This story was originally published on Trucking Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Trucking Dive newsletter. Flatbed carrier Montgomery Transport and affiliated businesses owe tens of millions of dollars to two banks, according to an amended complaint filed Oct. 17. The carrier is the flagship entity of Montgomery Transportation Group, which had shuttered locations earlier this month and released its workers while drivers abandoned vehicles across the country, the lawsu ...

Core Insights - The trucking industry is facing a significant crisis due to a shortage of 50,000 truck drivers, which is increasing shipping costs for both businesses and consumers [1] - The easing of the driver shortage in 2023 is attributed to a downturn in freight demand rather than improved recruitment efforts [2] - Despite a temporary easing, the driver shortage is expected to resurface if demand picks up [3] Industry Challenges - The trucking sector operates on narrow profit margins, making it vulnerable to economic fluctuations, and has seen multiple companies file for bankruptcy [3][4] - Over-expansion and high operating costs have led to the failure of several trucking companies, despite existing demand [4][5] - Recent bankruptcies in October highlight the ongoing struggles within the freight industry, exacerbated by high operating costs and tariffs [7] Company-Specific Issues - Tony's Express, a company with a long history, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2024 after being acquired in May 2023 [6]

Core Insights - Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings is integrating its LTL subsidiaries, Midwest Motor Express (MME) and DHE Transportation, under the AAA Cooper Transportation brand, effective January 1, 2026 [7] - The integration aims to develop a national network and enhance regional and national service by combining administrative and financial systems [3][7] - The acquisition of DHE Transportation in 2024 has facilitated access to California and neighboring markets, leading to the opening of new sites in the Southwest and West Coast [4] Company Strategy - The company is focusing on both organic and inorganic growth opportunities to expand its business, particularly in the Northeast region [5] - Despite lacking physical assets in the Northeast, the company plans to interline with other carriers to meet service needs [6] Market Position - The integration of the LTL carriers is expected to maintain existing pricing, data exchanges, and the Standard Carrier Alpha Code for the three carriers, ensuring continuity for customers [7] - The unification of brands is seen as a cost-saving measure while also promoting a unified identity across the network [3]

Industry Overview & Market Size - The US freight industry is nearly a $1 trillion market, with trucks accounting for nearly 80% of intrastate shipments [3] - The long haul trucking market and the regional/middle mile segment each represent about $300 billion [6] - Goldman Sachs expects the self-driving truck market to increase by over 13,000% in four years, from $130 million in 2026 to $18 billion in 2030 [7] Autonomous Trucking Technology & Deployment - Aurora is running fully driverless 18-wheelers on public freeways between Dallas and Houston [4] - Aurora has observed 14% fuel savings using autonomous driving compared to manual driving [5] - Aurora has driven 3 million miles in autonomy, including 50,000 driverless miles, with a perfect safety record [5] - 24 US states have opened their doors for autonomous freight operations, with Texas leading in regulatory environment [7] - Germany allows testing of autonomous driving up to level 4, but lags behind the US in real-world testing due to stricter regulations [17] Labor Market & Economic Impact - Autonomous trucking could add over 450,000 jobs to the American economy over the next 15 years [31] - The average age of truck drivers in the United States has increased from 35 to 55 in the last 20 years [27] Cost Analysis - Goldman Sachs analysts expect the cost per mile for driverless trucks to fall from $6.15 to $1.89 by 2030 [24] - Human-driven truck costs could increase from $2.61 to $2.80 per mile over the same period [24]

Core Insights - Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. has released its 2024 Sustainability Report, which aligns with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards [1] - The report includes a limited assurance verification opinion for its 2024 Scope 1 and Scope 2 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory from an independent third party [1] Company Overview - Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. is one of the largest North American less-than-truckload (LTL) motor carriers, providing regional, inter-regional, and national LTL services through a union-free organization [4] - The company offers a range of services including expedited transportation, container drayage, truckload brokerage, and supply chain consulting [4] Financial Performance - The company reported a total revenue of $1,407.724 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, a decrease of 6.1% compared to the same period in 2024 [9] - LTL services revenue for the same period was $1,395.112 million, also reflecting a 6.1% decrease year-over-year [9] - For the six months ended June 30, 2025, total revenue was $2,782.582 million, down 6.0% from $2,958.770 million in 2024 [9] Operational Metrics - In August 2025, revenue per day decreased by 4.8% compared to August 2024, driven by a 9.2% decrease in LTL tons per day [8] - The decline in LTL tons per day was attributed to an 8.2% decrease in LTL shipments per day and a 1.2% decrease in LTL weight per shipment [8]

Core Insights - Load claims are inevitable in the trucking business, and preparation is essential to mitigate their impact [1][2] - A load claim is a formal complaint regarding freight that arrives damaged, missing, late, or otherwise noncompliant, which can lead to significant financial losses and reputational damage [2][6] - Proper training and procedures for drivers can help prevent mishandling of claims and protect the company's reputation [3] Summary by Sections Definition and Impact of Load Claims - A load claim is a formal complaint made by a shipper, broker, or receiver regarding the condition of freight upon arrival [2] - Types of claims include shortage, damage, delay, contamination, and overage, each posing risks to the business [6] - Mishandled claims can lead to cargo liability payouts, contract terminations, legal disputes, and loss of access to certain lanes or load boards [6] Driver Training Steps - **Step 1: Inspect Before Leaving the Dock** Drivers should inspect the load thoroughly at pickup, noting any exceptions on the bill of lading before signing [4][7] - **Step 2: Secure the Load Properly** Drivers are responsible for ensuring the load is secure, and any shifting during transit should be treated as a red flag [8] - **Step 3: Watch the Clock** Late loads can be treated similarly to damaged ones, emphasizing the importance of timely delivery [9] Best Practices for Load Management - Drivers should take photos of the load before leaving the shipper's dock, especially if there are visible issues, as this can serve as crucial evidence [5] - Communication with dispatch and brokers is vital in case of delays due to traffic, breakdowns, or weather, and all communications should be documented [10]

Volvo expects a trucking slowdown to extend into next year as uncertainties linked to Trump’s tariffs weigh on demand in North America https://t.co/oPcyNtQy7J ...

A new study by fleet safety tech company Nauto Inc. comparing the safety performance of Kodiak AI's autonomous trucking system with human drivers has surprising results. https://t.co/gQwgyUMueY ...

Core Insights - DAT Freight & Analytics has launched the Carrier Management Suite, a carrier-qualification product integrated into the DAT One load board, allowing freight brokers to determine which carriers can access their loads based on various factors such as authority status and insurance [1][2]. Group 1: Product Features - The Carrier Management Suite differentiates itself from third-party rating systems by integrating carrier authentication directly into the procurement process on DAT One, enhancing the efficiency of matching brokers with carriers [2][3]. - The suite includes Qualification Settings that enable brokers to set standards for which carriers can view their load posts, streamlining the vetting process and reducing unnecessary calls from unqualified carriers [5]. - Company Profiles within the suite build upon the DAT Directory, providing brokers with comprehensive carrier information and allowing carriers to present detailed descriptions of their services [5]. Group 2: Security and Trust - The Carrier Management Suite is part of a broader set of security and fraud-prevention tools for DAT One, which includes stronger login authentication and behavioral monitoring for identity verification and risk assessment [4]. - The integration of insights from Trucker Tools allows brokers to search specifically for carriers based on automated tracking and visibility, enhancing the overall trust and reliability of the network [5]. Group 3: Company Overview - DAT Freight & Analytics operates the DAT One truckload freight marketplace and various analytics and visibility platforms, serving shippers, brokers, and carriers with market trends and data insights [6]. - Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, DAT is a business unit of Roper Technologies and continues to innovate in the trucking and logistics industry [7].

Market Overview - The market finished slightly in the green, with the S&P 500 approaching 6700, and the NASDAQ up about 0.7% [5][3] - The semiconductor sector showed strong performance, increasing nearly 3% [2][3] Company Earnings - United Airlines reported a third-quarter adjusted EPS of $2.78, beating estimates of $2.66, with CapEx at $6 billion and operating revenue meeting expectations [6][7] - The outlook for United Airlines indicates a fourth-quarter adjusted EPS of $3 to $3.50, surpassing the street's expectation of $2.82 [8][11] - J.B. Hunt's third-quarter EPS was $1.76, exceeding expectations by $0.30, with total revenue of $3.05 billion, also above the forecast [23][24] Individual Stock Performances - Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) stock rose about 9% after HSBC raised its price target from $185 to $310 [15] - Bank of America and Morgan Stanley saw stock increases of approximately 4.5% and 4.7%, respectively, driven by strong earnings and increased investment banking activity [16] - Papa John's Pizza stock increased over 9% following a bid from Apollo Global to take the company private at $64 per share [18] Economic Context - The market dynamics are influenced by ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and China, particularly regarding rare earth minerals [3][4] - The Federal Reserve's Beige Book indicated a K-shaped economy, with some consumers continuing to spend on services despite broader economic uncertainties [11][12]