Freight Industry Briefing: Kühne Legacy, Trucking Turmoil, and Last-Mile Innovation

## Freight Industry Briefing ### Klaus-Michael Kühne, Logistics Giant, Dies at 89 The global logistics industry is mourning the loss of one of its most transformative figures. Klaus-Michael Kühne, the visionary executive who elevated Kuehne+Nagel from a regional European freight forwarder into one of the world's foremost logistics providers, has died at the age of 89, according to FreightWaves. Under Kühne's stewardship, the Hamburg-based company expanded its global footprint across sea freight, air freight, road logistics, and contract logistics, becoming a benchmark for scale and operational excellence in the industry. His influence extended well beyond Kuehne+Nagel — through significant shareholdings in Hapag-Lloyd and Lufthansa Cargo, Kühne shaped the strategic direction of global shipping and air cargo for decades. His passing marks the end of an era for international freight and supply chain management. --- ### Trucking Sector Reels from Prolonged Downturn The road freight market continues to face severe headwinds, with FreightWaves reporting that approximately 85% of carriers that entered the market in recent years have since failed — a casualty rate that underscores the depth and duration of the current freight cycle. Kirk Mann, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Transportation and Vendor Solutions at Mitsubishi HC Capital America, attributes the collapse to a combination of over-financed assets, suppressed spot rates, and a market correction that has proven longer and more punishing than previous downturns. The shakeout has significant implications for capacity availability and rate stability as shippers and brokers look ahead to a potential market recovery. Compounding the pressure on carriers, FreightWaves also highlights a growing disconnect between diesel fuel costs and spot freight rates. Despite surging diesel prices — driven in part by global conflicts affecting refinery output — spot rates have continued to fall, squeezing operator margins further. Shifts in intermodal rail utilisation and changing length-of-haul patterns are cited as additional factors distorting the traditional relationship between fuel costs and freight pricing. --- ### Private Fleet Backhaul Capacity Emerges as Broker Opportunity Amid tight capacity and volatile pricing, a largely overlooked resource may offer relief for freight brokers. According to FreightWaves, private fleets collectively carry more than $100 billion in empty backhaul capacity — unused miles that represent both a cost burden for fleet operators and a potential opportunity for the broader market. Russell Jones, CEO of Private Fleet Net Zero, argues that digital freight matching platforms can unlock this latent capacity, offering brokers access to loads at an estimated 25% discount while delivering higher service levels than traditional spot market alternatives. The model also carries sustainability benefits, reducing deadhead miles and associated emissions. --- ### Amazon Drone Delivery Inches Forward After 13-Year Journey In last-mile logistics, Amazon's Prime Air drone delivery programme is expanding into new U.S. states, though FreightWaves notes the programme's 13-year development timeline illustrates the regulatory and operational complexity of scaling autonomous aerial delivery. Key milestones still pending include the FAA's finalisation of beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operating rules, which are considered essential for commercial viability at scale. The expansion is being watched closely by logistics operators and port-adjacent distribution networks as a potential indicator of future last-mile infrastructure investment.