Knight-Swift Cuts Brokerage Carrier Pool by 70 Percent

The trucking firm implemented stricter vetting standards to address concerns over legal liability and cargo theft.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Auto Parts

A lone, weathered shipping container on a vast, empty industrial terminal at sunset, representing the scale of modern logistics. — Knight-Swift has reduced its brokerage carrier network by 70 percent, prioritizing rigorous safety vetting to combat rising cargo theft and liability litigation. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should large companies enforce stricter safety and history requirements for their third-party transport contractors?

Between 2024 and 2026, Knight-Swift reduced its brokerage carrier pool by approximately 70 percent. The decision stems from an industry-wide push for more rigorous carrier vetting amid increasing concerns regarding legal negligence and cargo theft.

Why it matters

Companies are tightening network requirements to address organized cargo theft and potential liability in high-stakes litigation. By restricting access, brokers aim to minimize risks associated with hiring carriers that possess poor safety histories.

Knight-Swift now mandates that all motor carriers possess a minimum of one year of operating history to join its network. This policy shift follows the legal precedent set by the U.S. Supreme Court case Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II.

The players

Knight-Swift

A major trucking and logistics company that operates extensive brokerage services throughout the United States.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

The federal agency that oversees the Compliance, Safety, Accountability program to track carrier safety performance.

Adam Miller

The CEO of Knight-Swift who discussed the firm’s strategic shift in carrier vetting at a recent industry summit.

The details

Brokerage firms now evaluate potential partners by conducting deeper reviews of operating histories, CSA program scores, and insurance coverage. Knight-Swift is specifically utilizing power-only arrangements while implementing these stricter filters to defend against claims of negligence.

The carrier pool reduction occurred between 2024 and 2026.
CEO Adam Miller addressed these vetting standards on October 27, 2026, at the WEX OTR Summit.

Roadmap

The industry is undergoing a structural shift toward consolidation as brokers prioritize risk mitigation over sheer carrier volume. This pivot reflects a broader transition where liability concerns force companies to standardize safety vetting to remain competitive in a volatile freight market.

Shippers and business owners should expect persistent transportation capacity constraints as fewer carriers qualify for major brokerage networks. These tighter standards may lead to higher transportation rates even as the freight market stabilizes throughout 2027.

The takeaway

Brokers and shippers are shifting their focus toward vetting to avoid the financial and legal costs of carrier negligence. Companies operating in the logistics space should prepare for a landscape where compliance records are just as vital as shipping prices.