Ending the 60% Waste: The Radical Shift Trucking Needs Right Now with Erik Malin

Ending the 60% Waste: The Radical Shift Trucking Needs Right Now with Erik Malin

In "Ending the 60% Waste: The Radical Shift Trucking Needs Right Now," Joe Lynch [https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephlynchjr/] and Erik Malin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikmalin], Founder and CEO of Tetro, discuss how treating trucking as a function of time, rather than miles, is the only way to eliminate the massive inefficiencies plaguing drivers and future autonomous fleets. Time is the real commodity. About Erik Malin Erik Malin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikmalin] is the founder and CEO of Tetro, a technology company rebuilding trucking for the autonomous era. He has spent his entire career in freight, where his conviction that the industry measures the wrong thing, miles instead of time, became the thesis behind Tetro. Previously, Erik was on the founding team at Baton, a freight-tech startup acquired by Ryder, and led operations at FreightTech unicorn Loadsmart. About Tetro Tetro [https://tetro.one/] is a technology company that operates its own trucking fleet to recapture lost supply chain time and build essential data assets. Because 60% of time is currently wasted in trucking, the most common job in America has suffered perhaps the greatest wage suppression in history, and autonomous technology will never reach its full potential since a driverless truck still loses that same 60%. By running its own fleet, Tetro is actively building the data asset necessary to eliminate this massive inefficiency and unlock the true potential of modern freight. Key Takeaways: Ending the 60% Waste: The Radical Shift Trucking Needs Right Now * In "Ending the 60% Waste: The Radical Shift Trucking Needs Right Now," Joe Lynch and Erik Malin, Founder and CEO of Tetro, discuss how treating trucking as a function of time, rather than miles, is the only way to eliminate the massive inefficiencies plaguing drivers and future autonomous fleets. Time is the real commodity. * The 60% Waste Phenomenon: The trucking industry suffers from massive systemic inefficiency, where 60% of potentially productive capacity is completely lost to time leakage across the entire system. * A Utilization Issue, Not a Driver Shortage: Contrary to popular belief, the core issue in American trucking is utilization rather than a shortage of drivers. Public company financials show that drivers are often only productive for 4.5 hours out of their 11 federally regulated daily driving hours. * The Flawed Legacy Framework of Miles: The industry still relies on a metric inherited from the Industrial Revolution—paying and planning by the mile rather than by time. This creates a severe misalignment between demand and capacity because the industry remains functionally blind to duration. * The Autonomous Vehicle Myth: There is a flawed industry assumption that autonomous trucks will seamlessly solve supply chain issues. However, because a driverless truck will still lose that exact same 60% of dead time at facilities, autonomy cannot reach its full potential without solving the underlying time-tracking problem. * Operating a Fleet as a Mobile Research Lab: Tetro operates its own trucking fleet not to simply be a carrier, but to generate the highly specific, proprietary data asset required to address this waste. You cannot infer or partner your way into this information; it requires proprietary hardware and execution tracking to create. * Shifting From Miles to Time via AI: Tetro developed an AI forecasting tool that converts traditional commoditized lane rates per mile into a rate per hour before committing to freight. This reveals significant market mispricing, exposing "bad actors" (facilities that notoriously waste time) and highlighting efficient shippers trading at a hidden premium. * Unlocking Trapped Facility Upside: Internal data shows that 30% to 70% of a driver's on-site time at a facility is completely dead time where nothing is happening. By quantifying this data, Tetro can partner with shippers to release that trapped time, creating faster inventory turns and reducing the need for costly secondary assets like drop trailers. Learn More About Ending the 60% Waste: The Radical Shift Trucking Needs Right Now Erik Malin | Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikmalin] Tetro | Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/company/tetro-inc/?viewAsMember=true] Tetro [https://tetro.one/] The Logistics of Logistics Podcast * If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. * The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google [https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly90aGVsb2xwb2RjYXN0LmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz], Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-logistics-of-logistics-podcast/id1409735368], Castbox [https://www.thelogisticsoflogistics.com/], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2R6BcnTSREZ7fOx9EIoI36?si=9SxorwsJTOicUq7hOEQaYQ], Stitcher [https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/dancewaves/the-logistics-of-logistics], PlayerFM [https://player.fm/series/the-logistics-of-logistics-podcast], Tunein [http://tun.in/pi548], Podbean [https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/dtyrb-7364a/The-Logistics-of-Logistics-Podcast], Owltail [https://www.owltail.com/podcast/23776-The-Logistics-of-Logistics-Podcast/episodes], Libsyn [https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/thelolpodcast], Overcast [https://overcast.fm/itunes1409735368/the-logistics-of-logistics-podcast] * Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQPVXYJLkj3mIceUYPIOedA]

The Broken Safety System Threatening Shippers and Brokers with Chris Burroughs

In "The Broken Safety System Threatening Shippers and Brokers," Joe Lynch [https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephlynchjr/] and Chris Burroughs [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-burroughs-19401938/], President and CEO of the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA), discuss the fallout from a landmark Supreme Court ruling and rising freight fraud are reshaping the logistics liability landscape. About Chris Burroughs Chris Burroughs [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-burroughs-19401938/] is the President and CEO of the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA), a position he assumed in November 2024. With over 14 years at TIA, he previously served as Vice President of Government Affairs, overseeing legislative and regulatory efforts before Congress and federal agencies. Before joining TIA, Burroughs gained valuable experience on Capitol Hill, working for the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee and the House Natural Resources Committee. He also served as Director of Government Affairs at the Twenty-First Century Group, advocating for clients in transportation, telecommunications, health care, and defense. Burroughs holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. About TIA The Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) [https://www.tianet.org/] is the professional organization of the $343 billion third-party logistics industry. TIA is the only organization exclusively representing transportation intermediaries of all disciplines doing business in domestic and international commerce. TIA is the voice of transportation intermediaries to shippers, carriers, government officials, and international organizations. Learn more about TIA at www.tianet.org [https://www.tianet.org/] Key Takeaways: The Broken Safety System Threatening Shippers and Brokers * In "The Broken Safety System Threatening Shippers and Brokers," Joe Lynch and Chris Burroughs, President and CEO of the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA), discuss ow the fallout from a landmark Supreme Court ruling and rising freight fraud are reshaping the logistics liability landscape. * The Montgomery Decision Resets the Liability Landscape: The Supreme Court's recent 9-0 ruling in the Montgomery case (involving C.H. Robinson) eliminated the long-standing F4A federal preemption defense for brokers regarding carrier safety selection. While 31 states had already rejected this defense prior to the ruling, the decision officially shifts safety and negligent selection liability standards back to a patchwork of differing state regulations. * TIA Petitions the FMCSA for a National Carrier Selection Standard: In response to the confusion caused by the Montgomery decision, the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) filed a petition for rulemaking with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). TIA is pushing for a clear, national federal standard to dictate exactly what checks a shipper or broker must perform when vetting and selecting a trucking company, eliminating state-by-state confusion. * The Core Elements of TIA's Proposed Vetting Standard: TIA outlines three baseline data points that the federal government should mandate for a secure carrier selection process: operating authority (ensuring full compliance with the FMCSA), valid insurance (confirming active, legitimate coverage to combat marketplace fraud), and safety status (verifying the carrier has not been placed out of service for safety violations or paperwork compliance issues). * A Broken Data System Leaves 94% of Carriers Unrated: A major hurdle in carrier vetting is that 94% of trucking companies remain "unrated" by the federal government. Because the FMCSA relies on strenuous, physical audits and suffers from limited inspector resources (drastically worsened during the pandemic), they only audit carriers that trigger red flags. TIA strongly advocates shifting from this outdated physical audit system to an absolute, data-driven safety rating algorithm. * TIA Demands the Release of the "High-Risk Carrier List": The FMCSA maintains an internal database of approximately 3,000 to 4,000 trucking companies categorized as "high-risk," based on their Safety Measurement System data. As a key part of their petition, TIA is demanding that the government publicize this list so brokers and shippers have the transparency needed to actively avoid dangerous carriers. * The Sophistication and Rise of Strategic Freight Fraud: Freight fraud and cargo theft have evolved past opportunistic crimes into highly organized, international cyber syndicates. Strategic theft has skyrocketed by 1,500% since 2020. Bad actors are shifting tactics—moving away from registering new fraudulent entities to buying up clean, legitimate, 2-year-old authorities on online marketplaces, executing massive "heists," and then vanishing. * Industry Consolidation and the Value of Trusted Associations: The compounding costs of increased insurance premiums, tighter vetting processes, and necessary technology stacks are expected to drive significant market consolidation, forcing smaller players out. Because of this complex environment, shippers are increasingly looking to work with brokers tied to professional organizations like TIA, which enforces a strict code of ethics, offers ongoing education, and acts as the exclusive advocacy voice for the $343 billion 3PL industry on Capitol Hill. Learn More About The Broken Safety System Threatening Shippers and Brokers Chris Burroughs | Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-burroughs-19401938/] TIA | Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/company/tianetdotorg/] TIA [https://www.tianet.org/] TIA Technovations [https://tianet.org/technovations] TIA Technovations with Tom Curee [https://www.thelogisticsoflogistics.com/tia-technovations-with-tom-curee/] Trucking Through Trouble with TIA & Anne Reinke [https://www.thelogisticsoflogistics.com/trucking-through-trouble-with-tia-anne-reinke/] TIA Unpacks Freight: Tariffs, Trust, and the Fight Against Fraud with Chris Burroughs [https://www.thelogisticsoflogistics.com/tia-unpacks-freight-tariffs-trust-and-the-fight-against-fraud-with-chris-burroughs/] FMCSA Petitions for Rulemaking (Open Petitions) [https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/petitions-for-rulemaking] The Logistics of Logistics Podcast * If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. * The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google [https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly90aGVsb2xwb2RjYXN0LmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz], Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-logistics-of-logistics-podcast/id1409735368], Castbox [https://www.thelogisticsoflogistics.com/], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2R6BcnTSREZ7fOx9EIoI36?si=9SxorwsJTOicUq7hOEQaYQ], Stitcher [https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/dancewaves/the-logistics-of-logistics], PlayerFM [https://player.fm/series/the-logistics-of-logistics-podcast], Tunein [http://tun.in/pi548], Podbean [https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/dtyrb-7364a/The-Logistics-of-Logistics-Podcast], Owltail [https://www.owltail.com/podcast/23776-The-Logistics-of-Logistics-Podcast/episodes], Libsyn [https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/thelolpodcast], Overcast [https://overcast.fm/itunes1409735368/the-logistics-of-logistics-podcast] * Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQPVXYJLkj3mIceUYPIOedA]

The Dark Data Trap: Unlocking Logistics Documents with Tungsten Automation's Patrick Van Hull

In "The Dark Data Trap: Unlocking Logistics Documents with Tungsten Automation's Patrick Van Hull" Joe Lynch [https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephlynchjr/] and Patrick Van Hull [https://www.linkedin.com/in/pvanhull/], Supply Chain Industry Consultant at Tungsten Automation, discuss how intelligent document processing eliminates manual data traps to drive logistics efficiency and cost savings. About Patrick Van Hull Patrick Van Hull [https://www.linkedin.com/in/pvanhull/], widely recognized as the Supply Chain Storyteller, helps organizations transform complexity into clarity. A multi-time "Top 25 Global Thought Leader and Influencer on Supply Chain" and Supply Chain Pro-to-Know, he focuses on supply chain digitalization and capability development, showing how operational details can drive resilience and performance across the value chain. Patrick's career spans more than two decades, with leadership and advisory roles at Apple, Dell, Rio Tinto, and CVS Health, Gartner, Deloitte, and SCM World, he became known for bridging practitioner expertise with executive-level insights to turn data and technology into impactful strategies and programs. Most recently, he has focused on helping enterprises use AI-powered intelligence to strengthen resilience and anticipate disruption. He holds degrees from the University of Michigan and Duke University Fuqua School of Business, and lectures on supply chain strategy at the University of Arkansas Walton School of Business. About Tungsten Automation Tungsten Automation [https://www.tungstenautomation.com/], formerly Kofax, is the global leader in AI-powered document and workflow automation solutions, boasting a 40-year trusted legacy and a team of 2,200 employees across 40 countries, serving over 25,000 global customers. Our commitment to innovation and customer success has earned us industry recognition, including being named a Leader in the 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Intelligent Document Processing. Tungsten has also been recognized by other key analysts in areas such as Intelligent Automation and Process Orchestration. We are trusted to help businesses achieve unprecedented efficiencies and reduce costs through document and workflow automation, allowing them to scale and future-proof their business. Key Takeaways: The Dark Data Trap: Unlocking Logistics Documents * In "The Dark Data Trap: Unlocking Logistics Documents with Tungsten Automation's Patrick Van Hull" Joe Lynch and Patrick Van Hull, Supply Chain Industry Consultant at Tungsten Automation, discuss how intelligent document processing eliminates manual data traps to drive logistics efficiency and cost savings. * Tungsten Automation Profile: Formerly Kofax, Tungsten is a global leader in AI-powered Intelligent Document Processing (IDP) and advanced workflow automation. Backed by a 40-year legacy, 2,200 employees, and 25,000+ global customers, the company was named a Leader in the 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for IDP. Their cloud-based platform sits cleanly over multiple, fragmented ERP and TMS networks to pull and push data seamlessly. * Escaping the "Dark Data Trap": Moving a single international ocean container can require upwards of 30 separate documents. Because traditional TMS and ERP platforms can't read unstructured data (like dense PDFs, faxes, or Excel spreadsheets), this critical info becomes trapped "dark data." Tungsten uses IDP to automatically ingest, classify, and extract line-item data from over 40 different logistics document types, turning paper trails into structured, digital assets. * Slashing AP Errors & Driving Revenue: Manual touchpoints in freight invoicing lead to constant billing discrepancies and human errors. Through automated multi-way matching, reconciliation, and automated exception handling, Tungsten drives "zero-touch" processing for order management and invoices. In one case study, acting as an automated "quality check" against contracted rates helped a major freight shipper capture an incremental $20 million in annual revenue. * Preventing Customs and Shipment Delays: When data errors or missing documents hit customs or a port, shipments grind to a halt, triggering costly penalties, demurrage fees, and port congestion. Tungsten automates data extraction and email ingestion for customs clearance, validating regulatory documentation and compliance checks before shipments ever hit major bottlenecks. * Accelerating Carrier and Supplier Onboarding: Traditional onboarding forces procurement teams into a weeks-long "paper chase" of manual risk assessments and compliance reviews. Tungsten uses automated self-service portals paired with automated risk assessments—such as using the platform to instantly verify the legitimacy of bank and credit statements—condensing onboarding timelines from weeks down to a matter of days. * Bridging the Gap Between AI Hype and Reality: AI cannot solve supply chain issues without clean, unified data. Patrick notes that trying to run raw, messy documents entirely through an unguided Large Language Model (LLM) can cause the AI to run wild, exhausting months' worth of token allocations in a single week. Tungsten effectively solves this by embedding AI directly into workflows, blending traditional rules-based automation (RPA) for standard patterns with Generative and Agentic AI to manage highly complex exceptions. * Elevating the Human Experience: Eliminating rudimentary data entry is ultimately a personal win for the workforce. Moving away from "swivel chair activity" and manual data chasing reduces friction and human error. By shifting repetitive tasks to automated workflows, logistics employees are freed up to use human ingenuity, focus on creative problem-solving, and ultimately enjoy more meaningful, higher-value work. Learn More About The Dark Data Trap: Unlocking Logistics Documents Patrick Van Hull | Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/pvanhull/] Tungsten Automation | Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/company/tungstenautomation/] Tungsten Automation [https://www.tungstenautomation.com/] Tungsten's Summits [https://www.tungstenautomation.com/events/summits] The Logistics of Logistics Podcast * If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. * The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google [https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly90aGVsb2xwb2RjYXN0LmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz], Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-logistics-of-logistics-podcast/id1409735368], Castbox [https://www.thelogisticsoflogistics.com/], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2R6BcnTSREZ7fOx9EIoI36?si=9SxorwsJTOicUq7hOEQaYQ], Stitcher [https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/dancewaves/the-logistics-of-logistics], PlayerFM [https://player.fm/series/the-logistics-of-logistics-podcast], Tunein [https://tunein.com/podcasts/Business--Economics-Podcasts/The-Logistics-of-Logistics-p1141610/?topicId=557416436], Podbean [https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/dtyrb-7364a/The-Logistics-of-Logistics-Podcast], Owltail [https://www.owltail.com/podcast/23776-The-Logistics-of-Logistics-Podcast/episodes], Libsyn [https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/thelolpodcast], Overcast [https://overcast.fm/itunes1409735368/the-logistics-of-logistics-podcast] * Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQPVXYJLkj3mIceUYPIOedA]

Electrifying the Cold Chain Without Breaking the Grid with Sam Plunkett

In "Electrifying the Cold Chain Without Breaking the Grid" Joe Lynch [https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephlynchjr/] and Sam Plunkett [https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-t-plunkett-477a06103/], CEO of Nivalis Energy Systems, discuss how self-powered, electrified trailers can drastically cut fleet costs and emissions without overwhelming the power grid. About Sam Plunkett Sam Plunkett is CEO of Nivalis Energy Systems, where he is leading the transition away from diesel-powered refrigeration in commercial transport. Under his leadership, Nivalis is developing and deploying electrified refrigerated trailer solutions that help fleets reduce operating costs, lower emissions, and improve the efficiency of cold-chain logistics operations across North America and Europe. Prior to joining Nivalis, Sam led Battery Technology at Beam Global and built a career spanning materials science, electrochemistry, electrical engineering and product development. He holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Argonne National Laboratory in conjunction with the University of Illinois Chicago, where his strong publication record and patented innovations focused on battery thermal safety and advanced Lithium battery chemistry. Today, Sam brings this expertise in electrification, energy storage and commercial transport to Nivalis, helping bring innovative technologies from concept to real-world fleet deployment. About Nivalis Energy Systems Nivalis Energy Systems develops electrified refrigerated transport solutions designed to help fleets transition away from diesel-powered Transport Refrigeration Units (TRUs). Supporting refrigerated logistics operations across North America and Europe, the company's platforms are designed to lower operating costs, reduce maintenance requirements, and improve operational efficiency across cold-chain transport operations. Designed for both retrofit and new-trailer applications, Nivalis solutions support a wide range of trailer sizes, operational requirements, and the system is TRU agnostic. The company's technology roadmap includes next-generation multi-energy systems combining battery, solar and regenerative technologies to improve the long-haul viability of electrified refrigerated transport. Key Takeaways: Electrifying the Cold Chain Without Breaking the Grid * In "Electrifying the Cold Chain Without Breaking the Grid" Joe Lynch and Sam Plunkett, CEO of Nivalis Energy Systems, discuss how self-powered, electrified trailers can drastically cut fleet costs and emissions without overwhelming the power grid. * Proven Bottom-Line Savings: Nivalis's electrified solutions have been on the road for over two years, demonstrating average operational savings of $12,000 per trailer, per year by dramatically reducing diesel consumption and mechanical maintenance costs. * Strategic European Acquisition: The recent acquisition of SolarEdge eMobility brings 25 years of automotive-grade electrification engineering and manufacturing scale, accelerating Nivalis's integration of solar and regenerative braking technologies. * Independence from the Power Grid: Upcoming next-generation platforms will utilize solar panels and e-axles to harvest braking energy. This allows trailers to generate their own power, drastically reducing or entirely eliminating the need for expensive and time-consuming depot grid charging upgrades. * Seamless, Agnostic Integration: Designed to be TRU (Transport Refrigeration Unit) agnostic, the technology easily retrofits onto existing Carrier or Thermo King systems. It requires zero operational changes from drivers, automatically powering up or down alongside the existing refrigeration unit. * Trailers as Mobile Microgrids: Nivalis is building toward a future where returning trailers with latent battery capacity can push energy back into a distribution hub's grid during peak pricing hours, using AI to optimize energy usage across the entire facility. * Powering Advanced Security and Compliance: The robust onboard battery provides a reliable, redundant power source for critical auxiliary systems—like advanced telematics, door-breach sensors, cameras, and pallet-level temperature tracking—without draining the tractor's alternator or relying on idling diesel engines. * Expanding into Dry Vans: A new European pilot program applies Nivalis's solar and e-axle technology to standard, non-refrigerated dry vans. The harvested energy is used to slightly propel the trailer on the highway, reducing the tractor's workload and tracking toward a savings of 2,000 gallons of diesel fuel per year. Learn More About: Electrifying the Cold Chain Without Breaking the Grid Sam Plunkett | Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-t-plunkett-477a06103/] Nivalis Energy Systems | Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/company/nivalisenergy/] Nivalis Energy Sustems EU | LinkedIn [https://link.edgepilot.com/x/GKH7bgSyisgtXFI5mRQsHVg?u=https://www.linkedin.com/company/nivalis-energy-europe/] Nivales Energy Systems [https://link.edgepilot.com/x/HVqhmCFjuEByoGhjySFRakA?u=https://nivalisenergy.com/] The Logistics of Logistics Podcast * If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. * The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google [https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly90aGVsb2xwb2RjYXN0LmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz], Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-logistics-of-logistics-podcast/id1409735368], Castbox [https://www.thelogisticsoflogistics.com/], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2R6BcnTSREZ7fOx9EIoI36?si=9SxorwsJTOicUq7hOEQaYQ], Stitcher [https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/dancewaves/the-logistics-of-logistics], PlayerFM [https://player.fm/series/the-logistics-of-logistics-podcast], Tunein [https://tunein.com/podcasts/Business--Economics-Podcasts/The-Logistics-of-Logistics-p1141610/?topicId=557416436], Podbean [https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/dtyrb-7364a/The-Logistics-of-Logistics-Podcast], Owltail [https://www.owltail.com/podcast/23776-The-Logistics-of-Logistics-Podcast/episodes], Libsyn [https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/thelolpodcast], Overcast [https://overcast.fm/itunes1409735368/the-logistics-of-logistics-podcast] * Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQPVXYJLkj3mIceUYPIOedA]

How to Predict the 2026 Intermodal Rebound with IANA's Andrew Sibold

In "How to Predict the 2026 Intermodal Rebound with IANA's Andrew Sibold" Joe Lynch [https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephlynchjr/] and Andrew Sibold [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-sibold/], Director of Economics and Freight Policy at the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA), discuss how IANA's new predictive Intermodal Volume Index (IVI) helps logistics leaders navigate shifting market capacity and operational friction to successfully forecast the 2026 freight recovery. About Andrew Sibold Andrew Sibold [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-sibold/] is the Director of Economics and Freight Policy at the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA), where he leads market analysis, research, and economic forecasting that informs both private capital strategy and public policy. Before IANA, he spent five years at the Federal Highway Administration as a financial and economic analyst, where his benefit-cost and net present value modeling helped adjudicate more than $12.1 billion in federal infrastructure grants. He came to economics through the U.S. Army, serving as an Armor officer who led logistics and operations on deployments across Europe and Central Asia. Andrew holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Tennessee, as well as advanced degrees in economics, econometrics, and international relations. He lives in Bethesda, Maryland, with his wife and four children. About Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) The Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) [https://intermodal.org/iana-dashboard] is the leading industry trade association representing the combined interests of the intermodal freight community. Its membership spans the full ecosystem that moves containerized freight across modes — railroads, ocean carriers, ports and terminals, drayage and motor carriers, intermodal marketing companies, and equipment providers. IANA promotes the efficiency, safety, and growth of intermodal transportation through industry standards, professional education, government affairs, and data services. As the connective tissue of a sector that handles a substantial share of North American freight, IANA gives members a unified voice on policy and a shared infrastructure for operations. Increasingly, it also serves as a source of market intelligence, equipping members with the economic data and forecasting they need to navigate a volatile freight cycle. Key Takeaways: How to Predict the 2026 Intermodal Rebound * In "How to Predict the 2026 Intermodal Rebound with IANA's Andrew Sibold" Joe Lynch and Andrew Sibold, Director of Economics and Freight Policy at the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA), discuss how IANA's new predictive Intermodal Volume Index (IVI) helps logistics leaders navigate shifting market capacity and operational friction to successfully forecast the 2026 freight recovery. * IANA as the "Conductor" of the Intermodal Ecosystem: The Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) serves as the critical connective tissue and unified voice for a fragmented freight community. By connecting railroads, ocean carriers, ports, drayage motor carriers, and 3PLs, IANA acts as an industry "conductor" to harmonize operations across multiple transportation modes that handle a substantial share of North American freight. * Eliminating Blind Spots with the Intermodal Volume Index (IVI): Historically, intermodal freight data has been fragmented and heavily lagging—with rail data delayed by a week and port data lagging by two to three months. Launched publicly in May, IANA's new IVI solves this industry pain point by acting as a real-time, seasonally adjusted "pulse check" on North American freight activity. * Shifting from Lagging to Predictive Capacity Planning: Unlike traditional freight indicators that only look backward (like GDP or older equipment data), the IVI functions as a predictive bridge. By utilizing a mathematical process to bring historical data into the present and factoring in seasonal fluctuations, it provides mid-market shippers, 3PLs, and asset-based carriers with a forward-looking forecast to confidently adjust capacity planning. * Unconventional Market Strength in 2026: The IVI is currently printing quite strong—tracking right around 106 for June, which is 6% higher than the pre-COVID baseline. While total import container volumes (TEUs) have softened due to tariff effects, intermodal volumes are rebounding rapidly due to a surge in high-value domestic manufacturing freight, driven heavily by investments in data centers and infrastructure built to support modern AI. * Reducing Operational Friction via Standardization: Intermodal logistics inherently suffers from handoff friction between different actors, leading to costly demurrage, detention, and lost productivity. IANA mitigates this administrative nightmare by managing standardized operational frameworks—most notably the Uniform Intermodal Interchange and Facilities Agreement (UIIA)—which serves as a single, universal contract that lowers industry insurance costs and streamlines driver registrations. * Navigating Volatility and Truck-to-Rail Conversion: Global supply chains remain highly volatile due to geopolitical factors, international conflicts, and oil infrastructure damage keeping global energy prices elevated. When diesel prices spike and over-the-road trucking capacity tightens due to shifting domestic regulatory and immigration policies, the IVI helps transportation managers identify exactly when and where rail capacity is tightening so they can strategically lock in contractual rates. * The Competitive Advantage of Modal Conversion: Beyond operational efficiency, IANA empowers its members to turn modal conversion into a measurable economic and environmental advantage. Because rail transport is significantly cleaner and greener than over-the-road trucking—with a single stacked rail car capable of moving the equivalent of multiple trucks—shippers are increasingly leveraging intermodal data to hit corporate sustainability mandates as the 2026 market recovers. Learn More About How to Predict the 2026 Intermodal Rebound Andrew Sibold | Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-sibold/] IANA | Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/company/intermodal-association-of-north-america/about/] Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) [https://intermodal.org/iana-dashboard] Scale: The Search for Simplicity and Unity in the Complexity of Life, from Cells to Cities, Companies to Ecosystems by Geoffrey West [https://www.amazon.com/Scale-Universal-Innovation-Sustainability-Organisms/dp/1594205582] The Box (Levinson book) - Wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Box_(Levinson_book)] The Logistics of Logistics Podcast * If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. * The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google [https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly90aGVsb2xwb2RjYXN0LmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz], Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-logistics-of-logistics-podcast/id1409735368], Castbox [https://www.thelogisticsoflogistics.com/], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2R6BcnTSREZ7fOx9EIoI36?si=9SxorwsJTOicUq7hOEQaYQ], Stitcher [https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/dancewaves/the-logistics-of-logistics], PlayerFM [https://player.fm/series/the-logistics-of-logistics-podcast], Tunein [https://tunein.com/podcasts/Business--Economics-Podcasts/The-Logistics-of-Logistics-p1141610/?topicId=557416436], Podbean [https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/dtyrb-7364a/The-Logistics-of-Logistics-Podcast], Owltail [https://www.owltail.com/podcast/23776-The-Logistics-of-Logistics-Podcast/episodes], Libsyn [https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/thelolpodcast], Overcast [https://overcast.fm/itunes1409735368/the-logistics-of-logistics-podcast] * Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQPVXYJLkj3mIceUYPIOedA]