Industry Pulse

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

Air cargo shows slight growth for 1st time in 4 months

Global indicators paint a bleak picture for air cargo demand, and the International Air Transport Association said "growth is likely to remain subdued" in the near future.

By Matt Leonard • May 13, 2019

Trade uncertainty hits Southern California ports

Meanwhile, infrastructure investments boosted East Coast ports, with many seeing record March volumes. 

By Matt Leonard • May 06, 2019

Trucking volume increases in March, still lower than expected

The DAT Freight Index — an indicator of volume across van, refrigerated and flatbed freight — went up 4.3% in March compared to the previous month.

By Matt Leonard • April 11, 2019

West Coast imports slip in February after 'global trade frenzy'

Volumes at East Coast ports rose year-over-year, but they may soon be headed for the same downturn as their West Coast counterparts. 

By Matt Leonard • March 25, 2019

Air freight demand falls amid weak trade

The International Air Transport Association projected "little prospect" of a rebound for air freight unless trade tensions like Brexit and tariffs diminish. 

By Matt Leonard • March 11, 2019

Ocean freight rates increased ahead of Lunar New Year — but not by much

This January's month-to-month change was lower than previous years, signaling that rates are being kept up by a rush to beat tariffs.

By Shefali Kapadia • Feb. 11, 2019

Dip in rail volume offers reality check for industry

With trucking capacity showing some signs of recovering and continued machinations around trade in Washington, explosive intermodal growth is looking slightly less certain today.

By Emma Cosgrove • Feb. 04, 2019

Air freight growth at a standstill amid trade tensions

Peak season, normally a boon for air cargo, was overshadowed by trade concerns such as U.S.-China tariffs and the upcoming Brexit deadline. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Jan. 28, 2019

Trucking shipments fall year-over-year for first time in 2 years

Analysts from the Cass Freight Index said the dip suggests the U.S. economy "may have reached its short-term expansion limit."

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 22, 2019

High ocean freight rates in December foreshadow expensive 2019

The last time the shipping industry suffered a big shock, in late 2016, shippers paid the price in spot rates. Now the 2018 - 2019 shipping cycle appears to be following a similar trend.

By Edwin Lopez • Jan. 07, 2019

Cost-savings in Texas may explain weak November for rail

The carload decline that might otherwise suggest a market correction may actually be the result of dynamics in one commodity group: crushed sand, stone and gravel.

By Edwin Lopez • Dec. 18, 2018

Peak season bumps up air freight demand

Strong e-commerce growth is offsetting the effects of economic headwinds on the air cargo industry, according to the International Air Transport Association. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Dec. 10, 2018

Trucking growth keeps pricing power in carriers' hands

Technology will keep this extended period of growth, despite finite capacity, from causing long-term inflation in freight markets, according to Cass.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 03, 2018

Spot rates from China up 91% over last year

The cost of shipping from East Asia to North America has been rising quickly since June 2018, reversing the trend of cost declines in the previous nine months.

By Edwin Lopez • Nov. 25, 2018

Soybean export declines yield slower rail volumes

October marked the slowest month of growth for carload volumes as shifting market conditions for frac sand market and grains led to a just 1% year-over-year gain.

By Edwin Lopez • Nov. 19, 2018

Longer delivery times weaken air freight growth

Demand for air transport grew 2% in September, less than half the five-year average growth rate of 5.1%, according to data from the International Air Transport Association.

By Shefali Kapadia • Nov. 12, 2018

Trucking prices climb as economy continues to expand

Carriers are determined to grow capacity amid seemingly unending demand for freight.

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 06, 2018

Shipping to the West Coast is not so cheap anymore

This year may be the most expensive peak shipping season to date, as China to West Coast rates have surged more than 70% since last year.

By Edwin Lopez • Oct. 29, 2018

Rail breaks intermodal transport record — again

Rail traffic shows no signs the economy is slowing down, according to analysis from the Association of American Railroads.

By Edwin Lopez • Oct. 22, 2018

Tariffs haven't impacted air cargo — yet

"As the list of tariffs grows so does the air cargo industry’s vulnerability," said IATA CEO Alexandre de Juniac.

By Shefali Kapadia • Oct. 09, 2018