🎣 Freight Tech

FreightWaves has released its 7th annual 2025 FreightTech 100 list. Plus, West Side Transport and MyCarrierPortal have been acquired.

🎣 Freight Tech

Good morning. Descartes just acquired MyCarrierPortal in a $24 million deal. Here's a closer look at the company and its slew of freight tech acquisitions. Speaking of freight tech, FreightWaves announced its 2025 FreightTech 100 list.

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The FreightCaviar Podcast: Check out this week's episode on the importance of training and networking in logistics.

Today’s newsletter is sponsored by Stealth Monitoring.

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*Greenscreens.ai, forecasts real-time truckload buy prices that are suited to each freight brokerage's purchasing power using AI and machine learning. Its engine takes into account over 130 attributes and data points in each rate forecast.


🐔 WHAT’S COOKIN’ IN FREIGHT

Image Source: FreightWaves

🚛 FreightWaves Unveils 2025 FreightTech 100. FreightWaves has announced its 7th annual 2025 FreightTech 100 list, showcasing the top companies in the freight technology sector. Recent mergers and acquisitions, such as Platform Science acquiring Trimble’s telematics business, reflect industry consolidation as companies prepare for future growth and expansion. A special shoutout to the FreightCaviar sponsors who've made the list, including Alvys, CtrlChain, Epay Manager, Greenscreens.ai, Highway, ISO, and Trucker Tools. The top 25 companies will be revealed at the F3: Future of Freight Festival in November.

🚛 Iowa-Based West Side Transport Acquired. EVO Transportation & Energy Services announced its acquisition of Midwest-based West Side Transport on Monday. The two carriers will operate under separate brands: EVO and West Side Transport. West Side, founded over 50 years ago by Don Vogt, operates 550 trucks and employs 700 people. Ron Joseph, former COO of West Side, will lead the division, with Vogt serving as an advisor. Previously focused on USPS freight, this move could make EVO more competitive within the industry moving forward.

🚂 Buffett Backs Railroads as a Century-Long Investment. At Berkshire Hathaway’s 2024 meeting, Warren Buffett mentioned BNSF, its freight railroad, as a business likely to thrive over the next century. Freight railroads, like BNSF & CSX, benefit from lower fuel costs and limited competition, making them highly attractive investments. While autonomous trucks pose a potential threat to rail freight, Buffett believes railroads' cost efficiency will prevail. Still, railroads must address safety and service improvements to meet new regulations and remain competitive with trucking. Another chemical leak just hit Whitewater, with hazmat crews responding to toxic styrene emissions.


GUARD YOUR FREIGHT WITH STEALTH MONITORING

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We specialize in protecting outdoor assets, inventories, and fleets for leading transportation, warehousing, drop lots, repair depots, distribution, and logistics companies across North America.


Descartes Acquires MyCarrierPortal for $24 Million

Canadian logistics tech company Descartes Systems Group, known for acquiring MacroPoint and Aljex TMS, has announced the purchase of MyCarrierPortal for $24 million. This acquisition aims to strengthen Descartes' capabilities in carrier onboarding and risk monitoring.

Who is Descartes?

Descartes has been a heavyweight in logistics tech since 1981, helping businesses manage their supply chains. Over the years, they’ve transformed into a SaaS powerhouse, providing cloud-based solutions that touch everything from customs compliance to global logistics.

  • Founded: 1981
  • Headquarters: Waterloo, Ontario
  • Specialties: Freight tracking, customs compliance, logistics networks.

A History of Acquisitions

Descartes has completed 46 acquisitions. Its most active year was 2019, with five acquisitions, and the company has acquired nearly three companies annually over the past three years.

34 of its acquisitions are logistics technology companies.

About MyCarrierPortal

Now, Descartes is adding MyCarrierPortal to the mix. Founded by Jay Pelkey, MyCarrierPortal (formerly MyCarrierPackets).

Today, MyCarrierPortal offers:

  • Carrier onboarding: Streamlining the process for brokers and shippers.
  • Fraud prevention: Safeguarding operations through thorough verification.
  • Insurance monitoring: Offering seamless certificate management and compliance.

What This Acquisition Means

According to Dan Cicerchi, Descartes’ General Manager of Transportation Management, “Carrier fraud and cargo theft is an ongoing problem in the transportation industry,” making MCP’s tools key to reducing fraud and improving supply chain performance.

MCP complements Descartes' existing solutions like MacroPoint FraudGuard, which enhances carrier visibility and compliance for brokers and shippers.

“We remain committed to adding solutions to our Global Logistics Network that help our customers manage the complete lifecycle of shipments in a secure and efficient manner...MCP directly complements our investment in MacroPoint, and we’re excited to welcome the employees, customers and partners into the Descartes family.” – Edward J. Ryan, Descartes’ CEO.

For more on this acquisition, check out Descartes' official announcement.


TOGETHER WITH CTRL CHAIN

CtrlChain is a cost-effective solution that helps carriers secure more contract freight with reliable shipper companies. The company emphasizes stable income for carriers by fostering long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships between carriers and shippers.

CtrlChain system simplifies the day-to-day tasks of fleet owners and operators by digitizing and automating manual tasks such as managing delivery information, updating customers, and providing PODs. It replaces spreadsheets, emails, phone calls, and post-it notes by offering a single platform for planning, executing, and receiving payments for deliveries.


🌎 AROUND THE FREIGHT WEB

🚢 Flexport’s Petersen Take of Inevitable Strike. Ryan Petersen, CEO of Flexport, warns that even if the Biden Administration intervenes, it will be "too late," and the strike is inevitable. The real question is how long it will last.

📊 Greenscreens.ai Launches Illuminate. Greenscreens.ai unveils Illuminate, a real-time market metric tool designed to provide freight brokerages with accurate insights into market behaviors and performance comparisons.

🚛 Outgo Speeds Up Freight Factoring. Outgo pledges faster 4-hour factoring services and announces a $15M capital raise, along with an additional $50M credit facility for purchasing carrier receivables.

🛠️ Trump's Tariffs on John Deere Could Hurt Big Time. Trump’s proposal for 200% tariffs on John Deere (if they move to Mexico) could raise consumer costs, strain global trade, and ripple across various industries.

🚚 Largest US Truck Stop Opens Soon. America’s largest truck stop is set to open on October 1 along Interstate 90 in West Dundee, with space for approximately 1,000 semi-trucks.

📈 Gnosis Freight Gains Investment for Expansion. Gnosis Freight has secured a strategic growth investment from Vista Equity Partners, supporting its mission to enhance logistics companies' overall ecosystems.


🎣 THE FREIGHT CAVIAR CORNER

We have plenty of new freight broker job listings on our job board: freightjobs.co.

  • If you’re looking for a new gig, go to freightjobs.co to see all the companies and apply directly from our site.
  • If you’re looking to hire, you can post job listings for free or for only $99 you can get them promoted in our newsletter.

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