The larger issue of federal moves to strip commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) away from a significant chunk of those who hold them under various rules was in the background of a Washington courtroom Friday, as California and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration battled it out over the federal stoppage of the state’s ability to grant non-domiciled CDLs and a cutoff of some transportation funding.
But arguments before a three-judge panel in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia were focused on more narrow issues. The heart of the issue is whether California cooperated adequately with FMCSA in its audit of Golden State practices, and whether the federal agency acted legally in its “pause” of new non-domiciled CDLs being issued. Non-domiciled CDL recipients are overwhelmingly immigrants.
And while the issue of federal denial of some highway funding to California was not discussed extensively in the oral arguments, it too was in the background. That funding was withheld as a result of the dispute over California’s practices, the issues that FMCSA found in its audit of the state, and what FMCSA said was California’s lack of cooperation over some issues.
The case is California Department of Motor Vehicles vs. U.S. Department of Transportation.
Dates not lining up is the issue
More specifically, a key area of dispute is whether the expiration dates of certain California non-domiciled CDLs are in violation of the law because they come after an immigrant’s legal authorization to be in the U.S.
California’ argument is that the law has no such restriction. “FMCSA pointed to no federal rule requiring CDLs to expire on or before the date of the driver’s legal presence documents,” California said in its brief. “Rather, it merely asserted that ‘the requirement that States accept as valid only unexpired lawful presence documents also means that the State must make the period of validity of the nondomiciled CLP or CDL less than or equal to the period of validity of the driver’s lawful presence documents.’”
But Simon Jerome, the Justice Department attorney representing FMCSA, said in his presentation that “It seems rather absurd that a credential for years and years, five years, eight years, could be issued with a document that expires tomorrow,” the “tomorrow” document being whatever path to legal residence the CDL or Commercial Learner’s Permit has been issued. But Jerome said that is the core of California’s arguments.
The “pause” ordered by FMCSA after the failure of the agency and the state to resolve their differences only related to the issuance of new non-domiciled CDLs or the renewal of existing licenses. As California deputy attorney general Kristen Kido said in her appearance before the court, representing the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles, “not to undermine the extreme consequences of the pause, but to decertify the state entirely would apply to all commercial licenses.”
That is not in place, as she noted. But Kido said it believes that FMCSA does not have the authority “to institute a pre-enforcement, never-ending pause, particularly one that not only prohibits the DMC from issuing new licenses, but also prohibits DMV from correcting or renewing valid, unexpired licenses.”
Getting granular
Much of the presentations by the two attorneys, and the questions from the appellate judges, focused on the minutiae of timing and cooperation. Did the state’s DMC respond in a timely manner to the recommendations and mandates handed down by FMCSA after the audit of its CDL program?
At one point, Jerome engaged in a discussion with Judge Cornelia Pillard about a letter sent by the DMV to FMCSA on Christmas Eve, and whether the state’s response could have been quicker except for the holiday.
But the broader issues, Jerome said, are the questions of timing and responsiveness, which said were “the heart of this case.”
“Should FMCSA have given the DMV more time?” Jerome asked.
California did cancel numerous CDLs
The calendar comes into question even where California did cancel some non-domiciled CDLs following the FMCSA audit. Kido argued that the cancellation could be described as “substantial compliance with all of the relevant components of federal law.” But if the timeline of that cancellation did not meet certain requirements, Kido said, “a violation of the corrective schedule on its own cannot be an independent basis for the finding of noncompliance.”
The arguments by Kido and Jerome paralleled what their legal teams submitted in pre-oral argument briefs.
While there was agreement between the briefs and arguments on several points regarding federal law, the DMV brief argued that FMCSA’s reading of statutes was expansive.
But the federal view was summed up in its brief when it said “The resulting systemic violations of federal and California law are undisputed. Nearly one-third of the non-domiciled CDLs the DMV issued—roughly 20,000 out of 65,000—were improperly issued because the expiration date of the license exceeded the applicant’s period of lawful presence.”
Another case coming up
A similar argument is being fought out in the case of Lujan vs. FMCSA, where oral arguments will be made next week in the same court. While there are other issues in that case, the question of issuing a non-domiciled CDL with a duration beyond the expiration of a person’s legal ability to stay in the U.S. also is at issue in that battle as well.
Separately, North Carolina has given the green light by the Department of Transportation to again issue non-domiciled CDLs following its completion of several changes, according to the Raleigh News & Observer.
However, as the article notes, since then FMCSA has severely tightened the ability of a non-domiciled person to obtain a CDL. Those tighter restrictions are part of the Lujan case that will be argued Wednesday.
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DHL Group’s domestic Germany delivery unit has officially opened the expansion of its parcel center in Cologne-Eifeltor, bringing the facility’s sorting capacity to nearly 50,000 pieces per hour, the company announced Tuesday.
DHL said the expansion was necessary to accommodate growing package volumes from businesses and individuals in northwest Germany, where Cologne is a major economic and logistics hub and one of the most populous regions in the country.
The additional space will allow DHL to hire 250 additional workers, bringing total employment at the facility to 750..
DHL’s Post & Parcel division is investing more than 1 billion euros per year over several years (equivalent to $1.16 billion) to restructure its network as letter volumes decline while e-commerce shipping continues to grow in popularity. The modernization has included rightsizing parcel and letter centers, automation and digitalization.
“With the expansion of the Cologne-Eifeltor parcel center, we are making a targeted investment in the performance of our network. Online retail continues to grow, and our customers rightly expect fast and reliable delivery,” said Marc Hitschfeld, head of operations for Post & Parcel Germany at DHL Group, at an official opening ceremony.
Post & Parcel Germany operates under the DHL and Deutsche Post brands.
The Cologne-Eifeltor parcel center has been in operation since 1994 and currently serves about 1.2 million households. Construction of the new extension, which began in 2024, was completed on schedule this summer. The new building is directly connected to the existing parcel center via a bridge.
The facility’s sorting capacity now matches that of the previous largest parcel center in North Rhine-Westphalia, located in Bochum.
Nationwide, only the DHL parcel center in Aschheim near Munich, with approximately 72,000 parcels per hour, has a higher sorting capacity.
The Cologne facility was built on the site of a since-demolished building. It was outfitted with modern energy-saving systems, including a solar array on the extension roof, underfloor heating in the main hall, automatic ventilation control to minimize the need for air conditioning, and demand-controlled LED lighting. A green roof improves thermal insulation, reducing energy consumption in the winter and protects against excessive heat in the summer.
Post & Parcel Germany is the largest postal service provider in Europe, dominates the letter and parcel market in Germany, and operates the largest parcel locker network in Germany.
Click here for more FreightWaves/American Shipper stories by Eric Kulisch.
Write to Eric Kulisch at ekulisch@freightwaves.com.
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Volvo Trucks has completed the North American rollout of a software update system that lets drivers start updates from their trucks and leave while the software installs, allowing updates to run during breaks or other scheduled downtime instead of requiring a service center visit.
The feature, called “lock and leave,” is now available across the U.S. and Canada. Drivers can start an update during a break or while parked overnight and leave the truck while the software installs, Volvo announced.
“As software plays a greater role in improving uptime, updating the software should be as easy and convenient as possible. Now a driver can lock and leave their truck while the update runs during a break and return to a truck that is up to date and ready to go to work,” said Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America.
The rollout builds on Volvo’s existing Remote Programming system. In 2018, Volvo expanded the system to allow eligible North American trucks with factory-installed connectivity hardware to receive software and parameter updates remotely over a cellular connection. Volvo said the updates could be completed while a driver was on a break or at a depot, reducing the need for a service center visit.
Volvo expanded its Remote Programming system in 2023 to include six programmable vehicle modules. At the time, more than 40,000 software updates had been completed through the system, according to Volvo.
That connectivity has become a bigger part of Volvo’s newer trucks. The VNL, introduced in 2024, was built with expanded connected services that allow over-the-air software updates and remote diagnostics.
Volvo has since increased the number of trucks receiving those updates. In March, the company said the share of its connected North American trucks running the latest software had risen from 25% to more than 80% in six months. It also reported a 24% reduction in unplanned stops among trucks with the latest software.
Volvo said more than 7,500 updates were completed in August, and its connected systems can dispatch up to 20,000 software updates per day.
The software can update systems including engine performance, transmission and battery management, according to Volvo. For fleets, the appeal is less about the update itself than avoiding the downtime associated with keeping a truck out of service. Software updates that might otherwise require a service visit can now be completed while a truck is already stopped for a break or other scheduled downtime.
That trucking distinction is particularly important, where vehicles can operate eight to 11 hours a day, according to Volvo. The company has described over-the-air updates as a way to keep trucks “current” without taking them out of operation.
The move also reflects a broader change in how truck manufacturers maintain increasingly software-dependent vehicles. Rather than treating software as something that is installed when a truck is built or serviced, manufacturers are increasingly able to update vehicle systems throughout the truck’s operating life.
Volvo’s June announcement described the unattended update capability as an extension of its existing Remote Programming system. The company said the feature was made possible by its connected 24-volt platform in North America.
Why this matters:
For fleets, the main benefit is reducing the amount of time a truck has to be taken out of service for software updates. Drivers can start an update during a scheduled break or overnight stop and leave the truck while it installs, allowing the update to happen without adding a separate service stop to the truck’s schedule. As more truck systems rely on software, the ability to update them remotely could also reduce the need for routine trips to a dealership for software-related work.
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Shell and FAW Trucks have developed and tested a battery pack that uses an immersion-cooling system to better manage battery heat, improve vehicle performance and durability, Shell announced.
The battery pack uses an electrically insulating fluid that surrounds the battery cells, allowing heat to be transferred away from the cells more effectively during operation. Managing battery temperature is particularly important for commercial vehicles, which can place significant demands on their batteries during acceleration, heavy loads and charging.
By keeping the cells at more consistent temperatures, the companies said the technology can improve the truck’s energy efficiency and performance while potentially extending battery life.
Shell and FAW Trucks developed the system as part of their ongoing work regarding hybrid and electrified commercial vehicle technology. Both companies are continuing to validate the battery pack for potential use in future FAW hybrid trucks.
“As commercial vehicles continue to evolve, so do the technologies needed to support them. By working closely with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) like FAW TRUCKS, we’re developing advanced fluid solutions designed to support evolving vehicle technologies, including electrification powertrains and thermal management systems,” Cara Tredget, vice president of Mobility & Lubricants Technology at Shell, said. “The Shell Starship Hybrid vehicle demonstrates what’s possible when collaboration and innovation come together.”
What the tests showed
Initial vehicle validation showed potential improvements in several areas, including an up to 98% increase in maximum gradability, a 0.8% improvement in vehicle-level energy efficiency and a potential battery life improvement of up to 32%, according to Shell. The results came from testing the battery pack under specific vehicle conditions, including sustained high-power charging and discharging.
The battery pack also underwent industry-standard testing and vehicle evaluations, with the results verified by the China Automotive Technology and Research Center, according to Shell. The company also said the reported data is based on joint testing conducted by Shell and FAW Trucks under specific test conditions, and final performance data will be released after the validation process is completed.
How immersion cooling works
Immersion cooling is designed to remove heat from battery cells by surrounding them with an electrically insulating fluid. Instead of transferring heat through a separate cooling plate or system, the fluid comes into direct contact with the cells, allowing heat to move away from a larger portion of the battery. This can help keep temperatures more consistent across the battery pack, which is important as batteries generate more heat during high-power charging and discharging.
Shell’s system uses this approach on the Starship 3.0 Hybrid. Shell said conventional battery cooling systems primarily cool the battery from the bottom, while its immersion fluid surrounds the cells and is designed to improve heat transfer and maintain more consistent temperatures across the pack.
From concept to commercial use
For commercial trucks, better thermal management could help manufacturers increase power output and charging capabilities without sacrificing battery durability. But the Shell and FAW testing has so far been conducted on a concept vehicle under specific test conditions, rather than across a production fleet.
The battery pack has not been announced as a production system. Shell and FAW Trucks said it is being evaluated for potential use in future FAW hybrid commercial vehicles, while Shell plans to continue developing immersion-cooling fluids for broader commercial vehicle applications.
The technology is part of the Shell Starship program, a technology demonstration platform focused on improving commercial vehicle efficiency and reducing emissions. The Starship 3.0 Hybrid was developed by Shell and FAW Trucks as a platform for testing technologies including hybrid powertrains and battery thermal management under commercial vehicle operating conditions.
FAW Trucks is a majority-owned subsidiary of China FAW Group and is headquartered in Changchun, China. Shell brings its work in lubricants and thermal-management fluids to the partnership, while FAW contributes commercial vehicle engineering and development expertise.
The companies will showcase the latest validation progress and the Shell Starship Hybrid equipped with the immersion-cooled battery pack at the FAW Trucks booth during IAA Transportation 2026 in Hannover, Germany, beginning Sept. 14.
For now, the technology remains in the validation stage. Whether the performance seen in the Starship concept truck can translate into a battery system suitable for production hybrid commercial vehicles remains to be determined.
Why this matters
Battery thermal management is becoming increasingly important as commercial vehicle manufacturers look to improve power, charging capability and battery life. Immersion cooling could give truck manufacturers another way to manage the heat generated by batteries under demanding operating conditions.
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Third-party logistics provider Spartan Logistics announced it has acquired Allen Logistics. The deal adds 100,000 square feet of space to Spartan’s asset-based network of over 20 dry storage and food-grade warehouses.
Financial terms of the transaction were not provided.
Spartan Logistics’ latest acquisition in Whitehouse, Ohio, gives it seven locations in the Northwest Ohio market and 11 total in the state. The warehousing and transportation provider’s footprint now includes 4.5 million square feet of space across nine states in the Midwest and the South. It has a large presence at South Carolina ports in Charleston and Savannah.
“Toledo has been a key market for Spartan for many years, and this acquisition represents another investment in our future here,” said Spartan Logistics CEO Steve Harmon.
The Columbus, Ohio-based company operates a fleet of approximately 50 tractors, providing local shuttle and regional freight transportation services, including just-in-time delivery. It offers cross-docking, fulfillment and warehouse management services. It also has a real estate construction and brokerage services arm.
“We’re excited about the opportunity to welcome a strong group of employees and customers to Spartan and build on the relationships and operations that have already been established,” Harmon said.
Why it matters? Spartan Logistics’ acquisition of Allen Logistics expands its network and strengthens its regional service density across 11 Ohio locations. Additionally, the integration of warehousing with its truck fleet enhances the company’s ability to provide streamlined freight transportation, delivery and fulfillment services.
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The post Spartan Logistics expands warehouse footprint through acquisition appeared first on FreightWaves.
Contact lens maker CooperVision has a large shipment stranded onboard the Amazon freighter aircraft that ran off the runway on Sunday at Miami International Airport and now rests tilted, and partially damaged in a grassy field as authorities continue to investigate the cause of the accident.
It is unclear if any of the product is damaged or if it can be salvaged.
During a media briefing Tuesday evening, National Transportation Safety Board Chairwoman Jennifer Homandy said Flight 7598, a Boeing 767-300 passenger-to-freighter conversion aircraft operated by 21 Air in support of Amazon’s logistics network, was carrying more than 32,000 pounds of contact lenses and that the eye-care products were the primary cargo onboard.
CooperVision acknowledged in a statement to FreightWaves that it was the Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) customer involved in the accident, which left five people dead and several others injured after the plane struck two vehicles.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the incident involving a flight at Miami International Airport. Among the aircraft’s cargo were contact lenses manufactured at CooperVision’s Juana Diaz facility in Puerto Rico. The company contracted with an independent third-party logistics provider that transports freight out of Puerto Rico on behalf of multiple organizations. CooperVision will support the National Transportation Safety Board and other relevant authorities as needed,” the company said.
CooperVision is a division of San Ramon, California-based CooperCompanies (NASDAQ: COO).
The circumstances suggest that the flight primarily served Amazon Air Cargo, a two-year-old logistics unit that sells excess capacity on Amazon cargo jets to third-party shippers. Amazon Air was launched a decade ago to expedite package delivery for Amazon Prime members who ordered goods online, and now counts more than 100 aircraft in its fleet and more than 65 destinations in its air network.
Amazon Air Cargo is part of a broader company shift to commercialize a range of supply chain services developed to support internal inventory distribution and sales. After building a large, interconnected air network Amazon made capacity available to all shippers, regardless of whether they were sellers on Amazon’s marketplace and used Amazon’s fulfillment service.
An analysis of data from FlightRadar24, which tracks commercial aircraft movements, shows that 21 Air continues to operate on behalf of Amazon and DHL Express as questions increase about 21 Air’s safety culture. Information extracted by the NTSB from the flight data and cockpit voice recorder shows Flight 7598 approached the airport too fast and that the pilots had trouble slowing the plane, overshot the runway’s touchdown zone, then had trouble getting all three landing gear on the runway, didn’t engage speed brakes or thrust reversers to slow the plane and hit the throttle in a a late attempt to take off before exiting the runway. The pilot received his type certification for the Boeing 767-300 cargo jet in May.
Since Sunday’s accident, 21 has operated seven Boeing 767-300s, primarily shuttling between Amazon’s superhub at Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport and Miami, and also connecting those airports with San Juan, Puerto Rico; Quito, Ecuador; Bogota, Colombia and Lakeland, Florida, among other destinations.
Why It Matters: CooperVision’s supply chain was disrupted by the accident and the company could have claims against Amazon.
Meanwhile, the widow of one of five aircraft cleaning workers killed when their van was struck by the Amazon jet on Sunday is suing Amazon, Amazon Air Cargo, related companies, lessors and the pilots, alleging pilot mistakes, safety failures and problems with the aircraft itself, according to a wrongful death complaint filed in Miami-Dade County Wednesday.
Yaraisi Santiso Morejon brought the lawsuit on behalf of her husband, Yoel Rodriguez Naranjo, who was 53. Two coworkers in the van remain hospitalized in critical condition.
The lawsuit alleges Amazon Air Flight 7598 was traveling significantly faster than normal as it approached Runway 30 and that its pilots failed to abandon the landing despite a tailwind and an unstable approach.
The lawsuit alleges Amazon exercised substantial control over 21 Air’s flying for its cargo network, including flight schedules, aircraft use, cargo procedures and safety requirements.
Amazon should be held responsible for allegedly failing to adequately select, monitor and oversee the carrier.
The complaint also cites previous safety complaints it says were raised by former 21 Air employees involving maintenance, training, supervision and flight operations.
It argues Amazon knew, or should have known, about reported safety deficiencies before the crash.
Click here for more FreightWaves/American Shipper stories by Eric Kulisch.
Write to Eric Kulisch at ekulisch@freightwaves.com.
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The U.S. freight market is entering the fourth quarter with truck capacity struggling to recover, truckload rates sharply above year-ago levels and shippers facing the possibility of another surge in spot prices if demand accelerates, according to Uber Freight.
Uber Freight released its Q3 Market Update & Outlook Report on Thursday, saying truckload conditions have begun to stabilize after two quarters of rate inflation, but capacity constraints continue to ripple through less-than-truckload, intermodal and cross-border transportation.
The report identifies three major forces shaping the market heading into the fourth quarter: constrained trucking capacity, volatile diesel prices and rapidly changing U.S. trade policy.
“Transportation decisions carry more weight than ever before. Conditions can change quickly, and the cost of reacting too late is often higher than expected,” Uber Freight CEO Rebecca Tinucci said in the report.
Uber Freight said shippers that continue sourcing transportation capacity week to week are particularly vulnerable if freight demand suddenly accelerates during the fourth-quarter peak.
September and October provide a relatively stable window for most markets to repair routing guides and secure capacity ahead of peak season, according to the report.
Truckload and Mexico were rated as having “high” exposure heading into late October, while intermodal and Canada were rated at medium severity.
Truckload rates remain sharply above 2025
National average dry van contract linehaul rates reached $2.39 per mile in July, an 18% increase from July 2025, according to data cited by Uber Freight. The 13-cent increase from June was the largest June-to-July gain on record.
Dry van spot linehaul averaged $2.39 per mile in July, 47% higher year over year.
Spot pricing has subsequently eased as the seasonal July peak faded. Van spot linehaul averaged $2.21 per mile during the week of Aug. 26, but remained 35.6% above the same period last year and 23.8% above the nine-year seasonal average.
Carriers are also seeking double-digit contract increases this year and next, according to Uber Freight.
The company’s primary tender acceptance rate improved from 76% in July to 78% in August as repriced routing guides began to hold and spot conditions softened. That remains substantially below the 90% to 94% range seen during the previous three years.
Uber Freight said capacity is not rebuilding as quickly as typically expected during a tightening freight cycle. The report estimates more than 48,000 noncompliant drivers have exited the industry over the past year, while Class 8 truck backlogs represent roughly nine months of production.
As of Sept. 10, the SONAR Outbound Tender Rejection Index for the U.S. (STRI.USA) was at 13.45%, much higher than the same period in the previous three years.
Mexico capacity remains tight despite easing at Laredo
Cross-border transportation remains one of the more constrained portions of the freight market.
Uber Freight said about 20,000 Mexican truck drivers lost U.S. visas between April 2025 and April 2026, while the number of active Mexican-domiciled southern border carriers was 6.3% lower in late June compared with late December.
Capacity around Laredo has eased from extremely tight second-quarter conditions but remains significantly tighter than a year ago.
The Laredo dry van load-to-truck ratio stood between 8.0 and 8.5 in mid-August, down from roughly 10-to-1 during the second quarter but still 61.9% higher year over year.
Mexico-to-U.S. long-haul spot rates remained 8% to 15% above mid-February levels, with increases of as much as 30% on critical corridors. Produce exports through Laredo increased 8% year over year during the second quarter, according to the report.
Uber Freight said those constraints are prompting more companies to rethink how they move freight across the border.
Shippers that previously depended on direct-trailer capacity using B-1 drivers are increasingly incorporating transloading into their networks in Laredo — and are beginning to explore the strategy in El Paso.
“Transloading is moving from workaround to network design,” the report said.
Uber Freight cited one major beverage manufacturer that had relied solely on direct B-1 capacity but began missing delivery appointments in Nuevo Laredo. The company rerouted critical freight through a Laredo cross-dock and is now developing a hybrid network combining transloading for time-sensitive shipments with direct B-1 transportation for more flexible freight.
Diesel adds another layer of pressure
Fuel costs could further complicate freight pricing heading into bid season.
The national average diesel price reached $5.652 per gallon during the week of Aug. 24, the highest level of 2026 and 52.4% above the same week last year. Diesel had fallen as low as $4.58 per gallon in early July before rebounding.
Uber Freight warned that smaller truckload carriers operating on thin margins could park equipment rather than haul freight at a loss if fuel volatility persists.
At the same time, shippers face an increasingly complicated trade environment following changes to U.S. tariff policy and the shift of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement into annual reviews.
The combination leaves transportation networks with little margin for another unexpected disruption.
Uber Freight recommends that shippers use the relatively stable September-October period to secure baseline capacity, repair underperforming routing guides and establish backup carriers before the traditional late-October freight peak.
Why it matters: The prolonged freight downturn appears to be giving way to a more carrier-favorable pricing environment across multiple transportation modes.
The post Uber Freight warns tight capacity could fuel Q4 freight rate surge appeared first on FreightWaves.
Federal agents uncovered more than 2,000 pounds of methamphetamine hidden inside a cabbage shipment in South Texas. DEA’s McAllen office announced the seizure Thursday after an investigation in the Rio Grande Valley. Authorities have not disclosed exactly where agents discovered the drugs. Officials also have not identified anyone connected with the load.
Investigation brings multiple agencies together
Several federal and state law enforcement agencies participated in the operation. The case involved a Homeland Security Task Force investigation. HSI, FBI, CBP, U.S. Border Patrol and Texas DPS assisted DEA. The agency described the discovery as a “major seizure.”
2,000+ LBS. OF METH SEIZED
More than 2,000 pounds of methamphetamine concealed in a shipment of cabbage were seized by the #DEA McAllen office in the Rio Grande Valley. This major seizure is part of a a Homeland Security Taskforce investigation, conducted jointly with HSI,… pic.twitter.com/OhfIWgZh2d— DEAHouston (@DEAHOUSTONDiv) September 10, 2026
DEA Houston released limited information about the case in its Sept. 10 announcement. The agency did not provide an exact weight beyond the 2,000-pound threshold. Officials also withheld details about how investigators found the methamphetamine. No arrest, criminal charge or suspect appeared in the initial statement.
Questions remain about the shipment
The lack of transportation details leaves the freight connection limited to the produce shipment itself. Investigators have confirmed the cabbage concealment and massive quantity of methamphetamine. Additional information could establish how criminals planned to move the load through South Texas. FreightWaves requested additional details from DEA and will update this story as more information becomes available.
Why it matters
Drug traffickers can exploit legitimate freight to conceal massive quantities of narcotics. Transportation professionals need to understand how criminal organizations can use ordinary cargo as cover for illegal shipments.
Click here for more articles on cargo theft and freight fraud by Phil Brink.
FMCSA suspends USDOT deactivations for missed biennial updates during MOTUS rollout – FreightWaves
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Private equity firms Centre Partners and Altivare Capital Partners have acquired 3PL Navajo Expedited. The duo will advance the broker’s driver-vetting and pricing automation capabilities while seeking complementary acquisitions.
Lakeland, Florida-based Navajo Expedited, was previously part of Navajo Express, a 300-unit over-the-road and dedicated carrier based in Denver. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Navajo Expedited is an eight-year-old truckload broker specializing in dry van and temperature-controlled transportation on time-sensitive and specialized lanes for food and beverage, consumer packaged goods and industrial shippers. It has a proprietary technology platform with a vetted carrier network of 8,000 operators.
The company is led by 15-year industry veteran Brandon Bodine. Bodine and the current management team worked together prior to starting Navajo Expedited.
“Our leadership team has worked together for many years, and we have invested early in automation because it makes us more reliable for shippers and easier to do business with for carriers,” said Bodine, founder and CEO, in a news release. “With Centre and Altivare behind us, we now have the capital and resources to accelerate what this team has spent years building.”
Centre’s investment will fund the 3PL’s next phase of growth, which may include acquisitions. The money will also be used to expand the company’s tech platform.
The deal was partially funded from Centre Strategic Solutions I, a dedicated fund established by Centre to support independent sponsor deals in the lower middle market.
“Expedited has built a differentiated freight logistics platform underpinned by longstanding customer relationships, exceptional service and proprietary agentic AI technology that is already improving driver vetting and load execution, said Bruce Pollack, managing partner at Centre.
“With a leadership team that has built and scaled freight logistics businesses together for more than 15 years, strong underlying customer demand and a highly scalable operating model, the Company has a compelling platform to accelerate market share gains through organic growth and strategic acquisitions.”
Why it matters? Private equity backing provides 3PLs with the capital needed to scale operations, expand service offerings and pursue strategic acquisitions. The deal also highlights a growing trend of consolidation across the freight brokerage sector following the Supreme Court’s landmark broker liability ruling.
More FreightWaves articles by Todd Maiden:
- ArcBest sees tonnage growth accelerate in August; raises Q3 asset-light guide
- XPO’s August metrics align with Q3 guidance
- Saia’s tonnage growth steps higher in August as comps ease
The post PE firms buy 3PL Navajo Expedited, target other acquisitions appeared first on FreightWaves.
