Jan.
Freight Payment 2026: Where AI, expertise and global integration converge
The freight bill payments sector remains healthy, industry leaders say, even as it grapples with the challenge of bringing artificial intelligence (AI) into the process without losing the human insight required to catch errors and curb unnecessary spend. “People are buying the sizzle and ignoring the substance,” says Mike Regan, founding president of TranzAct.
Trucking executives are set to anxiously welcome in New Year amid uncertainty regarding freight demand
Top trucking industry executives are hoping 2026 will—finally—be the year when pent-up demand translates into higher freight rates and a return to profitability in both the truckload and less-than-truckload (LTL) sectors. Until that hope actually translates into profits, most trucking leaders say they continue to tighten the variable costs they can control.
DOT revokes licenses of 17,000 non-domiciled CDL holders in California
The United States Department of Transportation is revoking 17,000 Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holders in California in what has become a political football between the Trump administration and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, an early favorite to be the Democratic presidential nominee in 2028. “After weeks of claiming they did nothing wrong, Gavin Newsom and California have been caught red-handed,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said.
D.C. appeals court orders stay on non-domiciled CDL holders
A D.C. Court of Appeals court has paused non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Its effect on issuance and renewals is unclear, however. Although CDL issuances are likely to resume until that appellate court makes final decision, the timing is unclear. The court ordered that the rule, which was expected to remove about 194,000 current non-domiciled CDL holders out of the trucking industry, be “administratively stayed,” pending further order of the court.
Truckload 2025: How carriers are navigating a three-year freight slump
The $387 billion U.S. full truckload (TL) sector has been stuck in neutral for roughly three years, and recovery remains slow. Truckload carriers are cautiously adding capacity, though only in small increments, one of the few bright spots as the sector works to climb out of a prolonged freight recession caused by excess capacity and soft demand. Spot rates have even fallen below $2 per mile since spring 2022.
Regulatory Reset: How deregulation is disrupting trucking in 2025
Dirtier, less electric, and more English spoken. That’s how the first year of relaxed trucking regulations under the Trump administration is shaping the $1 trillion trucking industry. The administration is betting that so-called “common-sense reforms” will help offset delays in converting diesel-powered heavy trucks to cleaner, low-emission units, even as rules on alternative-fuel vehicles slow down.
Teamsters, OOIDA backing legislation to fight ‘predatory’ lease arrangements
Washington is considering a measure that would crack down on unsavory leasing practices in the trucking industry that backers say trap truck drivers into long-term debt and prevent them from becoming profitable owner-operators. Rep. Julia Brownley (D-Calif.) has introduced what she calls “the Predatory Truck Leasing Prevention Act” (H.R. 5423), to crack down on exploitative and unfair leasing practices in the trucking industry.
White House takes steps to tighten CDL requirements for truck drivers
It is now more difficult for non-U.S. citizens to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) under new Department of Transportation (DOT) rules. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said an audit was done after a deadly crash in Florida last month that was caused by a truck driver attempting an illegal U-turn. Duffy said that truck driver should have never received a CDL because of his immigration status.
Diesel prices see declines with forecasts of more ahead as OPEC continues to boost supply
Diesel prices are dropping with forecasts of more to come, in a speck of good news for shippers and carriers alike. Since hitting its 2025 high during the week ending July 21, the national average price of diesel nationwide is down 10 cents to around $3.76 a gallon according to the latest update from the Energy Information Administration (EIA). This has spurred concerns about a potential glut in worldwide oil supplies.
Truckload rates not drastically affected by tougher enforcement of English proficiency for truck drivers
If President Donald Trump’s administration has its way, English will be spoken and understood behind the wheels of America’s 18-wheelers. At last count, Trump has successfully ordered two departments of his administration—the State Department and Transportation Departments—to tighten the screws on non-English-speaking truck drivers and employees. The State Department announced a pause in the issuance of new H-2B visas for commercial truck drivers.
Trucking awaits normalcy return amid tariff uncertainty weighing on demand
Fewer trucks chasing even less freight. That’s the mid-year summary of the $994 billion domestic trucking market. Preliminary net orders for North American Class 8 trucks/tractors in July posted their seventh consecutive year-over-year decrease. Orders fell 7% compared to the same month in 2024 despite a 42% rise over last month, according to research firm FTR. The 12,700 orders in July were well below July's 10-year average of 19,974 units.
Despite FedEx Freight delay, NMFTA says classification changes accepted in the LTL market
Despite the largest less-than-truckload carrier FedEx Freight delaying implementation until December 1, the biggest change in the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) has begun what it calls the “successful implementation” of one of the most significant updates to the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) system in its nearly 90-year history. Shippers so far have agreed and are adapting to the changes, several carrier executives confirmed to LM.
Major changes arrive this month for LTL freight classification systems
Major changes are coming to the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) methodology and ratings, effective July 19. If you’re unsure what this means or how it might impact your shipping operation, join the club. But officials at the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA), which runs the NMFC, say rest assured that its changes are designed to make classification less complex, thereby improving workflows and efficiency.
English-only proficiency now a clearer requirement for employment in trucking industry
The Department of Transportation (DOT) wants U.S. truck drivers to speak and understand English. President Donald Trump’s recent executive order saying truckers who don’t read and speak English proficiently would be considered unfit for service is causing ripples of concern within the industry. “A driver who can’t understand English will not drive a commercial vehicle in this country. Period,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in announcing enforcement guidelines that took effect recently.
36th Annual State of Logistics Report: Navigating uncertainty amid rising costs and global disruptions
Logistics professionals are “navigating through the fog” of ongoing economic, geopolitical, and environmental pressures with little more than “fragile optimism” for what lies ahead. That’s the sobering assessment from the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) in its 36th Annual “State of Logistics” (SoL) report, authored by global consulting firm Kearney and released in New York City on June 3.
36th Annual State of Logistics: Tariffs and market uncertainty challenge LTL carriers’ profitability
The $66 billion less-than-truckload (LTL) market is primed for what one leading analyst calls a turbulent year. “It’s going to be a roller-coaster,” says Satish Jindel, principal of SJ Consulting, a leading trucking data and advisory firm. “And that’s because our economy is on a roller coaster due to the tariffs.” According to Jindel, that forecast holds for the rest of 2025 and into next year: “I see a very uncertain environment for the carriers.
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