Industry Pulse

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

Will trucking see a turnaround in 2020?

DAT is forecasting a rebound in trucking rates in 2020, saying spot rates could bounce back 4% to 6% in the second half of the year while contract rates could climb 2%.

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 26, 2019

West Coast ports see volume drop, blame tariffs

While the Ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach and Oakland saw a decline in volume compared to last year, import levels at the Ports of Los Angeles and Oakland were still higher than in October 2017.

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 19, 2019

No growth in air freight volume for 11th straight month

The industry blamed the ongoing trade war between China and the United States, which has resulted in decreased international trade.

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 11, 2019

China to US ocean shipping rates fall 40%

West Coast import volumes are also down year-over-year, although analysts expect more front-loading of inventory in anticipation of December tariffs.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 23, 2019

As spot rates stay low, shippers hold off on contracts

The load-to-truck ratio continued to slump on a year-over-year basis in September across vans, reefers and flatbeds.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 03, 2019

Air cargo struggles due to trade war, Hong Kong disruptions

The International Air Transport Association predicted 2019 could be the first year since 2009 that the global air freight market contracts.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 23, 2019

US rail traffic down for 7th straight month in August

Railroads have taken a hit amid trade uncertainty and a decline in agricultural exports to China. 

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 20, 2019

Spot rates from China to US drop 30% from last year

Meanwhile, import volume into West Coast ports was virtually flat in July compared to the same month in 2018.

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 27, 2019

No growth in air cargo for 8th straight month in June

Air freight volume for the first half of 2019 was down 3.6% compared to the same period last year.

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 19, 2019

Trucking demand continues to show weakness in July

Lower demand and spot rates have created a market favorable for shippers, but there are differing opinions on whether to use the term "freight recession."

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 05, 2019

West Coast ports blame tariffs for June import decline

The ports of Long Beach and Oakland and the Northwest Seaport Alliance saw declines large enough to offset modest increases at the Port of Los Angeles.

By Matt Leonard • July 29, 2019

With rail volumes as a guide, economic outlook sours

Railroad volumes have been shakier in 2019 than 2018 after a tumultuous winter plagued by flooding in the Midwest and trade uncertainty as tariff threats come and go.

By Emma Cosgrove • July 08, 2019

Trucking demand, spot rates fall year-over-year in June

The sinking demand could be an important indicator of upcoming economic trends.

By Matt Leonard • July 08, 2019

Long Beach import volume down 19.5% year-over-year

The port blamed the ongoing trade war for the large slump in import volume.

By Matt Leonard • June 18, 2019

Van, reefer truck demand grows from April to May

Year-over-year, load-to-truck ratios fell dramatically, and the Cass Freight Index said declines in freight volumes point to "possible economic contraction."

By Matt Leonard • June 04, 2019

Multiple ports see double-digit growth in April

Most ports saw upticks in April volumes over March as imports increased after the seasonal lull. 

By Matt Leonard • May 28, 2019