Supply Chain Intelligence Brief

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TRUCKING

FTR Expects ‘Marginless Recovery’ for Trucking in 2026

Transport Topics Keiron Greenhalgh January 9, 2026

Overall truck loadings are set to increase a minimal 0.1%, with the top drivers of industrial growth not translating into sustained demand for carriers’ services, the analysts warned during a Jan. 8 webinar.

FTR expects truckload spot rates to increase 3.6% in 2026 after nudging 2% while contract rates are forecast to rise 2.6% in 2026 following a 1.2% upturn in 2025.

Trucking market plagued by ongoing economic uncertainty, new report by FTR says

Logistics Management John D. Schulz January 9, 2026

“Overall, if you take the peak of enforcement, 24,000 drivers have been taken out of the market,” Vise said. While it sounds like a lot, it is actually less than 1% of truck driver capacity in this country.

Another factor in some trucking companies’ costs is the surge in trucking insurance premiums, Vise said. This began at the start of 2025, but continued into this year. Double-digit premium increases are not uncommon in trucking insurance.

Former, current USA Truck execs acquire TL carrier from DSV

Freight Waves Todd Maiden January 9, 2026

The group includes current CEO George Henry and Zachary King, its former chief financial officer. Henry will continue to lead the day-to-day operations, with King stepping back in as the acting CFO. James Reed, former USA Truck CEO, is part of the group and will act in an advisory capacity.

Link: USA Truck Press Release USA Truck Returns to Private Ownership with Arkansas-Based UTAC, LLC, Positioned for Accelerated Growth

Dart Transit Group Sold After 90 Years of Family Ownership

Transport Topics January 9, 2026

Dart Transit Group has been acquired by a private equity group after more than 90 years of private ownership by the Oren family, the carrier announced.

The acquisition does not change Dart’s day-to-day operations. The Dart name and operating entities remain unchanged, and drivers, customers, leadership and staff will remain in place.

UPS to close or trim operations at 4 locations in ongoing network shakeup

Supply Chain Dive Max Garland January 9, 2026

UPS will close or reduce operations at four facilities in the next two months as part of the carrier’s ongoing network overhaul, a company spokesperson confirmed to Supply Chain Dive.

At least 195 employees will be impacted by the plans for the following locations in North Carolina, Michigan and Alabama:

FMCSA Continues Focus on State Issuance of Non-Domiciled CDLs

Heavy Duty Trucking January 8, 2026

In fact, the transportation attorneys at Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson & Feary in a January 8 Law Alert said FMCSA has now issued preliminary determination of non-compliance letters to 18 states – and the DOT added a 19th in an announcement later in the day.

SHIPPERS / 3PLs

Amazon Plans Walmart-Style Big Box Store Near Chicago

Transport Topics/Bloomberg News Spencer Soper January 9, 2026

Amazon.com Inc. is planning a 229,000-square-foot store selling groceries and general merchandise in the Chicago area, a fresh attempt at physical retail that borrows from the big-box store model of competitors like Walmart Inc. and Target Corp.

Walmart Expanding Drone Delivery to Hundreds More Stores

The Wall Street Journal Liz Young January 11, 2026 $Subscription Based

Walmart says it plans to roll out delivery-by-drone at an additional 150 stores over the next year in partnership with drone operator Wing, a unit of Alphabet. Its goal is to set up the service at more than 270 of its locations nationwide by the end of 2027.

Link: Walmart Be on the lookout for drone delivery near you

INDUSTRY

Warehouses empty in December

Freight Waves Zach Strickland January 10, 2026

After a year of pulling goods into the country in an effort to navigate tariffs and reduce exposure to trade policy uncertainty, companies allowed inventory levels to fall at the fastest pace of the past decade. This is by far the most interesting supply chain development to start the year, as it offers meaningful insight into what may lie ahead for the remainder of 2026.

Link: CSCMP December 2025 Logistics Managers’ Index

Borderlands Mexico: Tariff noise to stay loud in 2026, Flexport warns importers

Freight Waves Noi Mahoney January 11, 2026

Global logistics provider Flexport expects trade policy volatility to persist in 2026, but warned importers not to equate aggressive tariff announcements with the actual duties they will pay.

During a recent “Tariff Trends 2026” webinar on Thursday, Flexport executives said the Trump administration has repeatedly paired headline-grabbing tariff proposals with delays, carve-outs and exemptions that soften their impact on consumer prices and supply chains.

U.S. rail carload and intermodal volumes see annual declines, for week ending January 3, reports AAR

Logistics Management January 9, 2026

Intermodal containers and trailers, at 211,628 units, fell 5.1% annually, topping the week ending December 27, at 203,622, and trailing the week ending December 20, at 280,464.

Which Industries Face the Biggest Manufacturing Disruptions?

Supply Chain 24/7 January 9, 2026

High disruption industries: Electronics, machinery, semiconductors

Electronics, machinery, and semiconductors face the highest disruption risk right now, according to McKinsey.

These industries are often concentrated in a small number of countries, making them more exposed to tariffs, trade restrictions, and geopolitical tensions. They also require huge upfront investment, so moving production is expensive and hard to undo once decisions are made.

Link: McKinsey & Company Decoding disruption to reshape manufacturing footprints

TECHNOLOGY

Google Bets on AI-Based Shopping With New AI Agents for Retailers

The Wall Street Journal Belle Linn January 11, 2026 $Subscription Based

Google unveiled a set of tools for retailers that helps them roll out AI agents, aiming to make it easier for brands to reach their customers who are shopping with the technology.

Link: Google A new era of agentic commerce is here

SUSTAINABILITY / SAFETY / SECURITY

Trump pulls US from key climate treaty, 65 other global organizations

ESG Dive Zoya Mirza January 9, 2026

The U.S. will exit the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, along with 65 other international organizations, according to a Jan. 7 executive order. These include a slate of agencies, bodies, commissions and groups focused on climate, clean energy, sustainable development, gender equality and other issues the Trump administration finds “contrary to the interest of the United States,” the order said.

Link: The White House Withdrawing the United States from International Organizations, Conventions, and Treaties that Are Contrary to the Interests of the United States