FMCSA Suspends Trucking Regulations for Texas Flood Relief
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is suspending federal trucking regulations for carriers transporting emergency relief aid to Central Texas. This decision comes in response to a devastating flood over the Fourth of July weekend, which claimed the lives of over 100 people and caused damages estimated at up to $22 billion.
HOS limits, vehicle inspections, driver qualifications, and parking regulations are waived for drivers providing direct assistance during a disaster. This exemption only applies to supplies and goods being delivered for the emergency restoration of essential services. Drivers must return to full regulatory compliance for non-emergency loads and routine deliveries.
The logistics industry has always been a key player in disaster relief, and the Texas flooding disaster is no exception. The suspension provides temporary capacity for expedited loads to deliver essential supplies to communities hardest hit by the floods. Our thoughts are with the victims of Central Texas.
You can read the full article here.
NMFC Changes Go Live on July 19th
On July 19th, changes to the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) system will be implemented. These changes will impact about 40% of all NMFC items. The main goal is to streamline the NMFC and improve the user experience, making it simpler and easier to understand.
While this will facilitate the identification of freight for shippers, there are important considerations to keep in mind. Accurate handling unit dimensions and weight must be provided during the process, as density has become the top priority for classifying freight. Additionally, the preparation of Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) shipments for shipping will change, including updates to labeling and documentation.
You can use the NMFC’s free Item Lookup Tool to find out if the changes are impacting your freight on Saturday. The NMFC’s ClassIT lookup program also released an upgraded version called ClassIT+ which launched July 15th, 2025, but won’t be fully online until the new changes go live on the 19th.
You can read more about the changes here.
Trump Threatens Russia with 100% Tariffs
President Trump’s trade war is set to resume after pausing for 90 days back in April. However, the tariff deadline, which was set to renew on July 9th, is being extended to August 1st. However, he has also been sending letters to various countries announcing new tariffs that are set to begin when the pause is ended.
This includes Russia, which Trump has threatened with 100% tariffs if it doesn’t end the war with Ukraine. During a July 14th meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House, Trump stated that the US will be “doing very severe tariffs if we don’t have a deal in 50 days, tariffs at about 100%”. This is on top of the threat of 500% tariffs on any country that buys Russian oil and gas.
In addition to the tariffs, Trump plans to send fresh weapons supplies to Kyiv, paid for by NATO state members. What Kyiv receives will depend on what Europe is willing to pay for. However, Trump is frustrated with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s refusal to make a peace deal with Ukraine, and he and his cabinet hope this will spur Putin to take action.
Get the latest on this story here.
Del Monte Foods Files for Bankruptcy
Del Monte Foods, a prominent player in the food production industry for 138 years, announced on July 1 that it had decided to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This action follows the company’s initiation of a debt restructuring program less than a year ago, aimed at alleviating approximately $1.2 billion in secured debt. Among the unsecured creditors owed significant amounts for services rendered prior to the bankruptcy filing are Uber Freight and Saddle Creek Logistics, both major logistics companies in North America.
To facilitate its Chapter 11 proceedings, Del Monte has secured $165 million in new financing, providing additional protection against its substantial existing debt obligations. While the recovery of funds for these creditors is uncertain, Uber Freight has expressed confidence in its expectation to receive full payment for the services provided and that it will “remain focused on delivering uninterrupted support as a trusted, long-term logistics partner”.
Read the full article here for more.
FedEx is The Owner of the First ATR 72-600 Passenger-to-Freighter Aircraft
FedEx has acquired the world’s first ATR 72-600 passenger-to-freighter aircraft from ACIA Aero Leasing, based in Dublin. The turboprop aircraft will be converted from a passenger plane to a freighter, replacing an older aircraft, with plans to purchase more in the future.
Most of FedEx’s 727 fleet consists of converted aircraft, with the last addition received in 2016. Currently, FedEx operates 24 ATR 72-600 freighters, which are all used by partner airlines in North America and Europe for feeder routes. The converted aircraft is expected to be delivered by the end of 2025 or early 2026.
This purchase comes at a time when the company has recently closed two facilities and laid off more than 480 workers in an effort to streamline operations by consolidating FedEx Express and FedEx Ground networks into one system for increased delivery efficiency and cost reduction. This raises questions about the rationale behind purchasing new aircraft during an expense-saving initiative.
Find out more about FedEx’s newest aircraft here.
What’s Next For the Freight Industry?
Natural disasters, tariffs, bankruptcies, and more: the freight industry seems to be cornered at every turn by unexpected changes on the global stage. From floods devastating central Texas to Trump’s continued crusade against other countries using tariffs as his weapon of choice, the economy is teetering on the edge of a cliff. The freight industry relies on stability and healthy international relationships to prosper; both of these factors are in short supply these days. Yet, progress is still being made in the industry. With the new changes to the NMFC’s freight class system and companies like FedEx making strategic investments for their growth, there is hope for a better tomorrow in the industry.
What should freight companies and shippers be doing now, in light of these economic setbacks and potential rises? Caution is the key to success. Companies should develop backup plans for their supply chain processes, considering every type of disruption that could impact their operations. You should also continuously monitor the global economy, particularly market trends, geopolitical developments, and shipment volumes. These factors could affect your business when you least expect it, so you must stay informed about current global economic developments and make preparations for when its less favorable aspects emerge.
How FreightCenter Supports Businesses During Economic Uncertainty
At FreightCenter, we understand that financial instability doesn’t stop the need for goods to move. That’s why we offer services and tools to help businesses stay agile and control logistics costs even in volatile markets:
Scalable Freight Solutions: Quickly adapt to volume fluctuations with flexible service options.
Rate Comparisons in Real Time: Secure the most cost-effective rates from our carrier network to protect your bottom line.
Strategic Shipment Planning: Optimize routes and timing to avoid unnecessary expenses or disruptions.
Our team is here to support you through the uncertainty, with logistics solutions built for resilience. Call us at (800) 716-7608 for more information or try our free online quote tool to enhance your freight shipping experience with FreightCenter’s 3PL services.
