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NEWSLETTER BROUGHT TO YOU BY DESCARTES

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Hey, everyone. We’re closing in on Christmas, the year is winding down, but the freight world isn’t slowing down one bit.

I’m Malcolm Harris, and welcome to this week’s What the Truck?!? Newsletter.

While a lot of folks are already mentally checked out for the holidays, the industry is still making big, long-term moves. From railroads gearing up for potential consolidation, to ports locking in decades-long commitments, to freight companies quietly buying growth.

This one’s a shorter read, but it still packs a punch.. You know I can’t leave you empty handed. These are the stories that matter if you care about where freight is headed in 2026 and beyond.

Let’s get it!

Malcolm

Here are this week’s eye-catching headlines

‘Application Day’ Nears for UP–NS Rail Merger

(Photo: Trains/David Lassen)

This one could be a game-changer. Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern are inching closer to what’s being called “application day,” when they officially file paperwork to pursue a merger. If approved, this would be one of the biggest rail consolidations we’ve seen in decades.. and yes, it would reshape freight flows coast to coast.

Supporters say this could mean smoother intermodal service and better efficiency across the network. Critics aren’t buying it, warning about reduced competition, higher costs for shippers, and fewer choices across the board. For trucking, this matters because whenever rail consolidates, ripple effects hit capacity, pricing, and modal shifts. This won’t be decided quickly, but don’t mistake that for harmless.

This is one of those slow-moving stories that could have massive long-term consequences.

New York–New Jersey Port Extends Lease of Busiest Box Terminal for 33 Years

(Photo: Freightwaves/Stuart Chirls)

The Port of New York and New Jersey just made a loud statement without saying much at all.. a 33-year lease extension for its busiest container terminal. That’s not a short-term hedge; that’s a full-on commitment to the future.

This port is one of the most critical gateways in the country, and locking in a deal this long signals confidence in freight volumes, infrastructure investment, and long-term growth. For truckers and drayage operators, this means stability, predictability, and fewer “what happens next?” questions. After years of congestion chaos and uncertainty, ports are clearly trying to show they’re planning ahead and not just reacting.

RPM Freight Acquires Dealers Choice Auto Transport

(Photo: Dealers Choice Auto Transport)

On one of my first shows, i said that you can’t have Malcolm with M&A and well – M&A is alive and well, as RPM Freight just proved it by acquiring Dealers Choice Auto Transport. Auto transport might not always grab headlines, but it’s a critical niche, especially as vehicle inventories stabilize and OEMs push more volume through the system.

This deal gives RPM more scale, more reach, and more leverage in a competitive space. For drivers, acquisitions like this can mean steadier freight and tighter networks. For the industry, it’s another reminder that smart companies aren’t waiting for the freight market to fully rebound, but they’re positioning themselves now so they’re ready when it does.

Now on demand

Fraud, Funds and Freight

Welcome back to WHAT THE TRUCK?!?. Host Malcolm Harris returns for a year-end episode packed with critical insights on freight fraud, cargo theft, trucking finance, and what the industry needs to watch heading into 2026.

This episode features four powerhouse guests tackling the biggest risks and opportunities facing trucking and logistics today:

DZ Patterson, Director of Investigative Services at Travelers, breaks down the realities of modern cargo theft, including strategic theft, GPS spoofing, fake breakdown scams, and how shippers, brokers, and carriers can harden their supply chains through better communication, layered security, and smarter verification.

Andrey Chabanov and Trevor Hoffman from Wellspring introduce a high-yield savings platform built specifically for truck drivers and working Americans. Drawing from real-world trucking experience, they explain how drivers can protect their cash from inflation, improve liquidity, and build smarter emergency and business savings without lockups or minimums.

Dale Prax, Strategic Fraud Advisor at Truckstop and Founder of FreightValidate, delivers a deep dive into freight fraud, carrier identity verification, FMCSA enforcement, and the real-world scams impacting brokers and owner-operators. He outlines where fraud is headed next, why collaboration and transparency matter, and what practical steps carriers can take today to protect themselves.

The episode also covers key industry headlines, including supply chain reform efforts in Washington, ongoing layoffs impacting freight demand, and why cash discipline and operational efficiency remain critical in the current market.

If you’re a driver, broker, shipper, or logistics professional, this is a must-watch conversation to close out the year informed and prepared for what’s next.

Thanks for reading, and feel free to forward this to a friend.

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Or simply look up WHAT THE TRUCK?!? on your favorite podcast player. Or, if you have SiriusXM, tune in to the show Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6 p.m. Eastern time on Road Dog Trucking Channel 146.

Don’t be a stranger. Be kind to one another!

Malcolm “Miggie” Harris