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TRUCKING

 

LTL pricing index hits new high in Q3

Freight Waves Todd Maiden October 14, 2025

Less-than-truckload carriers “continue to flex pricing power,” according to a quarterly report from 3PL AFS Logistics and financial services firm TD Cowen. The group is forecasting LTL rates to again remain elevated during the fourth quarter.

 

Carriers fight for revenue amid cloudy economic outlook, muted peak forecast: Q4 TD Cowen/AFS Freight Index

AFS/TD Cowen October 14, 2025

LTL pricing shows continued resilience despite economic headwinds, as carriers rely on lessons learned from previous downward freight cycles to prioritize profitability and network efficiency.

Link: TD Cowen/AFS Freight Index Q4 2025  (LTL Data Slides 6-8/Registration Required For Report)

 

Cass reports ‘TL bounce,’ recovery timeline still uncertain

Freight Waves Todd Maiden October 14, 2025

“We think the LTL declines reflect ongoing available TL capacity—where low rates lead shippers to consolidate LTL loads into truckloads—and private fleet insourcing,” the report said. “The positivity in TL volumes may be temporary, as pre-tariff shipping may lead to more air pockets in demand.”

Link: Cass Information Systems Cass Transportation Index Report: A Truckload Bounce

 

 

SHIPPERS / 3PLs

 

Walmart Partners With OpenAI to Power ChatGPT Shopping

Transport Topics/Bloomberg News Jaewon Kong October 14, 2025

Walmart Inc. is teaming up with OpenAI to enable shoppers to browse and purchase its products on ChatGPT, the retailer’s latest push to incorporate artificial intelligence.

Link: Walmart Press Release Walmart Partners with OpenAI to Create AI-First Shopping Experiences

 

C.H. Robinson Unveils AI System for Drop Trailer Fleet

Transport Topics October 14, 2025

Drop trailer programs, which account for nearly half of the U.S. truckload market, have long relied on manual tracking and limited data visibility. C.H. Robinson built AMS in-house to modernize the process, offering live GPS updates every five seconds, automated alerts for delays or idle assets, and performance scorecards for utilization and dwell time.

Link: C.H. Robinson Press Release New C.H. Robinson drop trailer Asset Management System brings unparalleled control and visibility for shippers 

 

 

INDUSTRY

 

LMI shows logistics expansion continues at slower pace amid falling transportation and warehousing costs

Logistics Management Jeff Berman October 14, 2025

“If we look at what happened in September, we can see that inventories sort of slowed down,” he said. “They were really coming in at a fast rate. All through the summer, they've slowed down a bit, and because of that, all the associated costs have dropped. Inventory costs are down about three and a half points, whereas in price is down 6.3 and transportation is down, too.

Link: CSCMP September 2025 Logistics Managers' Index

 

Maersk Opens Dallas-Area Facility, Eyes TL, LTL Expansion

Transport Topics Keiron Greenhalgh October 14, 2025

The facility integrates both a pickup-and-delivery station and a linehaul hub, replacing Maersk’s existing Irving station and expanding the truckload and less-than-truckload carrier’s footprint in Texas.

Link: Maersk Press Release Maersk Ground Freight Opens Integrated Station and Hub in Dallas-Fort Worth Ahead of Holiday Shipping Season

 

U.S. container Imports dip in September after summer surge, reports Descartes

Logistics Management October 14, 2025

“After two months of elevated volumes, U.S. container imports dropped in September, led by a significant pullback in volumes from China,” said Jackson Wood, Director of Industry Strategy at Descartes. “September’s decline underscores the combined impact of seasonal softening and tariff-related caution."

Link: Descartes September U.S. Container Imports Contract Amid Tariff Uncertainty

 

Tariffs can’t stop trade — DHL tracker shows globalization proving resilient

Freight Waves Noi Mahoney October 14, 2025

Forecasts show slower but steady growth

DHL’s composite forecast now projects slower trade expansion through 2029 due to tariff uncertainty, but no reversal. The compound annual growth rate remains 2.5%, matching the past decade’s trend.

Link: DHL Global Connectedness Tracker

 

Flexport Launches AI Tools to Tackle Tariffs

The Wall Street Journal Paul Berger October 14, 2025 $Subscription Based

The San Francisco-based company on Tuesday is launching AI tools that analyze customs filings for errors and compliance risks, and that identify ways of reducing future duties.

Link: Flexport Press Release Flexport Launches Customs Technology Suite to Help Businesses Manage Tariffs and Reduce Costs

 

Prologis report addresses how supply chain executives embrace AI and regionalization to boost resilience for 2026 and beyond

Logistics Management Jeff Berman October 14, 2025

“The survey suggests that leaders are optimistic about 2026, but persistent supply chain disruptions mean resilience matters just as much as efficiency,” said Melinda McLaughlin, Global Head of Research for Prologis. “New technology and risk monitoring systems can improve both resilience and efficiency, while safety stock positions companies to be able to withstand cost volatility and disruptions to the flow of goods."

Link: Prologis 2026 Supply Chain Outlook Report

 

Stakeholders differ on Newsom’s move to kill automation ban at California ports

Journal of Commerce Bill Mongelluzzo October 14, 2025 $Subscription Based

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s refusal to sign a bill that would have effectively banned automation at the state’s ports “will undoubtedly lead to a loss of jobs,” the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) said Tuesday.

 

 

TECHNOLOGY

 

For AI Productivity Gains, Let Team Leaders Write the Rules

MIT Sloan Management Review Robert C. Pozen and Renee Fry October 15, 2025

Companies are pouring money and effort into AI while overlooking a simple truth about adoption and governance: The real work happens at the team level. A recent survey of 348 business leaders reveals a critical gap between usage rules and realities. Seventy-two percent say corporate leadership should establish overall AI guidelines while individual teams set their own rules. Team leaders understand local context, judgment calls, and daily risks. So why aren’t you delegating more power to them?

 

SUSTAINABILITY / SAFETY / SECURITY

 

US weighs penalties on nations favoring IMO’s maritime decarbonization plan

Supply Chain Dive Kelly Stroh October 14, 2025

According to the joint statement by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, the proposal’s economic impacts “could be disastrous,” citing estimates forecasting global shipping costs could increase by as much a 10% or more. The secretaries did not provide further details on the shipping cost forecasts.

 

The Rest of the World Is Following America’s Retreat on EVs

The Wall Street Journal Sharon Terlep and Stephen Wilmot October 14, 2025 $Subscription Based

“There is more realism that EVs are probably a good solution in the future, but it’s not going to be forced down the throat of customers,” said Christian Meunier, chairman of Nissan Americas, referring not just to the U.S. but to much of the Western world. “It’s pragmatism.”

 

 

BUSINESS AND THE ECONOMY

 

China, Betting It Can Win a Trade War, Is Playing Hardball With Trump

The Wall Street Journal Lingling Wei and Gavin Bade October 14, 2025 $Subscription Based

China’s leader, Xi Jinping, is betting that the U.S. economy can’t absorb a prolonged trade conflict with the world’s second-largest economy, according to people close to Beijing’s decision-making.

 

Small Business Optimism Declines in September

NFIB October 14, 2025

“Optimism among small business owners decreased in September,” said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “While most owners evaluate their own business as currently healthy, they are having to manage rising inflationary pressures, slower sales expectations, and ongoing labor market challenges.

 

 

 

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