Trucking news and updates for Monday, November 17, 2025:
ATRI Recruiting Fleets for Insurance Research
The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) is inviting motor carriers to contribute to a study focused on the escalating costs of insurance and methods for risk management. All data collected will be kept confidential and will be analyzed in aggregate, with non-disclosure agreements available upon request.
Over the past eight years, trucking auto liability premiums have surged by 36% per mile, despite a decline in truck accidents over the last four years. In 2025, insurance costs and the abuse of lawsuits were highlighted as significant concerns within the trucking sector, ranking second and third respectively.
In light of these financial challenges, fleets are reassessing their overall risk costs by exploring new technologies, training methods, and alternative insurance options, including self-insurance. Previous ATRI studies noted that fleets reduced coverage and raised deductibles between 2018 and 2020 in search of cost savings, leading to self-incentivized safety enhancements yet still facing higher premiums. ATRI’s Research Advisory Committee (RAC) has prioritized expanding this research to better understand industry trends in adopting these strategies.
Motor carriers are encouraged to submit details regarding their coverage stacks from 2021 to 2024, along with insights into their safety technology usage and alternative insurance arrangements. All participating carriers will receive a tailored report comparing their risk costs to an anonymized peer group. The survey can be completed via PDF or online, with a deadline of Friday, December 19.
Union Pacific Shareholders Approve Norfolk Southern Merger
Union Pacific Corporation announced that 99.5% of its shareholders voted in favor of issuing new common stock in relation to its merger with Norfolk Southern on Friday.
CEO Jim Vena expressed gratitude for shareholder support in reaching this significant milestone toward establishing America’s first coast-to-coast railroad. Vena highlighted that shareholders recognize the merger’s potential to provide enhanced service, growth, and innovation opportunities.
Trucking stakeholders such as Knight-Swift Transportation (CCJ Top 250, No. 3) and C.R. England (No. 32) have publicly endorsed the merger. Vena stated that an application would be filed with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) detailing how the merger aims to provide “seamless, single-line service nationwide to improve transit times, enhance reliability, and boost the competitiveness of U.S. rail.” The transaction is subject to STB review and standard closing conditions.
Import Trends and Trucking Capacity Challenges
A sustained drop in both import and export volumes is affecting overall economic activity while easing congestion at ports and rail, according to the ITS Logistics U.S. Port/Rail Ramp Freight Index.
As port operations normalize, various sectors in the domestic supply chain are facing increased uncertainty due to swift regulatory changes impacting tariffs, English language proficiency enforcement, and non-domiciled trucking capacity.
In October, U.S. container imports reached 2,306,687 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), reflecting a 7.5% decrease from 2024. Though there was a slight month-over-month decline of 0.1%, this trend diverges from typical seasonal patterns and indicates ongoing shipper reservations and a reliance on pre-loaded inventory.
Outside the ports, the trucking industry is navigating legislative complexities as states respond to changing laws affecting non-domiciled drivers and English language proficiency (ELP) standards. Following the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) announcement in September halting the issuance and renewal of non-domiciled CDLs, stakeholders have been scrambling to ensure compliance and assess impacts on market capacity. A recent Appeals Court temporarily blocked enforcement of this ruling, allowing state agencies to continue issuing non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses. However, renewed ELP requirements remain strictly enforced through roadside checks since July.
Paul Brashier, Vice President of Global Supply Chain for ITS Logistics, estimates that as many as 600,000 drivers may exit the U.S. driver ecosystem due to these non-domiciled driver and ELP enforcement measures, alongside the accelerated exit of trucking companies from the market. This situation is closely monitored for its potential to create capacity challenges for shippers.
