Talking Transports by Bloomberg Intelligence features forwarding thinking conversations with analysts, executives and entrepreneurs that are shaping the future ...
Saia’s expansion plans are helping it mitigate weak less-than-truckload (LTL) demand, but that also comes with higher costs and margin pressures as new facilities build density. The company added 21 new facilities with plans to open up to six in 2025. Tonnage has increased 12-13% during the first two months of the year, while its competitors are experiencing mid- to high-single-digit declines. In this episode of the Talking Transports podcast, Saia’s President and CEO Fritz Holzgrefe joins Lee Klaskow, Bloomberg Intelligence’s senior transportation and logistics analyst, to discuss the outlook for the LTL market and the company’s network build-out. Capital spending will remain elevated this year even after declining 28% from 2024, as Saia continues to expand. Holzgrefe also talks about the driver market, the competitive landscape and how he went from peanuts to trucking.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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40:21
Cargill a Mover in the Dry-Bulk Markets
Dry-bulk rates are well below their pandemic peaks and are now hovering around operating costs for many fleets. The outlook will be challenging this year as supply growth is expected to outpace demand by 230 bps, based on a forecast by Clarksons. In this Talking Transports episode, Jan Dieleman, president of Cargill Ocean Transportation, joins Lee Klaskow, Bloomberg Intelligence senior transportation and logistics analyst, to share his insights about what’s on the horizon for its fleet of about 700 chartered vessels. Cargill is on the long path to reach the IMO’s goal of zero emissions by 2050 through innovations and testing biofuels and wind, as well as taking delivery of five dual-fuel methanol ships this year. Dieleman also talks tariffs, regulations, discusses Red Sea voyages and his long career moving dry- and wet-bulk cargos around the world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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38:07
Port of Los Angeles Delivers to Stakeholders
The Port of Los Angeles is a major gateway for freight moving in and out of the US, which is key to the regional and national economies. The pull-forward benefits from anticipated new US implemented tariffs, and a potential strike at US East Coast and Gulf ports, helped drive 19% volume growth in 2024. This year, comparisons will become more difficult and may result in low-double-digit declines in 2H. In this Talking Transports podcast, Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, joins Lee Klaskow, Bloomberg Intelligence senior transportation and logistics analyst, to share his insights about what’s over the horizon for North America’s busiest container port. Seroka also discusses the company’s emission goals, technology-driven productivity gains and how his career in shipping started with a plane ticket from his dad.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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37:54
Ardmore on What’s on the Horizon for Tankers
Geopolitical-fueled supply-chain dislocations have provided a constructive supply-demand backdrop for product and chemical-tanker fleets in 2025. The crisis in the Red Sea, sanctions on Russian energy exports and potential US tariffs have increased ton-miles and absorbed capacity. Time charter rates remain above historical averages despite coming off their robust levels over the past three years, which will weigh on earnings this year. In this Talking Transports podcast, Gernot Ruppelt, CEO of Ardmore Shipping, joins Lee Klaskow, Bloomberg Intelligence senior transportation and logistics analyst, to share his insights into the state of the product tanker market. Ruppelt also discusses the company’s integrated trading strategy, focus on innovation to drive operating costs lower and capital-allocation priorities.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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38:59
Gordon on M&A Activity Picking Up in 2025
Supply-chain executives are more optimistic about freight markets and the pace of mergers and acquisitions in 2025. Deals can be a win-win for buyers and sellers as seen by RXO’s recent acquisition of Coyote, UPS’ brokerage business. The transaction lets UPS focus on its parcel business while provides RXO with significantly increased market penetration. Some deals are motivated by companies expanding their specialties in a service or geography. In this Talking Transports podcast, Ben Gordon, founder of BGSA Holdings and Cambridge Capital, joins Lee Klaskow, Bloomberg Intelligence senior transportation and logistics analyst, to share his insights about the state of the M&A and private equity markets for transportation, logistics and tangential technology companies. Gordon also discusses what can motivate a seller, and valuations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Talking Transports by Bloomberg Intelligence features forwarding thinking conversations with analysts, executives and entrepreneurs that are shaping the future of the freight transportation industry. The focus will be on trucking, railroads, ocean and air freight markets and everything in between.
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