Talking Transports

The more protectionist policies out of Washington are creating a more uncertain backdrop for North American railroads and the broader freight markets. Yet the industry should be agile and resilient enough to navigate the volume volatility that has come with the ever-changing US tariff policies. In this Talking Transports podcast, Tony Hatch, founder and president of ABH Consulting, joins Lee Klaskow, Bloomberg Intelligence senior t...

Finding a safe place to park is just one of the many challenges facing truck drivers. There’s just one space for every 11 trucks, according to the American Trucking Associations, which estimates drivers spend 56 minutes looking for available parking, amounting to about $5,500 in lost compensation. In this episode of Talking Transports, Evan Shelley, co-founder and CEO of Truck Parking Club, joins Bloomberg Intelligence’...

Intermodal demand will likely remain volatile from the start-and-stop trade policy coming out of Washington. International demand may get a boost following the US and China lowering their tariffs on one another as part of the announced 90-day truce. Shippers may start to rush to fill warehouses at lower duties. This will help mitigate the drag on domestic intermodal demand created by lower diesel prices. In this Talking Transports ...

Tensions between the US and its trading partners are weighing on dry-bulk demand as economic-growth expectations recede. The global economy could expand 2.6%, based on consensus, down 40 bps from the start of the year and 70 bps below 2024. The US accounts for about 10% of the dry-bulk market, making the sector less tied to protectionist policies out of Washington. Agriculture and metallurgical coal comprise the majority of exports...

Geopolitical tensions, shifting trade routes and evolving carrier alliances are redefining the global containerliner landscape. Though demand remains uncertain, a level setting of tariffs could create a surge in demand and lead to renewed congestion and rate volatility. In this Talking Transports podcast, Steve Ferreira, founder and CEO of Ocean Audit, joins Lee Klaskow, Bloomberg Intelligence senior transportation and logistics an...

The uncertainty created by more protectionist policies out of Washington make supply-chain professional jobs increasingly more stressful and unpredictable. Shippers need to be nimble, patient and not overly reactive to headlines out of the White House. In this episode of the Talking Transports podcast, John Janson, vice president of global logistics at SanMar, joins Lee Klaskow, Bloomberg Intelligence’s senior transportation ...

Machine learning, generative AI and other technology innovations have the ability to drive safer and more efficient supply chains. Freight-transportation markets are in the early stages of leveraging AI’s capabilities which will be transformational in the years to come. In this Talking Transports podcast, Dr. Yossi Sheffi, director of the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics, joins Lee Klaskow, Bloomberg Intelligence...

Fraud in the trucking industry has become a major issue for carriers, brokers and shippers alike. The Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) estimates that freight fraud costs supply chains over $1 billion annually in the US. The pandemic, market-participant anonymity and ease have helped spark a new wave of cargo theft. In this Talking Transports podcast, Michael Caney, chief commercial officer of Highway, joins Lee Klask...

The global container-liner industry is facing increased uncertainty stemming from the protectionist measures coming out of Washington. Trade between Asia and North America accounts for about 13% of global container trade, with the majority from China to the US. In this Talking Transports podcast, Thomas Lister, CEO of Global Ship Lease, joins Lee Klaskow, Bloomberg Intelligence senior transportation and logistics analyst, to share ...

Fighting fraud and improving visibility is paramount for freight brokers, carriers and shippers. GenLogs’ nationwide network of sensors collects 50,000 images of trucks every five minutes. This data and its artificial intelligence-powered platform can help brokers better vet carriers by visibly inspecting them and their equipment. In this Talking Transports podcast, GenLogs’ co-founder and CEO Ryan Joyce joins Lee Klask...

Railroads and trucking companies are facing headwinds to 1Q earnings from the impact of severe weather on volume and costs, coupled with higher fuel prices. In this Talking Transports podcast, Lee Klaskow, Bloomberg Intelligence senior transportation and logistics analyst, previews what could be in store for the truckload, less-than-truckload (LTL) and railroad industries during 1Q earnings season. Railroads are poised for adjusted...

The chassis market is a critical part of supply chains and many times can be overlooked. Freight markets could come to a halt without access to safe, reliable chassis, for which prices have almost doubled since tariffs were implemented in 2021. In this Talking Transports podcast, Daniel Walsh, president and CEO of TRAC Intermodal, joins Lee Klaskow, Bloomberg Intelligence’s senior transportation and logistics analyst, to shar...

North American heavy-truck and engine producers face an increasingly uncertain regulatory, trade and economic backdrop in 2025. With the EPA planning to reconsider several heavy-truck regulations, there are growing risks to expectations of higher build rates in 2H and 2026. In this Talking Transports podcast, Brett Merritt, president of Cummins’ Engine Business, joins Lee Klaskow, Bloomberg Intelligence’s senior transpo...

Saia’s expansion plans are helping it mitigate weak less-than-truckload (LTL) demand, but that also comes with higher costs and margin pressures as new facilities build density. The company added 21 new facilities with plans to open up to six in 2025. Tonnage has increased 12-13% during the first two months of the year, while its competitors are experiencing mid- to high-single-digit declines. In this episode of the Talking T...

Dry-bulk rates are well below their pandemic peaks and are now hovering around operating costs for many fleets. The outlook will be challenging this year as supply growth is expected to outpace demand by 230 bps, based on a forecast by Clarksons. In this Talking Transports episode, Jan Dieleman, president of Cargill Ocean Transportation, joins Lee Klaskow, Bloomberg Intelligence senior transportation and logistics analyst, to share...

The Port of Los Angeles is a major gateway for freight moving in and out of the US, which is key to the regional and national economies. The pull-forward benefits from anticipated new US implemented tariffs, and a potential strike at US East Coast and Gulf ports, helped drive 19% volume growth in 2024. This year, comparisons will become more difficult and may result in low-double-digit declines in 2H. In this Talking Transports pod...

Geopolitical-fueled supply-chain dislocations have provided a constructive supply-demand backdrop for product and chemical-tanker fleets in 2025. The crisis in the Red Sea, sanctions on Russian energy exports and potential US tariffs have increased ton-miles and absorbed capacity. Time charter rates remain above historical averages despite coming off their robust levels over the past three years, which will weigh on earnings this y...

Supply-chain executives are more optimistic about freight markets and the pace of mergers and acquisitions in 2025. Deals can be a win-win for buyers and sellers as seen by RXO’s recent acquisition of Coyote, UPS’ brokerage business. The transaction lets UPS focus on its parcel business while provides RXO with significantly increased market penetration. Some deals are motivated by companies expanding their specialties i...

The growth in machine learning and artificial intelligence can drive significant productivity gains for trucking carriers and shippers. Those leaning into these new technologies will be able to make better decisions and drive improved economic outcomes. Transports appear to be in the early innings of this new technology revolution. In this Talking Transports podcast, Rob Painter, CEO and president of Trimble, joins Lee Klaskow, Blo...