Industry Pulse

Capacity constraints limit air cargo's ability to bounce back

A nearly 13% YoY drop in airfreight volume amid improving economic indicators surprised the International Air Transport Association in August. 

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 30, 2020

August import volume swells above 2019 levels as retailers restock, prep for holidays

High import volume is expected to continue going into September, and the next six months are expected to be stronger than the previous six months.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 17, 2020

Intermodal leads rail volume recovery as retailers restock

Despite what may turn out to be a dramatic recovery for certain segments of the railroads' businesses, pricing is unlikely to shift until 2021, one CSX executive said.

By Emma Cosgrove • Sept. 09, 2020

Airfreight rates expected to stay elevated through peak due to loss of belly capacity

Freighter capacity increased 29% in July compared to the same month last year, but the gains were not enough to offset a 70% dip in belly capacity.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 02, 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

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

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

Rail volumes make 'slow recovery' but KCS keeps capacity tight

KCS's intermodal volume began improving as automotive plants reopened and parts were exported to Mexico. But lackluster consumer demand is still a drag on overall levels.

By Matt Leonard • July 07, 2020

May airfreight data hints at recovery, FedEx doesn't expect capacity to normalize until 2021

Freight capacity fell more than volume, creating a supply-demand gap and a challenge for shippers to find air cargo space.

By Matt Leonard • July 06, 2020

Automotive rail volume remains below pre-pandemic levels as factories reopen

Motor vehicles and parts volume was down 75% year over year in May, according to the latest numbers from the Association of American Railroads.

By Matt Leonard • June 17, 2020

Airfreight capacity falls 42%, 'damaging' global supply chains

The drop has resulted in longer shipping times and higher costs for companies moving cargo by air.

By Matt Leonard • June 05, 2020

Rail carriers cut capacity as intermodal volume drops 17% in April, the largest fall since 2009

CSX, Kansas City Southern, Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific all mentioned reducing train starts as a result of falling demand during April earnings calls. 

By Matt Leonard • May 07, 2020

As trucking demand craters in April, rates follow

The shippers still moving loads stand to benefit from lower spot rates as the market swings in their favor.

By Matt Leonard • May 05, 2020

Freighters grapple with high demand as airfreight capacity drops 23% in March

With belly cargo disappearing, freighters are figuring out how to make up for the loss, resulting in higher prices for shippers.

By Matt Leonard • April 30, 2020

Blank sailings, idle automotive manufacturing hit March rail volume

Recent SEC filings from Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific and CSX suggest the pandemic's effect on rail operations and financial performance "could be material." 

By Matt Leonard • April 07, 2020

Global air cargo capacity falls for first time in 3 years

Freight capacity fell 4.4% year-over-year in February driven mostly by cancellations from airlines in the Asia Pacific region.

By Matt Leonard • April 06, 2020

Trucking demand surges as retailers restock

Analysts said demand spikes and spot rate increases are "directly attributable" to the COVID-19 outbreak as retailers attempt to restock depleted stores. 

By Matt Leonard • March 17, 2020

Struggling intermodal meets further headwinds with coronavirus

Intermodal had to compete with low spot rates in the trucking sector for all of 2019 and now must deal with a slump in demand caused by a pandemic.

By Matt Leonard • March 16, 2020

Coronavirus adds hurdle for air cargo industry saddled with demand slump

Airfreight demand was down YoY for 2019 and the full impact of the COVID-19 outbreak won't show up until the February numbers are released next month, according to the International Air Transport Association.

By Matt Leonard • March 09, 2020

Shippers turn to air freight as Chinese factories come back online

The coronavirus outbreak led to a downturn in demand, but as commercial airlines cut capacity, carriers and freighters see an opportunity.

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 24, 2020

East Coast ports see growth in 2019 while West Coast imports fall

The Port of Long Beach saw the largest decline with an 8% year-over-year drop in imports. Savannah saw the most growth at 7%.

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 03, 2020

Demand signals show signs of life, but trucking industry still struggling

Multiple experts suggest more capacity will need to leave the market before rates move to favor carriers rather than shippers, but there were some positive signals for carriers to round out 2019.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 23, 2020

Air cargo continues slump, down for 13th straight month

November is usually peak season for air cargo, but the ongoing trade war impacted volume in North American and Asian markets.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 09, 2020

Rail volume down for 9th straight month in November

A weak manufacturing sector has affected volume on the rails and overcapacity in the trucking market has made it hard to complete for intermodal.

By Matt Leonard • Dec. 16, 2019

Demand for air cargo descends for a year straight

There are glimmers of a turnaround in some of the economic indicators, IATA suggested, but North American airlines are still adding capacity without the volume to support it.

By Matt Leonard • Dec. 11, 2019