Supply Chain Intelligence Brief

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TRUCKING

Mastio’s Huntsman provides overview of LTL shipper and carrier relationship dynamics (Podcast 25m)

Logistics Management Jeff Berman November 17, 2025

Topics covered in this podcast included: Mastio’s motor carrier rankings; how Mastio works with motor carriers and shippers; the current state of the less-than-truckload (LTL) market; the biggest supply chain issues; and an outlook for 2026.

ArcBest anticipates tough Q4 despite AI-driven productivity gains

Trucking Dive Haley Cawthon November 17, 2025

Runser and outgoing CEO Judy McReynolds emphasized that ArcBest’s investments in automation and digital tools — such as its carrier portal and AI-supported quoting systems — enable the company to move more shipments with fewer resources. The strategy is designed to preserve margins and position the business to scale rapidly once demand rebounds.

Judge Oks Yellow Corp.’s final liquidation plan

Freight Waves Todd Maiden November 17, 2025

A federal bankruptcy court in Delaware cleared the path for the final liquidation of defunct Yellow Corp.’s estate on Monday. The plan outlines the distribution of as much as $700 million to remaining creditors, including former employees. The Monday order, however, could be challenged on appeal by Yellow’s largest equity holder, MFN Partners.

Duffy Vows to Fight Court’s Pause on Non-Domiciled CDLs

Transport Topics Noël Fletcher November 17, 2025

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has vowed to fight a recent court order pausing his agency’s emergency interim rule that blocks states from issuing non-domiciled commercial driver licenses.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit by a 2-1 vote on Nov. 13 temporarily blocked the Federal Motor Carrier Administration from enforcing a national halt to states that issue non-domiciled CDLs.

Why an Appeals Court Paused FMCSA’s Non-Domiciled CDL Order

Transport Topics November 17, 2025

The court indicated that the petitioners are likely to succeed on several arguments, including a claim that FMCSA issued the rule without following a statutory requirement to consult with states before setting CDL standards.

Nevada to Eliminate Nearly 1,000 Non-Domiciled CDLs

Transport Topics Noël Fletcher November 17, 2025

The state of Nevada is canceling nearly 1,000 non-domiciled commercial driver licenses after determining that the permit holders do not comply with updated interim rules issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and will going forward cease issuance of CDLs to drivers who reside outside of the United States.

Likely 1st AB5 trucking enforcement action in California snags 3 companies

Freight Waves John Kingston November 17, 2025

One carrier and two larger companies–Ryder and Costco–find themselves in what looks like a groundbreaking enforcement action

FedEx network restructure boosts agility amid shifting trade landscape

Freight Waves Eric Kulisch November 17, 2025

FedEx is also moving quickly to leverage its vast shipping data to deploy applications that simplify cross-border trade execution, as companies rethink production footprints and supply chain patterns. Towards that end, the company is using its voluminous historical trade data and generative artificial intelligence to predict classification codes.

Einride pursues NYSE debut through SPAC merger as autonomous trucking race accelerates

Fleet Owner Geert De Lombaerde November 17, 2025

“We’ve proven the technology, built trust with global customers, and shown that autonomous and electric operations are not just possible, but better,” Charli said in a statement. “The foundation is built, the demand is clear, and our focus is on execution and delivering the future of freight.”

SHIPPERS / 3PLs

Logistics forecast reveals “a cooling tone” for 2026

Supply Chain Xchange November 17, 2025

A new economic measure reveals “a cooling tone across the logistics sector” as shippers move from optimism to caution, according to the BlueGrace Logistics Confidence Index for Q1 2026.

According to the Florida-based third party logistics provider (3PL)’s forecast for the first quarter of 2026, revenue and order growth expectations both softened this quarter, while neutral sentiment hit its highest level on record, reflecting uncertainty around rate volatility and broader market stability.

Link: BlueGrace Logistics BlueGrace Logistics Confidence Index™

New York manufacturing index in November hits highest level in a year

The Central New York Business Journal Eric Reinhardt November 17, 2025

The general-business conditions index of the Empire State Manufacturing Survey rose 8 points to 18.7 in November, its fourth positive reading in the past five months and highest in a year.

Link: Federal Reserve Bank of New York Empire State Manufacturing Survey

INDUSTRY

October U.S.-bound imports fall, with further declines expected in the coming months, reports S&P Global Market Intelligence

Logistics Management Jeff Berman November 17, 2025

On a year-to-date basis through October, imports, at 27.55 million TEU, increased 2.5% annually. The firm previously noted that, for the fourth quarter, it estimates U.S.-bound containerized freight imports to decline by 14.4% annually, following a 0.6% third quarter annual gain, with the import downturn expected to continue through the third quarter of 2026—with the fastest rate of decline expected to be for imports Asia

BNSF, CSX launch faster cross-country intermodal service

Journal of Commerce Ari Ashe November 17, 2025 $Subscription Based

BNSF Railway and CSX Transportation on Monday partnered to launch service upgrades featuring new trains and faster transits from Southern California to the Ohio Valley and Northeast, in most cases slashing more than a day off prior transits.

Postmaster General Says USPS Should Boost Final-Mile Delivery

Transport Topics/Associated Press Susan Haigh November 17, 2025

Steiner said the postal service, which has faced an uncertain future since President Donald Trump’s election to a second term, is currently negotiating deals with private parcel delivery service UPS and similar companies to expand its last-mile service for the final leg of delivery. He said USPS also wants to open up that program to large and small retailers, offering same-day and next-day delivery.

USPS prepares 2026 rate hikes for Ground Advantage, other services

Supply Chain Dive Max Garland November 17, 2025

The planned increases include average rate bumps of 7.8% for Ground Advantage, 6% for Parcel Select, 6.6% for Priority Mail and 5.1% for Priority Mail Express. The changes, which have already been approved by the agency’s board of governors, will be reviewed by the Postal Regulatory Commission prior to taking effect.

Widening China import-export imbalance soaking up container capacity

Journal of Commerce Mark Szakonyi November 17, 2025 $Subscription Based

The widening imbalance between what China exports and imports is beginning to absorb functional container ship tonnage, requiring more container equipment and handling.

UPS Driver Joins Actor Glen Powell for ‘SNL’ Monologue

Transport Topics/Variety Entertainment News Service Joe Otterson November 17, 2025

Glen Powell had a special guest in the audience when he hosted "Saturday Night Live."

During his opening monologue, "The Running Man" star revealed that he was originally supposed to host "SNL" four years ago, tied to the original premiere date of "Top Gun: Maverick." He and his family were celebrating when he got that call to host, a moment they shared with a UPS driver who happened to be delivering a package at the same time.

TECHNOLOGY

CIOs gain prominence as AI takes root

CIO Dive Makenzie Howland November 17, 2025

Full AI implementation has nearly quadrupled in the last 12 months, from just 11% in 2024 to 42% in 2025, according to Salesforce’s second annual CIO study, published Monday. AI is also driving a closer working relationship between CIOs and CEOs. Salesforce conducted an online survey of 200 global CIOs in collaboration with NewtonX for the study.

Link: Salesforce AI Adoption Skyrockets 282% as CIOs Enter the Era of Scale — but Trust Becomes the New Bottleneck

The Emerging Agentic Enterprise: How Leaders Must Navigate a New Age of AI

MIT Sloan Management Review Sam Ransbotham et al. November 18, 2025 $Subscription Based

The 2025 Artificial Intelligence and Business Strategy report, from MIT Sloan Management Review and Boston Consulting Group, looks at how organizations that are adopting agentic AI are gaining advantage while facing four distinct tensions.

Link: MIT Sloan/BCG Report The Emerging Agentic Enterprise: How Leaders Must Navigate a New Age of AI (Registration Required For Report)

The Most Joyless Tech Revolution Ever: AI Is Making Us Rich and Unhappy

The Wall Street Journal Greg Ip November 17, 2025 $Subscription Based

Artificial intelligence might be the most transformative technology in generations. It is also the most joyless.

While Wall Street greets AI with open arms, ordinary Americans respond with ambivalence, anxiety, even dread.

SUSTAINABILITY / SAFETY / SECURITY

EPA won’t delay 2027 NOx rule, but plans ‘major changes’

CCJ Jason Cannon November 17, 2025

"If finalized," EPA said, "the action will make major changes to the program requirements while maintaining the Model Year 2027 start of the standards, which can significantly reduce the cost of new heavy-duty vehicles, while still protecting human health and the environment, and avoiding regulatory distortions of the heavy-duty vehicle market."

NACFE warns truck makers are stretched thin as electric, hydrogen, and diesel tech collide

Clean Trucking Jay Traugott November 17, 2025

As truck manufacturers race to slash greenhouse gas emissions with new powertrain technologies, some industry experts warn that the push to go green could be pulling them in too many directions at once.

That’s the concern of Mike Roeth, executive director of the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE), who says OEMs may be spreading themselves too thin as they juggle multiple low-emission technologies.

Daimler Truck’s Hydrogen Fuel Cell Tractor Takes Next Step

Transport Topics Keiron Greenhalgh November 17, 2025

Serial production of the trucks, however, will not start until the start of the 2030s. Previously, Daimler Truck expected to begin serial production toward the end of the 2020s.

FedEx Launches Cleaner Fuel Program at Chicago and Miami Airports

Supply Chain 24/7 November 17, 2025

FedEx has started using sustainable aviation fuel at two major U.S. cargo hubs, bringing SAF into daily operations at Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Miami International Airport. The company said this is the first time a cargo airline has used SAF at O’Hare, and it plans to expand the fuel across more gateways as supply increases.

Perspective: Safety Requires Rooting Out CDL Mills

Transport Topics Andrew Poliakoff and Chris Spear November 17, 2025

For years, American Trucking Associations and the Commercial Vehicle Training Association have sounded the alarm about sham driver training schools that profit off students and undercut legitimate programs. These fly-by-night operators don’t just cheat students out of their money. They endanger everyone on our highways.

BUSINESS AND THE ECONOMY

Customers Expect Empathy. Here’s How to Deliver It.

HBR Jamil Zaki and Conny Kalcher November 17, 2025 $Subscription Based

Most companies fail to deliver the empathy customers want, and that failure is costing them loyalty and growth. A global survey of nearly 12,000 consumers across 11 countries found that empathy—customers’ sense that a company understands and responds to their emotional state—matters more to purchasing decisions than reviews or recommendations, yet 78% of respondents said businesses don’t genuinely care about them.

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