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TRUCKING

LTL pricing index hits new high in Q4

Freight Waves Todd Maiden January 14, 2026

Less-than-truckload rates hit a new high in the fourth quarter “as carriers flex[ed] pricing power despite limited demand,” a quarterly report from 3PL AFS Logistics and financial services firm TD Cowen said on Wednesday. Rates are expected to cool modestly in the seasonally weak first quarter.

Large carriers shape freight markets: Q1 TD Cowen/AFS Freight Index

AFS Logistics/TD Cowen Press Release January 14, 2026

Even as demand has remained limited and mode optimization enables shippers to find savings, LTL carriers have resisted the urge to ‘buy’ freight volume via pricing concessions,” says Mich Fabriga, Vice President of LTL Pricing, AFS Logistics. “For shippers, understanding how their freight fits into the carriers’ network optimization puzzle is an important element to optimize freight spend, especially in anticipation of a market turnaround later in 2026.

Link: TD Cowen/AFS Logistics Freight Index Q1:2026 (Registration Required For Report Download)

Proliferation of parcel delivery surcharges drives up shipping rates

Freight Waves Eric Kulisch January 14, 2026

The blanket policy represents a major shift from previous demand charges that more precisely targeted delivery costs like volume surges, large packages and additional handling requirements.

Add-on fees are typically applied to cover the costs associated with providing additional services that require extra labor, specialized equipment, or extend beyond standard transportation and delivery efforts.

‘Classification Reimagined’ is improving LTL — and the industry asked for it

Journal of Commerce Debbie Sparks Executive Director NMFTA January 14, 2026 $Subscription Based

“Classification Reimagined” is an industry-driven initiative and has accomplished all its objectives, and then some.

Less-than-truckload (LTL) freight is complex and is not parcel by nature for carriers, shippers and brokers. But the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) simplified it.

Saia acquires 2 properties in North Carolina from XPO

Trucking Dive David Taube January 14, 2026

Saia spent $14.25 million on two properties in Kernersville, North Carolina, securing a much larger footprint than its closest terminal in Greensboro, according to county records. XPO previously owned the sites.

Southeastern Freight Lines Boosts Cross-Border Operations

Transport Topics Keiron Greenhalgh January 14, 2026

“Our customers are looking for simplicity in today’s increasingly complex supply chain,” said Richard Slater, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Southeastern Freight Lines. “This partnership with Fletes México Carga Express allows us to meet our customers’ growing demand for reliable service in and out of Mexico.

Abilene Motor Express being absorbed into Swift

Freight Waves John Kingston January 14, 2026

Abilene Motor Express, almost eight years after being acquired by Knight Swift, is being folded into the Swift Transportation segment at the company.

“This alignment helps us work more cohesively, move faster and better serve our drivers and customers,” Johnson said in the internal communication.

SHIPPERS / 3PLs

Penske Logistics Advances Shipment Tracking Capabilities

Transport Topics Keiron Greenhalgh January 14, 2026

Fleet Owner, Brokerage to Introduce Augment AI Platform

Penske Logistics is set to introduce an artificial intelligence platform that will aid the fleet owner, warehouse management specialist and freight brokerage as well as customers in tracking shipments.

Link: Penske Press Release Penske Logistics Accelerates Agentic AI Supply Chain Initiative with Augment

US ecommerce sales growth in Q3 reaches slowest rate in 10 quarters

Digital Commerce 360 Abbas Haleem January 14, 2026

“Q3 2025 marked the third consecutive quarter of sub-6% ecommerce growth rate, something that has not happened in America since 2009,” said Jon Love, research data manager at Digital Commerce 360.

INDUSTRY

U.S.-bound imports end 2025 with slight growth, reports Descartes

Logistics Management January 14, 2026

“For U.S. importers, 2025 was a year marked by volatility, uncertainty and slightly softening demand compared to 2024,” said Jackson Wood, Director of Industry Strategy at Descartes. “As the new year begins, global supply chains continue to grapple with numerous factors weighing on logistics costs and complexities, including ongoing tariff uncertainty, uneven sourcing shifts, and elevated geopolitical risk from Venezuela developments and the Russia/Ukraine, Israel/Hamas and Iran/Israel conflicts.”

Link: Descartes December U.S. Container Imports Post Small Month-over-Month Increase, Closing 2025 Just Under 2024 Totals

GoodShip Launches AI Transportation Analyst ‘Laney’

Transport Topics January 14, 2026

Transportation teams using GoodShip can now query their freight networks in real time with the launch of Laney, a new AI analyst designed to replace manual analysis and static dashboards.

TECHNOLOGY

Why Agentic AI is finally working in supply chains

Supply Chain Management Review Brian Straight January 14, 2026

The reasons are many, but those struggles are now giving way to a more disciplined approach to Agentic AI adoption. That approach is grounded in connected planning, decision history, and human-in-the-loop execution. Rather than layering AI tools on top of fragmented processes, leading organizations are embedding AI directly into the way supply chain decisions are made, tested, and revisited.

How Can Companies Incentivize AI Adoption?

Knowledge at Wharton Scott A. Snyder January 13, 2026

Despite over $300 billion of projected AI spending by enterprises in 2025 and almost 90% of knowledge workers using AI at work, only 5% of employees say they are using AI to transform their work.

The AI Race Suddenly Looks Like Google's To Lose

The Verge David Pierce January 14, 2026

Three years after being caught off guard by ChatGPT, Gemini appears to have everything it needs to take down OpenAI and everyone else.

SUSTAINABILITY / SAFETY / SECURITY

RoadOne expands Tesla partnership with first of up to 10 Semis

Clean Trucking Jay Traugott January 14, 2026

Randolph, Mass.-based RoadOne IntermodaLogistics has just announced the expansion of its existing partnership with Tesla with the addition of a Tesla Semi to its fleet. This purchase represents the first of up to ten electric semis planned for deployment in the Oakland, Calif. market.

eBay unveils climate transition plan to reach 2045 net-zero target

ESG Dive Lamar Johnson January 14, 2026

The transition plan comes almost a year after the e-commerce giant had its net-zero and emissions reduction goals validated by the Science Based Targets initiative.

DOT to use AI to go after illegal truckers

Freight Waves John Gallagher  January 14, 2026

Speaking at the 105th annual meeting of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, U.S. Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary Steven Bradbury said his department and its modal agencies are “leaning into AI” and the use of advanced data analytics to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of enforcement efforts.

States Eye ELP Laws for Truckers, With Motor Carrier Fines

Transport Topics Noël Fletcher January 14, 2026

As the legislative sessions get into gear at the start of the new year, Wyoming, Oklahoma and Missouri have introduced tougher laws against both companies and their drivers if they are unable to read English road signs and speak proficiently.

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