Latest news with #shippers
Geek Wire
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Geek Wire
How AI is being used to boost efficiency and security at truck terminal gates
A new automated gate platform from Outpost is designed to capture more reliable data as trucks enter and exit terminals and shipping sites. (Outpost Photo) Outpost, the Austin-based operator of truck terminals across the U.S., announced Thursday that it's rolling out a gate automation platform developed by the company's engineering team located in Seattle. The platform uses computer vision and artificial intelligence in a bid to cut costs, improve security, eliminate entry and exit delays, and automatically capture more reliable data. Outpost trained and tested the platform across more than 1 million gate events at the more than 20 properties that it owns, and is making the technology available to shippers, enterprise fleets, and other terminal operators. Human gate operators have long been considered a necessary cost of doing business across the trucking industry. According to Outpost, staffing a single gate 24/7 typically costs $25,000 per month. But manual checks can miss critical issues like trailer mismatches, equipment condition, and unauthorized access. The gate automation platform is built to understand every vehicle, driver, document, and anomaly, and continuously learn and improve with each gate event. Key capabilities — which enable drivers to enter and exit a yard without stopping — include: Multi-part vehicle identification : Detecting vehicle type, make, model, color, trailer class, and fuel type. : Detecting vehicle type, make, model, color, trailer class, and fuel type. ID and compliance recognition : Reading USDOT and MC numbers, license plates, trailer and container IDs, chassis markings, hazmat placards, red tags, and company logos. : Reading USDOT and MC numbers, license plates, trailer and container IDs, chassis markings, hazmat placards, red tags, and company logos. Damage and safety inspection : Detecting dents, rust, scratches, broken lights, missing mud flaps, tire tread and sidewall issues, improper driver safety gear, and dashboard obstructions. : Detecting dents, rust, scratches, broken lights, missing mud flaps, tire tread and sidewall issues, improper driver safety gear, and dashboard obstructions. Security verification : Identifying seal presence, confirming driver identity through face-to-ID matching, validating license authenticity, and flagging tractor-trailer mis-dispatches. : Identifying seal presence, confirming driver identity through face-to-ID matching, validating license authenticity, and flagging tractor-trailer mis-dispatches. Situational awareness : Tracking equipment movement, speed, full stops, tailgates, and gate malfunctions. : Tracking equipment movement, speed, full stops, tailgates, and gate malfunctions. Document and cargo intelligence: Extracting data from bills of lading and similar paperwork; detecting trailer and container cargo. The platform also features the use of AI voice agents at the gate (see video above), which are capable of greeting each driver, administering standard operating procedures, answering questions, and issuing site-specific instructions. Outpost CTO Greg Akselrod said the company's mission is to 'build the backbone of freight' and extend its technology footprint beyond its own properties. 'By linking carrier terminals and drop yards into a single operational network, we're enabling a new level of visibility and coordination across the freight ecosystem, turning the gate from a cost center into a strategic control point,' Akselrod said in a statement. Omaha, Neb.-based transportation and logistics company Werner Enterprises is an early user of the new platform. 'Outpost is taking the pain out of gate operations,' said Ryan Gass, VP of Safety, Terminal Management, Security and Facilities Maintenance at Werner. 'Our drivers get through faster, our teams have better visibility, and our equipment is more secure.' Founded in 2022, Outpost raised a $12.5 million Series A investment round in April 2024. The company's engineering and marketing center is located in Seattle's Fremont neighborhood, with about a dozen employees based in the city and another 10 who report in remotely. Related: Full list of engineering centers in the Seattle region
Bloomberg
5 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Tariff Confusion Drives Record Volumes at Los Angeles Port
The Port of Los Angeles said it handled the highest container volume in its 117-year history last month, as uncertainty over President Donald Trump's tariffs drives shippers to front-load cargoes. Already the busiest port in the country, LA moved more than 1 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in July, an 8.5% increase from a year ago, the operator said on Wednesday. That includes containers entering and exiting its terminals, with loaded imports rising by a similar percentage to nearly 544,000 TEUs. The total volume handled was 14.2% higher than in June.
New York Times
11-08-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Trump Closed a Small Trade Loophole That Caused Big Problems
In the chronicles of President Trump's revolutionary trade policy, not enough attention has been paid to the destruction of a major villain. Ding-dong, de minimis is dead. To understand how we got here, and why this change matters, you have to trace how the once obscure de minimis provision evolved from a Depression-era workaround to a 21st-century liability. For decades, the loophole, which eliminated tariffs on cheap imports, allowed overseas shippers to flood the U.S. market with small-value packages duty-free and without adequate inspection. In an executive order last month, Mr. Trump suspended the exemption for all countries and with one stroke reasserted the basic principle that all goods must face the full scrutiny, and the full weight, of U.S. law. The move infuriated de minimis defenders. They claim that the carve out for small parcels allowed Americans to stretch their buying dollars while also benefiting small businesses. But the new policy, which is to take effect on Aug. 29, is not about eliminating small packages. It is about resurrecting basic rules. De minimis dates back to 1938, when Congress, citing expense and inconvenience, empowered customs officials to waive duties and fees on shipments worth less than $1, or about $23 today. It wasn't worth the printing, stamping, stapling and filing necessary to assess tariffs on trifles, the thinking went. Over time, though, de minimis distended. In 1978, rampant inflation prompted Congress to raise the de minimis ceiling to $5. By 1993, amid a global trend of waning tariffs, Congress sought to encourage trade liberalization by jacking up the limit to $200. Then, in 2015, legislators raised it to $800. (China, in comparison, has a de minimis threshold of less than $7.) Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
08-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Finding Your Niche – The First Step in Growing with Intention
Let's get one thing straight. The fastest way to stay broke in this industry is to chase every load that pops up on the board. Small carriers aren't failing because of lack of hustle. They're failing because they're running without direction. When you try to haul everything for everybody, you lose your edge—and your profits. Fuel costs climb, your drivers burn out, and your name doesn't stick with a single shipper or broker. That's where a niche changes the game. A niche helps you control your margins, improve planning, and build a reputation that brings you repeat freight. It's not about doing less—it's about doing one thing better than anyone else in your lane. When you double down on your strengths and learn what works for your trucks, drivers, and freight profile, you stop wasting time and start building leverage. Why a Niche Matters More Than Ever In 2025, freight is volatile. Fuel's high. Broker margins are tight. And competition is fierce, especially from new authorities willing to haul for peanuts. If you're running a one-truck operation or a small fleet, you can't win by playing the volume game. You have to outsmart the big carriers. That means becoming the go-to carrier for a specific kind of freight in a specific lane. That kind of focus doesn't just improve profits—it simplifies your whole operation. A solid niche gives you: – Better rates because shippers trust your consistency. – Smoother operations with less downtime or deadheading. – Simpler planning—no scrambling to find your next load. – Repeat business that doesn't rely on spot market chaos. – Stronger negotiation power with brokers who know your value. – Predictable weekly revenue you can build a business around. Do you want to be one of 500 carriers chasing the same dry van freight at $1.60 a mile—or the only carrier a shipper calls for 200-mile reefer runs that pay $2.90 and reload in the same yard? Where Many Carriers Get It Wrong Too many carriers don't think about niches until they're in trouble—rates are in the tank, trucks are sitting, or drivers are quitting. That's backward. You don't wait for chaos to get strategic. You plan to prevent it. When you treat your business like a business instead of a hustle, you stop reacting and start building systems that protect your bottom line. What happens without a niche: – You burn fuel on inconsistent routes. – Your drivers jump from load to load with no rhythm. – Equipment gets misused or overloaded. – Brokers don't remember you—and shippers don't call back. – Dispatching turns into daily firefighting instead of forward planning. – Driver retention drops because there's no stability. A carrier who narrows their focus early can scale with confidence, not chaos. It's the difference between growing intentionally and grinding blindly. Step 1 – Audit Your Own Load History Before you look outside for answers, look at your past 30-60 days of loads. Your best niche may already be hiding in plain sight. Your dispatch records, rate confirmations, and fuel receipts tell a story. You just have to look. Ask: – Which lanes paid the most per mile? – Which customers paid fast and didn't cause headaches? – Which loads kept you close to home or minimized deadhead? – Which freight types fit your gear best? – What times of day or week delivered the smoothest hauls? Break down those numbers. You might find your dry van runs from Memphis to Nashville consistently net better than your longer hauls. That's a clue. You may discover your reefer loads out of mid-sized plants pay better and load faster than big distribution centers. Follow the data. Step 2 – Know Your Equipment and Driver Capabilities Every niche has its own equipment and handling demands. If you're running one reefer and a driver who hates overnight runs, don't chase seafood hauls across states. You'll burn out fast. Define: – What is your trailer optimized for (reefer, dry van, flatbed)? – What lanes fit your hours of service best? – What kind of freight can your team consistently handle with quality and care? – Where do your drivers prefer to run—and where do they hate going? – What maintenance patterns show which loads wear your trucks hardest? Don't overextend. Know your limits and match your freight accordingly. Smart carriers maximize what they already own. It's not about buying more—it's about using what you've got better. Step 3 – Scout Local, Not National You're not Walmart's primary carrier—and you don't need to be. Instead, hunt for consistent regional freight that's under everyone else's radar. National lanes are crowded. Local ones often pay better and move faster. Try this: – Search '[your city] + industrial warehouses' on Google Maps. – Look up your local economic development board—they list manufacturers. – Drive industrial parks and take notes on inbound/outbound traffic. – Call brokers and ask what freight needs coverage consistently. – Visit truck stops and talk to other carriers about under-the-radar shippers. The key? Find shippers moving repeat loads within 200 miles. That's manageable, repeatable, and profitable. It also helps you build strong regional branding. Step 4 – Ask Your Drivers for Intel Your drivers see the docks. They talk to shipping clerks. They know where they sit for hours and where they get loaded in 30 minutes. Don't let that intel go to waste. Tap into that: – Ask where the freight flows consistently. – Ask who's always short on trucks. – Ask which shippers seem to respect time and service. – Ask which areas have better fuel access and parking. Their insights can uncover backhauls, underserved lanes, and better-paying freight your routing software missed. Good dispatch starts with good field info. Step 5 – Test the Niche for 30 Days You don't need to overhaul your business overnight. Test a niche like you test new equipment: run it, track it, and evaluate. Don't just go by feel—go by facts. – Pick 2-3 shippers or brokers tied to your niche. – Track profit, fuel cost, detention, and driver feedback. – Compare your average net per mile to your overall baseline. – Look at time saved in dispatching or route planning. – Watch for consistent rate trends—not just one lucky week. If your test shows better profit margins and smoother operations, scale it. If not, test another lane or freight type. Don't guess—track, compare, and adjust. Step 6 – Brand Yourself Around the Niche Once you find a niche that works, own it. Don't hide it in your DOT profile—put it front and center. Your identity in the market should reflect your niche. That's how you attract better freight. How to stand out: – Add a niche tagline to your email: 'Reliable reefer carrier, Chicago to Detroit.' – Tell brokers exactly what you specialize in on the first call. – Post your equipment, lanes, and availability weekly on LinkedIn or load boards. – Ask repeat customers for reviews and post them on your website. – Use consistent lane branding on your invoices, email signature, and rate sheets. Consistency builds memory. Memory builds referrals. Referrals build long-term revenue. Step 7 – Watch for Red Flags Not all niches are worth the time. Look out for: – Freight with high rates but long dwell times. – Shippers who don't pay on time. – Lanes with no reliable backhauls. – Freight that beats up your equipment. – Loads that burn out your drivers or violate HOS rules. A profitable niche isn't just about gross revenue—it's about net, ease of operation, and sustainability. If the freight makes you money but drains your team or destroys your truck, it's not worth it. Final Word In a market flooded with new authorities and unstable rates, the fleets that survive and grow won't be the ones hauling the most loads—they'll be the ones hauling the right ones. Your niche isn't a limitation. It's your power play. It lets you work smarter, plan cleaner, and build a brand that sticks. So stop chasing everything. Start mastering something. Whether it's reefer loads from Bakersfield to Vegas, auto parts from Ohio to Detroit, or LTL between Dallas and Houston—pick your lane, own it, and grow with purpose. Your business doesn't grow when you say yes to everything. It grows when you become the best at something one shipper can't live without. Find your niche. Lock it in. That's how you build a business that lasts. The post Finding Your Niche – The First Step in Growing with Intention appeared first on FreightWaves. 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Yahoo
27-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Truckload's diminishing distance
Chart of the Week: Outbound Average Length of Haul – USA SONAR: The average length of haul for truckload tenders in the U.S. fell to 533 miles last week—down approximately 70 miles, or 11%, from the same time last year, according to SONAR's tender data. While the Outbound Average Length of Haul Index (OALOHA) has dipped lower in the past, it has only reached this level during brief periods. Weak overall demand has kept the truckload market from meaningfully rebounding, but the loss of longer-haul freight is compounding that stagnation. Is there any reason to believe this trend will reverse in 2025? The primary driver behind the declining average is the shift of long-haul freight to intermodal, though demand for regional truckload moves has also softened. Freight moving less than 100 miles, however, has remained relatively resilient. Just in case Companies began increasing average lead times on orders in early 2024 as Red Sea attacks disrupted international shipping. While this didn't reach COVID-era levels of service breakdown, the disruptions were enough to cause some inconsistency. As a result, many goods arrived in the U.S. with extra buffer time for domestic movement. Inventory levels have been climbing unevenly over the past year, according to the Logistics Managers' Index (LMI). This follows a strong period of destocking in 2023, driven by collapsing goods demand and over-ordering — a pattern that remains fresh in the minds of importers and may continue to suppress aggressive restocking in the near term. Tariffs and the renewed trade war have amplified the pull-forward effect this year, reinforcing the shift to earlier, bulkier ordering cycles. Intermodal has benefited significantly from longer lead times and accelerated shipping schedules. Last week, international loaded container volumes moving by rail were up 7% year-over-year, while domestic intermodal volumes remained flat. Intermodal is inherently more cost-effective, especially for long-haul moves across the country. With more freight landing at large ports—those best equipped with major rail terminals—the shift to rail has intensified. Notably, intermodal is replacing not just any truckload freight, but some of the most impactful long-haul runs. For example, a Los Angeles to Chicago route takes a truck about four days—capacity that intermodal is increasingly absorbing. Deals getting done A breakthrough trade deal with Japan last week, which includes a 15% tariff rate, suggests the beginnings of trade de-escalation. A significant trade partner — the agreement is a positive signal that some fog is lifting from the uncertain trade environment that defined the first half of the year. At the same time, inventory carrying costs have surged. The LMI's inventory cost component rose above 80 in June — its highest level since early 2022 — making it harder for companies to justify holding excess goods. A calmer trade climate, easing geopolitical risks, and rising holding costs could push shippers back toward just-in-time inventory strategies later this year. While economists and the Fed are forecasting a sluggish finish to 2025, that may not matter much for truckload. With capacity still showing signs of tightening and long-haul demand near a floor, even modest demand shifts could cause a meaningful market reversal. If shippers pivot back to leaner inventories and faster domestic cycles, long-haul trucking could quickly return to relevance. About the Chart of the Week The FreightWaves Chart of the Week is a chart selection from SONAR that provides an interesting data point to describe the state of the freight markets. A chart is chosen from thousands of potential charts on SONAR to help participants visualize the freight market in real time. Each week a Market Expert will post a chart, along with commentary, live on the front page. After that, the Chart of the Week will be archived on for future reference. SONAR aggregates data from hundreds of sources, presenting the data in charts and maps and providing commentary on what freight market experts want to know about the industry in real time. The FreightWaves data science and product teams are releasing new datasets each week and enhancing the client experience. To request a SONAR demo, click here. The post Truckload's diminishing distance appeared first on FreightWaves. Sign in to access your portfolio
