Peak season was more than just one season for the parcel community.

Shipments flooded carrier networks as early as May, leading to suspended service guarantees, surcharges and volume caps. Parcel shippers faced a decision: keep their current strategy or diversify with regional carriers.

Reprieve for shippers from parcel surcharges doesn't appear to be in sight. FedEx has announced peak surcharges effective Jan. 18 until further notice, and analysts anticipate it won't be the only parcel carrier to make such a move.

The stories below illustrate the effects the COVID-19 pandemic and boom in e-commerce had on parcel logistics networks.