Logistics Pulse Newsletter— Lower Rates, New Visibility Tools & Rising Tariff Risks
Welcome to Logistics Pulse
This week’s top news in trucking and logistics
Freight is closing the year in a split landscape: tariff volatility and softer import forecasts on one side, meaningful cost relief and efficiency gains on the other. With lower rates and new real-time arrival notifications, Mothership’s latest updates help shippers move faster and spend less. Those who take advantage now will set a stronger baseline heading into 2026.
Top articles this week
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AI Freight Tools Are Reshaping Transparency — And Your Supply Chain
Mothership has launched real-time arrival notifications for local same-day shipments, alerting teams the moment a driver reaches pickup or delivery. Each stop triggers an AI-powered phone call and an email with arrival confirmation, shipment details, locations, driver contact info, and a live tracking link. The AI agent can also answer quick questions, such as where the freight is headed or which location the driver reached. This gives teams hands-free updates without checking the dashboard or calling support, improving communication and dock coordination.
How would real-time arrival updates change your shipping plans?
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Up to 30% Off Local Rates — Holiday Savings on the Mothership Carrier Network
Mothership is offering up to 30% off local same-day rates across its carrier network for the holiday period, with some shipments seeing even larger reductions. Discounts apply automatically—no minimums, commitments, or holiday surcharges—making it easy for teams to save on year-end shipping. These updates come shortly after Mothership’s national LTL rate reductions with XPO and Forward Air, creating broader cost relief for shippers across both local and long-haul moves. A year-end price-match offer is also available for shippers who find lower same-day market rates.
How will lower local and LTL rates shape your 2026 shipping plans?
Retailers see container import hangover for 2026
Retailers and logistics analysts warn that U.S. containerized imports may soften further into 2026 after a strong early-year surge created a mid-year pullback. Pandemic-era overordering, high inventory levels, and weakened consumer demand are contributing to the slowdown. Some retailers report intentionally keeping imports light heading into 2026 to avoid excess stock and preserve cash. Carriers and analysts also point to tariff uncertainty and election-related policy shifts as added headwinds for planning. While not a collapse, the outlook signals a more cautious, efficiency-focused year ahead for importers.
How will your team adapt if the import slowdown continues?
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In Other News
What’s New at Mothership: Seamless Payments, Transparent Shipments
Mothership added a new Prepay funding option for easier, fee-friendly payments, plus timestamped photo watermarks that provide verified time and location details on every shipment image.
9,500 truck drivers sidelined for English-language violations, DOT chief says
Roughly 9,500 truck drivers were removed from service this year for failing federal English-language requirements, tightening capacity in some regions.
Trump’s trade war shift away from Chinese manufacturing has reached tipping point
Trump signaled both tariff pressure and potential relief toward China, reflecting a fluid trade environment as manufacturing continues shifting out of the region.
Trump threatens 5% tariff on Mexico over disputed water deliveries
Trump threatened a 5% tariff on Mexican imports unless a disputed water delivery is met, raising uncertainty for cross-border shippers.
Costco sues Trump administration as tariff backlash intensifies
Costco filed suit seeking tariff refunds, adding to a growing wave of importer challenges ahead of key Supreme Court deliberations.
Two-week plunge in benchmark diesel takes it down more than 16 cts/g