Industry Pulse

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

3 tips for launching your responsible sourcing program

Learn how to take the first steps towards a responsible and diverse sourcing program.

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

Carriers talk of adding capacity as tight trucking market continues to raise rates

Shippers could see their freight costs go up — if they haven't already — as they wait for new capacity to enter the market.

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 5, 2020

Intermodal volume swells to 4th-strongest month of all time amid restocking, e-commerce boom

It is difficult to project how long the current trend in intermodal volume will last, considering unpredictable variables like coronavirus case numbers and federal relief, one analyst said.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 13, 2020

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