A series of bankruptcy filings by small and mid-sized trucking companies across the United States is highlighting the continued fragility of the sector, as demand remains uneven and operating costs stay elevated.
Companies including Liberty Carriers Inc., NAS Logistics LLC, Golden Spirit Freight LLC, NV Freight Inc., Star One Transport LLC and PSS Trucking Inc. have all filed for protection in recent weeks, across jurisdictions ranging from California and Texas to Illinois and Florida.
While larger carriers are showing early signs of stabilisation, the situation for smaller operators remains significantly more challenging heading into 2026.
The filings cover a broad spectrum of fleet sizes. NV Freight Inc., based in the Chicago area, operated around 52 tractors with an equal number of drivers. Despite its scale, the company filed for Chapter 11 in April, reporting liabilities of up to $10 million.
NAS Logistics LLC, headquartered in Texas, operated 27 trucks and logged more than 2.6 million miles in 2024. It also filed for Chapter 11, with assets between $100,000 and $500,000 and liabilities reaching up to $10 million.
Liberty Carriers Inc., based in California, operated eight trucks and drivers, focusing on general freight and building materials. It reported similar asset levels, with liabilities ranging between $1 million and $10 million.
At the lower end of the market, micro-carriers are among the most affected. Star One Transport, based in Miami, operated a single truck and filed for Chapter 11 in early April. The company handled both general freight and specialised cargo, including lithium batteries.
PSS Trucking Inc., headquartered in Illinois, operated three trucks, while a related entity ran a single-unit operation. Both filings underline the extreme vulnerability of very small fleets.
Not all companies are attempting to restructure. Golden Spirit Freight LLC filed for Chapter 7 liquidation, reporting less than $50,000 in assets — a clear indication of a shutdown rather than recovery.
This trend reinforces a broader industry pattern: when freight rates soften and financing costs rise, smaller operators are typically the first to exit the market.
