Plus, XPO and Hub Group Q4 2025 earnings, a trucking private-equity firm files bankruptcy, Mexico long-haul truckers win union rights, and more.
Why chameleon carriers are suddenly everywhere. Plus a freight tech Super Bowl moment, Uber Freight breakeven, and more.
Here is another round-up of the most engaging and talked-about freight content from around the web and from us.
Plus, Amazon's new ventures and FTC lawsuit, rising retail store closures, an update on port performance, and more.
Happy Hump Day. Today, set sail with us on the Chicago River to explore its deep-rooted history and how it cements the city's place as a key logistical hub. Back to the present, Amazon faces an FTC crackdown amid expanding reach with its new Amazon Shipping service, and Port Houston sees a notable drop in cargo volumes. Further, get the details on a major drug bust at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Question of the Day: What is the meaning and origin behind the name Chicago? Find the answer in our main story.
In today's email:
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🐔 WHAT'S COOKIN' IN FREIGHT
⚖️ FTC Crackdown As Amazon Expands Reach. Amazon recently reignited Amazon Shipping, giving sellers access to "Fulfillment By Amazon." Starting next week, they can use Amazon's ground service for orders from different channels, like eBay or their own sites. Michael Sachaj, Senior Principal at Hyde Park Angels, gives a detailed insight into how this move might set Amazon Shipping as a direct rival to giants like UPS and FedEx. But here's a twist: The FTC has just slammed Amazon with an antitrust lawsuit, accusing it of unlawfully holding monopoly power.
🚨 Store Closures Surge Amid Rising Theft. In light of surging shoplifting and safety concerns, Target is closing nine stores, emphasizing online and other open locations for meeting customer needs. Concurrently, CVS is shuttering 900 outlets by 2024, transitioning focus to e-commerce in response to heightened theft, aligning with a trend echoed by Rite Aid and Walgreens. Despite efforts to enhance security, the consistent rise in organized retail crime is compelling a significant shift in retail operations and strategy.
🚢 Port Houston Sees Drop. Port Houston witnessed a 20% decline in cargo volumes in August, with 307,624 TEUs compared to the previous year's record-breaking 382,842 TEUs. Despite this drop, the port remains stable, with ongoing investments in infrastructure. In contrast, the Port of Los Angeles saw a 2.8% YoY increase, while the Port of Long Beach struggled with a 15.4% decline.
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Chicago's fascinating history unfurls along the banks of its iconic river, an ancient waterway that solidified its popularity and position as a premier freight hub. Its start as a critical passage began with the completion of the Illinois & Michigan Canal in 1848, linking the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River, making transporting goods seamless and efficient. But the Chicago River's history didn't begin or end there.
A nod to its historical significance, the river was the lifeblood for early settlers and explorers like Marquette and Jolliet, who in 1673 recognized the portage's potential to improve trade and travel.
In the late 1770s, Jean Baptiste Point DuSable and his wife Kittahawa became the first known permanent settlers on the banks of the Chicago River, creating a trading post.
Chicago has long been seen as a prime location, sitting in the heart of the nation, making it an ideal hub for cargo distribution far and wide, but taming the river wasn't easy.
Despite shifts in shipping trends, Chicago's legacy as a logistical heavyweight holds firm. The flow of its legendary river fueled the city's modern key position, enhanced by robust rail, airport systems, and market proximity.
Answer to Question of the Day: The Algonquian people named the river Checagou after the pungent wild leeks that grew on its banks. It means "striped skunk" or "onion."
Sources: Reed Loustalot, WTTW, Averitt, Encyclopedia of Chicago
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AROUND THE FREIGHT WEB
✈️ Are Airships Back? Sergey Brin, the Founder of Google, believes airships could revolutionize long-distance freight.
🚚 Mega Meth Seizure. $7.7 million worth of methamphetamine was discovered in a semi-truck at the Laredo port of entry. The Freightliner, pretending to haul limes, hid 384 packages of meth, totaling 869 pounds.
🏢 Trucking Bankruptcy. Elmer Buchta Trucking, an 85-year-old Indiana-based company, and its affiliates have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. This move comes less than nine months after its acquisition by Transport Acquisitions. The reason remains undisclosed.
📉 Carrier Exits Decrease. A hopeful sign in the trucking industry: carrier exits in August slowed down by 24%, marking one of the first positive shifts this year.
📈 Cargo Thefts Skyrocket. The second quarter witnessed a 57% year-over-year increase in cargo thefts across the U.S., with losses over $44 million. Hot spots like California and Georgia face higher cargo theft risks, indicating a substantial shift in focus toward high-value shipments.
🔽 Trailer Orders Dip. U.S. trailer orders in August fell 35% year-over-year to 11,500 units, continuing the year's trend. Despite the decrease, a sequential improvement is noted. The seasonally adjusted order number reveals an incline, amidst the usual weak order months.
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FREIGHT MEME OF THE DAY
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Plus, XPO and Hub Group Q4 2025 earnings, a trucking private-equity firm files bankruptcy, Mexico long-haul truckers win union rights, and more.
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