Spot rates are sky high. Will contract rates follow?

Contract rates typically catch up to spot rates in three to six months, but weakness in the economy could stall an increase.

By Jim Stinson • Aug. 20, 2020

Ports show mixed results on imports ahead of back-to-school season

Imports of some school staples slumped in July, suggesting that shippers are being cautious as many schools begin the year teaching remotely.

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 18, 2020

Imports rose in July. Has peak come early or are supply chains making up for lost time?

Empty container returns to Asia from the Port of Los Angeles were on par with 2019 levels, signaling an expected uptick in trade flows on the Transpacific.

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 14, 2020

Study: Dedicated contract carriage will grow modestly as shippers seek capacity safe haven

Contracts can shield shippers now when spot rates are high, but they helped shield carriers when volumes dropped in March and April.

By S.L. Fuller • Aug. 14, 2020

Transpacific rates swell as retail restocking revives import volume

Capacity has grown compared to this time last year, but the reintroduction of sailings hasn't pushed down rates for cargo flowing from East Asia to the U.S. West Coast.

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 12, 2020

JB Hunt makes 120-mile haul for Walmart in Daimler electric truck

The carrier's first delivery using an all-electric Freightliner eCascadia marked the start of a three-month testing phase.

By S.L. Fuller • Aug. 12, 2020

Railroads voice wary optimism for peak as freight volumes make slow progress in July

Intermodal traffic is close to pre-pandemic levels, down 1% compared to July 2019. CSX attributed growing intermodal volumes to retailers replenishing inventories.

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 11, 2020

Strike ends at Port of Montreal, operations resume

During the 11-day strike, container terminals closed their gates to trucks as port workers protested overtime cuts and changes to premium pay for nights and weekends.

By Jim Stinson • Updated Aug. 24, 2020

Spot market rates shoot up as capacity tightens

Truckload capacity usually declines at this point in the year, DAT said, but a citrus volume surge in California, a hurricane along the Southeast coast, and consumer demand and fulfillment caused an increase in loads.

By Jim Stinson • Aug. 7, 2020

CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk and MSC resume operations at Port of Beirut

The port resumed operations on Monday afternoon, according to a notice from Maersk which reported the container terminal saw only minor damage. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Updated Aug. 12, 2020

Tropical Storm Isaias heads up East Coast threatening road, sea freight movement

The storm's winds could overturn truck trailers along the busy 1-95 corridor and increase the risk for downed trees on railroad tracks. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 4, 2020

COVID-19's urban exodus will force supply chains to adapt

The shift to working from home could cause a second slower-moving, but more enduring, demand shock that is just starting to unfold, writes Aaron Terrazas, director of economic research at Convoy.

By Aaron Terrazas • Aug. 4, 2020

US ventilator, PPE imports drop as coronavirus cases climb

S&P Global cites efforts by the Trump administration to encourage domestic production of key supplies to combat the coronavirus pandemic as a potential reason for the reduction.

By Morgan Forde • Aug. 3, 2020

CH Robinson draws airfreight demand with belly capacity down 70% in June

The carrier's airfreight revenue and pricing increased despite hauling less volume — a dichotomy highlighting the struggle shippers face in the current environment.

By Matt Leonard • July 30, 2020

Norfolk Southern nabs former CSX, Union Pacific exec as railroad pushes forward on PSR

The railroad has consistently reported gains in train speed and reductions in dwell time, but operating ratio jumped above 70% in Q2.

By Emma Cosgrove • July 29, 2020

Tight truckload market pushes up spot rates in June

Knight-Swift said it expects spot rates to rise through the remainder of 2020 and result in more expensive contract rates for 2021.

By Matt Leonard • July 28, 2020

Residual effects of Hurricane Hanna to slow cross-border freight for days

Any closure of the major roads between Saltillo and Monterrey in Mexico can result in concentrated traffic and delays at the World Trade Bridge in Laredo, Texas.

By Emma Cosgrove • July 28, 2020

Maersk to charge fee starting in September for shippers manually booking, amending documents

The carrier said it receives about 6,000 emails and phone calls every week related to manual amendments.

By Matt Leonard • July 27, 2020

Union Pacific improves service metrics despite 20% volume drop

The railroad is now building up capacity for the volume growth it expects through the balance of the year, but executives emphasized it will not return to pre-pandemic workforce or equipment levels.

By Emma Cosgrove • July 24, 2020

Electronics supply chains are stuck between a pandemic and a trade war. Where do they go from here?

Shifting operations is a mammoth undertaking for the electronics industry due to China's specialized production capacities, co-location of key suppliers and economies of scale.

By Morgan Forde • July 23, 2020

United Airlines stands out with 36% revenue growth in cargo

The airline operated 3,800 cargo-only flights to transport 204 million pounds of cargo during the second quarter.

By Matt Leonard • July 23, 2020

Home Depot leans on efficiency analysis for sustainable transport plan

"As we try and improve the efficiency of our supply chain, it actually results in massively better sustainability measures," the VP of transportation told Supply Chain Dive.

By Emma Cosgrove • July 23, 2020

CSX loses ground on service metrics due to volume volatility

A principal concern for the railroad was recalling workers who may have already found interim work elsewhere, delaying their return.

By Emma Cosgrove • July 23, 2020

Walmart's planned South Carolina warehouse will increase Port of Charleston volume 5%

The $220 million, 3 million-square-foot facility will serve regional distribution centers that support about 850 Walmart stores and Sam’s Clubs.

By Matt Leonard • July 22, 2020

Schneider invests in TMS company to launch visibility tool

Schneider CEO Mark Rourke said the TMS would "accelerate the blending of our asset and non-asset worlds," reducing shipper wait times for loading and unloading trailers at warehouses.

By S.L. Fuller • July 22, 2020