Industry Pulse
Keep track of monthly trends for each mode of transportation through this data hub.
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Manufacturing production levels fall for third-straight month
Two national indices reported an overall industry contraction based on soft demand from customers still working through inventory backlogs.
By Kate Magill • Feb. 2, 2023 -
San Pedro Bay ports see loaded import volumes drop in August
Looking ahead, Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka projected the port would have “lighter numbers” for the rest of the year.
By Edwin Lopez • Sept. 20, 2022 -
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June 21, 2022 -
Cargo handling delays clog airfreight volumes in November
Air cargo rates jumped 8% from October to November while capacity, still below pre-pandemic levels, rose 0.5%, according to Clive Data Services.
By Max Garland • Dec. 7, 2021 -
Air cargo demand rises, rates soar as shippers prepare for peak
The cost to ship goods by air rose 155% in October when compared to pre-pandemic levels. But high ocean shipping rates and port congestion have some shippers considering airfreight.
By Max Garland • Nov. 9, 2021 -
Legislators propose federal office to manage supply chain crises
A new bill would create the Office of Supply Chain Resiliency and Crisis Response to monitor and respond to disruptions.
By Colin Campbell • Oct. 18, 2021 -
East Coast port volumes rise as some importers avoid West Coast congestion
Delays at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have sent importers looking for other options, but that is leading to congestion at East Coast ports, said Judah Levine, head of research at Freightos, in an emailed analysis.
By Max Garland • Oct. 11, 2021 -
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By Kayla Mackay • Sept. 27, 2021 -
Shanghai terminal closure further strained air cargo capacity in August
COVID-19-related disruptions have sparked noticeable swings in availability and spot rates, even as capacity recovers.
By Max Garland • Sept. 24, 2021 -
Higher contract rates pull volume from spot truck market
DAT Principal Analyst Dean Croke said this is the result of carriers securing higher contract rates, which reduces the incentive to focus on the spot market.
By Matt Leonard • July 14, 2021 -
Airfreight demand returns to pre-pandemic levels, but capacity could take longer to materialize
The transpacific lane won't be the first to benefit from the return of passenger planes and belly capacity. Freighters expect their services will be in demand into next year.
By Matt Leonard • July 8, 2021 -
Supply chain constraints, spot posts push up trucking rates
Strong demand resulted in rates continuing to rise MoM and YoY across van, flatbed and reefer, according to DAT.
By Matt Leonard • June 21, 2021 -
Railroads post strong volume but struggle with congestion
Rail dwell time at the San Pedro Bay surged to 11.2 days in April, up from more than 7 days in January.
By Matt Leonard • June 14, 2021 -
Sea-to-air conversions drive up airfreight rates on Transpacific
Tight capacity and volatility in the air cargo market leads many shippers to seek longer-term contracts with their carriers.
By Matt Leonard • May 10, 2021 -
Tight trucking capacity won't ease until later in 2021
The market has led to increases in freight spending, which was up nearly 17% YoY in February.
By Matt Leonard • April 6, 2021 -
Tight ocean market, extended lead times push shippers to airfreight
Air cargo demand has rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. But capacity remains down with many passenger planes grounded, and pricing is unstable.
By Matt Leonard • March 9, 2021 -
No rate relief in sight for ocean shippers as Lunar New Year passes
If consumer spending doesn't fall off during 2021, the ocean shipping industry could be in for a busy and record-breaking year, one analyst predicted.
By Matt Leonard • Feb. 23, 2021 -
Tight capacity puts pricing power in trucking's hands as spot, contract rates rise
Trailer orders are up YoY and fleets say they're trying to hire drivers, but one analyst said it will be the end of the pandemic that will bring drivers back.
By Matt Leonard • Feb. 12, 2021 -
Analysts see 'no underlying currents' to loosen tight airfreight capacity
Shippers, forwarders and carriers pivoted to short-term rate negotiations and the spot market as airfreight capacity dropped 18% YoY.
By Matt Leonard • Feb. 4, 2021 -
Intermodal carloads up 12% but railroads struggle with trip plan compliance
Traditional commodities, such as coal, saw volume slump on the rail lines in 2020, but intermodal grew thanks to a tight trucking market and a glut of containers needing to move.
By Matt Leonard • Jan. 26, 2021 -
Ocean rates rose through January as ports report record year
Carriers have held off on the blank sailings that usually happen around Lunar New Year, but one forwarder suggested booking loads for spring now as capacity is strained.
By Matt Leonard • Jan. 22, 2021 -
Analysts: Restocking in Q1 will keep trucking market hot
Cass' latest Freight Index showed expenditures were up almost 6% in November as rate increases in the spot market have begun to spill over into contracts.
By Matt Leonard • Jan. 5, 2021 -
Airfreight rates from China to US rise 58% ahead of the holidays
The ongoing distribution of coronavirus vaccines could increase annual air cargo demand by 2% and lift airfreight rates in the first half of next year, according to one analyst.
By Matt Leonard • Dec. 22, 2020 -
Restocking is 'alive and well,' giving intermodal its best month ever
Intermodal volume was up 10% YoY in October and saw strong numbers in the first two weeks of November.
By Matt Leonard • Nov. 18, 2020 -
Airfreight rates climb as peak nears
Rates between China/Hong Kong and the United States increased by nearly 46% between Oct. 12 and Nov. 9 to reach $7.40 per kilogram, which is more than double the rate during the same time last year.
By Matt Leonard • Nov. 9, 2020