16 trucking companies hit bankruptcy court in less than a month

A fresh wave of trucking bankruptcies is moving through the U.S., with companies ranging from small one-truck operators to fleets running dozens of vehicles seeking protection under either Chapter 7 or Chapter 11.

At least 16 trucking, delivery and transportation companies entered bankruptcy proceedings between late August and Sept. 21, according to federal court filings and carrier records reviewed by FreightWaves.

The filings include Chapter 11 cases involving Globemaster Incorporated, Xoco Transport, Jett Transport & Materials, CLJ Transporting, Mill Creek Logistics-Illinois, RP Hay Hauling, Truckload LLC and Pacer Transport. Several smaller carriers have instead filed for Chapter 7, a process that generally leads to liquidation rather than reorganization.

The latest cases come as trucking companies continue to operate in a challenging freight environment, with diesel prices and other operating expenses remaining elevated.

Xoco Transport enters Chapter 11

Xoco Transport, a carrier based in Hidalgo, Texas, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Sept. 16.

Court filings show the company has more than 40 tractors, 65 drivers and 70 trailers.

Illinois carrier Globemaster files bankruptcy

Globemaster Inc., a long-haul carrier headquartered in Bolingbrook, Illinois, filed for Chapter 11 protection on Sept. 15 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

The company reported assets between $500,000 and $1 million, while its liabilities were listed between $1 million and $10 million.

Globemaster operates 51 power units and reported approximately 3.3 million annual miles in its most recent regulatory filings.

The bankruptcy filing lists between one and 49 creditors.

Amazon delivery contractor seeks protection

CLJ Transporting Inc., an Auburndale, Florida-based carrier identified as an Amazon Delivery Service Partner, filed for Chapter 11 protection on Sept. 15 in the Middle District of Florida.

CLJ reported between $100,000 and $500,000 in assets and liabilities ranging from $500,000 to $1 million.

Carrier records show the company with 18 trucks, while the bankruptcy roundup identifies a workforce of 30 drivers supporting last-mile delivery operations across Florida.

Texas construction hauler files Chapter 11

Jett Transport & Materials LLC filed for Chapter 11 protection on Sept. 14 in the Western District of Texas.

Based in Somerset, Texas, the company specializes in hauling construction materials. It reported assets between $100,000 and $500,000 and liabilities between $500,000 and $1 million.

Records included with the bankruptcy information show the company operating about 14 trucks and 14 trailers. It was also listed with 10 drivers and an active motor carrier registration.

Mill Creek Logistics seeks reorganization

Mill Creek Logistics-Illinois Inc., based in Lenexa, Kansas, also sought Chapter 11 protection on Sept. 14.

The courier and express delivery company reported between $100,000 and $500,000 in assets against liabilities ranging from $1 million to $10 million.

Federal carrier records cited in the bankruptcy roundup previously listed Mill Creek with 24 power units and 28 drivers. The company reported approximately 1.24 million miles traveled in 2023.

Arizona agricultural hauler files Chapter 11

RP Hay Hauling LLC, a Parker, Arizona-based carrier specializing in agricultural transportation, filed for Chapter 11 protection on Sept. 10.

The company reported both assets and liabilities in the $1 million-to-$10 million range and listed between one and 49 creditors.

The bankruptcy filing identifies RP Hay Hauling as a specialized freight trucking company focused on agricultural transportation.

Expedite Express faces bankruptcy, authority suspension

Truckload LLC, which operates under the name Expedite Express, filed for Chapter 11 protection on Sept. 9.

The Ave Maria, Florida-based company reported assets between $100,000 and $500,000 and liabilities of less than $50,000. The filing lists between 50 and 99 creditors.

The bankruptcy case comes as the carrier faces a scheduled involuntary suspension of its motor carrier operating authority on Sept. 30. According to regulatory records cited in the bankruptcy roundup, the company also voluntarily suspended its property broker authority on Aug. 21.

Truckload operated 114 power units with 114 drivers as recently as May 2024. Its 2026 MCS-150 filing reported 300,000 miles.

Pacer Transport reports up to $10 million in liabilities

Pacer Transport Inc. filed for Chapter 11 protection on Sept. 4 in the Western District of Louisiana.

The Arnaudville, Louisiana-based company reported less than $50,000 in assets and between $1 million and $10 million in liabilities, representing one of the largest gaps between assets and liabilities among the recent filings.

Pacer listed between one and 49 creditors. Records cited in the bankruptcy roundup describe the company as being involved in general freight, flatbed and specialized hauling, as well as brokerage services.

Smaller carriers head to Chapter 7

The recent bankruptcy activity also includes a group of smaller fleets entering Chapter 7 proceedings.

A&B Transportation Inc., based in Lake Elsinore, California, filed on Sept. 11. The carrier is listed with six trucks and six drivers. Russ Exp Co., an interstate carrier based in Arlington Heights, Illinois, with five trucks and five drivers, also recently entered Chapter 7 proceedings.

Several Texas-based carriers have also entered bankruptcy proceedings. They include T Yorkman Trucking LLC of Midland, which specialized in oil field water transportation, vacuum truck operations and hazardous-material hauling; Blue Star Transports LLC of Garland, listed with two trucks and two drivers; and Jackdollars Transport LLC of McKinney, a one-truck carrier.

In California, Eulogia Logistics Inc. of Hacienda Heights filed for Chapter 7 on Sept. 17. The company is listed with three trucks and five drivers. South Gate-based Rothchild Transportation LLC, listed with one truck and one driver, also entered bankruptcy proceedings.

C. Pride Transport Inc., an Illinois carrier listed with one truck and one driver, recently filed for Chapter 7 in the Northern District of Illinois.

The series of filings does not necessarily mean that every company has stopped operating. Chapter 11 is intended to provide financially distressed businesses with an opportunity to restructure, while Chapter 7 generally involves the liquidation of a debtor’s assets.

Recent trucking and transportation bankruptcy filings

Why it matters: The geographically widespread filings show financial pressure continuing to surface across general freight, last-mile, agricultural and specialized trucking.