FMCSA Funding Halved as Carrier Numbers Surge 60%
The FMCSA is criminally underfunded. Funding to investigate carriers has dropped 40% over the past 15 years, yet the number of motor carriers is up 60%. The ATA sold the public on a truck driver shortage that never existed, while their primary regulator lacked the resources to ensure that the FMCSA is able to keep the highways safe.
Chameleon Carrier Fraud: Trucking’s Biggest Unseen Threat
I strongly recommend turning into 60 minutes or watching on-demand. Rob Carpenter puts on a masterclass on the Chamelon carrier fraud problem. I’d like to suggest that is the only major issue trucking has, but it’s just scratching the surface.
AI Data Centers Will Generate 5.6M Truckloads by 2031
The AI data center and its affiliated power construction projects are going to drive a lot of freight over the next 5 years. Our estimates are for 3.6m truckloads this year involved in these projects, ramping to 5.6m truckloads by...
Data Center Boom Set to Surge Freight Demand
SONAR is launching an in-house research division that will provide world-class research on major freight and supply chain topics, leveraging our team of market experts and high-frequency data. We call our reports a "SONAR Sitrep." Our first research report will...
AI Data Centers Outspend Interstate Construction Weekly
The AI data center build-out is the largest privately-funded infrastructure program in American history. The Interstate Highway System took 35 years to build at an average of approximately $18.8 billion per year in 2026 dollars. The AI data center build-out is...
Saudi Arabia Gains as Oil Prices Surge, Rival Vanishes
The House of Saud wins with higher oil prices and the elimination of a regional competitor
Trucking Spot Rates Dip Post‑Easter, Market Remains Strong
We expect trucking spot rates to drop this week, as demand has slightly cooled post Easter. Rejection rates doing to their lowest levels since Early Feb at 13.44%. This is still a strong market, just cooled from where we were before Easter. Note:...
Rail Grain Shipments Hit 1993 Peak, Driven by Exports
Rail grain shipments have surged this year, hitting the highest levels since 1993, all thanks to exports.
NFI Faces $650M Claim; Insurance Coverage Uncertain
NFI could be on the hook for $650m claim just in property damage and lost product. Wonder how much they are insured.
Industrial Boom: Oil, Cheap Gas, AI Drive US Growth
Why aren’t you bullish on the American economy? So many things to be excited about in the industrial economy: High oil exports great for US oil companies and industrial tied to it Low natural gas prices (the industrial fuel) Petrochems and plastics way up...
US Industrials Set to Boom as Gas Prices Plunge
Natural gas drives the US industrial economy, not oil. US natural gas prices are -20% since the Iran war broke out. This will be tremendous for US industrials. https://t.co/4k1zWGD9Ix
US Industry Relies on Natural Gas, Now 20% Cheaper
For the most part, the US industrial segment runs on natural gas, not oil. And US natural gas prices have dropped by 20% since March 1st.
Midwest Turns From Freight Receiver to Export Hub
For the past decade, the center of the country "received freight", largely from the coasts, as a large percentage of trucking volume were related to imports. For the past few months, that has flipped and now the center of the...
6% of Truckers Likely to Fail Random Drug Test
An estimated 6% of all truck drivers would fail a random hair follicle drug test
Iran War Will Boost U.S. Reindustrialization, Outweigh Tariffs
I've said this a few times, but it needs to be reinforced. The Iran war will do far more to balance trade and drive American reindustrialization than the tariffs ever did.
Driver Shortage Myth: No Perpetual Shortage Exists
Anyone want to take the "driver shortage" discussion? I am tired of having to clear the record - there is no perpetual driver shortage.
Early Freight Surge Prediction Proven Right, Trends Accelerate
I received a lot of hate back in November when we first reported the surge in freight transactions, it is clear those signals were accurate and a few months earlier than other datasets. And guess what: it gets even better...
China Subsidizes Auto Sector to Crush Foreign Competition
China's government has been providing incentives for Chinese manufacturers and suppliers to sharply undercut foreign auto manufacturers at home and abroad. This has been the goal of the CCP - rule the auto supply chain sector and wipe all global...
CH Robinson Hikes Spot Rate Outlook to +17% YoY
CH Robinson moves their spot rate forecast to +17% YoY. This is a substantial forecast increase from their March update, which had spot rates +12% YoY. https://t.co/Fap92OKjsM
Supply Chains Are Frontline in Energy Infrastructure
Aspen Aerogel is a manufacturer of products used in energy infrastructure Refining/petrochemicals, LNG, power plants, district energy, subsea pipelines, and offshore platforms. Supply chains are the front lines
Repeated “Accidents” Spark Skepticism Over Infrastructure Fires
I’m sure this one, like all of the other big fires on critical infrastructure over past few weeks, will be an “accident”
USD‑Backed Trump Stablecoins Reinforce Global Dollar Dominance
Trump’s stablecoins are backed by USD and like it or not USD is still preferred around the world, even by despots.
U.S. Shipping Deficit Exposes Critical National Security Weakness
The NATO fiasco just exposed a massive US national security vulnerability: America barely owns any ships. The top 5 container shipping firms (all European or Chinese) control 65% of global capacity. The US has zero container shipping firms in the top 30...
Mid‑South Generates Double Texas Wealth with Fewer People
The Midsouth (TN + Carolinas) have 24m people combined Texas has 32m And yet, the 3 states of the Mid South picked up 2x as much wealth as Texas ($11b vs. $6b) The mid South is the next great economic region...
Since Emissions Happen, Choose Cleaner Natural Gas over Diesel
Yes, we are getting the emissions one way or another. Might as well put the fuel to use. Plus, natgas is far cleaner than diesel
Chattanooga’s Tiny Streets Overflow with Logistics Branding
Chattanooga is much smaller than other cities, but due to the high concentration of logistics firms in the city, you can't go anywhere without running into a reminder that you are in Freight Alley.
SONAR Adds Bulk Trucking Rates to Global Freight Intel
SONAR launches Bulk Trucking Rates. SONAR is the only global multi-modal freight market intelligence platform with Van, Reefer, Flatbed, and now Bulk trucking rates. Our new bulk rate offering is derived from our massively expanded shipper-rate platform which now includes...
Energy‑Data Center Alliance Fuels Upcoming Trucking Supercycle
Was at an energy conference today and my mind was blown about how early we are in this cycle. The partnership between energy + data centers is going to power the trucking super cycle
GLP‑1s Reveal Calorie Restriction as Longevity Key
Its interesting that for the thousands of books written on health, we've learned since GLP-1s came on the market the best way to extend lifespan is to eat fewer calories
From Failed Futures to Freight’s Leading Data Platform
10 years ago, I quit my job and decided to create the world’s first futures for trucking. Futures didn’t work out, but we created something much more powerful - the most comprehensive information services platform in the freight market. And we are...
DAT Flips to Bullish on Flatbed Demand
How does DAT improve their market analysis? Take every possible position. Yesterday: “Flatbed volumes are already pulling back ahead of the typical May peak, and manufacturer confidence is cooling fast” Today: “Flatbed demand is gaining momentum. Flatbed load posts on...
Flatbed Rates Surge to $4.05, Rejections Hit 48%
DAT bullish, except for flatbeds, with SONAR signaling flatbed as white hot and the strongest mode at unprecedented strength. Flatbed rates up to $4.05/mile and flatbed rejections at 48%. https://t.co/MaglxTT53T
Supply Chain Instability Is Inevitable and Growingly Volatile
The disruptions to supply chains are unfortunately predictable, while the actors and dates are fluid. And here is the preview: supply chain instability is a permanent feature and things are bound to get more volatile https://t.co/qYNbnvbpPZ
Freight Volumes Set to Stay Strong Amid Lean Inventories
LMI suggesting freight market volumes expected to be robust over next near term horizon as inventories stay lean https://t.co/5XGm9vl5J5
Flatbed Rates Hit Record $4.05/mile Post‑Easter
Flatbeds come out of Easter surging to record high of $4.05/mile Up from $3.93/mile before the Easter Holiday. https://t.co/lhIwUSiFya
Industrials and Chemicals Strong, Intermodal Soft on Slow Imports
TD Cowen call with railroad and shipper execs: strength in industrials, with chemicals showing strength with confidence for rest of 2026 Intermodal soft Intermodal is likely soft due to slow imports https://t.co/04LgKSMRa9
Load‑to‑truck Ratios Inflated by Hidden Ghost Loads
Load to truck ratios are not real because they include ghost loads, which according to former DAT insiders are far more significant than they readily admit
ATA's Driver Shortage Myth Harms Trucking and Blocks Entry
The ATA damaged the trucking industry in countless ways by promoting the truck driver shortage lie, eliminating barriers to entry. The problem is that lie stuck and it’s almost impossible to unwind because it is accepted as fact by those that...
Manufacturing Surge Signals Start of New Cycle
He missed the most important part of the story - the strongest part of the report was upstream, not downstream. Upstream is manufacturing, downstream is retail. Upstream was much stronger than downstream, which was the opposite during the Great Freight Recession. This...
Freight Data Signals Early Manufacturing Upswing Ahead of Indicators
I am not an economist, I simply read off the the high frequency data and our channel checks tell me at the time and relay that info. Freight is upstream to demand, so to a casual observer, it appears as...
U.S. Industry’s Shift to Natural Gas Cuts Global Price Exposure
The US was far more reliant upon petroleum in the 1970's for industrial fuel and products than we are today, compounding the price shocks of the embargo. Natural gas is more prevalent for industry today and US natgas prices are...
Bridge Collapse Seen as Deliberate Supply Chain Sabotage
I don’t buy this was an accident. If the bridge had fallen into the water and shut down the canal, it would have a massive impact on the American supply chains. Too perfect of a hit to be an accident, considering...
Trucking Demand Outpaces Capacity, Creating Goldilocks Balance
We could be moving towards a Goldilocks trucking economy, where demand ramps, but capacity increases grow much slower.
Shutting Nuclear Plants Stalled Decades of Global Growth
Decades of global economic growth was stunted because of humanity’s decommissioning of its nuclear plants
Transformer Shortage Extends US Manufacturing Upcycle
The lack of power generation transformers and infrastructure is a good thing for American manufacturing, especially with the incentives under the Big Beautiful Bill - pent up demand will drive the manufacturing upcycle longer
Railcar Storage Plummets, Signaling Strong Freight Demand
SIG: "Railcars in storage experience the largest two-month decline since COVID." When the railcars come of storage, it is a very bullish sign for freight, as it means that shippers are seeing strong demand trends and want more rail car...
Panama Canal Delays Threaten 40% Freight, 20% Energy Exports
Bridge day not going as planned 40% of US container freight passes through the Panama Canal and 20% of US oil and natural gas exports do as well
Japan Commits Billions to U.S., Targets Tennessee Valley
Japan has agreed to invest hundreds of billions in America over the next few years. This is one of their investments - bound for the Tennessee Valley
France’s Nuclear Embrace vs Germany’s Energy Retreat
France should get a ton of credit for embracing nuclear energy, while Germany went the opposite direction
Japan's Future Bright, Europe's Past Fades with US Alliance
Japan’s greatest days are ahead of it, as it recommits to its partnership with America Europe’s best days are behind it, as it moves away from its alliance with the US
