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