Industry Pulse

Keep track of monthly trends for each mode of transportation through this data hub.

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
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