Supply Chain Intelligence Brief

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TRUCKING

Susquehanna says TL recovery requires kick start from demand

Freight Waves Todd Maiden January 9, 2026

“We’re finally seeing early signs of more material improvement in the truckload supply/demand balance three-plus years into the post-pandemic freight recession, and truckload-related shares clearly agree,” stated Bascome Majors, equity research analyst at Susquehanna Financial Group, in his 2026 outlook report on Thursday. 

Trucking jobs remain steady despite government crackdown

Land Line Tyson Fisher January 12, 2026

According to the latest numbers from the federal government, trucking jobs remained stagnant in December. For the year, there were 3,500 fewer truck drivers on the road.

This marks the third consecutive year ending with fewer trucking jobs.

Carrier attrition eases in 2025

Trucking Dive David Taube January 12, 2026

A mass exodus in carriers didn’t materialize in 2025 when compared to the overall market — and a drawdown in capacity slowed compared to recent years, according to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration data analyzed by Trucking Dive.

Tennessee Tells 8,000 CDL Holders to Verify Status

Transport Topics Noël Fletcher January 12, 2026

Tennessee is asking 8,000 commercial driver license holders to provide proof of citizenship after an audit by the state’s Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

Koch doubles its nationwide square footage with SOS acquisition

CCJ Jason Cannon January 12, 2026

"Bringing SOS into the Koch Companies family represents a meaningful step in our long-term strategy to strengthen and expand our logistics, fulfillment, and trucking capabilities,” he said. “We’re positioning the business and our customers for long-term success.”

USA Truck CEO, former execs privatize carrier

Trucking Dive David Taube January 12, 2026

The switch “allows USA Truck to operate with greater speed, flexibility, and focus, prioritizing customer relationships, service reliability, and disciplined growth,” the release said.

INDUSTRY

STG Logistics Files for Bankruptcy, Continues Operations

Transport Topics Keiron Greenhalgh January 12, 2026

Intermodal and drayage services provider STG Logistics filed for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy Jan. 12, but intends to continue as a going concern.

Port Tracker report expects annual retail import cargo declines until the spring

Logistics Management Jeff Berman January 12, 2026

While United States-bound retail container imports are expected to be up for the first time in six months, it is not expected to be a lasting trend, at least until later in the spring, according to the new edition of the Global Port Tracker report, which was recently issued by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and maritime consultancy Hackett Associates.

While global demand grew, U.S. container traffic fell in November

Freight Waves Stuart Chirls January 12, 2026

There’s an old saying that trade goes where it’s wanted and stays where it’s appreciated.

That was never more true than in November, as President Donald Trump’s trade war sent global container demand up 7.2% across all regions from a year ago — except North America, where import volumes actually fell 3.9%.

The Battle Over Who Runs the Panama Canal Ports Is About to Be Decided

The Wall Street Journal Santiago Perez January 13, 2026 $Subscription Based

The Supreme Court of Panama is winding up deliberations that will decide whether a Hong Kong company can run two ports at either end of the Panama Canal, a decision closely watched in Washington and Beijing.

Activist investor Ancora carves out niche in transportation sector

Freight Waves Todd Maiden January 12, 2026

“It’s about finding businesses that in our view are good businesses that have very good bones, that probably at some point in time were great companies and great stocks, but they’ve fallen on harder times for whatever reasons,” Conor Sweeney, director and portfolio manager at Ancora Alternatives, told FreightWaves in an interview.

TECHNOLOGY

Cyberattacks on Logistics Are Set to Double in 2026, Report Finds

Supply Chain 24/7 January 12, 2026

A new report from Everstream Analytics finds that cyberattacks targeting logistics companies are expected to double in 2026, following several years of sharp growth. The research tracks incidents affecting carriers, ports, 3PLs, and other logistics providers and shows attacks are up nearly 1,000% since 2021.

Link: Everstream Analytics 2026 Annual Supply Chain Risk report (Registration required for report download)

The Skills Mismatch Economy: Insights from the Wharton-Accenture Skills Index

Knowledge At Wharton January 9, 2026

AI is accelerating the shift from a role-based labor market to a skills-based economy, sharpening the relevance of the gap between what workers signal and what employers actually reward. To bring clarity to this transition, Wharton and Accenture developed the Wharton-Accenture Skills Index (WAsX), a recurring, empirical benchmark designed to measure which skills matter, which do not and how quickly the economy is shifting beneath us.

Survey: How Executives Are Thinking About AI in 2026

HBR Randy Bean and Thomas H. Davenport January 12, 2026 $Subscription Based

Heading into 2026, leaders are still bullish on AI despite worries about a bubble and struggles to demonstrate value with AI investments. According to a survey of digital leaders at leading global companies, the vast majority of leaders believe that AI is a high priority for their organization, have plans to spend more on it, and report that their company is getting measurable business value from their AI investments.

SUSTAINABILITY / SAFETY / SECURITY

Purdue achieves first U.S. wireless charging of heavy-duty truck at highway speeds

Freight Waves Thomas Wasson January 12, 2026

Charging an electric truck may soon be easier than plugging it in. Researchers at Purdue University have announced that, for the first time in the U.S., a roadway has wirelessly charged a heavy-duty electric truck while it was driving at highway speeds. Tests on the experimental highway segment used patent-pending systems designed by Purdue engineers.

BUSINESS AND THE ECONOMY

Manufacturing saw 8K job losses in December 2025

Manufacturing Dive Sara Samora January 12, 2026

Preliminary numbers showed the manufacturing industry lost an estimated 68,000 jobs between Dec. 1, 2024, and Dec. 1, 2025, based on seasonally adjusted data.

America’s Biggest Power Grid Operator Has an AI Problem—Too Many Data Centers

The Wall Street Journal Katherine Blunt and Jennifer Hiller January 12, 2026 $Subscription Based

Rates are going up for consumers. Older power plants are going out of service faster than new ones can be built. And the grid’s capacity is in danger of maxing out during periods of high demand, which could force PJM to call for rolling blackouts during heat waves or deep freezes to avoid damaging grid infrastructure.

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