Amazon just became a direct rival to the biggest names in parcel, freight, and 3PL services. Plus: shippers are paying a lot more, your carrier check may be passing thieves through, a $4M cargo theft recovery shows what's possible, and more.
"I think this is just one more way that you can go about finding quality capacity to better run your operation.”
A 20-year veteran of the freight industry, with 60k TikTok followers, argued that small carriers can't survive without brokers. Plus: the FBI's PSA, Steam Logistics sues two of its own, Ohio Turnpike comes for 315 carriers, and more.
Plus: Arkansas unveils an AI truck inspection plan, bankruptcies climb, Congress pushes CDL English rules, and more in today’s newsletter.
Good Monday morning. New ATRI data shows cargo theft costs the industry up to $6.5B in 2023, with brokers and 3PLs losing 3.5x more per year than carriers. We've got the breakdown in today's feature.
Plus:
🚦 Arkansas Launches $2.7 Million AI Truck Inspection Project. The Arkansas DOT and Quarterhill Inc. announced a $2.7 million initiative to deploy AI-enabled truck inspection systems along I-40 Eastbound in Lehi and I-55 Southbound in Marion. According to Quarterhill’s October 9 press release, the project will integrate Weigh-in-Motion sensors, tire anomaly detection, license plate recognition, and real-time credential verification to flag safety risks without pulling every truck off the road. “This project demonstrates how technical innovation and collaboration can solve real-world challenges in freight management,” said Quarterhill CEO Chuck Myers.
📉 Trucking Bankruptcies Mount Amid Prolonged Freight Slump. Five trucking-related companies filed for Chapter 11 protection in the first two weeks of October, in yet another sign of the growing strain across the U.S. freight sector. According to FreightWaves, filings included Texas-based GEC Transport Solutions, Arkansas’s Propel Trucking, and Houston’s R&R Transport & Logistics, each reporting liabilities of up to $10 million. The uptick aligns with the industry downturn that experts describe as a “freight recession.” Avery Vise of FTR Transport Intelligence said trucking remains in a “prolonged slump,” while economist Stephen Burks noted post-pandemic overcapacity and weak demand have left smaller carriers especially vulnerable to bankruptcy and consolidation pressures.
🧾 Bill Targets English Proficiency Gaps Among CDL Holders. Senator Cynthia Lummis introduced S.2991 on October 8 to codify federal English Language Proficiency rules for commercial drivers, complementing the House’s earlier Connor’s Law. The bill mandates that CDL holders demonstrate basic English ability and authorizes out-of-service orders for violators. OOIDA endorsed the measure, calling it “a matter of safety for everyone who shares the road.” Recent research by Michigan State University’s Jason Miller and Alex Scott found U.S.-based carriers with ELP violations have Unsafe Driving BASIC scores averaging 11.28, far above normal levels, highlighting links between poor language compliance, weak safety cultures, and higher crash risk.
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ATRI’s latest report pegs 2023 losses at up to $6.56 billion, with 65% of carriers hit by at least one theft.
But brokers and logistics providers (LSPs) are losing far more money per hit and reporting fewer of them.
Cargo theft losses ranged from $1.8B to $6.5B in 2023, depending on valuation.
Reported cases have nearly doubled since 2021 to around 3,000 incidents, and theft risk is spreading beyond traditional hotspots.
When freight disappears, LSPs take the bigger hit.
For brokers, one false dispatch can erase a month’s margin, and there's no insurance for reputation.
Carriers mostly lose freight at their own facilities: 24% at terminals, 17% at truck stops.
But for LSPs, the real danger is at the dock: Half of all thefts happen at customer pickup locations.
Here’s where the confidence gap shows:
And when it comes to recovery, 73% of carriers never get the load back, though LSPs report “total loss” just 21% of the time.
Brokers sit in the middle—responsible but not always legally “in control”—which complicates reporting and recovery.
But tools like GenLogs are going further. CEO Ryan Joyce highlighted how law enforcement agencies are adopting GenLogs for cargo theft and narcotics interdictions.
“Smart adoption of privacy-enabled technology is the future of public safety,” he said, hinting at where data-driven policing and freight security may soon overlap.
Insurance costs are rising alongside theft risk.
Combined cargo and liability rates have jumped 86% since 2010, hitting $0.102 per mile in 2024. More theft = higher deductibles, tighter underwriting, and fewer affordable options for small carriers and brokerages.
Some states are stepping up:
But the response is uneven. Enforcement varies lane to lane.
Now, federal action is starting to stir. The U.S. Department of Transportation published a Request for Information on Sept 19, asking carriers, shippers, brokers, law enforcement, and other stakeholders how to help prevent cargo theft.
The thieves are organized, tech-savvy, and hitting where visibility drops off. Until LSPs and carriers close those gaps, the $6B problem keeps rolling.
Download and read ATRI's full report here.
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🚨 I-85 Fatal Pileup. Truck driver Kane Hammock, 23, was charged with eight counts of vehicular homicide and one of feticide after a fiery I-85 crash in Jackson County, Georgia, that killed eight people when a semi rear-ended a passenger van.
🤖 Another C.H. Robinson Feature. C.H. Robinson unveiled a new AI-powered optimization system for its drop-trailer fleet, designed to predict trailer availability, improve dock scheduling, and reduce idle time across shipper networks.
🅿️ Truck Parking Club Growth. Truck Parking Club surpassed 3,000 active locations nationwide, expanding its on-demand platform for reserving and managing parking for fleets. The company says usage has doubled in 2025 amid tighter urban parking constraints.
🤝 Aurora Granted Exemption. FMCSA granted Aurora an exemption allowing its autonomous trucks to operate without reflective warning triangles, substituting advanced lighting systems. The decision follows a lawsuit challenging how exemptions are reviewed.
❌ China Rejects Tariffs. China urged the U.S. to withdraw its proposed 100% tariff threat, warning of retaliation. Beijing said the measures violate WTO principles and risk destabilizing trade relations as both nations face slowing exports.
🎣 THE FREIGHT CAVIAR CORNER
FREIGHT HUMOR
Amazon just became a direct rival to the biggest names in parcel, freight, and 3PL services. Plus: shippers are paying a lot more, your carrier check may be passing thieves through, a $4M cargo theft recovery shows what's possible, and more.
"I think this is just one more way that you can go about finding quality capacity to better run your operation.”
A 20-year veteran of the freight industry, with 60k TikTok followers, argued that small carriers can't survive without brokers. Plus: the FBI's PSA, Steam Logistics sues two of its own, Ohio Turnpike comes for 315 carriers, and more.
Plus, Utah hands down an $81M nuclear verdict, hundreds of Mexican driver visas revoked at the border, Q1 earnings roundup, and more in today's newsletter.
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