FMCSA says the ruling does not formally change its authority, but the practical pressure is now on: brokers are asking how they can be liable for vetting carriers when FMCSA itself does not fully “certify” every carrier in the way brokers may want.
Domestic intermodal volumes in the eastern U.S. are rebounding sharply as higher diesel prices, stronger trucking rates and improved rail service drive more freight conversion from truck to rail on shorter-haul corridors traditionally difficult for intermodal providers to penetrate.
The UK government postponed a planned fuel-duty increase and introduced a 12-month heavy-truck vehicle tax holiday after surging diesel prices tied to the Middle East conflict pushed trucking operating costs sharply higher and intensified pressure on freight carriers already operating on thin margins.
The proposed Build America 250 Act is raising concerns across trucking and logistics markets that large-scale domestic infrastructure and manufacturing initiatives could tighten freight capacity and intensify equipment and labor constraints.