A FreightCaviar follower spent weeks quick-paying carriers on a steel project before learning the shipper was fake, the carriers were in on it, and not a single load was ever real. Plus: Congress takes aim at chameleon carriers, diesel keeps falling, and more.
“When I say you’re going to require high levels of authenticity and authentication at the point of entry... that is no longer going to be enough to prevent access. You’re going to need multiple points that all need to match in order to unlock access- that’s where we’re going."
FMCSA launched a new carrier registry three weeks ago to stop freight fraud — zero new carriers have been registered since. Plus: PepsiCo is running 41 driverless trucks, peak season and a shrinking driver pool, cameras know where your carriers have been, and more.
Here is another round-up of the most engaging and talked-about freight content from around the web and from us.
FreightCaviar Weekly Recap. From Echo's acquisition of ITS Logistics, to Winter Storm Fern, here are this week’s most talked-about freight stories.
Echo Global Logistics has agreed to acquire ITS Logistics, creating a combined 3PL with roughly $5.4 billion in pro forma 2025 revenue.
Echo CEO Doug Waggoner said ITS brings “highly differentiated solutions” that pair with Echo’s technology and analytics platform.
ITS CEO Scott Pruneau said the deal expands execution across complex supply chains by combining scale, multimodal depth, and AI-driven tools.
The acquisition is expected to close in the first half of 2026 pending approvals.
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Danielle Chaffin is raising questions about an unidentified trucking company allegedly recruiting drivers overseas via Telegram and operating nearly 400 trucks out of an apartment complex.
Chaffin notes the company appears active in inspections and hauling freight for multiple shippers, despite unconventional operations.
Concerns continues to mount around carrier vetting, labor sourcing, compliance, and how large fleets can move freight while operating outside traditional infrastructure norms.
An issues brokers and shippers continue to grapple with as capacity and enforcement gaps persist.
A major winter storm, now named Fern, is scheduled to strain freight movement this weekend across the South, Midwest, and East Coast as snow, ice, and prolonged cold will hit core lanes.
Data from Scott Pecoriello, Founder/CEO at WeatherOptics, points to elevated delay risk and roughly 30% slower freight movement.
David Spencer, VP of Market Intelligence at Arrive Logistics, said the storm is slated to bring “widespread areas of ice and snow, likely in areas not used to seeing that kind of winter precipitation.”
For the full breakdown on what the impending storm will bring, read here.
The developing winter storm Fern is being compared to Winter Storm Uri, which disrupted freight markets in early 2021.
Uri left more than 4.5 million homes and businesses without power, disrupted fuel and water systems, shut down highways, and contributed to over 240 deaths, with economic losses estimated near $200 billion.
Patrick Svitek
Data from DAT Freight & Analytics, analyzed by Ken Adamo, General Manager and Chief of Analytics, shows spot rates surged immediately after Uri and stayed elevated well beyond the blackout period.
🎣 THE FREIGHT CAVIAR CORNER
MEME OF THE WEEK
A FreightCaviar follower spent weeks quick-paying carriers on a steel project before learning the shipper was fake, the carriers were in on it, and not a single load was ever real. Plus: Congress takes aim at chameleon carriers, diesel keeps falling, and more.
“When I say you’re going to require high levels of authenticity and authentication at the point of entry... that is no longer going to be enough to prevent access. You’re going to need multiple points that all need to match in order to unlock access- that’s where we’re going."
FMCSA launched a new carrier registry three weeks ago to stop freight fraud — zero new carriers have been registered since. Plus: PepsiCo is running 41 driverless trucks, peak season and a shrinking driver pool, cameras know where your carriers have been, and more.
The freight boom arrived. For some carriers, it arrived too late. We explain why in today's feature. Plus: real gouda fellas, satisfactory doesn't mean safe, LTL is waking up, and more.
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