Freight Monday! 👋 We’re starting the week with a developing story involving stolen cargo worth over $5 million. Peel Regional Police have arrested a suspect in connection with an ongoing investigation into freight theft by the transportation company All Days Trucking.

More details ahead 👇

💬 More in Freight:

⚫️ Pink Cheetah Express vs TQL: Update

⚫️ China Hits Back: Tariff Updates

⚫️ Cargado Raises $12M In Series A

⚫️ Troopers Hiding In Construction Vehicles

Pink Cheetah Express vs. TQL 🏛️

Pink Cheetah Express is suing Total Quality Logistics (TQL) over access to transaction records for a 2019 ice cream delivery. Pink Cheetah requested the records under federal transparency rules, but TQL refused, citing a contract clause.

Despite efforts by the Small Business in Transportation Coalition (SBTC) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Pink Cheetah pursued legal action.

TQL has filed a motion to dismiss, arguing that the case should be heard in Ohio due to a forum selection clause, and that Pink Cheetah lacks standing to sue after its carrier license was revoked in 2023.

TQL also claims that the requested records are not subject to the federal statute cited by Pink Cheetah and that Pink Cheetah waived its right to access them. Additionally, TQL argues that Pink Cheetah hasn’t shown harm or public benefit to justify an injunction.

Pink Cheetah now faces the challenge of defending its case in court, with the motion to dismiss pending. The case highlights issues surrounding transparency, contract enforceability, and the rights of motor carriers after license revocation.

Increased Income, Increased Work 📊

In 2024, independent truck drivers saw a slight income increase, with the average driver earning $64,000, up $1,000 from 2023. Full-time drivers made about $86,000, while top earners reached $215,000. However, these gains came with more work, as the average full-time driver drove 93,000 miles, up 4%.

ATBS, a financial firm serving owner-operators, noticed many independent drivers shifted to company fleets or left the industry during the 2022 downturn. Despite falling diesel prices in late 2024, the savings didn’t offset a 10-cent-per-mile drop in rates.

Todd Amen of ATBS advises drivers to focus on productivity and cover fixed costs by running more miles, even if it means accepting lower-margin loads. He also highlighted the impact of B-1 drivers hauling freight at lower wages, contributing to suppressed rates in the U.S.

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What Else Is Moving 🚚

$5M Cargo Theft Case 🚔

Peel Regional Police have arrested another suspect and filed additional charges in connection to an ongoing investigation into more than $5 million in stolen cargo.

Between December 2024 and January 2025, several victims reported their trailers, filled with freight, were stolen by a transportation company called All Days Trucking.

Following an extensive investigation, authorities identified Manjinder Singh Bura, a 41-year-old from Brampton and owner of Bura Limited, as being involved in the thefts. Bura was arrested and charged on February 19.

On February 26, investigators executed search warrants at a Nobleton, Ont., address, recovering additional stolen property and uncovering involvement from two more companies: Velocity Logistics and Torque Logistics.

Further investigation led to the arrest of 28-year-old Sukhdeep Singh Brar of Brampton on April 3. Brar faces multiple charges, including theft over $5000, fraud over $5000, and possession of property obtained by crime.

Bura, who was arrested in February, was re-arrested and charged with additional offenses, including theft over $5000, fraud over $5000, and possession of property obtained by crime. Both men remain in custody for a bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton. Charges have not been proven in court.

FREIGHT SNIPPETS ✂️

🇨🇳 Hitting Back | China announced it would impose a 34% tariff on all U.S. imports starting April 10, retaliating against U.S. President Donald Trump’s "Liberation Day" tariffs. This new tariff mirrors the 34% reciprocal tariff Trump imposed on Chinese exports earlier this week. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce also revealed plans to tighten export controls on rare earth materials, which are essential for high-tech products like computer chips and electric vehicle batteries. The controls will affect minerals such as samarium, used in aerospace and defense, and gadolinium, which is critical for MRI scans. Read more.

🌊 Flooding Threats | Rivers continued to rise and flooding worsened across the U.S. South and Midwest on Sunday, April 6, as communities already battered by heavy rain and wind faced further threats. The storms have claimed at least 18 lives. From Texas to Ohio, utilities worked to cut off power and gas, while cities closed roads and deployed sandbags to protect homes and businesses. Read more.

🚽 Bathroom Access | The Trucker Bathroom Access Act has been reintroduced, requiring retailers, distribution centers, and marine terminals to provide bathroom access to truck drivers. Sponsored by Reps. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-Penn.), the bill aims to grant truckers the same access to restrooms as customers or employees. Advocated by both carriers and owner-operators, it seeks to improve working conditions, especially for female drivers. Read more.

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🤝 Panama Canal Railway Purchased | Maersk, through APM Terminals, has acquired the Panama Canal Railway Company (PCRC) from Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and Lanco Group/Mi-Jack. The 47-mile railway, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, reported $77 million in revenue and $36 million in EBITDA in 2024. CPKC, viewing the railway as a non-core asset, sold it to focus on its North American business. Terms of the sale were not disclosed. Read more.

❌ Volvo Layoffs | Volvo Trucks North America will lay off 250-350 staff at its New River Valley plant in Dublin, Va., in early April due to reduced demand, especially in the long-haul segment, and the completion of the VNL model ramp-up. The plant will continue operating with about 3,600 workers. Additionally, 40 employees at Volvo's Hagerstown, Md., powertrain plant were laid off on March 21. The New River Valley plant, which underwent $400 million in upgrades, started production of the redesigned VNL tractor in October 2023. Read more.

👋 Losing Board Members | Forward Air’s board members Ana Amicarella and Valerie Bonebrake will not seek reelection, as announced in a March 20 filing. Their decision was not due to any disagreements with the company. STG Logistics CEO Paul Svindland has been nominated to join the board as part of leadership changes following Forward Air’s 2023 merger with Omni Logistics. The merger faced complications, including a lawsuit, layoffs, a significant loss, and leadership changes. Svindland brings experience from STG Logistics and other companies. Read more.

Pallets of News 🚛

Cargado Secures $12M 💰

Cargado has secured $12 million in Series A funding to advance its collaborative platform for cross-border freight, focusing on fostering genuine collaboration rather than just transactions. The new capital will speed up product development, deepen integrations, and enhance transparency for users.

The funding round, raised amid tariff uncertainty, was led by LGVP, with additional support from Conversion Capital, Assembly Ventures, and Friends & Family Capital, alongside continued backing from Primary Venture Partners, Ironspring Ventures, Zenda Capital, and Proeza Ventures.

Troopers Hiding In Construction Vehicles 🚜

Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) are teaming up with the PA Turnpike this month for "Operation Orange Squeeze," a work zone safety initiative. PSP will monitor traffic from concealed construction vehicles, focusing on speeding and distracted driving.

Drivers should be aware of increased penalties in work zones, including a 15-day license suspension for speeding 11 mph over the limit or causing a crash. Fines for violations like DUI and speeding are doubled, and homicide by vehicle in a work zone can lead to up to five years in prison.

MEME OF THE DAY 😂

📍 Upcoming events: Catch up with us at TIA: Capital Ideas Conference in San Antonio on April 9-12 and at the Broker Carrier Summit in Indianapolis on April 28-May 2. Let us know if you’ll be there – we'd love to connect!