🐥 Weird Freight

Happy Monday Morning. As Hurricane Idalia nears Florida, the freight market anticipates a potential boost to spot market rates for truckers. Meanwhile, thanks to last-minute negotiations, Mexican truckers, represented by AMOTAC, have called off their nationwide strike, preventing a potential disruption to U.S. imports and exports. In other news, the TT100 list reveals the top private carriers for 2023, with Amazon making notable gains. Shifting gears to a lighter note, our Instagram stories captured significant attention over the weekend. A follower shared a screenshot of an unusual load: live chicks from Decatur, AR to Woodstock, CT. This prompted a mix of humorous and concerned reactions from our community.

By the way, can you guess which private fleet in the US is the largest? Scroll to the bottom to find out.

In today's email:

• Three Freight Headlines: Hurricane Idalia nears Florida, Mexican truckers strike averted, and TT100 ranks top 2023 private carriers.
• Weird Freight: Hauling Live Chicks
• Around the Freight Web: Diesel prices surge, a UK truck crashes with luxury cars, FreightAlley discusses trucking's growth, plus more.
• Freight Meme of the Day

TOP LANE MOVERS POWERED BY GREENSCREENS.AI

*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

🌀 Hurricane Idalia’s Dual Impact. As Hurricane Idalia nears Florida, the freight market anticipates a silver lining. The looming storm might boost spot market rates, a promising turn for truckers. With California still tallying the aftermath of Tropical Storm Hilary, the industry gears up to transport essential supplies and aid.

🚚 Mexican Truckers' Nationwide Strike Averted. After last-minute deliberations between AMOTAC representatives and national authorities, the anticipated nationwide strike by Mexican truckers has been called off. Though AMOTAC, which represents 75% of Mexico's commercial cargo, had voiced concerns over increasing cargo theft (up by 10% YoY), safety measures, and operational costs, collaborative efforts have paved a way forward. Had the strike proceeded, U.S. imports and exports might have faced significant disruptions.

📈 TT100 Gains: Top Private Carriers for 2023. Despite a softer freight environment, TT100 Private Carriers display adaptability, boasting increased revenues and fleet sizes. PepsiCo, Walmart, and Sysco top the list, while Amazon surges to ninth place with a striking increase in tractors and trailers. Key M&A activities and notable newcomers, like MasTec Inc. and Lipari Foods, reshape the landscape.

TOGETHER WITH RAPIDO

Rapido is a top nearshore staffing company providing logistics and supply chain talent to companies in the United States. Based in Guadalajara, Mexico, Rapido offers a unique combination of cost savings and access to a skilled workforce, making it an attractive option for American logistics businesses.

See what makes nearshoring to Mexico an attractive option for scaling a logistics company and how partnering with Rapido Solutions Group simplifies the whole process.

🐣 Weird Freight: Hauling Live Chicks

On Friday, one of our Instagram followers sent us a screenshot detailing a load of live chicks. The shipment included 22 boxes, weighing a total of 500 lbs, filled with chirping baby chicks. They were set to be transported from Decatur, AR to Woodstock, CT over three days.

After we posted this on our Instagram stories, our inbox was flooded with both inquisitive questions and humorous comments. Here's a roundup of some of the top reactions and inquiries from our followers.

After numerous comments suggesting that baby chicks would die after being in transit for 3 days, one follower provided direct insight into what is expected from a driver handling this load.

Then, out of our own curiosity, we put out a poll asking if you would Send It with this chick shipment or steer clear.

"Send it!" - 613 (53%) were ready to roll with the chicks.

"Nope!" - 543 (47%) said they'd pass on the poultry procession.

Feel free to send to DM us your wildest hauls over on our Instagram @freightcaviar.

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AROUND THE FREIGHT WEB

🛢️Diesel Price Surge. U.S. diesel prices spike amid rising oil futures and refinery incidents.

🚗 Luxury Car Wreck: A UK semi-truck transporting luxury cars crashes, leaving high-value vehicles like Lamborghini and Ferrari wrecked. Thankfully, no serious injuries.

🚚 Trucking's Fragmented Future: @FreightAlley's thread highlights trucking's growth towards small carriers & brokers despite past consolidation predictions.

💼 Knight-Swift's Executive Decisions: Following a tough quarter, top executives at Knight-Swift voluntarily slash their base salaries by 20% for year-end.

🛑 Yellow's End, Competitors' Gain: Yellow Corp.'s shutdown leaves the LTL market open, as competitors scramble to absorb its freight and assets.

🌊 Maritime Laws & Land Complications: The 1920 Jones Act, mandating U.S.-only ships for domestic transport, faces scrutiny amidst offshore wind farm constructions.

FREIGHT MEME OF THE DAY

Answer: The largest private fleet in the US belongs to PepsiCo. As a global food and beverage leader, PepsiCo boasts a broad product lineup, encompassing brands such as Pepsi, Lay's, Quaker, Doritos, and Tropicana, among others. Click here to view the top 10.

The FreightCaviar Podcast: Listen to this week’s podcast on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.