May 13, 2026

Good morning. It's May 13th — a big day for compliance news, Canadian trucking accountability, and records in the spot market.

Spot rates hit another all-time high heading into Roadcheck week, and FTR Transportation Intelligence says this week's enforcement blitz will push them higher still. Ontario's auditor general released a sweeping report on truck driver training fraud that has direct implications for every fleet hiring from the province's certified driver pool. And tonight is the hard deadline for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) new Motus registration system — any US-registered Canadian carrier that hasn't confirmed its portal account yet needs to do so before 8 p.m. Eastern.

THE RUNDOWN

Spot rates hit another record high ahead of Roadcheck week

Overdrive reports that total market broker-posted spot rates climbed to $3.39 per mile for the week ending May 8 — up 6.7 cents on the week and 39% above the same period last year — with flatbed approaching its all-time record at $3.53/mile. FTR Transportation Intelligence and Truckstop.com say the Roadcheck enforcement blitz running through tomorrow will almost certainly push rates higher still, as carriers historically pull back bookings during inspection periods to limit out-of-service exposure.

ELD tampering in the crosshairs as International Roadcheck runs through tomorrow

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's (CVSA) 72-hour International Roadcheck is underway across Canada, the US, and Mexico through May 14, with electronic logging device (ELD) tampering and cargo securement as the two focus areas for 2026. Falsification of records of duty status was the second most-cited driver violation in all of North America last year — Land Line puts the count at more than 58,000 violations — and five of the top ten driver violations in 2025 were tied to hours-of-service or ELD compliance.

Ontario audit exposes widespread truck driver training fraud

Ontario's auditor general released a special report Tuesday finding that some training schools have been issuing mandatory entry-level training (MELT) certificates after delivering as little as 57% of the required hours, with trainees signing off on instruction they never received. Truck News has the full findings, which include the auditor's discovery that 25% of Ontario's registered MELT providers had never been inspected by the province as of March 2025 — and 13 recommendations the government has accepted in full.

FMCSA Motus registration system launches tonight — last chance to act

Motor carriers that have not yet confirmed their FMCSA Portal account and updated company information risk delays in the new Motus registration system, which launches when the legacy portal goes dark at 8:00 p.m. Eastern tonight. TheTrucker.com reports that only the designated Portal Company Official — using the same Login.gov email address as the existing portal — will be permitted to claim a USDOT number in Motus, and carriers that miss the window may face backlogs attempting to re-establish access.

28,000 non-domiciled CDLs revoked — less market impact than the headline suggests

More than 28,000 non-domiciled commercial driver's licences (CDLs) have now been revoked across the US, per Overdrive, with an additional 20,000 drivers placed out of service since English language proficiency became an enforcement priority. FTR Transportation Intelligence analysts say the revocations represent less than 1% of active Class 8 drivers and are not the primary driver of the current rate surge — attributing spot market strength primarily to the combination of regulatory enforcement, recent weather disruptions, and surging fuel costs.

ON THE ROAD

Canadian diesel: Temporary relief at the pump as diesel continues to tick down day to day.

Halifax: $2.13 | Montreal: $2.30 | Toronto: $1.98 | Calgary: $1.95 | Vancouver: $2.34

US diesel: $5.65/gallon (national average, morning of May 13. Regional range:

North East $5.80| South East: $5.11 | Gulf Coast $5.15 | MidWest | $6.13 | California $7.32

Spot rates (week ending May 8):

Total market: $3.39/mile | Dry van: $2.37/mile | Reefer: $2.73/mile | Flatbed: $3.06/mile

REG WATCH

US trucking groups push back on federal fuel tax suspension

The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), American Trucking Associations (ATA), and National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC) have jointly opposed the Trump administration's proposal to suspend the federal fuel tax, with TheTrucker.com reporting the groups warned that because the tax is collected at the wholesale level rather than at the pump, history shows savings rarely reach consumers — and that a suspension would strip the Highway Trust Fund of roughly $11.5 billion. The groups argue the fund supports the road and bridge infrastructure carriers depend on as their workplace, and are calling on Congress to pursue solutions that provide meaningful relief without gutting infrastructure funding.

Ottawa and Alberta announce $68.5 million for tariff-affected workers

The federal government and Alberta announced a three-year, $68.5 million program to retrain workers in steel, softwood lumber, and other tariff-impacted sectors, targeting approximately 7,800 workers through a new Canada-Alberta Workforce Tariff Response. The direct trucking angle is limited, but carriers servicing Alberta's industrial freight corridors may see downstream volume effects as the program unfolds — the full announcement is available from Employment and Social Development Canada.

TECH & EQUIPMENT

Montreal port becomes first in North America to run fully smartphone-based truck gates

Montreal Gateway Terminals Partnership (MGTP) has launched what it says are North America's first two terminal sites running entirely on smartphone-based truck handling, Truck News reports, built with Germany's Conroo. The platform handles the full truck visit through drivers' phones — pre-arrival booking, contactless gate check-in, and real-time yard navigation — with no kiosks, paper documentation, or additional terminal hardware required; MGTP says further North American locations are planned.

Medium-duty EVs are finding their footing as Class 8 battery-electric momentum stalls

The practical near-term home for electric trucks is increasingly medium-duty, and Truck News profiles how the evidence is building in Canadian fleets specifically: Purolator has grown from a 100-unit electric vehicle pilot in 2023 to more than 500 medium-duty EVs today, while International Motors has suspended production of its Class 8 battery-electric truck to focus on the medium-duty segment. Fleet managers cite predictable urban routes, return-to-base charging, and frequent-stop duty cycles as the conditions that make the economics work.

THE BUSINESS SIDE

Q1 earnings: a tough quarter, but conference calls are turning optimistic

Severe winter weather and diesel price volatility weighed on first-quarter results across the publicly traded carrier universe, but early Q2 signals are more encouraging. What many carriers had been cautiously watching for through March was confirmed on their earnings calls, per Truck News — Schneider National said March trends have carried into April with spot strength and early signs of customer restocking, while Werner Enterprises attributed the early rate recovery to supply contraction driven by regulatory enforcement and expects more meaningful pricing gains in Q3 and Q4.

Class 8 orders surge 201% year-over-year in April

North American Class 8 preliminary net orders came in at 24,800 units in April — a 201% jump from the same month in 2025 — which Transport Topics reports FTR Transportation Intelligence attributed to recovering freight rates, tightening capacity, and fleets rushing to lock in remaining 2026 production slots ahead of anticipated cost increases tied to EPA 2027 emissions regulations. Q2 production slots are already full at some manufacturers, and analysts flagged risk of FOMO-driven over-ordering if the freight recovery stalls.

ONE GOOD READ

The seventh annual State of Sustainable Fleets report arrives this week at the most uncertain moment in years for fleet equipment decisions — federal electric vehicle tax credits expired, greenhouse gas regulations rolled back, and hydrogen infrastructure funding largely cancelled. The report's central finding is that fleets spreading investments across multiple powertrain technologies are measurably more resilient to policy shocks than those waiting for a single dominant solution to emerge. With nearly half of fleet managers now using AI for route planning and maintenance diagnostics, and 35% of fleets expected to be AI-enabled by 2027, it also offers the clearest available snapshot of where commercial fleet technology is actually heading — independent of what any government says it should be.

Read the full analysis at FreightWaves.

STAT OF THE DAY

During CVSA's International Roadcheck, inspectors across Canada, the US, and Mexico conduct approximately 15 Level I commercial vehicle inspections per minute over the 72-hour blitz — making it the largest targeted enforcement event of its kind in the world, according to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance.

May 12, 2026

Good morning. It's May 12th — fuel costs are at the top of the agenda, one registration deadline runs out Thursday, and there is a significant financing deal reshaping how trucks and trailers get funded on both sides of the border.

Spot rates across all three major equipment types reached their highest levels since 2022 last week as capacity continues to tighten heading into International Roadcheck. US diesel is now above $5.64 a gallon and President Trump has floated a federal fuel tax suspension that faces a steep climb through Congress — a proposal that matters directly to Canadian carriers running cross-border lanes. Meanwhile, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) legacy registration system goes dark Thursday evening, and infrastructure firm Stonepeak has agreed to acquire the truck and trailer financing arm of BMO Financial Group in a deal covering a combined portfolio of approximately C$14.5 billion.

THE RUNDOWN

Trump proposes federal fuel tax suspension as US diesel tops $5.64 a gallon

US diesel is now averaging $5.64 per gallon nationally — roughly 50% higher than before the Iran war began in February, with Brent crude sitting at $104 a barrel — and on Monday President Trump announced his intention to suspend the 24.4-cent-per-gallon federal diesel tax, with Overdrive reporting the move would require congressional approval, a step Congress has never taken. Several states including Kentucky, Indiana, and Georgia have already moved independently to cut or suspend their own fuel levies; a federal suspension, if enacted, would reduce the national diesel average by 24.4 cents — meaningful, but modest relative to the $1.86-per-gallon increase compared to a year ago. Canadian carriers operating cross-border lanes are directly exposed to US-side diesel costs on every southbound run, with no equivalent federal relief mechanism currently in effect in Canada.

Spot rates at their highest since 2022 as International Roadcheck tightens capacity further

TheTrucker.com reports that broker-posted spot rates rose for a second consecutive week across all equipment types during the period ending May 8, with flatbed on a 19-week streak within a fraction of a cent of the all-time high set in late May 2022, and dry van rates at their highest since April 2022. The reefer load-to-truck ratio on the DAT network climbed to 16.4 for the week of May 3–9 — the highest weekly average of the year — as truck posts fell 5% while load activity continued to grow. With International Roadcheck running May 12–14, FTR Transportation Intelligence is forecasting further tightening this week as drivers pull off the road to avoid inspections, potentially making this the most expensive shipping week of the year.

Stonepeak to acquire BMO's North American transportation finance business in deal covering C$14.5 billion portfolio

Truck News is reporting that infrastructure investment firm Stonepeak has reached a definitive agreement to acquire BMO Financial Group's transportation finance and vendor finance businesses, which together cover a combined US and Canadian loan and lease portfolio of approximately C$14.5 billion as of March 31, 2026. BMO is one of the largest lenders to the North American commercial truck and trailer segment, with more than 700 employees and operations on both sides of the border; the bank will retain a 19.9% minority stake in the new entity, with the transaction expected to close in Q4 2026 pending regulatory approval. Carriers and fleet operators who finance trucks and trailers through BMO's dealer-managed network will want to monitor how the ownership transition affects their lending relationships as the deal moves through closing.

Trump administration seeks to pause court ruling blocking 10% global tariffs

The administration asked a US trade court to put its ruling on hold while it appeals, per Transport Topics — the ruling in question having declared the president's 10% global tariff regime unlawful. If the pause is granted, the tariffs remain in force; if denied, the ruling stands pending appeal, potentially creating yet another round of shipper repositioning across lanes where tariff policy has already driven significant freight pattern volatility since February 2025. For Canadian exporters and the carriers that move their freight, the outcome of the appeal is as consequential as any regulatory development on the calendar before the CUSMA review in July 2026.

CN urges US regulator to reject amended Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger application

Canadian National filed comments Monday with the US Surface Transportation Board (STB), arguing that the amended merger application from Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern fails to address two of the three deficiencies the STB cited when it rejected the initial filing in January 2026. FreightWaves reports the revised filing still omits complete competition analyses, consistent post-merger market share data, and a required application covering control of the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis. A combined UP–NS would create the dominant Class I rail carrier across the eastern US and could substantially alter the interchange arrangements on cross-border corridors where CN competes directly with both carriers.

ON THE ROAD

Diesel – Canada: The national average is $2.19/L. We’ve seen some stabilization over the past week which is creating a new floor price for most regions.

Halifax: $2.13 | Montreal: $2.39 | Toronto: $2.05 | Calgary: $2.14 | Vancouver: $2.40

Diesel – United States: $5.64/gallon national average. Price is also stabilizing at this new high point.

Spot rates — week of May 3–9 (DAT Freight & Analytics)

Dry van: US$2.37/mile, up 1 cent week over week. Refrigerated: US$2.73/mile, essentially flat. Flatbed: US$3.06/mile, up 1 cent.

Van load-to-truck ratio: 9.0 (loads up 3% week over week, truck posts down 5%).

Reefer load-to-truck ratio: 16.4 — the highest weekly average of 2026.

Flatbed linehaul rate hit its highest-ever week 19 national average, with load volume running approximately 56% above the same week in 2025.

REG WATCH

FMCSA Motus launches this week — action required before Thursday at 8pm Eastern

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's legacy registration system goes dark Thursday, May 14 at 8pm Eastern — Land Line has the complete step-by-step on what every registered entity needs to do before then — and any motor carrier, broker, or other entity holding a USDOT number must log in to the FMCSA Portal at portal.fmcsa.dot.gov now to confirm their account is active. Accounts that have been inactive for 90 days are disabled; those inactive for 12 months are archived; carriers who do not link their account before the cutoff will face a manual identity verification process to access the new Motus system, which FMCSA's registration director Ken Riddle warned could mean a very long wait. This is directly applicable to Canadian carriers operating in the US under a USDOT number — if you have not verified your portal account this week, do it today.

TECH & EQUIPMENT

Volvo unveils next-generation D13 engine, claiming highest fuel efficiency and lowest NOx output in company history

Volvo Trucks North America's next-generation D13 is designed to exceed the 2027 federal emissions standards for nitrogen oxide (NOx) while delivering what the company says is its strongest fuel efficiency ever, TheTrucker.com reported Monday from Greensboro, N.C. The engine is engineered for compatibility with existing fuels and drivetrain configurations — a deliberate signal to fleets that are not yet positioned to move to alternative powertrains but need a credible path to regulatory compliance. With US diesel at $5.64 a gallon and Canadian pump prices near their 2026 peak, any meaningful per-trip fuel reduction from a next-generation diesel platform carries real operating cost weight.

Kodiak AI reports 74% Q1 revenue growth as Roehl Transport joins autonomous freight programme

Kodiak AI's fleet of driverless trucks reached 28 units in the first quarter of 2026 — FreightWaves first reported the Q1 earnings alongside confirmation that Roehl Transport has begun hauling live freight in Texas using Kodiak-equipped tractors, marking a significant carrier partnership for a platform still at commercial-scale development stage. Quarter-over-quarter revenue climbed 74% to $1.8 million, with new financing also secured to support continued fleet expansion. The Roehl involvement is notable because it moves the Kodiak relationship from test operations toward revenue freight under a carrier with established network scale.

THE BUSINESS SIDE

Radiant Logistics beats fiscal Q3 expectations; flags tariff uncertainty and Hormuz-driven international headwinds

What analysts had been watching — whether Vancouver-headquartered Radiant Logistics could sustain its earnings momentum against mounting international headwinds — was confirmed by FreightWaves: a fiscal third-quarter beat driven by strength in domestic truckload and intermodal, even as the global trade landscape grew considerably more difficult due to tariff uncertainty and shipment rerouting away from the Strait of Hormuz. The company noted that the international disruption is also creating some opportunity for freight forwarders positioned to handle the rerouting. For a third-party logistics provider (3PL) with significant exposure to the Canada-US corridor, the domestic-strong, international-pressured split is a useful indicator of where cross-border volumes stand heading into Q4.

Wabash National hit with third Moody's downgrade in twelve months as turnaround targeted for 2027

Trailer manufacturer Wabash National is navigating serious financial strain, with Moody's cutting its corporate family rating to B3 from B2 in its third downgrade of the company in a year — and per FreightWaves, company executives are not projecting a meaningful rebound until 2027. The continued deterioration in Wabash's credit profile reflects the weak order environment for new trailers that has persisted through the freight downturn. Fleet managers planning equipment replacement or capacity additions over the next 12–18 months should factor potential supply and lead time implications into their procurement planning.

ONE GOOD READ

Four years of overcapacity, 115,000 lost trucking jobs, and now the first signs the market may actually be turning — Land Line has put together the most thorough single-article accounting of where the freight economy stands right now, from the April job additions to six months of sustained spot rate gains to the honest caveat that skyrocketing diesel could undermine the recovery before it takes hold. The piece pulls in voices from FTR, Arrive Logistics, and owner-operators on the ground, and it reads like the kind of overview that earns five minutes between dispatch calls.

Read the full analysis at Land Line.

STAT OF THE DAY

19 — the number of consecutive weeks flatbed spot rates rose through the period ending May 8, bringing them to within a fraction of a cent of the all-time high set in late May 2022, according to Truckstop.com and FTR Transportation Intelligence.

May 11, 2026

Good morning and happy Monday. It's May 11th — here's what's moving the industry today.

A federal court has handed the Trump administration its second tariff defeat of the year, striking down the 10% global import duty as unlawful — a ruling with direct implications for cross-border freight just as the USMCA/CUSMA review approaches in July. International Roadcheck begins tomorrow, with electronic logging device compliance and cargo securement in focus at a moment when nearly one in five commercial trucks on U.S. roads is estimated to fail basic roadworthiness standards. We also have two notable Canadian tech stories, an update on a B.C. carrier in receivership, and a Truck News column worth your time on whether the Humboldt Broncos crash has actually changed anything.

THE RUNDOWN

Federal court strikes down Trump's 10% global tariffs; trade uncertainty deepens

FreightWaves reports that the U.S. Court of International Trade struck down the Trump administration's 10% global tariff in a 2-1 ruling on Thursday, finding that the administration had exceeded the authority Congress delegated under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. The tariffs were the replacement measure imposed after the Supreme Court voided Trump's broader emergency-based tariffs in February; the court found the conditions required to invoke Section 122 — a large and serious balance-of-payments deficit — did not exist. The Department of Justice immediately appealed, and the tariffs remain in force for all importers except the plaintiffs while the appeal proceeds, adding another layer of legal uncertainty to freight markets already navigating volatile demand and shifting sourcing patterns.

Cross-border note: USMCA-compliant goods from Canada and Mexico were already exempt from this replacement tariff. The ruling arrives with the USMCA/CUSMA review scheduled for July 2026 and fresh pressure from Washington on the EU — developments Canadian cross-border operators should track closely.

Court denies stay on non-domiciled CDL rule; case heads to an expedited trial

The D.C. Circuit Court voted 2-1 to deny a request to pause the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) rule restricting non-domiciled commercial driver's licences (CDLs), Truck News reports, meaning the rule stays in force while litigation moves forward on an expedited schedule. The updated rule, effective since March, limits non-domiciled CDL eligibility to H-2A, H-2B, and E-2 visa holders — a category FMCSA estimates covers only 3% of the approximately 200,000 non-domiciled CDL holders currently operating in the U.S. — with briefs due this summer and oral arguments expected in September.

Shipper costs jump 21.8% year-over-year as capacity tightens

Shipper spending climbed 12.9% quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026 — the largest sequential increase since late 2020 — even as national shipment volumes were essentially flat, TheTrucker.com has the details from the latest U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index. American Trucking Associations (ATA) Chief Economist Bob Costello attributed the divergence to supply rather than demand: fewer trucks competing for freight, combined with a diesel spike in March that pushed smaller carriers to their financial limits, tightened available capacity faster than any demand shift. Spot rates rose approximately 12% quarter-over-quarter per DAT Freight & Analytics data cited in the report, with the spending-to-volume gap most pronounced in the Midwest — where softer cross-border freight from Canada was specifically flagged as a drag on regional volumes.

Forward Air warns of major customer departure; shares fall more than 40%

Forward Air (NASDAQ: FWRD) disclosed it is likely losing a contract logistics customer representing approximately $250 million in annual revenue, per FreightWaves, sending shares down more than 40% in early Friday trading after a Q1 earnings call that also confirmed a strategic review concluded without receiving any actionable whole-company sale proposals. The company posted a Q1 net loss of $34 million ($1.09 per share) on revenue of $582 million — down 5% year-over-year — and said the customer transition, expected to begin in early 2027, involves no correlation with Amazon, per management. Forward Air's board will now pursue the sale of non-core assets, including its intermodal segment and two smaller Omni Logistics units, as it seeks to deleverage and refocus on its expedited ground network.

ON THE ROAD

Diesel — Canada prices continue to trend downwards over the weekend for some much need relief, with provincial price discrepancies varying by up to 40 cents a litre.

Halifax: 2.13 | Montreal: 2.32 | Toronto: 1.98 | Calgary: 1.95 | Vancouver: 2.27

Diesel — United States U.S. national average: $5.637 per gallon to start the week of May 11^th . After a price spike last week we are hoping to resume the sequential prince declines from end of April.

Freight market Truckload tender volume is running approximately 11–13% above year-ago levels per FreightWaves SONAR, consistent with Q1 market tightening. Spot rates remain elevated relative to contract. Current dry van and reefer rate benchmarks: check DAT Freight & Analytics for daily updates.

Crude Brent crude is trading above $100/barrel as Strait of Hormuz transits remain disrupted since May 5, sustaining upward pressure on diesel costs on both sides of the border.

Rate data: DAT Freight & Analytics / U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index. Diesel: Natural Resources Canada / U.S. Energy Information Administration.

REG WATCH

International Roadcheck begins tomorrow — ELDs and cargo securement in the crosshairs

International Roadcheck runs May 12–14, beginning tomorrow morning. FreightWaves has a breakdown of what carriers can expect from the 72-hour Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) enforcement blitz, which runs simultaneously across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. This year's driver inspection focus is electronic logging device (ELD) tampering, falsification, or manipulation; the vehicle focus is cargo securement — and in 2025, 18.1% of inspected vehicles and 5.9% of drivers received out-of-service orders, with prior Roadcheck events producing spot rate spikes of 6–8% as some drivers park to avoid the heightened enforcement window. Canadian carriers operating U.S. routes are subject to the same inspection standards; any truck placed out of service in a tightening rate environment this week carries a real cost.

OOIDA calls truck parking "overlooked" as FMCSA opens comment period

Owner-operators looking for regulatory movement on parking may have an opening: the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) has formally told the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) that truck parking is an issue that is "overlooked and inadequately supported," with Land Line reporting that the FMCSA has published a notice seeking input for an upcoming study called "Quantifying the Benefits of Creating New Truck Parking Spaces." The comment period is now open — carriers and owner-operators with documented parking challenges on high-volume corridors, including cross-border lanes into the U.S., have an opportunity to put their experience on the federal record.

TECH & EQUIPMENT

Edison Motors clears federal approval to build Class 8 diesel-electric hybrid trucks in B.C.

Truck News reports that B.C.-based Edison Motors has received approval from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) to manufacture Class 8 diesel-electric hybrid trucks powered by the Cummins X15 engine as the on-board generator — clearing a regulatory barrier that had blocked the company from commercialising its hybrid design. The approval covers production at a new manufacturing facility in Donald, B.C., expected to be operational in Q3 2026 with capacity for up to 125 vehicles annually; Edison has already delivered one Class 8 prototype and one Class 5 conversion vehicle to demonstration partners, with three more planned for this year. The company built North America's first plug-in hybrid Class 8 semi-truck prototype in 2023.

Kodiak AI heads to the Alberta forests in its first international deployment

What started with driverless commercial freight on Texas highways is moving north: Truck News is reporting that Kodiak AI will begin piloting autonomous log-hauling operations in Alberta this year, in partnership with West Fraser Timber Co. and facilitated by forestry research organisation FPInnovations. Trucks equipped with Kodiak's AI-powered autonomous driving system will haul timber from forest sites to a West Fraser processing facility, with the pilot designed to determine whether the technology is suited for full commercial driverless deployment on remote resource roads — conditions significantly more demanding than the interstate highway routes where Kodiak built its operating record. The announcement came the same week the company disclosed it has begun hauling live commercial freight for Roehl Transport between Dallas and Houston.

THE BUSINESS SIDE

Manney Transport restructuring faces questions as B.C. receivership proceeds

A court-appointed receiver overseeing Manney Transport says key financial information remains outstanding, per Truck News, as the Surrey-based carrier and affiliated companies — including NCG National Container Group Inc. and Pacific Mountain Transport — attempt a structured reorganisation to avoid a broader collapse. National Bank of Canada obtained the receivership order on March 10 through Alvarez & Marsal Canada Inc.; the companies' restructuring proposal argues the plan would preserve 63 employees and 100 dependent operators. Proceedings continue before the B.C. Supreme Court.

ONE GOOD READ

Eight years after the crash that reshaped Canadian trucking safety regulation, a Truck News column asks whether the industry has actually addressed the systemic failures that produced it. The piece draws a direct line from inadequately trained drivers and predatory fly-by-night carriers in 2018 to conditions that persist today, arguing that Humboldt was not an isolated tragedy but a symptom of structural problems — in driver training, carrier vetting, and regulatory enforcement — that governments have repeatedly declined to fix. Worth reading before the week gets away from you.

Read the full column at Truck News.

STAT OF THE DAY

Nearly one in five commercial trucks currently on U.S. roads fails to meet basic roadworthiness standards — a figure FreightWaves SONAR attributes to a widespread accumulation of deferred maintenance during the prolonged freight recession of 2022–2026, when squeezed margins led carriers to postpone repairs and put off equipment upgrades. With International Roadcheck beginning tomorrow, fleets that parked equipment or deferred mechanical work during the downturn should treat this week as more than a compliance checkpoint.

May 8, 2026

Good morning. It's May 8th and here's how the week wraps up.

A federal court has dealt another blow to the Trump administration's tariff agenda — a ruling that landed Thursday with direct implications for Canada-US freight pricing that carriers will be watching closely going into the weekend. The FBI has also issued a public alert that every broker and fleet manager should see, as cargo theft moves deeper into digital territory. Rounding out the week: fresh market data on a freight recovery running headfirst into fuel costs, a landmark broker liability case at the Supreme Court, and a look at how the commercial EV conversation is quietly changing.

THE RUNDOWN

Federal court strikes down Trump's global tariffs

A split three-judge panel ruled May 7 against the global tariffs President Trump imposed following an earlier defeat at the U.S. Supreme Court, adding fresh legal uncertainty to the administration's trade agenda. Truck News has the story — for cross-border carriers, the ruling raises immediate questions about pricing and contract stability on Canada-US lanes as Washington determines its next move.

FBI issues public alert on surging cyber cargo theft

Transport Topics is reporting that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a public alert about a significant increase in cargo theft cases involving cybercriminals impersonating legitimate carriers, brokers, and freight companies. The alert signals a meaningful escalation in freight fraud beyond physical theft — fleet managers and brokers handling cross-border loads should review their carrier verification procedures now.

FTR conditions index swings sharply negative in March

FTR Transportation Intelligence's Trucking Conditions Index dropped to -1.11 in March after reaching a four-year high of 10.2 in February, a reversal driven almost entirely by the surge in diesel prices. TheTrucker.com reports that while carriers are still positioned for a strong year from a rates standpoint, fuel costs are preventing many operators from fully capturing the recovery underway in the market.

Court documents expose C.H. Robinson's role in double-brokering scheme

A deposition obtained by Overdrive alleges that a C.H. Robinson employee instructed a carrier on how to evade enforcement while that carrier moved thousands of loads through a network of related entities — testimony now at the centre of a landmark broker liability case before the U.S. Supreme Court. A ruling against C.H. Robinson could fundamentally reshape how brokers bear responsibility for the carriers they retain, with major implications for cross-border freight brokerage operations.

ON THE ROAD

Canadian Diesel: The national average ends the week at 218.5 ¢/L. The 37.3 ¢/L spread between Toronto and Vancouver reflects the significant provincial variation operators face on cross-country and western routes.

Halifax: 216.6 | Montreal: 239.9 | Toronto: 204.8 | Calgary: 204.8 | Vancouver: 242.1

US Diesel National average: Closes the week at $5.66/gal.

REG WATCH

FMCSA pulls two more electronic logging devices from approved registry

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has removed Safe ELD (iOS and Android versions) and MYLOGS ELD from its list of registered electronic logging devices (ELDs), citing failure to meet minimum technical requirements under federal regulations. Per FreightWaves, the removals bring the total number of revoked ELDs to 67 since January — carriers still operating either device are out of compliance and should act immediately.

28,000 non-domiciled commercial driver's licences revoked as enforcement accelerates

States have now revoked 28,000 non-domiciled commercial driver's licences (CDLs) under the federal rule — a milestone Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy cited among the administration's one-year accomplishments in support of the trucking industry. Transport Topics has the details, with the tightening driver pool continuing to affect available capacity on both sides of the Canada-US border.

TECH & EQUIPMENT

Commercial fleets reframe EV case around economics and resilience

The argument for fleet electrification has fundamentally shifted — survival now depends less on hitting emissions targets and more on total cost of ownership and operational resilience, according to electrification advocates. Truck News reports that fleet managers are increasingly approaching battery-electric truck decisions as financial and supply chain calculations rather than sustainability commitments, a shift with real implications for how OEMs and charging infrastructure providers pitch to Canadian fleets.

Shippeo acquires Logward to add AI-powered automation to visibility platform

Shippeo has acquired German supply chain automation company Logward in a deal that merges real-time multimodal shipment tracking with AI-powered workflow tools on a single platform, with financial terms undisclosed. FreightWaves has the details on the transaction, which reflects the industry's move beyond basic freight visibility toward systems that can automatically act on tracking data — an area with clear relevance for managing cross-border shipment exceptions.

THE BUSINESS SIDE

Daimler Truck extends O'Leary's North American leadership through 2028

Continuity at the top of Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) is confirmed through the end of 2028, with Truck News reporting that John O'Leary will remain as president and chief executive officer. DTNA's Freightliner and Western Star brands are widely operated across Canadian fleets — the extension signals stability in product direction and dealer relationships at a time of significant powertrain transition industry-wide.

ONE GOOD READ

RXO posted a rough first quarter — but the third-party logistics (3PL) giant's leadership is openly optimistic heading into Q2, and the reasoning behind that confidence is worth understanding. FreightWaves digs into the earnings and what the company's technology-led recovery thesis means for how a major North American broker is positioning itself for the freight market upturn currently underway. Read the full analysis at FreightWaves.

STAT OF THE DAY

According to FTR Transportation Intelligence, the Trucking Conditions Index fell more than 11 points between February and March — from a four-year high of 10.2 to -1.11 — driven almost entirely by the unprecedented spike in diesel prices over that period.

May 7, 2026

Good morning. It's May 7th — here's what's moving the industry today.

Spot rates hit an all-time high this week as diesel erased three weeks of declines in a single surge — a double-edged result for fleets navigating contract work at a time when the market rate and the contracted rate are pulling in opposite directions. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's non-domiciled commercial driver's licence ban cleared a major legal hurdle, a ruling with direct implications for cross-border driver availability heading into the fall. We also have fleet survey data with a pointed Canadian finding, the first fully driverless commercial freight hauls in Texas, and Q1 earnings from two major North American logistics players.

THE RUNDOWN

Diesel spikes nearly 29 cents in a week as spot rates hit all-time high

Overdrive reports that three consecutive weeks of falling fuel costs were erased in a single week, with the U.S. national average for on-highway diesel jumping 28.9 cents to $5.64 per gallon for the week ending May 4 — driven largely by a 61.1-cent surge in the Midwest, with the U.S. now just three-tenths of a cent below this year's high set in early April. At the same time, total broker-posted spot rates in the Truckstop.com system hit an all-time high of $3.32 per mile for the week ending May 1 — up 32% from the same week last year — with flatbed rising for an 18th consecutive week and dry van rates up 38% year over year.

Canadian fleets pulling harder on the reins than US counterparts

Half of North American fleet leaders plan to hold fleet size flat in 2026 as tariffs and economic uncertainty push cost control ahead of all other priorities, Truck News reports, citing Element Fleet Management's fifth annual Market Pulse Report. Canadian operators are adjusting more aggressively than their U.S. counterparts: 30% report delaying or extending replacement cycles compared to 22% south of the border, while 18% are actively shifting to local or tariff-exempt suppliers versus 11% in the U.S. Across the surveyed population, 78% of fleet leaders identify cost savings as their top priority this year.

FMCSA's non-domiciled CDL ban clears major legal hurdle

What the industry had been watching closely was confirmed Tuesday by Overdrive — the U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit denied a petition to pause the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) February final rule nearly eliminating commercial driver's licence (CDL) eligibility for non-domiciled drivers, a complete reversal from the same court's November decision to pause an earlier version. The rule, which restricts non-domiciled CDL eligibility to holders of H-2A, H-2B, and E-2 visas, now faces oral arguments in September, with challenger briefs due June 15. The ruling matters for cross-border capacity: the rule affects up to 194,000 CDL holders currently operating on U.S. roads.

Tariff refunds flowing faster than expected through CAPE portal

Canadian importers and carriers clearing goods through U.S. customs who qualify for tariff refunds are in line for faster-than-expected payments — with FreightWaves reporting that the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) tool launched April 20 is processing filings more smoothly than CBP's 60-to-90-day estimate, with early refunds potentially landing in the first half of May. The portal was built to handle approximately $127 billion in Phase 1 refunds following the Supreme Court's February decision invalidating tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). An estimated $46 billion in refunds remains stalled because importers have not yet completed ACH bank account authorization with CBP.

ON THE ROAD

Canadian diesel (Natural Resources Canada, week of May 4):

National average: $2.214/L

The $0.367/L spread between Vancouver and Calgary illustrates the provincial price variation cross-border operators experience — BC's higher fuel tax burden and greater distance from Prairie refinery infrastructure account for much of the gap.

U.S. diesel : $5.67/gallon — up 28.9 cents from the prior week. The Midwest drove the surge with a 61.1-cent regional increase. California remains the most expensive market at $7.36/gallon; the Gulf Coast is the cheapest at $5.18/gallon. The national average is now just three-tenths of a cent below this year's high.

Spot rates (Truckstop.com/FTR Transportation Intelligence, week ending May 1): Total broker-posted: $3.32/mile (all-time high, +32% year over year) · Dry van: $2.56/mile (+38% year over year) · Flatbed: $3.38/mile (18th consecutive week of gains) · Reefer: rising for the first time in four weeks, ahead of the Mother's Day holiday period.

Rate data: Truckstop.com / FTR Transportation Intelligence. Diesel: U.S. Energy Information Administration / Natural Resources Canada / GlobalPetrolPrices.com.

REG WATCH

Bill would put FMCSA in the chair on immigration status checks for CDL applicants

New legislation introduced in the U.S. House on April 30 would direct FMCSA to directly access the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system to verify the immigration status of non-domiciled CDL applicants — and require the agency to flag holders found to be unlawfully present to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Overdrive has the breakdown of the Non-Domiciled CDL Reporting Act, with the same article reporting that Volvo Trucks North America and Mack Trucks are recalling more than 2,000 trucks each for an anti-lock braking system defect affecting 2025–2027 model-year highway and regional tractors — a recall worth flagging for any fleet running those platforms.

EPA 2027 NOx rule advancing; Mack MP13 unveiled at ACT Expo

Mack Trucks unveiled an EPA 2027-compliant MP13 engine at the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo in Las Vegas — Transport Topics reports the revamped powertrain delivers up to 540 horsepower and 1,950 lb-ft of torque while meeting the 35-milligram-per-horsepower-hour nitrogen oxide (NOx) standard, with fuel savings of up to 6% over the previous MP13. Orders open in August 2026 for model year 2028 production across the Pioneer, Anthem, Granite, and Keystone lineups. Separately, OEMs speaking at ACT Expo confirmed the EPA's formal Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on warranty and durability requirements for the 2027 rule is expected by late June — the next key signal for fleet procurement decisions.

TECH & EQUIPMENT

Aurora and McLane transition to fully driverless commercial hauls in Texas

Aurora Innovation and McLane Company have moved from supervised pilot runs to fully driverless commercial freight on the Dallas-Houston corridor — FreightWaves notes the transition follows a three-year pilot covering 280,000 autonomous miles and 1,400 loads with 100% on-time performance, making McLane — a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary — one of the nation's largest private fleets to operate fully autonomous Class 8 routes. In a separate announcement, Aurora and Volvo Autonomous Solutions launched a new 200-mile commercial autonomous route between Dallas and Oklahoma City, the first time Volvo's autonomous system has delivered freight directly to customer facilities in Oklahoma.

WattEV orders 370 Tesla Semis in largest California EV truck deal

Truck News reports that WattEV has placed an order for 370 Tesla Semi Class 8 electric trucks — the largest single electric truck deployment in California — with more than 300 units destined for a joint programme with the Port of Oakland. The approximately $100 million order was announced at ACT Expo, with the first 50 units scheduled for 2026 delivery and the full fleet operational by end of 2027. CEO Salim Youssefzadeh said the Tesla Semi was chosen through a competitive request-for-proposals process, citing cost, performance, and availability.

THE BUSINESS SIDE

GXO beats Q1 expectations and lifts guidance despite Amazon pressure

GXO Logistics' Q1 revenue climbed 10.8% year over year to $3.3 billion, with adjusted diluted earnings per share rising 72% to 50 cents — well above analyst consensus of 37 cents — per FreightWaves. The contract logistics provider raised its full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance and reported a record $2.7 billion sales pipeline, with 40% of new wins in higher-margin verticals including aerospace, defence, and data centre infrastructure. CEO Patrick Kelleher pushed back directly on concerns about Amazon's recently expanded third-party supply chain services, drawing a sharp distinction between Amazon's standardised offering and GXO's bespoke logistics model.

Trimble posts Q1 beat and raises guidance as North American freight shows recovery signals

Trimble's transportation and logistics segment — which provides transportation management systems, electronic logging devices, and AI-powered freight procurement tools used by carriers and 3PLs across North America — grew 7% year over year in Q1 to $140 million in revenue, with annual recurring revenue up 9%, FreightWaves reports. Total company Q1 revenue came in at $939.9 million, up 12% year over year, beating expectations and prompting Trimble to lift its full-year revenue outlook to between $3.835 billion and $3.915 billion. CEO Rob Painter said the North American market is beginning to show signs of recovery, while cautioning the macro environment remains challenged.

ONE GOOD READ

Fleet managers responsible for equipment procurement in the next 12 to 24 months should read this one. Truck News published a well-reported piece from ACT Expo featuring senior executives from International and Cummins walking through what the EPA's 2027 low-NOx standard actually means for fleets — including why the upcoming NPRM on warranty and durability requirements is the critical signal to watch, why constrained engine capacity is expected late this year as fleets scramble to pull orders forward before compliance costs hit, and why some operators still haven't grasped that the January 2027 effective date is not moving. The EPA 2027 rule has received less Canadian coverage than it deserves, given how many cross-border carriers purchase US-market equipment.

Read the full piece at Truck News.

STAT OF THE DAY

32% — the year-over-year increase in all-in broker-posted spot rates for the week ending May 1, according to Truckstop.com and FTR Transportation Intelligence, with the total market rate hitting an all-time high of $3.32 per mile. When fuel surcharges are stripped out, the underlying linehaul rate is still about 20 cents per mile shy of its 2021 peak — a useful reminder that the rate story this cycle is still being written largely in surcharge territory, not true demand-driven rate growth.

May 6, 2026

Good morning. It's May 6th — a heavy news day for the freight market on both sides of the border.

The North American truckload market is tightening at its fastest pace since the height of the pandemic freight boom, with the April Logistics Managers' Index posting its highest overall reading since 2022 and a transportation capacity sub-index in deep contraction. A sharp single-week reversal in diesel prices adds urgency to the picture, and Amazon has officially entered the open logistics market in a move that could reshape the 3PL and intermodal landscape. We also have two significant cargo theft warnings, a Canadian enforcement blitz worth flagging, and a regulatory update on drug testing that has been years in the making.

THE RUNDOWN

Freight capacity hits pandemic-era extremes as April LMI posts highest reading since 2022

FreightWaves reports that the April Logistics Managers' Index (LMI) — a monthly survey of supply chain professionals — returned an overall reading of 69.9, the highest since April 2022, driven by a transportation capacity sub-index that collapsed to 28.4 and transportation pricing that surged to its highest level since that same month. The gap between the two metrics is the widest ever recorded in the survey's history, with the LMI authors noting they have "never before tracked the transportation metric getting simultaneously tighter or more expensive." The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has been cited as the accelerant on a market that was already tightening before the Iran conflict began.

US diesel reverses three weeks of decline with a 29-cent single-week surge

After three weeks of modest relief, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) benchmark diesel price jumped 28.9 cents per gallon to $5.64/gallon — within a fraction of a cent of the post-war high set in early April — as futures markets showed no signs of easing. Per FreightWaves, S&P Global Energy has warned that even if the Strait of Hormuz were to reopen today, it would take a minimum of seven additional months to fully restore upstream production and supply chains, with analysts cautioning that the worst of the supply crisis may not yet have arrived. The spike directly resets fuel surcharge calculations for every carrier running US miles.

Amazon opens its logistics infrastructure to all businesses in a move analysts say could reshape intermodal

Amazon Supply Chain Services (ASCS) launched May 4, giving outside businesses access to the same freight, fulfilment, and parcel shipping infrastructure Amazon has built over decades — including more than 80,000 trailers, 24,000 intermodal containers, and 100-plus aircraft. Analysts say the launch could draw entirely new shipper segments into the domestic intermodal network, FreightWaves reports, while one independent analyst noted that Amazon's existing dependence on Class I rail means the announcement formalises a relationship rather than threatening it — with BNSF seen as the primary beneficiary. Early customers include Procter & Gamble, 3M, Lands' End, and American Eagle Outfitters.

FBI sounds the alarm on cyber-enabled cargo theft, citing $725 million in 2025 losses

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issued a public service announcement April 30 warning of a surge in "cyber-enabled strategic cargo theft," in which threat actors use spoofed emails, fake URLs, and compromised carrier accounts to impersonate legitimate businesses, post fraudulent loads on load boards, and redirect freight from its intended destination. Land Line reports that cargo theft losses in 2025 reached an estimated $725 million — a 60% increase over 2024 — with an average loss per incident of $273,990. Carriers crossing into the US should note that the FBI specifically flagged compromised motor carrier accounts as a key attack vector, with legitimate operators often unaware they have been targeted until brokers contact them about loads booked without their knowledge.

Valid carrier authorities quietly changing hands, enabling freight theft

FreightWaves is reporting that investigators across the transportation sector are tracking a growing pattern of cargo theft tied to motor carrier authorities that have changed hands through social media groups, online forums, and marketplace listings — with unknown operators now using those authorities to book freight as if they were the legitimate carrier. There is often no clear indication that an authority has changed hands, meaning standard vetting against active status alone is no longer sufficient. For Canadian cross-border operators and brokers tendering freight to US carriers, this pattern reinforces the FBI's broader warning: identity verification needs to extend beyond the load board profile.

ON THE ROAD

Canadian Diesel — National average: C$2.21¢/L. Regional spread is substantial: Toronto 207.7¢/L, Calgary 208.9¢/L, Halifax C$2.16/L, Montreal C$241.9/L, Vancouver C$245.6/L.

The 37.9¢/L gap between the cheapest and most expensive cities in this snapshot represents a meaningful cost differential for fleets running interprovincial or cross-border lanes — particularly for operators fueling in BC or Quebec versus Ontario or Alberta.

US Diesel — $5.64/gallon (EIA, week of May 5, 2026), up 28.9 cents from the prior week. Nearly retraces the full post-war high of $5.643/gallon set April 6. The benchmark used for most fuel surcharges has now returned to its recent peak after three weeks of modest relief.

Spot Rates (DAT Freight & Analytics, week of April 26–May 2) — Dry van: $2.37/mile, up 1 cent week over week. Reefer: $2.72/mile, up 1 cent. Flatbed: $3.05/mile, up 3 cents. Capacity tightened sharply for van and reefer, pushing load-to-truck ratios meaningfully higher. Total load posts on DAT One: 3.23 million, down 3% from the prior week.

Forward note — CVSA's International Roadcheck inspection event is scheduled for May 12–14. According to DAT, spot rates typically climb during Roadcheck week as carriers reduce their exposure to inspections and related delays — arriving at an already tight market.

Rate data: DAT Freight & Analytics. Diesel: U.S. Energy Information Administration / Natural Resources Canada.

REG WATCH

Lincoln, Ont. enforcement blitz puts 41% of inspected trucks out of service

A one-day commercial vehicle enforcement operation in Lincoln, Ont., placed 14 of 34 inspected vehicles — 41% — out of service after officers targeted trucks using local roads to bypass the Vineland Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) inspection station along the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW). The operation, per Truck News, was a joint initiative involving Niagara Regional Police, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the MTO, and Halton Regional Police, and resulted in 30 charges. The Lincoln corridor has become a recurring enforcement focus as authorities document a pattern of commercial vehicles diverting from the QEW to avoid the Vineland inspection station — a concern that extends to any fleet running cross-border freight along this section of the Ontario network.

FMCSA releases coercion guidance as ELD cheating crackdown escalates

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a new question-and-answer document in late April clarifying its coercion prohibition under 49 CFR 390.6 — timed roughly two weeks after national media coverage of the Super Ego chameleon carrier network, in which drivers alleged they were directed to falsify electronic logging device (ELD) records and run well past legal hours-of-service limits. What Overdrive makes clear from the document is the key compliance threshold: "coercion occurs the moment a threat is made," meaning carriers do not need to actually push a driver into a violation for the prohibition to apply. Canadian carriers operating in the US whose drivers are subject to FMCSA hours of service rules should confirm their supervisory and dispatch practices align with 49 CFR 390.6, particularly as enforcement scrutiny around ELD compliance intensifies.

FDA proposes rule that could finally unlock advanced drug testing for commercial drivers

What carriers and fleet managers have been waiting for since 2023 moved meaningfully forward this week, with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposing to eliminate the 510(k) clearance requirement that has blocked American laboratories from certifying for oral fluid drug testing — a method the Department of Transportation (DOT) formally approved three years ago but which has remained unavailable due to the regulatory bottleneck. Truck News reports the proposed rule, published May 1 in the Federal Register, would also create a pathway for hair follicle testing — a method Congress first mandated back in 2015 — with the American Trucking Associations (ATA) calling both methods harder to cheat than current urine-based screening. The public comment period runs until June 30; if finalised, this rule could materially change the compliance toolkit for fleets on both sides of the border.

TECH & EQUIPMENT

Volvo Trucks North America unveils EPA 2027-compliant D13 engine at ACT Expo

Transport Topics reports that Volvo Trucks North America (VTNA) unveiled a redesigned D13 engine at ACT Expo in Las Vegas, engineered to meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s 2027 nitrogen oxide (NOx) standards — cutting NOx emissions by more than 80% compared to current limits, down to the 35-milligram threshold the EPA has set. The engine delivers up to 540 horsepower and 1,950 pound-feet of torque, with VTNA claiming a 10% fuel efficiency gain over its predecessor in the flagship VNL tractor that translates to approximately $7,000 in annual savings per truck at current diesel prices. The engine will be standard equipment on the VNL and VNR Class 8 on-highway tractors when the 2027 standards take effect January 1 — relevant to any Canadian fleet spec'ing US-market trucks for cross-border operations.

Kamloops, B.C. phases out diesel-electric waste trucks after performance review falls short

The City of Kamloops is replacing its six diesel-electric solid waste trucks with leased conventional diesel units after a lifecycle fleet review found the hybrid units failed to deliver the projected fuel efficiencies and generated higher maintenance costs and increased service disruptions. Operational costs went up rather than down, and downtime increased — that is the substance of what Truck News is reporting from the city's fleet committee presentation. The city said it will continue to monitor electric options for light-duty applications while adopting a total cost of ownership framework — including operational conditions and infrastructure constraints — before committing to alternative technology in its heavy-duty fleet segment again.

THE BUSINESS SIDE

Cummins raises full-year revenue outlook as North American truck markets improve from cycle low

Spot market improvement and stronger truck order activity through Q1 prompted Cummins to raise its full-year 2026 revenue growth outlook to a range of 8–11%, up from prior guidance of 3–8%, the company reported May 5. Transport Topics reports Q1 revenues came in at $8.4 billion, up 3% from the same quarter last year, with Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Rumsey noting that "North America truck markets began to improve from a cyclical low" during the period — a signal that, combined with the Cummins HD truck production forecast revision to 230,000–250,000 North American units, aligns with the broader capacity tightening story visible across the LMI and rate data in today's edition.

ONE GOOD READ

There are 21,748 Canadian and Mexican-domiciled motor carriers registered with FMCSA to operate in the United States — but the safety and enforcement data embedded in that population rarely receives close scrutiny, in part because the economic dependency on cross-border trade creates pressure not to look. This piece examines who those carriers actually are, what the safety data shows by country and state of domicile, where the enforcement gaps are, and what pending legislation could change before the USMCA/CUSMA review arrives in July 2026. For Canadian cross-border operators and the brokers who work with them, the framing of this analysis is directly relevant to how carrier vetting, reciprocal licensing, and cabotage enforcement are about to evolve.

Read the full analysis at FreightWaves.

STAT OF THE DAY

Renewable natural gas (RNG) accounted for 94% of all on-road fuel used in natural gas vehicles in the United States in 2025, according to new data from The Transport Project cited by Truck News — reflecting how thoroughly RNG has displaced conventional natural gas in the heavy-duty fleet segment over the past decade, even as battery-electric adoption continues to face commercial headwinds.

May 5, 2026

Good morning. It's May 5th — a strong cross-border news day, with both a Canadian border compliance update and a continental enforcement blitz landing in the same edition.

The Canada Border Services Agency's (CBSA) April 19 system disruption continues to ripple through cross-border operations, with a penalty grace period now in effect and a backlog still clearing. Spot rates hit a system-wide all-time high last week, with another push almost certain when Roadcheck begins May 12. There's also a significant rail-to-road story developing in the Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger application, Q1 earnings from three major carriers that paint a divided picture, and an autonomous trucking commitment worth watching.

THE RUNDOWN

CBSA grants penalty grace period following April system disruption

Truck News reports that the Canada Border Services Agency is still working through a backlog of delayed commercial messages stemming from a system update on April 19 that disrupted several platforms used for mandatory pre-arrival data exchange at the border. Effective April 19 and until further notice, the CBSA has suspended administrative monetary penalties for contraventions tied to the electronic transmission of data through the affected systems. Carriers are still required to report and are urged to submit electronic transmissions as quickly as possible to help clear the release backlog.

Roadcheck is one week away — with ELD tampering in the crosshairs

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's (CVSA) International Roadcheck runs May 12–14 across the US, Canada, and Mexico, with inspectors placing special emphasis this year on electronic logging device (ELD) tampering, falsification, and manipulation — alongside cargo securement, per Truck News. Falsification of record of duty status was the second most-cited driver violation last year at 58,382 incidents, and five of the top 10 driver violations were tied to hours of service or ELDs. Carriers on both sides of the border should expect a significantly elevated inspection volume at weigh stations and pop-up sites beginning next Tuesday.

Spot rates hit a system-wide all-time high for the week ending May 1

Every equipment type posted gains last week, with broker-posted dry van spot rates now running 38% above the same period last year — the strongest year-over-year reading since 2022, and flatbed extending a run to 18 consecutive weeks of gains. TheTrucker.com reports that refrigerated climbed for the first time in four weeks, driven in part by seasonal Mother's Day demand, with another rate push widely expected during Roadcheck week — one of only a handful of times each year when higher rates are effectively guaranteed.

Union Pacific says its proposed Norfolk Southern merger would shift 2.1 million truckloads to rail

FreightWaves is reporting that Union Pacific has resubmitted its application for an $85-billion acquisition of Norfolk Southern to federal regulators, projecting the combined railroad could convert 2.1 million truckloads from highway to rail annually and save shippers an estimated $3.5 billion. Union Pacific also disclosed it would walk away from the deal if the Surface Transportation Board requires widespread line sales or trackage rights as a condition of approval — a significant signal about the outer limits of the railroad's willingness to negotiate.

Aeolus Tire Canada raising commercial tire prices up to 5% next month

Cargo Power commercial tire products will cost up to 5% more next month, driven by higher raw material and transportation costs. Truck News is reporting the increase, which applies to commercial products only, with no indication offered of when input cost pressure might ease.

ON THE ROAD

Diesel — Canada (¢/L): National average 223.7 ¢/L. Regional variation remains significant: Calgary 205.0 | Toronto 211.9 | Halifax 216.9 | Montreal 245.2 | Vancouver 251.4. The spread between the cheapest and most expensive markets tracked this week is 46.4 cents per litre — a material cost difference for carriers planning cross-country or cross-border routes.

Diesel — Diesel — US: $5.64/gallon national average — up nearly 29 cents from the prior week's reading of $5.351/gallon, continuing a climb that has pushed US pump prices to their highest level since the 2022 fuel spike.

Spot rates (week ending May 1): All-time high in the Truckstop.com system. Dry van broker-posted rates up 38% year over year; flatbed up for 18th consecutive week; refrigerated gaining for the first time in four weeks. Total load postings approximately 40% above the same 2025 week. A further push expected during Roadcheck week (May 12–14).

Rate data: Truckstop.com / FTR Transportation Intelligence. Diesel: Natural Resources Canada / EIA.

REG WATCH

FDA proposes rule to expand drug testing options for trucking fleets

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has put forward a proposed rule that would make it easier for carriers to use advanced testing methods — including oral fluid testing — as alternatives to traditional urine-based screens. A cross-border note worth flagging: Canadian carriers operating in the US must comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) drug and alcohol testing requirements, and any approved expansion of testing modalities would apply to those operations. Truck News has the details on what the proposed rule would change and the expected implementation timeline.

FMCSA's Motus compliance system advances to its next phase

FreightWaves broke down what carriers need to know after the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration published a concurrent press release and Federal Register notice detailing the next phase of Motus — a new agency oversight system, the name drawn from the Latin for motion. The system is already partially in place, with the upcoming phase described as significant enough for a wider swath of the trucking community to warrant attention; Canadian carriers subject to FMCSA oversight on US operations are included in that group.

TECH & EQUIPMENT

Hirschbach plans 500 Aurora autonomous trucks beginning in 2027

What Aurora Innovation had been building toward commercially was confirmed on April 30 when Overdrive reported that Hirschbach Motor Lines signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) to purchase 500 Aurora Driver-powered trucks, with deliveries beginning next year under a Driver-as-a-Service model. The trucks would be deployed on high-volume routes in the Sun Belt, with the deal — if binding agreements close later this year as expected — potentially representing one of the largest publicly announced fleet commitments to autonomous trucking to date. The MOU is non-binding, and final commercial terms remain to be set.

Mack expands BEV infrastructure program with two new providers

Mack Trucks is expanding the infrastructure support around its battery-electric lineup — Truck News reports that ABM and Lane Valente Industries have joined the Turnkey Solutions program, an end-to-end service covering charging infrastructure from site assessment through installation, bringing the total number of participating turnkey providers to four alongside InCharge Energy and Heliox.

THE BUSINESS SIDE

XPO posts record Q1 earnings as LTL margins hit new highs

Transport Topics reported that XPO posted net income of $101 million on revenue of $2.1 billion in the first quarter — a 7.3% revenue gain year over year — with its North American less-than-truckload (LTL) adjusted operating ratio improving 200 basis points to 83.9%, well ahead of typical seasonal patterns. The carrier also reduced its damage claims ratio to a record low of 0.2%, which management described as the metric that matters most to LTL customers.

Universal Logistics swings to Q1 loss as intermodal weakness deepens

Q1 2026 revenue at Universal Logistics Holdings fell to $367.6 million — down from $382.4 million a year earlier — alongside a net loss of $3.5 million, or $(0.13) per share, FreightWaves reports. The Warren, Michigan-based provider's intermodal segment was the primary drag on results, though its contract logistics business posted modest growth quarter over quarter.

Wabash posts $45M Q1 loss; no material recovery until 2027

Trailer deliveries fell 14.5% year over year and truck body deliveries dropped 49.1% in the first quarter, contributing to a net loss of $45.2 million and a 20.4% revenue decline to $303.2 million, per Transport Topics. The company has idled facilities in Indiana and Minnesota and expects another loss in Q2, though its order backlog grew to $837 million — up $132 million sequentially — suggesting fleet confidence is beginning to rebuild for 2027 planning cycles.

ONE GOOD READ

The 2025 freight market produced a clear strategic signal: fleets that committed to powertrain diversification rather than waiting for a single technology to emerge as the winner demonstrated measurably greater resilience through the downturn. Class 8 tractor registrations fell 16% last year with nearly every drivetrain in decline — yet the TRC State of Sustainable Fleets report finds that carriers managing a portfolio of diesel, natural gas, and battery-electric assets outperformed those holding out for one clear answer. It's a useful frame for any fleet manager currently making equipment spec decisions under regulatory and market uncertainty.

Read the full report at Truck News.

STAT OF THE DAY

A four-hour Canada Border Services Agency processing delay costs each affected truck approximately $300 — creating a daily supply chain burden of roughly $3.3 million — and over a single week of systemic failures, that "outage tax" on Canadian goods can exceed $30 million to $45 million, according to the Canadian Trucking Alliance.

May 4, 2026

Good morning. It's May 4, 2026 — a busy start to the week on the rate and security fronts.

The freight recovery has crossed from anticipated to confirmed — Schneider's Q1 call, Traffix's Q2 market outlook, and surging LTL rates are all signalling the same thing: carriers are back in the driver's seat. The FBI issued a formal warning this week on cyber-enabled cargo theft, putting hard numbers to a threat that has been reshaping how brokers and carriers protect their freight for years. We also have a major Ontario enforcement blitz, a new Canada-US pipeline approval out of Washington, and California's landmark move to open its roads to autonomous heavy trucks — over the Teamsters' objections.

THE RUNDOWN

Rate cycle is confirmed — and double-digit increases are the new baseline

FreightWaves reports that Ontario-based brokerage Traffix, in its newly released Q2 2026 Market Update, is warning shippers to treat current rate levels as a new floor rather than a temporary peak. The brokerage projects freight costs running 10–20% above 2025 levels depending on demand conditions, with linehaul rates — excluding fuel — already up approximately 30% year over year, a figure the company says reflects a genuine supply-demand imbalance rather than a fuel-driven spike. Traffix Senior Director Alex Fuller estimated that higher rates will persist for at least 12 months before new capacity can catch up, with Canada-US cross-border lanes tracking the broader truckload trend.

Mack and Volvo recalling 5,000-plus trucks for brake defect

Mack Trucks and Volvo Trucks are recalling more than 5,000 vehicles after a service brake defect was identified that could result in loss of anti-lock braking and electronic stability control. Land Line reports that affected models include Mack 2025–27 Pioneers and 2026–27 Anthems, and Volvo 2025–27 VNLs and 2026–27 VNRs — trucks that are common on cross-border and long-haul Canadian routes. No accidents or injuries have been reported; owners of affected units should contact a Mack or Volvo dealer for inspection of the rear brake modulator electrical connectors.

Schneider declares the upcycle has "gained its foothold"

Schneider National reported first-quarter adjusted earnings of 12 cents per share, beating consensus by 2 cents, per Transport Topics. CEO Mark Rourke used the earnings call to state the carrier now believes the freight recovery has firmly taken hold, targeting mid-to-high single-digit rate increases on most contract renewals for the full year and double-digit increases for more transactional accounts where there is, in his words, more ground to make up. The company maintained its full-year 2026 earnings guidance of $0.70 to $1.00 per diluted share.

FBI issues formal cargo theft warning for US and Canadian freight industry

Truck News is reporting that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a public service announcement warning the transportation and logistics sector of a sharp rise in cyber-enabled cargo theft. Estimated losses across the United States and Canada reached $725 million in 2025 — a 60% increase over 2024 — with criminals using spoofed emails, fraudulent load board listings, and compromised carrier accounts to intercept freight before it is ever physically moved. Canadian carriers and cross-border brokers are directly exposed; the Canada-US corridor is an active target for the identity-based schemes the FBI describes.

72 trucks pulled from road in GTA enforcement blitz

What carriers operating into or out of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) should know: a two-day sweep last week found nearly half of inspected trucks unfit to run. Truck News reports that Operation Highway Guardian, conducted April 29–30 by the Ontario Provincial Police with support from six partner agencies, resulted in 72 vehicles placed out of service and 211 charges laid across 148 commercial vehicle inspections. Violations ranged from mechanical defects and cargo securement failures to hours-of-service breaches, documentation deficiencies, and operating without a valid commercial vehicle operator's registration (CVOR).

ON THE ROAD

Canadian diesel (Natural Resources Canada, May 1)

The national average of $2.237/L reflects a meaningful pullback from the April peak of $2.425/L (April 8), as crude prices eased from their highs. The east-west spread remains sharp — Vancouver and Montreal are running more than $0.46/L above Calgary, a difference that compounds significantly over a full month of cross-country operations.

US diesel (EIA weekly, April 28): approximately $5.74 per gallon. The US Energy Information Administration releases its updated weekly diesel figures today (Monday, May 5); check eia.gov for the latest reading.

Outbound tender rejections: 14.43% as of late April — above 10% for more than two consecutive months, a sustained level that historically signals carriers have regained pricing leverage over shippers.

Crude: Brent spiked this morning to $115 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) is trading at $100 per barrel, extending the rally driven by ongoing supply disruptions from the Iran conflict. Both benchmarks are at levels not seen since the early weeks of the crisis, and the move will put additional upward pressure on diesel prices in the coming days.

REG WATCH

OOIDA flags loopholes in new US independent contractor rule — a mirror of Canada's Driver Inc. problem

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) filed comments on the Department of Labor (DOL)'s proposed independent contractor classification rule, warning that two provisions could be exploited to misclassify drivers — Land Line has the breakdown. The association's core concern is that a broad "health and safety standards" exemption in the proposed rule could allow large carriers to impose technology mandates — including speed limiters — on nominally independent owner-operators without triggering reclassification, effectively making them employees in all but name. Canadian cross-border carriers should note the parallel to Canada's ongoing Driver Inc. enforcement crackdown: both debates centre on the same underlying question of who genuinely bears the financial risk in a carrier-driver relationship, and how regulators draw that line.

One year on: Trump's highway safety executive order and what it means for cross-border capacity

April 28 marked one year since the executive order reinstating strict enforcement of English language proficiency (ELP) requirements for commercial drivers and directing a review of non-domiciled commercial driver's licence (CDL) issuance. FreightWaves reviews the order's first-year impact, with the most operationally significant effect being a measurable tightening of US-side driver capacity — a dynamic that continues to put upward pressure on cross-border rates and affect carrier planning on both sides of the border. Non-domiciled CDL enforcement remains an active watchlist item for Canadian carriers operating or hiring in the United States.

TECH & EQUIPMENT

California clears heavy-duty autonomous trucks for testing and deployment; Teamsters vow court battle

California's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has adopted new autonomous vehicle (AV) regulations that open the door for manufacturers to apply for permits to test and deploy heavy-duty autonomous vehicles — an important shift in a state that previously barred all driverless commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds. Confirmed by Overdrive, the new rules include enhanced oversight provisions: operators must respond to first responder calls within 30 seconds, and law enforcement can issue geofencing directives to clear autonomous vehicles from active emergency zones. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters vowed to challenge the regulations in court, calling the DMV process insufficiently transparent and warning that safety data on heavy-duty AV technology has not been adequately disclosed.

THE BUSINESS SIDE

Trump approves Bridger Pipeline — Canada-US crude corridor takes a major step forward

A new Canada-US oil pipeline moved significantly closer to reality last week when President Trump signed a presidential permit for the Bridger Pipeline Expansion, a 650-mile project that would carry up to 550,000 barrels of Canadian crude per day through Montana and Wyoming, where it would connect to existing US infrastructure, Transport Topics reports. Sometimes called "Keystone Light" for its structural similarities to the cancelled Keystone XL project, the Bridger expansion still requires additional state and federal environmental approvals before construction — projected to begin in fall 2027 with a completion target of late 2028 or early 2029. For Canadian energy sector freight, the pipeline's approval signals renewed cross-border infrastructure momentum, though its timeline means near-term crude-by-truck and rail volumes will not be directly affected.

ONE GOOD READ

The freight industry recognized that cargo theft had gone digital years before the FBI issued its formal warning last week. The gap between when carriers and brokers began adapting their verification processes and when federal authorities formally acknowledged the threat tells you something worth understanding — both about how these criminal networks operate and about what "being ahead of the problem" actually requires.

FreightWaves unpacks how identity-based cargo fraud became a systemic threat starting in 2021, well before regulatory attention caught up, and what the industry's earlier response reveals about where the next vulnerabilities are likely to emerge.

Read the full analysis at FreightWaves.

STAT OF THE DAY

$725 million — the estimated value of cargo theft losses across the United States and Canada in 2025, a 60% increase over 2024, according to the FBI. The average value per confirmed theft rose to $273,990 as criminal networks shifted away from opportunistic grabs toward targeted, high-value operations.

01 May, 2026

Good morning. It's Thursday, May 1st — a busy end to the month for Canadian cross-border and freight market news.

CBSA technology failures are back in the spotlight as the Canadian Trucking Alliance pushes Cabinet for a permanent fix, with weekly costs to the supply chain now estimated at up to $45 million. Spot rates continue to run well above historical averages despite a softening week on DAT, and autonomous trucking reached a milestone in Texas that fleet managers will be watching closely. We also have the Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger back before federal regulators, a Reg Watch full of compliance deadlines, and an NACFE powertrain cost report worth your time.

THE RUNDOWN

CTA calls on federal Cabinet to fund permanent CBSA fix

Truck News reports that the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) and the Private Motor Truck Council (PMTC) are demanding federal Cabinet funding to replace what they describe as failing Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) technology, warning that workarounds and patches are not a long-term solution. The CTA estimates that CBSA processing failures are costing the supply chain between $3.3 million and $6.6 million per day in Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba alone — a figure that reaches $30 million to $45 million over a single week. Drivers are being held on the US side for full work shifts waiting for clearance to enter Canada, disrupting rest cycles and delivery schedules across the cross-border network.

Spot rates run 25% above historical averages despite softer demand week

Truck posts on DAT One fell 8% to 213,879 for the week of April 19–25, the lowest week-17 total on record — yet spot-market pricing is holding roughly 25% above five-year averages across all three equipment types, TheTrucker.com reports, citing DAT Freight & Analytics. The national average linehaul van rate held at $1.99 per mile, 25% higher year over year, while the flatbed rate hit $2.66 per mile, a new year high. The pattern suggests carriers are pulling capacity off the board rather than chasing loads at lower rates — a posture consistent with a market that believes conditions will stay tight.

Bot Auto completes first fully humanless commercial truckload delivery in the US

What the autonomous trucking industry has been building toward for years was confirmed overnight on April 29: Truck News reports that Houston-based Bot Auto completed a 231-mile commercial freight run from northeast Houston to a delivery hub south of Dallas without a safety driver, a remote operator, or an in-cab observer. The load was booked through broker Ryan Transportation to meet a shipper's live delivery window — a paid commercial transaction, not a demonstration. Bot Auto says its humanless cost per mile is $1.89, below the American Transportation Research Institute's industry average of $2.26.

Q1 Class 8 sales worst since 2017 despite strong forward orders

Only 40,230 new Class 8 trucks were sold in the US market in Q1 2026, making it the weakest first quarter since 2017, according to Omdia Informa data reported by TheTrucker.com. March sales of 14,952 units reflected a 15.1% gain over February but remained well below levels that would indicate a broad fleet expansion. The divergence between weak current sales and strong forward order books points to carriers holding back on capital deployment while watching trade and rate conditions before committing.

ON THE ROAD

Canadian Diesel — 211.0¢/L national average (week of April 27). Provincial variation remains substantial: Alberta continues to track well below the national average on the strength of lower fuel taxes and proximity to refinery infrastructure, while British Columbia remains the most expensive province at the pump.

US Diesel — $5.57/gal nationwide. While down from recent highs the downward trend has seemingly started to reverse.

Spot Rates (week of April 19–25, DAT Freight & Analytics)

• Dry van linehaul: $1.99/mile — flat week over week, +25% year over year

• Reefer linehaul: $2.35/mile — flat; load-to-truck ratio 13.2 (up from 12.4)

• Flatbed linehaul: $2.66/mile — up 5 cents, new 2026 high; load-to-truck ratio 74.1

Load posts: 3.28 million total, down 2% week over week. Truck posts down 8% to lowest week-17 total on record.

Rate data: DAT Freight & Analytics. Canadian diesel: Natural Resources Canada / GlobalPetrolPrices.com (April 27). US diesel: EIA (week ending April 27).

REG WATCH

CVSA International Roadcheck is 12 days away — ELD tampering and cargo securement in focus

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's (CVSA) annual 72-hour enforcement blitz runs May 12–14 across the US, Canada and Mexico, and FreightWaves is flagging the stakes plainly: non-compliance can produce civil penalties of up to $77,000. This year's driver focus is electronic logging device (ELD) tampering, falsification or manipulation — inspectors are cross-referencing logs against toll receipts, fuel records, and bill of lading data. The vehicle focus is cargo securement, which generated more than 34,000 violations continent-wide in 2025. Carriers operating in both Canada and the US are subject to the inspection on both sides of the border; the eight-day log review window means violations from the week before Roadcheck are in scope.

FMCSA extends comment period on proposed 20% UCR fee increase

The proposed Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) fee increase averaging approximately 20% for the 2027 registration year now has an extended comment deadline — May 26, 2026 — after the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) granted an extension requested by the Small Business in Transportation Coalition, Land Line reports. The fee hike, ranging from $9 to $9,329 depending on fleet size, is intended to cover a projected $21.79 million shortfall in the UCR programme. Canadian carriers holding US operating authority are required to register under UCR and would be directly affected if the rule is finalised.

FMCSA urges carriers to prepare for Motus registration system rollout

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is telling fleets to act now before the new Motus registration system goes live, Truck News reports, with the agency warning that the transition window closes in May. Canadian carriers with US operating authority will need to migrate their registration records into the new system; those who wait risk processing delays that could affect their authority status.

TECH & EQUIPMENT

Hirschbach signs MOU to deploy 500 Aurora Driver-powered trucks

Aurora Innovation and Iowa-based refrigerated truckload carrier Hirschbach Motor Lines announced an expanded partnership Thursday that would see Hirschbach own 500 Aurora Driver-powered autonomous trucks, with deliveries expected to begin in 2027, Truck News reports. The deal — currently a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU), with binding terms expected later this year — would generate a multi-year revenue stream for Aurora valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Hirschbach's strategy is to deploy autonomous trucks on long-haul routes, freeing human drivers for shorter runs that allow them to return home daily.

NACFE: Battery-electric trucks on track to be lowest-cost Class 8 option by 2035 — but no universal answer

The North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) released its third Messy Middle report on April 30, projecting that battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) will achieve the lowest net total cost of ownership (TCO) across all modelled duty cycles by 2035 — driven by falling battery costs and lower energy expenses. Truck News has the full breakdown, noting that the analysis excludes government incentives and that hydrogen fuel-cell trucks are projected to remain the most expensive option through the decade. The report's lead author put it plainly: there is no universal TCO, and the calculation changes with every zip code and duty cycle.

THE BUSINESS SIDE

Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern refile $85B merger application with STB

Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern resubmitted their amended merger application to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) on April 30, seeking approval for what they describe as the first all-freight transcontinental railroad in the US. FreightWaves reports the revised filing — required after the STB rejected the initial submission as incomplete in January — claims the combined network would save shippers $3.5 billion annually by shifting freight from truck to rail, and estimates it would take approximately 2.1 million trucks off US roads. The STB has 30 days to review the amended application. For Canadian intermodal operators and cross-border shippers, a merged UP-NS would reshape single-line service options between eastern and western North America.

ONE GOOD READ

The May installment of FreightWaves' State of Freight webinar declared the freight recession "over" — but the picture underneath is more complicated than that framing suggests. Structural tightness is real, capacity is tight, and rates are running well above historical averages, yet seasonal softness and macro uncertainty (including ongoing disruptions in the Middle East) are clouding near-term visibility. For anyone trying to read where the market goes from here, this is a useful 30-minute investment.

Read the full analysis at FreightWaves.

STAT OF THE DAY

40,230 — the number of new Class 8 trucks sold in the US during Q1 2026, making it the weakest opening quarter for the industry since 2017, according to Omdia Informa data. The result comes despite strong forward order books, suggesting carriers believe conditions will improve but aren't yet willing to commit capital to prove it.

30 April, 2026

Good morning. It's Thursday, April 30th — here's what's moving the industry today.

Canada's truck driver workforce shrank 7.3% year over year in March — the steepest decline on record from Trucking HR Canada and the lead story in an edition heavy with cross-border compliance news. Two Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) deadlines are closing in for any carrier operating with U.S. authority, including the May 14 Motus registration cutoff and new Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse identity verification rolling out now. We also have Q1 results from Canadian National Railway, C.H. Robinson earnings with a Supreme Court broker liability ruling looming, and Fortune's exclusive on a cab-less autonomous truck startup that just emerged from stealth with $24 million in backing.

THE RUNDOWN

Canada's truck driver workforce shrinks 7.3% year over year in March

Canada's trucking sector shed 7.3% of its truck driver workforce year over year in March, according to new data from Trucking HR Canada (THRC). Truck News has the full breakdown, with the decline representing one of the sharpest single-month drops the sector has recorded and compounding existing capacity concerns for carriers operating on both sides of the border.

Cargo theft losses hold steady despite fewer incidents in Q1

767 supply chain crime events were recorded in the first quarter of 2026 — a slight decline in volume, but with total losses nearly unchanged year over year, Land Line reports, drawing on a new CargoNet analysis. The firm attributes the persistent loss value to organized crime networks and increasingly sophisticated fraud tactics targeting freight in transit.

Five charged after $2M in stolen cannabis recovered from York Region trailer

The organized crime dimension of Canadian cargo theft sharpened into focus this week — Truck News reporting five men charged and two firearms seized after more than $2 million in stolen cannabis products were recovered from a trailer north of Toronto during a York Regional Police investigation.

Eagle Pass bridge revamps truck crossing hours to cut wait times

FreightWaves is reporting that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is changing commercial crossing hours at the Port of Eagle Pass, Texas, effective Monday, prioritising loaded freight in the morning and shifting empty truck movements to later in the day to reduce northbound congestion on one of the busiest commercial crossings on the Mexico-U.S. corridor.

Tariff refund portal problems cloud May 11 payout

Thousands of U.S. importers are running into trouble with the new online portal for duty refunds on tariffs overturned by the Supreme Court, per Transport Topics — with the first payment set to go out May 11 in a process with direct implications for Canadian exporters who had goods caught in the tariff cycle.

ON THE ROAD

Diesel — Canada (cents per litre):

• National average: 216.0¢/L

• Vancouver: 245.0¢/L

• Toronto: 203.0¢/L

• Montreal: 239.0¢/L

• Alberta: 197.0¢/L

• Halifax: 214.0¢/L

Regional spread is notable — Vancouver sits nearly 50 cents above the national average, while Alberta remains the cheapest market in the country by a significant margin.

Diesel — US:

• National average: $5.49/gal

Border conditions: CBP restructuring commercial crossing hours at Eagle Pass (TX/Mexico) effective Monday, May 4 — loaded freight prioritised in morning windows.

REG WATCH

FMCSA's Motus registration system: carriers have until May 14

Land Line has the most detailed breakdown of what FMCSA's new Motus registration system requires ahead of its launch: entities with a USDOT number or operating authority must confirm their FMCSA Portal account is active and registration information is current before the May 14 cutoff. The requirement applies to Canadian carriers with U.S. operating authority — and given that FMCSA has framed Motus explicitly as a security measure against fraudulent access, non-compliance could carry consequences for operating status.

State Department resumes commercial truck driver visa processing — under stricter standards

Commercial truck driver visa applications are moving again after eight months of regulatory overhaul, FreightWaves confirmed on April 23, though under stricter criteria than the system in place before the Trump administration overhauled how foreign nationals obtain commercial driver's licences (CDLs) in the U.S. The resumption has direct implications for cross-border driver supply and for Canadian carriers relying on foreign-national drivers on U.S.-side operations.

FMCSA expands identity checks to Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse

New identity-verification requirements for the FMCSA's Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse are now rolling out, Transport Topics reports, aimed at curbing fraud in the database covering 3.8 million commercial drivers. The changes tighten a system that all U.S.-operating carriers — including Canadian cross-border operators — are required to use for driver hiring and return-to-duty processes.

TECH & EQUIPMENT

Humble emerges from stealth with cab-less autonomous truck and $24M seed round

Fortune had the exclusive on Humble, a San Francisco startup that emerged from stealth with a $24 million seed round led by Eclipse — with Energy Impact Partners also participating — and a fully electric, cabless autonomous freight vehicle called the Humble Hauler. Designed for 40- and 53-foot containers and built for dock-to-dock operation, the vehicle's cab-free architecture enables 360-degree sensor coverage across cameras, LiDAR, and radar, while freeing additional payload capacity. The company was founded by Eyal Cohen, who helped build Otto, the company behind the first autonomous freight delivery by semi-truck in 2016.

Nivalis acquires SolarEdge e-Mobility to expand electric reefer business

Nivalis Energy Systems has acquired SolarEdge e-Mobility in a move aimed at accelerating electric refrigerated trailer adoption across North America and Europe, Truck News reports. The deal gives the Canadian company access to additional electric drivetrain technology at a moment when fleet demand for zero-emission reefer solutions is building on both sides of the border.

THE BUSINESS SIDE

CN Railway profit falls in Q1; shares post steepest drop since 2021

Canadian National Railway reported lower first-quarter profits despite higher overall freight volumes, with revenue falling short of expectations — and the share reaction was sharp. What carriers had been watching for was confirmed by Transport Topics: CN's shares dropped the most in more than four years following the result, a reading the market is treating as a signal about broader cross-border freight demand given the railway's role in Canada-U.S. intermodal freight flows.

C.H. Robinson posts Q1 earnings beat — but the Supreme Court may matter more

C.H. Robinson's non-GAAP earnings per share came in at $1.35 for the first quarter, up from $1.17 a year ago — a beat in a difficult quarter for brokers navigating the classic squeeze between higher spot rates and lower contract rates. FreightWaves reports that the looming Supreme Court ruling in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II dominated the company's earnings call, with a broker liability decision that could force the entire 3PL industry to overhaul how it selects and documents carrier vetting.

ONE GOOD READ

The Supreme Court case now before the court could fundamentally change who pays when a broker-selected carrier causes a crash — and C.H. Robinson, which took the case all the way to the nation's highest court, used its Q1 earnings call to make clear that the stakes are industry-wide. At the heart of Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II is a question the freight brokerage sector has long wanted resolved, and may not like the answer to. It's the most consequential legal question in trucking right now for anyone who moves freight through a third party. Read the full analysis at FreightWaves.

STAT OF THE DAY

U.S. truck freight generates $906 billion in annual revenue, according to the American Trucking Associations — a figure that helps explain why venture capital continues to flow into autonomous trucking even as commercial deployment remains years away for most players in the sector.

April 29, 2026

Good morning. It's Tuesday, April 29th — here's what's moving in freight today.

Freight markets are sending their clearest upcycle signals in years, with Landstar declaring an inflection point and flatbed spot rates running close to 30% above year-ago levels — though the fuel picture is more complicated. Shell's chief executive is warning that the Strait of Hormuz blockade may extend into next year, raising doubts about how long the current streak of falling diesel prices can hold. On the regulatory front, U.S. states are tightening commercial driver's licence standards in ways that have direct implications for Canadian cross-border operators, and Washington is moving to lock in a new round of tariffs before its stopgap levies expire this summer.

THE RUNDOWN

New tariff push extends uncertainty for cross-border freight

Canadian carriers operating in the Canada-U.S. corridor are watching another tariff development unfold in Washington, with Transport Topics reporting that the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has opened hearings on two new investigations expected to produce a fresh round of import taxes. The administration's preferred tariff mechanism was struck down by the Supreme Court earlier this year; the stopgap levies currently in place expire in under three months. With the USMCA/CUSMA review already scheduled for July, the development adds a further layer of uncertainty for carriers, shippers, and freight pricing on both sides of the border.

Landstar calls early upcycle on Q1 beat and strong April momentum

FreightWaves is reporting that Landstar System posted first-quarter earnings per share of $1.16 — 31 cents higher year over year and 4 cents ahead of analyst estimates — with the company declaring the market is entering the early stages of an upcycle. April yields are tracking significantly ahead of seasonal norms. Landstar is an active player in Canada-U.S. lanes, making its read on market direction a meaningful signal for cross-border operators watching for a pricing and capacity inflection.

Flatbed spot rates extend winning streak for third straight week

All-in flatbed broker-posted rates climbed 3.4 cents per mile for the week ending April 24 — the smallest gain in nine weeks but still the third consecutive increase — Overdrive reports, citing Truckstop.com and FTR Transportation Intelligence data. Rates are running close to 30% above year-ago levels, a reading that reflects tightening conditions in a segment heavily indexed to industrial and cross-border freight. The advance came alongside a third consecutive decline in benchmark diesel, giving flatbed operators an unusual combination of rising revenue and falling fuel costs.

UPS beats revenue expectations amid ongoing transformation

UPS pressed ahead with its multiyear restructuring in the first quarter, posting net income of $864 million on total revenue of $21.2 billion — roughly in line with analyst expectations despite a challenging quarter, per Transport Topics. CEO Carol Tomé flagged rising fuel costs stemming from the Middle East conflict and historically low U.S. consumer confidence as the primary external risks ahead, while reaffirming the company's $3 billion cost-cutting target for the year. International revenue rose 3.8%, partly offsetting a 2.3% decline in U.S. domestic operations as Amazon volume reductions and a voluntary driver buyout program reshaped the network.

Shell warns Hormuz blockade could stretch into 2027

Fuel relief may be short-lived — Transport Topics reports that Shell's chief executive warned investors the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is likely to last months and could extend into next year, with Brent crude rising 2.7% to $104.40 on Monday as markets repriced the conflict's expected duration. BP's first-quarter profit more than doubled year over year to $3.84 billion, a reflection of how sharply energy markets have shifted since the Iran war began in February. For fleet operators, the near-term weekly decline in diesel benchmarks may not reflect where fuel costs are heading.

ON THE ROAD

Diesel — Canada (national average): 173.0 ¢/L Diesel — United States: $5.351/gallon — down 5.2 ¢ from last week, third consecutive weekly decline

Flatbed spot rates: All-in broker-posted rates for the week ending April 24 up 3.4 ¢/mile; running approximately 30% above year-ago levels

Rate data: Truckstop.com / FTR Transportation Intelligence. Diesel: Natural Resources Canada / U.S. Energy Information Administration.

REG WATCH

FMCSA adds identity verification to Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is rolling out new identity verification requirements for users of its Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, responding to a documented rise in fraud attempts targeting drivers in the database. Overdrive has the breakdown of which user categories are affected and what the new process will require — relevant for Canadian carriers whose U.S.-operating drivers must maintain active Clearinghouse registrations.

States move to tighten CDL standards on proficiency and licensing

Lawmakers across multiple U.S. states are advancing legislation targeting English proficiency requirements, non-domiciled commercial driver's licence holders, and out-of-state commercial driver's licence (CDL) use — three issues that intersect directly with how Canadian-licensed drivers qualify to operate south of the border. Land Line reports that Pennsylvania is among the states moving on proficiency-related measures, with Wyoming and others already having adopted new rules. For Canadian cross-border carriers, the emerging patchwork of state-level standards adds a compliance layer worth tracking.

THE BUSINESS SIDE

Werner swings to adjusted profit on dedicated fleet expansion

First-quarter revenue at Werner Enterprises came in at $808.6 million — up 14% year over year — with the carrier's net loss narrowing to $4.3 million from $10.1 million a year earlier, FreightWaves reports. Adjusted earnings turned positive, driven by pricing gains, dedicated fleet growth, and early contributions from the FirstFleet acquisition completed during the freight downturn. The results add to a growing body of Q1 data pointing toward gradual improvement in the truckload sector.

ArcBest beats Q1 estimates as LTL pricing holds firm

What the market had been signalling was confirmed Tuesday by Transport Topics — ArcBest posted adjusted first-quarter earnings per share of 32 cents, 3 cents ahead of estimates, as volumes improved across its business. Less-than-truckload pricing remains rational and the truckload market is beginning to firm, executives said, though overall demand is still running below mid-cycle norms. A weak housing market and sluggish manufacturing activity were flagged as the remaining headwinds.

ONE GOOD READ

A Canadian at the top of U.S. trucking

Mark Seymour, the CEO of Ontario-based Kriska Transportation Group, is only the third Canadian to chair the Truckload Carriers Association in the organisation's history — and his remarks at the TCA's annual convention earlier this year offer a candid window into how the cross-border freight relationship looks from the Canadian side. It's a worthwhile read for any operator who runs freight across the 49th parallel, and a reminder that the Canada-U.S. corridor is built on relationships that predate — and will likely outlast — any tariff cycle.

Read the full conversation at TheTrucker.com.

STAT OF THE DAY

All-in flatbed broker-posted spot rates were running approximately 30% above year-ago levels as of the week ending April 24, according to Truckstop.com and FTR Transportation Intelligence — the third consecutive weekly gain in a segment that is outpacing the broader truckload market's recovery.

28th April, 2026

Good morning. It's Tuesday, April 28th — a busy day for freight market news and cross-border industry developments.

Spot rates reached an all-time high in the Truckstop.com system last week — the highest since tracking began in 2014 — with flatbed driving its 17th consecutive week of gains and FTR warning another record may follow before International Roadcheck. TFI International's Q1 results confirm a market still divided: LTL under pressure, truckload firming up. We also cover the Trump administration's conditional tariff relief offer for Canadian steel producers, a regulatory update for Canadian carriers using the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, and a federal court stay in the Humboldt Broncos deportation case.

THE RUNDOWN

Spot rates reach all-time high in Truckstop.com system

Total market broker-posted spot rates climbed to their highest level since Truckstop.com and FTR began tracking the combined market rate in 2014, during the week ending April 24. TheTrucker.com reports that flatbed rates rose for a 17th consecutive week, with load postings running 47% ahead of the same 2025 week, while dry van and refrigerated rates remained highly elevated despite modest week-over-week easing. FTR noted that even if rates moderate near-term, International Roadcheck — the annual roadside inspection event — is likely to push the market to another record in short order.

Trump offers tariff relief to Canadian steel producers — with a condition

What carriers hauling steel and auto parts cross-border had been watching for was confirmed last week by FreightWaves: the Trump administration has formalised a path for Canadian and Mexican steel and aluminium producers to qualify for reduced Section 232 tariffs, but only if they commit to building new primary production capacity inside the United States. The notice, published by the US Department of Commerce, targets companies already supplying US automotive and heavy-vehicle manufacturers — sectors that move significant volumes across the Canada-US corridor by truck. Carriers hauling steel, auto parts, and industrial freight should watch for volume shifts as producers weigh whether to accept the terms.

TFI International Q1: LTL still struggling, truckload turns a corner

LTL revenue before fuel surcharge at TFI International fell 3% year over year to $656 million in Q1 2026, with operating income declining to $31 million from $47 million and an adjusted operating ratio of 95.3% — though management called Q1 conditions unusually difficult due to early-quarter weather. FreightWaves reports that the truckload segment showed genuine improvement, with revenue before fuel surcharge rising to $673 million from $663 million and operating income up to $56 million from $49 million, with the operating ratio improving 100 basis points to 92.7. TFI's management expects 600 to 700 basis points of sequential LTL operating ratio improvement in Q2, though the company declined to provide full-year guidance given ongoing market and trade uncertainty.

Canada's Top 100 largest carriers: capacity in motion beneath stable rankings

Trimac climbs into the top five and 12 new fleets join the roster in Truck News's annual ranking of Canada's 100 largest carriers, but the more telling story is in the equipment data — several carriers reported smaller fleet counts even as others grew through acquisitions and expansion. Truck News reports that the list reflects a market in transition, with capacity actively redistributing across operators rather than growing or contracting uniformly across the sector.

Alberta leads launch of national trucking regulations hub

Interprovincial trade barriers — inconsistent rules on weights, dimensions, and permitting — continue to cost Canadian carriers time and money every time they operate outside their home province. A newly operational online platform, led by Alberta and now carrying regulatory data from every province and territory, is being positioned as a first step toward addressing that fragmentation, per Truck News. Long-term management of the hub is expected to transfer to the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA) in fall 2026; carriers operating east-west routes or that have recently shifted away from cross-border lanes will find it immediately useful.

ON THE ROAD

Canadian Diesel — National average approximately 209¢/L. Alberta: approximately 175–180¢/L. Ontario: approximately 200–205¢/L. Prices remain elevated by historical standards despite the partial relief.

US Diesel — $5.40/gal (EIA, week ending April 20). Updated figures were due from EIA this morning; verify before dispatch.

Spot Market — Total broker-posted rate at an all-time high in the Truckstop.com/FTR system as of the week ending April 24. Flatbed is the primary driver — 17 consecutive weekly gains. Load postings running 47% above the same 2025 week.

Rate data: Truckstop.com / FTR Transportation Intelligence. Diesel (Canada): Natural Resources Canada; federal excise tax suspension of 4¢/L on diesel (April 20 – September 7, 2026) is now reflected in pump prices. Diesel (US): U.S. Energy Information Administration.

REG WATCH

FMCSA tightens identity verification for Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced April 27 that Medical Review Officers, Substance Abuse Professionals, third-party administrators, and employers must now complete additional identity verification steps when accessing the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse online database. Land Line has the breakdown of what the enhanced process requires — a change the FMCSA says is designed to reduce fraud and improve the accuracy of Clearinghouse records. Canadian carriers operating in the US are subject to Clearinghouse requirements for drivers in regulated positions and should ensure their designated employers and TPAs are compliant.

New York sues DOT over $73M funding cut, non-domiciled CDL fight goes to federal court

New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit in the Second Circuit Court of Appeals last week, making the state the second — after California — to take the non-domiciled commercial driver's licence (CDL) dispute to federal court rather than comply with the US Department of Transportation's (DOT) demands. FreightWaves broke the story and has followed it in depth: a federal audit found 107 of 200 sampled non-domiciled CDLs in New York violated federal law, a 53% failure rate across approximately 32,600 active licences. The outcome of this litigation will directly affect the available pool of cross-border-eligible drivers — a standing story with meaningful capacity implications for Canadian carriers operating on northeast US corridors.

Federal court stays deportation of Humboldt Broncos driver

A federal judge granted a temporary stay last Friday preventing the scheduled Monday deportation of Jaskirat Singh Sidhu — the Calgary trucker whose 2018 crash with a Humboldt Broncos team bus killed 16 people and injured 13. Truck News reports the stay, which could last between one and eight months, gives Sidhu's lawyers time to pursue a judicial review of the Canada Border Services Agency's (CBSA) decision to deny a request for a 17-month deferral on humanitarian grounds. The case is the first time a decision has come down in Sidhu's favour in the years-long legal proceeding.

TECH & EQUIPMENT

Freightliner Cascadia gains new active safety features for 2027 model year

Cross Traffic Assist and Active Side Guard Assist 2.0 are coming to the Detroit Assurance safety suite on the 2027 Freightliner Cascadia, Transport Topics reports. The Cascadia is the dominant platform across North American long-haul fleets — Canadian carriers spec'ing new equipment should factor the enhanced side and cross-traffic detection into their safety program evaluations.

Tesla Full Self-Driving feature under intensified federal investigation

Autonomous vehicle technology is advancing rapidly toward higher automation levels, but federal regulators are increasing pressure on what already exists: Land Line reports that a federal investigation into Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature is ramping up, raising concerns about the safety of Level 2 systems that have been marketed as considerably more capable than regulators believe them to be. The increased scrutiny signals a tightening regulatory posture toward autonomous vehicle claims — relevant context for Canadian fleet managers tracking the AV space.

THE BUSINESS SIDE

STG Logistics closes in on Chapter 11 exit

STG Logistics announced Monday it has reached a settlement with its minority lenders and completed a court-supervised marketing process, clearing the last major hurdles to a consensual exit from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Under the restructuring plan, lenders led by Fortress Investment Group and Invesco Senior Secured Management will take majority ownership in exchange for eliminating more than $1 billion in debt and injecting up to $150 million in fresh capital, per FreightWaves. STG entered a pre-packaged Chapter 11 agreement in January; operations across its intermodal, drayage, LTL, and warehousing services have continued without disruption throughout.

Metro Supply Chain extends US warehousing reach

Montreal-based Metro Supply Chain Group is acquiring select warehousing assets from BR Williams, adding capacity across manufacturing regions in the southern United States following a recent change in the company's ownership. Truck News reports the deal positions the Canadian third-party logistics provider to handle more integrated North American freight as shippers look for cross-border partners with assets on both sides of the border.

CargoNet Q1: fewer thefts, same losses, more organised criminals

Verisk CargoNet recorded 767 supply chain crime events across the United States and Canada in Q1 2026 — a 5.3% decrease from Q1 2025 — but estimated losses held essentially flat at $131.58 million, with confirmed theft reports rising 41 incidents year over year to 596 of the 767 total events. TheTrucker.com reports the data reflects a clear strategic shift by criminal networks: fewer incidents, but more sophisticated operations targeting higher-value shipments. Fleet managers and owner-operators should treat the declining incident count with caution — the criminal activity is concentrating, not retreating.

ONE GOOD READ

Canada's Top 100 largest carriers list is published once a year and it always tells you something about where the market actually is. The 2026 edition is worth the time: Trimac's climb into the top five reflects genuine operational growth, and the 12 new fleets added to the list signal continued entry at the fleet-building level — but the real story is in the capacity data beneath the rankings, where equipment counts are shifting in ways that will affect shipper options and lane coverage. Read the full list and analysis at Truck News.

STAT OF THE DAY

Volvo Trucks North America and Mack Trucks posted a combined 34% year-over-year decline in Q1 2026 sales, according to Transport Topics, as parent company Volvo Group cut plant output by 25% to 30% — a manufacturing pullback that will ripple through used equipment availability and fleet replacement timelines across the North American market.

April 27th, 2026

Good morning. It's Monday, April 27th — here is what the week ahead looks like for North American freight.

Cross-border carriers are dealing with persistent Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) system outages while uncertainty over the July United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA/CUSMA) review continues to slow freight flows on both sides of the border. Spot rates have climbed to their highest level since June 2022, but surging diesel costs are absorbing much of the gain. There is also an important cargo theft warning that every fleet hiring drivers right now should read.

THE RUNDOWN

CBSA system outages keep adding costs for cross-border carriers

Truck News reports that ongoing IT system outages at the Canada Border Services Agency are continuing to disrupt cross-border supply chains, with fleets citing rising costs and growing delays at the border. The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA), which has been engaging CBSA through regular working groups and relaying real-time carrier feedback, says confidence in critical border systems remains shaken, and is pressing the agency to restore stability as quickly as possible. CBSA, working with Shared Services Canada on a multi-pronged improvement plan, is expected to provide industry with additional updates and mitigation measures within the coming days.

USMCA uncertainty is slowing cross-border freight

Cross-border trucking volumes have softened as businesses hold off nearshoring decisions ahead of the USMCA/CUSMA review scheduled for July, Land Line reports, driven by a combination of US policy uncertainty and the effective removal of a large number of Mexican drivers from compliant capacity. The tender acceptance rate for Mexican freight has slipped to 86%, well below the market standard of approximately 98%, as constrained capacity pushes shippers toward the spot market. A successful July review that extends the 16-year agreement is expected to unlock pent-up nearshoring investment — but the outcome remains far from certain.

March trailer orders beat forecasts; spot rates at a four-year high

Trailer orders in March came in above analyst expectations, while broker-posted spot rates reached their strongest level since June 2022 as freight demand continues its recovery. Truck News reports that all-in rates are running approximately 27% higher year-over-year, though rising diesel costs are absorbing much of the gain, with carrier fuel expenses up nearly 29 cents per mile since March. Flatbed is outperforming van equipment, with flatbed rates at their highest since spring 2022 even after fuel surcharges are stripped out.

New York sues DOT over $73.5 million in withheld highway funding tied to non-domiciled CDLs

Canadian carriers with non-domiciled drivers holding New York-issued commercial driver's licences face new compliance uncertainty, with FreightWaves reporting that New York State has filed a lawsuit in the Second Circuit Court of Appeals challenging the US Department of Transportation (DOT)'s decision to withhold approximately $73.5 million in highway funding over CDL issuance practices. The state argues it followed the federal rules in place at the time of issuance, while a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) audit found that more than 53% of 200 non-domiciled CDL records sampled were issued in violation of federal law. New York now joins California as the only states to have actually lost federal highway funding over non-domiciled CDL compliance.

Knight-Swift Q1 loss driven by one-time charges; carrier sees improving conditions ahead

Knight-Swift Transportation posted a first-quarter net loss of $1.3 million — a sharp reversal from net income of $30.6 million in Q1 2025 — driven largely by non-recurring items, per Transport Topics, including $18 million in adverse claims development in its less-than-truckload (LTL) segment and a $4 million adverse VAT ruling tied to Mexico operations. Total revenue of $1.85 billion was up 1.4% year over year, and management cited tightening capacity and improving rate discussions as reasons for optimism heading into Q2. The carrier guides for full-year 2026 adjusted earnings per share of $0.45 to $0.49.

ON THE ROAD — Data Snapshot

Diesel — Canada: The national average for on-highway diesel is approximately 211¢/litre (CAD) as of April 20, with the federal government's 4¢/litre fuel excise tax suspension — effective April 20 through September 7, 2026 — now flowing through to retail prices across the country. Alberta continues to track meaningfully below Ontario and Quebec averages, a gap that matters for carriers managing fuel costs on interprovincial and cross-border lanes.

Diesel — US: The national average for on-highway diesel fell sharply to $5.40/gallon in the week ending April 21, down from $5.61 the prior week — the largest single-week drop in months. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects diesel will remain well above 2025 levels through year-end, with global supply tightness tied to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz keeping a floor under prices even as they ease from their April peak.

Spot rates: Broker-posted spot rates remain at their strongest level since June 2022, with all-in rates running approximately 27% above the same week last year. The load-to-truck ratio hit its highest point since February 2022 in the prior week; flatbed is leading the strength while van rates are stabilising after weeks of consecutive gains.

Rate data: Truckstop.com / FTR Transportation Intelligence. Diesel (Canada): Natural Resources Canada. Diesel (US): US Energy Information Administration.

REG WATCH

Driver Inc. enforcement intensifies with joint federal and provincial action

Federal and provincial agencies are escalating inspections and penalties targeting driver misclassification in trucking, with joint enforcement operations now active at weigh stations across multiple provinces and at the Port of Montreal. Truck News reports that the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) is encouraged by updates from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), which cited over $12 million in unpaid Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) premiums already assessed against Ontario carriers, with some individual cases nearing $1.5 million. The crackdown is advancing as a federal House of Commons committee studies the Driver Inc. scheme and labour ministers work toward a national action plan.

US marijuana reclassification does not change CDL testing rules — but industry wants written confirmation

Truck News is reporting that the Trump administration's decision to move state-licensed medical marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act — signed into effect April 23 — does not change the rules for commercial drivers, who remain prohibited from marijuana use under US Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations. The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) and the American Trucking Associations (ATA) have both warned the reclassification could create confusion among drivers and complicate roadside enforcement, given the absence of an accepted cannabis impairment standard comparable to the one used for alcohol. For Canadian carriers running US lanes, DOT drug testing requirements remain fully in effect; fleets should reinforce their zero-tolerance policies with drivers now, and watch for updated guidance from the DOT's Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance (ODAPC).

More US states move to tighten non-domiciled CDL requirements beyond federal minimums

What many in the industry had anticipated following the FMCSA's February 2026 final rule on non-domiciled commercial driver's licences was confirmed in Overdrive this week — multiple states are now implementing their own restrictions, with some going beyond federal requirements. Indiana moved quickly after passing enabling legislation to revoke a significant number of non-domiciled licences, and other states are pursuing similar measures as federal pressure continues to mount. Cross-border carriers dispatching into multiple US states face a growing patchwork of driver-qualification compliance requirements that will need active monitoring.

TECH & EQUIPMENT

Waterloo-based Descartes acquires AI fleet safety platform Idelic for $28 million

Waterloo, Ont.-based Descartes Systems Group has acquired Pittsburgh-based Idelic — Truck News reports the $28 million deal adds an AI-powered driver risk and safety management platform to Descartes' Global Logistics Network, with up to $12 million in additional performance-based earn-out payments tied to revenue targets over two years. Idelic's platform unifies driver monitoring, training, reporting, and coaching into a single system, drawing on a dataset of more than 40 billion miles of telemetry and over 400,000 accident records. The acquisition is Descartes' 36th in 10 years, and brings meaningful fleet safety data into its growing North American logistics technology stack.

THE BUSINESS SIDE

Dynamic Connections acquires SAFE Transportation in North American logistics deal

SAFE Transportation Services, a Cincinnati-based non-asset third-party logistics (3PL) provider specialising in high-value, time-sensitive freight for medical, pharmaceutical, and food-grade supply chains, has been acquired by Dynamic Connections, Truck News reports, with financial terms not disclosed. The deal expands Dynamic Connections' over-the-road capabilities and broadens its cross-border footprint spanning the US, Canada, and Mexico. SAFE, a family-built operation since 1987, said finding the right partner to continue serving its specialised customer base was the determining factor in the sale.

Carrier survey signals weak Q1 but cautious optimism for the second half

Freight rates and volumes declined across the first quarter of 2026, but most carriers expect conditions to improve as the year progresses, per Truck News. The Bloomberg-Truckstop carrier survey found sentiment turning more positive, with carriers pointing to tightening capacity and the government's ongoing enforcement crackdown on non-compliant drivers and carriers as likely catalysts for rate recovery later in the year. The findings align broadly with what multiple Q1 earnings calls have signalled — the floor may be behind the market, even if the full recovery has yet to materialise.

ONE GOOD READ

Cargo thieves have developed a method that bypasses carrier vetting entirely — not by creating fake companies, but by placing operatives inside legitimate, fully vetted ones. The Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) is calling it the "Trojan Driver Scam": theft ring members get hired as drivers, run normal loads until assigned a high-value shipment, hand it off to a waiting crew during a routine stop, and then move on to their next carrier after the trucking company fires them for a protocol violation. It is a methodical, self-resetting scheme, and any fleet manager involved in hiring right now needs to understand how it works.

Read the full breakdown at FreightWaves.

STAT OF THE DAY

More than $12 million in unpaid Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) premiums has already been assessed against Ontario trucking companies as part of the escalating crackdown on driver misclassification, with some individual cases nearing $1.5 million, according to the Ontario Trucking Association.

24th April 2026

Good morning. It's Friday, April 25th — here's how the week wraps up.

Capacity is tightening on both sides of the border as regulatory pressure accelerates carrier exits and ACT Research puts the driver shortage back on the table for the first time in four years. Mullen Group posted record Q1 revenue driven by acquisitions, while rate data from DAT Freight & Analytics shows the market holding significantly above year-ago levels across all equipment types. We also have a regulatory story worth flagging for carriers with cross-border subcontracting arrangements, and a Port of Vancouver infrastructure development with long-term implications for Canadian supply chains.

THE RUNDOWN

Shippers moving early on peak capacity as Knight-Swift signals rate hikes ahead

Knight-Swift Transportation is anticipating meaningful contractual rate increases in current and upcoming bid cycles, according to FreightWaves, as the freight market emerges from nearly four years of oversupply. The carrier says strict regulatory enforcement and elevated fuel costs are accelerating the exit of non-compliant operators, tightening supply even without a notable demand recovery — and shippers are already seeking to lock in peak-season capacity earlier than usual.

Driver shortage returns as regulatory-driven capacity exits accelerate

The U.S. trucking industry is facing the return of a driver shortage for the first time in four years, Truck News reports, citing ACT Research's latest freight market update. Recent regulatory changes — including tighter enforcement of licensing and hours-of-service rules — have accelerated capacity exits, pushing spot rates higher on tighter supply rather than stronger demand. The dynamic applies on both sides of the border, with cross-border lanes feeling the squeeze alongside domestic markets.

Mullen Group posts record Q1 revenue on acquisition-led growth

Mullen Group Ltd. reported first-quarter revenue of $547.7 million, a Q1 record for the Calgary-based carrier, with acquisitions driving the top-line gain while underlying organic operations remained mixed. Truck News reports that net income also improved year over year, positioning Mullen as one of the few Canadian carriers reporting growth heading into Q2.

Ontario trucking insurance operation raises concerns among brokers

An Ontario-based company offering trucking insurance quotes is raising alarms after multiple licensed brokers confirmed they have no affiliation with the operation, despite being listed on its website, per Truck News. Owner-operators shopping coverage online should verify broker credentials directly with the Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario before proceeding with any quote or policy.

ON THE ROAD

Diesel — Canada (week of April 21) National average: approximately 229¢/L (down from a recent peak above 239¢/L in early April following the Iran war-driven surge).
GTA: CAD$1.95/L
Alberta: CAD$1.89/L
Quebec: CAD$2.29/L
Vancouver: CAD$2.40/L

Diesel — United States (week ending April 21) National average: $5.403/gallon, down sharply by more than 20 cents from $5.608 the prior week, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). The drop follows easing Middle East tensions and reduced crude prices. Every reporting region posted double-digit declines, with the Gulf Coast falling the most at approximately 24 cents per gallon.

Spot rates — North America (week ending April 18, DAT Freight & Analytics) Dry van linehaul: $1.99/mile (down 2 cents week over week, up 25% year over year). Reefer: $2.35/mile (down 4 cents, up 25% year over year). Flatbed: $2.61/mile (up 3 cents, up 23% year over year — fifth consecutive weekly increase). Load-to-truck ratio (dry van): 7.43, down slightly from 7.6 the prior week but remaining at historically elevated levels.

REG WATCH

DOL joint employer proposal puts subcontracting arrangements in trucking under scrutiny

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released a proposed rule on joint employer status Thursday that could affect how subcontracting relationships are classified when a worker effectively has two employers, according to FreightWaves. Given the volume of subcontracting in trucking — particularly in cross-border operations — carriers with layered contractor arrangements on either side of the border should track this closely. The proposal draws a parallel to Canada's ongoing Driver Inc. crackdown on misclassified incorporated drivers.

OOIDA opposes Aurora's bid for driverless truck safety exemption

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) is urging the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) not to grant Aurora Operations a five-year exemption from the federal regulation requiring drivers to place warning devices around a stopped truck on a highway, according to Land Line. Aurora, which launched commercial driverless freight operations in Texas in 2025, is seeking the exemption as it scales its fleet — a move OOIDA says puts other road users at risk.

Freight fraud legislation introduced in the US House

Companion legislation to an earlier Senate bill targeting freight fraud has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, according to Overdrive. Freight fraud — including double brokering and identity theft of carrier credentials — has become a significant operational concern for cross-border carriers, and the legislation signals growing bipartisan appetite for federal enforcement teeth.

State Department resumes truck driver visas as non-domiciled CDL ban advances

The U.S. State Department has quietly reversed its ban on visas for commercial truck driving work, according to Overdrive, following the FMCSA's move to ban most non-domiciled commercial driver's licence (CDL) issuance in the country. Early data shows at least one state issuing non-domiciled CDLs for visa holders at an accelerated pace. The intersection of immigration policy and CDL eligibility continues to affect available cross-border driver capacity.

TECH & EQUIPMENT

Freightliner expands Detroit Assurance safety suite with cross-traffic and side-guard features

Freightliner is adding two new collision-avoidance capabilities to its Detroit Assurance suite — Cross Traffic Assist and Active Side Guard Assist — designed to reduce collision risk in complex urban driving environments, according to Truck News. The features target the intersection and lane-change scenarios that account for a significant share of urban truck collisions, and are relevant for fleets operating in dense city delivery environments on either side of the border.

Coke Canada Bottling expands Volvo electric fleet across multiple regions

Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Limited is expanding its Volvo VNR Electric fleet to additional regions across Canada, according to Truck News, building on an earlier deployment that the company says has demonstrated the viability of battery-electric trucks on predictable, high-frequency urban delivery routes. The expansion is one of the more concrete examples of Canadian fleet electrification moving beyond pilot stage into multi-region operations.

THE BUSINESS SIDE

Mullen Group Q1: acquisitions carry the quarter as organic results stay mixed

Already covered in The Rundown above — the headline number is $547.7 million in revenue, a Q1 record for Mullen, with net income improvement year over year. Worth noting for fleet and investor readers: the company flagged that underlying organic operations remained mixed, meaning acquisition-driven consolidation is doing work that organic freight demand has not yet provided.

Port of Vancouver authority and GCT sign MOU on Roberts Bank Terminal 2

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and GCT Global Container Terminals have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore a partnership on the proposed Roberts Bank Terminal 2 project, according to Inside Logistics. The agreement, supported by the federal Major Projects Office, sets out a framework for the parties to collaborate and negotiate toward a potential joint development agreement. Roberts Bank Terminal 2 would add significant container capacity to Canada's largest port, with long-term implications for drayage and intermodal volumes connecting Vancouver to inland Canadian and cross-border freight networks.

TEN and Shabad Transport complete sale-leaseback on 92 dry van trailers

Transportation Equipment Network (TEN) has completed a sale-leaseback agreement with Shabad Transport Inc. covering 92 dry van trailers, according to Truck News, in a move the company says reflects carriers' growing interest in freeing up capital rather than holding equipment on the balance sheet. Sale-leaseback activity is often a leading indicator of carriers managing tighter cash flow while maintaining operational capacity.

ONE GOOD READ

The upcoming USMCA review — scheduled for July 2026 — is already reshaping how freight moves across the North American corridor, and China's growing manufacturing footprint in Mexico is at the centre of it. FreightWaves has a detailed look at how Chinese investment in Mexican production is raising new questions about trade compliance, tariff exposure, and what it all means for cross-border carriers who depend on the Canada-US-Mexico triangle.

Read the full analysis at FreightWaves.

STAT OF THE DAY

25%

Dry van linehaul spot rates are running 25% above year-ago levels as of the week ending April 18, 2026, according to DAT Freight & Analytics — a gain driven primarily by supply attrition rather than any meaningful recovery in freight demand.

April 23, 2026

Good morning. It's Thursday, April 24th — USMCA talks are getting complicated, the freight market keeps strengthening, and there's a diesel story on both sides of the border worth reading before your first dispatch.

The pre-negotiation standoff between Washington and Ottawa is sharpening as the July 1 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) review date approaches, with direct implications for every carrier running cross-border freight. Meanwhile, a second straight weekly drop in US diesel — more than 20 cents per gallon — is giving carriers their first meaningful fuel cost relief in months, and a new federal excise tax suspension is delivering a similar signal at Canadian pumps. We also have Knight-Swift earnings with a bullish rate outlook, the US truck tonnage picture for Q1, and a significant development in autonomous trucking finance.

THE RUNDOWN

Washington demands concessions before USMCA talks can begin

The Trump administration is conditioning the start of formal negotiations on the USMCA on a list of Canadian policy changes — including dairy quota access, provincial bans on American liquor, and online streaming regulations — according to Transport Topics. Prime Minister Mark Carney pushed back Wednesday, saying the US does not "dictate the terms" of the review, but acknowledged Canada is prepared to engage on legitimate trade irritants. The formal review date is July 1, though both sides expect substantive talks to extend well beyond it, with the Canada-US corridor's tariff-free status under the agreement covering more than 85% of bilateral trade.

Knight-Swift bullish on truckload recovery despite messy Q1

Knight-Swift Transportation reported a headline net loss for Q1 2026, with adjusted earnings per share of 9 cents — well below earlier guidance — driven by an unfavourable arbitration award, severe winter weather, and a Mexico VAT decision, according to FreightWaves. The more significant signal was management's forward outlook: the company is targeting high single- to low double-digit rate increases in current contract bids, projecting Q2 adjusted earnings per share of 45 to 49 cents as the truckload market continues to tighten and regulatory enforcement reduces available capacity. Chief Executive Adam Miller said the carrier is more optimistic about earnings through the next several quarters than it was three months ago.

US truck tonnage posts strongest annual gain since 2022

The American Trucking Associations' (ATA) seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index rose 3% year-over-year in March — the largest annual gain since October 2022 — according to Truck News. The index reached 117.0, up from 116.6 in February, continuing an upward trend after a flat 2025. ATA chief economist Bob Costello noted Q1 2026 was also the best quarterly performance since the third quarter of 2017 on a combined sequential and year-over-year basis — a meaningful signal for carriers watching demand fundamentals ahead of bid season.

Ohio Turnpike names 315 "rogue" trucking companies in $5.2M toll dispute

The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission has publicly identified 315 trucking companies — operating across 26 states — that it says collectively owe more than $5.2 million in unpaid tolls accumulated over two years, according to Transport Topics. Each company on the list owes at least $5,000, and the commission says it is on a "mission" to collect through public naming, collections agencies, and legal action. Canadian carriers running US routes through Ohio should verify toll accounts are current, as the enforcement push is explicitly targeting out-of-state operators.

ON THE ROAD

US Diesel (week of April 20) $5.403/gal — down 20.5 cents from $5.608 the prior week. The second consecutive weekly decline and the largest single-week drop in recent months. Every US reporting region fell by double digits. The Gulf Coast saw the largest regional decrease. Prices remain well above year-ago levels, with the average running roughly $1.82/gal higher than April 2025.

Canadian Diesel The national average was approximately CAD$2.04/L as of the most recent Natural Resources Canada daily data. Prices are on a downward trajectory from their highs 2 weeks ago.
Halifax: CAD$ 2.07 /L
Montreal: CAD$ 2.25 /L
Toronto: CAD$ 1.90 /L
Calgary: CAD$1.87 /L
Vancouver: CAD$2.35 /L

Spot Rates Dry van spot rates are holding near cycle highs of approximately $2.80/mile nationally, according to FreightWaves SONAR — up roughly 23% year-over-year. Tender rejection rates are hovering near 14%, levels not seen consistently since the post-COVID unwind of 2022. Flatbed spot rates have reached record levels driven by AI data centre construction demand.

Rate data: FreightWaves SONAR, DAT Freight & Analytics. US diesel: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), week ending April 20, 2026. Canadian diesel: Natural Resources Canada. Canadian excise tax suspension: Government of Canada, effective April 20, 2026.

REG WATCH

Marijuana rescheduling to Schedule III does not affect CDL holders — yet

With the Trump administration moving forward on reclassifying marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act, Land Line Media has a useful clarification that every Canadian cross-border carrier should read: nothing changes for commercial drivers. The US Department of Transportation's drug testing regulations operate independently of federal drug scheduling, and the department has explicitly stated that marijuana remains prohibited for safety-sensitive transportation workers until and unless DOT completes its own separate rulemaking process. Canadian drivers operating in the US under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) oversight are subject to the same zero-tolerance standard regardless of the rescheduling.

House highway bill targeting May action on $550B measure

House Republican leaders are planning a multiyear transportation bill authorising roughly $550 billion for national mobility programs, with a subcommittee chair signaling May as the target window for action, according to Transport Topics. The bill would be the primary vehicle for US infrastructure investment over the next several years, with implications for road capacity, border crossing infrastructure, and freight corridors relevant to cross-border operators.

TECH & EQUIPMENT

Tesla Semi volume production to begin in 2026

Tesla confirmed on its Q1 earnings call that volume production of the Class 8 Tesla Semi will begin later this year, according to FreightWaves. Chief Executive Elon Musk cautioned that the ramp will be gradual before accelerating, and the company did not commit to specific production targets. The announcement is the clearest public commitment yet to a commercial production timeline for a truck that has been in limited pre-production operation for several years, and will be watched closely by fleets exploring Class 8 electrification options.

PlusAI scraps SPAC deal, autonomous trucking IPO path closed

Autonomous trucking developer PlusAI and special purpose acquisition company Churchill Capital Corp IX have terminated their planned business combination, citing market conditions, according to Truck News. The deal, signed in June 2025, would have taken PlusAI public. Despite the cancellation, PlusAI's CEO said the company has strong commercial momentum with its SuperDrive autonomous system and will pursue a future capital raise backed by existing investors. The collapse is the latest signal that public market appetite for autonomous trucking ventures remains constrained.

THE BUSINESS SIDE

Werner doubles intermodal container fleet in Mexico to 800 units

Werner Enterprises announced it is expanding its intermodal container fleet in Mexico from 400 to 800 units by year-end, according to FreightWaves. The company is deploying 53-foot containers starting in Monterrey and Silao, with Mexico City additions planned for the second half of 2026. Werner's intermodal revenue in Mexico grew 16% last year to approximately $129 million. The expansion is positioned to capitalise on nearshoring demand and rising truckload rates that are pushing shippers toward intermodal alternatives on cross-border lanes — with direct implications for the Canada-US-Mexico trade corridor under USMCA.

Used truck market heating up as Class 8 sales accelerate

Same-dealer used Class 8 truck sales rose 9.1% in March over February, following a 23% jump in February from January, according to preliminary data from ACT Research cited by Overdrive. Pricing signals are mixed, with some cuts of the data pointing up and others flat — but the volume trend is clearly strengthening. For Canadian fleets managing equipment cycles, the acceleration in US used truck activity typically flows into Canadian asking prices within one to two quarters.

ONE GOOD READ

The AI infrastructure boom has become the largest privately-funded construction program in American history — and it is generating one of the most significant freight demand surges the trucking industry has ever seen. FreightWaves has published a detailed analysis estimating that AI data centre build-out will require 18.9 million incremental truckloads of construction materials and equipment between 2026 and 2031, with flatbed rejection rates already at multi-year highs and total US data centre investment on track to exceed $500 billion annually by 2027. If you are pricing capacity or planning network strategy for the next two to three years, this is essential context.

Read the full analysis at FreightWaves.

STAT OF THE DAY

117.0 — the American Trucking Associations' seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index for March 2026, representing a 3% year-over-year gain, the largest since October 2022. According to ATA chief economist Bob Costello, Q1 2026 was also the strongest quarterly performance since Q3 2017 on both a sequential and year-over-year basis — a data point that, combined with tightening tender rejections and rising spot rates, suggests the prolonged freight recession may have definitively ended.