ROBERT F BARNES CUSTOMS BROKER

MicroVision Buys Luminar Assets for $33M, Targets Truck LiDAR Cost Cut

The Redmond sensor maker is applying automotive design-to-cost discipline to LiDAR after acquiring Luminar IP — aiming to make the tech pencil out for commercial fleets beyond r…

May 17, 2026

Broker Fraud & Vetting

Broker $75K bond won't cover crash liability — what carriers should verify now

Supreme Court ruling opens brokers to negligent-selection lawsuits, but the federal surety bond only covers freight payment defaults — not tort judgments.

May 17, 2026

Broker Fraud & Vetting

Supreme Court Ruling Shifts Broker Liability — Vetting Gaps Now Courtroom Risk

A May 2026 Supreme Court decision allows state-by-state negligence claims against brokers who tender loads to unsafe carriers. Legal experts say documented vetting procedures ar…

May 16, 2026

General

Supreme Court Clears Path for Broker Liability in Carrier-Crash Cases

Unanimous ruling lets injured trucker sue broker over carrier selection — fleet managers and owner-ops should expect tighter vetting and higher insurance floors.

May 16, 2026

Markets & Rates

DOT Enforcement Tightens Capacity as Spot Rates Climb in Q1

First-quarter enforcement activity pulled carriers off the road, shrinking available capacity and lifting spot rates — a supply-driven recovery that changes the math for small f…

Markets & Rates

Spot and Contract Rates Edge Higher in Q1 as Capacity Tightens

Both spot and contract rates moved up during the first quarter while carriers focused on internal efficiency and operational improvements.

When Will Autonomous Trucks Scale Beyond Pilot Routes?

Driverless trucks are moving from test lanes to commercial launches — but hardware cost, sensor serviceability, and route constraints still gate wider deployment.

Markets & Rates

Bid Season Pricing Gains Signal Shift After Three-Quarter Downturn

Carriers report better pricing power in Q1 2026 contract negotiations as capacity exits and spot rates firm — the first sustained leverage shift since mid-2023.

Fuel & Energy

Brent Crude Dips to $105.44 as Iran War Drags On With No End in Sight

Oil fell 19 cents May 14 after a week of whipsaw moves — diesel still sits near $4.48, and small fleets are watching every penny.

General

Supreme Court rules against brokers in Montgomery liability case

Decision opens freight brokers to direct liability claims under federal law — legal and insurance costs expected to climb across the industry.

Will IIHS start rating Class 8 ADAS? OEMs say yes at ACT Expo

Truck manufacturers at the 2026 Advanced Clean Transportation Expo welcomed the prospect of Insurance Institute for Highway Safety ratings for heavy-duty collision-avoidance sys…

Mack MP13 Gets 2027 EPA Nod — More Power, Better MPG, B20 Approved

The 2027-compliant MP13 adds horsepower and fuel economy while waiting on EPA warranty-rule clarity that could cut thousands off the sticker.