What Is a Hostage Load?

A hostage load is freight held by a carrier, or by someone posing as one, who refuses to deliver until they are paid more than the agreed rate. Sometimes it's a genuine dispute; often it's a scheme by a carrier that never intended to honor the rate confirmation, or by a double-broker who wasn't paid upstream.

How to reduce the risk

• Vet carriers before tender: active authority, insurance on file, verified contacts
• Watch for double-brokering red flags like a different name on the truck
• Keep signed rate confirmations and tracking, and document every communication

All terms